THW’s Best of the Week: Winter Classic, Fantilli’s Rookie Campaign, Quinn Hughes for Norris & More
A Sunday Edition of The Hockey Writers Substack
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Sunday Edition…
Our in-season Sunday Edition features the BEST OF THE WEEK throughout the NHL.
In today’s edition, we have the final countdown to the 2024 Winter Classic, the fantastic rookie campaign for Adam Fantilli, the Norris trophy race featuring Quinn Hughes, and much more.
Check Out Some THW Premium Substack Content:
Philadelphia Flyers: Flyers Flash: A Quick Turnaround by Justin Giampietro
Tampa Bay Lightning: What the Numbers Tell Us After 35 Games by Jordan Orth
Colorado Avalanche: Avalanche Prospect Update: Ritchie, Behrens, Hanzel & More by Stefano Rubino
New York Rangers: Rangers Prospect Report: Roobroeck, Othmann & More by Jesse Courville-Lynch
NHL News & Rumours: Are the Bruins Looking for a Winger? Could the Devils Make a Huge Deal? by Jim Parsons
Vancouver Canucks: Canucks Prospect Report: World Juniors, Lekkerimaki, Willander, Brzustewicz & More by Matthew Zator
Winnipeg Jets: Prospect Round-Up: Lambert, Chibrikov Leading AHL Team by Jacob Billington
Ottawa Senators: Prospect Round-Up: Defensemen & Goalies in the Senators' Pipeline by Jacob Billington
Let’s dive into the Best of the Week…
Golden Knights and Kraken Take Center Stage at Winter Classic on Jan. 1
Opening up the calendar year of 2024 will be the Winter Classic from T-Mobile Park in Seattle, WA. The league’s two most recent expansion teams, the Vegas Golden Knights (2017) and Seattle Kraken (2021), will square off. This should be a terrific showcase with the defending Stanley Cup champions and a fun Kraken squad that has won four straight games.
Check Out Our 2024 World Junior Championship Coverage
[PREMIUM] 2024 World Juniors: Awards Contenders
Blue Jackets’ Adam Fantilli Exits Penalty Box and Scores a Nice Goal
The 2023 third-overall pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Adam Fantilli, is enjoying a quality rookie season. He has three goals and six points in the last six games, as well as 23 points in 38 games overall. It’s safe to say the Blue Jackets have a really good, future superstar forward on their hands. The 2023 draft class continues to impress early.
Winnipeg Jets Are on a Roll and Amongst the Best in the League
The Winnipeg Jets are 5-0-2 in their last seven games and 21-9-4 on the season. They are just one point behind the Colorado Avalanche with two games in hand and rank fourth in points in the Western Conference. They are one of the best defensive teams in the league and they’re hard to play against.
Philadelphia Flyers Staying Afloat and Remain One of League’s Biggest Surprises This Season
Many viewed the Philadelphia Flyers as a total rebuilder coming into this season after a 75-point campaign in 2022-23. However, under the leadership of head coach John Tortorella, the Flyers are second in the Metropolitan division through 35 games. They are top 10 in goals against and have gotten consistent production throughout their lineup. Can Tortorella lead this Flyers team to the playoffs?
Canucks’ Quinn Hughes Continues Incredible Season
The Vancouver Canucks have been one of the best teams in the NHL this season and defenseman Quinn Hughes has been a major part of that. He’s got 45 points in 36 games and is on a great track to win his first career Norris Trophy after a ninth-place finish last season. Hughes is a special talent from the blueline and a big part of the league’s movement with puck-moving defensemen.
We hope you enjoyed today’s THW Substack, and we hope you enjoy our “Best of the Week” Sunday Edition. Stay tuned for THW Daily as it continues tomorrow and beyond. Cheers!