THW Daily - Why Oilers Should Target Predators Goaltender Juuse Saros & Trades for Sabres To Improve
Also, how good Tocchet has been for Vancouver, why Bruins need more from DeBrusk & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have reasons why the Oilers should target Predators goaltender Juuse Saros, trades for Sabres to improve, just how good of a job Tocchet has done for Canucks, and much more.
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Now, here’s the good stuff…
Check Out Some THW Premium Substack Content:
Chaotic Canes Ep. 2: Tendy Changes in Raleigh by Zach Martin
Former WHLer Nick Cicek Brings Size, Toughness & Leadership To Canucks by Matthew Zator
Prospect Check-In: Danielson & Augustine Continue Strong Seasons by Jordan Orth
Yesterday’s NHL Scores…
Tocchet’s Canucks Coaching Genius Mirrors Ali’s Rope-a-Dope
December 17, 2023 by The Old Prof
So, what does the “rope-a-dope” boxing strategy employed by Ali in his bout against Foreman have to do with Vancouver Canucks hockey?
The answer is that, in the ebb and flow of hockey games, Canucks’ Rick Tocchet has been coaching his team to assume a tactical approach that bears a surprising resemblance to Ali’s legendary boxing strategy.
Oilers Should Be All-In on Predators’ Goaltender Juuse Saros
December 17, 2023 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
The Edmonton Oilers started out their 2023-24 campaign much worse than many fans and analysts originally anticipated. They were praised as a Stanley Cup contender coming into the new season, and with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their primes, the time is now for the Oilers to go all-in and try to win it all. Unfortunately, their rough start has them near the bottom of the Pacific Division standings, and they have been fighting their way back up all season. While their recent eight-game winning streak was great for their comeback story, they still have a gaping hole between the pipes.
For them to be successful, there is one goaltender they need to be willing to overpay for and bring in, and that’s Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros. While the Predators have claimed multiple times that they have no interest in moving him, nothing is impossible in the NHL. Saros is a star, and the Oilers need to try and do everything in their power to bring him in.
Bruins Not Getting Enough From Jake DeBrusk in Contract Year
December 17, 2023 by Brandon Share-Cohen
The 2023-24 NHL season has been a challenging one for Jake DeBrusk. Despite putting in the effort, the forward has struggled to find the back of the net, amassing just four goals and 11 points in the Boston Bruins’ first 28 games. In the final year of a two-year, $8 million contract and in search of a new deal next offseason, the need for improved performance is paramount.
DeBrusk has acknowledged the challenges but remains optimistic about his ability to contribute in various situations. The recent injury to center Pavel Zacha forced head coach Jim Montgomery to shuffle the lines, further testing DeBrusk’s adaptability. While some players might struggle with confidence amid such changes and offensive struggles, DeBrusk has seen it as an opportunity to showcase his versatility and help the team win in different roles.
Rangers Can Improve By Trading for Blues’ Jordan Kyrou
December 17, 2023 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
The New York Rangers have been one of the best teams in the NHL during the 2023-24 season and continue to dominate at both ends of the ice and on the scoreboard. While they have slowed down in recent games, they have dealt with injury issues and adversity quite well this season when they needed to and continue to be a Stanley Cup favorite.
This season, the Rangers will be buying near the trade to improve their roster to go all-in for a Stanley Cup. One player who could become a trade piece following some drama with his current team is forward Jordan Kyrou.
3 Trades Sabres GM Kevyn Adams Can Make To Improve Team
December 17, 2023 by Jacob D. Strozyk
If firing parts of the coaching staff is not in the cards for Buffalo Sabres’ general manager Kevyn Adams’ plans to improve this team, then it is about time that he realizes that there is something wrong with the players instead. Yes, several core players have shiny new contracts but others have value that do not have long-term extensions in place. Weeding out the issue in the team lineup has to be Adams’ number-one priority right now since the progress that is so frequently brought up has been stymied by multiple sources.
While Adams made a meager move for Eric Robinson that has paid off in a decent way, trading for fourth-line players is not going to fix the core issues this team has. It starts with moving out pieces around the core, and here are a few ideas on how this can be done.
Hurricanes Have 3 Good Trade Targets to Fill Raanta Roster Spot
December 17, 2023 by Zach Martin
The Carolina Hurricanes, more or less depending on who you ask, shocked the hockey world on Saturday, Dec. 16, placing netminder Antti Raanta on waivers. Unfortunately, the 34-year-old Finnish netminder is having one of the worst starts to a season in his career. However, not all blame is put on him, as the Hurricanes generally have struggled to start the 2023-24 season. After 14 games, he is carrying a 6-5-1 record with a 3.61 goals-against average (GAA) and a .854 save percentage (SV%).
Throughout his career, Raanta has always had a .900 or better SV%, except for his rookie season, where he finished with a .897 back in 2013-14. After losing to the Nashville Predators 6-5 in overtime on Friday, Dec. 15, there seemed to be the sense that a change was possibly coming soon in the net for Carolina.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Montreal Canadiens - Canadiens Prospects Poised to Excel at 2024 WJC
Boston Bruins - After Stellar Start, Bruins Coming Back to Earth
Columbus Blue Jackets - Blue Jackets Lack of Progress Most Concerning Part of Season
NHL News & Rumors - Oilers, Hurricanes, Blues
From TSN - Kings G Copley placed on long-term injured reserve
From Sportsnet - 20 Fantasy Thoughts: Hellebuyck a pillar of consistency for surging Jets
From ESPN - Canada's seven NHL franchises teaming up to fight ALS
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