THW Daily - Bold Predictions for Rest of NHL Season & Struggles for Sabres' Offseason Acquisitions
Also, a look at the dominance of the Jets' top line, how to fix the Red Wings lineup & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have three bold predictions for the rest of the NHL season, struggles for the Sabres’ offseason acquisitions, a look at the dominance of the Jets’ top line, and much more.
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Check Out Some THW Premium Substack Content:
Tampa Bay Lightning: Prospect Check-In: Duke Striving While Alnefelt Sees Dip in Game Time by Jordan Orth
Prospects & Draft: Canada/USA Team Previews & 2024 Draft Prospects to Watch at the World Juniors by Logan Horn
Chicago Blackhawks: 10 Thoughts About This Blackhawks Bunch by Brooke LoFurno
Nashville Predators: Nashville Predators Top 10 Goals of December: Trenin's Hand-Eye & Tomasino's Nifty Mitts by Alex Wauthy
New Jersey Devils: 5 Questions With Devils Forward Curtis Lazar by Josh Reinitz
Hockey History: Forgotten Red Wings: Daniel Alfredsson by Matthew Zator
Yesterday’s NHL Scores…
Jets’ Top Line of Ehlers, Scheifele, & Vilardi Dominating
December 22, 2023 by Declan Schroeder
Ever since being put together five games ago, the Winnipeg Jets’ top line is dominating and is showing no signs of slowing down. Vilardi is suddenly scorching, with six goals and four assists for 10 points in has past four games. It’s safe to say the 24-year-old — who Jets’ brass was hoping would take another step in his development into a consistent scoring threat — has officially arrived.
3 Bold Predictions for Rest of NHL Season
December 22, 2023 by Ryan Ventura
As we approach Christmas, the NHL season will hit its halfway mark in the coming month. Most teams have now played 30 or more games, and the standings and playoff picture are actually starting to mean something. Here are three bold predictions for the remainder of the NHL season.
Analyst: Maple Leafs Nearing Drastic Move with Ilya Samsonov
December 22, 2023 by Jim Parsons
Ilya Samsonov was pulled from the Toronto Maple Leafs net on Thursday night versus the Buffalo Sabres. The score wound up being 9-3, with Samsonov allowing five goals on 19 shots. Unfortunately, this poor showing came after a game versus Columbus in which he allowed six goals on 35 shots in a 6-5 overtime loss.
In the short-term, Martin Jones has done an admirable job. Yes, he allowed four goals on 16 shots Thursday night, but he’s been far more productive than anyone would have envisioned when signed this summer. Frankly, no one really expected Jones to play all that much. That he is, and respectively playing well, is a lifeline for Toronto. Still, the Leafs have a problem and it might be time to do something drastic to fix it. Something is clearly off with his game and it’s hard to imagine the Maple Leafs feel any trust in going back to him.
Optimizing the Red Wings’ Lineup & Power Play
December 22, 2023 by Tony Wolak
Over the last three weeks, the Detroit Red Wings’ roster has been in a constant state of flux. Injuries, a suspension, a signing, and several call-ups have forced Derek Lalonde to shuffle the lineup on a seemingly nightly basis.
Now that David Perron’s suspension is over and Klim Kostin is the only skater on injured reserve, the Red Wings have an opportunity to adjust the lineup and move forward with some consistency. Here’s how I would approach things.
Sabres’ 2023 Offseason Additions Not Paying Off So Far
December 22, 2023 by Michael Golden
General manager Kevyn Adams took a conservative approach this past offseason. He didn’t shake up the Buffalo Sabres roster in a significant way. Instead, he banked on the growth of his young team and a couple of veteran additions to the defense in Connor Clifton and Erik Johnson.
Unfortunately for the Sabres, not only has their young core taken a gigantic step back from last season, but Clifton and Johnson have struggled mightily. Neither player has been able to help the Sabres tighten up defensively, nor do they appear to have an offensive bone in their bodies. Adams bet on his new third pair, and things haven’t worked out.
Rangers’ Schneider & Gustafsson Have Stabilized Third D-Pair
December 22, 2023 by Brian Abate
The New York Rangers are leading the Metropolitan Division with a 22-7-1 record. With many of their key players missing time, they have gotten contributions throughout the lineup, including strong play from their third defense pair of Braden Schneider and Erik Gustafsson.
For the last few seasons, the Rangers have struggled to find a stable third defense pair and have traded for defensemen on expiring contracts midseason both last season and in 2021-22. However, this season, Schneider and Gustafsson are playing well, and the pair has played an important role in the team’s impressive start.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Vancouver Canucks - Revisiting Canucks’ Juulsen & Lammikko For Juolevi Trade
2024 World Juniors - 10 Players to Watch at the 2024 World Junior Championship
Nashville Predators - Predators’ Tomasino Finally Being Rewarded for ‘Exceptional’ Play
NHL News & Rumors - Maple Leafs, Sabres, Penguins, Canadiens
From TSN - Bettman upholds Perron's six-game suspension
From Sportsnet - After disastrous road trip, Senators must regroup in a hurry
From ESPN - Samuel Girard, in player assistance program, cleared to practice
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