THW Daily - Struggles Continue in Calgary & Canadiens Building an Identity Under St. Louis
Also, the latest news and rumors from Buffalo, why Blackhawks and Oilers could make a trade & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have struggles in Calgary mounting, the identity being built by the Canadiens, the latest news and rumors from Buffalo, and much more.
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Here’s the good stuff…
There Were No NHL Games Yesterday…
Sabres News & Rumors: Benson, Peterka, Levi & Luukkonen
November 23, 2023 by The Old Prof
The Washington Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres in overtime by a score of 4-3 on Wednesday night (Nov. 22). Dylan Strome netted the game-winner with just eight seconds left on the clock. The win extended the Capitals’ winning streak to an impressive five games, and a strong 6-0-1 record in their last seven games. For the Sabres, J.J. Peterka, Zach Benson, and Dylan Cozens scored in the heart-breaker. The Sabres have now lost four of their last five games. Devon Levi made 26 saves in a strong effort that came up just a bit short.
Despite the Sabres’ disappointment in missing out on the two points, head coach Don Granato was pleased with his team’s improved play. It didn’t pull a victory, but they at least registered a point. The team currently sits one game below the .500 mark.
Flames’ Early Season Woes Re-Appear in Ugly Loss to Predators
November 23, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
The Calgary Flames appeared to have a good thing going as of late. They entered Wednesday night’s game versus the Nashville Predators with seven points over their past four games, and had a chance to enter American Thanksgiving in a wild card position if they would have been able to come out with a win.
That was far from the case, however, as the Flames fell to the Predators by a 4-2 final in a game that could have been even worse. Their effort level at Bridgestone Arena was simply not good enough, something head coach Ryan Huska admitted when speaking with reporters afterward. While it’s only one game, it feels like a major step backward for a team that appeared to be turning things around.
Math Works For Oilers and Blackhawks To Make Multi-Player Trade
November 23, 2023 by Jim Parsons
The Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks could be suitable trade partners. While the Oilers look for solutions to cure their current woes and the Blackhawks deal with news that Taylor Hall is done for the season and Corey Perry has gone missing in action, there are pieces on both sides that have the potential to solve some respective problems for each organization.
The deal would center around the goaltending and the Oilers landing a player with some grit and playoff experience. For the Blackhawks, it would be about taking on a bad contract, ridding themselves of a potential problem, and getting a couple of sweeteners in the move.
Projecting St. Louis Blues’ 2024 World Juniors Participants
November 23, 2023 by Mike Meyer
On Tuesday, Nov. 21, Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman of The Athletic published their projections of the 2024 World Juniors rosters for Teams Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland, and Slovakia (from ‘World juniors 2024 roster predictions: We pick Canada, USA, Sweden and Finland,’ The Athletic, Nov 21, 2023).
While the St. Louis Blues could only have a handful of players at the tournament, it is their top prospects that are projected to make the cut for their respective countries. Here’s a look at the five players who could represent the Blues and their countries at the 2024 World Juniors tournament.
Canadiens Focused on Building Identity
November 23, 2023 by Blain Potvin
With the Montreal Canadiens in a rebuild, they are not being judged, yet, on wins and losses. It’s more about individual player development. However, part of that development will need to be nurtured in an environment that the player has bought into. This is why it is important to build a team culture.
Creating a shared identity is crucial for a team trying to build itself into a high-performing one. This identity is basically to how members feel they fit, what role they fill and how they are valued. It can also indicate if an individual member can truly feel like this is the team they’re a part of and most loyal to.
Flyers’ Early Success Might Change Rebuild Path
November 23, 2023 by Justin Giampietro
The Philadelphia Flyers are off to a hot 10-7-1 start to their season and have done so with one of the most difficult schedules in the NHL. With them winning games despite being in a rebuild, it might be difficult for them to disassemble the roster and opt for a full-scale blowup rather than staying the course and trying to win games. The Flyers’ unexpected success could alter how the rebuild goes entirely.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Toronto Maple Leafs - Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Minten, Cowan, McMann & Benoit
Edmonton Oilers - Beyond Two, “All Oilers Assets In Play” to Find a Trade Fix [Report]
Columbus Blue Jackets - Blue Jackets’ Gaudreau & Laine Not Meeting Expectations
NHL News & Rumors - Maple Leafs, Oilers, Bruins, Flyers
From TSN - Maple Leafs place D Klingberg on LTIR
From Sportsnet - What U.S. Thanksgiving standings tell us about 2023-24 NHL playoff hopes
From ESPN - Blackhawks' Taylor Hall to have surgery, miss rest of season
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