London Knights 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 5)

[Bra Wavers]

I think Winterton returns (lost almost an entire season so can't see him sticking in the NHL).
So I think we start the season with McCue, Humphrey, Winterton, E-Mac and Federkow (maybe DelMonte) as our OAs.
If DelMonte can't get his head straight I think we roll with Winterton, Humphrey and E-Mac.
McCue, Federkow and DelMonte traded (McCue to Sudbury).
If DelMonte can prove he's worthy to stick around, then E-Mac is the odd man out.
If by chance LM24 is sent back, then we got ourselves some interesting decisions to make.

Any chance the Knights will have interest in hometown boy and top 3 goalie this season, Michael Simpson?
Seems like a good fit to pair with Bowen (05).

 

[Fastpace]

Barrie goalie, Anson Thornton, scored as many 2023 playoff goals as Wright...1.
And Bonk remains a Knight.
I don't know how far we'll go in the playoffs, but as I said before, entertaining brand of hockey this season. In London, we're used to one line of superstars who play what seems like 30 minutes a game. This year no superstars, scoring spread out, a fast skating team with some talented kids up front (Diaco, Barkey, Cowan, Winterton, McGurn, Gazizov), impressive zone breakout, one of our best D-corps in quite some time, a very mobile D, and Brochu between the pipes. Tough challenge next series.

The most difficult thing in hockey is defend against your opponent top line and if you don't know which one it is because they are almost all alike, it's almost an impossible task to do.

If we take London's lineup go one by one including the ones that does not dress, and find one player that does not belong on this team, some are a little better than others but not one player you'd wish he wasn't a Knight. I remember 2012 team and this may be the second coming of that team.

 

[nelli27]

Any chance the Knights will have interest in hometown boy and top 3 goalie this season, Michael Simpson?
Seems like a good fit to pair with Bowen (05).

Good question. I thought about that too. There's also a close connection between Michael Simpson/family and our GM Simpson (last name a coincidence, no blood relation). I guess it depends on how confident the Knights are in Bowen's ability. He's a 17 yr old "rookie" in his draft year, and will likely be drafted. Simpson would likely expect a starting role.

 

[zman77]

 

[Fastpace]

Need to play the Rangers physical

Why ? That's the Rangers' game, Kitchener will try to throw the Knights off their game with their physical style of play, had London stucked to their game plan last year they would have won the series against the Rangers. Speed (lots of it) stay discipline and stick to game plan will help London win this series, deviate from it they'll be going home sooner then they'd wanted to.

 

[Bra Wavers]

Good question. I thought about that too. There's also a close connection between Michael Simpson/family and our GM Simpson (last name a coincidence, no blood relation). I guess it depends on how confident the Knights are in Bowen's ability. He's a 17 yr old "rookie" in his draft year, and will likely be drafted. Simpson would likely expect a starting role.

IMO…..Simpson is a character kid.
I don’t think he would just expect to start 50+ games. He wouldn't expect the majority of starts to just be handed to him - he would work hard to prove that he deserved them.
He is calm, cool and collected no matter what happens it seems. He would be a great mentor for Bowen.

 

[StormWatcher]

Good question. I thought about that too. There's also a close connection between Michael Simpson/family and our GM Simpson (last name a coincidence, no blood relation). I guess it depends on how confident the Knights are in Bowen's ability. He's a 17 yr old "rookie" in his draft year, and will likely be drafted. Simpson would likely expect a starting role.

I could see Guelph as a good trade partner with Peterborough next year. Going all in for Beck, McCoy/Simpson. George likes to go F/D from the same team if he can and Peterborough will have some pieces they would be interested in.

 

[Fergus31]

I could see Guelph as a good trade partner with Peterborough next year. Going all in for Beck, McCoy/Simpson. George likes to go F/D from the same team if he can and Peterborough will have some pieces they would be interested in.

Guelph is going to be dangerous next year. As will Saginaw, obviously.

 

[Section5Petes]

I could see Guelph as a good trade partner with Peterborough next year. Going all in for Beck, McCoy/Simpson. George likes to go F/D from the same team if he can and Peterborough will have some pieces they would be interested in.

I agree with that but I think you can add Saginaw into the mix for Beck and maybe McCoy too. Either way Guelph is going to be very good

 

[Fastpace]

I think everyone would agree Max McCue's best hockey as a Knight was in the Owen Sound series, and this was only round one, can't wait to see what else he's got in stores for the other rounds

 

[Buttsy]

Guess we won't ever know what 58 other CHL teams would take unless we ask all those teams and compare the ENTIRE picture in a poll. ( ohl titles, Memorial Cup appearances, division titles, regular season butts in the seats $, franchise value$, playoff revenue$, NHL players developed......Owners may like $ over a decade n a half more than a B2B title 14 years ago. I dunno.
I know which I'd prefer. But won't assume for the other 58 teams.

It can be quite different for each team I would bet? For example the Knights know financially that they are probably "set" heading into every season.

 

[Buttsy]

Now the road gets tougher. Kitchener is a sold team with good depth, scoring, solid D and good goaltending. Should be a great series. I see it going 6 or 7.
FWIW I’ve heard games 1 and 2 are tentatively scheduled Thursday and Friday.

Agreed but if the Knights attack the puck like they did Games 1 & 2 especially, pressure on the Rangers D should payoff. Then it should expose there "OK" but not incredible goaltending. Sounds easy enough .... LOL. I like our chances if the boys use there speed to there advantage. Brochu looked solid let's hope he continues to show confidence and stays healthy! Let's getter going ..... many have said this is not really a typical Knights team (lack of a dominating top line) to watch but man it is fun!

 

[OMG67]

GL next round. I have the London back end being able to handle the Rangers. But, secretly, I always like the underdog….

 

[Buttsy]

GL next round. I have the London back end being able to handle the Rangers. But, secretly, I always like the underdog….

Is there where we pull out the "BUT Kitchener isn't really a typical 8th seed"! LOL, I guess whatever makes it easier to sleep?

 

[Fergus31]

Regardless of the narrative and/or potential excuses, Kitchener is good. London will have their hands full. When McKenzie coaches them, they win a lot of hockey games.

 

[Otto]

Round 2 Home Game 1: Thursday April 13th @ 7PM
Round 2 Home Game 2: Friday April 14th @ 7PM
Game 3 in Kitchener is Sunday April 16th at 2pm
Game 4 in Kitchener Tuesday April 18th at 7PM
*Round 2 Home Game 3: Thursday April 20th @ 7PM
Game 6 in Kitchener Sunday April 23rd @2pm
*Round 2 Home Game 4: Tuesday April 25th @ 7PM

 

[nelli27]

GL next round. I have the London back end being able to handle the Rangers. But, secretly, I always like the underdog….

I liked the chances of an Ottawa London final in the covid cancelled season...

 

[RangerNation]

Round 2 Home Game 1: Thursday April 13th @ 7PM
Round 2 Home Game 2: Friday April 14th @ 7PM
Game 3 in Kitchener is Sunday April 16th at 2pm
Game 4 in Kitchener Tuesday April 18th at 7PM
*Round 2 Home Game 3: Thursday April 20th @ 7PM
Game 6 in Kitchener Sunday April 23rd @2pm
*Round 2 Home Game 4: Tuesday April 25th @ 7PM

I am already complaining about the 3 days between game 5 and 6. Someone just sweep.

 

[imarriedawitch]

Is there where we pull out the "BUT Kitchener isn't really a typical 8th seed"! LOL, I guess whatever makes it easier to sleep?

That's what I thought every time the Kitchener not really an 8th seed got played. Whatever gets you through the night.

 

[Knights Watcher]

Any chance the Knights will have interest in hometown boy and top 3 goalie this season, Michael Simpson?
Seems like a good fit to pair with Bowen (05).

I would think so. Depends on how the Petes see their season. Rebuild or go for it.

 

[RangerNation]

Is there where we pull out the "BUT Kitchener isn't really a typical 8th seed"! LOL, I guess whatever makes it easier to sleep?

Just wait for media to pair this with the Petizian OT goal. The storylines are painfully overused.

 

[dmead]

Suggested drinking game for Knights broadcasts. Chug a beer everytime the London guys reference Petizians goal from last year. Should be at least 4 or 5 times a game.

 

[Billyjack]

Suggested drinking game for Knights broadcasts. Chug a beer everytime the London guys reference Petizians goal from last year. Should be at least 4 or 5 times a game.

Oh the memory , I can still picture from my seat at the Bud, love to see that again. Hope the Knights and their fans think this is going to be easy, love that under dog feeling

 

[dmead]

Oh the memory , I can still picture from my seat at the Bud, love to see that again. Hope the Knights and their fans think this is going to be easy, love that under dog feeling

Easy? Oh hell no. This will be a war. Both teams firing on all cylinders. Cant wait for puck drop.

 

[Otto]

Oh the memory , I can still picture from my seat at the Bud, love to see that again. Hope the Knights and their fans think this is going to be easy, love that under dog feeling

Nobody will be taking this series easy. Especially the Knights