THW Daily - Chatting With Jets Forward Gabe Vilardi & the Resurgence of Blues’ Top Line
Also, Canadiens far from playoffs despite strong play, the rise of Nick Robertson in Toronto & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have a 1-on-1 discussion with Jets forward Gabe Vilardi, the resurgence of the Blues’ top line, why the Canadiens are from the playoffs despite strong play, and much more.
Don’t forget to check out all of our FREE team Substacks, and sign up for your favorites…or all of them if you want.
You can also upgrade your subscription to a paid THW account, and get access to ALL of our Premium content from ALL of our team Substacks for one low price.
Now, here’s the good stuff…
Check Out Some THW Premium Substack Content:
St. Louis Blues: Blue Note Weekly Audio Report: Thrilling Comeback Win Over Blackhawks by Ethan Carter
Carolina Hurricanes: Chaotic Canes Ep. 3: Merry Canesmas by Zach Martin
Buffalo Sabres: Sabres' Prospect Update: Dec. 24 by JP Gambatese
Philadelphia Flyers: Flyers' Top-10 Skater Prospects for 2023-24 by Justin Giampietro
2024 World Juniors Are Underway - Check Out Our THW Coverage:
10 Things to Watch For at the 2024 World Junior Championship
[Premium] Canada/USA Team Previews & 2024 Draft Prospects to Watch at the World Juniors by Logan Horn
Canadiens Still Far from Playoffs Despite Strong Play
December 26, 2023 by Ryan Szporer
The Montreal Canadiens may have made up some ground in the race for a 2024 playoff spot, this last little while. However, they still face a long road before anyone can call them realistic playoff contenders. This isn’t meant to “poopoo” their 8-4-3 record over their last 15 games, only put it in the proper perspective: They’re only better off than they had been at the start by the slimmest of margins.
To illustrate, the Canadiens are now a respectable four points out of the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot, which the Tampa Bay Lightning currently own. The Habs also have two games in hand, meaning to a degree they’re in charge of their own destiny, which is all anyone can reasonably ask of them at this point of their rebuild. By all accounts, things are on track in that regard, in other words.
Jets’ Gabe Vilardi One-on-One: Overcoming Early Career Adversity
December 26, 2023 by Connor Hrabchak
To say that Gabriel Vilardi is on fire would be an understatement, as he has spent the past two weeks lighting up teams across the NHL on one of the most dangerous forward lines that the Winnipeg Jets have iced this year.
The truth is, Vilardi has gone through an abundance of adversity throughout his young career, and his latest six-week absence with an MCL sprain was no different. In a recent one-on-one interview with Vilardi, we discussed the injuries that have plagued him throughout his career, and how he has overcome them to get to this point of success.
2024 World Juniors Rosters by NHL Team
December 26, 2023 by Logan Horn
Now that most national teams have submitted their final rosters for the 2024 World Junior Championship, it’s time to take a look at all the prospects competing in this year’s tournament who have been drafted by an NHL team.
The World Juniors are a great time for NHL fans to get acquainted with some of their team’s top prospects likely in attendance. 30 of the NHL’s 32 teams have recently drafted players who will be playing for their national team.
Nick Robertson’s Rise: Third-Line Success to Maple Leafs’ Future
December 26, 2023 by The Old Prof
For a few years, Nick Robertson was the Toronto Maple Leafs’ star prospect. However, his injury history stopped him from building off his great start with the organization, and after being moved to the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Toronto Marlies again this season, he was called up to the big club and played his first game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 6.
He hasn’t looked back. Now a key member of a productive third line, he’s found his spot. It might not be that this is the season for Robertson’s emergence within the Maple Leafs as a key player; however, he’s been productive. He’s learning and honing his game.
Blues’ Top Line Resurgence Under New Coach Bannister
December 26, 2023 by Stephen Ground
When the St. Louis Blues pulled the trigger and fired head coach Craig Berube, general manager Doug Armstrong must have had several priorities in mind. But chief among them had to be improving his team’s abysmal power play (which he brought in Brad Richards to assist with) and getting key players like Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich going.
New interim head coach Drew Bannister quickly moved to unite Buchnevich and Kyrou with the team’s leading scorer and star young player Robert Thomas on the top line. In the five games since the coaching change, that trio has looked electric, and once again appear to be the core of the team’s future on offense.
Canucks’ Kuzmenko Must Take Advantage of Second Chance
December 26, 2023 by Scott Clarke
After scoring 39 goals in his rookie season last year and looking like a potential long-term core piece for the Vancouver Canucks, Andrei Kuzmenko‘s 2023-24 season has been quite the opposite of what was expected.
Healthy scratches, line demotions, and being publicly called out by his head coach, it has been a mess for the Russian forward. However, after being a healthy scratch two games in a row, head coach Rick Tocchet has given his player another crack at things on the top line, an opportunity he must take advantage of.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Boston Bruins - 3 Bruins Underperforming So Far in 2023-24
Toronto Maple Leafs - Maple Leafs Troubles: Goaltending or Defence
Philadelphia Flyers - Flyers’ Alex Ciernik Developing Into a Draft Steal
NHL News & Rumors - Maple Leafs, Flames, Devils, Senators
From TSN - Undrafted, but undaunted: Allard, Rousseau come through for Canada
From Sportsnet - Bold NHL predictions for 2024: A Canadian team makes the Stanley Cup Final
From ESPN - IIHF World Junior Championship: Top players, teams to watch
We hope you enjoyed today’s THW Daily, and we hope to expand our daily offerings as we develop and experiment with this new platform.