Erie Otters 2022 Off-season Thread

[Mata]

I would agree that 2nd point might be more important than my 1st point. I wasn’t necessarily ranking them, however, and more was just saying at MINIMUM all 3 of these things need to happen for this team to just be okay. They have no margin for error. If their goaltending is what it was last year, they aren’t winning games because their offense is not even close to a 300+ goal offense to cover for a bad goalie duo. If Terrance and some offensive guys develop, it doesn’t matter if the goalies are giving up 4 goals a game or aren’t consistent. All 3 need to happen or it’s going to be a long year

I don’t think it’s unreasonable for a guy like Cohen to jump from 61 to 81 points. For Bressette/Sedore to go from ~47 to 70. For Terrance to have a breakout year and get a PPG. And for Saganiuk, Alfano, and 1/2 others making more consistent, solid contributions. These types of jumps happen all the time in the OHL. The problem is that Erie needs MANY guys to make BIG jumps just to have a chance. Maybe if Molnar was here I would feel better because at least we could argue it’s a youth movement. But if they win less than 30 games yet again this year and Sedore, Cohen, Bressette, Saganiuk are 4 of your top 5 scorers - that’s a major issue. 2 are OAs while 2 others are pending OAs. We need young guys to start to take over and build something. Terrance, Artichuk, Spence, etc. Basically all the 2004-2006s. If they win 25 games but Terrance puts up 75 points, Spence wins rookie of the year, and another 1/2 young forward makes a big jump then I’ll feel better. But I don’t have any confidence in that happening either. I predict a long year. Hope I’m wrong..


Yes

https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/47070622/aidan-campbell-departs-otters-signs-in-bchl

With the bottom 6 (opinion) forwards, anyone you see as possibly being left off the roster from last season? This will be the end of the Hartsburg era and BJ's first true season as a HC calling the shots.

I could possibly see Edwards and Ross being on a bubble if we have someone with size at camp performs extremely well.

Defensively I see less of a chance of changing things up unless someone like a Holomego or Ty Nelson really impress. Given our top 4 should be pretty solid in Morton, Kyrou, Sova, and Kulakov I find it unlikely we make moves in the back and will keep Sauder, Alboim, and Johnston as the 3 prospects to work on replacing Morton and Kyrou the following season.

 

[NOA]

With the bottom 6 (opinion) forwards, anyone you see as possibly being left off the roster from last season? This will be the end of the Hartsburg era and BJ's first true season as a HC calling the shots.

I could possibly see Edwards and Ross being on a bubble if we have someone with size at camp performs extremely well.

Defensively I see less of a chance of changing things up unless someone like a Holomego or Ty Nelson really impress. Given our top 4 should be pretty solid in Morton, Kyrou, Sova, and Kulakov I find it unlikely we make moves in the back and will keep Sauder, Alboim, and Johnston as the 3 prospects to work on replacing Morton and Kyrou the following season.

I remember months ago sharing in the thread that they had 7 guys upfront that were 5’9 or smaller. Obviously a major issue on the team. Brown spoke about it at the draft and they clearly targeted some size - although Sawyer already college committe (nice one, Dave!). But I said at the time they need to get that number down to 5-6 at minimum before the year. And then by 2023-24, they need to get it down to 3-4. Lockhart already gone. Sedore will be gone by year end. By 2023-24, they are already down to 5 and will be easy to get that number down to 3-4 with just another move or two over the next calendar year. So to me, Ross is definitely a bubble guy given the size. Edwards is probably more safe because he’s a year younger. Someone like Saganiuk could be a sneaky trade candidate as well. Imo Lowe/Smith could be on that bubble from a talent standpoint but we need all the size we can get and given their age, I think they are safe.

I believe they have 12 signed forwards. Molnar the only unsigned guy that would obviously make the team. So, I think all 12 are safe to at least start the year because I don’t see 2 unsigned guys making it. But one guy will be signed to be a 13th forward. Expect that guy to be closer to average height, if not above avg.

On the backend I think you are spot on. Don’t see any moves. If Holomego impresses, they could look to move Johnston. They have 8 signed currently and 7 with solid to great experience. Their defense actually could be good but a lack of offense / goalie play can expose even the best defensive players in this league

 

[NOA]

Btw here is the camp roster. No Molnar. No Logan Sawyer. No Jack Good (7th rounder who also college committed recently). Lucas Ross last name changed to Signoretti

 

[You Otter Be There]

Ontario Hockey League

The OHL consists of 20 member teams, including 17 in the province of Ontario as well as three in the United States, with two in the state of Michigan and one in the state of Pennsylvania.

ontariohockeyleague.com

 

[Mata]

Ontario Hockey League

The OHL consists of 20 member teams, including 17 in the province of Ontario as well as three in the United States, with two in the state of Michigan and one in the state of Pennsylvania.

ontariohockeyleague.com

I saw that...wonder if it's a bad sign for Nicholls and things to come.

 

[NOA]

I saw that...wonder if it's a bad sign for Nicholls and things to come.

I don’t know that it has to be. The bad sign for Nicholls is just whether or not he can play at this level. If he’s improved then they will keep him as the backup. Regardless, I think it benefits Erie at least give Nicholls the opportunity in preseason / early reg season to prove it. Because there is no way Gibbons will be ready for 25-30 games unless he’s just that special and you are willing to take the bumps that come with that. Lalonde needs a much better #2 and if Nicholls isn’t that, then I think you have to find another option that is. This signing is Erie just locking up a high draft pick. I’m sure Gibbons gets some game action this year at some point but this isn’t new. Whether Edwards last year, Cohen back in early 2018 season, or Holomego early this season and many others … Just because you sign a guy doesn’t mean he’s on the full time roster. It does mean he’s the top call up candidate though

 

[Mata]

https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/47157355/erie-otters-trim-training-camp-roster?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_ENNJohnLydic

I love our reporting on the team, especially with a closed camp this year *sarcasm*!!!

Would be nice to know who the 39 are, but that'd be asking too much.

 

[OHL4Life]

https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/47157355/erie-otters-trim-training-camp-roster?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_ENNJohnLydic

I love our reporting on the team, especially with a closed camp this year *sarcasm*!!!

Would be nice to know who the 39 are, but that'd be asking too much.

they cut nichols it looks like

 

[NOA]

https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/47157355/erie-otters-trim-training-camp-roster?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_ENNJohnLydic

I love our reporting on the team, especially with a closed camp this year *sarcasm*!!!

Would be nice to know who the 39 are, but that'd be asking too much.

They did update this morning and Nicholls was cut. So good call Mata on the Gibbons signing

Wow that reflects poorly on Nicholls and last year that this guy was our backup to a first year 17 year old goalie. Maybe it also speaks to Gibbons being ready, idk. But I hate where we are at in net. It’s not looking comfortable to me. Like we can’t even keep Nicholls for preason he is that bad?

 

[OHL4Life]

They did update this morning and Nicholls was cut. So good call Mata on the Gibbons signing

Wow that reflects poorly on Nicholls and last year that this guy was our backup to a first year 17 year old goalie. Maybe it also speaks to Gibbons being ready, idk. But I hate where we are at in net. It’s not looking comfortable to me. Like we can’t even keep Nicholls for preason he is that bad?

sometimes education packages kick in when you play an exhibition game. so perhaps if he played one game, he gets more education money. thats the only real reason to cut him imo.

 

[NOA]

sometimes education packages kick in when you play an exhibition game. so perhaps if he played one game, he gets more education money. thats the only real reason to cut him imo.

Good call. Makes sense. But still speaks to the situation overall. Even if that were the case, he’s not even good enough to make it past first round of cuts? So why was he here all of last year? Should he not be better or at least just as good as a year later?

It just speaks to the management of this team and the continuing issues in net for this franchise. Can we please find a goalie that can play? I’m frustrated that Gibbons is looking like our answer as a backup goalie. It shouldn’t be the case. Not that I necessarily want Nicholls back as the BG option either. If he’s not good enough, then yes please cut him. But I just want something more stable. It looks like another year of issues in net

 

[HockeyPops]

When you draft a goalie in the second round, second goalie taken in the whole draft, you are committed to giving them every opportunity to become the guy. This development should be no surprise to anyone.

 

[Mata]

Good call. Makes sense. But still speaks to the situation overall. Even if that were the case, he’s not even good enough to make it past first round of cuts? So why was he here all of last year? Should he not be better or at least just as good as a year later?

It just speaks to the management of this team and the continuing issues in net for this franchise. Can we please find a goalie that can play? I’m frustrated that Gibbons is looking like our answer as a backup goalie. It shouldn’t be the case. Not that I necessarily want Nicholls back as the BG option either. If he’s not good enough, then yes please cut him. But I just want something more stable. It looks like another year of issues in net

When they had their unofficial 3 days at ErieBank about a month ago I thought Gibbons was better than Nicholls almost immediately. There was another goalie there that also looked better, maybe it was Vlad.

The other person that really impressed was Ty Henry on defense, but not sure he gets a sniff with how solid the back is.

 

[Mata]

If the notes are accurate:

We have all from last year, minus Nicholls.

Those not on last year's roster staying if I got it all:

Nicholas Holomego 6'3 190 D(LH)
Alex Messier 6'3 201 F(LH)
Jonathan Morello 6' 161 F(LH)
Georgy Toroptsev 6' 176 F(RH)
Carter Pilon 5'10 176 D(LH)
Seamus Lockhart 5'10 181 D(RH)
Chris Reid 5'10 161 F(LH)
Jace Letourneau 6'5 190 F(LH)
Zach Benayon 6' 172 F(LH)
Peter Amanatidis 5'7 159 F(LH)
Ryan Harvey 6' 194 D(LH)
MacKenzie Curd 6'6 205 D(LH)
Jack Erickson 6'1 170 G
Andrew McIsaac 5'10 154 F(RH)
Thomas Kuipers 5'10 159 F(RH)
Bruce McDonald 6' 172 F(LH)
Payton Stowe 6'2 150 F(LH)
Philip Caridi 5'11 170 F(RH)

 

[G0Otters]

Where are you seeing that Nicholls was cut?

 

[HockeyPops]

It's in the article mata linked to

 

[G0Otters]

Nicholls’ name is not on the list of cuts.

 

[HockeyPops]

Wow, they removed every mention of his name from the article. Weird.

 

[Mata]

Wow, they removed every mention of his name from the article. Weird.

Maybe our reporter was wrong hahaha!

He hadn't poster anything when I linked it, then it posts an update and the cut list is there...and now Nicholls isn't on the cut list.

It's no wonder our team can't win 30 games, we don't even know our own players hahaha!

 

[OttersFan]

They should’ve let season ticket holders into training camp. Especially since we don’t have any good reporting to cover the team in town.

 

[NOA]

If the notes are accurate:

We have all from last year, minus Nicholls.

Those not on last year's roster staying if I got it all:

Nicholas Holomego 6'3 190 D(LH)
Alex Messier 6'3 201 F(LH)
Jonathan Morello 6' 161 F(LH)
Georgy Toroptsev 6' 176 F(RH)
Carter Pilon 5'10 176 D(LH)
Seamus Lockhart 5'10 181 D(RH)
Chris Reid 5'10 161 F(LH)
Jace Letourneau 6'5 190 F(LH)
Zach Benayon 6' 172 F(LH)
Peter Amanatidis 5'7 159 F(LH)
Ryan Harvey 6' 194 D(LH)
MacKenzie Curd 6'6 205 D(LH)
Jack Erickson 6'1 170 G
Andrew McIsaac 5'10 154 F(RH)
Thomas Kuipers 5'10 159 F(RH)
Bruce McDonald 6' 172 F(LH)
Payton Stowe 6'2 150 F(LH)
Philip Caridi 5'11 170 F(RH)

Interesting that it’s pretty much all guys with some size. Like I said before, I think at least 1 has to be signed to be a 13th forward since Molnar isn’t showing up anytime soon. Probably going to be someone with size by the looks of this list

 

[NOA]

They should’ve let season ticket holders into training camp. Especially since we don’t have any good reporting to cover the team in town.

Their reporting is just absolute trash at this stage. Zero reports from camp. The only one is Lydic saying Alfano’s size is “noticeable.” Like wow breaking news. Of course it’s noticeable when everyone else is 5’7. Not ripping on Lydic, its not his fault or even his role but how embarrassing that Erie News doesn’t have someone cover them more.

Also Mark Scheig really has been a ghost since Hartsburg left. Whoever called that - that he must have been in Hartsburg’s pocket - was spot on. He doesn’t report anymore other than for the occasional likes and Twitter reactions. Sad world when you can’t even see or hear about how the team is doing in training camp.

 

[Mata]

Their reporting is just absolute trash at this stage. Zero reports from camp. The only one is Lydic saying Alfano’s size is “noticeable.” Like wow breaking news. Of course it’s noticeable when everyone else is 5’7. Not ripping on Lydic, its not his fault or even his role but how embarrassing that Erie News doesn’t have someone cover them more.

Also Mark Scheig really has been a ghost since Hartsburg left. Whoever called that - that he must have been in Hartsburg’s pocket - was spot on. He doesn’t report anymore other than for the occasional likes and Twitter reactions. Sad world when you can’t even see or hear about how the team is doing in training camp.

I was the one who said Scheig is a homer...

His Twitter account says he won't ba back until October I think it was.

As far as the connection supposedly Hartsburgs father has ties to CBJ, thus Hartsburg was a prize possibly for him moving into a more noticeable twitter role with CBJ via that relationship. All speculation of course...

 

[NOA]

I was the one who said Scheig is a homer...

His Twitter account says he won't ba back until October I think it was.

As far as the connection supposedly Hartsburgs father has ties to CBJ, thus Hartsburg was a prize possibly for him moving into a more noticeable twitter role with CBJ via that relationship. All speculation of course...

Interesting. From what I gather Scheig has been with THW for 9 years. That puts his start time around 2013 which was when Hartsburg started here as an assistant. It’s possible that it’s the other way around and Scheig got to know Craig through THW job and then that opened connection to Chris. Can’t imagine Chris could help him get CBJ role within months of knowing him but who knows. Either way, there is a connection somewhat but most importantly - Mark doesn’t even follow the team much anymore and it conveniently stopped when Chris was fired. Can’t be that coincidental …

 

[Mata]

The only other questions I have about camp are mostly general.

Do other teams keep their camps open to public?

Have the Otters ever had private camp or is this a first?

If it's the first time (non-covid related) then is it because of our new HC? If so, I'm not a fan in the slightest, especially with little to no one covering it. Camp should be open to fans so they can watch the kids, but what do we know as the ones who pay their bills.