Flint Firebirds 2022-23 Off-Season Thread (Part 2)

[MJ5]

Sutherland looked solid, very athletic and fluid in net, excited to see what he turns into. Made a few big saves, bailed the D out a couple times, but they left him hanging a bunch.

Strohack definitely got the best of whoever he was fighting, the other fight was a pretty even tilt between Smith and Moses.

Aspinal looked better, skating much improved.

Good to see Slavicek score again, hopefully he's building that confidence, put up some good numbers during the preseason.

So is fighting an automatic game misconduct now? Or is that a preseason thing?

 

[hockeylegend11]

Sutherland looked solid, very athletic and fluid in net, excited to see what he turns into. Made a few big saves, bailed the D out a couple times, but they left him hanging a bunch.

Strohack definitely got the best of whoever he was fighting, the other fight was a pretty even tilt between Smith and Moses.

Aspinal looked better, skating much improved.

Good to see Slavicek score again, hopefully he's building that confidence, put up some good numbers during the preseason.

So is fighting an automatic game misconduct now? Or is that a preseason thing?

Preseason thing

 

[StingUpdates]

Sutherland looked solid, very athletic and fluid in net, excited to see what he turns into. Made a few big saves, bailed the D out a couple times, but they left him hanging a bunch.

Strohack definitely got the best of whoever he was fighting, the other fight was a pretty even tilt between Smith and Moses.

Aspinal looked better, skating much improved.

Good to see Slavicek score again, hopefully he's building that confidence, put up some good numbers during the preseason.

So is fighting an automatic game misconduct now? Or is that a preseason thing?

Sutherland was impressive. Kid is huuuuuge lol. Not sure his first name, but Andersen was pretty impressive too. GL this yr.

 

[Goldilocks]

Even though the stats don't show it, I thought Sutherland was pretty impressive. If he is our #3 goalie, I think that's a really good sign.

For Potter, as someone who wants to see all the teams/programs in the state do well, I'm happy for MSU, but I think it's absurd they still aren't allowed to play in both. The NCAA obviously can't argue amateur status anymore when they players are going to get paid more there than in the OHL/CHL. Why not have have a deal where they can play in Jrs until they're 18 and ready for college? You could make that the point where they have to decide what to do, or just have them re-up on a yearly basis. It might make roster building more volatile, but it gives the player more options and the opportunity to receive the best experience. The current system does not.

 

[MJ5]

Even though the stats don't show it, I thought Sutherland was pretty impressive. If he is our #3 goalie, I think that's a really good sign.

For Potter, as someone who wants to see all the teams/programs in the state do well, I'm happy for MSU, but I think it's absurd they still aren't allowed to play in both. The NCAA obviously can't argue amateur status anymore when they players are going to get paid more there than in the OHL/CHL. Why not have have a deal where they can play in Jrs until they're 18 and ready for college? You could make that the point where they have to decide what to do, or just have them re-up on a yearly basis. It might make roster building more volatile, but it gives the player more options and the opportunity to receive the best experience. The current system does not.

Agree with you on Sutherland.

And this was a topic of discussion with some people at a tailgate last weekend on hockey. The only thing could come up with is you would have kids just flipping from program to program. Not enough ice time in the NCAA, just flip to a CHL team or vice versa. We thought it almost had to be treated some what like a transfer rule, if you flip from one to the other, you are done in whatever league you left. Wonder if it will change soon.

 

[MJ5]

Even though the stats don't show it, I thought Sutherland was pretty impressive. If he is our #3 goalie, I think that's a really good sign.

For Potter, as someone who wants to see all the teams/programs in the state do well, I'm happy for MSU, but I think it's absurd they still aren't allowed to play in both. The NCAA obviously can't argue amateur status anymore when they players are going to get paid more there than in the OHL/CHL. Why not have have a deal where they can play in Jrs until they're 18 and ready for college? You could make that the point where they have to decide what to do, or just have them re-up on a yearly basis. It might make roster building more volatile, but it gives the player more options and the opportunity to receive the best experience. The current system does not.

Got a friend I reached out too, he works on the east coast is an advisor for some kids, pretty in tune with the junior hockey scene. He said he knew Tuesday about the Potter news. Asked him about the CHL/NCAA thing. He said it's the Hockey rules committee (headed by some coaches) that's holding anything back. He said there is a little bit of traction on some rule changes between the 2, but he doesn't think its going to change any time soon. Not enough widespread interest to make something happen, but its at least being discussed.

 

[Goldilocks]

That's kinda disappointing but understandable. There are definitely ways to make it work, hopefully they'll figure it out one day.

 

[MJ5]

BIG news eh?

We naming a captain?
One of the OAs returning?

 

[Petes1987]

Got a friend I reached out too, he works on the east coast is an advisor for some kids, pretty in tune with the junior hockey scene. He said he knew Tuesday about the Potter news. Asked him about the CHL/NCAA thing. He said it's the Hockey rules committee (headed by some coaches) that's holding anything back. He said there is a little bit of traction on some rule changes between the 2, but he doesn't think its going to change any time soon. Not enough widespread interest to make something happen, but its at least being discussed.

If OHL/CHL players were allowed to play US College hockey after playing Major Junior Hockey there would have to be rule in place they were only eligible after their 19 year old season was completed. The last thing the OHL/CHL would want is to have 18 or 19 year old players leaving to play US College before their regular eligibility was over.

 

[MJ5]

If OHL/CHL players were allowed to play US College hockey after playing Major Junior Hockey there would have to be rule in place they were only eligible after their 19 year old season was completed. The last thing the OHL/CHL would want is to have 18 or 19 year old players leaving to play US College before their regular eligibility was over.

Very well could have some kind of rule like that.

Just makes sense tho since NCAA players can earn NIL money now. It will probably be years before there is a change. He just said he knew there were little talks about it, and its not an NCAA issue, its the rules committee.

 

[MJ5]

View attachment 745822

BIG news eh?

We naming a captain?
One of the OAs returning?

Naming a captain tonight.

Who you got?

 

[Goldilocks]

Giroux.

Long tenured overager, who was already performing much of the role unofficially last season. Every time a there was a review or meeting with the refs it was him or Riley that represented Flint. He's exactly the type of leader, hard worker that you want representing the team as captain. I would honestly be disappointed if it isn't him.

 

[MJ5]

Giroux.

Long tenured overager, who was already performing much of the role unofficially last season. Every time a there was a review or meeting with the refs it was him or Riley that represented Flint. He's exactly the type of leader, hard worker that you want representing the team as captain. I would honestly be disappointed if it isn't him.

Giroux would make a lot of sense.

Hayes would be nice to give a Michigan kid the C, but not sure he makes it the whole season.

Bertucci would be my other guess, someone who could wear it for more than a season.

 

[Savard18]

If OHL/CHL players were allowed to play US College hockey after playing Major Junior Hockey there would have to be rule in place they were only eligible after their 19 year old season was completed. The last thing the OHL/CHL would want is to have 18 or 19 year old players leaving to play US College before their regular eligibility was over.

CHL really doesn’t have a say in that. If the NCAA decides to allow kids to play after the CHL I don’t see how they can stop exactly that from happening. NCAA and USHL have massively upped their game across the board. It’s up to the CHL and individual franchises to do the same and prove they’re the better developmental route.

Giroux would make a lot of sense.

Hayes would be nice to give a Michigan kid the C, but not sure he makes it the whole season.

Bertucci would be my other guess, someone who could wear it for more than a season.

Hard to argue against Giroux. I don’t know if Hayes is a C type of guy. I think it’ll be Bertucci or Hay next year.

 

[Petes1987]

CHL really doesn’t have a say in that. If the NCAA decides to allow kids to play after the CHL I don’t see how they can stop exactly that from happening. NCAA and USHL have massively upped their game across the board. It’s up to the CHL and individual franchises to do the same and prove they’re the better developmental route.


Hard to argue against Giroux. I don’t know if Hayes is a C type of guy. I think it’ll be Bertucci or Hay next year.

The CHL could have some say if they require their signed players to honour their OHL Player contracts. I know that was discussed when the KHL started and they were drafting players from the OHL in their draft because when Zack Kassian was drafted into their league Jeff Twohey made it very clear he would be holding him to his player contract with the Petes.

 

[MJ5]

Giroux.

Long tenured overager, who was already performing much of the role unofficially last season. Every time a there was a review or meeting with the refs it was him or Riley that represented Flint. He's exactly the type of leader, hard worker that you want representing the team as captain. I would honestly be disappointed if it isn't him.

Good call.

And congrats to Giroux!

Looking forward to this weekend.

 

[MJ5]

Sweet piece for Giroux.

 

[Toldyaso]

Also appears Bradshaw and Pitters have been released.

 

[MJ5]

Also appears Bradshaw and Pitters have been released.

Really? Where'd you see that?

 

[Savard18]

Also appears Bradshaw and Pitters have been released.

I guess, let me see the kids play first but right now those both seem like a mistake to me if true.

 

[Toldyaso]

Really? Where'd you see that?

It kind of came out at the ticket pickup event yesterday when some of the people there asked where they were. The team was there but they weren't. I didn't personally hear it because I left right after Giroux was announced as captain. I'm told it was pretty awkward for Dent to have to tell everyone they were released. Clearly hadn't planned on it coming up.

 

[MJ5]

It kind of came out at the ticket pickup event yesterday when some of the people there asked where they were. The team was there but they weren't. I didn't personally hear it because I left right after Giroux was announced as captain. I'm told it was pretty awkward for Dent to have to tell everyone they were released. Clearly hadn't planned on it coming up.

Interesting.

Had high hopes for Pitters after he had 4 assist in 9 games 2 years ago. Played more a checking line role last year and a whole 6 points in 55 games. Really thought he would turn into something decent.

Bradshaw was a big body that played like he was 5'8".

 

[Savard18]

It kind of came out at the ticket pickup event yesterday when some of the people there asked where they were. The team was there but they weren't. I didn't personally hear it because I left right after Giroux was announced as captain. I'm told it was pretty awkward for Dent to have to tell everyone they were released. Clearly hadn't planned on it coming up.

That sucks. I can’t see them having 12 forwards better than Pitters. Bradshaw’s size is nice to have and Hell, Dent played him a ton last year ahead of other kids.

 

[MJ5]

I guess, let me see the kids play first but right now those both seem like a mistake to me if true.

Preseason roster had 16 forwards.

So this would give them 14.

Could someone be returning ??

 

[Hockytwn51419]

Preseason roster had 16 forwards.

So this would give them 14.

Could someone be returning ??

Don't they have to cut the roster to 24 for regular season?