Erie Otters 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part I

[NOA]

Just being realistic here - w out Musty and a stellar BUG - I’m not sure how far they’ll go this year ..This year not remotely close to what we looked like in those past 3-4 years of glory .. and w those stacked teams- we won 1 championship

Super inconsistent production of some .. about 3 that shouldn’t even be on the roster .. Frascia is a bust production wise to date

I see your point.. but to be fair, is anyone in the league close to what the top teams where from 2013-2017? I don’t see a 2017 Erie or 2016 LDN type of team anywhere in the league.. the landscape is different imo so it’s not really a fair comparison to make. LDN right now looks like that one team that can certainly add and become that but right now, I don’t see it. That 2017 Erie team would run away with things in this current league..

As for this current group - the problem is if you aren’t even trying to put your best foot forward and maximize the roster, then you kind of are wasting your best core since 2017. Yes the talent isn’t to 2017 level but after years and years of losing and rebuilding, they actually have some top end talent and a strong OA group. And they got a bit lucky with timing to add someone like Hughes, and possibly Turner for ‘free’ to help with depth. But it’s also possible they lose all their top talent next year and are left with nothing to show for it. If you think Erliden is one of the best goalies then it’s possible you can beat anyone in a best of 7, just ask Parsons in 2017 who nearly stole that series from Erie when that LDN team should have lost in 5/6 games. I think right now they are definitely capable of competing and at least pushing a series to 5/6 games against anyone, but if/when those other teams add, then the gap widens. If Erie also adds, then they should be right there and give themselves a chance IF they can get strong goalie play.

Next year they aren’t going to be good enough either, and they actually aren’t going to be particularly close, so idk when the next window is…
If Schaefer somehow is back next year, you can recoup any assets overnight. Even if he’s not, at least Spence will also have high value for a trade and now in the new landscape of CHL with US/college commits more likely to play in this league, you are better equipped to rebuild a bit quicker than the last attempt.

Bottom line for me has always been you need to either buy or sell. Pick a lane!! Don’t be stuck in the middle, especially when you aren’t just a young team that is returning everything next yr so you can’t say you are just comfortable sitting on your roster. Nope, they stand to lose at minimum 4 of their top 6 forwards, potentially Schaefer, and potentially Erliden. The drop off is significant. It’s now or you’ll have to wait another 2-3 years minimum

 

[dirty12]

I see your point.. but to be fair, is anyone in the league close to what the top teams where from 2013-2017? I don’t see a 2017 Erie or 2016 LDN type of team anywhere in the league.. the landscape is different imo so it’s not really a fair comparison to make. LDN right now looks like that one team that can certainly add and become that but right now, I don’t see it. That 2017 Erie team would run away with things in this current league..

As for this current group - the problem is if you aren’t even trying to put your best foot forward and maximize the roster, then you kind of are wasting your best core since 2017. Yes the talent isn’t to 2017 level but after years and years of losing and rebuilding, they actually have some top end talent and a strong OA group. And they got a bit lucky with timing to add someone like Hughes, and possibly Turner for ‘free’ to help with depth. But it’s also possible they lose all their top talent next year and are left with nothing to show for it. If you think Erliden is one of the best goalies then it’s possible you can beat anyone in a best of 7, just ask Parsons in 2017 who nearly stole that series from Erie when that LDN team should have lost in 5/6 games. I think right now they are definitely capable of competing and at least pushing a series to 5/6 games against anyone, but if/when those other teams add, then the gap widens. If Erie also adds, then they should be right there and give themselves a chance IF they can get strong goalie play.

Next year they aren’t going to be good enough either, and they actually aren’t going to be particularly close, so idk when the next window is…
If Schaefer somehow is back next year, you can recoup any assets overnight. Even if he’s not, at least Spence will also have high value for a trade and now in the new landscape of CHL with US/college commits more likely to play in this league, you are better equipped to rebuild a bit quicker than the last attempt.

Bottom line for me has always been you need to either buy or sell. Pick a lane!! Don’t be stuck in the middle, especially when you aren’t just a young team that is returning everything next yr so you can’t say you are just comfortable sitting on your roster. Nope, they stand to lose at minimum 4 of their top 6 forwards, potentially Schaefer, and potentially Erliden. The drop off is significant. It’s now or you’ll have to wait another 2-3 years minimum

I think London and Barrie are very good, perhaps not worth the cost to improve marginally upon good teams. Erie could be the top of the next tier imo. A BUG might not be too difficult to attain near the deadline. Maybe a RW like Romani for L2-3 is the only costly piece needed.

 

[NOA]

I think London and Barrie are very good, perhaps not worth the cost to improve marginally upon good teams. Erie could be the top of the next tier imo. A BUG might not be too difficult to attain near the deadline. Maybe a RW like Romani for L2-3 is the only costly piece needed.

I think they need to get creative to fill the BUG spot and not waste real assets there. Then they only use assets on a top 6 forward, like you say. They have enough to add but I also don’t think it’s crazy for them to wait to see the other moves being made across the league to get a better feel of their chances.

 

[EOtterstracker]

Mathew Lansing, who was in last night's game for the US versus the CHL, is an Otter draft pick. I would think the players in that program would be less likely to come to the OHL, but who knows.

Exactly, who knows. The NTDP got absolutely dismantled and is most likely going to again today so there’s a chance that some guys get swayed to come over since they saw how much better the CHL is talent wise.

 

[Mata]

D'Alessio making his debut got the ice to himself as he came out of the tunnel. The rest of the team joined him after he skated 2 laps

 

[Mata]

Bruce McDonald is also one hell of a player. He has become noticeably faster, smarter, and had a really solid game IMO. Sad we had to get rid of him, but glad to see he has improved.

 

[OttersFan]

We are not going to do well during WJC if tonight is any indicator.

 

[Millpond]

Can't say I'm a fan of the Power Rangers helmets

 

[Guy In Burlington]

We are not going to do well during WJC if tonight is any indicator.

How many of those kids will be on the WJC team though?

 

[leafs4life94]

How many of those kids will be on the WJC team though?

Off the top of my head just Martone, possibly Schaefer

 

[Guy In Burlington]

Off the top of my head just Martone, possibly Schaefer

Yeah, so not many.

For Canada I think Martone and Spence are going to be there. Spence may be just a shutdown guy this year but I think he’s done enough to be there. And I think Schaefer makes it as a seventh defenseman. I think it would be a mistake to leave him home.

I was more asking about the U.S. as I don’t know those kids really at all.

 

[OttersFan]

How many of those kids will be on the WJC team though?

I was referencing the Otters without Schaefer. They played terrible tonight.

 

[leafs4life94]

Yeah, so not many.

For Canada I think Martone and Spence are going to be there. Spence may be just a shutdown guy this year but I think he’s done enough to be there. And I think Schaefer makes it as a seventh defenseman. I think it would be a mistake to leave him home.

I was more asking about the U.S. as I don’t know those kids really at all.

Oops forgot this was the Erie thread so more talking about the US...

Honestly I don't think any of them make it. This seems like a weaker American draft class outside of Hagens and Hensler who're the only 2 draft-eligible guys with a shot to make the team.

If there's anyone, it's probably either Moore or Trethewey but I'd put my money on no one from that US NTDP team being on the WJC team this year

 

[Guy In Burlington]

I was referencing the Otters without Schaefer. They played terrible tonight.

Ah ok, I’m sorry. I misunderstood.

 

[DubCee21]

IDK how many if any of these players make their respective WJC teams but these are potentially the players the Otters could be without. Terrance, Spence, Schaefer, Erliden. I think Erliden has the least chance as Sweden is incredibly deep in goal. The other three are bubble players IMO.

 

[OttersFan]

With Erie getting slammed with snow in the next few days, we might luck out and not have a game Saturday. Travel restrictions in place and Flint coming from Niagara might not happen.

 

[OttersFan]

Look out for the postponed announcement in the next hour or so.