THW Daily - Why Canadiens Can’t Rush Rebuild Right for Playoffs Now & NHL Trade Bait List for 2024 Trade Deadline
Also, options for Rangers to fill top-six void, Flyers draft picks that got away & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have thoughts on why the Canadiens can’t rush their rebuild right now, a trade bait list for the NHL’s 2024 trade deadline, options for the Rangers to fill their top-six void, and much more.
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Flyers Flash: Team Keeps Winning Despite Ailments by Justin Giampietro
Blue Note Weekly Audio Report: Craig Berube Fired & Team Responds With Two Wins by Ethan Carter
Yesterday’s NHL Scores…
Jack Campbell Hard to Trade After Remarks by Oilers AHL Coach
December 19, 2023 by Jim Parsons
Jack Campbell‘s recent performances with the Bakersfield Condors raises serious concerns about his readiness to rejoin the Edmonton Oilers’ main roster. Allowing three goals in the first 28 minutes of a game — which he did this past Saturday — is far from the reliability the team needs. This isn’t a one-off either. He’s allowed three or more goals in eight out of the ten AHL games he’s played. His performance in December has been less-than-ideal, holding a 2-2 record with a .877 save percentage. It’s certainly not enough to warrant bringing him back up the the NHL.
There’s a potentially bigger problem. This recent stint has nullified any slight improvements he made in late November, indicating a struggle to find consistent form between the pipes. He’s not finding his stride in the minors and so much so, he’s showcasing just how much of a risk he’d be for another team that was even remotely considering a trade. It’s gotten so bad, his AHL coach has now publicly acknowledged he can’t make standard, low-danger saves.
Canadiens Can’t Rush Rebuild for Shot at 2024 Playoffs
December 19, 2023 by Blain Potvin
The Montreal Canadiens have begun their annual western road trip, and even though they are over .500, and the final wild-card position is within reach, there are still three teams between them and the postseason. With the team in only the second year of a rebuild, there is no need for general manager Kent Hughes to rush the process.
There will be many discussions about keeping certain veterans or trading them at the deadline – if the value of keeping them is higher than what the trade market can provide. We will look at the balancing act Hughes faces in the coming months.
3 Former Rangers Who Could Return To Fill The Top-Six Void
December 19, 2023 by Lucas Standel
With no clear timeline for when Filip Chytil or Kaapo Kakko will return from injury, the New York Rangers will be playing without two of their top-six forwards for the foreseeable future. They have tried to put other players in the top-six, like Blake Wheeler and Jonny Brodzinski, but the results just haven’t been as good as they need to be.
The Rangers are going to be tight on cap space going into the trade deadline on March 8, 2024, but they have enough to make a move to help the team’s top-six going forward. With plenty of names on the market, here are three former Rangers who could end up back with the team to help fill the void.
Rumours Link Maple Leafs to 3 Middle-Six Forwards
December 19, 2023 by Spencer Lazary
Sportsnet’s Luke Fox has reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs may be interested in a few bigger-named forwards ahead of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline on March 8, 2024. Fox covers the Maple Leafs daily and has said in a recent article that the club could be looking at the Montreal Canadiens’ Sean Monahan, the Seattle Kraken’s Alexander Wennberg, and the Anaheim Ducks’ Adam Henrique. All three are on expiring contracts with teams that will likely find themselves out of a playoff spot based on play early this season.
With that, let’s look at Monahan, Wennberg, and Henrique and discuss why they could be a fit for Toronto.
NHL Trade Bait List for 2024 Trade Deadline
December 19, 2023 by Alex Chauvancy
The NHL’s holiday roster freeze begins tonight and runs through Dec. 28. But once it lifts, expect trade rumors and activity to pick up, as the trade deadline (March 8, 2024) will be close to two months away.
Trade boards have already popped up from insiders like Chris Johnston (TSN, The Athletic) and Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff. Using those trade boards, let’s compile a list of 20 players who could be trade targets for playoff contenders in the coming weeks.
Flyers’ Draft Picks That Got Away
December 19, 2023 by Justin Giampietro
In their drafting history, the Philadelphia Flyers have often been forced to get creative with them having made the playoffs all but eight times from their inaugural 1967-68 season through their 2011-12 campaign. In doing so, they’ve hit on a lot of players.
Unfortunately, some of those hits found their stride with other organizations. Which Flyer draft picks were at their best after departing from the franchise?
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Toronto Maple Leafs - Maple Leafs Domi’s Inspiring Unity & Physical Resilience
Boston Bruins - Bruins’ 2023-24 Trade Targets: Calgary Flames
St. Louis Blues - 3 St. Louis Blues Head Coach Options Not Named Drew Bannister
NHL News & Rumors - Avalanche, Senators, Bruins, Oilers
From TSN - Canucks to scratch Kuzmenko again vs. Predators
From Sportsnet - Future Considerations: Scouting reports on draft-eligible WJC players
From ESPN - Blackhawks' Kevin Korchinski rejoins team after father's death
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