THW Daily - Atlantic Division Award Candidates & Islanders' New Defensive Pairs
Also, why the NHL should get on Bedard hype train, a possible Rangers reunion with Kane & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have Atlantic Division award candidates, Maple Leafs’ dark horse trade candidates, Islanders’ new defensive pairs, and much more.
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Yesterday’s NHL Scores…
A Rangers Reunion With Patrick Kane Would Have Pros & Cons
October 20, 2023 by Lucas Standel
With the rumors of Patrick Kane likely signing with a team in November making the rounds, the New York Rangers are again being linked to the nine-time All-Star. Given how Kane became a Ranger in February, it is no surprise that he would be interested in returning and that the Rangers would be interested.
While there would be many positives in bringing him back, there might also be some negatives that would impact the make-up of the Rangers. Here are some pros and cons for Kane’s possible return to Broadway.
2023-24 NHL Award Candidates: Atlantic Division
October 20, 2023 by JP Gambatese
Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Atlantic Division boasts significant high-end talent who could compete for NHL Awards come season’s end. Awards like the Hart Memorial, Art Ross, and Rocket Richard are Connor McDavid’s to lose until he proves otherwise, but hockey is one of the truly unpredictable sports, and as such, someone from the Atlantic could emerge as a candidate for any and all awards.
NHL Needs to Get on & Accelerate the Connor Bedard Hype Train
October 20, 2023 by Hunter Crowther
Since the Chicago Blackhawks drafted Connor Bedard with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the amount of media attention he’s received is unprecedented. Of course Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid had their fair share once they entered the league, and Auston Matthews being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs created quite a stir in the “Center of the Hockey Universe.”
But the combination of hockey fans watching years’ worth of Bedard highlights in junior; being drafted in a hockey-mad American market like Chicago; the NHL’s U.S. television deal belonging to ESPN, and the higher powers who set the NHL schedule, make the 18-year-old’s entry into the greatest league in the world one of the most anticipated events in modern hockey history. Some have argued that we’ve paid Bedard too much attention. Let’s look at why he and the Blackhawks deserve every bit of it – and more.
3 Maple Leafs Dark Horse Trade Candidates for 2023-24
October 20, 2023 by Michael DeRosa
Recently, I wrote an article discussing the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ top three trade candidates for the 2023-24 season. Although there are some clear Maple Leafs to watch in trade talk during the 2023-24 season, they also have other players who could become surprising trade candidates depending on how the campaign goes. Let’s discuss three of their dark horse trade candidates now.
Islanders New Defense Pairs Have Unlocked Dobson & Romanov
October 20, 2023 by Mike Fink
The Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock duo has been a staple of the defense for the New York Islanders. The top pair has shut down the best offenses in the league and is an integral part of the team’s success, especially on the defensive end of the ice.
To start this season, head coach Lane Lambert split up Pelech and Pulock, shuffling up the defensive pairings. He moved Noah Dobson alongside Pelech, forming the new “top pair” while Alexander Romanov has played alongside Pulock. The move was a questionable one considering the unit’s past success but it was a worthwhile decision, especially early on in the season, which is the best time to experiment.
Oilers News & Rumors: Holloway, Skinner, Kane, Kessel, More
October 20, 2023 by Jim Parsons
In an Edmonton Oilers news and rumors update, what’s going on with some of the forwards on this roster who are being counted on to produce results?
Namely, Connor Brown and Evander Kane have struggled in the early going with no goals. Meanwhile, are the losses in Vancouver and Philadelphia on Jack Campbell? And, even if they aren’t, is it time to go back to Stuart Skinner? Dylan Holloway seems to have some jump in his step and it might be time to promote him. And, are the Oilers out of the running on a few free agents that could potentially help this team?
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
New Jersey Devils - Devils Look to Spark Offense With Line Shakeup
Buffalo Sabres - Sabres’ Recent Extensions Pose Long Term Threat
NHL News & Rumors - NHL Rumors: Jets, Stars, Kessel and a Decentralized Draft
From TSN - Blue Jackets place 2018 first-rounder Foudy on waivers
From Sportsnet - Friday Four: What to make of Alex Ovechkin's early slump
From ESPN - Ducks loss highlighted by Leo Carlsson goal in debut
We hope you enjoyed today’s THW Daily, and we hope to expand our daily offerings as we develop and experiment with this new platform. Cheers!