London Knights 2023-2024 Offseason Thread (Part 1)

[ArielNederland]

No Gleb Semenov either.

Most likely visa issues, or waiting until haltunnen goes off to San jose camp

 

[tjziel]

Most likely visa issues, or waiting until haltunnen goes off to San jose camp

Most likely Visa Issues. The later wouldn’t be an isssue

 

[Wifi]

For Those of you wanting more info on the players. The only free agent that stands out to me is Grant Mcgee, 6'5" RD from Ohio.

 

[Jives]

Crazy how many players. Kitchener had enough for 2 teams. London is basically double the count of players.

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Crazy how many players. Kitchener had enough for 2 teams. London is basically double the count of players.

It is there way of keeping tabs not just for today but for the next two years

 

[Matt93]

Q+A: London Knights GM Mark Hunter on net battle, Easton Cowan's future

London Knights GM Mark Hunter spoke with The Free Press ahead of the team's training camp, which starts Thursday.

lfpress.com

 

[tjziel]

Interesting quote from Mark Hunter….

Q: There are two import spots and four possibilities at the moment. Where does that stand heading into camp?

A: “You just don’t know. We think Kasper Halttunen is coming back (from the Sharks for a second OHL season), but it’s out of our hands. So, we better have another plan for somebody else as a European in that spot. We have (fellow Finn and New York Islanders prospect) Jesse Nurmi here now. The young Russian (17-year-old centre Gleb Semenov), we’re trying to get a visa for him. We signed him and it’s all good. Ruslan Gazizov is another guy in the mix. He’s coming to our camp (as an over-age winger with the potential to play a fourth season in London).

 

[LDN]

What about Isaac Truman 14th rounder played US HS prep so might be looking the college route?

 

[LDN]

I would expect to see Nicholl, Van Gorp and Boulton take a real step forward here. Also Johnstons job is probably on the line so he needs a good camp. Do we expect Cover or Halloran to impress enough to get a camp invite?

O’Reilly should take an offensive step and become one of the go to guys

 

[LDN]

The more I think about it. I think Julien and SIM are OA locks

 

[dmead]

Interesting quote from Mark Hunter….

Q: There are two import spots and four possibilities at the moment. Where does that stand heading into camp?

A: “You just don’t know. We think Kasper Halttunen is coming back (from the Sharks for a second OHL season), but it’s out of our hands. So, we better have another plan for somebody else as a European in that spot. We have (fellow Finn and New York Islanders prospect) Jesse Nurmi here now. The young Russian (17-year-old centre Gleb Semenov), we’re trying to get a visa for him. We signed him and it’s all good. Ruslan Gazizov is another guy in the mix. He’s coming to our camp (as an over-age winger with the potential to play a fourth season in London).

So nothing we ddont already know. Standard, wait and see. Feel bad for Ruslan. Kid played his balls off last season, literally.

 

[LDN]

So nothing we ddont already know. Standard, wait and see. Feel bad for Ruslan. Kid played his balls off last season, literally.

Ruslan will be given a chance I’d say if it makes sense

 

[Knightsfan90]

Keep an eye on Jaxon Cover had alot of speed and hockey IQ reminds me of Easton Cowan

 

[ReLyT]

Speaking of Jaxson Cover

https://x.com/i/web/status/1605251800738762753

 

[Knights Watcher]

You are connected so I believe you


Scratch that. The crease is Willmores to lose. Any potential deal to bring in an experienced goalie fell through.

 

[tjziel]

So nothing we ddont already know. Standard, wait and see. Feel bad for Ruslan. Kid played his balls off last season, literally.

Well it was said by OHL4Life that Mark is not expecting Halttunen back, which is he is so that solidifies that he thinks Halttunen will be back.

If he comes back, great. If not, then we have Plan B.

 

[LDN]

Cover is one of those super untapped potential guys. Under 5 years playing. He’s like a Pascal Siakim type (for those raptors fans out there) lol

Need to come up with a cool nickname for him like undercover cop or detective

 

[ArielNederland]

Judging by what others are saying about cover, hopefully london signs him. Still not sure if cowan comes back. Maybe after world juniors?

 

[LDN]

Judging by what others are saying about cover, hopefully london signs him. Still not sure if cowan comes back. Maybe after world juniors?

Hard to know about Cowan. I’d say the Leafs will for sure send him to WJC. After that who knows. If he makes it, as Mark said it’s because he earned it

 

[LDN]

BULLDOGS ACQUIRE RYERSON LEENDERS FROM STEELHEADS - Brantford Bulldogs

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO. Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Matt Turek today announced the acquisition of Buffalo Sabres prospect, goaltender Ryerson Leenders from the Brampton Steelheads in exchange for a series of OHL Priority Draft Selections. Leenders, a native of Nanticoke, was originally...

chl.ca

Top goalie on the market. Price was too high. Good job Mark. See what else is out there and see what the 3 we got here now can do before pulling the trigger

 

[frontsfan67]

BULLDOGS ACQUIRE RYERSON LEENDERS FROM STEELHEADS - Brantford Bulldogs

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO. Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Matt Turek today announced the acquisition of Buffalo Sabres prospect, goaltender Ryerson Leenders from the Brampton Steelheads in exchange for a series of OHL Priority Draft Selections. Leenders, a native of Nanticoke, was originally...

chl.ca

Top goalie on the market. Price was too high. Good job Mark. See what else is out there and see what the 3 we got here now can do before pulling the trigger

As I’ve mentioned multiple times- Liam Sztuska has to be the guy you go after. And I saw today on one of the other threads that Sztuska to London is a legit rumour lol. Way up marks alley for price and value.

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

There is no way London would cough up anything like that return for a goalie, they are usually a dime a dozen with some exceptions.

Remember we got Micheal Simpson for Bowen and a 3rd.

 

[sbpointer]

BULLDOGS ACQUIRE RYERSON LEENDERS FROM STEELHEADS - Brantford Bulldogs

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO. Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Matt Turek today announced the acquisition of Buffalo Sabres prospect, goaltender Ryerson Leenders from the Brampton Steelheads in exchange for a series of OHL Priority Draft Selections. Leenders, a native of Nanticoke, was originally...

chl.ca

Top goalie on the market. Price was too high. Good job Mark. See what else is out there and see what the 3 we got here now can do before pulling the trigger

A trade that @LDN is happy didn't happen?!? What a day...
I think I saw a pig fly by my window too

 

[Ringing Iron]

I think ideally the Knights would hope Haltanen comes back and there's a chance. It'll depend on what San Jose and their AHL affiliate decide. Truthfully, I feel he has room to grow more in London, specifically his skating and speed of play.

in the ideal world, it's Haltanen and Nurmi. But Gazizov has earned a chance. Unfortunately he carries the OA tag too and there's already a log jam.

Semenov is plan C if they lose two of Haltanen, Nurmi and Gazizov.

Certainly an interesting situation. Much of it is out of London's hands.

 

[rve24]

I don't care what the interview said, I'll wager anything the Knights brass are planning not to have Halts this season and if it happens it's an unexpected bonus.
Have thought he is gone since Jan and the reasoning only got stronger thru the 2nd half n POs.
If I'm his NHL club I'm left wondering how does he take a step forward in the CHL? He came in a a skilled player n got better n better as the year went on. JMO he needs now the next challenge of the AHL.