London Knights 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[LDN]

Tell me about him

 

[Billyjack]

Agree, Kitchener massively under-performed last year and then surprised Windsor in the 1st round. This year they look like they should have looked last year.

A piece of last year's team has been returned. Roman Schmidt by the Tampa Bay Lightning

 

[Buttsy]

I really would like to see "Bonkers" rush the puck up ice more often then he seems willing to do? I remember watching his first game in St Thomas where he went end to end and stuffed the puck home on a solo rush. If they have the handcuffs on this kid find the key, if it's confidence kick him in the arse and tell him "go fer it". And peeeelease relax with the "sky is falling" crap it's early folks way to early to even know what we got.

 

[superdee]

Spoken like true bias fan, absolutely nothing the matter with that either ! Julien did not need his stick up to the man's head to send his message, instead he got a massage of his own from the refs and possibly will from the league as well

I am not that bias and I have slowed everything down because I have been sick in bed. However it looked like he had his head pulled down so he couldn’t see he was cross checking him in the head. I will give the cross check fine but not the match penalty it was bullshit. He was against the boards so he didn’t drive him in. Good acting and piss poor officiating. I have never liked Monette he should have stuck to painting

 

[Purple Phart]

I really would like to see "Bonkers" rush the puck up ice more often then he seems willing to do? I remember watching his first game in St Thomas where he went end to end and stuffed the puck home on a solo rush. If they have the handcuffs on this kid find the key, if it's confidence kick him in the arse and tell him "go fer it". And peeeelease relax with the "sky is falling" crap it's early folks way to early to even know what we got.

There's been a tendency of Dale's to have his d-men on a short leash. Case in point: When Olie Maatta was with the Knights, he hardly ever saw a significant amount of power play time, but upon his entry to the NHL, Pittsburgh apparently thought enough of his offensive potential that he was inserted into their power play.

This season Haltennen (sp?) is being employed on the power play as the "designated shooter". While I concede that he does have a great shot, I feel that if encouraged, he has more to offer than simply being a one trick pony. He has size, relatively good skating, decent, but not great puck handling ability, and a desire to improve his game. Why not try him in that bumper position and see how he does ? He has the size to make opposing d-men's lives challenging, and perhaps he'll also discover the ability to score goals in tighter situations. That can only serve toward making him a more complete player, and a more valuable asset. I'd hate to see him pigeon-holed into a singular role, if he is capable of becoming much more.

 

[Ringing Iron]

There's been a tendency of Dale's to have his d-men on a short leash. Case in point: When Olie Maatta was with the Knights, he hardly ever saw a significant amount of power play time, but upon his entry to the NHL, Pittsburgh apparently thought enough of his offensive potential that he was inserted into their power play.

This season Haltennen (sp?) is being employed on the power play as the "designated shooter". While I concede that he does have a great shot, I feel that if encouraged, he has more to offer than simply being a one trick pony. He has size, relatively good skating, decent, but not great puck handling ability, and a desire to improve his game. Why not try him in that bumper position and see how he does ? He has the size to make opposing d-men's lives challenging, and perhaps he'll also discover the ability to score goals in tighter situations. That can only serve toward making him a more complete player, and a more valuable asset. I'd hate to see him pigeon-holed into a singular role, if he is capable of becoming much more.

I don't agree with your assessment of Haltennen. Good shot, absolutely. His hands and skill with the puck are good. It's his effort that is lacking. He appears to tire easily and I think that's why we haven't seen him dominate like he should. We all know that Dale rewards players with high work ethic and an attention to defensive detail. Once we start seeing that from the Finn, I think we will see him take the next step with this team.


The bumper position isn't a terrible idea to try but I do think his spot currently is ideal on the PP

 

[Fastpace]

I am not that bias and I have slowed everything down because I have been sick in bed. However it looked like he had his head pulled down so he couldn’t see he was cross checking him in the head. I will give the cross check fine but not the match penalty it was bullshit. He was against the boards so he didn’t drive him in. Good acting and piss poor officiating. I have never liked Monette he should have stuck to painting

Fully agree Kitchener player had Julien by the head that angered him with an excessive response of his own. Referees on the ice where are the actions and they also had help from upstair and video replays. It's hard to criticise this kind of calls, I think Julien's fatigue erupted in frustration from combination of several plays prior to this incident. Get yourself well soon buddy !

 

[Ken Yates]

I was expecting more from Haltennen but that could have been my flaw. Has a shot...other than that he quite average at everything else. Can he improve.. possibly. Right now hes not making a NHL roster. Crane is a mystery...good speed, decent shot but only 2 assists on the year? I think this is a year we trade and build for the next two years. We can deal a top "D" man for picks or playmaking 17yr old. The lost of Diaco,Mailloux and Winterton all core leaders and playmakers has us searching for answers.

 

[Knightsfan90]

I am not that bias and I have slowed everything down because I have been sick in bed. However it looked like he had his head pulled down so he couldn’t see he was cross checking him in the head. I will give the cross check fine but not the match penalty it was bullshit. He was against the boards so he didn’t drive him in. Good acting and piss poor officiating. I have never liked Monette he should have stuck to painting

Joe Monette is the biggest clown at the circus

If the knights choose to sell I'd be okay with that think what could be in next couple years add possibility of Moore and Hagens future is bright ethier way

 

[Mitch nylander]

How reliable is StubHub when it comes to London Knight ticket sales?

 

[Wifi]

If the knights choose to sell I'd be okay with that think what could be in next couple years add possibility of Moore and Hagens future is bright ethier way

There are a couple problems with the knights selling at this point. They already gave up some younger assets along with Humphrey to bring in Simpson, & a majority of their older players that would be considered trade targets are underperforming. If a team is selling this year, all 07, 06, 05 players are probably off the board. there are too many overages in the league so moving an 03 becomes difficult. So you are basically left with just the 04 group...

Best case scenario they can make one or two smaller moves that help this group click without loosing the future.

 

[Frank the Skank]

How reliable is StubHub when it comes to London Knight ticket sales?

Go to facebook Marketplace first. If you want to use a reseller site, use Tickpick, they don't have any buyers fees

 

[Knights Watcher]

How reliable is StubHub when it comes to London Knight ticket sales?

I always use MegaSeats for tix. Priced in US but price you see is price you get at checkout, and they always include a 10-15% discount.

 

[Frank the Skank]

 

[ArielNederland]

Another trade to niagara! And some of yall got your wish

 

[Fastpace]

There are a couple problems with the knights selling at this point. They already gave up some younger assets along with Humphrey to bring in Simpson, & a majority of their older players that would be considered trade targets are underperforming. If a team is selling this year, all 07, 06, 05 players are probably off the board. there are too many overages in the league so moving an 03 becomes difficult. So you are basically left with just the 04 group...

Best case scenario they can make one or two smaller moves that help this group click without loosing the future.

London's big market and close proximity to Junior B franchises, 5 teams within 40 minutes drive to the big club gives them ideal location to develop and follow their prospects up close. They can keep an eye on them, follow their progress, work with them and bring them up to London Knights practices to familiarised with Knights players and call them up for some emergency games with the big club at times. This is why London are able to reload so easily year after years, they do develop their young prospects. So can London afford to part with some players for draft choices or tweaking, heck yes they can, the Hunters knows their business of winning hockey games very well, they do it by looking after their young interests. IMHO

 

[Knights Watcher]

Another trade to niagara! And some of yall got your wish
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Confirmed but not announced yet. Sounds like 29 for a player and picks.

 

[tjziel]

It won’t be much for Brody Crane unfortunately. London’s gonna get reclamation project from Niagara and like a 4th if they are lucky to get a 4th.

Anybody know if there is any good USA free agents that haven’t committed to schools yet?

 

[tjziel]

Brody Crane for Christopher O’Flaherty two 3rds and a 4th lol!

 

[Holden Caufield]

Great return here for London.

Crane is definitely underperforming his abilities and off to a slow start. I’m confident he will be better in Niagara. But this is still a surprising haul.

 

[Knightsfan90]

 

[nelli27]

He started with the Spits. His mom is good looking, saw her at the Bud in his rookie season... That's all I know about him. And those 3rd Rd picks will likely be used to acquire some secondary scoring.

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Pretty good return for an under performing player, the pitch forks and torches will be out again with another London/Niagara trade.

O’Flaherty - I don't know much about him, point production isn't outstanding. Checked out Hockeyfights.com on him, 7 OHL fights including a very spirited scrap with Leonard when O’Flaherty was on Windsor.

 

[dino200022]

Hallelujah...I hope Crane can live up to his potential in Niagara but so happy to see him gone. Laziest player on the ice every night but when he does decide he wants to play he oozes potential. He is no good in the bottom 6 so why not pickup a guy that will skate, hit and give 100 percent every night.

HOW THE EFF, did we get that return though WOW.

 

[Holden Caufield]

Matthieu Paris
Mike Levin
Ryan Humphreys
Brody Crade
Conner Federkow
Owen Flores
(Ryan Roobroeck)

Niagara morphing into London East…