Erie Otters 2022-23 Season Thread

[HockeyPops]

Elite Prospects showing Molnar to Erie

 

[Antiillafire]

Elite Prospects showing Molnar to Erie

Nitra confirms it

 

[Mata]

Nitra confirms it

Found out the other day. He should be arriving Tuesday the 13th.

 

[NOA]

Huge news but I’ll wait until he actually shows haha we have burned before. This is the potential juice and boost needed though

 

[Mata]

Here is another tweet about it.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Gamble paid off for Erie.

One has to think that the situation in Slovakia definitely pushed him towards the OHL.

 

[OHL4Life]

Gamble paid off for Erie.

One has to think that the situation in Slovakia definitely pushed him towards the OHL.

indeed, he was kicked off the u20 team because of it. interesting if its a loan or if its an outright signing. i would think it would need to be a loan, but who knows.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

indeed, he was kicked off the u20 team because of it. interesting if its a loan or if its an outright signing. i would think it would need to be a loan, but who knows.

Here is the direct quote from Nitra’s PR team *translated to English



“Nitra released its pupil for the Canadian junior competition. The paths of HK Nitra and Ondrej Molnár diverge this season. Our breeder will move to the Canadian OHL. "We release Ondrej to the Canadian junior competition. We are very sorry, because for years we have been trying to give young players a lot of space in the A-team, often at the expense of better results. Unfortunately, the current model of the competition with direct relegation and our poor position in the table does not allow us the patience we have always had with the young players. That is why we allowed Ondrej to go to the Canadian junior competition, where he will be used more than it would be here. We wish him to fulfill his goal of being drafted this season. We are convinced that he will succeed," states the opinion of HK Nitra. Ondrej will work in the Erie Otters team. That is, in the club where Connor McDavid once played. This year, Ondrej was drafted by this club from the fifth position of the first round. We wish him a successful second half of the season with a draft peak during the summer.”


Based on wording - seems like he was outright released by his Slovakian club, and will sign with Erie.

 

[OHL4Life]

Here is the direct quote from Nitra’s PR team *translated to English



“Nitra released its pupil for the Canadian junior competition. The paths of HK Nitra and Ondrej Molnár diverge this season. Our breeder will move to the Canadian OHL. "We release Ondrej to the Canadian junior competition. We are very sorry, because for years we have been trying to give young players a lot of space in the A-team, often at the expense of better results. Unfortunately, the current model of the competition with direct relegation and our poor position in the table does not allow us the patience we have always had with the young players. That is why we allowed Ondrej to go to the Canadian junior competition, where he will be used more than it would be here. We wish him to fulfill his goal of being drafted this season. We are convinced that he will succeed," states the opinion of HK Nitra. Ondrej will work in the Erie Otters team. That is, in the club where Connor McDavid once played. This year, Ondrej was drafted by this club from the fifth position of the first round. We wish him a successful second half of the season with a draft peak during the summer.”


Based on wording - seems like he was outright released by his Slovakian club, and will sign with Erie.

heres why i would be very surprised if it was an outright release. the team that he is drafted by gets his nhl development fee. that fee may be 10k, may be 5k depending on where and when he gets drafted. why would they walk away from that when they can loan him and keep that money?

 

[GermanSpitfire]

heres why i would be very surprised if it was an outright release. the team that he is drafted by gets his nhl development fee. that fee may be 10k, may be 5k depending on where and when he gets drafted. why would they walk away from that when they can loan him and keep that money?

Because he assaulted an opponent in Slovakia and the team doesn’t want to deal with him anymore? Just speculation of course but I see where you’re coming from.

 

[OHL4Life]

Because he assaulted an opponent in Slovakia and the team doesn’t want to deal with him anymore? Just speculation of course but I see where you’re coming from.

they probably could have just sent him home until that was resolved also to play devils advocate. we dont know the details of the assignment.

another question, why would erie bring on the kid if hes that bad of an influence? if he is a bad influence? more questions we don't know the answer too, or even if its worth asking to be fair. kid could have just made a mistake.

 

[Rusty7550]

Because he assaulted an opponent in Slovakia and the team doesn’t want to deal with him anymore? Just speculation of course but I see where you’re coming from.

Honestly, I don't think Nitra cares about that fight. They don't have IT for him, they are the worst team in Slovakia right now. They need to chance something(add more experienced players) otherwise they are relegated.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

they probably could have just sent him home until that was resolved also to play devils advocate. we dont know the details of the assignment.

another question, why would erie bring on the kid if hes that bad of an influence? if he is a bad influence? more questions we don't know the answer too, or even if its worth asking to be fair. kid could have just made a mistake.

It was an assault sticking up for a teammate in a floorball game at school - hit the kid so hard shattered his jaw, then got charged for assault.

You take that information as you will.

I don’t think the situation is so bad that it would have refrained Erie from signing him, they likely did their due diligence, and found it was a one off incident. Just my opinion though.

 

[Mata]

Gamble paid off for Erie.

One has to think that the situation in Slovakia definitely pushed him towards the OHL.

Regardless of the reason...him being pushed, maybe this was always part of the plan, or something else...

We now have someone to skate in place of Gilmartin and/or Saganiuk. We know Gilmartin will return New Years Eve, but Colby could be out significantly longer.

How this shapes up for the rest of the season all hinges on whether we stay put, trade at the deadline, or try to buy (with what little assets we have).

It is a much needed change for a team that has completely lost its direction in the psst month or so of play.

 

[OHL4Life]

It was an assault sticking up for a teammate in a floorball game at school - hit the kid so hard shattered his jaw, then got charged for assault.

You take that information as you will.

I don’t think the situation is so bad that it would have refrained Erie from signing him, they likely did their due diligence, and found it was a one off incident. Just my opinion though.

i have heard different and had heard different about him around the import draft. but any 17 year old kid deserves a grain of salt, which is why i havent really talked about it. hopefully he turns it around and hits his ceiling.

ill see if i can find out if hes on loan or an outright release.

 

[HockeyPops]

Not sure if Elite Prospects has the whole story or not, but there is no indication it's a loan on their site, and they usually indicate if it is.

 

[ohloutsider]

So don't want to sound like an A-h---- but is he on his way to get 1 game in before Christmas so he can then be traded? Not the first time this has happened????

 

[NOA]

So don't want to sound like an A-h---- but is he on his way to get 1 game in before Christmas so he can then be traded? Not the first time this has happened????

He was heavily rumored to be signed before the season and then a lot of smoke, A LOT of smoke, about 4-5 weeks ago. So this isn’t surprising at all.

Is it possible he wants traded? Sure but it’s still great news because we can get some assets for him. But he had interest in coming here prior the season and I’m not sure what changes now. Sure, Erie has slipped in the standings but key injuries, Lalonde in his head, and blown leads are the fault - rather than the team losing 7-2 like they have no chance to be in it. Molnar wants ice time and likely some assurances he will get that. Any top team is unlikely to offer that for an unknown commodity. Erie’s with their injuries and current situation can offer that. And believe it or not, we have some pretty big names in the NHL, including a Slovak, that when called upon - have nothing but amazing things to say about Erie, the community, and fans

 

[OttersFan]

they probably could have just sent him home until that was resolved also to play devils advocate. we dont know the details of the assignment.

another question, why would erie bring on the kid if hes that bad of an influence? if he is a bad influence? more questions we don't know the answer too, or even if its worth asking to be fair. kid could have just made a mistake.

We already have enough bad influences on this team, so what’s one more? Bring Molnar in and kick Kyrou who is like 3 bad influences in one to the curb for draft picks. Simple.

New talent to this already dehydrated team could be good for them and a spark they need.

 

[ohloutsider]

He was heavily rumored to be signed before the season and then a lot of smoke, A LOT of smoke, about 4-5 weeks ago. So this isn’t surprising at all.

Is it possible he wants traded? Sure but it’s still great news because we can get some assets for him. But he had interest in coming here prior the season and I’m not sure what changes now. Sure, Erie has slipped in the standings but key injuries, Lalonde in his head, and blown leads are the fault - rather than the team losing 7-2 like they have no chance to be in it. Molnar wants ice time and likely some assurances he will get that. Any top team is unlikely to offer that for an unknown commodity. Erie’s with their injuries and current situation can offer that. And believe it or not, we have some pretty big names in the NHL, including a Slovak, that when called upon - have nothing but amazing things to say about Erie, the community, and fans

Yes really hope he is on his way to play big minutes for you guys, you need a break.

It just seems odd that he is coming a week before the Christmas break. Is he flying back Sunday night? The only other time I remember this timing was a kid that went to North Bay, sat on the bench for one game and then was traded during the import window. The deal was already worked out so he knew he was only there one game. I forgot the players name and where he ended up but it was North Bay to start.

I sure hope this is not the case and he works out for the Otters. Good luck going forward, just not against the Spits.

 

[7D442]

He was heavily rumored to be signed before the season and then a lot of smoke, A LOT of smoke, about 4-5 weeks ago. So this isn’t surprising at all.

Is it possible he wants traded? Sure but it’s still great news because we can get some assets for him. But he had interest in coming here prior the season and I’m not sure what changes now. Sure, Erie has slipped in the standings but key injuries, Lalonde in his head, and blown leads are the fault - rather than the team losing 7-2 like they have no chance to be in it. Molnar wants ice time and likely some assurances he will get that. Any top team is unlikely to offer that for an unknown commodity. Erie’s with their injuries and current situation can offer that. And believe it or not, we have some pretty big names in the NHL, including a Slovak, that when called upon - have nothing but amazing things to say about Erie, the community, and fans

Spot on - lots of chatter about this for quite some time now - from both within the organization and elsewhere …

A few trades such as Gilmartin / Downey affirms some urgency from the team without depleting more assets - BTW (about a papers width of chance in the world he’s going anywhere but here) .. success obviously not guaranteed but this would be a huge opportunity to for him ..sky’s the limit ..

 

[Section5Petes]

Countdown is on until Christian Kyrou gets dealt. What would Otter fans be happy with for a potential trade with the Petes?

 

[NOA]

Countdown is on until Christian Kyrou gets dealt. What would Otter fans be happy with for a potential trade with the Petes?

Hoping we will move. The market will be high and all Molnar does is increase you window for next year. So adding real assets and a 2005 born helps the trajectory of the team.

Imo and based on your roster, it would have to be Lardis, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds. Something in that range. You don’t have any other realistic trade chips unless you are willing to part with Van Volsen. Erie should definitely be dangling Kyrou for the best 2005 or 2006 they can get, either defensemen or forwards. I would think they would want a forward before defensemen given that they have 7 signed forwards for next year, 2 being OAs. Either way, they need a real piece in return and someone who is not undersized

 

[7D442]

Ladies and gentleman :

As by proper translation -raise your hands if you “are “ or even “are not “ a hockey player and ever “assaulted an opponent “

 

[Section5Petes]

Hoping we will move. The market will be high and all Molnar does is increase you window for next year. So adding real assets and a 2005 born helps the trajectory of the team.

Imo and based on your roster, it would have to be Lardis, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds. Something in that range. You don’t have any other realistic trade chips unless you are willing to part with Van Volsen. Erie should definitely be dangling Kyrou for the best 2005 or 2006 they can get, either defensemen or forwards. I would think they would want a forward before defensemen given that they have 7 signed forwards for next year, 2 being OAs. Either way, they need a real piece in return and someone who is not undersized

Understandable and fair return. If there is any 05/06 forward who is going to get moved it will most likely be Van Volsen. Lardis is usually in our top 6 and an impact piece for our run this year. Same goes for the Shane Wright to Peterborough rumours with Van Volsen being the young player going to Kingston