Erie Otters 2023-24 Off-Season Thread (Part One)

[NOA]

Fimis, Alfano, Sova are likely the 3 they keep while trading/releasing Smith and McDonald.

Stan indicated he wanted a playoff birth (accomplished), assess, and decide on a run for this upcoming season. If not this season then you'd be looking a run with Spence/Schaefer instead of Spence/Sova/Terrance/Schaefer with the added bonuses of Fimis, Alfano, Edwards and some other players who are above average IMO. The major concern being goalie at this point.

Yeah the problem is if it’s not next year, then when? As you said, they lose more at the end of next yr vs this year. Terrance / Sova / Fimis / Alfano at minimum are gone. I would rather they add 1/2 pieces to be better next year (maybe a 3/4 seed?) and compete a bit more in the playoffs vs standing pat. There is zero chance they are going to “sell” next year unless things go bad unexpectedly (i.e. injuries, goalie situation isn’t addressed)

Right now their major weaknesses are goalie and depth, specifically in the top 9 forward group. They still have an import pick that should help to address one of those issues. Their draft capital is limited but they should have enough to add one key piece if they wanted to. If McDonald develops even more, it’s possible he has some value as a trade and you can add some picks to flip for a younger depth option as well.

I think their best path to success is drafting a goalie with the import (they need a proven starter and going that route vs assests in a trade seems a little better), and then going into camp to see where guys are at in their development. At some point adding a 3rd line veteran would be needed but I’m only doing that if guys like Spence / Terrance / Schaefer really take off to give them the star power they need. The following season could be another bad year but with the ability to trade Spence/Schaefer, they could recoupe assets way more than they were able to between 2018-2022. If you actually commit to selling them off immediately and with their age, you could easily add 7-8 high picks, and 2 young players. By 2026-27, you’ll be young but back on the rise and this time with REAL assets in the cupboard

 

[Mata]

Yeah the problem is if it’s not next year, then when? As you said, they lose more at the end of next yr vs this year. Terrance / Sova / Fimis / Alfano at minimum are gone. I would rather they add 1/2 pieces to be better next year (maybe a 3/4 seed?) and compete a bit more in the playoffs vs standing pat. There is zero chance they are going to “sell” next year unless things go bad unexpectedly (i.e. injuries, goalie situation isn’t addressed)

Right now their major weaknesses are goalie and depth, specifically in the top 9 forward group. They still have an import pick that should help to address one of those issues. Their draft capital is limited but they should have enough to add one key piece if they wanted to. If McDonald develops even more, it’s possible he has some value as a trade and you can add some picks to flip for a younger depth option as well.

I think their best path to success is drafting a goalie with the import (they need a proven starter and going that route vs assests in a trade seems a little better), and then going into camp to see where guys are at in their development. At some point adding a 3rd line veteran would be needed but I’m only doing that if guys like Spence / Terrance / Schaefer really take off to give them the star power they need. The following season could be another bad year but with the ability to trade Spence/Schaefer, they could recoupe assets way more than they were able to between 2018-2022. If you actually commit to selling them off immediately and with their age, you could easily add 7-8 high picks, and 2 young players. By 2026-27, you’ll be young but back on the rise and this time with REAL assets in the cupboard

And then there is that issue with the GM, Dave Brown who in almost every year has a failing grade. Couple that by the fact he has now littered the organization with his family, it puts owner Jim Waters in an extremely tough position (one that he is responsible for).

Note: I have no idea how well Dave's kin do for the organization so I don't have an opinion there, but one thing probably comes true, if he fires DB as we've all been calling for, his kids are likely gone too and that would be A LOT for any organization to undertake especially with the team we have coming back.

This will be a razors edge season with zero room for error from all sides and executing it would be looked at as genius and probably a miracle.

 

[OttersFan]

And then there is that issue with the GM, Dave Brown who in almost every year has a failing grade. Couple that by the fact he has now littered the organization with his family, it puts owner Jim Waters in an extremely tough position (one that he is responsible for).

Note: I have no idea how well Dave's kin do for the organization so I don't have an opinion there, but one thing probably comes true, if he fires DB as we've all been calling for, his kids are likely gone too and that would be A LOT for any organization to undertake especially with the team we have coming back.

This will be a razors edge season with zero room for error from all sides and executing it would be looked at as genius and probably a miracle.

Yet how does DB win all these mentions and bids/awards to manage a tournament team? What are we missing that people see in him?

A bunch of scouts quit this year because of DB. I believe it’s just his one son who works with the team. He always travels on the road with them. Shane Clifford quit because of DB.

Erie didn’t draft any Americans. Likely we didn’t have the scouts/resources to cover all the areas. We have only 3 scouts. How many scouts do teams usually have on staff?

Most of our draft picks came out of the Toronto area. There’s so much talent out there and I hope they found pieces to build with.

 

[NOA]

Yet how does DB win all these mentions and bids/awards to manage a tournament team? What are we missing that people see in him?

A bunch of scouts quit this year because of DB. I believe it’s just his one son who works with the team. He always travels on the road with them. Shane Clifford quit because of DB.

Erie didn’t draft any Americans. Likely we didn’t have the scouts/resources to cover all the areas. We have only 3 scouts. How many scouts do teams usually have on staff?

Most of our draft picks came out of the Toronto area. There’s so much talent out there and I hope they found pieces to build with.

Even worse when you consider 1 of the 3 scouts is for u18, like wow.. what a waste of severely limited assets. Again though, if all this is true and going on then it falls on the owner. JW is the ultimate leader and the one who can make any decision he wants or deems necessary. If the dysfunction is that large or the scouts are that limited, it falls on the owner. I can’t imagine DB wants less scouts or less resources, but he could be limited if the owner is only giving him so much, which ultimately falls back on lack of revenue over 6-7 years due to DB management but either way, it’s still the owner who continues to employ the current staff

 

[Guy In Burlington]

Yet how does DB win all these mentions and bids/awards to manage a tournament team? What are we missing that people see in him?

A bunch of scouts quit this year because of DB. I believe it’s just his one son who works with the team. He always travels on the road with them. Shane Clifford quit because of DB.

Erie didn’t draft any Americans. Likely we didn’t have the scouts/resources to cover all the areas. We have only 3 scouts. How many scouts do teams usually have on staff?

Most of our draft picks came out of the Toronto area. There’s so much talent out there and I hope they found pieces to build with.

Devin Brown is Dave’s youngest brother, not his son. The other Brown who works for the Otters (name escapes me) is perhaps a son or nephew but I’m not 100% sure.

 

[ZinErie]

Any word on when Erie's prospect camp takes place. It's always in May, but I haven't heard any mention of it.

 

[OttersFan]

Any word on when Erie's prospect camp takes place. It's always in May, but I haven't heard any mention of it.

I’ve heard June 1-2.

 

[ZinErie]

The Otters just released the schedule for this weekends orientation camp. It's taking place at Lecom Sports park.

 

[OttersFan]

The Otters just released the schedule for this weekends orientation camp. It's taking place at Lecom Sports park.

Just as I anticipated. It’ll be nice to see some hockey again

 

[Mata]

Can't wait to watch them this coming weekend. My daughter just asked to go to all 3...woohoo!!!

 

[You Otter Be There]

RELEASE: Blackhawks Sign Martin Misiak to Three-Year Contract | Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago inks forward Martin Misiak through the 2026-27 season with $878,388 cap hit deal

www.nhl.com

 

[dirty12]

Can't wait to watch them this coming weekend. My daughter just asked to go to all 3...woohoo!!!

one of the better relationship building decisions I've made was a dozen years of date night at the arena with my little girl

 

[Savard18]

one of the better relationship building decisions I've made was a dozen years of date night at the arena with my little girl

For sure. Without a doubt. My girls will always remember the arena like a second home and road games like memorable mini-vacations. They’re less likely to be star struck and they’re fairly knowledgeable when they’ve met past NHL stars, future NHL stars and hung out talking the game and listening to players, ex-players, youth coaches, OHL scouts, NHL scouts, player parents and player agents.

 

[Mata]

Roysten and Coley nearly throw down in the first 10 minutes. Morano has a goal 9 seconds in and added a 2nd goal unassisted on a forecheck.

 

[Mata]

Also, for those of you out of town with livebarn, it is online, Lecom Sports Park Rink 2.

 

[OttersFan]

The kids who stood out to me:
Ambrosio
D’Aleesio
Riley
Tambourro
Curran

Challenger was as advertised of course.

The white team had a lot of talent. A lot of the kids were huge, large part thanks to SB.

 

[Mata]

The kids who stood out to me:
Ambrosio
D’Aleesio
Riley
Tambourro
Curran

Challenger was as advertised of course.

The white team had a lot of talent. A lot of the kids were huge, large part thanks to SB.

You didn't think Edwards played well? I almost see him as a clone of Dylan. I thought he played a mature game, moved the puck well, and set up a lot of plays. I think, like his brother will need a couple years to see if he can play at this level, but if he stays on pace he could get a 2nd look.

Also, Owain Johnston was in a sling today cheering on his younger brother.

It looks like Schaefer grew another inch or two as well. Pano was on hand, and I'm sure there were others but I wasn't by the entrance where they all convened before the scrimmage. Should be a run round 2 this evening!

 

[OttersFan]

You didn't think Edwards played well? I almost see him as a clone of Dylan. I thought he played a mature game, moved the puck well, and set up a lot of plays. I think, like his brother will need a couple years to see if he can play at this level, but if he stays on pace he could get a 2nd look.

Also, Owain Johnston was in a sling today cheering on his younger brother.

It looks like Schaefer grew another inch or two as well. Pano was on hand, and I'm sure there were others but I wasn't by the entrance where they all convened before the scrimmage. Should be a run round 2 this evening!

I think I already had Edwards and Johnny 2.0 pegged as playing well that I didn’t include them.

The only vets there were Alfano, Smith, Schaefer, Johnston, and Fimis.

 

[Mata]

2nd scrimmage last night didn't bode well for the goalies IMO...last count there were at least 15 goals scored in the 4v4 switch every minute format. Unlike the first session, no real eye popping saves.

I did feel like Challenger started to pick his moments to take over shifts which was very encouraging. He's going to be a big, strong, net driving forward who will be hard to get off the puck and seems to have a pretty decent release.

 

[OttersFan]

The two goalies that sealed the deal for me were Tamburro and Curran. Both seemed like quality guys with the team first mentality already.

Furlong and Fletcher stood out more today, but I’d have them pegged behind the other two first mentioned.

 

[OttersFan]

Jackson Curran models his game after Ben Gaudreau who he trains with in the off season. He’s my top pick from this weekend. He was quick moving, not afraid to play the puck, and communicated with the teammates in front of him.

Curran following in footsteps of heroes near and far

Goalie trying to become the next OHL star between the pipes from North Bay.

www.baytoday.ca

 

[Mata]

Overall...

Roysten, as he should be, was probably the best player on the ice. It was hard to tell if he got that much faster or this rookie showcase/invite is that much slower than the OHL. Either way, he looked like he has improved a lot.

Challenger - kid will likely need a year of 3rd, likely 4th, line play but he was the most dominant of the rest here. If done correctly, he's going to be a force.

I liked the grit of Edwards and Morano in the forward bunch. Both smaller players who aren't afraid to get in on the action.

Clarke, Coley, Ducharmne, Visneskie, Wozney, and Campbell for me are close, but likely not there yet.

Kegan Knight - called up for the playoff series looked very solid as well. Not overly flashy, but showed a maturity to his game above a lot of the others.

Ambrosio and perhaps D'Allesio could challenge for some time on the backend if they have a good camp. Both are larger defenders but were two of the more physical players in the group. The other defenders showed some flashes, but unsure they are above Ambrosio or D'Allesio at this point and I felt like Kegan Knight was the closest to cracking a roster spot for a multitude of reasons.

As far as goalies, kinda felt like @OttersFan pointed out, Tamburro looked solid. I wouldn't be surprised if they invite most of the goalies (if possible) given the insecurity in net. All the goalies made some great saves here and there, but I'll be honest, Tamburro had a different color jersey than the rest and it helped identify him on the ice. I'm not sure any of the goalies would be ready this season for anything other than league minimum if they made the team and can't see any as a suitable back-up right now, let alone sharing time with any consistency this upcoming season.

 

[Moroz]

Overall...

Roysten, as he should be, was probably the best player on the ice. It was hard to tell if he got that much faster or this rookie showcase/invite is that much slower than the OHL. Either way, he looked like he has improved a lot.

Challenger - kid will likely need a year of 3rd, likely 4th, line play but he was the most dominant of the rest here. If done correctly, he's going to be a force.

I liked the grit of Edwards and Morano in the forward bunch. Both smaller players who aren't afraid to get in on the action.

Clarke, Coley, Ducharmne, Visneskie, Wozney, and Campbell for me are close, but likely not there yet.

Kegan Knight - called up for the playoff series looked very solid as well. Not overly flashy, but showed a maturity to his game above a lot of the others.

Ambrosio and perhaps D'Allesio could challenge for some time on the backend if they have a good camp. Both are larger defenders but were two of the more physical players in the group. The other defenders showed some flashes, but unsure they are above Ambrosio or D'Allesio at this point and I felt like Kegan Knight was the closest to cracking a roster spot for a multitude of reasons.

As far as goalies, kinda felt like @OttersFan pointed out, Tamburro looked solid. I wouldn't be surprised if they invite most of the goalies (if possible) given the insecurity in net. All the goalies made some great saves here and there, but I'll be honest, Tamburro had a different color jersey than the rest and it helped identify him on the ice. I'm not sure any of the goalies would be ready this season for anything other than league minimum if they made the team and can't see any as a suitable back-up right now, let alone sharing time with any consistency this upcoming season.

Mata, what do you foresee the Otters doing in goal for next season? I think it is the biggest question mark surrounding this team. Are there any satisfactory internal options? If not, they will have to rely on getting an import and/or on a trade. That is a rather uncomfortable position to be in.

 

[Mata]

Mata, what do you foresee the Otters doing in goal for next season? I think it is the biggest question mark surrounding this team. Are there any satisfactory internal options? If not, they will have to rely on getting an import and/or on a trade. That is a rather uncomfortable position to be in.

I personally don't have confidence at all in any of our netminders in the system right now to give us the consistency we need to make a playoff run. I would have to assume Burns and Gibbons will be fighting for a roster spot and any recently drafted goalies will not be able to make a quick enough jump into the OHL.

Best case scenarios:

1. We make a trade for a veteran netminder
2. We hit the import draft and land a solid foreign born player.

In each case a new goalie coming to Erie would likely be asked to start no less than 40 - 45 games, if not more.

 

[ZinErie]

Anyone not report to prospect camp?