THW NHL Prospects & Draft Substack - Oct. 19, 2023
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 some replacements for Fraser Minten if he returns to the WHL, Arizona Coyotes prospects off to good starts in the AHL, Sebastian Cossa’s great AHL season debut, and much more!
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Now on to the good stuff…
2 Marlies Who Could Replace Minten if He’s Sent Back to the WHL
October 18, 2023 by Spencer Lazary
So far this season we have seen Auston Matthews score back-to-back hat tricks and William Nylander continue his confident play from last season. However, within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, it isn’t just the NHL club that we should keep an eye on. The Toronto Marlies kicked off their 2023-24 campaign on Oct. 14, and there were some very good performances.
There were a few standouts in their early games who could be on the shortlist to be called up, which Leafs Nation should keep an eye on. The earliest this would happen is if youngster Fraser Minten is returned to the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) or if there was an injury on the Maple Leafs.
Roadrunner’s Young Guns Stepping Up in Early Success
October 18, 2023 by Richard Jelinek
The Tucson Roadrunners are 2-0 in the young season, and they’re buying into winning as a team. Last season, they finished just below .500 with a record of 30-33-0-8 for 69 points and ended up in eighth place in the Pacific Division. The roster has changed quite a bit, and the results, as of now, are paying off.
Up front, forwards Jan Jenik and Dylan Guenther have supplied the offense. Jenik leads the team with three points on two goals and one assist, while Guenther has one goal and one assist for two points. Jenik was the 65th pick of the 2018 NHL Draft by Arizona and is flourishing offensively with Tucson. Guenther was the ninth overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft and has played two solid games since getting sent down. Both forwards will likely see time with the Arizona Coyotes this season.
Griffins Notebook: Goaltending, Edvinsson & More
October 17, 2023 by Devin Little
I’ve got good news and even better news. The good news: the Detroit Red Wings won their home opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and though they lost their season opener against the New Jersey Devils, they generally played well and looked as improved over last season as advertised.
The even better news: the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, won the first two games of their season, defeating the Colorado Eagles 3-2 on Oct. 13 and 5-2 on Oct. 14 as well.
Ducks’ Tristan Luneau Defies Odds, Makes Opening Night Roster
October 14, 2023 by Evan Sabourin
The Anaheim Ducks made some very intriguing decisions as they finalized their roster for their home opener with the defending Cup champs, the Vegas Golden Knights. But one in particular raised a lot of eyebrows as defenseman Tristan Luneau was added to the initial roster.
This was shocking, to say the least as not many members of the organization expected the 19-year-old to start the season with the team. Anaheim’s timeline to compete is skyrocketing upwards and the Ducks have made it clear that they are going to play their young prospects to start the 2023-24 season.
Last Edition’s Poll Results
Last time I asked you “Which rookie had the most impressive opening week” and you all responded pretty evenly that Connor Bedard’s goal and two assists through three games was the best we saw from any NHL rookies. I’d like to briefly make a case for Brock Faber who really stepped up early on this year in the absence of Jared Spurgeon.
Faber had just two games of NHL experience coming into this season and has been heavily relied upon for the Minnesota Wild so far this season with their captain out due to an injury he suffered in the preseason. I know Bedard is flashier and gets more air time, but Faber has averaged 23 minutes a night so far and has only been on the ice for zero goals against at even strength through three games. Not a bad start.
New Poll!
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