THW Daily - The Road to 1000 Points for John Tavares & Keys to Sharks’ Turnaround
Also, looking at Stanley Cup contenders in the Eastern Conference, the galvanized Rangers fourth line & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have thoughts on the road to 1000 points for John Tavares, the keys to the Sharks’ turnaround, looking at Cup contenders in the Eastern Conference, and much more.
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Now, here’s the good stuff…
Yesterday’s NHL Scores…
2024 Stanley Cup Contenders: Eastern Conference Stock Report
December 12, 2023 by Alex Chauvancy
Last week, we took stock of Western Conference Stanley Cup contenders based on preseason expectations. Today, we’ll be looking at the Eastern Conference, which has had a bit more turbulence to start the season than the Western Conference. Which teams are Stanley Cup contenders two weeks away from Christmas?
Looking Back at John Tavares’ Journey to 1000 Career NHL Points
December 12, 2023 by Spencer Lazary
John Tavares, the captain of his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, was the first overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft and now joins the 1,000-point club. Those individually are great accomplishments, but to say that he has done them all is unreal. Tavares was drafted into the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the 2005 OHL Draft after he petitioned to be allowed to enter the league a year early based on his talent level.
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL), which is the governing body over all three major junior hockey leagues in Canada, including the aforementioned OHL, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), and the Western Hockey League (WHL), allowed his request. This made him the first player in the entire CHL to be granted ‘exceptional player status’. This meant that Tavares would be allowed to play in the OHL at just 14 years old, the second player to do so since Bobby Orr did it in 1962–63.
Filip Chytil’s Injury Has Galvanized Rangers’ 4th Line
December 12, 2023 by Tom Castro
The New York Rangers certainly have no interest in playing the rest of the season without Filip Chytil, the young center who the Blueshirts see as a key part of their future. Serious concern, though, has to exist within the organization over Chytil’s susceptibility to concussions, the most recent of which (suspected, anyway) has kept the 24-year-old out of the lineup since Nov. 2. Though Chytil has been skating, no timetable for his return has been announced.
When Chytil went out after being injured in an open-ice collision with the Carolina Hurricanes’ Jesper Fast, Tyler Pitlick drew into the lineup, with usual fourth-line center Nick Bonino moving up to the third unit and Vincent Trocheck taking Chytil’s spot on the second line with Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere. The addition of Pitlick to the fourth forward unit has, improbably, transformed that line into a highly-effective one after the early-season edition struggled to contribute as cohesive group.
Bruins 3 Up, 3 Down: Forbort, Zacha, Coyle, McAvoy & More
December 12, 2023 by Scott Roche
It was a mixed-results week on and off the ice for the Boston Bruins. On the ice, they earned split results in their two games, while off the ice, injuries continue to play a part in their recent play and they had to place a key defenseman on Long Term Injured Reserve (LTIR). Despite just two games in the last week, a 3-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres and a 5-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes, it’s time to look at the latest Bruins 3 Up, 3 Down.
Duclair, Hoffman and Granlund Essential to Sharks’ Turnaround
December 12, 2023 by Alex Hutton
When the San Jose Sharks overhauled large portions of their roster this offseason, they probably knew there would be an adjustment period. Mike Hoffman, Anthony Duclair and Mikael Granlund headlined a forward overhaul with plenty of games played but little cohesion. With so many new players who had never played together, they took time to get used to their new situation.
They had a lot of NHL experience, but not in circumstances as dire as those of San Jose’s. The result was underperformance across the board and an 0-10-1 record through 11 games. But since then, as the veteran additions have improved, so has the team. As they contribute far more and set the tone offensively, their impacts can be felt right now and will continue to resonate throughout the rest of the season.
Oilers’ Controversial Coaching Change Proving to Be Right Move
December 12, 2023 by Brian Swane
It’s exactly one month since the Edmonton Oilers relieved head coach Jay Woodcroft of his duties, replacing him with Kris Knoblauch. At the time, Oilers general manager and president of hockey operations Ken Holland and CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson came under fire for the move. But it’s now starting to appear that apologies are in order, because this team that was watching its season rapidly slip away has completely turned things around.
When Woodcroft was shown the door on Nov. 12, the Oilers sat 31st in the NHL overall standings, with just seven points from a record of 3-9-1. Edmonton was second from last in the Western Conference, and already eight points back of a wild card playoff spot. Following the coaching change, the Oilers have won nine of 12 games, including their last seven, and are unbeaten at home. They’ve climbed several spots in the standings and are now within three points of the last wild card spot.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
New York Rangers - Jakub Vrána Is Rangers’ Perfect Trade Target
Winnipeg Jets - Dear Santa: Winnipeg Jets’ 2023-24 Wish List
Carolina Hurricanes - Andrei Svechnikov’s MRI Results Will Give the Hurricanes Answers
NHL News & Rumors - Canucks, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Predators, Flames
From TSN - NHLPA files appeal on Perron's six-game suspension
From Sportsnet - NHL Fit Check: Stylist to NFL, NBA stars breaks down top 10 looks of the past month
From ESPN - Sources: Ted Leonsis plans to move Wizards, Capitals to Virginia
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