London Knights 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[frontsfan67]

Last season I would have placed the team just below the 2016 team, this team I think will be better than 2023, 2016, and possibly equal to 2005 (if they add a few over the top pieces)

2005 - 59 wins
2016 - 51 wins
2023 - 50 wins

This year the west is weak, we have already faced some of the contenders in the west and are 500 in the unstable part of the season.

Yes it’s bold, and I know Dale, he won’t care to bench half the team for a rest at the end of the season if he can afford to. That could mess up my prediction.

You have 3 losses already 6 games in. You’d have to go 52/62 the rest of the way playing Oshawa twice, Brampton once more, Barrie again, Erie a bunch more times, flint too. also how many players will you be losing around Christmas? That will affect largely how the team plays- could have 4 knights on Canada. I think 55 is unrealistic but I can see them hitting 50

 

[Otto]

Last season I would have placed the team just below the 2016 team, this team I think will be better than 2023, 2016, and possibly equal to 2005 (if they add a few over the top pieces)

2005 - 59 wins
2016 - 51 wins
2023 - 50 wins

This year the west is weak, we have already faced some of the contenders in the west and are 500 in the unstable part of the season.

Yes it’s bold, and I know Dale, he won’t care to bench half the team for a rest at the end of the season if he can afford to. That could mess up my prediction.

Equal to 2005? I'm all for being positive, but holy hell man.. just no.

 

[dirty12]

Weak (?) How do you figure that, the 2 weaker teams will be Soo and Sarnia. Looks like Owen Sound has made a quick turn around London and Saginaw will be about the same as last year in terms of winning games, everyone else all improved or will do better than last season. The western Conference will be very strong again this year, will be the strongest, despite what they are saying about the Eastern, all Eastern teams will be more competitive within their ranks, yes, but will not be as strong as the Western Conference

The central division should be really good. This might be one of those rare years that the mid-west is not best. Windsor is surprising, but the west is still the weakest division imo.

 

[Otto]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1845117339735306513

 

[M21]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1845117339735306513

He is a marked man. Seems all he has to do is step on the ice and a penalty is called. Was a penalty warranted? Yes. 5 and a game followed by a suspension? Let’s see if that is the standard for all players going forward.

 

[ArielNederland]

What did boulton do?

 

[sbpointer]

It is the standard for all players named Boulton just like it was last year.
Nothing unexpected there. Barrie player got away with a slew foot and Boulton took care of business.
London is deep and there will be more of these suspensions...

What did boulton do?

Jumped a player that tripped ( slew footed ) Oliver Bonk right next to the boards.

 

[Knightsfan90]

Kasper Halttunen’s AHL season starts on Saturday and he stays with the Barracuda as long as he keep getting PP time and continues to be in a top 6 role. If he were to get pushed down, then maybe he comes back.

Team is moving forward and hope to have Gleb here in the coming weeks. If Gleb produces and Halttunen does come back who's odd man out Nurmi? Will be interesting to see how they deal with that

 

[TheOrangePylon]

What did boulton do?

Bonk was hit from behind and Boulton stood up for him, the colts player did not fight back and the refs gave Boulton the only penalty on the play.

 

[Knightsfan90]

What did boulton do?

Barrie player hit bonk from behind so boulton chased him down and beat him into the group other player didn't really put up a fight

 

[Otto]

He is a marked man. Seems all he has to do is step on the ice and a penalty is called. Was a penalty warranted? Yes. 5 and a game followed by a suspension? Let’s see if that is the standard for all players going forward.

It was a classic case of what the league has called "bullying" for a few years now. He jumped an unwilling participant. Agree or disagree, but it's consistent.

The hit that lead up to it? Yup should have been called. And one could argue the Colts player should have been a man and expected what was coming. He didn't, he turtled, and the end result was expected

 

[KnightWatch]

Team is moving forward and hope to have Gleb here in the coming weeks. If Gleb produces and Halttunen does come back who's odd man out Nurmi? Will be interesting to see how they deal with that

If Halttunen comes back, Gleb will be the odd man out.

 

[Fergus31]

I could be wrong but it seemed to me that Bonk had his stick lifted and fell awkwardly into the boards. At the game, it didn’t seem like malicious contact from the Colt. Again, I could be wrong! Don’t yell at me, please.

 

[TheOrangePylon]

I could be wrong but it seemed to me that Bonk had his stick lifted and fell awkwardly into the boards. At the game, it didn’t seem like malicious contact from the Colt. Again, I could be wrong! Don’t yell at me, please.

I don’t think it was a viscous hit by any means, but the colts player 100% shoved him from behind and anytime one of the big guys, in this case Bonk, get hit and go down. I would expect a reaction by someone in green/gold.

 

[Knights2729]

Knights are not winning 55 games this year, I predict a record of 50-16-2 and thats if EVERYTHING goes their way. There is NO WAY IN HELL this team is anywhere near the 2004-05 team!!

 

[Oggie Ogoltorp]

Good teams find ways to win. Barrie coach blamed reffing but there was questionable calls both ways. Dickenson is unreal. Bonk is a beast. Obviously that top line is maybe the best in the league. Barrie is good too. That game could have went either way. Wakely was a big pickup for Colts. Instant chemistry with his linemates. Those two teams would be a hell of a series if they get there.

 

[frontsfan67]

Good teams find ways to win. Barrie coach blamed reffing but there was questionable calls both ways. Dickenson is unreal. Bonk is a beast. Obviously that top line is maybe the best in the league. Barrie is good too. That game could have went either way. Wakely was a big pickup for Colts. Instant chemistry with his linemates. Those two teams would be a hell of a series if they get there.

My pre season prediction for the finals

 

[Fastpace]

The central division should be really good. This might be one of those rare years that the mid-west is not best. Windsor is surprising, but the west is still the weakest division imo.

I am not seeing what you are seeing, sorry!

 

[Fastpace]

William Nicholl is all about team first, in this 5-1 win over Guelph. He doesn't care about the hat-trick as long as the team score the goal. This team is starting to look like the team we were expecting to see.

 

[LDN]

Nicholl is a beauty! Unselfish, always positive attitude and great skill

 

[LDN]

Really liked Fagen. He will be a really good D in this league. Got a great toolset.

 

[Fastpace]

You know what they are saying about the quiet ones, don't mess with Woolley, or with his teammates

 

[Otto]

Knights are now first in the division

45 to go
#Dale900

 

[Fastpace]

Kitchener just handled Saginaw's first lost of the season, 7-4 and Erie beat Windsor 6-3 for Spitfires first regular time lost this season as well

These Rangers have the right combination, they are going to give London a hard time this season

 

[JagrBomb93]

Good game by Willmore tonight! If he continues to play well, I wonder if we end up saying so long to Alec Leonard…? Brz and Woolley played much better today! What is more important to the team - veteran backup goalie or veteran stay at home top 6 defender? Tough decision for Mark Hunter.