Flint Firebirds 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Section5Petes]

“Ethan came to us and expressed his desire for a change of scenery, thinking it would be in his best interest,” Firebirds general manager Dave McParlan said. “While it’s always hard to see a good player and teammate exit, we are understanding of his wishes. The pile of assets we received in the deal puts us in a strong position as we look to build a championship-contending team this season."

Tough, felt like they were starting to turn the corner.

Considering Hay asked to leave, I'd say the Firebirds did pretty well in this trade. '05 so does justify the higher value but I think this works out for both.

 

[MJ5]

Maybe he asked to leave......

He did. Read the quote and the article

 

[DeletedAccountt]

He did. Read the quote and the article

So how could anyone be mad at the team lol

Considering Hay asked to leave, I'd say the Firebirds did pretty well in this trade. '05 so does justify the higher value but I think this works out for both.

I think Flint did fantastic

 

[ohloutsider]

I’m so done with the sheer absolutely stupidity in this organization’s management.

He asked to move. You have to respect an organization that accommodates that request.

 

[Kingpin794]

He asked to move. You have to respect an organization that accommodates that request.

I think the anger is directed towards the organization because they are still fostering an environment where good players are asking out.

 

[Savard18]

He asked to move. You have to respect an organization that accommodates that request.

I didn’t initially see that but even so….I would imagine it was because he was playing behind Giroux, Kaden and Kressler. Two of which are OA’s in a non go for it year. Next year they’re going to be thin down the middle and they’ll be looking for….you guessed it, an Ethan Hay type shutdown FO circle stud. Add in the fact they traded him to their #1 in division rival. Watch Ethan spend the next two years shutting down their 1C and infuriating the entire roster. I’m not furious about the return. It’s not bad. Not amazing but not bad. But Saginaw will be able to get that much out of him at next year’s deadline if they choose. It’s just the senseless direction of management. I ask……..is there even ONE person who isn’t a Flint fan on these boards that thinks Flint can build “A Championship Contender” this year? Even if they could….they have the best ‘05 goalie in the league. Why wouldn’t you build around Day, Bertucci, Hay, Jenken, Smith, Stojkov etc.

 

[Savard18]

I think the anger is directed towards the organization because they are still fostering an environment where good players are asking out.

Nah. I don’t THINK it’s that so much. He’s the first kid that’s asked to be traded in quite some time and I’d imagine it was more about playing time. Kids ask out of every organization for that. Hell, London moves a kid pretty much every year to get more opportunity.

 

[MJ5]

First of all. They could keep him all this year and to the trade deadline next year and get that value out of him. Kressler pushing him down the lineup?!?!? What are they going for it this year? With THIS GROUP? If they even look like that’s the plan. I’m out for real. Didn’t they learn about wasting assets to only get bounced in the 1st round? Trade Kressler. Trade Giroux. You’re not doing ANYTHING this year and they’ll be gone. Apparently based on this move they ain’t gunning for next year either when Day and Bertucci will be in their final year in the OHL. It’s sooooooooooo simple. You just look at what the last 5 OHL Champions did to get there. Flint Management? “Nah. Let’s not do that. Let’s do the type of stuff Erie does and maybe WE can miss the playoffs for 5 straight years too!”

Just to note. That ‘24 Saginaw 2nd round pick will be one of, if not the last pick in the 2nd round.

I don't think you are getting anything of value for Giroux. Kressler they might get something depending on if he stays healthy and produces.

The building for a championship is pure coach/managenent speak.

 

[Hockytwn51419]

Maybe he asked to leave......

He did.

 

[N Da No]

“Ethan came to us and expressed his desire for a change of scenery, thinking it would be in his best interest,” Firebirds general manager Dave McParlan said.

6 draft picks?

Guess they couldn't get at least one player from Saginaw who wanted to come to Flint as compared to an opportunity to play in the Memorial Cup.

 

[Savard18]

“Ethan came to us and expressed his desire for a change of scenery, thinking it would be in his best interest,” Firebirds general manager Dave McParlan said.

6 draft picks?

Guess they couldn't get at least one player from Saginaw who wanted to come to Flint as compared to an opportunity to play in the Memorial Cup.

Oh. That’s how it works? Thank you. I didn’t realize that everytime a player gets traded for just draft picks that it’s because no players wanted to go to the other team. Good to know. On a side note, which player on Saginaw that has a realistic shot of being moved this year did you want in return?

 

[DeletedAccountt]

Oh. That’s how it works? Thank you. I didn’t realize that everytime a player gets traded for just draft picks that it’s because no players wanted to go to the other team. Good to know. On a side note, which player on Saginaw that has a realistic shot of being moved this year did you want in return?

Misa...

 

[uDunnoNEthing]

“Ethan came to us and expressed his desire for a change of scenery, thinking it would be in his best interest,” Firebirds general manager Dave McParlan said.

6 draft picks?

Guess they couldn't get at least one player from Saginaw who wanted to come to Flint as compared to an opportunity to play in the Memorial Cup.

You are right.

This never happens.

When a player is traded there is always a player going back the other way. Flint is a bunch of fools.

Hay was drafted for Pete’s sake. That means Saginaw should have easily given up Misa and Parekh plus the 6 picks, neither of those scrubs were drafted yet.

 

[dirty12]

Just to note. That ‘24 Saginaw 2nd round pick will be one of, if not the last pick in the 2nd round.

6 draft picks?

Guess they couldn't get at least one player from Saginaw who wanted to come to Flint as compared to an opportunity to play in the Memorial Cup.

2, 3 in ‘24 is the best case scenario. That is at least equivalent to 2, 3, 3, 4 spread out 2025-27.
For a mid-3rd prior to the draft Sudbury received 2-3s in consecutive years.

 

[MJ5]

Since the opening weekend they just keep getting better.

Another good W. Great game by Day.

 

[Hockeypolice]

Solid defensive game. Huge W.

 

[DeletedAccountt]

Since the opening weekend they just keep getting better.

Another good W. Great game by Day.

Day held his composure for sure and kept the Birds in this one so they could come back. Good game!

 

[Savard18]

No Ethan Hay. Oh yeah. Also no Smith, Dann or Kaden Pitre. So one top pairing D and two top 6 forwards out. 4 16yo dressed. One D is his first OHL game. One D in his 2nd OHL game. A 16yo 12th rnd draft pick playing in his 9th? game. I used to really like the ‘05 class for next year. Not as much now. Still….how do you NOT try to build a Championship squad around Day? They used to have a ton of pieces to around him. Not as much now. I’m just not sold there’s enough to take a run with the ‘06’s. It’s still WAY too early but if management is gonna go FULL rebuild around the ‘07’s? Ok. I’m in at this point. Just pick an effing age group to build a contender with. And do it for real. Y’know. Like the last 8 OHL finals teams. Probably like the last 36 or 37 out of 40 actually and it’s also still WAY too early. But if wanna sign Flache and staff all the way through that run? I’m in at this point too. I also hyped Dent as a coach for a good portion of his time here though too. So I’ve been wrong before.

 

[Hockytwn51419]

Todays agenda:

1. Play a full 60 (there is a 2nd period to every game)
2. Tighten up the D
3. Cut the parade to the box


Side note - is Kaden hurt?

 

[uDunnoNEthing]

Todays agenda:

1. Play a full 60 (there is a 2nd period to every game)
2. Tighten up the D
3. Cut the parade to the box


Side note - is Kaden hurt?

Has to be. Hopefully it’s nothing long term, he had a good start to the season.

 

[MJ5]

Todays agenda:

1. Play a full 60 (there is a 2nd period to every game)
2. Tighten up the D
3. Cut the parade to the box


Side note - is Kaden hurt?

Did a pretty good job of your 3 points tonight.

Saginaw has a lethal power play. So holding them to 1 for 3 tonight actually lowered their %.

 

[Savard18]

Was just looking over the preliminary rosters for U17’s. No Jeremy Martin? That would be great for Flint but pretty disappointing for Martin I’d imagine. Hockey Canada took Jack Nesbitt from Windsor and Wesley Royston from Erie who’ve combined for 1g 1pt and -13 over 21 games. Jeremy has 5 goals in 12 and has been impactful pretty much every night in some fashion.

 

[Stellar29]

Was just looking over the preliminary rosters for U17’s. No Jeremy Martin? That would be great for Flint but pretty disappointing for Martin I’d imagine. Hockey Canada took Jack Nesbitt from Windsor and Wesley Royston from Erie who’ve combined for 1g 1pt and -13 over 21 games. Jeremy has 5 goals in 12 and has been impactful pretty much every night in some fashion.

Only sending two teams this year instead of three which hurts. There's a number of head scratchers that didn't get the invite.

 

[MJ5]

These camera angles in Owen Sound suck.

 

[Savard18]

Pretty impressive little run they’re currently on. Some things still need work and there’s some players doing some things that still drive me insane but the guys they need producing have been producing and the youngsters for the most part are still performing a bit better than I expected. I’m still a believer in sell this year and still hate the Ethan Hay trade but they do have some picks now so maybe just a soft sell. Ask Gavin or Coulson if they want another real shot at a Championship and move just one of them. Then go all-in next year. That being said…..nobody looks REALLY impressive right now and the ‘Birds have looked like they can hang with most of the top contenders. Let’s get a look at Missy (this weekend) and London though.