THW Daily - Flames and Avalanche Could Make Elias Lindholm Trade & Latest on the Goalie Market
Also, highlighting Blue Jackets' Marchenko, Canucks' Kuzmenko trade rumors & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have why the Flames and Avalanche could fit together for a Lindholm trade, the latest on the goalie market, highlighting Blue Jackets’ Marchenko, 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…
Blue Jackets’ Marchenko’s Play & Personality Deserve Attention
December 20, 2023 by Mark Scheig
Fast forward to Tuesday night. It was the Blue Jackets who offered their own dose of revenge by defeating the Sabres 9-4 at KeyBank Center. Two blowouts by the same final score in the other team’s barn 377 days apart. The noted, bitter rivalry between these two franchises has added another chapter long after their matchup on Wednesday night Rivalry Night.
This time it was Kirill Marchenko who shined. He scored a natural hat trick in just 8:07 to turn a 2-1 game into a 5-1 game. The last two of his goals came 18 seconds apart, which became the fastest two goals scored by the same player in franchise history.
Flames and Avalanche Are Perfect Trading Partners for Lindholm
December 20, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
The Colorado Avalanche made a significant move on Dec. 16, sending forward Tomas Tatar to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick. On the surface, this might look like nothing more than the Avalanche moving on from a struggling Tatar, as the 33-year-old had just one goal and nine assists through 27 games after inking a one-year, $1.5 million deal this summer. However, it seems as though Joe Sakic might have more planned than just moving out a struggling winger.
This move helped free up cap space for a team looking to go on another deep playoff run with a very talented roster. By moving Tatar, they now have $4.825 million to work with, which could fill a few holes ahead of the trade deadline. That is where the Calgary Flames come into the picture.
Friedman Believes Capitals Interested In Canucks’ Kuzmenko
December 20, 2023 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
The Washington Capitals have been surprisingly strong to start their 2023-24 campaign. With a 15-9-4 record through 28 games, they currently sit fifth in the Metropolitan Division and three points behind the Carolina Hurricanes, but have played four fewer games. Their captain, Alex Ovechkin, has struggled offensively this season for the first time in his career to start a new season, but the team seems to be rallying around him and has been successful even with his shocking lack of production.
One player who has surprisingly been in and out of the lineup on his team is Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko. He has been a healthy scratch several times this season and seems to be a player that head coach Rick Tocchet isn’t a fan of. Kuzmenko has six goals and has added 11 assists for 17 points through 29 games this season which is quite good for a player who has spent the majority of his time in the bottom six, but his play is still something the Canucks don’t seem to like.
Oilers News & Rumors: Broberg, Campbell, Draisaitl, Subban
December 20, 2023 by Jim Parsons
In an Edmonton Oilers news and rumors update, there is talk that the team might be able to move Jack Campbell’s contract in a trade if they include Philip Broberg as a sweetener.
Meanwhile, the Oilers are trying to get Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane going. Are they risking hurting the top line by switching things up? Finally, can the Oilers use the harsh criticism of a player like P.K. Subban to motivate the team?
Bargain Bin: Wild, Goalie Market, Senators, Avalanche
December 20, 2023 by Conrad Jack
In this week’s edition of the Bargain Bin, we look at Marc-Andre Fleury getting benched in potentially his last game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. We’ll also look at what teams are looking to add depth and experience to the goalie position. The Detroit Red Wings were put in an emergency backup goaltender situation on Monday, Dec. 18. Could this lead to teams potentially carrying a third or fourth goaltender with some NHL experience?
The Ottawa Senators currently sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, leading to them making changes to their coaching staff. Could a coaching change be what the Senators need to turn their season around? Finally, the Colorado Avalanche seem to be working on a trade for a second-line center, but who could they be targeting?
Konyushkov & Volokhin: Canadiens’ 2 Dynamic Russian Prospects
December 20, 2023 by Trege Wilson
There is a lot of focus on the Montreal Canadiens’ prospects from around the world this time of year with the World Junior Championship (WJC) starting Boxing Day. Players like Lane Hutson, Owen Beck, and Jacob Fowler are taking up all the North American headlines and David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom are getting all the overseas attention so it’s been easy for fans and media to forget about a critical hockey world: Russia.
Since the war with Ukraine began, most media and fans have put Russian hockey on the back burner except for players like Philadelphia Flyers prospect Matevi Michkov and 2024 draft hopeful Ivan Demidov. Not many prospects are featured in hockey news or discussed much on social media. The Canadiens have a bevy of talent playing in Russia that could significantly impact the team.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Edmonton Oilers - Philip Broberg Likely Moved in an Oilers Trade of Jack Campbell
New York Islanders - 3 New York Islanders Trade Targets
Buffalo Sabres - Sabres’ Christmas Wishlist for 2023-24
NHL News & Rumors - Oilers, Devils, Capitals, Canucks
From TSN - Avs D Toews calls out teammates: 'I think they're kidding themselves at this point'
From Sportsnet - Tanev's sacrifice symbolic of laser-focused Flames with holiday goal in mind
From ESPN - NHL agrees to keep 11 teams' local broadcasts on Bally Sports
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