Guelph Storm 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part I

[Long Reach]

Small sample, but what are the fans’ thoughts on Jenken so far?

 

[StormWatcher]

Jovo with the 40 save shutout in his first start as a full timer!!! Well done!

Small sample, but what are the fans’ thoughts on Jenken so far?

He's definitely been solid. Now that our D are healthy, and with the Allen move, he's slotted into the 3rd spot and is looking good. He put up some points to debut, but overall looks like one of those D that you don't notice much in a good way.

Wow, another great addition.

Even with all our injuries we may need to move at least 1 D as we now have 9. (Including 5 07's 1 08) If so it may be for picks only as we only have a few cards remaining. Can't have too may draft picks.

FWIW Topp was scratched tonight, and was on the trade block last season.

 

[MidwestStorm]

Budnick's offensive numbers are very impressive this year. Almost a point a game and a plus 14 which is the team leader. Next best is plus 3 and even Cam was a minus.
Add goals in each of his 2 games back from injury.
Maybe a cheaper option than Smith to upgrade this year. Not sure what is holding up the Smith trade. Brampton and Windsor rumoured to be the front runners.

 

[StormWatcher]

Luchanko may be in the lineup this afternoon against Kitchener. I'd expect Jovo to get the start.

 

[Living Vicariously]

I hope Topp’s not on the block. If they are just looking to get numbers down, I can give them some ideas. To start with, they could stop with the experiment of #4 on the PP and maybe look at moving him. I’m quite tired of seeing the same thing over and over again hoping the result will change - that’s the definition of insanity.

 

[MidwestStorm]

I also prefer Topp is not traded however I believe we need to move a couple D. Most buyers are looking for 05 or 06 and prices are crazy if the price for Smith is a player and 5 or 6 draft picks.
To me there are 4 options and I would be satisfied with a Sandu picks only type return and get market or slightly below.
#4 as an 07 does have value but we now have 4 others and an 08 that need to play.
If you look at our draft board i think resolving our D is almost more important than moving Jett.
Stillman says the plan still is to make the playoffs so we need more wins the second half.

 

[stormfollower]

I hope Topp’s not on the block. If they are just looking to get numbers down, I can give them some ideas. To start with, they could stop with the experiment of #4 on the PP and maybe look at moving him. I’m quite tired of seeing the same thing over and over again hoping the result will change - that’s the definition of insanity.

They need to rethink the PP in general. There is more than just #4 that needs a rethink.

 

[StormWatcher]

#4 is no doubt frustrating. But I feel like the tools are there, the skating is good, decision-making can improve. I feel like the D can sort itself out with competition amongst themselves. #17 and #21 are lower on the depth chart/on the outside looking in in my opinion. No need to rush, this D core has the potential to be among the top in two years time. Frossard is an '08, he'll draw in. He's not owed huge minutes as an '08 D rookie.

 

[LostRangers]

George is on fire. I love the return and the fact that we will get to see Ellsworth and Jovanovski.
A note to fans, our D and G are now primarily '07's. PATIENCE is going to be required. Budnick is out with injury, meaning that our defense is very inexperienced. I love the fact that our young '07/'08 tandem will get a tonne of development minutes and I'm excited for the future of this group.

Big props to Guelph fans for their continued support of a team in a rebuild. It seeems every game I check on there seems to be 4K plus in attendance. Those are real hockey fans! Enjoy the ride on the up escalator to future success.

 

[StormWatcher]

Big props to Guelph fans for their continued support of a team in a rebuild. It seeems every game I check on there seems to be 4K plus in attendance. Those are real hockey fans! Enjoy the ride on the up escalator to future success.

The new owners have added capacity and are pumping promos. It's a hopping atmosphere for sure! I'd say half the barn on any given night doesn't know they are in a rebuild. lol.

 

[LostRangers]

The new owners have added capacity and are pumping promos. It's a hopping atmosphere for sure! I'd say half the barn on any given night doesn't know they are in a rebuild. lol.

Tried to get two seats for this afternoon’s game…none together, and only a couple singles per section, if any. Whatever they are doing, it’s working!

 

[Living Vicariously]

#4 is no doubt frustrating. But I feel like the tools are there, the skating is good, decision-making can improve. I feel like the D can sort itself out with competition amongst themselves. #17 and #21 are lower on the depth chart/on the outside looking in in my opinion. No need to rush, this D core has the potential to be among the top in two years time. Frossard is an '08, he'll draw in. He's not owed huge minutes as an '08 D rookie.

#17 I agree with, but IMHO #21 has made big strides in terms of improvement this season, especially on the physical end of things.

 

[StormWatcher]

#17 I agree with, but IMHO #21 has made big strides in terms of improvement this season, especially on the physical end of things.

The PIMS have at times been super frustrating... not giving up on him, just saying that depth and competition on D will be a good thing moving forward. With so many '07 D on the same trajectory, they are going to have to want it and work hard.

 

[stormfollower]

The PIMS have at times been super frustrating... not giving up on him, just saying that depth and competition on D will be a good thing moving forward. With so many '07 D on the same trajectory, they are going to have to want it and work hard.

21 needs to focus more on the game and less on fighting. The team needs a “defensive defence man. 13 and 4 are more interested in scoring goals than playing defence.

 

[StormWatcher]

The PIMS have at times been super frustrating... not giving up on him, just saying that depth and competition on D will be a good thing moving forward. With so many '07 D on the same trajectory, they are going to have to want it and work hard

21 needs to focus more on the game and less on fighting. The team needs a “defensive defence man. 13 and 4 are more interested in scoring goals than playing defence.

To be fair, you pair those guys with defensive defenseman. #13 is the real deal, and is humble/good character. My guess is we see #59 and #19 pair with these two as the stay at home. #3 is a question mark who may develop into that role in future. My hope is that #4 learns to choose his spot as he matures, and has a strong stay at home partner. Similar to forward lines, this will be developed.

 

[MidwestStorm]

Whether true or not Jeff Marek is saying Jett may not be traded although the Knights do want him.
I agree and would not trade him to the Knights without Hawery and only 1 second available. Especially when he may be back next year and we if want to make the playoffs this year as they say.
We should not accept a lowball offer for Jett with the moves George has made already.

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Guelph is flush with picks, you need young bodies. I could see Read (07), Van Bommel (06) and Bidgood (07) for Lushanko but there would be several NTC that would have to be waived as they are high school students.

I know there would be screams of under value but those are three blue chips, maybe not all-stars but solid 3+ year players.

 

[tjziel]

Whether true or not Jeff Marek is saying Jett may not be traded although the Knights do want him.
I agree and would not trade him to the Knights without Hawery and only 1 second available. Especially when he may be back next year and we if want to make the playoffs this year as they say.
We should not accept a lowball offer for Jett with the moves George has made already.

I would move Hawery and the 2nd and whatever picks for Luchanko. No problem.

 

[Long Reach]

Guelph is flush with picks, you need young bodies. I could see Read (07), Van Bommel (06) and Bidgood (07) for Lushanko but there would be several NTC that would have to be waived as they are high school students.

I know there would be screams of under value but those are three blue chips, maybe not all-stars but solid 3+ year players.

1. Van Bommel is not high school age.
2. Bidgood and Van Bommel are depth players. One is 17 that has had a cup of coffee in the OHL. The other is 18 and struggling to stay on the fourth line.

You have to put yourself in Guelph’s shoes. Luchanko is 18. He may or may not come back next year. But why would Guelph settle for anything less than Hawery +++ or Van Gorp, Read, ++ for their star 18 year old? They don’t want spare parts for him. They want to cash in with good players/pieces coming back.

 

[StormWatcher]

1. Van Bommel is not high school age.
2. Bidgood and Van Bommel are depth players. One is 17 that has had a cup of coffee in the OHL. The other is 18 and struggling to stay on the fourth line.

You have to put yourself in Guelph’s shoes. Luchanko is 18. He may or may not come back next year. But why would Guelph settle for anything less than Hawery +++ or Van Gorp, Read, ++ for their star 18 year old? They don’t want spare parts for him. They want to cash in with good players/pieces coming back.

Thank you for saying this so I didn't have to.

IMO, George has done well enough with his last three sell off moves that if he wants to keep Luchanko I'm fine with that. It's better than setting a precedent. If he can get Hawery, that's great too. We'll have to wait and see.

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Thank you for saying this so I didn't have to.

IMO, George has done well enough with his last three sell off moves that if he wants to keep Luchanko I'm fine with that. It's better than setting a precedent. If he can get Hawery, that's great too. We'll have to wait and see.

I’m not trying to insult anyone here, there is no reason for Hunter to move Hawery, literally all we have is blue chips prospects that could benefit from more playing time.

If George can move Jett for an 08 he should do so, if he can’t they I agree that the best decision is to stand pat.

 

[sbpointer]

From a Knights fan perspective I think Guelph should hang on to Luchanko..
The package they would would need for him doesn't move the needle enough IMO.
Maybe Guelph gets him back next year maybe not.. I for one am hopeful GB rolls the dice on that.

 

[MidwestStorm]

Guelph is flush with picks, you need young bodies. I could see Read (07), Van Bommel (06) and Bidgood (07) for Lushanko but there would be several NTC that would have to be waived as they are high school students.

I know there would be screams of under value but those are three blue chips, maybe not all-stars but solid 3+ year players.

Are you not going to need these blue chips next year to replace Cowan, Barkey, Haltinen, Julian, Sim, Montgomery and Nurmi?
That would be quite a turnover and hard to replace with a depleted draft board unless you are not including any in the deal.

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Are you not going to need these blue chips next year to replace Cowan, Barkey, Haltinen, Julian, Sim, Montgomery and Nurmi?
That would be quite a turnover and hard to replace with a depleted draft board unless you are not including any in the deal.

I think for most organizations it would be next to impossible to replace, and the knights will take a step back next year for sure but they are very deep in prospects.

Next year they will replace the two imports, likely bring in a #2 goalie from the BCHL. They have a few NCAA kids likely to report ala Jaxon Cover etc. there will be big steps taken with Brzustewicz and Dickinson on the backend, O’Rielly Nicholl upfront.

 

[Long Reach]

I’m not trying to insult anyone here, there is no reason for Hunter to move Hawery, literally all we have is blue chips prospects that could benefit from more playing time.

If George can move Jett for an 08 he should do so, if he can’t they I agree that the best decision is to stand pat.

You’re clearly very loose with the words “blue chip.”