Page 30 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 129

30 Issue #129 October 2023
2023-24 NHL Season - Ranking our Canadian
Teams
the season.
1) The Edmonton Oilers are on a
mission. With two MVP candidates
leading the way in Connor McDavid
By Brad Robertson
and Leon Draisatl, they are surrounded
up front with a solid nucleus with
Evander Kane, Zach Hyman, Ryan
Nugent Hopkins, Mattias Janmark,
and newcomer Connor Brown.
The defence core is solid. Darnell
Nurse and Mattias Ekholm will eat
plenty of minutes for them and Evan
Bouchard is developing into a solid
two-way threat. Reliable veterans
Cody Ceci and Brett Kulak can be
counted on for solid minutes as well.
Goaltending will undeniably be the
key factor in a Stanley Cup run.
uck drop on the 2023-24 NHL Can Jack Campbell rebound after a
Pseason is upon us and I’d like to disappointing regular season, and
take a look at our seven Canadian can young Stuart Skinner take the
teams and how they look going into reins and be the man???
Photo by Robert Lefebvre, icelevel photography
back last year. After losing Johnny Luc Dubois was a curious one, but
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2) The Toronto Maple Leafs took of Matthew Tkachuk, the Flames
a step in the right direction finally never got on track. I expect this group
and won a playoff round with their to rebound. Jonathan Huberdeau
core four but fizzled out in round two and Nazim Kadri should be settled
to the Cup finalist Florida Panthers. in now and provide more than what
The Leafs have a new GM at the they did last season. Forwards Elias
helm as former Calgary Flames GM Lindholm, Dillon Dube, Blake
Brad Treliving is now at the helm. Coleman, Mikael Backman, Andrew
Treliving already put his stamp on Mangiapani, and rookie Jakob
the team with his additions in the Pelltier should provide enough
off season. Brought on board to offence for the team. Defensively
add some grit and offensive punch they have a capable group led
are forwards Max Domi and Tyler by Rasmus Andersson and Noah
Bertuzzi. Muscle was also added Hanifan. Chris Tanev, Mackenzie
with Ryan Reaves. The back end will Weegar, and Nikita Zadorov are
look mostly the same but with the all solid top four defencemen. The
addition of veteran John Klingberg crease will be interesting as young
the team hopes for a more well Dustin Wolf seems ready to make
rounded group. Goaltender Ilya the jump from the minors. Veterans
Samsonov had a strong first year in Jacob Markstrom and Dan Vladar
Toronto and was re-signed. He will are still in the mix. We may see a
be backed up by either Joseph Wall trade of one of them soon.
or veteran Martin Jones.
5) The Vancouver Canucks are
3) Its time for the Ottawa Senators hoping for better days. Led by all
to move from the rebuilding stage star Elias Pettersson, this forward
and enter the competitive stage now. group has talent. Conor Garland,
Their roster is deep with young talent Ilya Mikheyev, Vitali Kravstov,
that has to take a step forward. Up Brock Boeser, Andrei Kuzmenko,
front Josh Norris, Shane Pinto, Ridly and Anthony Beauvillier will be
Greig, Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, counted on to lead the attack. Quinn
Drake Batherson, and veteran Hughes has become an offensive
Claude Giroux should provide the stalwart on the backend and the
offensive punch. The defence will addition of Carson Soucy will help
be anchored by late season additions defensively. Ethan Bear and Ian Cole
Jakob Chychrun and all star Thomas provide some experience but a few
Chabot. Jacob Bernard Docker and of Vancouvers twenty-something
Jake Sanderson should take another defencemen will have to crack the
step forward in their development. lineup. Thatcher Demko can be one
Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo was of the leagues best goaltenders and
added in free agency and should Casey DeSmith was added to provide
provide the goaltending they need veteran back up presence.
to compete for a playoff spot. Anton 6) The Winnipeg Jets are a wild
Forsberg should provide solid relief. card for me. They seem like they may
Ottawa has the talent to get into a
be on the verge of a rebuild but I guess
playoff spot.
we will see as the season unfolds.
4) The Calgary Flames took a step The trade of workhorse centre Pierre
Gaudreau to free agency and the trade
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