Flint Firebirds 2023 - 24 Off-Season Thread

[OHL4Life]

should be announced tomorrow, three way trade, bertucci to barrie, brauti to niagara, not sure what goes to flint but i think its pretty deep, good young player, good picks.

i think its brati and maybe 2/3 picks, a depth player as well to niagara

 

[three dog night]

should be announced tomorrow, three way trade, bertucci to barrie, brauti to niagara, not sure what goes to flint but i think its pretty deep, good young player, good picks.

i think its brati and maybe 2/3 picks, a depth player as well to niagara

Niagara needs defence men

 

[OHL4Life]

Niagara needs defence men

they may be giving up a better guy then they are getting

 

[StingUpdates]

they may be giving up a better guy then they are getting

Podrekar would make the most logical sense looking at their roster. I'd hope to god it isn't Frolov.

 

[OHL4Life]

Podrekar would make the most logical sense looking at their roster. I'd hope to god it isn't Frolov.

.......

 

[StingUpdates]

.......

No. Fricken. Way.

 

[OHL4Life]

No. Fricken. Way.

well see, its the only name ive heard but its not confirmed so i cant say yes or no

 

[Savard18]

Frolov + picks would definetly make the deal more palatable but in a go-for-it season there’s still the issue of Bertucci>Frolov. If Jokinen signs and plays really well though, they should be ok. Bertucci will certainly be a major loss for this season. McParlan will need to maximize the return on their remaining assets. I think they still need a 19yo 1C and a little better depth at LW. With Day, Brown and Sutherland signed I wonder if they could sign another G prospect and move one of Brown or Sutherland?

 

[frontsfan67]

Frolov + picks would definetly make the deal more palatable but in a go-for-it season there’s still the issue of Bertucci>Frolov. If Jokinen signs and plays really well though, they should be ok. Bertucci will certainly be a major loss for this season. McParlan will need to maximize the return on their remaining assets. I think they still need a 19yo 1C and a little better depth at LW. With Day, Brown and Sutherland signed I wonder if they could sign another G prospect and move one of Brown or Sutherland?

is there a chance they’re going for it next year and just looking for some playoff experience this year? Thibodeau will be an OA, Aspinall 19, clattenburg OA, ewles OA, Lombardi 18, Martin 18, Kaden pitre 19, kostov 19, Jenken OA, Flugins is only an 07 with a late birthday (2026 eligible), Zurawski 17, Tessier 17, Cunningham 17, brown 19.

Yes I know a lot of OA’s but what if they trade one of these guys next year for picks and then flipped those picks for better players? Or used some of the younger guys to get better players. To me (an outsider) it looks like a 2 year window to me. I could be off though.

 

[MJ5]

is there a chance they’re going for it next year and just looking for some playoff experience this year? Thibodeau will be an OA, Aspinall 19, clattenburg OA, ewles OA, Lombardi 18, Martin 18, Kaden pitre 19, kostov 19, Jenken OA, Flugins is only an 07 with a late birthday (2026 eligible), Zurawski 17, Tessier 17, Cunningham 17, brown 19.

Yes I know a lot of OA’s but what if they trade one of these guys next year for picks and then flipped those picks for better players? Or used some of the younger guys to get better players. To me (an outsider) it looks like a 2 year window to me. I could be off though.

Ewles was traded to Sudbury.

Jenken would have to take HUGE strides this year to be considered for an OA spot. I don't think he would have any value either in a trade market unless someone just wanted a cheap body.

But I do understand your thinking here, maybe there is a 2 year window. Not sure either core would be good enough to go all in with tho.

 

[frontsfan67]

Ewles was traded to Sudbury.

Jenken would have to take HUGE strides this year to be considered for an OA spot. I don't think he would have any value either in a trade market unless someone just wanted a cheap body.

Forgot about Ewles and didn’t know how good jenken was

But I do understand your thinking here, maybe there is a 2 year window. Not sure either core would be good enough to go all in with tho.

I agree.
Next year looks far more promising though as long as brown or some other goalie takes some strides along with the younger players on the roster and Thibodeau (will produce lots I’m sure but not big enough for NHL so comes back)

Without Bertucci this year I feel you guys maybe battle it out with Windsor for that bottom seed of the playoffs- pretty top heavy, statistically weak goalies, very questionable defence- jenken who again I don’t know too much about, would be your highest scoring d man coming back and smith your second followed by frolov

 

[Savard18]

Jenken is alright. I’m not sure he’ll be here this year but he’s a solid bottom pairing D capable of filling in top 4 minutes occasionally when needed. The thought of going for it next year is intriguing and I see some logic there but here’s the issues I see. 1. They just traded for Mania, Konyen and Collins not to mention Thibodeau. Those 3 from Sudbury are THIS year moves. 2. Those moves also seriously depleted their draft pick cupboard and to restock that, they’re going to need to move guys out they just acquired. Don’t find that likely. 3. Who’s finishing ahead of Flint this year? Like who’s got the roster and assets in the West? London. Saginaw but they lost a LOT and don’t have the draft capital to assemble the roster they did last year. Erie? Could get enough back to have a really solid roster but they’re already lacking draft capital too. Windsor, Sarnia, Soo, Owen Sound, Kitchener? Not this year and I don’t see who of those rosters is finishing ahead of Flint. Guelph? I don’t know but I don’t put it past Burnett putting together a solid group if he chooses. 4. Nathan Day. He’s better than nearly anyone gives him credit for and I highly doubt he’s back in 25-26. Brown might be the guy and he looks promising but he’s got more to prove first.

 

[StingUpdates]

Entire thing puts your GM in a tough spot. If he knew Bertucci didn't wanna return before making those trades w/SBY KGN I'd question that pretty heavily. Have never seen your roster as a true contender & knowing you'll lose your best player would make it super puzzling.

If he didn't know until after that's brutally unfortunate. Puts the GM in a brutal spot. Spent a lot of picks that he stocked up all for not & would have to try to flip those guys, issue is teams have since added OAs, cut down to their 3.

I'd agree with MJ5 that I'm not sure the core group of vets this year or next year really have the makings of a championship level team. U gotta have some serious top end 19/20 year olds to go for it & both years not sure I see that.

Martin/Lombardi/Frolov/Kostov/Aspinall/Flugins/Zurawski (and ur other 2nds & 3rds last 2 drafts) is a really solid foundation that projects a much higher ceiling at 18/19/20 than ur current 19s/20s. Just weird cause you are coming out of a rebuild so entering another is a tough sell for the fans I'd imagine.

My 2 cents that no one asked for

 

[frontsfan67]

Jenken is alright. I’m not sure he’ll be here this year but he’s a solid bottom pairing D capable of filling in top 4 minutes occasionally when needed. The thought of going for it next year is intriguing and I see some logic there but here’s the issues I see. 1. They just traded for Mania, Konyen and Collins not to mention Thibodeau. Those 3 from Sudbury are THIS year moves. 2. Those moves also seriously depleted their draft pick cupboard and to restock that, they’re going to need to move guys out they just acquired. Don’t find that likely. 3. Who’s finishing ahead of Flint this year? Like who’s got the roster and assets in the West? London. Saginaw but they lost a LOT and don’t have the draft capital to assemble the roster they did last year. Erie? Could get enough back to have a really solid roster but they’re already lacking draft capital too. Windsor, Sarnia, Soo, Owen Sound, Kitchener? Not this year and I don’t see who of those rosters is finishing ahead of Flint. Guelph? I don’t know but I don’t put it past Burnett putting together a solid group if he chooses. 4. Nathan Day. He’s better than nearly anyone gives him credit for and I highly doubt he’s back in 25-26. Brown might be the guy and he looks promising but he’s got more to prove first.

You’re right I didn’t look good enough at rosters in the west. HUGE drop off in skill from last year holy crap the east will run the league.

Windsor maybe, soo will still be decent, Owen sound will suck except for George, Kitchener is bound for a rebuild but even though they’re rebuilding I don’t think they bottom out with all their young talented players, Guelph I think is a middle of the pack team. Sarnia too young they probably bottom out.

I think the 2 teams in the west that miss the playoffs are Owen sound and sarnia. however with Owen sound they have George who is probably the best goalie in the league so that’s a big X factor. Sarnia has a LOT of young talent and still has Fischer who will be a big impact d this year moreso than last year I assume so all that could be a big x factor

Regardless of the end standings. I don’t think flint is better than London, saginaw, erie or even close probably. I know they’ve done some work to the team but still far from a championship team. Kinda like the fronts. a big drop off from those 3 and teams like Soo, Guelph, you guys, Windsor. fighting for 8th is sarnia, Owen sound, kitchener maybe.

 

[frontsfan67]

Martin/Lombardi/Frolov/Kostov/Aspinall/Flugins/Zurawski (and ur other 2nds & 3rds last 2 drafts) is a really solid foundation that projects a much higher ceiling at 18/19/20 than ur current 19s/20s. Just weird cause you are coming out of a rebuild so entering another is a tough sell for the fans I'd imagine.

My 2 cents that no one asked for

I think they get playoff experience this year, maybe win a round, next year maybe they sell some guys off like Thibodeau and it’s a building block year before 2026/27 when the cup is in the O and some guys like Martin would be 19 I think, same with flugins, Lombardi, and then Zurawski is 18

If I was flint management I’d be so pissed off at Bertucci, I definitely would not be sending him to the team he wants to go to that’s for sure lol. Really sucks for them because now without Bertucci it’s a really weak d core

 

[dirty12]

I think the only thing that would prevent Flint from first in the division is targeted centres in trade not willing to report.

 

[Kingpin794]

Just seems like Flint is straddling the line of buying and selling that last few seasons. Will sell off players and then trade picks for Dann. Sell off assets then trade for Peer/Mancini. Bring in players then trade away Bertucci.

No solid vision here. You guys could be really good. Just need to commit one way or the other instead of running this middle ground strategy.

 

[MJ5]

If I was flint management I’d be so pissed off at Bertucci, I definitely would not be sending him to the team he wants to go to that’s for sure lol. Really sucks for them because now without Bertucci it’s a really weak d core

Really weak? How so?

Bertucci doesn't just want out to want out, there's other factors in his request, trying to be closer to home.

 

[cvandenberg22]

Wouldn’t Bertucci have a no-trade clause, so they couldn’t trade him to somewhere he wouldn’t want to be? Maybe I am wrong.

 

[OHL4Life]

Wouldn’t Bertucci have a no-trade clause, so they couldn’t trade him to somewhere he wouldn’t want to be? Maybe I am wrong.

what are you talking about? He’s the one orchestrating it?

 

[cvandenberg22]

Sorry, I wasn’t clear in my comment. I was just referencing if people were saying they should ship him where he doesn’t want to be.

 

[MJ5]

what are you talking about? He’s the one orchestrating it?

My guess, making reference to this comment saying send him where he doesn't want to go.

I definitely would not be sending him to the team he wants to go to that’s for sure lol.

I am sure he does have a no trade clause, don't all 1st rounders have a NTC?

 

[ohloutsider]

I think the only thing that would prevent Flint from first in the division is targeted centres in trade not willing to report.

I think what most are missing here is the west will be the weakest division. It won't take much to finish 2nd in the conference. Both Flint and Saginaw can see this and will take a shot at that.

 

[dirty12]

If I was flint management I’d be so pissed off at Bertucci, I definitely would not be sending him to the team he wants to go to that’s for sure lol. Really sucks for them because now without Bertucci it’s a really weak d core

A couple of off-seasons in the making, Bertucci now seems successful in forcing his way to a team that could and would acquire Barlow.

 

[Kingpin794]

Also agents and players talk. GM's can't be vindictive a-holes and not expect no repercussions. If a player requests a trade, best you can do is honor the request and get what you can.