London Knights 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[tjziel]

Yes I have to agree with Otto on this one. Everyone knew their role better on that team. Ya they all might have not turned into NHL stars from the 05 team, but they did their role to a tee.

Secondly, the goalitending is still the best we ever had with Dennis and Coleman. You probably won’t see one on the same calibre for a very very long time if ever.

 

[rve24]

I'll stick by (for now and can't see it changing) this version wouldn't survive the grit n toughness the 05 squad had thru a 7 game series.
Also could just flat out lock teams up.

But I do really enjoy the discussion and Marners squad was great, as was last years.....just nice to have seen 4/5 teams as food as they were over the 20+ year run with the down years being mid pack teams for only a season til competing again. We are spoiled and it'll come to an end one day.
99 was also one of my favs tgat made a great run thru the POs

 

[tjziel]

I’m also convinced that that Knights 2005 team could have taken a run at one of the bottom end NHL teams. At least give them stiff competition….

Am I wrong anyone?

 

[GangGreen]

Syvret, Girardi and Methot were also 3 of the best defensive dmen in the league in '05. None of the current crop would be in the top 10 this year. The d and goalies in 2005 are the clear difference. I would consider this team to be more like 2016, just without the stud in net that we had in Parsons. Better depth this year tho. No disrespect to our current goalies.

I’m also convinced that that Knights 2005 team could have taken a run at one of the bottom end NHL teams. At least give them stiff competition….

Am I wrong anyone?

Probably, yes. Lol
Maybe a NCAA team, but let's not get carried away. 16-20 y.o.'s is a huge difference from 22-38 year olds. Literally.

 

[Otto]

No stats to back this up but Id argue that the the teams from 03/04 through 05/06:had more blocked shots than any other 3 seasons. Those teams were built different

 

[tjziel]

Syvret, Girardi and Methot were also 3 of the best defensive dmen in the league in '05. None of the current crop would be in the top 10 this year. The d and goalies in 2005 are the clear difference. I would consider this team to be more like 2016, just without the stud in net that we had in Parsons. Better depth this year tho. No disrespect to our current goalies.


Probably, yes. Lol
Maybe a NCAA team, but let's not get carried away. 16-20 y.o.'s is a huge difference from 22-38 year olds. Literally.

Ya lol! You’re probably right. It’s just the chemistry was too hard to ignore. You’re right, and NCAA team would be more fitting lol!

 

[Holden Caufield]

Cowan, Barkey, Haltunnen, O’Reilly, Nichol, Julien, Sim, Van Gorp, Montgomery, Nurmi , Read, Hawery, Arrowsmith, Van Bommel, Boulton, Bidgood, Aboflan (17).

With the addition of Montgomery, the return of Haltunnen and Sim’s pending return from suspension…. It would seem something has to give with the forward group.

1 or 2 healthy scratches divided up amongst 5 players was negligible.

Not sure you can find a fair way to divide up 5 healthy scratches and also try to build some unity/chemistry on the 4th line.

Good problem to have. But might be something that gets addressed soon.

 

[LDN]

Cowan/Barkey/Haltunnen/O’Reilly/Nichol/Julien
Sim/VanGorp/Montgomery/Nurmi/Read/Hawery
Arrowsmith/Van Bommel/Boulton/Bidgood/ Aboflan (17).

With the addition of Montgomery, the return of Haltunnen and Sim’s pending return from suspension…. It would seem something has to give with the forward group.

1 or 2 healthy scratches divided up amongst 5 players was negligible.

Not sure you can find a fair way to divide up 5 healthy scratches and also try to build some unity/chemistry on the 4th line.

Good problem to have. But might be something that gets addressed soon.

When do WJC camps start? I think moves are made when we can fill the lineup

Who are the top 6 F? Cowan, Barkey, Halttunnen, O’Reilly are all for sure. 2 spots up for grabs in my opinion.

 

[Ken Yates]

Arrowsmith, Van Bommel, Boulton, Bidgood, Aboflan. These right now are the players sitting out. Van Bommel goes in when Hawery sits. Better to keep these players till World Junior camp.

 

[Geff]

Who are the top 6 F? Cowan, Barkey, Halttunnen, O’Reilly are all for sure. 2 spots up for grabs in my opinion.

Montgomery & Nichol with Nurmi slotting in on occasion. You can't discount the speed Monty and Nichol bring to the top 6. Sim is 3rd line with VanGorp & Nurmi rounding out that line.

4th line is anyone's guess at this point. Boulton, Van Bommel and Aboflan could be fun!

 

[Fergus31]

I think when it comes down to it, Julien and O'Reilly are your top two centers. Julien needs to pick it up though and be more consistent. Nicholl looks like he's establishing himself as a player that can be versatile and used in different roles - center, wing, scoring, checking.

Ultimately, I think Montgomery takes the reins on one of the top four wing spots.

Also, Dale will create a checking line of sorts. You could use a variety of players here but I do agree that the foundation of a checking line likely starts with Sim and Nurmi. Perhaps Nicholl or Van Gorp as @Geff said.

Hopefully Hunters are able to leverage some of these forwards into draft picks. Perusing the rosters today - hard to say where and what they could get but I would think teams would have room for some of these kids (thinking specifically the 07 forwards).

 

[Holden Caufield]

Arrowsmith, Van Bommel, Boulton, Bidgood, Aboflan. These right now are the players sitting out. Van Bommel goes in when Hawery sits. Better to keep these players till World Junior camp.

Van Bommel has played in every game to this point. Going forward he may fall into the rotation of scratches. But we have yet to see that.

I dont think you can consistently sit Arrowsmith. He has played well enough to deserve a jersey on game days.