THW Daily - Penguins' Alex Nedeljkovic Rebounding After Sluggish Start & Bruins' Beecher Making Strides
Also, a weird trade proposal between the Oilers and Islanders, coaching mistakes in Buffalo & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have a rebounding Nedeljkovic in Pittsburgh, strides being made by Beecher in Boston, a weird trade proposal between the Oilers and Islanders, and much more.
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Here’s the good stuff…
Yesterday’s NHL Scores…
Larry Brooks’ McDavid-for-Sorokin Trade Idea a Non-Starter
November 26, 2023 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
While the Edmonton Oilers have some massive goaltending issues and continue to gauge the trade market for goaltending, they seem pretty happy with where they are right now. Stuart Skinner and Jack Campbell haven’t been great to start out their respective 2023-24 campaigns, and fans have been begging the Oilers to try and make a move to improve between the pipes.
The most recent one came from New York Post writer Larry Brooks, who suggested the Oilers trade Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard, and one of Skinner or Calvin Pickard in exchange for Ilya Sorokin and Mathew Barzal. While this would definitely solve the Oilers’ goaltending issues, this deal will never happen. McDavid, even with a slower start than expected, is the best player in the NHL and won’t be moved.
Penguins’ Nedeljkovic Rebounding After Early Struggles
November 26, 2023 by Ben Wagner
Let’s face it, before this season began, one of the biggest questions surrounding the the Pittsburgh Penguins was how they would improve their goaltending. Both Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith failed to find consistency and the former struggled to stay healthy. As a result, the Penguins struggled and the entire team suffered the consequences with their first playoff miss in nearly two decades. New president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas made it a priority to address the goaltending situation, and it’s finally bearing fruit.
New Penguins’ backup goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract just as DeSmith was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks. While he began his tenure rather unceremoniously, his recent play with both the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and his performance against the Vegas Golden Knights during his current stint with the big club has led many to begin describing him as the backup the Penguins have been searching for after last season’s struggles.
Winnipeg Jets’ Positional Logjams Benefit Them Long-Term
November 26, 2023 by Conrad Jack
The Winnipeg Jets have mostly acquired their depth through trades that have bolstered a talented team. Trades like the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade and even simpler moves where general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff only trades picks to acquire players.
Many hiccups and headaches have plagued fans, and poor defensive play and general inconsistencies have plagued this team. Players like Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Connor Hellebuyck have had their fair share of slow starts. Unlike last season, the Winnipeg Jets have faced their adversities early in the season. One of the most noticeable things is the fact that head coach Rick Bowness and his team look to be on the same page.
Sabres’ Woes a Result of Don Granato’s Poor Decision Making
November 26, 2023 by Jacob D. Strozyk
Another day goes by, and yet another embarrassing loss for the Buffalo Sabres. They now sit at 9-10-2 after getting slapped around in every way by the New Jersey Devils in a 7-2 loss on Saturday (Nov. 25). The game was poised to be an exciting offensive showing, and on top of that, was the debut of top prospects Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen. Instead, the night was marred with poor defensive play, poor goaltending, and a derelict offense that could only muster a pathetic 12 shots on goal.
After a huge comeback win against the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday evening (Nov. 24), they couldn’t keep any of the momentum up, and that lies on the shoulders of head coach Don Granato. There were shades of this issue last season, but it has become supremely evident as of late, that some of his coaching choices are suspect and poor. Whether it is his deployment of an 11-7 forward-to-defender split, his choice to play a three-goalie rotation, or his baffling misuse of top prospects, it is time to finally question the decision-making of this coach.
Bruins’ Beecher Making Strides But Still On The Bubble
November 26, 2023 by Drew Johnson
If you were to say John Beecher has solidified his role in the Boston Bruins’ starting lineup, I’d tell you it’s a little too soon. A rookie on a two-way contract slotting in on the fourth line is always at risk of being bumped out of the lineup, whether it be external forces – such as fresh blood coming in via a trade or bad luck with injuries – or their own doing with a string of subpar performances.
But Beecher isn’t too far off. After competing with a number of up-and-coming forwards this summer, he’s proven that he can fill those skates on the fourth line and is showing signs of climbing the ladder, but holding on to a roster spot in his situation is difficult when you’re not blowing the coaching staff, management, and fanbase away.
Canadiens Prospects Worth Signing in 2024
November 26, 2023 by Blain Potvin
Even though the 2023-24 season is only one-quarter of the way done, there is still a need for the Montreal Canadiens to look ahead to the offseason of 2024. The rebuild is far from over, and difficult choices are coming for general manager (GM) Kent Hughes and his staff. Who stays and who goes from the NHL club is one thing, but now he faces a challenge to look into the future and see which prospects are worth keeping.
Despite the sheer volume of prospects in the system, the Habs cannot miss out on any impact players, even if it is a long shot. In the summer of 2024, Hughes must decide if any of the seven prospects whose rights expire in the 2024 offseason are worthy of a contract or don’t fit into the Canadiens’ future. Here is a look at those players on the Canadiens reserve list whose rights expire in 2024 that could be a fit for Montreal in the future.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Chicago Blackhawks - Blackhawks’ GM Says A lot but Reveals Little in Latest Presser
St. Louis Blues - 3 Potential Trade Destinations for Blues’ Jakub Vrána
Toronto Maple Leafs - Maple Leafs’ Bertuzzi & Knies Hold Keys to 2023-24 Success
NHL News & Rumors - Coyotes, Red Wings, Oilers, Canadiens
From TSN - Wild's Hartman to have hearing Monday for slew-footing/tripping
From Sportsnet - Maple Leafs' top line continues search for consistency after tight loss to Penguins
From ESPN - Rangers' Jacob Trouba fined $5,000 for high-stick infraction
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