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

[OHL4Life]

He had a tonsillectomy. Should be good for the season opener I believe.
Other than Nicholl and Sim, I believe the Knights are healthy. Dunno.

As far as the D discussion, not sure why they’d subtract right now unless it creates an overage upgrade. You need more than 6 D to get through an OHL season. 9 are signed which is a decent number.

I must have missed the box to check off “you must have a trade fetish” when signing up on this forum.

Just kidding. I know folks are eager for the season to start.

your not kidding

 

[LDN]

Liam Gilmartin has been waived by Erie. It’s too bad, he was so hyped and thought there was more offensive upside, but it never was there. Also, since he came from USA, I feel bad, but hopefully his player package gets him something good in Canada.

Maybe he will get picked up?

 

[sbpointer]

Liam Gilmartin has been waived by Erie. It’s too bad, he was so hyped and thought there was more offensive upside, but it never was there. Also, since he came from USA, I feel bad, but hopefully his player package gets him something good in Canada.

I may be wrong but I thought they could use their player package toward US College too if they chose..
He still may get picked up too if he is even interested in another year of OHL

 

[LDN]

I may be wrong but I thought they could use their player package toward US College too if they chose..
He still may get picked up too if he is even interested in another year of OHL

He has a lot to prove to get into pro hockey

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

(I do think Paris/Johnston could be on the block though to make room for Van Gorp, Arrowsmith, Boulton… but also could rotate those 5 players all season ( I think Barkey, Cowan, Halt,Hump, Q,Gaz,Crane, Julien, O’Reilly and Nichol are all the locks up front)

Dickinson-Bonk
Edward-George
Mackinnon-Leonard

I love Leonard and Mackinnon, but we do have HB, Fagen II and Woolley waiting in the wings

Probably best to have the 9 D due to injury, camps etc, but might see 1 guy move (I do think Edward, Leonard would be potentially back as OAs next year so that’s something to consider) I do think it’s premature, but next year’s potential OAs are Sim, Crane, Gazizov, Leonard, Edward… I think George gets into the AHL.

Bowen
Willmore

Medvedev will get time in B which is good for his development. I hope he gets a handful of starts with the big club. I hope Bowen or Willmore proves themselves, but I do agree with others here that we may need to upgrade this area. Simpson would be a nice addition, but which OA would you move to add him? Would Windsor consider moving Costanzo? Or Ottawa MacKenzie? Would Sarnia trade Gaudreau? Is North Bay going for it or would they trade DiVincentis and Nelson? (who many argue are the best G and D in the league)

Van Gorp would likely slot in while Nicholl is injured.

 

[LDN]

Not that it matters, but who is our #1 D? Dickinson or Bonk?

They’ll likely be put together in all situations eh?

 

[KnightWatch]

Not that it matters, but who is our #1 D? Dickinson or Bonk?

They’ll likely be put together in all situations eh?

Neither.....I would say George is our #1....defensively, at least!

I would probably have George and Edward (or Bonk) as our #1 pairing with Dickinson slotting in on the #2 pairing.

Dickinson should get top billing on the PP this year though, I would think.

 

[KnightWatch]

Van Gorp would likely slot in while Nicholl is injured.

Isn't McCue banged up as well?

Boulton or Arrowsmith could also slide into the lineup, depending on our opponent.

I only saw the first half of training camp, but I gotta say, I didn't even notice Van Gorp. I know he scored the OT winner in the Green & Gold game, but did he do anything else of note?

 

[LDN]

Isn't McCue banged up as well?

Boulton or Arrowsmith could also slide into the lineup, depending on our opponent.

I only saw the first half of training camp, but I gotta say, I didn't even notice Van Gorp. I know he scored the OT winner in the Green & Gold game, but did he do anything else of note?

I didn’t see any, but I’m assuming the Hunters liked his potential… Boulton brought some jam I heard?

Should we pick up Gilmartin till McCue returns?

 

[sbpointer]

I didn’t see any, but I’m assuming the Hunters liked his potential… Boulton brought some jam I heard?

Should we pick up Gilmartin till McCue returns?

No...

 

[Maxxim1]

Too good not to watch again.

 

[Fastpace]

Gotta a question,

You have to wonder which Defenseman is on the trade block. Bonk and Dickinson are are staying obviously.

I have a hard time thinking Isaiah George would be on the block. He would fetch the most in draft capital, but he’s more useful on our team.

Next is Jackson Edward. He has taken strides defensively and is a big physical defenseman which is needed in the playoffs, but we could get a nice couple of picks for him. Kinda torn…

Alec Leonard he has come in trying to prove that he is a mainstay this year. Comes out physical at training camp, and is our 3rd RHD defenseman. Could he stay above Henry Brucwestisz on the depth chart or does he get moved eventually?

Ethan McKinnon - not sure he has a lot of value on the open market. Pinches in occasionally but is a safe stay at home defenseman.

Why ??? Seems to me you've made a great argument to keep them all on.

Again Mckinnon is coming off of a monster playoff series, he can be the dark horse this season

 

[Fastpace]

As a leaf fan really looking forward to watching Easton Cowen Saturday .

As a Knights fans, I am looking forward to see all players dressed for the Knights on Saturday

 

[Fastpace]

Not that it matters, but who is our #1 D? Dickinson or Bonk?

They’ll likely be put together in all situations eh?

At this very moment, Bonk, but Dickinson could change this up by season's end

 

[Fergus31]

delete

 

[KnightWatch]

Interesting takes. I only, respectfully, disagree with your opinion of Edward’s ability. Not a top pairing guy but a solid 4/5 guy imo. I think with ice time, Leonard could surpass him. Maybe I’m biased because I like Leonard’s up tempo style. Maybe I’m way off - I’m just a dumb fan.
Dickinson-Bonk-George are undoubtedly the top three to lean on for tough matchups. Still think George has more offensive ability than he’s been allowed to show and Dickinson and Bonk should be lethal on the PP.

The reason I put Edward up there is due to his physicality that the others haven't really shown, making him more of a pain to play against. Plus, he looked really good in camp to me in my limited viewings.

Truthfully, I think any of the top 5 could play on any team's top unit, and I don't EVER remember thinking that before with any past Knights squad.

I think Leonard could get there also, he's got the physicality, he just needs to prove he can make smart decisions and not take unnecessary penalties.

 

[frontsfan67]

Maybe he will get picked up?

100% will get picked up from some team(and potentially traded for a better OA later in year)

 

[LDN]

Interesting takes. I only, respectfully, disagree with your opinion of Edward’s ability. Not a top pairing guy but a solid 4/5 guy imo. I think with ice time, Leonard could surpass him. Maybe I’m biased because I like Leonard’s up tempo style. Maybe I’m way off - I’m just a dumb fan.
Dickinson-Bonk-George are undoubtedly the top three to lean on for tough matchups. Still think George has more offensive ability than he’s been allowed to show and Dickinson and Bonk should be lethal on the PP.

There is no 3 D that are better this year than Bonk-Dickinson-George …. No other team possesses that depth of #1/top pairing guys

 

[LDN]

Anyone else from camp getting signed or is that it?

 

[dirty12]

There is no 3 D that are better this year than Bonk-Dickinson-George …. No other team possesses that depth of #1/top pairing guys

No team possesses the upside of Dickinson & Bonk for next season. I’m not sure Dickinson will be the best D in the league at 17 though. And I’m not sure there is a big overall difference between Akey, Bertucci, Bonk, Gibson.
Right now, Nelson - Mathurin - Christopolous might be a (more effective OHL) trio. Punnet - Akey might be a better top pairing than George/Dickinson - Bonk. Some hounds fans might think Kudryatsev - Gibson should be considered as the top pair.

 

[LDN]

No team possesses the upside of Dickinson & Bonk for next season. I’m not sure Dickinson will be the best D in the league at 17 though. And I’m not sure there is a big overall difference between Akey, Bertucci, Bonk, Gibson.
Right now, Nelson - Mathurin - Christopolous might be a (more effective OHL) trio. Punnet - Akey might be a better top pairing than George/Dickinson - Bonk. Some hounds fans might think Kudryatsev - Gibson should be considered as the top pair.

I’m not saying any one of them is the best, but I would take our guys over Barrie’s or Kingston or Soos. I don’t think any 1 through 6 is better. What team possesses 3 drafted, 1 19yr old I drafted, OA, a potential top 10 NHL pick in their top 6? Along with a 1st rounder (HB) as the 7th D…. Just saying it’s a position of strength

 

[dirty12]

I’m not saying any one of them is the best, but I would take our guys over Barrie’s or Kingston or Soos. I don’t think any 1 through 6 is better. What team possesses 3 drafted, 1 19yr old I drafted, OA, a potential top 10 NHL pick in their top 6? Along with a 1st rounder (HB) as the 7th D…. Just saying it’s a position of strength

Absolutely an area of strength that will get stronger.
I’m just not sure I can agree with ‘the knights right now have the best top 3 and best 1st pairing’. Right now, OHL potential beyond this season, and NHL upside are all very different things.

 

[LDN]

Absolutely an area of strength that will get stronger.
I’m just not sure I can agree with ‘the knights right now have the best top 3 and best 1st pairing’. Right now, OHL potential beyond this season, and NHL upside are all very different things.

I feel ya! We shall see how the season plays out… I’d say by the end of the season I’d be surprised if Bonk and Dickinson don’t have monster years

 

[dirty12]

I feel ya! We shall see how the season plays out… I’d say by the end of the season I’d be surprised if Bonk and Dickinson don’t have monster years

As would I.
I would be mildly surprised if Dickinson is not the first NHL selected player from the OHL this season.
But that won’t make Dickinson this years top OHL D. And any of Akey, Bertucci, Gibson can have just as monstrous of a season as Bonk with their first opportunity of being a first pairing and on PP1.

 

[LDN]

 

[Lakeheadfan95]

Max Leduc has signed in the NAHL