London Knights 2019-20 Season Thread (Part 5)

[zman77]

Sean Patrick Ryan‏ @TheOilKnight 47m47 minutes ago

Saw a bunch of people pre-tourney picking Canada not to medal & complaining about guys NOT on team (most of whom I agreed with should have been left off btw).
It’s only 1 game, but maybe just maybe the Hunters know what they’re doing?

Great win boys keep it up

#GoCanadaGo

 

[zman77]

OHL Prospects‏ @BrockOtten 3h3 hours ago

There's no way that the U.S. can keep their lines like this is there?
Other than the Robertson/Pinto/Wahlstrom line, no other line was able to
generate chances 5 on 5. Seems downright silly to be utilizing Turcotte, Zegras,
Cam York, etc the way that they did in that game.

 

[zman77]

 

[zman77]

 

[zman77]

Mike Stubbs‏Verified account @stubbs980 7h7 hours ago

Good luck to @foudshow, @con91mcmichael, @BobMartin6201, @ChrisMaton Dale and Mark Hunter and #TeamCanada at the #WJC2020
pic.twitter.com/ZxZAHAyzb6

 

[Buttsy]

OHL Prospects‏ @BrockOtten 3h3 hours ago

There's no way that the U.S. can keep their lines like this is there?

Quality coaching has in the past been an “Achilles Heel” at times for the US internationally. Something we in Canada at times take for granted. Will be interesting to see what adjustments Team USA can come up with for game 2 as the on ice product is no longer a problem for them? I’ve always thought Sweden struggles Internationally with their coaches as well? Talented players are important BUT crappy coaching can kill ya!

 

[Purple Phart]

Quality coaching has in the past been an “Achilles Heel” at times for the US internationally. Something we in Canada at times take for granted. Will be interesting to see what adjustments Team USA can come up with for game 2 as the on ice product is no longer a problem for them? I’ve always thought Sweden struggles Internationally with their coaches as well? Talented players are important BUT crappy coaching can kill ya!

Back when Dale & Mark were named to the Manager / Coaching positions for Team Canada, I speculated how the Knights would fair, in their absence. At that time I made the comment that it will be interesting to see how Dylan would do, with his training wheels removed. I think we now have the answer. Good coaches can coax better performances from the players they have. They can recognize what's not working ( like not getting off to a strong start ) and take corrective action.

I've read the criticism regarding the team's lack of depth which has been exposed during this WJT time frame, but I might also consider how much the coaching has affected team performance.

 

[bearfan]

Back when Dale & Mark were named to the Manager / Coaching positions for Team Canada, I speculated how the Knights would fair, in their absence. At that time I made the comment that it will be interesting to see how Dylan would do, with his training wheels removed. I think we now have the answer. Good coaches can coax better performances from the players they have. They can recognize what's not working ( like not getting off to a strong start ) and take corrective action.

I've read the criticism regarding the team's lack of depth which has been exposed during this WJT time frame, but I might also consider how much the coaching has affected team performance.

I had mentioned this as well. Dale has a way of keeping the young boys focused. Dylan may have had some instructions before Dale and Mark left but he leads the team. His first mistake was putting Myskiw back between the pipes after being pulled the game before letting in 5

 

[PhlyerPhanatic31]

I think the more glaring issue in our lack of depth is lack of true leadership in those players. We'll see how the team performs with their leader(Regula) back

 

[nelli27]

I think the more glaring issue in our lack of depth is lack of true leadership in those players. We'll see how the team performs with their leader(Regula) back

The lack of production from Guskov (in particular) and also Nelson, Tymkin, and Dunkley was not what I anticipated. I can't explain it.

 

[PhlyerPhanatic31]

The lack of production from Guskov (in particular) and also Nelson, Tymkin, and Dunkley was not what I anticipated. I can't explain it.

Dunkley can be explained by the fact he hasn't seen the minutes the other 3 have seen this year nor has he earned it. The other 3 have been in the top 6-9 all season and definitely should be producing more. Moskal should as well

 

[nelli27]

Dunkley can be explained by the fact he hasn't seen the minutes the other 3 have seen this year nor has he earned it. The other 3 have been in the top 6-9 all season and definitely should be producing more. Moskal should as well

I've given up on Moskal as a points producer. I just think of him as good on faceoffs and a reliable penalty killer.

 

[Knights Watcher]

I've given up on Moskal as a points producer. I just think of him as good on faceoffs and a reliable penalty killer.

Not enough reasons to keep him on the team though.

 

[Knights77]

If we indeed have 5 cards and buy...here's my list

Serron Noel
Nico Daws
Pavel Gogolev
Akil Thomas
Sean Josling

One can dream

I like this...as long as Evangelista isn’t on the way to another city in this. I hope we buy. It’s more fun as a fan.

 

[Snippit]

According to OHLInsiders (OHLInsiders (@OHLinsiders) | Twitter):

- London is in on Daws, but he is expected to stay put barring an overpay
- Kooy is also available again, but in general goalie market is very thin
- Harley is available, Oshawa/Mississauga having conversations
- Akil Thomas is on the block and the "potential spots" are Peterborough/Oshawa/London
- Most GMs think Hayton will go back to the NHL
- Flint and Sudbury will be definite buyers

So for those who have been saying sell, it appears you will not get your wish.

It also appears that the staff (like me) does not have confidence in our goaltending tandem, but it's basically Daws or bust in terms of the market. If you can't improve the net, you have to improve the D.

Akil Thomas has 27 ES points this year in 27 games so he could be a huge boost to our 5v5 offence. You would hope that we would have the advantage in a deal over Oshawa/Peterborough because we are out of conference.

I still like the idea of a Pekar/Tucker package, with Guskov and picks going the other way.

 

[Knightsfan90]

According to OHLInsiders (OHLInsiders (@OHLinsiders) | Twitter):

- London is in on Daws, but he is expected to stay put barring an overpay
- Kooy is also available again, but in general goalie market is very thin
- Harley is available, Oshawa/Mississauga having conversations
- Akil Thomas is on the block and the "potential spots" are Peterborough/Oshawa/London
- Most GMs think Hayton will go back to the NHL
- Flint and Sudbury will be definite buyers

So for those who have been saying sell, it appears you will not get your wish.

It also appears that the staff (like me) does not have confidence in our goaltending tandem, but it's basically Daws or bust in terms of the market. If you can't improve the net, you have to improve the D.

Akil Thomas has 27 ES points this year in 27 games so he could be a huge boost to our 5v5 offence. You would hope that we would have the advantage in a deal over Oshawa/Peterborough because we are out of conference.

I still like the idea of a Pekar/Tucker package, with Guskov and picks going the other way.

Probably take Guskov+Defence prospect+picks

 

[Generalsupdates]

Akil Thomas has 27 ES points this year in 27 games so he could be a huge boost to our 5v5 offence. You would hope that we would have the advantage in a deal over Oshawa/Peterborough because we are out of conference.

Oshawa won't be in on Akil Thomas, I can guarantee you that.

But Niagara won't care about keeping him in the conference as they have 0 chance to do anything this year anyways. Where Thomas ends up will come down to which '03 rookie they like the best

 

[the dog]

Oshawa won't be in on Akil Thomas, I can guarantee you that.

But Niagara won't care about keeping him in the conference as they have 0 chance to do anything this year anyways. Where Thomas ends up will come down to which '03 rookie they like the best

and how many 2nd and 3rd

 

[Generalsupdates]

and how many 2nd and 3rd

The '03 rookie matters a lot more, thats who they'll be building around going forward. The picks will be around 3 2nds+3 3rds I'm sure. That's usually what it is for Team Canada level forwards

 

[aresknights]

In the last 2 years how many true rookie 1st rd picks have been moved at the deadline for top end players? Not many I imagine.

 

[dirty12]

In the last 2 years how many true rookie 1st rd picks have been moved at the deadline for top end players? Not many I imagine.

last season’s rookie class was considered exceptional. I don’t think any team other than the wolves even traded 2018-2nds at the 2017-18 deadline. But yeah, not many 16 year olds get traded normally; maybe, 2-3 per year?

 

[zman77]

Mark Masters‏Verified account @markhmasters Dec 26

Coach Dale Hunter on Alexis Lafrenière:
"He was really good. He got the big plays but also, at the end of the game, he was battling to keep the lead & playing good defensively ... & that's what you want from a complete player. That's what NHL teams want, that's what I want here."

 

[aresknights]

last season’s rookie class was considered exceptional. I don’t think any team other than the wolves even traded 2018-2nds at the 2017-18 deadline. But yeah, not many 16 year olds get traded normally; maybe, 2-3 per year?

Id guess 2 on average at most the last 4/5 years in deadline deals.
I just find it odd that many figure any all star level player their team deals will involve a 1st rd pick in return when it doesn't happen often.

 

[KnightWatch]

Mark Masters‏Verified account @markhmasters Dec 26

Coach Dale Hunter on Alexis Lafrenière:
"He was really good. He got the big plays but also, at the end of the game, he was battling to keep the lead & playing good defensively ... & that's what you want from a complete player. That's what NHL teams want, that's what I want here."

Tonio/Merks…..are you boys paying attention?

 

[Snippit]

The '03 rookie matters a lot more, thats who they'll be building around going forward. The picks will be around 3 2nds+3 3rds I'm sure. That's usually what it is for Team Canada level forwards

Bolded is not always true. Tippett, Suzuki and Entwhistle were all moved for considerably less than your stated price.

Granted last year was somewhat wacky in terms of deadline prices.

Going back another year, Robert Thomas fits your price but he was only 18 with a chance of returning, so that must have elevated his price.

Going back another year, you have Cirelli (who fits your price), and Stephens (if I recall, was only moved for picks and not a single player included).

If London is including Rolofs for Akil Thomas, I'd hope Mark tries to grab Lodnia too.