London Knights 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[LDN]

Do you all agree that this team still has more in the tank? 3 for is awesome! Need to get everything solidified. I know that Fagen is catching some heat, but I think he does have top pair potential. His tools are very good. Just needs more reps.

Jenkin is not noticeable which is good for a 17 yr old D

What’s everyone’s thoughts about Spencer?

 

[Fastpace]

Do you all agree that this team still has more in the tank? 3 for is awesome! Need to get everything solidified. I know that Fagen is catching some heat, but I think he does have top pair potential. His tools are very good. Just needs more reps.

Jenkin is not noticeable which is good for a 17 yr old D

What’s everyone’s thoughts about Spencer?

If today's team were at the Memorial Cup tourney as they are, they would barely win a game, if any. So ya, they better have more in the tank, there is much to do, yet before they reach last year's potential, but they are on their way to greatness again come springtime. Cheers!

Our young D are developing just fine

 

[Fergus31]

Do you all agree that this team still has more in the tank? 3 for is awesome! Need to get everything solidified. I know that Fagen is catching some heat, but I think he does have top pair potential. His tools are very good. Just needs more reps.

Jenkin is not noticeable which is good for a 17 yr old D

What’s everyone’s thoughts about Spencer?

I think things will stabilize with what’s hopefully more consistent defensive hockey.

Veterans that have been lacking somewhat will probably see positive regression to the mean - thinking specifically Barkey, Julien, Nurmi.

07’s with a cup of coffee are really hard to evaluate. Need more games over a full season to see what they are imo.

 

[Otto]

Do you all agree that this team still has more in the tank? 3 for is awesome! Need to get everything solidified. I know that Fagen is catching some heat, but I think he does have top pair potential. His tools are very good. Just needs more reps.

Jenkin is not noticeable which is good for a 17 yr old D

What’s everyone’s thoughts about Spencer?

Knights always turn it up after the trade deadline. Hold on tight!

41 to go
#RoadToDale1000

I can't recall a better sports weekend.

Knights 3-0
Habs 2-0
Lions 1-0
Plus at the beginning of baseball season I put money down on the Dodgers to win the World Series

 

[Holden Caufield]

 

[crowncarrier]

I guess my rebuttal would be...if he is as bad as we are saying. What team is going to be trading for him...no real value if he is that bad. I also think that Fagan has played a better all around game so far than Jenken. But that is just my thoughts..

Who are you talking about?

 

[LDN]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1850669008187527609

We are lucky! Feels like they have been here for a while!

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Kasper Halttunen watch continues, no points 2 shots in his last game. Feels like he isn’t getting meaningful minutes but there are no TOI statistics in the AHL. next game for him is Wednesday.

 

[tjziel]

Kasper Halttunen watch continues, no points 2 shots in his last game. Feels like he isn’t getting meaningful minutes but there are no TOI statistics in the AHL. next game for him is Wednesday.

I’ve watched a couple of his games. He is clearly a bottom six forward right now but he can handle the physical play of men.

Other than the first game of the season, he hasn’t been a top 6 forward at all. Skating still needs work.

If Mike Grier wants Halttunen to be a top 6 forward in the NHL, he should come back to work on skating and defensive play. If Grier projects him being a bottom 6 forward in the NHL, then he’s fine in the AHL and will fill that role in the NHL someday.

 

[All the Answers]

I’ve watched a couple of his games. He is clearing a bottom six forward right now but he can handle the physical play of men.

Other than the first game of the season, he hasn’t been a top 6 forward at all. Skating still needs work.

If Mike Grier wants Halttunen to be a top 6 forward, he should come back to work on skating and defensive play. If Grier projects him being a bottom 6 forward, then he’s fine in the AHL and will fill that role in the NHL someday.

But will that happen in London? With the talent there he will be on a line that has the puck most of the time, get top PP minutes, and is already behind Cowan, Barkey, and O'Reilly right off the hop as a potential PKer. Are there the meaningful minutes available to work on the perceived "what's needed" prior to the 3rd round of playoffs? As an outside observer of the absolute wagon I expect London to round into, I would think bottom 6 minutes against grown men will do Kasper more good for his development. 20+ minutes holding the puck shooting clappers from the LW on the PP to the tune of 40 goals aren't the developmental minutes required IMO. He's got that down already.

 

[dino200022]

Who are you talking about?

Fagan...

Fans are saying he is worthless and he must be traded. I just find it funny because if "we" think he is worthless then why would anyone else want him haha..it is a crazy oxymoron.

FYI I do not think he is that bad at all for a rookie defenceman. Both Jenken and Fagan are slowing developing and I think that Fagan has a higher ceiling than Jenken and both will be decent to solid D men as the year is ending.

 

[dino200022]

But will that happen in London? With the talent there he will be on a line that has the puck most of the time, get top PP minutes, and is already behind Cowan, Barkey, and O'Reilly right off the hop as a potential PKer. Are there the meaningful minutes available to work on the perceived "what's needed" prior to the 3rd round of playoffs? As an outside observer of the absolute wagon I expect London to round into, I would think bottom 6 minutes against grown men will do Kasper more good for his development. 20+ minutes holding the puck shooting clappers from the LW on the PP to the tune of 40 goals aren't the developmental minutes required IMO. He's got that down already.

I am with you on this, sending him back to Jr Hockey to score 35 goals and never kill a penalty is NOT going to help his defensive play or skating. It is good for the Knights not Halttunen.

People wanting him back is just selfish at this point and the reasons given make zero sense. The Barracuda work very close with the Sharks and have highly paid professionals to develop their players on a daily basis.

 

[Fastpace]

Fans, at times, hardly gives young rookies time to adjust into this league. Some are expecting young players to come right in and dominate right away from the miners. Based on this weekend games, everyone on the team did their job, or they would have lost their games. Their (rookies & Veterans) overall roles on the team that each have, has determined their overall three weekend game success. IMHO

 

[Buttsy]

Do you all agree that this team still has more in the tank?

For sure this team has a ton left in the ole tank as the roster sits now but I do think the current roster is not set quite yet. IF (I think it’s probable) we get Halttunen back IMO Mark needs to treat this as a “go all in” year as it could be several seasons before we see such an experienced and talented group again. May be a situation where he needs to step outside his comfort zone and trade futures in order to bring in a few major pieces? For example I’m not convinced (yet?) goaltending is solved? We need a big tough stay at home D-man. I like Ando in Kitchener (if still available with the Rangers early success ?) BUT can’t overpay as he is not what I would call elite? And we could still use a couple of 25-30 goal men that play both ends of the rink with preferably 1 at Centre that is crazy good on the draw? Then after having won the Memorial Cup, next year sell a few pieces off, fall back to middle of the road in the standings and retool.
Like I say this season is really setting up as potentially something very special and potentially a rare team that comes along BUT not everyday. May be the time to “step it up” when it comes to rounding out the roster? Cheers Go Knights Go.

 

[Fergus31]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1850281923396173935

In b4 Arrowsmith, Fagan, 3rd

For sure this team has a ton left in the ole tank as the roster sits now but I do think the current roster is not set quite yet. IF (I think it’s probable) we get Haltunnen back IMO Mark needs to treat this as a “go all in” year as it could be several seasons before we see such an experienced and talented group again. May be a situation where he needs to step outside his comfort zone and trade futures in order to bring in a few major pieces? For example I’m not convinced (yet?) goaltending is solved? We need a big tough stay at home D-man. I like Ando in Kitchener BUT can’t overpay as he is not what I would call elite? And we could still use a couple of 25-30 goal men that play both ends of the rink with preferably 1 at Centre that is crazy good on the draw? Then after having won the Memorial Cup, next year sell a few pieces off, fall back to middle of the road in the standings and retool.
Like I say this season is really setting up as potentially something very special and potentially a rare team that comes along BUT not everyday. May be the time to “step it up” when it comes to rounding out the roster? Cheers Go Knights Go.

Jmo but Andonovski is a premier d in this league. Definitely would call him elite at this point for OHL defenders.

 

[dino200022]

We can't keep trash talking Fagan and then think he is going to net us Luchanko or another big fish. Our cupboard is pretty bare as far as picks go, someone is going to have to get really creative to get us something big this year and it will most like involve Hawery and or Mitchell.

 

[tjziel]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1850281923396173935

In b4 Arrowsmith, Fagan, 3rd


Jmo but Andonovski is a premier d in this league. Definitely would call him elite at this point for OHL defenders.

Andonovski would be nice, but if we can’t get him I would love to try and get Andrew Gibson. I would love to see Dale put Dickinson and Gibson together when he was a shutdown line, or Dickinson and Bonk when he wants offense from the D. I would rather upgrade the D more than bring in a Musty type….

We really need that 3rd defenseman that can shutdown anybody and replace what Isaiah George gave us.. Andrew Gibson and Matt Andonovski do that. Gibson is right handed, Ando is left handed.

Dickinson - Bonk
Woolley - Gibson
Jenken - Brzustewicz

 

[LDN]

We can't keep trash talking Fagan and then think he is going to net us Luchanko or another big fish. Our cupboard is pretty bare as far as picks go, someone is going to have to get really creative to get us something big this year and it will most like involve Hawery and or Mitchell.

Mitchell cannot be traded this season!

Dickinson! What a player. Player of the week. I think he’s a contender for Dman of the year! As is Bonk. We are lucky!

 

[Fergus31]

We can't keep trash talking Fagan and then think he is going to net us Luchanko or another big fish. Our cupboard is pretty bare as far as picks go, someone is going to have to get really creative to get us something big this year and it will most like involve Hawery and or Mitchell.

I was being sarcastic. Totally agree.

 

[tjziel]

You guys are right though we really do need to go all in this year. This will be the end of an era for our team with Bonk, Barkey, Cowan, and likely Dickinson. We are so close, and Londoners need another parade!

Need to go somewhat all in. And just know now that NCAA allows players to play In the OHL and then NCAA, we could see more Americans join our team again with later round picks in the draft. Maybe not, but here’s hoping.

Get a solid stay at home Dman in Andrew Gibson or Mattew Andonovski, and get whatever else you can to help up front and we should be on our way.

 

[Knights Watcher]

Love this...

 

[Eamon5]

We can't keep trash talking Fagan and then think he is going to net us Luchanko or another big fish. Our cupboard is pretty bare as far as picks go, someone is going to have to get really creative to get us something big this year and it will most like involve Hawery and or Mitchell.

Can’t trade Mitchell this year.

 

[LDN]

I can’t help myself/you will all hate me lol

Luchanko for Hawery plus
Musty for Fagen, Bidgood plus
Andovski or Allen or Gibson for Jenken plus

If this happens LOOK OUT if not still LOOK OUT cause we have a damn good core

I also am okay with just tinkering (McCue etc plus a stay at home D)

 

[OnlyUpFromHere49]

I can’t help myself/you will all hate me lol

Luchanko for Hawery plus
Musty for Fagen, Bidgood plus
Andovski or Allen or Gibson for Jenken plus

If this happens LOOK OUT if not still LOOK OUT cause we have a damn good core

I also am okay with just tinkering (McCue etc plus a stay at home D)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… LDN trade proposals for every player in the league

What exactly is all the “plus” also?

 

[ArielNederland]

I can’t help myself/you will all hate me lol

Luchanko for Hawery plus
Musty for Fagen, Bidgood plus
Andovski or Allen or Gibson for Jenken plus

If this happens LOOK OUT if not still LOOK OUT cause we have a damn good core

I also am okay with just tinkering (McCue etc plus a stay at home D)

No to trading hawery at all costs. This was mentioned before- he can't be traded before. It's also well known that he didn't want to go anywhere but london so likely has a ntc?