Erie Otters 2022-23 Season Thread

[G0Otters]

I’m not suggesting Sova either but the point being that if you trade Bressette, you should go all in on tanking because that’s would you would be doing by moving him anyways. Therefore, Bressette is almost certainly not a trade candidate unless they get a crazy good offer and/or he wants out

I also just don’t think they can get young forwards for someone like Gilmartin / Saganiuk. So if that is your logic in trading them, it’s a bit of a stretch and probably unrealistic. Like you could probably get a spare part or a player of Smith/Artichuk quality, but you aren’t going to get a younger player worth getting for those types of players…
Kyrou fetched a decent 2005 but Kyrou has high end value. Saganiuk/Gilmartin are the classic players you trade for picks only.

Kulakov is an import so using both OA/import on him would be stupid but also on par with the moves this team makes so probably in play. They have Johnston as an OA defender and would than have Saganiuk/Bressette. Gilmartin is an NHL pick and unlikely to return but still possible. If he does, they should trade him but also given the history of moves, im sure we keep him and then we owe London another 3rd round pick. Ideally, gilmartin goes pro. Use your 1st round import on a defender to supplement Kulakov loss. Always use OHL 1st round picks on forwards unless you have a can’t miss Drysdale. Offense harder to come by. Defensively they have Sova, Johnston OR Kulakov, Daviault, Alboim, Sauder, Henry, Holomego. They also have the chance to take an import defensemen if they move on from Kulakov. They still have the bodies on defense - at least 7 signed and potentially 8 if they want Kulakov. If not, they have 7 signed and the import draft as an option.

Good analysis. By this time next month, we should know what direction this team is looking to go. While I would like to make the playoffs this year, I think it will be a challenge so might as well start building for the next 2-3 years. This year it looks like it comes down to us, Soo, and Guelph for the 8th spot. I see Kitchener moving up from their current position with them acquiring Arcuri, and not sure that anyone mid-pack (Flint, Sarnia, Owen Sound) will fall back into our clutches.

 

[Mata]

Considering in the past 5 years, twice the playoffs have been canceled due to covid the Otters have actually missed only 1 year in a row as they technically made the playoffs in 2019/2020 based on final standings, just no games were actually played.

Going back 5 years they had 2 missed playoffs (2017 and 2018), then made the playoffs in 2019 but never actually played a game due to covid and then the following season, 2020, was canceled and they couldn't make them regardless.

Their longest playoff drought was 2005 - 2007 where they missed 3 consecutive seasons.

Will this team limp in? I don't see it happening, but they COULD have finally put together the assets to make a run next season.

Agreed we need a new management direction from top down but that COULD reset the timer again.

Covid just makes this drought seem longer than it really is.

Updated to correct the dates missed starting with 2017 season, not 2018

 

[NOA]

Considering in the past 5 years, twice the playoffs have been canceled due to covid the Otters have actually missed only 1 year in a row as they technically made the playoffs in 2019/2020 based on final standings, just no games were actually played.

Going back 5 years they had 2 missed playoffs (2017 and 2018), then made the playoffs in 2019 but never actually played a game due to covid and then the following season, 2020, was canceled and they couldn't make them regardless.

Their longest playoff drought was 2005 - 2007 where they missed 3 consecutive seasons.

Will this team limp in? I don't see it happening, but they COULD have finally put together the assets to make a run next season.

Agreed we need a new management direction from top down but that COULD reset the timer again.

Covid just makes this drought seem longer than it really is.

Updated to correct the dates missed starting with 2017 season, not 2018

We really giving them credit for 2019-20? They still had a chance to screw that up but okay fine, let’s account for that.

Either way they have missed in 2017-18, 2018-19, 2021-22. And now trending towards that this year. At best, they get an incomplete for 2019-2020 and 2020-21. But the fact still remains that they haven’t played a playoff game since May 2017. That’s now going on 6 calendar years. Nobody on the roster has experienced it other than those acquired from other teams.

And most importantly, from a financial perpsective, they haven’t been able to generate extra income because they have had 0 playoff games in going on 6 years. Even just two home playoff games, with 2000 fans, at $20 per ticket, is a total of $80,000 in sales. Not to mention by not being a playoff team, it means they stink in the regular season and therefore have lost out on probably 250-500 fans per game over roughly 4 years. On the lowest end of 250 fans per game at let’s say even just about $10 per ticket (to account for promotions), that’s about $340,000

I’m unsure how their finances are anything good right now. I mean I’m not sure how they are functioning. It has to be right. Hence the reason why they can’t afford to upgrade certain things. It’s all intertwined to their coaching, GM, staffing. It’s all a dysfunctional mess

 

[Mata]

We really giving them credit for 2019-20? They still had a chance to screw that up but okay fine, let’s account for that.

Either way they have missed in 2017-18, 2018-19, 2021-22. And now trending towards that this year. At best, they get an incomplete for 2019-2020 and 2020-21. But the fact still remains that they haven’t played a playoff game since May 2017. That’s now going on 6 calendar years. Nobody on the roster has experienced it other than those acquired from other teams.

And most importantly, from a financial perpsective, they haven’t been able to generate extra income because they have had 0 playoff games in going on 6 years. Even just two home playoff games, with 2000 fans, at $20 per ticket, is a total of $80,000 in sales. Not to mention by not being a playoff team, it means they stink in the regular season and therefore have lost out on probably 250-500 fans per game over roughly 4 years. On the lowest end of 250 fans per game at let’s say even just about $10 per ticket (to account for promotions), that’s about $340,000

I’m unsure how their finances are anything good right now. I mean I’m not sure how they are functioning. It has to be right. Hence the reason why they can’t afford to upgrade certain things. It’s all intertwined to their coaching, GM, staffing. It’s all a dysfunctional mess

You are so hung up on the financial part. Jim Waters does this as a hobby. Making money from it is likely not as important as you think. He could have moved the team and/or sold it if he was concerned about it. He is not, the finances are a non issue.

 

[Mata]

New Otters owner Waters takes dream job

James Waters fulfilled his lifelong love of sports through what he thought was the ultimate fan experience. \n The Toronto native owns season tickets for the NHL's Maple Leafs and NBA's Raptors, and h…

www.goerie.com

1.4 billion+ for retirement...

He's surely worried over 80k in lost sales.

 

[NOA]

You are so hung up on the financial part. Jim Waters does this as a hobby. Making money from it is likely not as important as you think. He could have moved the team and/or sold it if he was concerned about it. He is not, the finances are a non issue.

Go back and read his initial articles - he agrees that it was for a hobby or that he just always wanted to do this. But he also said he was not just trying to lose money…
This isn’t Elon Musk who owns the team. Waters has money but he doesn’t have so much that he can burn it. If that were the case, our head coaching hires wouldn’t be the low cost options. We would have made more aggressive decision elsewhere to indicate that we had some endless supply of money or at least enough to invest.

At a certain point, you have to be able to generate some income or it becomes a financial burden. I’m not at all suggesting he’s going to move the team but if you aren’t concerned about the finances then idk what to tell you. The team was struggling when they had McDavid. What do you think it looks like now?

The Otters got rid of their team bus. They aren’t wearing a 3rd jersey this year. They hired an interim head coach full-time. Just some examples of a team that isn’t spending as much as they did even 5 years ago. I would provide other examples but not appropriate to post here

 

[NOA]

New Otters owner Waters takes dream job

James Waters fulfilled his lifelong love of sports through what he thought was the ultimate fan experience. \n The Toronto native owns season tickets for the NHL's Maple Leafs and NBA's Raptors, and h…

www.goerie.com

1.4 billion+ for retirement...

He's surely worried over 80k in lost sales.

Okay bud. It’s not just 80k in lost sales. That’s surface level and was provided as an example of everything going wrong. Overall - Ticket sales are way down. I’m sure that impacts marketing or the price people pay to put their names on the boards. That in turn impacts the revenue they can put back into the team. Which impacts the quality of coaching and management.

Even in the good years around 2016, Erie had a reported loss of $800k. You think that number is better now? Even if it’s the same, that’s roughly a loss of about $5.5 million after 7 years or where we are currently in 2022. But sure, get upset with me for suggesting there may be financial issues to worry about for a team who has a horrible on ice product

 

[Mata]

Okay bud. It’s not just 80k in lost sales. That’s surface level and was provided as an example of everything going wrong. Overall - Ticket sales are way down. I’m sure that impacts marketing or the price people pay to put their names on the boards. That in turn impacts the revenue they can put back into the team. Which impacts the quality of coaching and management.

Even in the good years around 2016, Erie had a reported loss of $800k. You think that number is better now? Even if it’s the same, that’s roughly a loss of about $5.5 million after 7 years or where we are currently in 2022. But sure, get upset with me for suggesting there may be financial issues to worry about for a team who has a horrible on ice product

Given that the majority of owners in the OHL know they likely will make little to no money off their franchise if in fact lose money each year. They are NOT in it for the money sweet cheeks, contrary to whatever you think.

 

[Mata]

Let's look at it another way...

Let's say I have 100 million dollars today and I am like 70 years old and I lose 1 million dollars a year in my retirement, do I care, no. Why not? Because I'm not living 100 more years to spend it all.

 

[Roadhog]

Gibbons is backing up in Missy tonight. Was he released or is this a "loan" of some kind?

The lineup sheet doesn't list him as a FA signing.

 

[OttersFan]

Gibbons is backing up in Missy tonight. Was he released or is this a "loan" of some kind?

The lineup sheet doesn't list him as a FA signing.

He’s probably a loan. Likely because Beglieri was injured when he last played Erie.

 

[OttersFan]

Tonight game is rightfully cancelled. Our hope should be the Otters can receive counseling or extended support in place of the game. It’s more than a game, no matter the jersey color, #15 will be remembered.

 

[Knights Watcher]

Hello Otters fans
Tonight I am reaching out to the broader hockey family and communities not as a London Knights fan, but as a concerned human being. As you know, one of our Knights players died tragically this past Saturday. His friends, family and the community are devastated.
Please consider donating to the GoFundMe page set up by his family to help with the funeral arrangements.
Thank you

Funeral Costs for Abakar Kazbekov, organized by Alina Yakus

Dear friends, family and community, We are writing to you today to let you know abo… Alina Yakus needs your support for Funeral Costs for Abakar Kazbekov

gofund.me

 

[Knights Watcher]

Hello Otters fans
Tonight I am reaching out to the broader hockey family and communities not as a London Knights fan, but as a concerned human being. As you know, one of our Knights players died tragically this past Saturday. His friends, family and the community are devastated.
Please consider donating to the GoFundMe page set up by his family to help with the funeral arrangements.
Thank you

Funeral Costs for Abakar Kazbekov, organized by Alina Yakus

Dear friends, family and community, We are writing to you today to let you know abo… Alina Yakus needs your support for Funeral Costs for Abakar Kazbekov

gofund.me

Hi again.
Seems the page has been taken down for some reason.
The Knights are checking into it with the family right now. Please stay tuned.

 

[Knights Watcher]

Hi again.
Seems the page has been taken down for some reason.
The Knights are checking into it with the family right now. Please stay tuned.

Campaign is back up:

Funeral Costs for Abakar Kazbekov, organized by Alina Yakus

Dear friends, family and community, We are writing to you today to let you know abou… Alina Yakus needs your support for Funeral Costs for Abakar Kazbekov

t.co

 

[afan5502]

I’m not suggesting Sova either but the point being that if you trade Bressette, you should go all in on tanking because that’s would you would be doing by moving him anyways. Therefore, Bressette is almost certainly not a trade candidate unless they get a crazy good offer and/or he wants out

I also just don’t think they can get young forwards for someone like Gilmartin / Saganiuk. So if that is your logic in trading them, it’s a bit of a stretch and probably unrealistic. Like you could probably get a spare part or a player of Smith/Artichuk quality, but you aren’t going to get a younger player worth getting for those types of players…
Kyrou fetched a decent 2005 but Kyrou has high end value. Saganiuk/Gilmartin are the classic players you trade for picks only. Something like a 3rd and 4th for Gilmartin? Maybe? That’s probably high end

Kulakov is an import so using both OA/import on him next year would be stupid but also on par with the moves this team makes so probably in play for us. No other franchise is likely doing that though. They have Johnston as an OA defender and would than have Saganiuk/Bressette. Gilmartin is an NHL pick and unlikely to return but still possible. If he does, they should trade him but also given the history of moves, im sure we keep him and then we owe London another 3rd round pick. Ideally, gilmartin goes pro and you don’t have to worry about it. Use your 1st round import on a defender to supplement Kulakov loss. Always use OHL 1st round picks on forwards unless you have a can’t miss Drysdale. Offense harder to come by. Defensively they have Sova, Johnston OR Kulakov, Daviault, Alboim, Sauder, Henry, Holomego. They also have the chance to take an import defensemen if they move on from Kulakov. They still have the bodies on defense for next year - at least 7 signed and potentially 8 if they want Kulakov. If not, they have 7 signed and the import draft as an option.

If Kulakov won't be coming back to Erie, what are his options? Go play for a different OHL team or go back to Russia possibly?

 

[Mata]

If Kulakov won't be coming back to Erie, what are his options? Go play for a different OHL team or go back to Russia possibly?

I don't think he is going back, especially under the current conditions.

Europe or lesser leagues on this side of the pond.

 

[OttersFan]

0-2 on the PK. Penalties are still hurting this team after the break.

 

[Erie Otters Zone]

0-2 on the PK. Penalties are still hurting this team after the break.

How much longer does everyone have a job for?

 

[OttersFan]

How much longer does everyone have a job for?

“We’ll learn from this loss”

 

[Mata]

“We’ll learn from this loss”

Going to be a super long 2nd half of the season, but hopefully Lalonde is turning the page and turning things around.

 

[OttersFan]

Going to be a super long 2nd half of the season, but hopefully Lalonde is turning the page and turning things around.

They did look better after the 1st. Lalonde should’ve had the first 2 goals, but atleast the team didn’t cave in as they normally would when they go down 2-0. It’s not an excuse, but the game easily could’ve been 12-0.

They all met in Niagara and had a skate there since they’re lodging in Niagara. They’ll skate tomorrow before playing Friday.

We are heading up for Friday’s game before coming home for Saturday’s game. Hopefully Buffalo will be better by Friday to travel.

 

[7D442]

Fact check of the standings : We are the Worst in the West Division and one of the worst teams in the 20 team League

Based on the extensive past discussions re the need of upgraded coaching - is it too early to begin thoughts on potential draft picks for top 4 lottery option ??

 

[Erie Otters Zone]

Fact check of the standings : We are the Worst in the West Division and one of the worst teams in the 20 team League

Based on the extensive past discussions re the need of upgraded coaching - is it too early to begin thoughts on potential draft picks for top 4 lottery option ??

Yes, but we’re still alive. We’re only three games behind from holding the 8th spot and our next four are Niagara 2x and Guelph 2x. Now if we have a losing record within this stretch then I’m really concerned

 

[HockeyPops]

lol why is Gibbons listed on Mississauga's roster?