THW Daily - Cities That Make Sense for NHL Relocation & Flames Playoff Hopes Depend on Markstrom's Future
Also, how Canadiens and Islanders are emerging as trade partners & more
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In today’s edition, we have cities that make sense for NHL relocation, why the Calgary Flames playoff hopes depend on goaltender Jacob Markstrom’s future, and much more.
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Montreal Canadiens: Canadiens Passing on Michkov Was the Right Move by Trege Wilson
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New York Rangers: Rangers Weekly Audio Report: Bonino Termination and Kakko Trade Talks by Jesse Courville-Lynch
Toronto Maple Leafs: Maple Leafs Prospect Update: Easton Cowan, Dennis Hildeby & More by Anthony Testaguzza
Washington Capitals: Capitals Bi-Weekly Audio Report: Trade Deadline Talk & Ovechkin Heating Up by Jesse Courville-Lynch
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Yesterday’s Scores…
Canadiens & Islanders Emerging as Potential Trade Partners
February 13, 2024 by Michael Ostrower
The 2023-24 season has been underwhelming for the New York Islanders, while the Montreal Canadiens have overachieved. Injuries and poor coaching have hurt the Islanders, placing them in a tough playoff race. For the Canadiens, goaltender Sam Montembeault has emerged as a starter, boasting a 12-8-4 record on the presumed bottom-feeders. Thanks to his play, the Canadiens will be less likely to finish with a top-five pick in the draft.
However, general manager Kent Hughes is expected to stick with his preseason plan and sell at this year’s trade deadline, and Mike Matheson could be the biggest asset on the move.
7 Cities That Make Sense for NHL Relocation
February 13, 2024 by Mike Fink
The Arizona Coyotes are regularly in the news due to their inability to find a long-term home. The Coyotes won’t relocate for the time being and will stay in Arizona, but as one of the teams that is constantly linked to relocation, it’s interesting to think about which city it could ultimately end up in.
Moreover, there are plenty of teams that have been linked to possible relocations with low attendance or playing in a small market. The most recent team to move was the Atlanta Thrashers, who left the city in 2011 for Winnipeg. There are plenty of cities both in America and in Canada that would love to have an NHL franchise, and more importantly, be great markets for the game and the team they would host.
Oilers Need to Prepare All-In Trade Package for Jake Guentzel
February 13, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
The Edmonton Oilers have had one of the most interesting campaigns this season. They started their 2023-24 campaign with a 3-9-1 record which led to them firing Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson and replacing them with Kris Knoblauch and Paul Coffey. It also led to the American Hockey League (AHL) demotion of goaltender Jack Campbell who was replaced by Calvin Pickard.
Now that the Oilers have bounced back in a big way — having recently gone on a 16-game winning streak which was snapped by the Vegas Golden Knights— they will likely look to go all-in at the 2024 Trade Deadline and bring in some assets to bolster their roster heading into the postseason. One player they could look at is a Pittsburgh Penguins forward who hasn’t been given a contract extension yet, leading to trade rumours.Â
4 Trades to Catapult the Devils into the Playoffs
February 13, 2024 by Josh Reinitz
As the calendar creeps towards the Devils’ appearance in the Stadium Series on Feb. 19, the participants enter in unexpected positions. The Flyers are firmly ensconced in playoff position, while the Devils entered Tuesday (Feb. 13) four points shy of a postseason berth. With less than a month until the 2024 Trade Deadline on March 8, general manager Tom Fitzgerald must act quickly.
The oddsmakers don’t favor the Devils’ chances at making the postseason, but hope is not lost. The Devils can draw inspiration from last season’s Stanley Cup finalist Florida Panthers, who, on Feb. 9, were also 4 points out of a wild-card spot with three other teams in better position and 10 points shy of a division playoff spot. The season is not over, but it is getting late fast.
Flames Playoff Hopes Rest Solely on Markstrom’s Future
February 13, 2024 by Rupert McDonald
Though he may not be receiving a ton of Vezina Trophy conversation just yet, Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Marksrom has been one of the best in the business this season. The 34-year-old started slow, but has been absolutely incredible over the past three months, and is undoubtedly the biggest reason why the Flames remain in the playoff picture.
Through 33 appearances, Markstrom has compiled a 2.50 goals-against average, along with a .916 save percentage. While those numbers are solid, what really shows just how good Markstrom has been is his 32.77 goals saved above expected (GSAx), which ranks first amongst all NHL goaltenders. Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck sets second in that category at 29.35, while Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks sits third with a GSAx of 22.85.
Defenseman Emil Lilleberg’s Path to the Lightning
February 13, 2024 by Joel Enns
Emil Lilleberg is a name that fans of the Tampa Bay Lightning are quickly familiarizing themselves with. The 23-year-old defenseman seemingly came out of nowhere and has quickly managed to make a big impact at the NHL level.
He was not a player that was well known when he was called up on Jan. 6, but so far he has made the most of his opportunity and has not looked back since moving on from the Syracuse Crunch. Undoubtedly, many are wondering who Lilleberg is and what his path to the NHL was like, so let’s take a look.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Toronto Maple Leafs - Predicting Maple Leafs’ Expiring RFA Defencemen’s Next Contracts
St. Louis Blues - Jake Neighbours’ Breakout Season Proving Blues Made Right Pick
Vancouver Canucks - Canucks News & Rumors: Soucy, Woo, Hoglander & More
NHL News & Rumors - Oilers, Senators, Canadiens, Predators
From TSN - Maple Leafs' Rielly suspended five games for hit on Greig
From Sportsnet - 'It sucks': Flames at risk of losing Pelletier’s energy after 'brutal' setback
From ESPN - Dallas Stars forward Evgenii Dadonov sidelined indefinitely
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