Erie Otters 2022-23 Season Thread

[OttersFan]

Nicholls really needed that game. It was nice to see our second line starting to click and our 3rd line did well too. Gilmartin, Saganiuk, and Bressette started working well and are a pain to try and breakout against. I've been impressed by Smith so far this season as well. It will be interesting to see where Alfano fits in when he is healthy.

Defensively IMO the risk/reward of Sova and Kyrou is just that. There are times they press and its good, but there it also seems they try to push forward too much at times. I hope they can settle down and mature with their presses. Also, curious what defensively we look like when Johnston is healthy.

They actually played in front of him. Good for his confidence since the coaching staff seems to not believe in him with the Downey trade.

I know I’m an unpopular opinion, and I will eat my words. I know it’s early in the season, but Kyrou so far hasn’t necessarily impressed me thus far. I’m not sure if it’s because he plays so far forward or if it’s because he doesn’t take opportunities when he should. He’s a statistically a good player and his skating is good. I’m going to give him until Christmas break before really having a stronger opinion. He’s coming off a 60 pt season and played in every game last year. Maybe I just expect more from him, but also we have all these different pieces and scoring wise we aren’t meshing? This team is difficult.

Tomorrow should be an off day before they start Monday preparing for another 3-in-3. I’m curious if Lalonde will be healthy. Hopefully Alfano isn’t too serious. I know his billets, and wanted to ask if he’s doing okay, but didn’t want to invade his privacy.

I wish we got an injury report like Victor gave us. We have so many news stations and not one reporter can become consistent with hockey games? High school football gets better coverage.

 

[Mata]

They actually played in front of him. Good for his confidence since the coaching staff seems to not believe in him with the Downey trade.

I know I’m an unpopular opinion, and I will eat my words. I know it’s early in the season, but Kyrou so far hasn’t necessarily impressed me thus far. I’m not sure if it’s because he plays so far forward or if it’s because he doesn’t take opportunities when he should. He’s a statistically a good player and his skating is good. I’m going to give him until Christmas break before really having a stronger opinion. He’s coming off a 60 pt season and played in every game last year. Maybe I just expect more from him, but also we have all these different pieces and scoring wise we aren’t meshing? This team is difficult.

Tomorrow should be an off day before they start Monday preparing for another 3-in-3. I’m curious if Lalonde will be healthy. Hopefully Alfano isn’t too serious. I know his billets, and wanted to ask if he’s doing okay, but didn’t want to invade his privacy.

I wish we got an injury report like Victor gave us. We have so many news stations and not one reporter can become consistent with hockey games? High school football gets better coverage.

I had a new group around me for last night's game and what you're inferring with Kyrou they picked up on almost immediately.

A lot of the Attacks odd man rushes were a direct result of a simple mistake he made complicated by trying to do too much. It got to the point where it was even asked why isn't he a forward because he certainly doesn't play like a defender and leaves his team vulnerable way too often.

 

[OttersFan]

I had a new group around me for last night's game and what you're inferring with Kyrou they picked up on almost immediately.

A lot of the Attacks odd man rushes were a direct result of a simple mistake he made complicated by trying to do too much. It got to the point where it was even asked why isn't he a forward because he certainly doesn't play like a defender and leaves his team vulnerable way too often.

He’s NHL drafted so it’s clear he’s talented.

I hate seeing him around the opposing teams net. This is typically what happens when he plays too far forward: The other team gets the puck, Morton is left 1 or 2 on 1 in the dzone in an odd man rush, Kyrou is gassed from doing too much(PP,PK, playing too far forward) and can’t make it back, Morton dives to block the shot, and the other team scores. Nicholls then gets blamed for letting a goal in.

If this isn’t the scenario, when he’s at the point he loses the puck at the blue line and has to go through the neutral zone. I’d like to see him taking more slap shots from the point since he has a strong shot and we don’t see it enough.

These are just early observations and hopefully with more experience he’ll be able to get it under control.

 

[Mata]

He’s NHL drafted so it’s clear he’s talented.

I hate seeing him around the opposing teams net. This is typically what happens when he plays too far forward: The other team gets the puck, Morton is left 1 or 2 on 1 in the dzone in an odd man rush, Kyrou is gassed from doing too much(PP,PK, playing too far forward) and can’t make it back, Morton dives to block the shot, and the other team scores. Nicholls then gets blamed for letting a goal in.

If this isn’t the scenario, when he’s at the point he loses the puck at the blue line and has to go through the neutral zone. I’d like to see him taking more slap shots from the point since he has a strong shot and we don’t see it enough.

These are just early observations and hopefully with more experience he’ll be able to get it under control.

All circles back to coaching IMO...

Yes, we need our top guys for PP and/or PK, but when we have 4, 5, 6 penalties a period...give your BENCH time to give our top guys a rest. Only further increases chance of injury when playing that much or that gassed during shifts.

We are only as strong as our 3rd and 4th line. Not playing them to "hang on" to wins only further complicates things if we do have a playoff team. 1st and foremost, our top players are MORE likely to get beat up and 2nd, our younger players don't get the much needed time to develop (outside of usually 1st rounders).

The cycle needs to stop.

 

[OttersFan]

All circles back to coaching IMO...

Yes, we need our top guys for PP and/or PK, but when we have 4, 5, 6 penalties a period...give your BENCH time to give our top guys a rest. Only further increases chance of injury when playing that much or that gassed during shifts.

We are only as strong as our 3rd and 4th line. Not playing them to "hang on" to wins only further complicates things if we do have a playoff team. 1st and foremost, our top players are MORE likely to get beat up and 2nd, our younger players don't get the much needed time to develop (outside of usually 1st rounders).

The cycle needs to stop.

Absolutely so true especially with this team. This current cycle won’t allow for us to keep playing in March. We won’t have the stamina if we only rely on 9 guys to hold the team together. When players leave for tournaments or get injured we won’t have anyone to fill the role and expect good results.

I was going to add to the post, but couldn’t exactly remember for certain. In the McDavid days (which we can’t keep holding on to) I believe we always had a defenseman play forward. The difference is this current team isn’t as talented as that team was during their long playoff run. We can’t afford with this team to leave the goalie out to dry or to leave one defenseman to do all the work.

 

[Mata]

On the plus side...

I do believe we are 4 points ahead of where we were last year and hopefully won't go through the whole transition which gave us then the next 10 or whatever with BJ mirrored what Hartsburg did.

 

[Antiillafire]

Don’t be shocked if Molnar signs soon, his ice time in Nitra has been around 8 mins per game. He needs to play and he isn’t. After a goal and an assist last match he was put as the 13th forward today.

 

[DubCee21]

Don’t be shocked if Molnar signs soon, his ice time in Nitra has been around 8 mins per game. He needs to play and he isn’t. After a goal and an assist last match he was put as the 13th forward today.

If he comes, it likely won't be until after the World Juniors. How well the team is doing by then will likely also be a factor. I doubt he comes if this team is below .500. I expect DB to push hard to get him here during WJs also.

 

[Antiillafire]

If he comes, it likely won't be until after the World Juniors. How well the team is doing by then will likely also be a factor. I doubt he comes if this team is below .500. I expect DB to push hard to get him here during WJs also.

The teams record won’t be a factor, Nitra is awful this season, losing today 8-1. If Erie promises him a top 6 role, he will probably go. For him it’s about development and play time

Also better to join now so he can try and build up confidence and play good to show the coaches he should be at the WJC. Right now he would be in tough to get a scoring role.

 

[Mata]

The teams record won’t be a factor, Nitra is awful this season, losing today 8-1. If Erie promises him a top 6 role, he will probably go. For him it’s about development and play time

Also better to join now so he can try and build up confidence and play good to show the coaches he should be at the WJC. Right now he would be in tough to get a scoring role.

What has changed that he slid down the depth chart or was he always 3rd/4th line with Nitra?

If he is as advertised there is likely room for the top 6 to add an impact player. I'm not sure if the Cohen, Terrance, Spence line will be up for debate, but the 2nd line it wouldn't hurt. Also, our PP2 line doesn't have a ton of firepower so there COULD be adjustments to be made there on special teams.

Not sure who would Center the 2nd line, but possibly

Molnar - Gilmartin - Bressette
Molnar - Saganiuk- Bressette/Gilmartin
Molnar - Alfano - Bressette/Gilmartin

I suppose those could be 3 variations of what the 2nd line could look like.

 

[NOA]

If he is as advertised there is likely room for the top 6 to add an impact player. I'm not sure if the Cohen, Terrance, Spence line will be up for debate, but the 2nd line it wouldn't hurt. Also, our PP2 line doesn't have a ton of firepower so there COULD be adjustments to be made there on special teams.

Not sure who would Center the 2nd line, but possibly

Molnar - Gilmartin - Bressette
Molnar - Saganiuk- Bressette/Gilmartin
Molnar - Alfano - Bressette/Gilmartin

I suppose those could be 3 variations of what the 2nd line could look like.

if you can get Molnar simply by guaranteeing him “1st line” minutes or top PP time then you do it.. of course you tell him that it might take a few games to ramp up the time as he adjusts and he will then need to perform but given his age and talent, they almost certainly can fit him into the top spot and figure it out elsewhere. Especially because that means he’s likely here next year which gives you some promise in the forward group

 

[Mata]

if you can get Molnar simply by guaranteeing him “1st line” minutes or top PP time then you do it.. of course you tell him that it might take a few games to ramp up the time as he adjusts and he will then need to perform but given his age and talent, they almost certainly can fit him into the top spot and figure it out elsewhere. Especially because that means he’s likely here next year which gives you some promise in the forward group

Who at that point do you remove from the first line? Spence is easily becoming our top forward and he IS the future of Erie. His growth in the first 10 games is what we expect to see out of a 2nd or 3rd year player and appears to be a direct result of being put on a line with Terrance and Cohen coupled with his God given talent. The speed of play alone out of those 3 is absurd and hard to match. Terrance and Cohen, while maybe not playing at the level we expected yet, are easily 2 and 3. The strategy seems to have changed in the first ten games in Cohen and Terrance are there to help Spence get up to speed and achieve the high ceiling he is projected instead of the 3rd line stuff early on where they wanted Spence to carry a line. Are you suggesting BJ will supplant one of those two (Terrance/Cohen) for someone who will be gone next season vs our franchise players growth/success?

@Antiillafire seems to believe top 6 is all that is necessary and some special teams play to get him here. Why would you promise him more than that if he's willing to accept for less and break up the one line that seems to have consistency and has allowed our future star to look like our best player now on most nights?

Unless he is Spence 2.0, I don't see line 1 changing any time soon. It could set up for a sick line next season, or even some mixing in of Terrance, Spence, Molnar of a preview of what's to come next year, but I think line 1 won't change unless there are some really serious issues. IF we can match our point total in the next 10 that puts us a full 8 points ahead of last season without a possible new addition.

 

[EON]

It would be fantastic for this team if Molnar signs. Not only would their top 9 become much more potent, but they'd have a good 4th line that Adams *should* be more comfortable rolling out regularly.

I wouldn't break up that top line until they give you a reason to. It's especially important that Spence/Terrance develop well if the next two seasons are going to be a success.

I'd go:

Spence - Terrance - Cohen
Molnar - Bressette - Alfano
Gilmartin - Saganiuk - Sedore
Artichuk - McDonald - Smith

Messier/Lowe/Edwards rotating in

 

[7D442]

Apparently top secret - but do we have any news on LaLonde / Alfano ??

 

[Mata]

Apparently top secret - but do we have any news on LaLonde / Alfano ??

Lalonde was a lower body injury and I think someone mentioned Alfano has the upper respiratory crap that's going around.

 

[OttersFan]

Lalonde was a lower body injury and I think someone mentioned Alfano has the upper respiratory crap that's going around.

Can confirm this is true of each.

 

[NOA]

Rough translation:

“I wonder if this will be confirmed. Today, there is a lot of talk about the fact that Ondrej Molnár is leaving Nitra and heading to the junior OHL team, the Erie Otters. He is reportedly leaving next week, which would explain his absence in the nomination of one of the youth. repre for the November matches.”

Big if true. Just to bring in another young forward with talent is a win.

 

[7D442]

Rough translation:

“I wonder if this will be confirmed. Today, there is a lot of talk about the fact that Ondrej Molnár is leaving Nitra and heading to the junior OHL team, the Erie Otters. He is reportedly leaving next week, which would explain his absence in the nomination of one of the youth. repre for the November matches.”

Big if true. Just to bring in another young forward with talent is a win.

There’s wants and there’s needs ..

In this case - there is both.. The team needs him and the fans have high hopes for him as well .. love to see him join our Otters

 

[NOA]

There’s wants and there’s needs ..

In this case - there is both.. The team needs him and the fans have high hopes for him as well .. love to see him join our Otters

For sure. Who knows how successful he will be but the though of building around him, Terrance, and Spence give me some hope. Maybe we just get lucky and his game translates super well here and he’s a stud from day 1. Wouldn’t that be nice. We can only hope

 

[7D442]

Lalonde may be back soon

Lowe not listed ?? … hmmmm

 

[Mata]

Lalonde may be back soon

Lowe not listed ?? … hmmmm

I guess it's possible that it could be reserved for an incoming Molnar which would be best case IMO. Hopefully something is released about it, unlike Ross/Signoretti.

 

[OttersFan]

Lalonde starts tonight with Nicholls backing up. Interesting but glad Lalonde is back!

 

[Mata]

Lalonde starts tonight with Nicholls backing up. Interesting but glad Lalonde is back!

Makes the trade for Downey that much more confusing...unless Downey picked up a small knock then it'd make sense.

 

[OttersFan]

Makes the trade for Downey that much more confusing...unless Downey picked up a small knock then it'd make sense.

That’s why I thought it was interesting. Hopefully Downey is okay. Maybe he will start tomorrow in a 3-in-3 he could just be a healthy scratch to rotate the three.

Every decision is questionable with this management.

 

[Mata]

That’s why I thought it was interesting. Hopefully Downey is okay. Maybe he will start tomorrow in a 3-in-3 he could just be a healthy scratch to rotate the three.

Every decision is questionable with this management.

Line 2 is playing with some consistency in the last couple games. Really liking our top 6. Gonna be up to the bottom 6 to pick it up and challenge.

Also to add, this first 10 minutes has been pretty sketchy for Alboim.