London Knights 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

Knights77

Registered User
Oct 5, 2012
1,361
669
Bud Gardens
That teddy bear toss game in Dec. 2003 where the Knights set the unbeaten record to start a season was probably the best goaltending display I have ever seen IN PERSON. Dennis was unreal.


Lol
And it's not even close
I’ve never seen more instances where a goalie stole a game with several highlight reel saves in one game. Adam Dennis is one of the best junior goalies of all time.
 

GangGreen

Registered User
May 27, 2012
1,629
946
I’ve never seen more instances where a goalie stole a game with several highlight reel saves in one game. Adam Dennis is one of the best junior goalies of all time.
Exactly! He did not want those teddy bears to fly lol.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zman77

K2

Registered User
Jun 11, 2015
708
637
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?
Maybe, in the lockout year, there would have been a team of couch potatoes sporting beer bellies by Spring when the Knights were at their very best ;)

IMO, the '05 Knights probably get crushed by a bad NHL team in any serious game. Boys & men generally and even the best ever OHL goaltending duo, Coleman & Dennis, were not NHL caliber players.
 

LDN

Registered User
Sep 29, 2017
7,310
5,868
Maybe, in the lockout year, there would have been a team of couch potatoes sporting beer bellies by Spring when the Knights were at their very best ;)

IMO, the '05 Knights probably get crushed by a bad NHL team in any serious game. Boys & men generally and even the best ever OHL goaltending duo, Coleman & Dennis, were not NHL caliber players.
Maybe vs an exhibition team/not full lineup
 
  • Haha
Reactions: All the Answers

All the Answers

Registered User
Jan 19, 2020
468
784
Maybe vs an exhibition team/not full lineup
Let's for argument's sake say Correy Perry was the best forward on the 05 team. 1st year in the NHL he has 25 pts in 65 games. Next year he has 44 in a full 82. Those are lower middle 6 numbers at best. This means that compared to your BEST player, there are at least 2 full lines of guys coming over the boards and playing over half the game, that are better, significantly, than your best player is 2 years beyond what he was in 2005. Any junior team including the 05 Knights is getting walked by any NHL team, and losing every game most likely against any AHL team. Men and boys.

Sit in the first 4 rows at a junior game, then do the same at an NHL game. The speed difference is startling.

IIRC Michael Misa was on a very good u16 team (or pick any great u16 team). That team is getting absolutely spanked by this year's Owen Sound Attack.
 
Last edited:

tjziel

Registered User
Nov 20, 2012
2,405
1,889
London
Maybe, in the lockout year, there would have been a team of couch potatoes sporting beer bellies by Spring when the Knights were at their very best ;)

IMO, the '05 Knights probably get crushed by a bad NHL team in any serious game. Boys & men generally and even the best ever OHL goaltending duo, Coleman & Dennis, were not NHL caliber players.
Yes yes yes! I overstepped lol! I have learned my lesson. Sorry, I love my 05 team thus I got a little cocky and now I regret it lol!
 
  • Like
Reactions: zman77

crowncarrier

My father hung me on a hook once....once.
Apr 10, 2015
493
749
Section 111
That's fair. But for the other poster that compared this defence corps to '04-'05. No chance. This group is younger though.
I agree with that part 100%. I was just referring to you saying that London does not have one defensive defenceman in this year's top 10 of the league....but I do get exactly what your saying right now Dickinson is not playing that way. I'd love for the Knights to go out and get a Girardi type guy.

That teddy bear toss game in Dec. 2003 where the Knights set the unbeaten record to start a season was probably the best goaltending display I have ever seen IN PERSON. Dennis was unreal.


Lol
And it's not even close
Tyvm.....I know what thar means. 😆
 

GoKnightsGo44

Registered User
Aug 31, 2006
1,574
1,443
For those that asked I will complete a comparative analysis of the 2005/2025 teams, but it will take done time to slice.

Since we can’t zoom out 10 years from now I have to look at comparable metrics from sources prior to those two seasons. The other reason for this is both teams were mostly intact from the year prior, and using in season stats does not account for the lockout and the availability of players at the start of the season. Please let me know if these resonate and what weight you’d place on each metric:

1) NHL Draft position of players
2) OHL Draft position of players
3) Previous years point totals for forward/defence, bifurcated by stat column
4) World Junior Games played
5) Biometrics, HT, WT, Age

The major difference in the game is the interference rule, if Methot was on the 2025 team he would not be able to stand up Crosby on zone entry. I can’t account for that on a stat line but maybe change the mean goals per game to reflect a more defensive posture and try to get closer to apples to apples from the 2004/2024 years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LDN and zman77

Otto

Lynch Syndrome. Know your families cancer history
For those that asked I will complete a comparative analysis of the 2005/2025 teams, but it will take done time to slice.

Since we can’t zoom out 10 years from now I have to look at comparable metrics from sources prior to those two seasons. The other reason for this is both teams were mostly intact from the year prior, and using in season stats does not account for the lockout and the availability of players at the start of the season. Please let me know if these resonate and what weight you’d place on each metric:

1) NHL Draft position of players
2) OHL Draft position of players
3) Previous years point totals for forward/defence, bifurcated by stat column
4) World Junior Games played
5) Biometrics, HT, WT, Age

The major difference in the game is the interference rule, if Methot was on the 2025 team he would not be able to stand up Crosby on zone entry. I can’t account for that on a stat line but maybe change the mean goals per game to reflect a more defensive posture and try to get closer to apples to apples from the 2004/2024 years.
I'd say eliminate the two draft categories because a player is drafted based on team need so a player could rise or fall based on the need. Also draft position hinges on who else is available in the draft.

Im not a fan of alterations because of the game being called different now. If you're going to deduct points for Methot playing under a different set of rules, should you not increase the points given to all of the forwards from the '05 team, because they were playing under pressure with the interference not being called?
 
  • Like
Reactions: zman77

GoKnightsGo44

Registered User
Aug 31, 2006
1,574
1,443
I'd say eliminate the two draft categories because a player is drafted based on team need so a player could rise or fall based on the need. Also draft position hinges on who else is available in the draft.

Im not a fan of alterations because of the game being called different now. If you're going to deduct points for Methot playing under a different set of rules, should you not increase the points given to all of the forwards from the '05 team, because they were playing under pressure with the interference not being called?
I think your point about draft standing is valid, but I don’t think it can be completely discounted. It could have a lesser weight though than hard stats.

I don’t like adjusted stats unless in the analysis both ways are equally presented, is there any way to correct for the rule change?
 

GoKnightsGo44

Registered User
Aug 31, 2006
1,574
1,443
Not sure if it has been mentioned yet, but the way the game was called in 2005 vs. now is also completely different. Way more fights and way more "letting the kids play". You don't see many Richards vs Perry centre ice brawls anymore. That has to account for something.

That was the most ridiculous thing i ever saw, it was a different time of awesomeness. The clutching grabbing and massive head checks were definitely lose in the rules.
 

Buttsy

Registered User
Jul 28, 2015
2,812
2,487
London
IMO, the '05 Knights probably get crushed by a bad NHL team in any serious game.
The last step from Junior to the NHL is the most difficult one and is a MASSIVE step. I agree 100% with your assessment. All you have to do is look and note how many incredible contributors to our Canadian WJC teams didn’t even get a sniff at the NHL? I’m surprised a bit someone would even think that a Junior team could possibly compete?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Slowpace

LDN

Registered User
Sep 29, 2017
7,310
5,868
Only change I would make is put O’Reilly on the 2nd line and Julien on the 3rd, but Dale knows best!

Boulton and Aboflan there to cause havoc
 
  • Like
Reactions: Holden Caufield

GoKnightsGo44

Registered User
Aug 31, 2006
1,574
1,443
If Kitchener can neutralize the top line, they may have fits with the third line.

Forth line should get a lot of time in the 3rd period if the game is executed to plan.

DROP THE PUCK
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad