THW Daily - Lessons From the Bo Horvat Trade & Rangers’ Filip Chytil Struggling To Stay Healthy
Also, Patrick Kane meets with the Maple Leafs, status of the Flyers' rebuild & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have lessons from the Bo Horvat trade, Rangers’ Filip Chytil is struggling to stay healthy, thoughts on Patrick Kane meeting with the Maple Leafs, and much more.
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Here’s the good stuff…
Yesterday’s NHL Scores…
What it Means That Patrick Kane Met with the Maple Leafs
November 15, 2023 by Jim Parsons
Star forward Patrick Kane is making the rounds in free-agent discussions, igniting a flurry of rumors and speculation across the NHL. According to insider John Shannon, Kane, who has been actively training in Oakville, Ontario, has initiated meetings with several teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Shannon revealed, “Patrick Kane…is beginning the process of meeting with teams…Hearing he met with the Toronto Maple Leafs today.” This marks the start of a series of meetings Kane is scheduled to have over the next few days. The list of interested teams is robust, featuring the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, and the Buffalo Sabres.
Canucks vs. Islanders: 5 Lessons From the Bo Horvat Trade
November 15, 2023 by Mike Fink
The New York Islanders will face the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night (Nov. 15). The team is in the middle of a four-game Western road trip, and this marks the first time that Bo Horvat will face the Canucks since the blockbuster trade during the 2023 All-Star Break.
The deal had a significant impact on both the Canucks and Islanders last season, and it will shape both rosters for years to come. It was clear that Horvat would be traded, but the move was still shocking, given the timing, the return, and for Horvat himself. He spent nine seasons with one franchise and suddenly was asked to move across North America to a new city and team.
Oilers Can’t Win Stanley Cup If They Keep Changing Coaches
November 15, 2023 by Brian Swane
On Sunday (Nov. 12) the Edmonton Oilers relieved head coach Jay Woodcroft and assistant coach Dave Manson of their duties, replacing them with Kris Knoblauch and Paul Coffey, respectively. The moves were made with Edmonton sitting 31st overall in the NHL standings after starting the 2023-24 season 3-9-1.
It was the 10th time that the Oilers have changed their head coach since owner Darryl Katz purchased the team in 2008, the most changes behind the bench among all NHL teams in that span. Previously, a total of just eight different individuals served as head coach of the Oilers over Edmonton’s first three decades in the NHL. Their last nine head coaches have lasted an average of 121.1 regular season games with the team, which doesn’t even equate to a year and a half’s worth of an 82-game schedule.
Canadiens Reap Rewards from Monahan Trade as Flames Flounder
November 15, 2023 by Ryan Szporer
There’s a very good chance the Calgary Flames wholeheartedly regret trading Sean Monahan to the Montreal Canadiens. That’s just generally speaking, seeing as he’d be leading them in points… and goals… and maybe even literally as their captain right now, with them having just given the “C” to Mikael Backlund.
Prior to the trade to the Canadiens, Monahan had been a mainstay with the Flames for nine seasons ever since having been drafted sixth overall in 2013. Backlund has admittedly been a Flame longer, but, between Monahan’s debut and departure, no Flame had scored more points than the latter, with exception to Johnny Gaudreau.
Rangers Have a Filip Chytil Injury Problem
November 15, 2023 by Tom Castro
On the surface, there seems little to be concerned about for the New York Rangers right now. Excitement is the prevailing emotion surrounding the 2023-24 Blueshirts, who entered a five-day break following another inspiring victory, 4-3 in a shootout over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 12, one in which they overcame a game opponent, stretches of poor play and flat-out bad officiating to improve to 11-2-1 on the season. Sitting atop the Metropolitan Division, new coach Peter Laviolette has the Rangers on a 9-0-1 burst and looking supremely confident despite key injuries that have hardly slowed them down.
About one of those injuries, though …
Flyers’ Competitiveness Bodes Well for Rebuild
November 15, 2023 by Justin Giampietro
Early in the Philadelphia Flyers’ 2023-24 campaign, they have given several contenders in the league a challenge. While the Flyers are rebuilding and need every bit of ammo that they can get in terms of draft talent, them being a competitive hockey team is exactly what they need for their rebuild to be successful.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Chicago Blackhawks - Blackhawks Entwistle Backs Up Words With Strong Start to Season
Anaheim Ducks - Ducks Off to Hot Start Despite Trevor Zegras’ Struggles
Arizona Coyotes - Coyotes Should Pursue Trade For Flames’ Zadorov
NHL News & Rumors - Oilers, Flames, Maple Leafs, Sabres, Predators
From TSN - Sabres center Thompson to miss at least a month after taking shot off left wrist
From Sportsnet - With Soucy out long term, changes likely to come to Canucks' defence
From ESPN - Patrick Kane in contact with Panthers, Sabres ahead of return
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