London Knights 2018-19 Season Thread (Part 8)

[imarriedawitch]

So what would your lines be? And keep in mind Dale loves a shutdown line and who is best suited for that on this squad. Im honestly interested.


Who would you saddle with Turko?

I have posted for a year n a half the staff loves Turko. He may fall to 4th line but then you are "saddling" a Guskov, Starnges or others.

A shutdown line has been extremely successful during the Hunter years. Some won't be happy unless there are 12 top 6 forwards, can't see that a goal stopped is as good as a goal scored. The trade deadline is passed, what you have is what you have. Make the best of it.

 

[vouve]

Knights peanut gallery:
To the guys raking #12 over the coals I got a real question - have you won anything ever? Even a houseleauge atom coach understands the value of a plus skater that will do anything the team needs him to do. Dale walks on water on these boards and somehow you know better? How can so many fans/minor coaches/dad that never-played-evers be that stupid? Even in London?

 

[Fastpace]

I think Panwar has showing alot better than Evangelista and its not even close imo

There are all kinds of personalities on a team of young teenagers, how they interact and buid chemistry among each others can varie from player to player, unlike Rowe last year both Dale and Mark are fairly high on Evangelista and have stated his skill and mind set was there for him, it's only be a matter of time before it unclogs for him

 

[KnightWatch]

Knights peanut gallery:
To the guys raking #12 over the coals I got a real question - have you won anything ever? Even a houseleauge atom coach understands the value of a plus skater that will do anything the team needs him to do. Dale walks on water on these boards and somehow you know better? How can so many fans/minor coaches/dad that never-played-evers be that stupid? Even in London?

LOL....and you guys wonder why people leave these forums? Many of you have no use for anyone who dares to disagree with you. Well, sorry, I'm not gonna kiss anyone's a$$ and agree with everything they say. Part of the thrill of participating in these forums is the ability to play armchair GM and express an opinion...even if it DARES to disagree with the old guard....and yes, vouve, I've won plenty coaching hockey, soccer and baseball....thanks for asking!

I've never said Turko didn't have value. To 80% of the teams out there, he would be extremely valuable, but (in my opinion....as crazy as it may seem to some of you), for a team looking to challenge for a Memorial Cup, I believe the Knights could have done better. The truth is Turko's playing style is more reminiscent of my own, more than anybody else on the team and I think he has done a brilliant job of maximizing his value through the use of what skills he has, but.....just as I recognize my own limitations, I also see the same limitations in Turko, and I wouldn't call that "raking him over the coals". He will never be an offensively-gifted player at this level, and for someone who plays 20 minutes a game against the opposition's top line, I think we could do better. There are players out there who can play great defense, yet still put the puck in the net as well and I think we have 3 of them in Tymkin, Moskal and Cotter.

So, who would you rather see playing 20 minutes a game, Turko or Cotter? For me, it's no contest.

...and sorry to harp on trade deadline mistakes, but hey, that's just me trying to play armchair GM again....sorry if you have to suffer through my musings.

I've said before, while I like Turko, Keane and Hancock, if I were GM, I would've hung on to Perrott and Coome as my 5th and 6th defenders and I would've attempted to acquire maximum size and talent up front.....call me crazy if you must, but I've always believed that it's the lack of offense (against strong defensive teams...ie. not Windsor) that will ended up costing us a championship this season. Don't get me wrong, I love Hancock, but if I couldn't get him without giving up Perrott, then I would've moved on to the next target.

...and yes, maybe Brazeau wasn't available or would've cost too much, if that's the case move on to the next target...there were plenty available. He's just an example of the type of player I think we could've benefited from.

Perhaps you'll all see what I mean, when we end up losing in the playoffs in a crucial low-scoring game, because we were unable to come up with that tying goal when we needed it, but then, I doubt any of you will ever admit that I may have been right.

Again, even though I respect all of your opinions, I refuse to simply kiss butt and agree with everything the old guard says. If all you guys want are little minions who hang on your every word and agree with everything you say, please let me know and I'll be happy to move on!

Carry on!

 

[Fastpace]

A shutdown line has been extremely successful during the Hunter years. Some won't be happy unless there are 12 top 6 forwards, can't see that a goal stopped is as good as a goal scored. The trade deadline is passed, what you have is what you have. Make the best of it.

I think the 2016 playoffs series without Owen McDonald centering the third line would have been very difficult for the Knights, even with the best junior line on their team. Not only could they put their big opponents in checks but also were able to score many timely goals of their own, how can we forget McDonald's overtime winner in Niagara after their huge come from behind game in league final.

Now we have Moskal's line flanked by Turko and Tymkin, all three off them are better skaters to McDonald's line of Chandler Yakimowicz and Chad Heffernan were, Turko may not bring much offensively but he is one of the hardest worker on the ice frustrating opponents every chance he gets.

 

[zman77]

LOL....and you guys wonder why people leave these forums? Many of you have no use for anyone who dares to disagree with you. Well, sorry, I'm not gonna kiss anyone's a$$ and agree with everything they say. Part of the thrill of participating in these forums is the ability to play armchair GM and express an opinion...even if it DARES to disagree with the old guard....and yes, vouve, I've won plenty coaching hockey, soccer and baseball....thanks for asking!

I've never said Turko didn't have value. To 80% of the teams out there, he would be extremely valuable, but (in my opinion....as crazy as it may seem to some of you), for a team looking to challenge for a Memorial Cup, I believe the Knights could have done better. The truth is Turko's playing style is more reminiscent of my own, more than anybody else on the team and I think he has done a brilliant job of maximizing his value through the use of what skills he has, but.....just as I recognize my own limitations, I also see the same limitations in Turko, and I wouldn't call that "raking him over the coals". He will never be an offensively-gifted player at this level, and for someone who plays 20 minutes a game against the opposition's top line, I think we could do better. There are players out there who can play great defense, yet still put the puck in the net as well and I think we have 3 of them in Tymkin, Moskal and Cotter.

So, who would you rather see playing 20 minutes a game, Turko or Cotter? For me, it's no contest.

...and sorry to harp on trade deadline mistakes, but hey, that's just me trying to play armchair GM again....sorry if you have to suffer through my musings.

I've said before, while I like Turko, Keane and Hancock, if I were GM, I would've hung on to Perrott and Coome as my 5th and 6th defenders and I would've attempted to acquire maximum size and talent up front.....call me crazy if you must, but I've always believed that it's the lack of offense (against strong defensive teams...ie. not Windsor) that will ended up costing us a championship this season. Don't get me wrong, I love Hancock, but if I couldn't get him without giving up Perrott, then I would've moved on to the next target.

...and yes, maybe Brazeau wasn't available or would've cost too much, if that's the case move on to the next target...there were plenty available. He's just an example of the type of player I think we could've benefited from.

Perhaps you'll all see what I mean, when we end up losing in the playoffs in a crucial low-scoring game, because we were unable to come up with that tying goal when we needed, but then, I doubt any of you will ever admit that I may have been right.

Again, even though I respect all of your opinions, I refuse to simply kiss butt and agree with everything the old guard says.

Carry on!

KnightWatch:
Perrott looked much better last season. His skating went 'backwards.' He wanted to be traded
and Mark honoured that request. Gerard Keane is a much better skater-playmaker at 16 years.
Joey Keane was an excellent trade for the Knights and gives them the best D in the O.
Hancock is the 3rd leading scorer who plays a nifty team game including FO's, PK and PP.
Would you prefer that we get Brazeau who wasn't going to moved by North Bay?
Turko: Is the ultimate team player for the Knights.
He plays with speed, grit and passion.
You come from an 'only if' space.
Mark gets Paul Cotter for free.
Formenton is ready to go.
Team is gelling nicely.
#1 team in the O!

 

[Fastpace]

Knights peanut gallery:
To the guys raking #12 over the coals I got a real question - have you won anything ever? Even a houseleauge atom coach understands the value of a plus skater that will do anything the team needs him to do. Dale walks on water on these boards and somehow you know better? How can so many fans/minor coaches/dad that never-played-evers be that stupid? Even in London?

My mistake!!! - I truly thought we was in a Knights fans forum sharing, I didn't know members needed coaching experience to qualify their opinions in a post

 

[Fastpace]

LOL....and you guys wonder why people leave these forums? Many of you have no use for anyone who dares to disagree with you. Well, sorry, I'm not gonna kiss anyone's a$$ and agree with everything they say. Part of the thrill of participating in these forums is the ability to play armchair GM and express an opinion...even if it DARES to disagree with the old guard....and yes, vouve, I've won plenty coaching hockey, soccer and baseball....thanks for asking!

I've never said Turko didn't have value. To 80% of the teams out there, he would be extremely valuable, but (in my opinion....as crazy as it may seem to some of you), for a team looking to challenge for a Memorial Cup, I believe the Knights could have done better. The truth is Turko's playing style is more reminiscent of my own, more than anybody else on the team and I think he has done a brilliant job of maximizing his value through the use of what skills he has, but.....just as I recognize my own limitations, I also see the same limitations in Turko, and I wouldn't call that "raking him over the coals". He will never be an offensively-gifted player at this level, and for someone who plays 20 minutes a game against the opposition's top line, I think we could do better. There are players out there who can play great defense, yet still put the puck in the net as well and I think we have 3 of them in Tymkin, Moskal and Cotter.

So, who would you rather see playing 20 minutes a game, Turko or Cotter? For me, it's no contest.

...and sorry to harp on trade deadline mistakes, but hey, that's just me trying to play armchair GM again....sorry if you have to suffer through my musings.

I've said before, while I like Turko, Keane and Hancock, if I were GM, I would've hung on to Perrott and Coome as my 5th and 6th defenders and I would've attempted to acquire maximum size and talent up front.....call me crazy if you must, but I've always believed that it's the lack of offense (against strong defensive teams...ie. not Windsor) that will ended up costing us a championship this season. Don't get me wrong, I love Hancock, but if I couldn't get him without giving up Perrott, then I would've moved on to the next target.

...and yes, maybe Brazeau wasn't available or would've cost too much, if that's the case move on to the next target...there were plenty available. He's just an example of the type of player I think we could've benefited from.

Perhaps you'll all see what I mean, when we end up losing in the playoffs in a crucial low-scoring game, because we were unable to come up with that tying goal when we needed it, but then, I doubt any of you will ever admit that I may have been right.

Again, even though I respect all of your opinions, I refuse to simply kiss butt and agree with everything the old guard says. If all you guys want are little minions who hang on your every word and agree with everything you say, please let me know and I'll be happy to move on!

Carry on!

Turko is a very hard worker, if you can isolate him from the rest on the ice for a few shifts you would surely appreciate a lot more why Dale has him on the ice in crucial moments of the game

 

[KnightWatch]

KnightWatch:
Perrott looked much better last season. His skating went 'backwards.' He wanted to be traded
and Mark honoured that request. Gerard Keane is a much better skater-playmaker at 16 years.
Joey Keane was an excellent trade for the Knights and gives them the best D in the O.
Hancock is the 3rd leading scorer who plays a nifty team game including FO's, PK and PP.
Would you prefer that we get Brazeau who wasn't going to moved by North Bay?
Turko: Is the ultimate team player for the Knights.
He plays with speed, grit and passion.
You come from an 'only if' space.
Mark gets Paul Cotter for free.
Formenton is ready to go.
Team is gelling nicely.
#1 team in the O!

Maybe Perrott was experiencing some sort of sophomore slump to start the season, and I'm not sure the Hunters gave him enough ice-time to work through it. If they were willing to put up with a few growing pains, I believe he would've come around and been the type of valuable stay-at-home type we covet (a la Lochead), but I feel they gave up on him too early, didn't give him the ice time he needed and eventually he asked for a trade, but I still think it all could've been avoided.

I've also said before, that I love what the Hunters have done with this franchise and no, I don't think I know better than they do, but as great as they are, they're not perfect, no one is.

As good as the Knights are (and yes, I know they're "currently" the #1 team in the O), I'm not sure we have the horses to beat Guelph, let alone Prince Albert.

 

[KnightWatch]

Turko is a very hard worker, if you can isolate him from the rest on the ice for a few shifts you would surely appreciate a lot more why Dale has him on the ice in crucial moments of the game

Fastpace, I get why Dale has him on the ice, no one plays a shutdown role better on this team, but for a guy who's on the ice for 20 minutes a game, you've gotta be able to contribute something offensively; otherwise your chances of getting that crucial goal when you need it against other championship-calibre teams are slim to nil.

 

[Fastpace]

Fastpace, I get why Dale has him on the ice, no one plays a shutdown role better on this team, but for a guy who's on the ice for 20 minutes a game, you've gotta be able to contribute something offensively; otherwise your chances of getting that crucial goal when you need it against other championship-calibre teams are slim to nil.

His job is his role on the team given to him by his coaching staff, if they need a goal, I can assure you he is not the one they'll put on the ice to score that goal. His job is to glue himself to the top opponent scorer so to not let him have an inch of space to move and take away all his split seconds in hope to prevent him from making any good plays. That's why they have him on the ice for so many minutes and he'll be on that ice every time that player will be on.

 

[KnightWatch]

His job is his role on the team given to him by his coaching staff, if they need a goal, I can assure you he is not the one they'll put on the ice to score that goal. His job is to glue himself to the top opponent scorer so to not let him have an inch of space to move and take away all his split seconds in hope to prevent him from making any good plays. That's why they have him on the ice for so many minutes and he'll be on that ice every time that player will be on.

Ya....I get it....but what if we had a player that could do all of that AND put the puck in the net as well? Wouldn't that be even more valuable to the team? Some of you just don't seem to be willing to admit that Turko does have shortcomings.

 

[LDN]

What do you expect next season from Evangelista? 30 Pts? 40pts?

 

[imarriedawitch]

I've never said Turko didn't have value. To 80% of the teams out there, he would be extremely valuable, but (in my opinion....as crazy as it may seem to some of you), for a team looking to challenge for a Memorial Cup, I believe the Knights could have done better.

Here is where I think the disagreement is. I don't think the Hunters are passing this years team off as a Memorial Cup contender. I think signing the four 16 year olds last summer was an indication they're building for the next year or two around Dunkley, McMichael and what will be the four 17 year olds. Being where they are this year is a bonus. They can be in the mix and take their chances and provide some playoff experience for the group going forward at what was a very low cost while keeping their resources intact for another day.

 

[Fastpace]

Ya....I get it....but what if we had a player that could do all of that AND put the puck in the net as well? Wouldn't that be even more valuable to the team? Some of you just don't seem to be willing to admit that Turko does have shortcomings.

The thing here is while that player is slipping on his responsibility while attempting to score and if and when he fails his dangerous opponent will be on the loose and the chance for that player to fail is not as great. If you can prevent 2 or 3 goals from your opponent this mean your team need to score less to win, with the kinds of players the Knights have in all positions it makes it their tasks much easier to do.

 

[LDN]

Cam Tonali of Ottawa was on the same team as Evangelista and scored 10 less points in 1 less game. He currently has 2 goals 8 points in 40 games...where Evangelista has 1 assist in 21 games...OHL is a tough league to get going in...Tierney ended up with 11 points in his 1st season, 34 in his 2nd, 57 in his 3rd and finally 89 in his 4th.....I would be happy if this is what happens with Evangelista

 

[vouve]

Hmmm.
Point still flying right over the ol headski eh.
Ok take babs and sweet Lou. They love komorov. They love brown. They love Hyman. Once he grew up they love naz.
WHY?
Couldn't they just put more skill on the ice? (I know naz has skill for days, but follow along)
Now -think hard now- how does this compare? How do you win?

 

[Fastpace]

What do you expect next season from Evangelista? 30 Pts? 40pts?

Between 60 and 80 points on 25-30 goals

 

[Snippit]

Interesting to see that Guelph is nowhere near the #3 seed.

Saginaw seems to have come on strong but I still think Guelph is the better team.

 

[Snippit]

Hmmm.
Point still flying right over the ol headski eh.
Ok take babs and sweet Lou. They love komorov. They love brown. They love Hyman. Once he grew up they love naz.
WHY?
Couldn't they just put more skill on the ice? (I know naz has skill for days, but follow along)
Now -think hard now- how does this compare? How do you win?

Well there are many Leafs fans that hate Babcock's player deployment and usage.

Your appeal to authority isn't a great line of argument. There have been plenty of bad coaches and GMs that have reached the highest ranks.

 

[Otto]

Fastpace, I get why Dale has him on the ice, no one plays a shutdown role better on this team, but for a guy who's on the ice for 20 minutes a game, you've gotta be able to contribute something offensively; otherwise your chances of getting that crucial goal when you need it against other championship-calibre teams are slim to nil.

I remember when people claimed Tucker Hunter was getting 20 minutes a game... turned out it was 8-10... have you timed Turkos ice time?

 

[KnightWatch]

Hmmm.
Point still flying right over the ol headski eh.
Ok take babs and sweet Lou. They love komorov. They love brown. They love Hyman. Once he grew up they love naz.
WHY?
Couldn't they just put more skill on the ice? (I know naz has skill for days, but follow along)
Now -think hard now- how does this compare? How do you win?

I'll agree with you on one thing.....the point is still flying right over the ol headski....as you put it.

 

[KnightWatch]

Well there are many Leafs fans that hate Babcock's player deployment and usage.

Your appeal to authority isn't a great line of argument. There have been plenty of bad coaches and GMs that have reached the highest ranks.

I wonder what Chiarelli would do......

 

[LDN]

I remember when people claimed Tucker Hunter was getting 20 minutes a game... turned out it was 8-10... have you timed Turkos ice time?

ice time would be a cool stat ...would be interesting to see Bouchards ice time this year vs last....I feel that is beneficial in that we have a team that can roll 6 D

 

[KnightWatch]

I remember when people claimed Tucker Hunter was getting 20 minutes a game... turned out it was 8-10... have you timed Turkos ice time?

No, I haven't, but teams top lines are often on the ice for 20 minutes or more.....so if we're matching lines....

....and it sure seems like his line is out there 20 minutes a game.