Flint Firebirds 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[dirty12]

Sitting 7th now, I don't think they are 2 players from being a top 4 team. Think that's pretty clear it's Saginaw, London, Kitch, and Soo.

AT this time, I would rather sell Hayes/Kressler at the deadline and make next year a go for it year.

They could also go on a run here and by the end of December I could be screaming buy buy buy.

The west is wide open imo. Saginaw and any of Guelph, Flint, SSM, OS, London, Kitchener willing and able to add impact players to an area that is now not a strength.

I’ve seen a few next year posts here. I didn’t understand it before the Hay trade. I see a lot picks had by trading ‘05 Petrovsky & Hay and ‘06 Patterson that Flint might be able to use to acquire D than can support a run this season.

 

[MJ5]

Flint Firebirds

2024

BFD 2nd SBY 2nd SAG 2nd

3rd NB 3rd

---

5th MISS 5th SAR 5th

6th SSM 6th

7th

8th

9th

10th LDN 10th

11th SBY 11th

12th GUE 12th*

13th

---

15th

2025

KIT 2nd

3rd OS 3rd

PBO 4th

5th OSH 5th

WSR 6th

SAG 7th

8th

9th

10th WSR 10th*

11th

12th

13th

14th

15th

2026

---

PBO 3rd BAR 3rd

BAR 4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

12th

13th

14th

---

2027

2nd KIT 2nd

3rd BAR 3rd

4th BAR 4th

5th SAG 5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

12th

13th

14th

15th

2028

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

12th

13th

14th

15th

 

[Savard18]

Once other teams finish their buying Flint will be too far out. Do we want to see them empty the cupboards to repeat a half buy in again like last year and have the same results as the last two years? They’re playing a 16yo 13th round pick and basically two 17yo rookie D on a nightly basis. Yes, those 3 have played well though. The second pairing are sophomores. They’d need 2 D with one of them being an absolute stud. Day and the entire D core return next year. Move Hayes to a real contender for a few high end picks and a stud 16 or 17yo. If the right offer comes along for Kressler, consider that too. They either go half in like last year and get embarrassed again or go full in hoping they’re ready and next year they’ll look like Windsor does now with the risk of repeating Erie’s last 5 playoff free years. Screw that. Moves Hayes. Maybe Kressler. Take two of those 2nd round picks in ‘24 and trade them down the road for a pair of future 2nd’s and couple more picks. The entire D core and Day return next year and now they’re loaded with enough draft capital to go acquire whatever they need and then some. It doesn’t strip the cupboard bare and they can spin it back around after one rebuild year and go again with Martin, Fellinger etc. and right now? Martin looks as good as Othmann/Dellandrea/Keppen ever did. As unreal as it seems I think Fellinger looks as good as Bertucci did at 16 too. They should still have Brown in net as an OA at that point too and he looks like a gamer so far.

Look at those picks next year too. Saginaw? Sudbury? Missy? Soo? Those are late round picks.

 

[dirty12]

Once other teams finish their buying Flint will be too far out. Do we want to see them empty the cupboards to repeat a half buy in again like last year and have the same results as the last two years? They’re playing a 16yo 13th round pick and basically two 17yo rookie D on a nightly basis. Yes, those 3 have played well though. The second pairing are sophomores. They’d need 2 D with one of them being an absolute stud. Day and the entire D core return next year. Move Hayes to a real contender for a few high end picks and a stud 16 or 17yo. If the right offer comes along for Kressler, consider that too. They either go half in like last year and get embarrassed again or go full in hoping they’re ready and next year they’ll look like Windsor does now with the risk of repeating Erie’s last 5 playoff free years. Screw that. Moves Hayes. Maybe Kressler. Take two of those 2nd round picks in ‘24 and trade them down the road for a pair of future 2nd’s and couple more picks. The entire D core and Day return next year and now they’re loaded with enough draft capital to go acquire whatever they need and then some. It doesn’t strip the cupboard bare and they can spin it back around after one rebuild year and go again with Martin, Fellinger etc. and right now? Martin looks as good as Othmann/Dellandrea/Keppen ever did. As unreal as it seems I think Fellinger looks as good as Bertucci did at 16 too. They should still have Brown in net as an OA at that point too and he looks like a gamer so far.

Look at those picks next year too. Saginaw? Sudbury? Missy? Soo? Those are late round picks.

A ‘24 2nd is worth a 2025-27 2nd plus 3rd. Flint cannot buy enough to compare a near future like Windsor or Erie after back to back to back runs at a title.
Trading Bertucci next season to build around the 2006-07, I can see. Buying a Handful of players to surround Bertucci & Day I cannot.

 

[Hockytwn51419]

I'll have to watch the replay. Was at MSU vs Butler and then walked next door to watch MSU knock off #1 Wisconsin.

Was at the MSU/Wisconsin game as well, great game.

 

[Savard18]

A ‘24 2nd is worth a 2025-27 2nd plus 3rd. Flint cannot buy enough to compare a near future like Windsor or Erie after back to back to back runs at a title.
Trading Bertucci next season to build around the 2006-07, I can see. Buying a Handful of players to surround Bertucci & Day I cannot.

You just listed 7 teams in the West who could go for it this year. Who in the West line up well for next year? It won’t be 7 I’m pretty sure about that.

The west is wide open imo. Saginaw and any of Guelph, Flint, SSM, OS, London, Kitchener willing and able to add impact players to an area that is now not a strength.

I’ve seen a few next year posts here. I didn’t understand it before the Hay trade. I see a lot picks had by trading ‘05 Petrovsky & Hay and ‘06 Patterson that Flint might be able to use to acquire D than can support a run this season.

First things first. They’ll need two D to truly compete and one of them will need to be a 3-zone stud. Now who out there that’s available do you see filling that position? If it’s an OA, Dann would have to be released or traded and I don’t see either of those scenarios happening. Unless Guryev is returned. Unlikely but he is in the ECHL now and has only played 3 games there this year. I like Jenken. Stojkov has shown potential at times but right now they are both bottom pairing on a contender. They keep trending upwards and Guryev gets returned I may change my thinking.

 

[MJ5]

Was at the MSU/Wisconsin game as well, great game.

Absolutely was. Missed the 1st period at the basketball game, made it in Munn just after Wisconsin made it 1-1. Finished the 2nd strong, and played a good.

 

[dirty12]

You just listed 7 teams in the West who could go for it this year. Who in the West line up well for next year? It won’t be 7 I’m pretty sure about that.


Next season is the year for London & Erie. It is most certainly not for Flint imo. Probably SSM, OS and/or Guelph abstain from buying if Flint comes out the deadline with McCoy and lesser additions. McCoy is a difference maker on defence and just now starting to realize the offence that was projected in his draft year.




First things first. They’ll need two D to truly compete and one of them will need to be a 3-zone stud. Now who out there that’s available do you see filling that position? If it’s an OA, Dann would have to be released or traded and I don’t see either of those scenarios happening. Unless Guryev is returned. Unlikely but he is in the ECHL now and has only played 3 games there this year. I like Jenken. Stojkov has shown potential at times but right now they are both bottom pairing on a contender. They keep trending upwards and Guryev gets returned I may change my thinking.

 

[Savard18]

You know I always listen and respect your opinions but I’m gonna have to pull an OMG on this one and disagree with you. To be honest though, I’d bet McParlan does another light buy in this year and they get knocked out in the first round. Then he doesn’t have the assets next year to build a true contender, strips the cupboard clean and they get knocked out in the 1st 3 rounds again. In your scenario Braeden Kressler has to stay healthy for it to even have a chance. I’m not making that gamble.

 

[dirty12]

Not many teams can over come an injury to a top four player. Maybe the Wolves, but need to become a team before they can become a contender.

 

[MJ5]

Great bounce back in Sarnia this afternoon.

Nice to take 4 of 6 on the weekend, but after the 1st yesterday should have been 6 of 6.

 

[Hockeypolice]

Great bounce back in Sarnia this afternoon.

Nice to take 4 of 6 on the weekend, but after the 1st yesterday should have been 6 of 6.

Both teams looked tired, but nice W and we are finally over .500. Go Birds!!!

 

[Hockytwn51419]

Next step, disguising the Dort as a road arena for the boys.

 

[Savard18]

Next step, disguising the Dort as a road arena for the boys.

For real. Everytime I walk in there and it looks like it’s gonna be a packed house (this upcoming Wednesday ) I walk up and remind my boys “Full house. It’ll be an L” and it seems more often than not I’m right. I don’t know why. I know former billets, have talked to players parents, hung out with Wellwood’s Dad every game he came to. The players legit feel it’s one of if not the loudest/craziest buildings with great fans. That’s not player PR. They mean it.

 

[Kingpin794]

For real. Everytime I walk in there and it looks like it’s gonna be a packed house (this upcoming Wednesday ) I walk up and remind my boys “Full house. It’ll be an L” and it seems more often than not I’m right. I don’t know why. I know former billets, have talked to players parents, hung out with Wellwood’s Dad every game he came to. The players legit feel it’s one of if not the loudest/craziest buildings with great fans. That’s not player PR. They mean it.

Oh it definitely is. Flint fans are a passionate bunch. Lower roof compared to other arenas also has to help with that. Nowhere for the sound to go.

 

[donjohnson]

Any Flint fans traveling for Thanksgiving Wednesday night and looking to get rid of your tickets? We may be coming down with some friends, looking for 4.

 

[uDunnoNEthing]

Any Flint fans traveling for Thanksgiving Wednesday night and looking to get rid of your tickets? We may be coming down with some friends, looking for 4.

I’ll sell you 4.

$35 each.

 

[donjohnson]

I’ll sell you 4.

$35 each.

Tough to beat that deal

 

[Firebird Fan26]

When are trades coming? We definitely need some “D”

 

[PuckStop75]

When are trades coming? We definitely need some “D”

Konnor Smith would be a good fit, Petes need picks in this years draft which Flint has an abundance of. Smith was a 9th rounder so it would be surprising if he had a no trade.

 

[OHL4Life]

Konnor Smith would be a good fit, Petes need picks in this years draft which Flint has an abundance of. Smith was a 9th rounder so it would be surprising if he had a no trade.

may not have an official no trade, but most (not all) teams give the kid the option to not go if they dont want to go. its not a win window for flint, why buy?

 

[dirty12]

Should Flint be able to get McCoy, it can become a win now window imo.

 

[ohloutsider]

Should Flint be able to get McCoy, it can become a win now window imo.

I can't see Flint looking up the standings at Saginaw, Soo and London and thinking about buying and going for it. This should be a standpat softsell kinda year for them.

 

[dirty12]

I can't see Flint looking up the standings at Saginaw, Soo and London and thinking about buying and going for it. This should be a standpat softsell kinda year for them.

Maybe. McCoy would completely change the dynamic of the D though imo. And he will be a two year player. Another two year forward or import for the third line; Flint would be a very good team with plenty of future picks left over

 

[Savard18]

Should Flint be able to get McCoy, it can become a win now window imo.

I still think they’d be foolish (that is their MO though) to try and buy this year. Sure, they’re decent and would be pretty good with a D upgrade like McCoy but you don’t buy when you’re in 7th or 8th place. It just ends up being a waste and they’ve done enough of that in the last 12 months.