London Knights 2022-23 Off-Season Thread (Part 1)

[jamemcca]

Fills a huge hole. Now they have that big goal scorer.
Shaping up to be another very good season with that loaded defense and the offense getting a big boost here.

Goaltending worries me

 

[Kingpin794]

Yes I agree, my point was to show that the AHL should not be put on such a pedestal. Holden Caulfied was saying that LIIGA was a lesser mans league than the AHL which could not be further from the truth.

Comparing Apples and Oranges is just not fair.

Yeah I'd still put AHL a touch above Liiga but it's better than ECHL. Hockey doesn't really have a AA like baseball but I'd put Liiga there.

 

[tjziel]

Goaltending worries me

We will hopefully address that. Bowen is a great backup but I don’t see him being a starter yet. He needs to push the someone out of that role. Benjamin Gaudreau or Michael Simpson fits that bill for the Knights to pursue when the time comes and when Mark see’s it’s time to address it.

As evidence of last year, it’s not on the top of everyone’s list, but it’s important to have depth in goal if we are going for a championship. Not always will we have Coleman and Dennis tandem, but sometimes it’s enough to have someone back up an Anthony Stolarz If you know what I mean.

Imagine if we lost Michael Houser to Injury, no way Tyson Tieschmann takes us to the OHL Championship in 2012.

 

[Starry Knight]

We will hopefully address that. Bowen is a great backup but I don’t see him being a starter yet. He needs to push the someone out of that role. Benjamin Gaudreau or Michael Simpson fits that bill for the Knights to pursue when the time comes and when Mark see’s it’s time to address it.

I'll point this out yet again, Bowen had better stats as a 17 year old than either Gaudreau or Simpson did as 18 year olds. The endless stream of posts of how inadequate Bowen are not only in poor taste when discussing teenagers playing junior hockey, they are also out of touch with the development of junior hockey goaltenders.

With another year under his belt, Bowen should be among the better goalies in the league this year, Willmore is a OHL-caliber backup, and Medvedev could very well end up as backup considering his pedigree.

 

[tjziel]

I'll point this out yet again, Bowen had better stats as a 17 year old than either Gaudreau or Simpson did as 18 year olds. The endless stream of posts of how inadequate Bowen are not only in poor taste when discussing teenagers playing junior hockey, they are also out of touch with the development of junior hockey goaltenders.

With another year under his belt, Bowen should be among the better goalies in the league this year, Willmore is a OHL-caliber backup, and Medvedev could very well end up as backup considering his pedigree.

I’ll point this out yet again, whose team would you like in front of you as a goaltender.

Dale’s defensive shutdown system which helps prevent a run and gun offense and prevents A level scoring chances because forwards learn to back check hard. Or would you rather have (todays version of) Sarnia or Peterborough??

Dales system allows to put goaltenders at ease. With the exception of two years, in the last 10 years we have had our starter in the top 5 of GAA and SV%. Which means sometimes stats are over analyzed in London. Also when you have. 3 NHL drafted defensemen in front of you they are constantly clearing the net out from in front of you. Look to Jordan Kooy if you want a reference….

Do you really think Bowen would do great in Sarnia right now?? And even with the experience of beating Sarnia, and going to the Finals if he was as good as you think he is, you would think with all that camera time and exposure on a regional or national level that 1 of 32 NHL teams would have drafted him because of his potential?

It’s the Martin Brodeur argument or Tom Brady argument. Are they the best or did they definitely benefit from a great system?? Both arguments could be made.

We are going for a championship this year which means we need solid goaltending to make it. If we don’t, we won’t win. We need to take goaltending seriously.

 

[tjziel]

Just wanted to add, I hope Zack Bowen does take that step that everyone on here believes. If he did, we are set and good to go, I just don’t want to be caught with out pants down again with no depth in goal or have a serious drop off from our starter to our backup. But I am hoping Zack Bowen does become our starter.

 

[LDN]

Ladies and gentlemen I am happy that we have signed the Fin!!

Just wanted to add, I hope Zack Bowen does take that step that everyone on here believes. If he did, we are set and good to go, I just don’t want to be caught with out pants down again with no depth in goal or have a serious drop off from our starter to our backup. But I am hoping Zack Bowen does become our starter.

No disagreement. Let’s see how his camp goes. If he isn’t there we pull the trigger on Simpson and then hope that Medvedev is ready to carry the load in future years

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Shaping up to be a great roster, We will need One top 6 and I think that’s it. That would drop one of Julien/Humphrey to the 3rd line and move Crane for picks.

Barkey-Cowan-Halttunen
Humphrey (OA)- Gazizov- Julien
Sim-Crane-McCue (OA)
O’Riely-Nicholl-Arrowsmith



Bonk-George
Dickinson-Edward
Federkow (OA)-Fagen

Bowen
Willmore

Spare: Paris, McKinonn

 

[OHL4Life]

Shaping up to be a great roster, We will need One top 6 and I think that’s it. That would drop one of Julien/Humphrey to the 3rd line and move Crane for picks.

Barkey-Cowan-Halttunen
Humphrey (OA)- Gazizov- Julien
Sim-Crane-McCue (OA)
O’Riely-Nicholl-Arrowsmith



Bonk-George
Dickinson-Edward
Federkow (OA)-Fagen

Bowen
Willmore

Spare: Paris, McKinonn

i would bet heavy money that leonard plays ahead of fagan, fagan will be in waterloo jr b.

maybe its just me, i would worry about a second line that scored 93 pts last year. i would think saginaw and owen sound would have more depth up front. london has the best d in the ohl thou.

 

[ArielNederland]

Shaping up to be a great roster, We will need One top 6 and I think that’s it. That would drop one of Julien/Humphrey to the 3rd line and move Crane for picks.

Barkey-Cowan-Halttunen
Humphrey (OA)- Gazizov- Julien
Sim-Crane-McCue (OA)
O’Riely-Nicholl-Arrowsmith



Bonk-George
Dickinson-Edward
Federkow (OA)-Fagen

Bowen
Willmore

Spare: Paris, McKinonn

This looks good. I would add levin to this roster though

 

[LDN]

Halttunnen is ready to snipe babyyyyy

 

[KnightWatch]

Shaping up to be a great roster, We will need One top 6 and I think that’s it. That would drop one of Julien/Humphrey to the 3rd line and move Crane for picks.

Barkey-Cowan-Halttunen
Humphrey (OA)- Gazizov- Julien
Sim-Crane-McCue (OA)
O’Riely-Nicholl-Arrowsmith



Bonk-George
Dickinson-Edward
Federkow (OA)-Fagen

Bowen
Willmore

Spare: Paris, McKinonn

I seriously doubt Federkow makes the team over MacKinnon, nor Fagan over Leonard, and I think the goaltending situation is wide open at the moment.

Cowan Barkey Halttunen
Humphrey McCue Sim (should play against opponents' top line)
Crane Julien Gazizov
Nicholl Paris O'Reilly

Paris will likely be given an opportunity to step his game up, but could be moved rather quickly in favour of Arrowsmith.

George Bonk
Edward Dickinson
MacKinnon Leonard

Bowen
Willmore
Medvedev

Don't count Medvedev out.....he could surprise.

 

[OHL4Life]

I seriously doubt Federkow makes the team over MacKinnon, nor Fagan over Leonard, and I think the goaltending situation is wide open at the moment.

Cowan Barkey Halttunen
Humphrey McCue Sim (should play against opponents' top line)
Crane Julien Gazizov
Nicholl Paris O'Reilly

Paris will likely be given an opportunity to step his game up, but could be moved rather quickly in favour of Arrowsmith.

George Bonk
Edward Dickinson
MacKinnon Leonard

Bowen
Willmore
Medvedev

Don't count Medvedev out.....he could surprise.

first line will need to do all the heavy lifting offensvely.

 

[tjziel]

I do think after Cowan, Barkey and Halttunen we are missing depth in our top 6. We need another guy like Owen Beck or Paul Ludwinski to drive the second line so the first line doesn’t have to do all the scoring.

 

[OHL4Life]

I do think after Cowan, Barkey and Halttunen we are missing depth in our top 6. We need another guy like Owen Beck or Paul Ludwinski to drive the second line so the first line doesn’t have to do all the scoring.

what if this just isnt the year to do that? i dont think they will chose to afford beck and kingston thinks they will win this year.

they dont even have an 07 to trade

 

[tjziel]

what if this just isnt the year to do that? i dont think they will chose to afford beck and kingston thinks they will win this year.

they dont even have an 07 to trade

That’s an option and could be reality as well. They may not be able to get Beck or Ludwinski because surely they would be outbid by teams like Saginaw, Kingston, Sudbury etc.

Then it’s finding someone from within the system whether that is Sam O’Rielly or William Nicholl needs to take the same step as Easton Cowan or Oliver Bonk and push to make it in the top 6, which is totally possible.

 

[OHL4Life]

That’s an option and could be reality as well. They may not be able to get Beck or Ludwinski because surely they would be outbid by teams like Saginaw, Kingston, Sudbury etc.

Then it’s finding someone from within the system whether that is Sam O’Rielly or William Nicholl needs to take the same step as Easton Cowan or Oliver Bonk and push to make it in the top 6, which is totally possible.

i think they will get a secondary guy, ride the hell out of the top line and the d and try to win 2-1. may be a year like 2022. not sure the depth is there and dale hates playing kids.

 

[Fergus31]

delete

 

[OHL4Life]

None of Barkey, Cowan or Halttunen are C’s so I doubt these lines materialize long-term.
I don’t disagree with you. Not really thinking 23/24 is a guaranteed buy year for London either. A lot needs to go right, and that’s okay. I think the org is just happy to keep developing players while trying to maximize winning opportunities like last season. Maybe that happens this year or next year. I dunno.

they will be top 4 in the west, just not sure that the expectation should be that they bring in all the stars and win as some of ppl think every year. i think its a year of good but not great and plan for great the following year.

 

[rve24]

i think they will get a secondary guy, ride the hell out of the top line and the d and try to win 2-1. may be a year like 2022. not sure the depth is there and dale hates playing kids.

Dale doesnt hate playing kids lol. But they have to be ready to contribute, help the team, meet expectations, be physically ready, play the Hunter way on a team that has a solid development model and plays to win and be revelant every year. They walk that balance consistently better thsn any1 and I think are more demanding in respects to youngins earning PT but he doesnt hate it......It's just hard to get PT, very hard.
Mete, Bouchard, Domi, Marner, Dickinson, Thomas ( Harrington, Methot, Quincey, Nash, Perry if ya wanna go back to the start) ......all got good minutes as true rookies---but earned it and a long list of others as well as 17 yr old rookies.... granted they do wait for them to force their hand..
Dale doesn't hate it when it
A helps the squad
B they force their PT n earn it thru first 3 months
( and C if it's negotiated lol)
But the rest of the post....Exactly why I've said since spring they will add a vet F. They need 1 IMO to help settle the ship gor a couple months til they can evaluate themselves and their position in the West.

I never mentioned a top end player like a Beck, but LK isn't shy about adding a body early if the situation requires it. ( diaco as latest example and I think they are in a similar spot they were last year....short on F, super solid on D and a few extra young moveable assets as usual)

I think they had the 3 Bulldogs added last year done in early fall but had to wait until RW was healthy to complete it. JMO.
I expect similar this year. A vet early to solidify the top 6 and another affordable vet or 2 (F/G) added come Jan. No big huge splash.

Posters thinking the 2 rookie Fs will be the answer......can't see it. Better chance McC/Sim whoever steps up to a big role but IMO it'll be filled externally.
But I am looking forward to seeing O'R n Nicholl stepping in and developing and next year......

Should be a solid couple year window with this squad and fun to watch. So many solid young D n Fs

 

[LDN]

None of Barkey, Cowan or Halttunen are C’s so I doubt these lines materialize long-term.
I don’t disagree with you. Not really thinking 23/24 is a guaranteed buy year for London either. A lot needs to go right, and that’s okay. I think the org is just happy to keep developing players while trying to maximize winning opportunities like last season. Maybe that happens this year or next year. I dunno.

Lol Barkey and Cowan aren’t C’s???

Who is this years Winterton? If they are available go get them

 

[KnightWatch]

None of Barkey, Cowan or Halttunen are C’s so I doubt these lines materialize long-term.
I don’t disagree with you. Not really thinking 23/24 is a guaranteed buy year for London either. A lot needs to go right, and that’s okay. I think the org is just happy to keep developing players while trying to maximize winning opportunities like last season. Maybe that happens this year or next year. I dunno.

Both Barkey and Cowan were listed as C's prior to last season. I'm sure one of the two could handle it!

 

[LDN]

Cowan-Barkey-Halttunen
Crane-Julien-Gazizov
Humphrey-Sim-McCue
Nicholl-Paris-O’Reilly

Dickinson-Bonk
George-Edward
Mackinnon-Leonard

Bowen
Willmore
Medvedev

Need to add 1-2 forwards up front

 

[OHL4Life]

Dale doesnt hate playing kids lol. But they have to be ready to contribute, help the team, meet expectations, be physically ready, play the Hunter way on a team that has a solid development model and plays to win and be revelant every year. They walk that balance consistently better thsn any1 and I think are more demanding in respects to youngins earning PT but he doesnt hate it......It's just hard to get PT, very hard.
Mete, Bouchard, Domi, Marner, Dickinson, Thomas ( Harrington, Methot, Quincey, Nash, Perry if ya wanna go back to the start) ......all got good minutes as true rookies---but earned it and a long list of others as well as 17 yr old rookies.... granted they do wait for them to force their hand..
Dale doesn't hate it when it
A helps the squad
B they force their PT n earn it thru first 3 months
( and C if it's negotiated lol)
But the rest of the post....Exactly why I've said since spring they will add a vet F. They need 1 IMO to help settle the ship gor a couple months til they can evaluate themselves and their position in the West.

I never mentioned a top end player like a Beck, but LK isn't shy about adding a body early if the situation requires it. ( diaco as latest example and I think they are in a similar spot they were last year....short on F, super solid on D and a few extra young moveable assets as usual)

I think they had the 3 Bulldogs added last year done in early fall but had to wait until RW was healthy to complete it. JMO.
I expect similar this year. A vet early to solidify the top 6 and another affordable vet or 2 (F/G) added come Jan. No big huge splash.

Posters thinking the 2 rookie Fs will be the answer......can't see it. Better chance McC/Sim whoever steps up to a big role but IMO it'll be filled externally.
But I am looking forward to seeing O'R n Nicholl stepping in and developing and next year......

Should be a solid couple year window with this squad and fun to watch. So many solid young D n Fs

ive heard mark say how much dale hates playing kids, 'a year older a year better' he claims dale says. ive never heard it personally.

and you are right, here are a very rare group of 16 year olds who get ice, but they need to be the best players in the age group. guys like mete, domi dickinson where top 5 guys that got their way to london via trade after being suggested that he was a top 5 pick. harrington could have went 1st overall but he was 'going ncaa' before the days of trading drafted players for picks. marner was 8th on our list but his agent jason woolley at the time told us he was committed to michigan. they are all top top top players in their age group. ill give you thomas and bouchard, those are exellent examples of guys that earned ice when you think they wouldnt, but you have to admit they are outliers, not normal.

99 percent of the time, they dont play, thats what weve seen with rowe, evangelista, rolofs, etc. its how the culture is in london. i respect it in the fact that they dont lie about it and agents know there is no promise to play in london until they are 18 or 19.

 

[LDN]

ive heard mark say how much dale hates playing kids, 'a year older a year better' he claims dale says. ive never heard it personally.

and you are right, here are a very rare group of 16 year olds who get ice, but they need to be the best players in the age group. guys like mete, domi dickinson where top 5 guys that got their way to london via trade after being suggested that he was a top 5 pick. harrington could have went 1st overall but he was 'going ncaa' before the days of trading drafted players for picks. marner was 8th on our list but his agent jason woolley at the time told us he was committed to michigan. they are all top top top players in their age group. ill give you thomas and bouchard, those are exellent examples of guys that earned ice when you think they wouldnt, but you have to admit they are outliers, not normal.

99 percent of the time, they dont play, thats what weve seen with rowe, evangelista, rolofs, etc. its how the culture is in london. i respect it in the fact that they dont lie about it and agents know there is no promise to play in london until they are 18 or 19.

Barkey?