Hamilton Bulldogs 2022 Off-season Thread
- Thread starter EON
- Start date
-
Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
- Status
BobHockey
Registered User
- Jul 9, 2015
- 245
- 468
Great season Bulldogs !
Kudos to SJ for being prepared for the tournament and executing their game plans.
I honestly think the tournament format for the Memorial Cup needs to be revised. SJ was an early exit from the Q playoffs and had a number of weeks to get healthy, scout the OHL, WHL and QMJHL teams, develop game plans etc. In the meantime the other three teams, while battle hardened, were tired and had numerous injuries going into the Cup. They also had little opportunity to be able to scout SJ in a playoff atmosphere. This has happened a few times in recent years - the Knights were beaten by Shawinigan which was the host and an early exit from the playoffs and more recently Windsor.
I am not sure of the solution. Perhaps a 2 of 3 final in the event the host team makes the final? It just seems like a bit of a farcical outcome to me
Kudos to SJ for being prepared for the tournament and executing their game plans.
I honestly think the tournament format for the Memorial Cup needs to be revised. SJ was an early exit from the Q playoffs and had a number of weeks to get healthy, scout the OHL, WHL and QMJHL teams, develop game plans etc. In the meantime the other three teams, while battle hardened, were tired and had numerous injuries going into the Cup. They also had little opportunity to be able to scout SJ in a playoff atmosphere. This has happened a few times in recent years - the Knights were beaten by Shawinigan which was the host and an early exit from the playoffs and more recently Windsor.
I am not sure of the solution. Perhaps a 2 of 3 final in the event the host team makes the final? It just seems like a bit of a farcical outcome to me
I agree with you, but there’s no easy fix. The tournament needs a host team to draw the fan support and local interest. But if the host team flames out early, there’s clear evidence in the past decade that it can be quite the advantage.
Rob
Registered User
barriers
Registered User
- Feb 10, 2020
- 2,989
- 5,447
Congrats Bulldogs represented the “O” extremely well. Tough to lose but no shame here as you all battled to the bitter end.
It really hasn’t been an advantage just seven host have won.
Fair enough. But in the past decade you’ve got Saint John, Windsor, Regina and shawinigan all winning/making the finals after resting for the month before the tournament. I believe it to be an advantage of you can rest up for a month while the champions are taking beatings through their playoff grind. Just my opinion
Hamilton Bulldogs
Registered User
- Jan 11, 2022
- 4,614
- 6,548
Should be an interesting off season.
I think the Bulldogs will be good again and surprise some people.
I think the Bulldogs will be good again and surprise some people.
It’ll probably be a similar team to the ‘18/19 one, probably better but the depth won’t be there
dont have a 2nd or 3rd for the next three years, have to decide if filling the cupboards is more important then winning a few rounds this year. i bet the sell when they can, but thats just my hunch.
Rounder8
Registered User
- Sep 28, 2018
- 1,139
- 1,047
I think that this will be the case.
They are going to be way to thin on defense to make a legit run.
If they get guys like Morrison, Hayes and Winterton back I bet they are dealt at the deadline for a bunch of picks.
Hammer9001
Registered User
Still proud of the boys despite the outcome. There's no shame in losing to a good a well rested team that nearly ran the gauntlet in the memorial and only suffered an OTL. Appreciate all the support guys to all the fans across the league who were cheering for us as reps of the O. Will certainly return the favor.
As far as the tournament the tournament format. It simply is what it is. There are very few markets I think that could host a financially successful memorial without host support and there just isn't enough cash nor time to humor a NHL style traveling format. At the end of the day, a good host team that suffers an early playoff exit, is going to come into the cup with far fresher legs.
Even if you put in place rules against the host (or any team for that matter) from "Loading up" and booked the host too far in advance to see if you'd have a good team that year, this will still happen, and I don't think anyone wants those kind of rules to be in place.
Anyways, if it was possible to host a financially successful cup without a host team, I would love to see a quick, 2nd place team round robin tourney. The 2nd place finalists of each league play a quick 3 game prelim round (4 game if a points tie and goal diff tie occurs) for the 4th spot in the cup. That gives the champs of all the leagues at least a few days of rest for earning their spot.
Again, so proud of the boys, earning 4 more banners for the First Ontario Centre. Onward and upward boys, the story of this season is over. On to the next one, no matter what it may be.
As far as the tournament the tournament format. It simply is what it is. There are very few markets I think that could host a financially successful memorial without host support and there just isn't enough cash nor time to humor a NHL style traveling format. At the end of the day, a good host team that suffers an early playoff exit, is going to come into the cup with far fresher legs.
Even if you put in place rules against the host (or any team for that matter) from "Loading up" and booked the host too far in advance to see if you'd have a good team that year, this will still happen, and I don't think anyone wants those kind of rules to be in place.
Anyways, if it was possible to host a financially successful cup without a host team, I would love to see a quick, 2nd place team round robin tourney. The 2nd place finalists of each league play a quick 3 game prelim round (4 game if a points tie and goal diff tie occurs) for the 4th spot in the cup. That gives the champs of all the leagues at least a few days of rest for earning their spot.
Again, so proud of the boys, earning 4 more banners for the First Ontario Centre. Onward and upward boys, the story of this season is over. On to the next one, no matter what it may be.
The bulldogs posses a 3rd pick for every draft I believe, though I believe the bulldogs will look to recoup some picks as well.
Jay McKee nailed it. They are Champions of Champions. The Bulldogs won the OHL Championship and eliminated the WHL and QMJHL Champions at the Memorial Cup.
Steve Staios said they won a championship but lost a tournament.
The Bulldogs did the OHL and Hamilton proud.
Steve Staios said they won a championship but lost a tournament.
The Bulldogs did the OHL and Hamilton proud.
Rounder8
Registered User
- Sep 28, 2018
- 1,139
- 1,047
I agree.
All of the league champions should be proud.
Hard for me to say this because I'm a Bulldogs fan, but I believe that if all of these teams played a 7 game series the Edmonton Oil Kings would have won. That's just my opinion and we'll never know.
I really don't think that much can be done about the format anyways. Saint John would have lost money in a big way if it was just league champions there and not their team. Why would any city want to host?
Maybe a good sign for next year is that no matter who stays or goes among the 02 born players, the team will receive some good draft picks in trades for whoever they have to deal away. Could be some re-stockpiling there
barriers
Registered User
- Feb 10, 2020
- 2,989
- 5,447
Hammer9001
Registered User
So far Staios's mentality has been to make the playoffs every year, but not necessarily make a splash every year. He wants to build a lasting franchise where people want to send their kids. I think unless someone puts forward a kings ransom, he'll keep his overagers till the deadline and trade to restock the cupboard.
yup, I agree, other then the goalie which I think they would need to do soonish.
Rounder8
Registered User
- Sep 28, 2018
- 1,139
- 1,047
Yes, that's what he did the last time that they made the Memorial Cup.
He dealt Entwistle and Saigeon at the deadline. Also, wanted to trade Strome, but Strome asked to stay.
They were the only Memorial Cup team to make the playoffs the following year.
Canadian Game
Registered User
Biondi committed to Guelph U. That’s one less possible OA next season. I liked him being on the fourth line but with the OAs available, it was obvious he wouldn’t be returning.
Rounder8
Registered User
- Sep 28, 2018
- 1,139
- 1,047
- Status
