Welcome to the THW NHL Prospects & Draft Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our great team of writers.
In today’s edition, we have a look at Matthew Poitras’ chances of making the Bruins out of the preseason, the reasons why another WHL season wouldn’t be so bad for Nate Danielson, the possibility of Connor Bedard and Lukas Reichel teaming up in Chicago, and much more!
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Bruins’ Poitras Earned NHL Opportunity
October 6, 2023 by Brandon Share-Cohen
The Boston Bruins entered the preseason with a distinct lack of center depth that was highlighted by the retirements of long-time Bruins’ legends Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Fast-forward to the end of the preseason and it would appear that the Bruins actually have some early-season options at center given the impressive audition showcased by 2022 second-round pick Matthew Poitras.
When the Bruins drafted Poitras, he was coming off of a 21-goal, 50-point season in 68 games with the Guelph Storm. He’d return to the OHL for the 2022-23 season, his second in the league, and he’d break out with 16 goals and 95 points in 63 games; all of the draftable traits that he displayed in his rookie season were evident but also yielded positive results on the score-sheet.
Nate Danielson is Better Off Returning to the WHL
October 5, 2023 by Logan Horn
Since being drafted ninth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, Nate Danielson has done nothing but impress. While some Red Wings fans weren’t sure about the choice on draft day, his play in Traverse City and the NHL Preseason is making believers out of all.
The question that nobody expected to ask has already been brought up, “Should Danielson be in the NHL this year?”. While his inclusion on the roster would arguably make the team better, though only slightly, I believe that the best thing for Danielson, and by extension the future of the Red Wings, is for him to return to the WHL for this upcoming season.
Blackhawks Would Benefit From Playing Bedard with Reichel
October 4, 2023 by Brooke LoFurno
The Chicago Blackhawks have two preseason games left before the real deal begins on Oct. 10 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s hard to put stock into preseason combinations as they’re subject to change and usually formed for the coaching staff to see what they’re working with, but two lines have stuck like glue: the top-six, Connor Bedard’s line (first line), and Lukas Reichel’s line (second line).
However, in a recent article from Christian Rupp of NHL.com (Germany), Bedard expressed a desire to play with Reichel, which would be a smart thing to deploy.
Canadiens Wisely Keep Norlinder over Mailloux for Now
October 4, 2023 by Ryan Szporer
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mattias Norlinder undeniably still has a long way before he establishes himself as an NHL player. However, he just took a huge leap towards re-establishing himself as a top prospect in the Habs system, after they just cut Logan Mailloux over him instead in training camp.
Full disclosure, there are no guarantees Norlinder makes the Canadiens out of training camp. However, many had written the young defenseman off following unfounded rumors he was done with the organization completely late this past summer. So, for Norlinder to turn around, first have an impressive training camp and second become, at the very least, one of the final cuts is an intriguing turn of events.
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