2025 - 2026 Ottawa 67s Season Thread, Part IV

[beastintheeast]

I agree except maybe they will do the 2009. The challenge is that the scouting is weaker in Europe. It may be tough to pluck out the 16 year old. Unless there is an obvious player, the 2009 would likely be a bit less of a gamble.

I think there are teams in the system with many connections in Europe. All you need to do is look at the players that Ottawa, London, and a few other teams have obtained.

I am not sure how Kingston does it, as they have, to me, a strange way of drafting and have done a lot of trading for imports.

Unless we are trading Ruml, I do not see us needing the 2nd. With where we finished, no one is going to want the extra picks

One question that FF sort of brought up is how would you trade your pick wot Q or W team.

 

[frontsfan67]

I think there are teams in the system with many connections in Europe. All you need to do is look at the players that Ottawa, London, and a few other teams have obtained.

I am not sure how Kingston does it, as they have, to me, a strange way of drafting and have done a lot of trading for imports.

Unless we are trading Ruml, I do not see us needing the 2nd. With where we finished, no one is going to want the extra picks

One question that FF sort of brought up is how would you trade your pick wot Q or W team.

Not possible. Dont believe I brought that up.

The way I see it though if you know you’re set for imports and you have an early pick why not swap it for a team the following year when you lose players, and they suck after going all in and losing guys

Win- win. “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”

 

[67sfan1993]

Unless we are trading Ruml, I do not see us needing the 2nd. With where we finished, no one is going to want the extra picks

I also have to wonder what Filip Ekberg will do since after 2 years of moderate success with the 67s, he must be considering heading back overseas, if not this season then definitely the following year....

 

[OMG67]

I also have to wonder what Filip Ekberg will do since after 2 years of moderate success with the 67s, he must be considering heading back overseas, if not this season then definitely the following year....

Something tells me Ekberg hasn’t always been in great health. I can’t say that for certain but it seems to make sense.

 

[67sfan1993]

Something tells me Ekberg hasn’t always been in great health. I can’t say that for certain but it seems to make sense.

He is a good goal scorer and has a bright future if he is healthy, but if he is a liability, the 67s might need to cut their losses and let him go if someone better comes up

 

[OMG67]

He is a good goal scorer and has a bright future if he is healthy, but if he is a liability, the 67s might need to cut their losses and let him go if someone better comes up

That’s the case for every player. The management will have a strong understanding of the situation so I imagine they will work through it however necessary.

If this were a rebuild year, I’d probably look to move him but since it is a potential Championship calibre year, I think you need to keep all the 20+ goal scoring 19 year olds you can.

 

[beastintheeast]

Ekberg is, in fact, interesting. There is little chance he will get signed by the NHL, so yeah, he could look at going to Europe. The big money for him, though, would be the AHL with the Wolves. It pays more than he would make in Europe if he can crack that team.

He needs an injury-free season to show what he can do with a line that is stable.

Whitehead VDB Ekberg to start the season should be #1 line

 

[OMG67]

Ekberg is, in fact, interesting. There is little chance he will get signed by the NHL, so yeah, he could look at going to Europe. The big money for him, though, would be the AHL with the Wolves. It pays more than he would make in Europe if he can crack that team.

He needs an injury-free season to show what he can do with a line that is stable.

Whitehead VDB Ekberg to start the season should be #1 line

I am not sure what the difference would be for him but the ELC AHL $$$ is around $85k to $90 but he will need to cover all his own expenses. He should easily make $60k in Europe but most of his expenses will be covered.

Some players that are viewed as franchise role players will get real $$$ in the AHL but most don’t make a lot. It is similar in Europe though.

I think it really depends on the preference. The Euro’s are more likely to play closer to home…same with the North Americans.

At some point all players make a decision to either chase the best $$$ outside the NHL or they take less and stay on the NHL track with the ECHL/AHL.

 

[67sfan1993]

The reason I wonder if Ekberg will end up heading back overseas is because of how Vinzenz Rohrer left to Europe after a year or 2 and he is close to cracking the Laval Rocket lineup after playing in Zurich, I would have to imagine Ekberg's time to make that decision could be next year if its not this year

 

[beastintheeast]

I am not sure what the difference would be for him but the ELC AHL $$$ is around $85k to $90 but he will need to cover all his own expenses. He should easily make $60k in Europe but most of his expenses will be covered.

Some players that are viewed as franchise role players will get real $$$ in the AHL but most don’t make a lot. It is similar in Europe though.

I think it really depends on the preference. The Euro’s are more likely to play closer to home…same with the North Americans.

At some point all players make a decision to either chase the best $$$ outside the NHL or they take less and stay on the NHL track with the ECHL/AHL.

Chtgp is awesome.

Looking it up, the min in the AHL is 52 k . If you are a local player on a European team, the baseline is 15k to 45k. Also, the play is different listening to the World they were talking about that on a playing level, the NHL is top, then the AHL, followed by European.

Someone like Rohrer is making under the AHL min playing in Zurich, which is not exactly a cheap city to live in.

For Ekberg, the question I would be asking is what is going to happen to me next year. We know the OHL is not a hotbed for OA Euro, is he good enough to make an AHL team or should he go home and start earning? If it is to go home, then he might think about doing it this year vs next.

Then of course does he have the Qualifications for the NCAA

There are so many bubbles this year that it is going to be an interesting time watching the rest of thed 2020's finish

 

[OMG67]

Chtgp is awesome.

Looking it up, the min in the AHL is 52 k . If you are a local player on a European team, the baseline is 15k to 45k. Also, the play is different listening to the World they were talking about that on a playing level, the NHL is top, then the AHL, followed by European.

Someone like Rohrer is making under the AHL min playing in Zurich, which is not exactly a cheap city to live in.

For Ekberg, the question I would be asking is what is going to happen to me next year. We know the OHL is not a hotbed for OA Euro, is he good enough to make an AHL team or should he go home and start earning? If it is to go home, then he might think about doing it this year vs next.

Then of course does he have the Qualifications for the NCAA

There are so many bubbles this year that it is going to be an interesting time watching the rest of thed 2020's finish

That type of compensation is for the lower tier leagues in each of the countries that have pro teams. You can look at it like Germany’s version of the ECHL. Their top tier team players make $125k-$300k. That is same/similar to the Swedish League. Swiss is higher comp. Again, unless they are playing in a lower division.

Rohrer wouldn’t need to pay anything to live in Zurich because the team pays for everything. They pay lodging and most expenses as a part of the package. Technically he is on loan so he gets his signing bonus every year plus whaat he gets from his Swiss team which is likely at least $150k.

The top Swiss League pays much more than the AHL. It ranks 3rd in pay behind the NHL and KHL.

If it is a low tier league like Italy or Slovakia, maybe the low salary is more common but I can’t see Ekberg going back to Europe to play in the Italian League.

If Ekberg went back home and played in the top Swedish league, he’d make between $125k and $300k plus his living expenses by providing housing and a vehicle.

All of this is why I say that if you are chasing your NHL dream, it is likely more advisable to play AHL hockey and take the $$$ hit if you are a European. But if you are someone like Rohrer and you don’t care, play in Europe and make more.

That said, there are quite a few AHL players that are signed by their NHL teams on two-way deals with high AHL money. These guys are safety net type players that teams don’t want to lose. So they give them two-way NHL deals that pay minimum in the NHL and near the same to play in the AHL. A lot of the goalies have these types of contracts. Some role players that pop up and down do as well. So you can make real $$$ playing in the AHL if you are one of let’s say 3-4 veteran pro players that serve as the de facto 24th-26th roster players so to speak. But if you aren’t one of those guys, you can make way more in Europe as an Import or local elite player.

 

[Larionov]

Good luck trying to predict the standings in any of the CHL leagues going forward. So much is going to depend on luck in which kids you were able to retain, which ones you lost, and which star player you were able to attract for their "one and done" CHL season. 67's actually did very well in this derby last year, managing to land players like Fetterolf and Vandenberg while not losing any key players. And it looks like their luck may hold this year, with both of those players looking like they might stick around for another season...

 

[beastintheeast]

VDB seems to have left his mark at the combine

Testing Results
Vandenberg's notable fitness and testing performances included:

• Anaerobic Fitness (Fatigue Index): Finished 2nd overall with a highly impressive 39.4% drop from peak, demonstrating elite stamina.
• 10m Sprint: Clocked at 2.02 seconds, finishing 2nd only to Cole Zurawski across all combine participants.
• Physical Profile: Measured at roughly 5-foot-11.75 and 180-181 lbs. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Word is that Novotny does not want to go back to Petes/OHL.

 

[dirty12]

Good luck trying to predict the standings in any of the CHL leagues going forward. So much is going to depend on luck in which kids you were able to retain, which ones you lost, and which star player you were able to attract for their "one and done" CHL season. 67's actually did very well in this derby last year, managing to land players like Fetterolf and Vandenberg while not losing any key players. And it looks like their luck may hold this year, with both of those players looking like they might stick around for another season...

Yeah, that is a reason I think the wolves can be this season’s version of the ‘67s worst to first taking the central from favoured NB. It appears the wolves lose no one other than a couple of OAs, and will be fortunate with imports returning.

 

[OMG67]

Yeah, that is a reason I think the wolves can be this season’s version of the ‘67s worst to first taking the central from favoured NB. It appears the wolves lose no one other than a couple of OAs, and will be fortunate with imports returning.

In fairness, it is early predictions based on assumptions. That will all change once rosters are set in store a couple weeks into the season. It is at that time when we can adjust expectations.

 

[dirty12]

In fairness, it is early predictions based on assumptions. That will all change once rosters are set in store a couple weeks into the season. It is at that time when we can adjust expectations.

I agree there is a lot of off-season remaining, I’ve stated that previously. I’m not exactly sure where you’re going with ‘early predictions based on assumptions’ though. I’ve stated the wolves can be and might be, never once will be.

I do presume their is not a team in the conference that has a Barrie, Brantford level top three of last season in place; advantage Sudbury.
I also presume the battalion will be exceptionally deep; but start one, probably two LW/C short of a pretender level top six.

 

[OMG67]

I agree there is a lot of off-season remaining, I’ve stated that previously. I’m not exactly sure where you’re going with ‘early predictions based on assumptions’ though. I’ve stated the wolves can be and might be, never once will be.

I do presume their is not a team in the conference that has a Barrie, Brantford level top three of last season in place; advantage Sudbury.
I also presume the battalion will be exceptionally deep; but start one, probably two LW/C short of a pretender level top six.

I was referring more to me. I have three teams as the anointed top 3. That is based on assumptions (mostly realistic). But as mentioned, the Petes fortunes may change dramatically if Novotny doesn’t return and they don’t get a goalie.

You’ve mentioned possibilities for Sudbury as well which could improve their situation.

I am merely endorsing the original claim that we have to be a little guarded. That said, the only player on Ottawa that is in the discussion for NCAA is Fetterolf. Considering they have Nelson, it isn’t quite as impactful as the situation the Petes are in. Of course, I’m more confident in Ottawa and North Bay right now.

 

[dirty12]

I was referring more to me. I have three teams as the anointed top 3. That is based on assumptions (mostly realistic). But as mentioned, the Petes fortunes may change dramatically if Novotny doesn’t return and they don’t get a goalie.

You’ve mentioned possibilities for Sudbury as well which could improve their situation.

I am merely endorsing the original claim that we have to be a little guarded. That said, the only player on Ottawa that is in the discussion for NCAA is Fetterolf. Considering they have Nelson, it isn’t quite as impactful as the situation the Petes are in. Of course, I’m more confident in Ottawa and North Bay right now.

I don’t believe a current lack of goaltending is too concerning, but Novotny not returning would be a game changer.
Almost the same applies to NB imo. Half of their disposable assets including some they’d rather not move would need to be used just to replace LW/C Pitre and Cali. End of last season they alternated LW1, 2C.

 

[BarberPole9]

The draft pick database shows the 67’s having second rounders this year from Saginaw and Windsor (Amidovski trade).

Media Notes – Ontario Hockey League

chl.ca

The Windsor 2nd is not showing up on the league’s draft page:

OHL Priority Selection

chl.ca

Did I miss something or is there a deal made that hasn’t been announced?

 

[NoQuit67s]

The U18 draft is tonight.

I can't remember, has Ottawa had any significant contributor from this draft in the past?

 

[OMG67]

The draft pick database shows the 67’s having second rounders this year from Saginaw and Windsor (Amidovski trade).

Media Notes – Ontario Hockey League

chl.ca

The Windsor 2nd is not showing up on the league’s draft page:

OHL Priority Selection

chl.ca

Did I miss something or is there a deal made that hasn’t been announced?

Probably a mistake by the league.

 

[OMG67]

The U18 draft is tonight.

I can't remember, has Ottawa had any significant contributor from this draft in the past?

No. At least not one they’ve rostered. Will Cranley is probably the one that worked out but not for Ottawa…

 

[dirty12]

The draft pick database shows the 67’s having second rounders this year from Saginaw and Windsor (Amidovski trade).

Media Notes – Ontario Hockey League

chl.ca

The Windsor 2nd is not showing up on the league’s draft page:

OHL Priority Selection

chl.ca

Did I miss something or is there a deal made that hasn’t been announced?

I think the draft pick database might be wrong in this case. That WSR ‘26-2nd was traded to Brampton in the Amidovski transaction?

 

[BarberPole9]

I think the draft pick database might be wrong in this case. That WSR ‘26-2nd was traded to Brampton in the Amidovski transaction?

Brampton only received Amidovski in the deal according to the league site. The 67’s got all the picks, including the Windsor 2026 2nd.

 

[dirty12]

Brampton only received Amidovski in the deal according to the league site. The 67’s got all the picks, including the Windsor 2026 2nd.

Makes sense. I should have actually looked at the transaction before posting.