Flint Firebirds 2018-19 Season Thread (Part 2)

[TcNorth]

Precisely, Rolf Nilsen is the wealthiest of all 20 OHL owners. He has the money to be able to afford an NHL franchise.

You yourself stated that the Wolves called up players when they ran into a short bench and I am sure that other OHL fans can say the same thing with their respective OHL team.

The OHL established an account which Nilsen supplies $$$ for the operation of the Firebirds each season since he has been under suspension by the OHL.

The OHL is not paying one cent to operate the Firebirds, Rolf is footing the bill 100 percent.

The reason why players have not been brought in to alleviate the short benched Firebirds is due to the fact that Nilsen has not supplied the money to do so.

Also, the reason that the Firebirds do not offer more Gold packages to attract players is not the fault of the OHL, this also is a decision that Nilsen has chosen to do.

Heck, Nilsen has not even paid for a color play by play radio person. Hennig's been doing the job solo unless someone comes along to do it for nothing.

If Nilsen is supposedly suspended then why in the heck is he even at games or even worse showing up at center ice for pre game presentations?

I repeat, Nilsen does not care one bit about Flint, all he cares about is the next place for his son Hakon to play in.

The OHL CANNOT allow Nilsen to be able to operate the Flint franchise once his suspension is lifted.

We're off to London in a couple hours...let's hope that it doesn't get U-G-L-Y tonight.

Could you please provide a list stating Rolf is the wealthiest of all 20 owners plus a listing of 1-20 and where they are making their money?

 

[N Da No]

Could you please provide a list stating Rolf is the wealthiest of all 20 owners plus a listing of 1-20 and where they are making their money?

Can YOU provide me with a list of of all 20 owners, plus a listing of 1-20 and where they are making their money?

I am friends with an individual who WORKS for Rolf Nilsen's company and is responsible for his International operations.

Nilsen's business operates worldwide, including the United States, Norway, Brazil, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, India, Singapore and China just to mention a few of the countries Nilsen has interest in.

Nilsen's worth is in the hundreds of millions of dollars, YOU show me another OHL owner whose worth exceeds or is anywhere near that.

Excuse me, dinner time and I have a hockey game to go to.

 

[Hockey61fan]

Well, I think it's clear the league cut a deal with Rolf that Hakon would have a place on the team. I think they've probably also pushed for him to get more ice time than he deserves. It doesn't make sense though for Rolf to spend $15-20+ MILLION to get his kid on an OHL team but not be willing to spend thousands-tens of thousands or even a couple hundred thousand for his kid to play on a competitive team. A decent chunk of my family's budget goes to my youngest's athletics. I'd easily be willing to up that budget to further her and her team's success.

Hakon is getting more ice time cause they don't have bodies. Plain and simple. That is not hard to figure out. What else would you like the coaching staff to do....

 

[Savard18]

Hakon is getting more ice time cause they don't have bodies. Plain and simple. That is not hard to figure out. What else would you like the coaching staff to do....

He got more ice time than he deserved last year and he will this year once everybody returns. He was worthy of a 6-7 spot on last year's D-core but he's not the caliber of any other OA defensemen in this league. He shouldn't have been on the roster to start the season. Don't get me wrong, he's developed into a capable OHL defenseman but you don't use an OA D spot on capable. Among other factors, just watch him this weekend and how many times he drifts towards the puck carrier on rushes when that's his D partner's guy. Leaving HIS guy free to break towards the net unchecked. It's when he tries to do too much that he gets himself into trouble. Also wouldn't mind seeing him bring his shot down a little. He's got a hell of a shot but it's always blasting off the glass above the net. As a guy that spent a lot of time in front of the net, it's not always fun to have pucks flying above your shoulders. I've dealt with that Lucas Rowe injury before. Just bring it down a little Hakon and you'll up your goal and your tip assist totals.

 

[Firebrd828]

Hakon is getting more ice time cause they don't have bodies. Plain and simple. That is not hard to figure out. What else would you like the coaching staff to do....

Ask Alex DeCarlo, Samuel Duchesne, Zach Pilon, Tyler Sensky and others if lack of bodies is the “plain and simple” reason that Hakon continues to get ice time.

 

[hockjock]

I still truly think that with Wellwood at the helm and if they can ever get Kolyachonok, Busby, McCourt, Roberts, Rowe, Phibbs, Vierling and Bianconi all healthy and in the lineup, that this is a fairly decent roster that can win some games. It's too bad that they've dug a hole they won't be able to climb out of unless they get really good really fast. I don't see a game breaking forward that can drive the offense and it makes no sense to spend on this year. Moving Gordeev and Dellandrea makes much more sense. It's just gotten old and is really unfortunate. I figured this was a team that could challenge for 5-8 seed this year. Finally be competitive in the West and get that attendance up over 3,000 and 75% capacity. Then really take a shot next year and sell that place out frequently. Hakon's junior career would end during that time and any potential buyers would see how successful the OHL could be in Flint. Instead, we've gotten 4 years of incompetence and instability at the top. Basically 4 years of disappointing results on the ice. Fans are not going to show up in numbers this year. For the casual hockey fan, there's been no on ice results to draw them in. No kids have come through the organization and had any NHL success. Ned is the closest with one NHL game played and some solid AHL results lately. He'll get his chance in the big league but it might come after Flint is gone. As far as calling kids up, this organization has never established that pipeline and if you're a kid on the bubble and even mildly considering the NCAA, would you give that up to join this team right now? They could trade for a body or two, but then if everybody gets healthy they've got far too many kids and you'll either be scratching unhappy players or shipping them out. Not a good look, but they might have a bunch of volunteers to be traded.

I totally agree with you. This team has a lot of potential with the right leader. I’m rooting for these kids.

 

[MJ5]

Rowe back in the lineup tonight.

Phibbs back from suspension. So 11 forwards and 5 dmen tonight.

 

[house hockey 98]

Rocco Tullio who owns Oshawa has as much or more $ than the Rolfster and Rocco's kid plays for his team also

 

[Firebrd828]

...the Rolfster...

 

[Firebrd828]

Rocco Tullio who owns Oshawa has as much or more $ than the Rolfster and Rocco's kid plays for his team also

The difference...Ty Tullio was selected 11th overall, and would have been a 1st round pick even if the Generals hadn't taken him. Nilsen was taken in the 7th round, and could have been taken in the 15th because no other team was going to pick him. Heck, they'd all already passed on him 15 times in his first year of eligibility.

 

[house hockey 98]

Tullio is very good.. just saying his dad is also loaded

 

[rolf smitty]

Hang in there , Flint fans, you'll get another chance against London for that first win.

 

[N Da No]

Hang in there , Flint fans, you'll get another chance against London for that first win.

Thanks, for your encouragement Webegtodiffer. Just checked the schedule and the next time we play London is game 50 here in Flint into the schedule. If this team hasn't won a game by then, there may very well be few to see it here at the Dort.

A thank you to London fans, had a great time last night even though it was not the result Flint fans would have preferred. As always such an electrifying atmosphere at Budweiser Gardens.

 

[Toldyaso]

Kolyachonok is here and dressed. Was out for warm-ups.

 

[N Da No]

Kolyachonok is here and dressed. Was out for warm-ups.

Yes, he came back to Flint with the rest of the team.

Don't know if it was mention on the Flint radio broadcast, but after the end of the game in London last night a number of London Knights players came up to Kolyachonok to wish him the best in Flint.

Also had the opportunity to talk with Kolyachonok's billet family in London and a couple of Firebirds player parents.

 

[Hockey61fan]

Come on boys.... end of 2nd 6-4 Ottawa. Flint has allowed 3 PP goals. Stay out of the box. Your bench is short enough.
Come out strong in 3rd and it's yours.
You've got this one....

 

[rangersblues]

Wow. Schedule maker certainly didn't do Flint any favours. In Soo Wednesday, London Friday night and then 6 hours to Ottawa for an afternoon game Saturday. Probably 30+ hours on the bus by the time they get home.

 

[44 95 plus tax]

Wow. Schedule maker certainly didn't do Flint any favours. In Soo Wednesday, London Friday night and then 6 hours to Ottawa for an afternoon game Saturday. Probably 30+ hours on the bus by the time they get home.

Game is in Flint today.

 

[rangersblues]

Game is in Flint today.

My bad

 

[GangGreen]

Thanks, for your encouragement Webegtodiffer. Just checked the schedule and the next time we play London is game 50 here in Flint into the schedule. If this team hasn't won a game by then, there may very well be few to see it here at the Dort.

A thank you to London fans, had a great time last night even though it was not the result Flint fans would have preferred. As always such an electrifying atmosphere at Budweiser Gardens.

Glad to have you. Always been treated very well in mid-Michigan when we’ve gone as well. Hoping the Firebirds can turn things around in short order. Hopefully everyone gets healthy soon.

 

[louis]

We are all hoping that you end your winning drought this weekend---against London!

So who knew that they would get their superstars back. As a Sault fan, who has gone thru he'll in past years, we are hoping for you.

 

[Duke16]

How has Gordeev looked on the whole?

 

[Packman]

Terrible

 

[Firebrd828]

How has Gordeev looked on the whole?

Can’t stop taking bad penalties. The most frustrating part is that you could live with the penalties if they were the kind of penalties that a guy who is 6’7” should be taking, but they’re all for slashing, hooking, etc. Sure do wish he’d play like a guy who is that big.

 

[Packman]

And use his body! I find the smaller players are more physical then him lol