THW Daily - Cale Makar's Phenomenal Season & Latest on Canucks Winger Andrei Kuzmenko's Trade Market
Also, Jamie Drysdale's fit with the Flyers, how Nylander earned record extension in Toronto, & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have more on the phenomenal season for Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, the latest on Andrei Kuzmenko’s trade market, how new Flyer Jamie Drysdale fits, and much more.
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Check Out Some THW Premium Substack Content:
Tampa Bay Lightning: Prospect Check-In: Mid-Round Picks Standing Out by Jordan Orth
Philadelphia Flyers: Flyers Flash: A Late Spark by Justin Giampietro
New Jersey Devils: Devils Sunday Brunch - Running Out of Players by Josh Reinitz
St. Louis Blues: Blue Note Weekly Audio Report: Two Big Wins To Start the New Year by Ethan Carter
Pittsburgh Penguins: Penguins Will Be a Playoff Contender by Sylvie McCarthy
Florida Panthers: Is Aleksander Barkov the Greatest Florida Panther of All-Time? by Joey Ganzi
Detroit Red Wings: Red Wings Weekly Recap: Alex Lyon Backstops West Coast Sweep by Jordan Orth
Yesterday’s Scores…
Flyers Were the Perfect Destination for Jamie Drysdale
January 9, 2024 by Justin Giampietro
Right-handed defenseman Jamie Drysdale is a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, and better yet, he is just 21 with loads of upside. His last two seasons in the NHL have been plagued by injury, but general manager (GM) Danny Briere’s acquisition inspired confidence that he’s up to full strength and ready for action whenever.
With that being said, there are still some areas where Drysdale needs to improve as a player. Thankfully, there might not be a better place for that than in Philadelphia. He has the tools and the Flyers have the system in place for them to be utilized, it’s just all about executing at this time. Time and patience will be needed, but Philadelphia is a place for him to flourish, not fail.
Cale Makar On-Pace to Outperform Norris Trophy Season
January 9, 2024 by Stefano Rubino
The Colorado Avalanche are off to a hot start to the season, as they currently sit second in the Central Division. That placement is with the help of a consistent Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon breaking league and franchise records, and Cale Makar looking for his second Norris Trophy. Makar has been a cornerstone for the Avalanche since the second he was drafted. He is quarterbacking the power play and getting better every season, growing his game offensively and defensively.
Makar’s game this season has been mainly overlooked due to the sheer offensive powerhouse MacKinnon has been and how prolific Quinn Hughes was to start the season, but Makar is beginning to catch up. He’s caught up to Hughes in multiple stats, even passing him in a couple to make the Norris Trophy race even tighter as the season continues.
William Nylander’s Consistency Earned Him Massive Extension
January 9, 2024 by Peter Baracchini
If you have been under a rock this season, the biggest storyline for the Toronto Maple Leafs has been the consistency and exceptional play of forward William Nylander. His production has even outshined that of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner and as a result, he earned a massive payday.
Nylander and the Maple Leafs agreed to an eight-year, $92 million deal– an AAV of $11.5 million– making this the highest total value contract given in team history. Whether you feel this deal is fair or not for Nylander, his play this season has got him to the point where now he’s in discussion as an elite-level winger in the league. Nylander currently has the same number of points as Connor McDavid and more than other big names like Mikko Rantanen, Elias Pettersson, Leon Draisaitl, Brayden Point and Sidney Crosby. It’s been a long time coming, but here is how he got to this point.
Blues Sign Walker to 2-Year Extension
January 9, 2024 by Mike Meyer
St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the team has signed forward Nathan Walker to a two-year, one-way contract extension worth $775,000 per year. Now in his fifth season with the Blues, Walker has posted 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 101 regular-season games, including one goal in two games this season. Starting the season in the American Hockey League (AHL), the Australian has also recorded 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 30 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds.
To date, he has appeared in 113 career NHL regular-season games, including stints with Washington, Edmonton, and St. Louis, tallying 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists) and 41 penalty minutes. He became the first Australian player to play in the NHL when he made his debut with the Washington Capitals on Oct. 7, 2017.
Canucks News & Rumors: Guentzel, Pettersson, Kuzmenko & More
January 9, 2024 by Sartaaj Bhullar
In this edition of the Vancouver Canucks News & Rumors, the organization has multiple trade targets before the deadline, headlined by Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel. Additionally, an update on Elias Pettersson‘s contract as the Toronto Maple Leafs extend William Nylander. Also, NHL teams have an interest in Andrei Kuzmenko.
Canadiens Blew Opportunity to Trade Jake Allen
January 9, 2024 by Rob Couch
The Montreal Canadiens are still running with three goalies and the further we get into the season, regardless of the Trade Deadline on the horizon, it is looking less and less likely they are going to be able to trade one, Jake Allen in particular.
There have been a number of teams in desperate need of a goaltender this season, and a veteran Allen could have been the perfect fit for them. Some of these teams have started to figure it out in net or have seen the play of Allen drop significantly and as a result are looking elsewhere for help. The Canadiens have blown their opportunity to trade Allen now, and I don’t believe they will be able to this season unless he drastically improves his play over the next month and a half leading up to the Mar. 8 Deadline (from “Canadiens weekly notebook: Jake Allen on rumours, Brendan Gallagher’s different paths,” The Athletic, Dec. 11, 2023).
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Toronto Maple Leafs - Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Hyman, Nylander, Marleau & Mrazek
Arizona Coyotes - Coyotes Prospect Report: Duda, Söderström & Doan
Philadelphia Flyers - 4 Flyers With Most At Stake In Second Half
NHL News & Rumors - Flyers, Oilers, Maple Leafs
From TSN - Hayes not involved in Gauthier's decision, sounds off on online backlash
From Sportsnet - Sportsnet's 25 NHL trade candidates to watch two months from the deadline
From ESPN - Devils center Jack Hughes expected to miss weeks, not months
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