London Knights 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[nelli27]

Maybe I missed it, but did Cowan play at all in the 3rd? I couldn't see him on the bench. Did he get hurt? Or am I just blind?

There was a stretch where the top line missed the regular rotation when the game was out of reach. Limiting their ice time because of a 3 in 3 weekend. But the top line did not sit an entire period.

 

[skills71]

Long time observer, first time poster. I was just reading the 980 news game recap. It says that Copeland has missed the past 2 games due to illness, so I guess he has not been waived?

 

[Ringing Iron]

There was a stretch where the top line missed the regular rotation when the game was out of reach. Limiting their ice time because of a 3 in 3 weekend. But the top line did not sit an entire period.

I also did not see Cowan on the ice for the third. Barkey played sparingly but don't recall seeing Cowan much.

Just some rest I'm sure.

 

[Geff]

Long time observer, first time poster. I was just reading the 980 news game recap. It says that Copeland has missed the past 2 games due to illness, so I guess he has not been waived?

Yet he wasn’t listed as a scratch on the board before the game but Crane was

 

[Ken Yates]

O'Reilly scores in a blowout waves his teammates back to centre ice. No celebration...class player

 

[PhlyerPhanatic31]

Cowan took a pretty good slash to the elbow early in the 3rd

 

[Knightsfan90]

Very impressed with Willmore tonight. Tracked the puck well, great lateral side to side movement and didn't over-committ. For a youngster with limited game experience he showed confidence and poise. I like the goaltending duo the Knights have put together. On another note, hated to see Salajko hung out to dry by his team over and over and over again. Poor kid never stood a chance. But what's a coach to do in that situation? Keep him in and let him try and figure it out or pull him? Either way, the kids confidence is going to take a hit. I hope he bounces back. Every goalie in every league puts up a stinker every once in a while... Just too bad Salajko's was in his first ever OHL game.
Random game notes:
> O'Reilly is really starting to come along. Loved him on the first line with Cowboy and Barkey.
> Too bad Gazizov's goal was called back on the offside. He worked hard all night and deserved to pot one. He really should shoot more, though, instead of looking to make that pretty pass
> Love the grit and sandpaper the Boulton (Bash) brothers bring. No team is going to push our top guys around with these two patrolling.
> Haltsy is a pure goal scorer but has to be a little more disciplined. I expect 50G from him this year.
> Julien had a great game as well. Probably one of the best games of his young career.
> George is just so consistent and a calming factor back in the D zone. A smooth skater as well.
> Dicky is a Stud... Plain and Simple.
> Barkey and Cowan are starting to re-kindle that magic they had during the latter part of last season and in the playoffs.
> Arrowsmith showed some glimmers.
> Leonard is slowly becoming a top defender on this team. Tough, consistent and seldom makes a bad play.
> We didn't miss EM17 or MM39 at all tonight.
> KJ37 had a good game.
> Nicholl was pretty much invisible all game but he has a giant upside.
> VanBommel? Too early to tell.

That is all

Bang on 100% agree

 

[Ken Yates]

Cannot stand that "Taz" radio guy yelling out stuff at the game. Shut the F up

 

[PhlyerPhanatic31]

Cannot stand that "Taz" radio guy yelling out stuff at the game. Shut the F up

The in game "experience " is lacking at best. I get the promotional shit....but a lot of the sparkles and sprinkles are SO outdated it's embarrassing at times. And for the love of all things hockey....it's time to kill Chelsea Dagger too.

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

I am vehemently opposed to “sweet Caroline” and anything John Denver at a hockey game.

Don’t mind Chelsea Dagger but would like to see something that actually says something about the knights.

There is no greater fan experience like the European football chants.

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

“No one like us we don’t care!”

 

[Knights2729]

3 of us are going to the game tonight in Sarnia. Go Knights Go!!!!!!!

 

[rve24]

3 of us are going to the game tonight in Sarnia. Go Knights Go!!!!!!!

Stop by Firenzies pizza if open!

Nice arena to catch a game n good fantasy in my experience.

 

[Fergus31]

Very impressed with Willmore tonight. Tracked the puck well, great lateral side to side movement and didn't over-committ. For a youngster with limited game experience he showed confidence and poise. I like the goaltending duo the Knights have put together. On another note, hated to see Salajko hung out to dry by his team over and over and over again. Poor kid never stood a chance. But what's a coach to do in that situation? Keep him in and let him try and figure it out or pull him? Either way, the kids confidence is going to take a hit. I hope he bounces back. Every goalie in every league puts up a stinker every once in a while... Just too bad Salajko's was in his first ever OHL game.
Random game notes:
> O'Reilly is really starting to come along. Loved him on the first line with Cowboy and Barkey.
> Too bad Gazizov's goal was called back on the offside. He worked hard all night and deserved to pot one. He really should shoot more, though, instead of looking to make that pretty pass
> Love the grit and sandpaper the Boulton (Bash) brothers bring. No team is going to push our top guys around with these two patrolling.
> Haltsy is a pure goal scorer but has to be a little more disciplined. I expect 50G from him this year.
> Julien had a great game as well. Probably one of the best games of his young career.
> George is just so consistent and a calming factor back in the D zone. A smooth skater as well.
> Dicky is a Stud... Plain and Simple.
> Barkey and Cowan are starting to re-kindle that magic they had during the latter part of last season and in the playoffs.
> Arrowsmith showed some glimmers.
> Leonard is slowly becoming a top defender on this team. Tough, consistent and seldom makes a bad play.
> We didn't miss EM17 or MM39 at all tonight.
> KJ37 had a good game.
> Nicholl was pretty much invisible all game but he has a giant upside.
> VanBommel? Too early to tell.

That is all

Willmore was great. He’s done an excellent job with the Knights since last year. Kingston had a number of good looks last night in spite of the 8-1 score.

 

[Knights77]

4th line will be hell to play against. These guys will bring the physical presence for sure!

I wish there was a cool high scoring free agent we could sign

I think a good move to make would be send McCue to Peterborough to play with his brother, and get Beck. I realize we’d have yo add to the deal, so add picks or a young player to make it work. I really think we need to upgrade our OA skaters, maybe just one. I know the Knights scored a ton last night but you’re supposed to do that against a team like that. Until I see a 5+ goal game against a top team, I’ll continue to think a scorer needs to be added if not two.

 

[Section5Petes]

I think a good move to make would be send McCue to Peterborough to play with his brother, and get Beck. I realize we’d have yo add to the deal, so add picks or a young player to make it work. I really think we need to upgrade our OA skaters, maybe just one. I know the Knights scored a ton last night but you’re supposed to do that against a team like that. Until I see a 5+ goal game against a top team, I’ll continue to think a scorer needs to be added if not two.

Petes are full with OA's so would have to be Lockhart/Gauvreau/Mayer/Dubois and Beck

 

[Starry Knight]

Petes are full with OA's so would have to be Lockhart/Gauvreau/Mayer/Dubois and Beck

I feel like Lockhart is the type of player that the Knights need to drive offence on a second line, but that could be pricey for a team without a tradeable 07

 

[Section5Petes]

I feel like Lockhart is the type of player that the Knights need to drive offence on a second line, but that could be pricey for a team without a tradeable 07

London is limited with assets but I still feel like they're gonna walk away from the deadline with an A

 

[three dog night]

Long time observer, first time poster. I was just reading the 980 news game recap. It says that Copeland has missed the past 2 games due to illness, so I guess he has not been waived?

Not yet

 

[tjziel]

London is limited with assets but I still feel like they're gonna walk away from the deadline with an A

Well, even with the limited amount of draft picks, we do have players that we can flip.

Brody Crane would be an interesting asset to send close to home (Buffalo) to the Erie Otters for a couple picks. I think Erie is on their way up the division.

Ruslan Gazizov could be traded with picks for Filip Mesar if he’s ever returned to junior. Many reporters say he’s not ready for the AHL.

Kaeden Johnstone could be moved out east for picks.

Juan Copeland could be packaged with another player to lessen the amount of picks we would have to dish out.

William Nichol and Sam O’Rielly should be staying in London. I think Mark wants them to lead the team after the Barkey and Cowan era.

Not saying that any of these trades will happen. But there is more options that what we think…

 

[Matt93]

Well, even with the limited amount of draft picks, we do have players that we can flip.

Brody Crane would be an interesting asset to send close to home (Buffalo) to the Erie Otters for a couple picks. I think Erie is on their way up the division.

Ruslan Gazizov could be traded with picks for Filip Mesar if he’s ever returned to junior. Many reporters say he’s not ready for the AHL.

Kaeden Johnstone could be moved out east for picks.

Juan Copeland could be packaged with another player to lessen the amount of picks we would have to dish out.

William Nichol and Sam O’Rielly should be staying in London. I think Mark wants them to lead the team after the Barkey and Cowan era.

Not saying that any of these trades will happen. But there is more options that what we think…

Brody Crane is from Union, ON

 

[tjziel]

Brody Crane is from Union, ON

Oh ya oops! I just alway remember he was drafted out of Buffalo.

 

[nelli27]

Lineup is out...
Nichol, Crane, S. Boulton (line 3).
I get it... Add muscle to line 3, and maybe Nichol and Crane play bigger, more confidence.
We shall see.

 

[Ringing Iron]

Well, even with the limited amount of draft picks, we do have players that we can flip.

Brody Crane would be an interesting asset to send close to home (Buffalo) to the Erie Otters for a couple picks. I think Erie is on their way up the division.

Ruslan Gazizov could be traded with picks for Filip Mesar if he’s ever returned to junior. Many reporters say he’s not ready for the AHL.

Kaeden Johnstone could be moved out east for picks.

Juan Copeland could be packaged with another player to lessen the amount of picks we would have to dish out.

William Nichol and Sam O’Rielly should be staying in London. I think Mark wants them to lead the team after the Barkey and Cowan era.

Not saying that any of these trades will happen. But there is more options that what we think…

if Copeland passed through waivers without being claimed, why would someone expend picks to acquire him? He was free and no one claimed

 

[tjziel]

PP31
You're awfully negative these days.

if Copeland passed through waivers without being claimed, why would someone expend picks to acquire him? He was free and no one claimed

He hasn’t been waived. It’s been documented in an article that he had an “illness”. Don’t listen to every rumour. I have no doubt he’s in Dale’s doghouse, but he hasn’t been “confirmed” as being waived.