Flint Firebirds 2023 - 24 Off-Season Thread
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Watching the London-Saginaw series I cannot believe Flint managed to play 4 mostly close games with the Knights. Such a complete squad with such good puck movement and great goaltending. Especially considering Flint’s OA’s were virtually non-existent for most of the series. I’m not 100% sold on Flache yet but I don’t have much to complain about as far as coaching so far. Just a little. He got a lot out of his returning players in the back half of the season.
He should be force in the NAHL next year as a 20yo. There’s no way he was returning to Flint. I’m not sure Slavicek is of the level that he justifies both an OA and Import spot either. He’d have shifts and periods where I’d say “Yeah, roll with him as an OA” then he’d just be invisible for 3-4 games. If he’s on the roster to start the year he’s basically locked in all year, handicapping their ability to upgrade there because as an OA/Import he’ll be basically untradeable. I think he has the ability to prove he’s worth it but it’s a big gamble.
Two down.
Well if Saginaw is gonna be in the Final it’s nice to see that it’s because Ethan Hay is having a career night. Congrats kid.
There should be a trade announced soon for Flint as per the Sudbury board. What is Sudbury getting in Ewles and Klinkhammer?
I have no idea why Flint gave up Ewles, after his first 2 weeks I thought he turned into a very solid player.
Klinkhammer is a great personality, great kid. Not much more than a 4th line player.
For any Flint fans curious to what they're getting
Evan Konyen: Will never wow you or pull you out of your seat but works extremely hard, takes an absolute beating to make plays, and is an underrated pest. Has a nose for the net and is a legit top 6 forward.
Matthew Mania: A bit of an enigma, hot and cold, and had some injury problems this year. When he's on his game he's a great offensive d-man who can carry the puck and bring fans out of their seat, sometimes for good reasons, sometimes for bad reasons. Overall has a ton of upside.
Nolan Collins: Big physical d-man with some underrated offensive upside. Has stagnated a bit in his development over the last few years, when he's on his game, he has the potential to be one of the premier shutdown d-men in the OHL, however it always seems like he's 5 games away from an injury or 5 games into recovering from an injury.
Joshua Colosimo: From what I remember in camp, an extremely physical forward with some real nastiness to his game.
Evan Konyen: Will never wow you or pull you out of your seat but works extremely hard, takes an absolute beating to make plays, and is an underrated pest. Has a nose for the net and is a legit top 6 forward.
Matthew Mania: A bit of an enigma, hot and cold, and had some injury problems this year. When he's on his game he's a great offensive d-man who can carry the puck and bring fans out of their seat, sometimes for good reasons, sometimes for bad reasons. Overall has a ton of upside.
Nolan Collins: Big physical d-man with some underrated offensive upside. Has stagnated a bit in his development over the last few years, when he's on his game, he has the potential to be one of the premier shutdown d-men in the OHL, however it always seems like he's 5 games away from an injury or 5 games into recovering from an injury.
Joshua Colosimo: From what I remember in camp, an extremely physical forward with some real nastiness to his game.
If Blake Smith is back.
Mania - Collins
Bertucci - Smith
Solid top 4.
Fellinger & Jenken as the bottom pair maybe?
Mason Taylor/Jack D'Arcy
Not upset at all with the D.
They still got a good handful of picks to play with as well.
Mania - Collins
Bertucci - Smith
Solid top 4.
Fellinger & Jenken as the bottom pair maybe?
Mason Taylor/Jack D'Arcy
Not upset at all with the D.
They still got a good handful of picks to play with as well.
Toldyaso
Tragic Poster
- Apr 13, 2015
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Getting the rights to Colosimo should go a long way toward getting our 4th rnd pick Christian Colosimo signed being brothers and all. Anyone who saw Christian in the prospects game a few weeks ago knows why we need to get him signed.
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Kingpin794
Smart A** In A Jersey
Oh man you guys are going to be a problem next year. Good to get these moves out the way now so you have the whole year to gel.
HUSH10
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- Sep 16, 2019
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How many coffee's did the Flint GM have this morning lol
I think he saw Saginaws success and is trying to recreate it. 16 picks out in 1 day for 0 guys that will be in Flint June 2026…
Did I miss your guys announcement of hosting the memorial next year or something?
Have you noticed the rosters and/or the disposable assets of the other west division teams going into the 2024-25 season? Flint might not have a clearer path to a 2 seed again any time soon.
They added 4 Good players, possibly a 5th player.
Gave up 16 picks, but still have 6 3rds to play with, 5 4ths, and 6 5ths, along with 1 more 2nd and the 2028 2nd they gave up is conditional, assuming it hinges on an OA year.
I'm guessing they aren't done adding more.
No, I don't see London fleecing us in every deal.
frontsfan67
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- Dec 3, 2022
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StingUpdates
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- Jan 12, 2019
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I question spending that many picks without getting a sure fire star player, but I agree with what Dirty said. The west Division is gonna be rather bad. Sarnia & Windsor might battle for 2nd & neither team is gonna be legitimately good. Soo rebuilding & SAG returns some good players but likely sell, too.
So it's wide open for Flint. These with other moves will ensure getting a top 2 seed. Gotta keep adding to the F group to be a legit contender but T4 looks strong & now have some depth up front. If Day takes a step you're in a good spot.
So it's wide open for Flint. These with other moves will ensure getting a top 2 seed. Gotta keep adding to the F group to be a legit contender but T4 looks strong & now have some depth up front. If Day takes a step you're in a good spot.
LW | C | RW |
| Connor Clattenburg - 05 - 60 GP - 29 P | Kaden Pitre 06 - 35 GP - 30 P | Evan Konyen *04* - 55 GP - 48 P |
| Nathan Aspinall 06 - 65 GP - 34 P | Jimmy Lombardi 07 - 62 GP - 20 P | Christopher Thibodeau 05 - 68 GP 60 P |
| Matthew Wang 05 - 61 GP - 11 P | Gage Brandon - 08 Rookie - 3rd round | Alex Kostov 06 - 66 GP - 26 P |
| Jeremy Martin 07 - 64 GP - 14 P | Max Anderson - 07 - 18 GP - 0 P | Cole Zurawski - 08 Rookie - 1st round |
| Ryland Cunningham - 08 - Rookie - 2nd round | ||
| LD | G | RD |
| Tristan Bertucci 05 - 61 GP - 44 P | Nathan Day 05 | Matthew Mania 05 - 45 GP - 23 P |
| Blake Smith *04* - 65 GP - 13 P | Jacob Brown 06 | Nolan Collins *04* - 65 GP - 26 P |
| Mason Taylor 06 - 3 GP - 0 P | Rylan Fellinger 07 - 58 GP - 4 P | |
| Matthew Jenken 05 - 68 P - 18 P | ||
| Jack D'Arcy 07 - 4 GP - 0 P |
Lots of right handed defenders now, wondering in Jenken gets moved for something. Fellinger was very solid last year, and only expect him to take bigger strides.
Want list-
1/2 C to pair with Pitre, who just hasn't stayed healthy. Love Lombardi, but don't want to put that much pressure on him too early.
LD - Maybe flip a pick and Jenken for a LD
LW - Maybe. I expect big things from Aspinall, Clattenburg was solid, Martin has a knack for scoring some goals.
Need Nathan Day to take big steps this year.
HockeyPops
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- Aug 20, 2018
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I can see bringing in a 1LW at the deadline. Would Zurawski be made available if you could get someone like Greentree?
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