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

[Knightsfan90]

Hearing Kasper Halttunen is interested in coming to London. As Iong as he can figure out the contract stuff, that would be a big add for next year.

I was in the Armour the other day I swear I saw him walking with Mark around the bud

 

[Holden Caufield]

Very interesting. Haltunnen is probably in North America/Buffalo for the combine this week.
Could be checking out London while he is over here.

Encouraging. But the NHL team that drafts him, will probably have some input on his final decision also.

 

[LDN]

Is Bonk as sure fire first rounder?

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Is Bonk as sure fire first rounder?

Yes

 

[LDN]

Is Ty Nelson available? Would the Knights be interested?

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Is Bonk as sure fire first rounder?

I don't think I would say he is a sure fire first rounder, he ended the year as the 20th ranked North American skater, which was actually a slight drop from 18 at the midterm ranking. So when you blend the North American and European rankings together, depending on what blended projections you look at. Most have him as a late first round pick, but I have seen some that have him as far down as the third round.

So sure fire, so a bit of an overstatement in my opinion. Will he be a first round pick? maybe, but if he is it will somewhere in the last half dozen picks or so I think. Could he slip to the second round or later? Absolutely possible, as they get late in the first round, there are usually some surprises. Or who knows, they are projections for a reason, maybe someone really likes him and grabs him earlier then anyone expects.

On his Elite Prospects page, he has a very wide range of projections;

Ranked #56 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM

Ranked #43 by FCHOCKEY

Ranked #26 by DAILY FACEOFF

Ranked #26 by THE HOCKEY NEWS

Ranked #30 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE

Ranked #35 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY

Ranked #43 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON

Ranked #20 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

Ranked #20 by SPORTSNET

Ranked #28 by RECRUIT SCOUTING

Ranked #38 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Ranked #86 by SMAHT SCOUTING

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Is Ty Nelson available? Would the Knights be interested?

If he is, great player to add.
But I think, I would rather see the Knights spend asset capital on a high end forward to play with Barkey and Cowan, like Winterton did this year. If they can find a fit like Winterton with them, for an entire season. We could see some big numbers!

The Knights D core is also pretty much set I would think.
Dickinson - Bonk
George - Edward
MacKinnon - Leonard

Sure, Nelson may be an upgrade on most of those guys, but like I said. I think that asset capital is better spent upfront, when the D is already solid.

 

[dmead]

You think we need more defense?

Id be more onterested in getting Moore and Hultanen to show and looking for a Bryce MacConnel-Barker type player.

 

[Buttsy]

I don't see why a lot of people are trashing the Petes performance at the Mem Cup so far (I'm looking at you RP)
In a short round-robin tournament like this, anything can happen from game to game.
A blowout loss in one game can turn into a redemptive win the next.
There is a ton of firepower on the 2 teams from the W and on the Remparts as well.
Not so sure the Knights would have fared any better, even with BB30 in net.

In the end I thought Peterborough represented themselves and the OHL quite well. Quebec and Seattle were the "cream of the crop" and obviously more talented then the Pete's. Kamloops had home ice but were beatable in the end so hats off to the boys from the OHL. I agree the Knights with Brochu I believe would have finished in 3rd spot nothing really different in my mind? I am still a bit butt burnt however as I think the Knights had it in them to beat Peterborough if not for a certain local kid in net!

 

[LDN]

You think we need more defense?

Id be more onterested in getting Moore and Hultanen to show and looking for a Bryce MacConnel-Barker type player.

Is BMB available even? Is Beck from PBO the big fish this year?

 

[dmead]

Who knows. Just throwing out a wish list.

 

[tjziel]

I don't think I would say he is a sure fire first rounder, he ended the year as the 20th ranked North American skater, which was actually a slight drop from 18 at the midterm ranking. So when you blend the North American and European rankings together, depending on what blended projections you look at. Most have him as a late first round pick, but I have seen some that have him as far down as the third round.

So sure fire, so a bit of an overstatement in my opinion. Will he be a first round pick? maybe, but if he is it will somewhere in the last half dozen picks or so I think. Could he slip to the second round or later? Absolutely possible, as they get late in the first round, there are usually some surprises. Or who knows, they are projections for a reason, maybe someone really likes him and grabs him earlier then anyone expects.

On his Elite Prospects page, he has a very wide range of projections;

Ranked #56 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM

Ranked #43 by FCHOCKEY

Ranked #26 by DAILY FACEOFF

Ranked #26 by THE HOCKEY NEWS

Ranked #30 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE

Ranked #35 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY

Ranked #43 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON

Ranked #20 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

Ranked #20 by SPORTSNET

Ranked #28 by RECRUIT SCOUTING

Ranked #38 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Ranked #86 by SMAHT SCOUTING

Well let’s hope Kasper Halttunen is an NHL first round pick because then we can pick an additional player in the CHL Import Draft. Someone potentially better than Gazizov who then we would be allowed to trade. I actually like the progression of Gazizov but if we can get someone like Konsta Helenius who is a dynamic Finnish player looks like a star. Like like a Finnish Marner. His edgework is awesome and he’s ability to control the play is amazing. Helenius also isn’t Draft eligible until 2024.

 

[Knightsfan90]

Is Ty Nelson available? Would the Knights be interested?

With the rights to Fantilli

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Well let’s hope Kasper Halttunen is an NHL first round pick because then we can pick an additional player in the CHL Import Draft. Someone potentially better than Gazizov who then we would be allowed to trade. I actually like the progression of Gazizov but if we can get someone like Konsta Helenius who is a dynamic Finnish player looks like a star. Like like a Finnish Marner. His edgework is awesome and he’s ability to control the play is amazing. Helenius also isn’t Draft eligible until 2024.

My post was replying to someone talking about Bonk.
For Halttunen though, I think he has a better shot of going in the first round.

Both Button and McKenzie have him going late in the first round, so yes. Lets hope that holds true, because I think his commitment to London is tied to which NHL team picks him.

As for Gazizov, I read he went back to Russia to visit family, so for his sake, I hope he is back and is allowed to leave the country again. I think if Gaz is back in London, he is a 40 goal / 90 point player for London, so I would gladly take him back on the team in a go for it year.


Kasper Halttunen NHL Draft Rankings;

Ranked #32 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #62 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #23 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #36 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #29 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #33 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #25 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #11 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
Ranked #19 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #37 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #30 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #52 by SMAHT SCOUTING

 

[BobHockey]

Well let’s hope Kasper Halttunen is an NHL first round pick because then we can pick an additional player in the CHL Import Draft. Someone potentially better than Gazizov who then we would be allowed to trade. I actually like the progression of Gazizov but if we can get someone like Konsta Helenius who is a dynamic Finnish player looks like a star. Like like a Finnish Marner. His edgework is awesome and he’s ability to control the play is amazing. Helenius also isn’t Draft eligible until 2024.

I had been critical of Gaz's play in the regular season but I actually thought he did expand his game in the playoffs. Threw some hits, scored some key goals and the play died on his stick far less often than earlier in the year. Good for him

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Hearing Kasper Halttunen is interested in coming to London. As Iong as he can figure out the contract stuff, that would be a big add for next year.

If Halttunen's NHL team wants him to London then that team needs to sign ELC with Halttunen.
Halttunen is now HIFK's player and he has 2 years ( 1+1 ) left of liiga contract.

And without signing ELC contract it is up on HIFK where Halttunen will play if SM liiga is not option.
So far what i know as a HIFK fan HIFK is going all in for winning SM liiga championship next year.

If Halttunen wants to play in HIFK he needs take his spot on the team
because HIFK never promise nothing for younger players and only
who are regulars in HIFK are veteran and older liiga players.

 

[ArielNederland]

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

It makes sense for Halttunen to come this year or he isn’t ever coming and we can select another team import.

Moore is in the same position next year coming to the OHL or going the NCAA route.

The knights are in the enviable position where they don’t need either of these players to compete. But if the big fish come it’s hard to see them not be able to dominate and run the table.

So glad this offseason is so short!

 

[dmead]

It makes sense for Halttunen to come this year or he isn’t ever coming and we can select another team import.

Moore is in the same position next year coming to the OHL or going the NCAA route.

The knights are in the enviable position where they don’t need either of these players to compete. But if the big fish come it’s hard to see them not be able to dominate and run the table.

So glad this offseason is so short!

Agreed except short off season.

It.. feels... like... forever.. !!!

 

[Fergus31]

delete

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

With all due respect to the Knights, there will be other teams more veteran heavy pushing their chips all in on a 23/24 run.

There will be some great teams for sure but hard to not put knights as automatic contenders.

 

[Fergus31]

delete

 

[imarriedawitch]

With all due respect to the Knights, there will be other teams more veteran heavy pushing their chips all in on a 23/24 run.

Yer puttin a poop on silly season.

 

[Holden Caufield]

Yer puttin a poop on silly season.

Let’s get it back on track here; Anyone see holes in this lineup ?

Cowan - Winterton(OA) - Barkey
Haltunnen (IP) - Nazar - Hagens
McCue (OA) - W. Moore - Gazizov (IP)
Sim - Castagna - Julien
(Crane, O’Reilly)

Bonk - George
Mailloux (OA) - Dickinson
Edward - Minnetian
(Leonard)

One too many right shot defenseman, minor issue.
Everything else seems legit and probable to happen. Don’t need to make a single trade. Super team confirmed.

 

[KnightWatch]

Let’s get it back on track here; Anyone see holes in this lineup ?

Cowan - Winterton(OA) - Barkey
Haltunnen (IP) - Nazar - Hagens
McCue (OA) - W. Moore - Gazizov (IP)
Sim - Castagna - Julien
(Crane, O’Reilly)

Bonk - George
Mailloux (OA) - Dickinson
Edward - Minnetian
(Leonard)

One too many right shot defenseman, minor issue.
Everything else seems legit and probable to happen. Don’t need to make a single trade.

Probable to happen?! I don't think so!

Winterton, Nazar, Hagens, Moore, Castagna, Mailloux and Minnetian are more probable NOT to happen, but I guess you can dream all you want!