Erie Otters 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part I

[NOA]

That’s kinda my thought process. You’d think that would be in play with all the Molnár rumors and the delay on it. In the next 4 years they have 2 seconds at their disposal, which they can never hit on anyways, 2 thirds, 5 fourths, and 4 fifths, so you’d think at least give it a shot. And as you noted, having actual players (Schaefer, Spence) to get them back unlike 2017 where basically everyone left helps. I’d say they give it a shot and if it doesn’t happen, so be it, but if it does, that’s a scary offense. Hopefully Schaefer comes back sooner rather than later which will help the D which hasn’t been too bad so far, but it would obviously be much better with him in the lineup.

Yeah the Molnar rumors + Musty hometown makes this interesting. I could see them trading 2 2nds, 1 3rd, 1 4th + Molnar. It might seem light for SBY on the return but the timing of him demanding a trade means they can’t get an 08 anyways and depending on the list of teams he wants to go to, they might be in tough for a huge return.

I would be a bit surprised if this were true but what if Musty says “I want to go to Erie” and that’s it.. that’s his list. If true, Erie could easily pull off the trade. Remember the Lodnia trade a few years back and why Erie got next to nothing in return? Because Lodnia only wanted NIA…

 

[Mata]

Yeah the Molnar rumors + Musty hometown makes this interesting. I could see them trading 2 2nds, 1 3rd, 1 4th + Molnar. It might seem light for SBY on the return but the timing of him demanding a trade means they can’t get an 08 anyways and depending on the list of teams he wants to go to, they might be in tough for a huge return.

I would be a bit surprised if this were true but what if Musty says “I want to go to Erie” and that’s it.. that’s his list. If true, Erie could easily pull off the trade. Remember the Lodnia trade a few years back and why Erie got next to nothing in return? Because Lodnia only wanted NIA…

If it is true and Musty refuses to play there, it COULD give us the advantage we need to snag him a little cheaper. I know we will have to give up draft capital, but this would arguably make our top 6 the best in the league and 7 and 8 extremely competitive as well.

Spence/Frasca/Musty
Fimis/Alfano/Edwards
Terrance/Misiak/?

Musty could even be put on the Terrance/Misiak line.

Any scenario there we'd have a pretty disgusting top end on the front for nearly 3 lines and perhaps the team to unseat London as the favorites.

 

[SouthernOtter]

Super wishful thinking but if Erie wants to go for it, could Misiak being out be connected to the Musty trade demands. Send him and Molnar there so they can stay together. Open up OA spot in the process. Musty being from nearby and Terrance playing with him would be interesting


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[Mata]

Super wishful thinking but if Erie wants to go for it, could Misiak being out be connected to the Musty trade demands. Send him and Molnar there so they can stay together. Open up OA spot in the process. Musty being from nearby and Terrance playing with him would be interesting


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Unsure of their (Sudbury) import and OA situation. However, dealing Misiak and Molnar together would be extremely complex given their limited options to use within the OHL (Imports and OA for Misiak).

You'd likely be more inclined to see Molnar + young talent + picks...or Molnar + Picks if Musty really wants out and demands his destination as NOA pointed out and forces Sudbury to essentially deal him at any cost or not have him.

 

[agillarda]

Unsure of their (Sudbury) import and OA situation. However, dealing Misiak and Molnar together would be extremely complex given their limited options to use within the OHL (Imports and OA for Misiak).

You'd likely be more inclined to see Molnar + young talent + picks...or Molnar + Picks if Musty really wants out and demands his destination as NOA pointed out and forces Sudbury to essentially deal him at any cost or not have him.

We are full on OAs and have no imports.

 

[Mata]

We are full on OAs and have no imports.

Anyone that they'd be willing to deal to get the pair? I think on the OA thread it's extremely limited with OA spots this season for teams currently.

 

[DubCee21]

If it is true and Musty refuses to play there, it COULD give us the advantage we need to snag him a little cheaper. I know we will have to give up draft capital, but this would arguably make our top 6 the best in the league and 7 and 8 extremely competitive as well.

Spence/Frasca/Musty
Fimis/Alfano/Edwards
Terrance/Misiak/?

Musty could even be put on the Terrance/Misiak line.

Any scenario there we'd have a pretty disgusting top end on the front for nearly 3 lines and perhaps the team to unseat London as the favorites.

There's also a connection with Terrance and Musty with the US National team.

 

[agillarda]

Anyone that they'd be willing to deal to get the pair? I think on the OA thread it's extremely limited with OA spots this season for teams currently.

I don't think so, if they were to move one this early I would think maybe Delic.

 

[NOA]

Anyone that they'd be willing to deal to get the pair? I think on the OA thread it's extremely limited with OA spots this season for teams currently.

I have a hard time believing Erie would deal both Misiak + Molnar. Losing Misiak for Musty is an upgrade but it still means you need to fill out your top 9 at some point. Does SBY have an OA that would be coming with Musty? I guess in that scenario it’s possible that they pull off something crazy like that .. but that seems like a crazy type of move and unprecedented.

 

[agillarda]

I have a hard time believing Erie would deal both Misiak + Molnar. Losing Misiak for Musty is an upgrade but it still means you need to fill out your top 9 at some point. Does SBY have an OA that would be coming with Musty? I guess in that scenario it’s possible that they pull off something crazy like that .. but that seems like a crazy type of move and unprecedented.

Delic could fill that roll if we're were adding, also doesn't make sense for 2 imports considering we drafted 2 in the import draft plus awaiting a decision on Dvorsky. Some in the sudbury board have suggested the the gm is waiting until nov 1st due to imports before the Molnar deal is official.

 

[Mata]

I have a hard time believing Erie would deal both Misiak + Molnar. Losing Misiak for Musty is an upgrade but it still means you need to fill out your top 9 at some point. Does SBY have an OA that would be coming with Musty? I guess in that scenario it’s possible that they pull off something crazy like that .. but that seems like a crazy type of move and unprecedented.

I don't think they would either. I was just trying to see if it's possible and good on the Sudbury fans letting us know their thoughts on this very scenario. If they really are looking at Musty, they are looking to go all in this season IMO and I'd have to agree they'd want to keep Misiak as there is probably less value in him than Molnar.

 

[NOA]

I don't think they would either. I was just trying to see if it's possible and good on the Sudbury fans letting us know their thoughts on this very scenario. If they really are looking at Musty, they are looking to go all in this season IMO and I'd have to agree they'd want to keep Misiak as there is probably less value in him than Molnar.

It’s possible there could be a pt 2 to any deal, as suggested in SBY thread…

 

[dirty12]

Yeah the Molnar rumors + Musty hometown makes this interesting. I could see them trading 2 2nds, 1 3rd, 1 4th + Molnar. It might seem light for SBY on the return but the timing of him demanding a trade means they can’t get an 08 anyways and depending on the list of teams he wants to go to, they might be in tough for a huge return.

I would be a bit surprised if this were true but what if Musty says “I want to go to Erie” and that’s it.. that’s his list. If true, Erie could easily pull off the trade. Remember the Lodnia trade a few years back and why Erie got next to nothing in return? Because Lodnia only wanted NIA…

The Musty return will be of no less value than than that of Barlow.
If doing it, may as well move Misiak instead of Molnar; and have a very good wolves OA D in the package.

 

[NOA]

The Musty return will be of no less value than than that of Barlow.
If doing it, may as well move Misiak instead of Molnar; and have a very good wolves OA D in the package.

You are probably right but it’s also possible that Musty has a no trade list or rather a short, super short list of “I will only go here”
When that happens, it can totally drop the value of a player. Not to mention, there could be a wink, wink type of deal with a pt 2 tbd

 

[Dhockey16]

If Musty wants to come to Erie I think they have to make it happen and go for it this year. Gut feeling is they're not quite good enough to win the league even with Musty, but a few surprise breakout years and who knows. They're close. I'd just add the caveat that they cannot trade Challenger. Trading Allan McShane in the Cirelli deal hurt in 2017, don't want to repeat that. Molnar and whatever picks they want.

 

[frontsfan67]

If Musty wants to come to Erie I think they have to make it happen and go for it this year. Gut feeling is they're not quite good enough to win the league even with Musty, but a few surprise breakout years and who knows. They're close. I'd just add the caveat that they cannot trade Challenger. Trading Allan McShane in the Cirelli deal hurt in 2017, don't want to repeat that. Molnar and whatever picks they want.

If it means you have a better chance at a championship I think you gotta go for it even if it hurts you in the future. You will still likely have Schaeffer AND Spence next year and Frasca as a trading piece too if you go for it all this year and then sell off those guys and get picks and players

Musty had the highest PPG in the league last year. Will only be better this year one would have to assume

 

[Mata]

If it means you have a better chance at a championship I think you gotta go for it even if it hurts you in the future. You will still likely have Schaeffer AND Spence next year and Frasca as a trading piece too if you go for it all this year and then sell off those guys and get picks and players

Musty had the highest PPG in the league last year. Will only be better this year one would have to assume

I was thinking about this very scenario...

At some point Erie needs to decide to go all in. Either this year or next. We also currently have assets to trade away for some serious draft capital and possible prospect players if things don't pan out.

We do need a legit back-up goalie and I think our defense is slightly suspect, however adding someone like Musty shows a big commitment to the team, the fans, and the fact they want to contend. Add in the McDavid retirement ceremony this January and it has all the right feels.

 

[MJ5]

Molnar and whatever picks they want.

2025	2nd*	3rd	4th WSR 4th	5th
2026	2nd	---	4th SAR 4th*	NIA 5th
2027	---	3rd	---	5th
2028	---	---	BRA 4th*	5th

I don't think that's going to get it done.

 

[NOA]

I was thinking about this very scenario...

At some point Erie needs to decide to go all in. Either this year or next. We also currently have assets to trade away for some serious draft capital and possible prospect players if things don't pan out.

We do need a legit back-up goalie and I think our defense is slightly suspect, however adding someone like Musty shows a big commitment to the team, the fans, and the fact they want to contend. Add in the McDavid retirement ceremony this January and it has all the right feels.

If Musty wants Erie, like that’s his #1 choice or let alone is only choice - you 100% try to make it work and go get him. Yes, it will empty your basket but as stated, they have major pieces to move next year so I really don’t care.

And I also agree that they need to decide whether this year or next year… Please don’t do a half measure in both years and lose assets + not be good enough by making small moves… while also just wasting the years of Spence/Schaefer and being unable to trade them by 2026-27. Imo they are in a much better position this year. The field is probably tougher to overcome but next year they are going to lose Terrance, Misiak, Fimis, Alfano plus 1 of Erliden, Edwards, Deviault, and Sauder. Unless they decide to sell off some guys (which we know ain’t gonna happen), then you aren’t going to have close to the assets to add 4 top 6 forwards.. and in not so breaking news, the young talent on the roster is not really in a position to make up for it either. This season is a much better opportunity but agree with LDN (bigggg pockets) and the East, it’s a harder field to get through

2025	2nd*	3rd	4th WSR 4th	5th
2026	2nd	---	4th SAR 4th*	NIA 5th
2027	---	3rd	---	5th
2028	---	---	BRA 4th*	5th

I don't think that's going to get it done.

It will be if Erie throws in player(s) and is on a short list a teams that Musty wants and/or if they are willing to do a wink, wink pt 2 type deal. OSH traded 4 high picks for Barlow, Erie has that to work with

Nobody on this thread is suggesting Erie wins a bidding war.. the rumors are Musty might want Erie and combined with Molnar, the timing is interesting so hence we are talking about it.. but everyone kind of has said or probably knows that it only happens if Erie is in a bidding war against themselves…

 

[MJ5]

If Musty wants Erie, like that’s his #1 choice or let alone is only choice - you 100% try to make it work and go get him. Yes, it will empty your basket but as stated, they have major pieces to move next year so I really don’t care.

And I also agree that they need to decide whether this year or next year… Please don’t do a half measure in both years and lose assets + not be good enough by making small moves… while also just wasting the years of Spence/Schaefer and being unable to trade them by 2026-27. Imo they are in a much better position this year. The field is probably tougher to overcome but next year they are going to lose Terrance, Misiak, Fimis, Alfano plus 1 of Erliden, Edwards, Deviault, and Sauder. Unless they decide to sell off some guys (which we know ain’t gonna happen), then you aren’t going to have close to the assets to add 4 top 6 forwards.. and in not so breaking news, the young talent on the roster is not really in a position to make up for it either. This season is a much better opportunity but agree with LDN (bigggg pockets) and the East, it’s a harder field to get through


It will be if Erie throws in player(s) and is on a short list a teams that Musty wants and/or if they are willing to do a wink, wink pt 2 type deal. OSH traded 4 high picks for Barlow, Erie has that to work with

Nobody on this thread is suggesting Erie wins a bidding war.. the rumors are Musty might want Erie and combined with Molnar, the timing is interesting so hence we are talking about it.. but everyone kind of has said or probably knows that it only happens if Erie is in a bidding war against themselves…

I was going off his "Molnar and whatever picks they want".

Molnar wasn't going to be worth much with the very limited options he had.

It will absolutely take a few players that are non-imports to get it done.

 

[dirty12]

You are probably right but it’s also possible that Musty has a no trade list or rather a short, super short list of “I will only go here”
When that happens, it can totally drop the value of a player. Not to mention, there could be a wink, wink type of deal with a pt 2 tbd

two part deal is certainly a possibilty
Barlow supposedly wanted to go to Barrie and play with Bertucci. Oshawa was willing to pay the price asked. I doubt there will be much if any discount to be had acquiring Musty

 

[frontsfan67]

I was going off his "Molnar and whatever picks they want".

Molnar wasn't going to be worth much with the very limited options he had.

It will absolutely take a few players that are non-imports to get it done.

Would you do Lombardi, Flugins and picks for Musty?

 

[MJ5]

Would you do Lombardi, Flugins and picks for Musty?

Lombardi no. Martin yes.

But that would make no sense since Flugins is an import pick. They already have 2 and are trying to trade the 3rd.

 

[ZinErie]

Stan Butler, in a media briefing yesterday, mentioned that Schaefer is taking part in on-ice non contact drills. He said it will probably be another 2 weeks before he sees game action.

 

[Kristina Hazzard]

Lombardi no. Martin yes.

But that would make no sense since Flugins is an import pick. They already have 2 and are trying to trade the 3rd.

Sby has 0 imports