THW Daily - NHL Teams That Defied Expectations in October & Major News Out of Ottawa
Also, Bruins took advantage of light October schedule, Habs' unconventional rebuild & more
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have seven NHL teams that defied expectations in October, major news out of Ottawa, how the Habs’ unconventional rebuild is working, and much more.
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Here’s the good stuff…
Yesterday’s NHL Scores…
Canadiens’ Unconventional Rebuild is Working Great
November 1, 2023 by Rob Couch
Most rebuilding teams sell off their players of value to get high draft picks. While the Montreal Canadiens somewhat did that, the success of their rebuild has come from elsewhere. They used a unique rebuilding strategy that has paid off quicker than expected.
While I don’t think their hot start to the season can be sustained, especially with the injuries already piling up, I do think the team is on the right track to competing earlier than expected, even in a tough division and conference.
7 NHL Teams That Defied Expectations in October
November 1, 2023 by Alex Chauvancy
October has come and gone, and there were some unexpected team performances over the first few weeks of the regular season. Which teams were a surprise and are trending up to begin November? And which are trending down after slow starts? Let’s take a look at seven teams that defied expectations.
Matthews’ Trendy Brand Deal Ironic as Maple Leafs Lose Energy
November 1, 2023 by Jim Parsons
In a groundbreaking move for the NHL, renowned NHL player Auston Matthews has recently entered into a partnership with Prime Hydration, a company co-founded by popular YouTubers KSI and Logan Paul. The announcement, hinted at during Paul’s visit to Toronto over the weekend, created buzz on social media. When the partnership was made official on Wednesday, it generated excitement and anticipation among fans.
For the first time in a long time, someone with the NHL has done something fans — especially ones who don’t closely follow the league – would think is stylish.
Jets’ Top 3 Performers From October
November 1, 2023 by Declan Schroeder
The Winnipeg Jets finished their October slate with a 4-3-2 record and while no one player truly dominated, they still had some strong performers throughout the month.
Bruins Take Advantage of Light October Schedule
November 1, 2023 by Justin Caron
The Boston Bruins entered the 2023-24 season with many looming questions regarding the roster turnover they endured this past offseason. Coming off a record-breaking regular season and after the losses of two of their top centers, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, among many other significant departures, many expected the Bruins to go through some growing pains and slide in the Atlantic Division standings. Instead, as we close out October, they are again atop the standings in the Eastern Conference with an 8-0-1 record.
While their schedule has undoubtedly been beneficial as they’ve only faced two teams who qualified for the playoffs last season (Los Angeles Kings and Florida Panthers), the Bruins’ hot start is precisely what the club needed while they look to defy the doubters and prove they are still true Stanley Cup contenders. Here’s a look back at what October brought for the Bruins and some areas of concern for the Black and Gold.
Senators Fire Pierre Dorion: Dadonov, Pinto, Signings & More
November 1, 2023 by Jacob Billington
The Ottawa Senators announced that Pierre Dorion has been relieved of his duties as the club’s general manager (GM). The new owner of the team, Michael Andlauer, already brought “his guy” in with Steve Staios being announced as the President of Hockey Operations. Staios has a history with Andlauer in the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Hamilton Bulldogs. Now that Dorion has been relieved of his duties, during the team press conference Staios has been named interim GM.
Dorion has spent seven years as the Senators GM and has only made the playoffs once, in his first season. Before that, he had another 10 years in a Director of Scouting role, followed by an assistant GM job. It has been an eventful two weeks for the Senators. Starting with two chaotic losses to divisional rivals, the Shane Pinto suspension, punishment for the Evgenii Dadonov fiasco and now Dorion being replaced by Staios.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Vancouver Canucks - Canucks News & Rumors: Hoglander, Bains, Brzustewicz & More
San Jose Sharks - San Jose Sharks’ Winless Streak Has No Obvious End in Sight
Chicago Blackhawks - Connor Bedard’s Undervalued Physicality Key to His Development
NHL News & Rumors - Senators, Capitals, Maple Leafs, Flames
From TSN - Capitals' Backstrom stepping away for health reasons
From Sportsnet - New Senators owner Andlauer looks to move forward after rough stretch
From ESPN - Flyers goaltender Carter Hart exits with 'mid-body' injury
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