THW Daily - Patrick Kane Signs With Red Wings & John Hynes Replaces Dean Evason in Minnesota
Also, trade destinations for Noah Hanifin, improvements for Edmonton under new coach & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have news of Patrick Kane signing with the Red Wings, a head coaching change in Minnesota, a look at trade destinations for Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin, and much more.
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Here’s the good stuff…
Yesterday’s NHL Scores…
Penguins Letting Fast Starts by Crosby, Guentzel Go to Waste
November 28, 2023 by George Majchrzak
Prior to their Nov. 24 meeting with the Buffalo Sabres, one might have expected the Pittsburgh Penguins to fare well. After all, they had already beaten them 4-0 on Nov. 11, as part of a five-game winning streak they were on at the time. Unfortunately, the game went as so many this season: the Penguins got a goal from Sidney Crosby’s line, but they couldn’t get enough support from the bottom two lines or the power play. They ultimately lost the game 3-2, sending them below .500.
Now at a mediocre 10-10-0 as we reach the quarter mark of the 2023-24 season, it’s clear that this Penguins team will continue to struggle the way it is built, in spite of goaltender Tristan Jarry’s big contract or the headline-grabbing acquisition of superstar defenseman Erik Karlsson this past summer. And that’s a real shame because that mediocrity is going to waste the great seasons both Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel are putting together so far.
Red Wings Sign Patrick Kane: What it Means & How He Fits
November 28, 2023 by Devin Little
Say it with me folks: Patrick Kane is a Detroit Red Wing. After months of speculation about where Kane would sign, with some connecting him to the Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars and the Buffalo Sabres among others, the highly-decorated winger signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Red Wings.
The move reunites Kane with Alex DeBrincat, his linemate with the Chicago Blackhawks from 2017-2022. Kane enjoyed a career-best season playing with DeBrincat during the 2018-19 season, and DeBrincat followed that up with a career-best season in 2021-22, his final year playing with Kane and the Blackhawks.
Maple Leafs’ Nylander Needs to Learn Lessons From Gaudreau
November 28, 2023 by Spencer Lazary
William Nylander has been nothing short of spectacular this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. His 18-game point streak came to an end on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, against the Chicago Blackhawks, which saw him register a point in every game since the start of the season. While it has been awesome to see, and you hoped it would have gone on for longer, the question that now starts to arise is, what will he cost to re-sign?
Nylander has played himself into the $10 million-plus range for his new average annual value (AAV) with his excellent play so far this season. With the questions swirling, you have to think that it may be time to get him locked up in case he keeps playing this well and continues to ask for more per season. Additionally, Nylander could look at Johnny Gaudreau’s situation with the Columbus Blue Jackets and learn that having more money or even being closer to home sometimes isn’t better or more comfortable than the situation you currently are in. So, let’s see what Nylander can learn from Gaudreau’s UFA decisions.
3 Potential In-Season Trade Destinations for Flames’ Noah Hanifin
November 28, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
The Calgary Flames don’t appear to be in any rush to make trades at this time, but it still feels more likely than not that Noah Hanifin will be on the move between now and the trade deadline. The 26-year-old has been involved in trade rumours since the end of the 2022-23 campaign, and will be of high interest to contending teams as a rental in the final year of his contract.
Aside from Elias Lindholm, Hanifin is the most valuable trade piece the Flames have. He is a player who can play in all situations and has a very friendly $4.95 million cap hit. Any team looking to bolster their top four would certainly do so by adding him. These three teams in particular serve as very good fits.
Wild Fire Evason; Hope Hynes Brings Fresh Perspective
November 28, 2023 by Mariah Stark (Holland)
The Minnesota Wild appeared to be hitting rock bottom when they lost their seventh game in a row, but that was made even more apparent when they announced they fired head coach Dean Evason and assistant coach Bob Woods. Many thought it would happen at some point during the season, but not quite this quickly.
They also didn’t take long to name a replacement in former Nashville Predators head coach John Hynes. General manager Bill Guerin had made it obvious he wasn’t happy with the team’s results but left Evason’s job alone at the time. Things changed quite quickly, and we’ll look at how things ended with Evason, who this new coach is, and what he can bring to the table.
3 Ways Oilers Are Better Since Knoblauch Replaced Woodcroft
November 28, 2023 by Brian Swane
More than two weeks have passed since the Edmonton Oilers relieved head coach Jay Woodcroft of his duties and replaced him with Kris Knoblauch, who has now had a bit of time to begin making an impact. Edmonton has already played seven games under its new bench boss, going 4-3-0. The Oilers were victorious in their first two games with Knoblauch at the helm, then lost three straight contests, before winning their last two games in dominant fashion, 5-0 over the Washington Capitals in D.C. on Friday (Nov. 24) and 8-2 against the Anaheim Ducks at home on Sunday (Nov. 26).
Time will tell whether it was wise to replace Woodcroft with Knoblauch, a 45-year-old who until Nov. 12 had never held the position of head coach in the NHL. But what can be said about the new bench boss is that since he took over, the Oilers have made some positive strides. Here’s a look at three of them.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Toronto Maple Leafs - Maple Leafs’ Marner Should be Motivated by Demotion
Vancouver Canucks - Canucks News & Rumors: Tocchet, Kuzmenko, Suter & More
Philadelphia Flyers - Flyers’ Ristolainen Has a Chance to Improve His Reputation
NHL News & Rumors - Red Wings, Maple Leafs, Wild
From TSN - Blackhawks put Perry on waivers for purposes of contract termination
From Sportsnet - Three analytical takeaways from the NHL's first quarter
From ESPN - PWHL to open inaugural schedule on New Year's Day
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The leafs need to get rid of Brody. He’s not a good defender. He always lets the man behind him. And the goalie is always blocked.hes not very good at puck handling.many times he gives the puck away.