Chicago Blackhawks {tied for 31st overall} Western Conference, Central Division
The three-time Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks team is now officially History as Mr. Kane signed with the Rangers for last season’s Cup playoffs, Team Chairman Mr. Wirtz (Since 2007) passed recently, additionally, veteran players Misters Perry, Hall, Donato, and Foligno have become Blackhawks.
The Chicago Blackhawks picked first overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and selected Connor Bedard a player the Blackhawks can build a future around and with some talent being developed in their system Chicago has something to look forward to.
In net, Mr. Mrazek is solid and has provided the Blackhawks opportunities to win and should continue to do so as Chicago progresses into a better team.
With the players brought in by GM Davidson for HC Richardson to insert into the roster, the Blackhawks are preparing to play competitively for the 2023-24 NHL Season and that will give Chicago fans something to cheer for.
Anaheim Ducks – {32nd overall} Western Conference, Pacific Division
Figuratively and literally speaking Anaheim has nowhere to go but up and it begins with coaching, the Ducks hired Greg Cronin to be their new Head Coach and there are some young talented players, (Misters Zegras, Terry, and Drysdale), coupled with the signing of two experienced veterans in Mr. Killorn and Mr. Gudas.
Anaheim has four players, (Misters Zegras, Terry, Vatrano, and Henrique), that scored over 20 goals last season, more players and scoring will come but goaltending has to be addressed, Mr. Gibson’s fortunes now rise and fall with the team, he used to be one of the reasons for their success, now 3.99 GAA.
The Ducks will improve their scoring and with their new GM Pat Verbeek beginning the first full season in his second season as General Manager with Anaheim and his Stanley Cup winning experiences will no doubt help steer the Ducks in a positive direction.
September 23 & 24, 2023 This NHL Seasons Global Series features the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings traveling down under for two preseason games at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia this will be the Aussies’ first NHL game in their country.
October 29, 2023 The Battle of Alberta continues this season with the 20th Anniversary of the Tim Horton’s Heritage Classic being played at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.
November 10 – 13, 2023 One of Buffalo’s finest goaltenders is being recognized and inducted into the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame at the Induction Weekend in Toronto which includes two games, an Inductee fan forum, autographed commemoratives, an induction ceremony, and a celebration.
Avicii Arena
November 16 – 19, 2023 The NHL Global Series continues in Sweden featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild, and the Detroit Red Wings in Stockholm, Sweden at the Avicii Arena.
January 1, 2024 On New Year’s Day the NHL Winter Classic will display the Stanley Cup Champions versus the Seattle Kraken in Seattle, Washington at T-Mobile Park.
February 2 – 3, 2024 Toronto, Ontario will be Canada’s host for the NHL’s All-Star Weekend at Scotiabank Arena highlighted Friday with the NHL All-Star Skills events then the NHL All-Star Game on Saturday.
February 17 – 18, 2024 The NHL Stadium Series will be held in East Rutherford, New Jersey at the MetLife Stadium as the New Jersey Devils host the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday and both New York City teams the Rangers and Islanders square off on Sunday in two Metropolitan Division showdowns.
Shock and disbelief was what I was feeling when Buffalo signed Mr. Schultz, the main belligerent from the team we lost to in the Stanley Cup finals and to see him don a Sabres sweater was too much to bear.
In no particular order, some players curiously have signed with other teams or back to their original team and wondering why and how will this play out over the regular season.
Hands of Stone goon Lucic will fight once more for Boston after spending more seasons playing for the Kings, Oilers, and Flames which was longer than his Boston career goon Lucic will once again be a Bruins enforcer and slay more goaltenders while wearing the black and gold.
After five years in Arizona AHL/NHL Mr. Bunting signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs and became a solid 20-goal scorer while being a pest, has earned the right to ask for more money and is now playing the next three seasons in Carolina.
After leaving Colorado and losing his love for Hockey while being paid millions of dollars to play Hockey in Buffalo leaves, Mr. O’Reilly wins a Cup in St. Louis leaves, helps Toronto out in the playoffs leaves, now the carousel has stopped in Nashville for the next four seasons.
Coming so close to winning a Cup with the Panthers and joining his two brothers as Stanley Cup Champions the eldest Staal leaves Florida to sign with Philadelphia and the 37-year-old at this point in his career might not get back to the Finals.
Pittsburgh gives away Cup-winning goaltenders Mr. Fleury, Mr. Murray but the Penguins have just signed their system-developed goaltender (played 1 NHL gm when Pittsburgh won a Cup) Mr. Jarry to a five-year contract in hopes he will win a Cup.
Although Toronto might have not signed some of their UFAs they did manage to sign other teams UFAs Mr. Domi and Mr. Bertuzzi should become a positive impact on the Leafs immediately.
The Winnipeg Jets jumped on the Knights goaltender Mr. Brossoit who was the man in Vegas before Mr. Hill earned the limelight and that should solidify the netminder position in the Peg.
Lastly although not a player HC Babcock will be behind the bench for the Columbus Bluejackets who have not signed an RFA or UFA to date and the first game between the Leafs and Bluejackets is going to be entertaining.
Coaches and players signed, new ECHL affiliate, 2023 Prospects Challenge.
There is always something to do here along the Lake during the Summer months, boating, swimming, fishing, bicycling, camping, festivals and concerts, but nothing compares to Hockey.
Alumni Plaza at KeyBank Center
Professionals rarely take “time off”, players train all year, coaches administer and strategize all year and all the support from so many different people that is required all year is staggering.
Even the Cup champions are afforded only a “respite” before the daily responsibilities of winning again envelope them.
Just 77 days until the NHL regular season schedule begins and they will pass quickly so you should put time and effort into your upcoming ESPN NHL FHL team/league to be competitive, life is busy and takes precedence but in order to win you must find time to manage.
8th Annual Prospects Challenge September 15– 18, 2023
Five NHL teams consisting of their current high draft prospects come to downtown Buffalo to participate with the Sabres in a six-team round-robin tournament at the LECOM Harborcenter. (10$ ticket per game)
Buffalo Sabres Fan Fest is on Saturday the 16th in the Alumni Plaza at KeyBank Center with events that include an all-day outdoor street Hockey tournament consisting of adult and youth divisions, music, kid’s zone activities, fan Hockey skills activations, photo and autograph sessions with Sabres players and alumni. (Free admission with complimentary parking)
ECHL Jacksonville Icemen cometh to Buffalo
The Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers have “switched” professional development ECHL affiliates the Sabres now have Florida’s Icemen and the Rangers are now in Ohio with the Cyclones, with no explanations each team expresses contentment with the swap.
Signings
Former Sabres President’s Trophy-winning team player Nathan Paetsch has joined HC Appert in Rochester as an assistant coach.
Rochester signings are Linus Weissbach (7th rounder 2017 NHL Draft) and Brett Murray (4th rounder 2016 NHL Draft), Sabres signed Anton Wahlberg (2nd rounder 2023 NHL Draft) an 18-year-old who will play in the Swedish Hockey League this upcoming season.
Buffalo Winter 