Yes I just posted about this the other day. It’s certainly not a good look or feeling after what happened with Sproule. But I said it months ago - BJ is not a head coach and they never should have gone in this direction. So will I be surprised if someone with Lockhart’s talent develops more in a real system with better coaching? No. In fact, I’m close to betting on it as it seems likely. Meanwhile Alfano and Gilmartin have not shown much
Erie Otters 2022-23 Season Thread
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He's 1/8 of the way to his highest point total in the OHL. Is he going to keep up a 3 PPG average, unlikely but I wouldn't be surprised if it was north of 1 ppg. The organization as a whole has been full of red flags for a few years now and I will be completely convinced if management changes aren't made they are completely oblivious the kids are not the problem here.
The first time I saw it was when Hartsburg lashed out at the fans blaming EVERYONE but himself. I don't see BJ taking that approach, but someone high up has to be questioning DB and down or the future is bleak.
Since we don't have any consistent reporters, would have to go with not getting playing time, but pure speculation.
Mannnn is Dave full of excuses yet again. We were on the road. Some players didn’t get much practice before the game. Alfano even admitted he “never been on a road trip like that.” Why can’t they just own it and acknowledge it? Dave should be saying it wasn’t good enough. You got progressively worse in each game despite the fact that these players should have gotten more comfortable or developed more chemistry as the weekend went on.
I just feel like the whole mindset of this team, from top to bottom, is poor. They seem to think that things just don’t go their way and they are still good enough to do damage. News flash: You aren’t good enough. Own it. Fix it. Stop being delusional about the progression of things
It’s certainly possible they expect to lose but are just trying to tell themselves they can win to make them feel better. Even in that situation I would say you are better off just acknowledging things. You don’t need to say you suck but you could at least say “look we don’t have the superstars up and down the lineup like some teams. We got talent but it’s young or still developing. So we have to do a better job of owning our mistakes and playing for 60 mins.” But I personally think they are just delusional and think they can actually win or are close to winning without recognizing the reasons why they are losing. We said it all offseason or at least I did - this team has to win lower scoring games, they have to play as a team and for a full 60 mins, they need to do the little things like win faceoffs, win special teams, stay out of the box, etc
They aren’t consistently doing the little things that it takes the win or take advantage when they are in advantageous situations. Too sloppy and when they get a lead like in their season opener, there is some level of arrogance that they get like “yeah we arrived, we good.” They lose their edge and next thing you know its 4-4.
I get it, these are kids. But culturally they are lost right now. I think they lack leadership, from the GM down to the players.
Agree on pretty much everything you've said in the last 2 posts...
They've changed coaches (kind of), they've changed players, the results are the same. The last 5 years are the very definition of insanity.
I get that teams need to have positive expectations, it is a must anywhere but the reality is there are realistic and unrealistic expectations and for 5 years I kind of feel like at this point Mark Scheig, DB, Hartsburg have been doing nothing but blowing smoke up the fans arses as to the real state of things in Erie.
The problem now is, you can't spin "We are in year 5 of a rebuild". The ship has come and gone. Right now if you look closely it doesn't even appear this ship has a captain we are so far off course.
Now maybe things align and we get back on track this season, but it is going to take results and not just hot air before I believe the organization has taken the steps necessary to turn it around.
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I wish I could be like Mark Scheig and interview the players and coaches. Unfortunately I’m only 17 lol. But when I talked to DB at a season ticket holder event Last November, he said he was planning on trading for a 18 year old by Christmas. That never happened lol.
We fans are so frustrated because we realize just how insane the process of “rebuilding” has been. So yes, what they are doing is the definition of insanity. And continuing to tell the fans what they tell them is driving me crazy. Own your flaws. Be more realistic.
They have all these fan centered events planned for the home opener and it’s annoying to me personally. I’m not trying to tell them not to do free or new fun things for the fans or market themselves but where was this type of effort in 2014-2017? I know they did some things but I went to almost every single game during that 4 year stretch and I don’t recall the amount of events or giveaways they are doing. My opinion is they are desperate. In 2014-2017, you could sell the fans on winning. You didn’t need to do anything special to get fans in the stands. Now? You are mediocre at best and you need to sell tickets. So what do you do? Cater to the casuals and set up live music, a “red carpet” event, face paintings, etc. It just seems cheap and a waste of money. How about we invest money into the management / coaching and development of our players? That will lead to wins and in that world, you’ll get fans regardless of some cheesy giveaway or event you do. Sorry to rant and I hope people understand where I’m coming from. I’m not telling the team not to provide this for fans but I just question the motivation. Imo the real reason they are doing it is because they can’t sell tickets .. and they can’t sell tickets because they suck
It is the cheaper of the two options you've listed and it is the easier one.
Don't get me wrong, the event is amazing but people want to see teams win. This is a lot of pressure on the kids and carries with it a huge risk/reward. If they play an awesome game and win fans will likely come back for the short term, thus boosting sales. However, if they are an embarrassment fans don't come back (outside of the dedicated ones) and you've lost money. It won't be as much as an overhaul would cost, but it's a cheap attempt IMO of using a bandaid to stop the hemorrhaging.
I too agree the free events can create a fun atmosphere for the short term but unless the team then rises to the occasion, the luster of them is lost.
Agree the events should be there for fans but given the history, I just feel it’s largely occurring because they can’t get fans many other ways. How can they attract casual fans? Offer free stuff. Because certainly there aren’t many showing up to watch the product on the ice on a consistent basis. It’s sad really but that’s how I read it
I can’t even begin to describe the frustration with this team.
Kyrou? Again. In a shootout? Are you serious? The second he stepped out I knew it was all over.
1/7 on the PP. There’s no reason for us to not score twice on the PP but there you have it, a team who can’t score with a beach ball.
Kyrou? Again. In a shootout? Are you serious? The second he stepped out I knew it was all over.
1/7 on the PP. There’s no reason for us to not score twice on the PP but there you have it, a team who can’t score with a beach ball.
At least I feel validated about my immediate stance on BJ: Not a good coach. Great guy I’m sure and much better personality than Hartsburg but let’s be real, he’s not a head coach at this level. Cheap hire will result in losing hockey. They get what they deserve. Can’t wait until we get the players that start demanding trades not to mention how hard it’s going to be to recruit any talent, including import talent, here next year. Good luck
Quite literally.
Except the 2nd time around you’d think they’d question management and operations before it turns into a bigger dumpster fire like last year.
If I’m Jim Waters, I’m on the phone the whole way home scolding the coaching staff. A very winnable game and they blew it.
I didn't think it'd be possible, but we could start off worse than last season.
As far as the shootout, 100% agree. Where is Sedore, Cohen, Alfano, Bressette, Terrance, Gilmartin, hell even throw in Spence? The fact our coach has to start with a defender (albeit NHL drafted) says all you need to know about his confidence in our offense, there is NONE.
Tomorrow night is a must win...the hype they have built for this game is insane. If they lose you might as well shop people now rather than later so you can let Henry, Holomego, and other young players get more ice. If I am Columbus I'm watching my new draft pick and moving him to Cleveland if things go south to try and keep his confidence up (if possible).
As far as the shootout, 100% agree. Where is Sedore, Cohen, Alfano, Bressette, Terrance, Gilmartin, hell even throw in Spence? The fact our coach has to start with a defender (albeit NHL drafted) says all you need to know about his confidence in our offense, there is NONE.
Tomorrow night is a must win...the hype they have built for this game is insane. If they lose you might as well shop people now rather than later so you can let Henry, Holomego, and other young players get more ice. If I am Columbus I'm watching my new draft pick and moving him to Cleveland if things go south to try and keep his confidence up (if possible).
This is a terrible title for this article on the Otters website. “ERIE EARNS SECOND POINT OF THE SEASON” like come on. That’s not something to brag about when you have 0 wins. Unbelieveable.
Again, Lalonde does not have AHL eligibility with his age. He’s in the OHL all year and next year.
Their media team is garbage. All talks and jokes for a team that has been a complete dumpster fire for 5 years. Whoever is doing the social media needs to talk less about other teams and focus more on us, a team that can’t buy a win
Agree … At least give me some form of Sedore , Cohen , Gilmartin or Brissette for your first 3…
Well, I mean, they’re in second place in the Division ahead of Guelph, London and Kitchener right now. So….currently in a playoff spot.
I know. I was mostly making a joke there but it is true. I know Flint hasn’t looked all that great despite being 2-1. Sarnia looked good for two then….ouch. Kitch, London, Guelph all winless. Saginaw looks like the can score but can’t stop anybody either. I have faith in Lalonde having a really strong season. I like the foundation of your D core. My question is….what do you think is better for the organization right now? Start turning it around a bit, be a mid-pack or lower playoff seed or just struggle so bad out of the gate they have to do a complete reset of coaching and mgmt?
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