Flint Firebirds 2022-23 Off-Season Thread

[OHL4Life]

Still find it hard to believe teams wash their dirty laundry to just anyone that will listen. These players are mostly teenagers. Especially now when every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to be on the Red Carpet of social media. His teammates back him up. There are always issues on every team in the league between player and coaches. The kid has talent, and most teams would love to have him on their top line IMO.

hey, you dont have to believe it, you can make your own decisions. in this instance, none of the info came from the team, it came from agents and other scouts around the league. if one person says something, i dont even bother with it. when multiple people, all independent, say the same thing, and then follow that up by watching the team play and see how the player is acting (shooting the puck into the oppositions bench, come on), it makes sense. when its someone who has provided good info again and again, im happy to go with it. the return also shows the interest in the league.

like i said, dont have to believe it. your call

 

[Savard18]

hey, you dont have to believe it, you can make your own decisions. in this instance, none of the info came from the team, it came from agents and other scouts around the league. if one person says something, i dont even bother with it. when multiple people, all independent, say the same thing, and then follow that up by watching the team play and see how the player is acting (shooting the puck into the oppositions bench, come on), it makes sense. when its someone who has provided good info again and again, im happy to go with it. the return also shows the interest in the league.

like i said, dont have to believe it. your call

Well, there’s one person posting here with a track record of predicting and foreshadowing events before they happen and then a bunch with no credibility or a track record of being wrong on everything they’ve ever posted. GeneralsUpdates posted info too and he’s almost always reliable too. Outside of that, I know how a couple vets felt about him when he was a rookie and what you could see on the ice this year. Just believe your own eyes people. Like it was said, the shot into the bench? We all saw that and that’s as bush league as it comes. He’s an incredible talent and when he wanted to be “On” his motor was incredible. I dismissed the attitude issues WE COULD ALL SEE because of his talent, and the fact that he was willing to defend himself and would back up the talk. He’ll get it figured out and have a career I’m sure. As far as the return goes? Disappointing….BUT….we’ve been saying ALL YEAR Flint needs EXACTLY what Guryev is IF he can stay in the game. He will have nearly as positive an impact for this team as Othmann. Flint has almost enough offense without Othmann but they NEEDED a solid, physical prescence on D. Now they need either Cranley to find consistency (I have very strong doubts there) or to go find a goalie. Good luck. There doesn’t seem to be any out there. If Flint can still manage to acquire….oh, let’s dream and say Pastujov, then they’re way farther ahead than they were. I wasn’t sold on this club as is WITH Othmann. I’m not now either but I’m interested to see where it goes and what they do from here.

 

[bobber]

hey, you dont have to believe it, you can make your own decisions. He isn't the first player to do something fooliin this instance, none of the info came from the team, it came from agents and other scouts around the league. if one person says something, i dont even bother with it. when multiple people, all independent, say the same thing, and then follow that up by watching the team play and see how the player is acting (shooting the puck into the oppositions bench, come on), it makes sense. when its someone who has provided good info again and again, im happy to go with it. the return also shows the interest in the league.

like i said, dont have to believe it.

Never said I don't believe he had issues. He may have. Not the first player to do something foolish and won't be the last. I watched Steve Downey's antics at practice quite a few times. Firing pucks at teammates and such. Othmann was traded. Hope he does well on the Petes and Flint benefit from the trade.

 

[Savard18]

I have been a season ticket holder for the last 5 years. Up until very recently I have always believed that the management has had the players interest in mind. Even with trades, releases, signings....I am not sure now that that this the case. I can no longer stand by without speaking up. We all now that recently some thing have been happening with our team. However, management seams to be reason why.

1. The return on the trade. Very poor regardless if you believe the bad attitude rumors flying around. They are BS by the way. I have it on good notice that 9 of the 20 teams in the OHL put offers on the table when it was heard that the player was going to be available. Being a first round OHL pick, he had a no-trade clause. Of the teams that he would have been willing to waive the clause for, 2 of them put offers out. The other offer was for 2 players and between 5-7 draft picks. With at least 1-2 2nds. So why if the other teams offer was so much better did our management take the worse of the two. I believe it was to send a final message.

If nothing comes of this, so be it. But it will be said, our player did not deserve the disrespect or treatment that was given to him over the last few weeks from management. I wish him and all current and past Firebirds good luck and best wishes.

Two offers. Two. Well, if one team was in the West that basically leaves you with the Peterborough deal because you’re not going to be trading him to Windsor or Kitchener. Nine teams doesn’t add up off the top of my head either. That would be nine teams looking to go for it this year that also had enough assets to give up and they would be willing to give up. If they offer was 2 2nd’s and Nathan Sauder, that doesn’t really count as an offer.

 

[OHL4Life]

Well, there’s one person posting here with a track record of predicting and foreshadowing events before they happen and then a bunch with no credibility or a track record of being wrong on everything they’ve ever posted. GeneralsUpdates posted info too and he’s almost always reliable too. Outside of that, I know how a couple vets felt about him when he was a rookie and what you could see on the ice this year. Just believe your own eyes people. Like it was said, the shot into the bench? We all saw that and that’s as bush league as it comes. He’s an incredible talent and when he wanted to be “On” his motor was incredible. I dismissed the attitude issues WE COULD ALL SEE because of his talent, and the fact that he was willing to defend himself and would back up the talk. He’ll get it figured out and have a career I’m sure. As far as the return goes? Disappointing….BUT….we’ve been saying ALL YEAR Flint needs EXACTLY what Guryev is IF he can stay in the game. He will have nearly as positive an impact for this team as Othmann. Flint has almost enough offense without Othmann but they NEEDED a solid, physical prescence on D. Now they need either Cranley to find consistency (I have very strong doubts there) or to go find a goalie. Good luck. There doesn’t seem to be any out there. If Flint can still manage to acquire….oh, let’s dream and say Pastujov, then they’re way farther ahead than they were. I wasn’t sold on this club as is WITH Othmann. I’m not now either but I’m interested to see where it goes and what they do from here.

i definetly think they are going to push for a higher end 03 forward, whatever the cost may be.

 

[OHL Fan]

All great points above.
Its clear that with Othmann having a No Trade Clause, he didnt have to accept any deal but would have to accept the future team direction. For Othmann to accept the Petes deal, it would imply to me that the future direction of the team would be much more detrimental to him and this tells me that team had enough.

So for a team to trade their best player, it would be apparent that the behind the scenes stuff was not acceptable by all involved. One poster noted that there have been issues going back 1 year?

I personally think that the deal had to be done and it wasnt just a difference/conflict with coaches or mgmt, and players must have been involved in decision. No proper run team will not consult its older senior leaders in making a huge personnel decision. There didnt seem to be any defiant/upset players on the ice Friday or Saturday nts.

Good luck to both Flint and Othmann and hopefully it works out for both sides.

 

[Millpond]

Still find it hard to believe teams wash their dirty laundry to just anyone that will listen. These players are mostly teenagers. Especially now when every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to be on the Red Carpet of social media. His teammates back him up. There are always issues on every team in the league between player and coaches. The kid has talent, and most teams would love to have him on their top line IMO.

Not all

 

[bobber]

Not all

Millpond the same could be said for any team in the OHL. I am sure not every player on the Attack just loves each other. That is a given no matter what team it is in every sport. The skilled guys in the OHL get all the ice. Those that don't like to have to wait their turn. I used to go to Ranger practice on weekdays when I retired for a bit. Sat with players fathers the odd time. One told me his son complained about a lack of ice and others getting too much. The father said tell the coach. He didn't want to be chastised by teammates. OHL hockey is elite. I am sure many players families are well off. Not a blue-collar sport. Maybe some feel entitled. Who knows. I sure don't with my limited knowledge of the sport. If Othmann was an issue with Flint, he is no longer there. The point is moot now.

 

[Savard18]

i definetly think they are going to push for a higher end 03 forward, whatever the cost may be.

I hope so. I just think it’s still gonna be tough sledding when an unscreened wrister from the top of the circles can beat your goalie at any moment and does 1,2,3 times a game. On the other hand though, they also could give Will better support and if Guryev manages to stay on the ice they surely will.

 

[Savard18]

The messed up part? Your average fan is going to have no idea why he was traded. Some will blame Othmann. Some will blame the organization. False rumors will be spread by people “In The Know” and many just don’t comprehend how and why OHL teams operate the way they do. There’s gonna be a lot of fans that will take time or never be a Guryev supporter. Many that won’t see or understand that he’s not here to be John Carlson despite the fact he was traded for a huge fan favorite that was a DY-NAM-IC offensive weapon. It sucks things didn’t work out with Brennan but if Guryev can keep his hits clean? Get ready folks. He’ll be the most imposing D in a Firebirds uni since Tyler Tucker.

 

[MJ5]

The messed up part? Your average fan is going to have no idea why he was traded. Some will blame Othmann. Some will blame the organization. False rumors will be spread by people “In The Know” and many just don’t comprehend how and why OHL teams operate the way they do. There’s gonna be a lot of fans that will take time or never be a Guryev supporter. Many that won’t see or understand that he’s not here to be John Carlson despite the fact he was traded for a huge fan favorite that was a DY-NAM-IC offensive weapon. It sucks things didn’t work out with Brennan but if Guryev can keep his hits clean? Get ready folks. He’ll be the most imposing D in a Firebirds uni since Tyler Tucker.

Oh man, the facebook groups for Flint fans are downright hilarious right now.

 

[FirebirdsFan21]

Two offers. Two. Well, if one team was in the West that basically leaves you with the Peterborough deal because you’re not going to be trading him to Windsor or Kitchener. Nine teams doesn’t add up off the top of my head either. That would be nine teams looking to go for it this year that also had enough assets to give up and they would be willing to give up. If they offer was 2 2nd’s and Nathan Sauder, that doesn’t really count as an offer.

Both teams were in the Eastern Conference. There were no western conference teams in his 4.

 

[FiveHoleo]

Didn't the player say his grandparents were ill and Peterborough is closer to both of them? I'm inclined to go with that story instead of some Q-anonish trash about the player being a problem. The guy was 4th in league scoring, lots of teams need a problem like that.

 

[bobber]

Didn't the player say his grandparents were ill and Peterborough is closer to both of them? I'm inclined to go with that story instead of some Q-anonish trash about the player being a problem. The guy was 4th in league scoring, lots of teams need a problem like that.

Nail meet hammer. Great post! Firebird fans liked Othmann. That is all you need to hear.

 

[Millpond]

Millpond the same could be said for any team in the OHL. I am sure not every player on the Attack just loves each other. That is a given no matter what team it is in every sport. The skilled guys in the OHL get all the ice. Those that don't like to have to wait their turn. I used to go to Ranger practice on weekdays when I retired for a bit. Sat with players fathers the odd time. One told me his son complained about a lack of ice and others getting too much. The father said tell the coach. He didn't want to be chastised by teammates. OHL hockey is elite. I am sure many players families are well off. Not a blue-collar sport. Maybe some feel entitled. Who knows. I sure don't with my limited knowledge of the sport. If Othmann was an issue with Flint, he is no longer there. The point is moot now.

You missed my point.

It's not the players who decide to bring in another.

 

[Kingpin794]

Didn't the player say his grandparents were ill and Peterborough is closer to both of them? I'm inclined to go with that story instead of some Q-anonish trash about the player being a problem. The guy was 4th in league scoring, lots of teams need a problem like that.

If it was his parent, yeah I’d be inclined to think he should be closer to home. It’s his grandparents though. I don’t doubt they are ill or that he isn’t close to them, but you don’t get traded closer to home for the grandparents. What’s being closer going to do for him/them? His parents would be their support system, no?

 

[FireBird71]

Oh man, the facebook groups for Flint fans are downright hilarious right now.

I belong to one and I can tell by most of the responses they don’t know shit about hockey

Nail meet hammer. Great post! Firebird fans liked Othmann. That is all you need to hear.

Liked the skill the player brought …attitude not so much

 

[FireBird71]

Didn't the player say his grandparents were ill and Peterborough is closer to both of them? I'm inclined to go with that story instead of some Q-anonish trash about the player being a problem. The guy was 4th in league scoring, lots of teams need a problem like that.

Sure as hell can be both and I’m sure there are Teams worried about the affected Team Chemistry

 

[MJ5]

I belong to one and I can tell by most of the responses they don’t know shit about hockey


Liked the skill the player brought …attitude not so much

Yeah, the Facebook groups are good for laughs, there are very few who understand the game at all.

 

[bcspragu]

If it was his parent, yeah I’d be inclined to think he should be closer to home. It’s his grandparents though. I don’t doubt they are ill or that he isn’t close to them, but you don’t get traded closer to home for the grandparents. What’s being closer going to do for him/them? His parents would be their support system, no?

Depends on how close he is to his grandparents. Saginaw let Lennox miss games to go back and forth to Cambridge a ton a couple of years ago when his grandfather was ailing. Maybe Othmann wants the same thing and Flint wont let him? Who knows. Hell I know theres been OHL players who picked thier draft team to stay close to special needs siblings. Everyone has thier own reasons for where they want to be

 

[Bellof]

I, for one, only opened this for all the It’s-All-Rolf’s-Fault content. Knew I wouldn’t be disappointed

 

[Savard18]

“When the possibility of being traded was brought to Brennan……” That’s the Pete’s GM folks. Don’t think you’ll get much more inside than that. Don’t get the impression from anywhere in Brennan’s comments that he didn’t want to be in Flint either. It seems obvious there was some dischord in the room and those that stated Brennan didn’t want to be here are continuing their trend of being wrong. I’d love to wish him the best this year but if Flint were to make it to the Finals I don’t think I’d want to face Brennan with that Pete’s team. I’m curious to see how the team looks in front of Cranley and Day with Guryev in the lineup. The Birds have enough to land one major forward but if things continue or get worse with the netminders there won’t be much left to fix that.

 

[EON]

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[Savard18]

Average OHL attendance at the 1/4 mark is down 92 people per game. Flint has seen the 3rd largest increase in attendance, up 334 per game.

 

[MJ5]

Average OHL attendance at the 1/4 mark is down 92 people per game. Flint has seen the 3rd largest increase in attendance, up 334 per game.

That was until this trade, if you read the facebook groups, 99% of them are never coming back.