THW Daily - Latest News on Coyotes Arena Situation & Replacements for Smith in Ottawa if He’s Fired
Also, trade partners for Capitals with Kuznetsov possibly on the block, trade candidates in St. Louis & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have the latest news on the Arizona Coyotes arena situation, replacements for Senators head coach D.J. Smith if he’s fired, trade partners for the Capitals for Evgeny Kuznetsov, and much more.
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Yesterday’s NHL Scores…
3 Capitals’ Trade Partners in a Potential Evgeny Kuznetsov Deal
December 6, 2023 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
The Washington Capitals have gotten off to a surprisingly good start to their 2023-24 campaign after missing the playoffs last season. With an aging core who would like to win another Stanley Cup before they retire, the Capitals have been making moves over the past couple of seasons to try and give themselves an edge. With the acquisition last season of Rasmus Sandin and the offseason addition of Joel Edmundson, the Capitals find themselves in a good spot 22 games into the season, have a 12-8-2 record, and sit fifth in the Metropolitan Division.
One player that the Capitals could end up moving on from though, is Evgeny Kuznestov. He was a healthy scratch in the Capitals’ last matchup against the Arizona Coyotes where his team lost 6-0. While the coach stated the move was a “mental reset”, there is a chance Kuznetsov could be growing unhappy with the Capitals and would like a shot to win a Stanley Cup somewhere else. With that being said, here are three trade partners for the Capitals in a potential Kuznetsov deal.
Coyotes Arena Update Answers Multitude of Questions
December 6, 2023 by Cooper Krigbaum
The Arizona Coyotes are in the final stages of finding a permanent home in the desert, which would solve a multitude of nuisances. Per PHNX Sports, Craig Morgan writes, “Coyotes president and CEO Xavier Gutierrez told PHNX Sports on Tuesday that the team expects to announce its chosen arena site by the end of the calendar year, or shortly thereafter.” Since original owner Richard Burke determined that the team could not survive in the desert, finding a permanent home has been a battle.
From arena to arena or city to city, it’s been a never-ending resolution. Nevertheless, with this potential site climbing the rankings, this may be Alex Mereulo’s group’s biggest task yet, as it’s never been done before. If this doesn’t work out, it could be game over for the Coyotes in Arizona. Solving this hurdle would bring sustainability and assurance to the Coyotes players and fanbase that have dealt with a myriad of rumors for nearly two decades. While there is still much unknown, we know some details about what could be the next home of the Coyotes.
5 Signs Canadiens Rebuild Is on Track in 2023-24
December 6, 2023 by Ryan Szporer
Looks can be deceiving, especially in the direction of the Montreal Canadiens. They’re just two points out of the second Eastern Conference wild-card, pointing to the potential for a playoff appearance in 2024, but, while fans may hope against all hope they make it in the end, they also know better.
The Canadiens have a long way to go before they’re playoff-ready. However, by the same token, they’ve come a long way since everyone suffered through a last-place 2021-22 season. For example, they’re a respectable 11-11-3 on the season, and technically one point closer to a spot than they were at this exact point last season.
5 St. Louis Blues’ Early Season Trade Candidates
December 6, 2023 by Mike Meyer
The 2023-24 NHL season may only be a quarter of the way through, but early trade candidates are beginning to become clear across the league.
As players are beginning to claim spots in the nightly lineup, others are being left with either reduced roles or relegated to the press box to watch from above. Here’s a look at five members of the St. Louis Blues that could be looked to as trade candidates as the season progresses.
5 Candidates to Replace Senators’ D.J. Smith if He’s Fired
December 6, 2023 by Paul Quinney
Judging by comments on the Twitterverse, (or is it the X-verse now?) it seems most fans of the Ottawa Senators believe that firing head coach D.J. Smith is all that’s needed to make their team a Stanley Cup champion. Even so, let me say from the outset that Smith isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. Nor should he.
Any monkey can fire a head coach. And if you’re Senators management, it’s an easy way to appease fans who think that the Senators’ problems – every last one of them – are all Smith’s fault. What makes a smart monkey, however, is figuring out who to replace him with. So even though I’m predicting Senators fans are stuck with Smith for the foreseeable future, let’s indulge in some fantasy hockey and pretend that he’s in an UBER with instructions to run every red light on the way to the airport to get him on the next flight out of Bytown. Who’s available on the head coach market to replace him?
Blue Jackets Key Decisions Have Shattered Trust With Fanbase
December 6, 2023 by Mark Scheig
Another game, another blown multi-goal lead. This time, the Blue Jackets saw a 3-0 third period lead disappear in under seven minutes. To their credit, the Blue Jackets were able to gather themselves enough to not allow another goal in the third period. That secured them at least a point. However, they never touched the puck in overtime and the game was over in 33 seconds.
That’s where this column is going to focus on. The Blue Jackets have played well enough in spurts in which they shouldn’t be in last place in their conference. But the fact is they are and the blown leads are a significant factor in that outcome.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Philadelphia Flyers - Flyers’ 2023-24 Success Sustainable But Shouldn’t Change Rebuild
Colorado Avalanche - Avs’ MacKinnon Nearing Personal Milestones & Team Records
Toronto Maple Leafs - Maple Leafs News & Rumors: McMann, Tavares, Minten & Cowan
NHL News & Rumors - Oilers, Bruins, Hurricanes, Predators
From TSN - Sabres acquire F Robinson from Blue Jackets
From Sportsnet - Which NHL teams have the most prospects at Canada's WJC camp?
From ESPN - Maple Leafs D John Klingberg needs hip surgery, out for season
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