London Knights 2024-25 Season Thread, Part III

[Sane Knights Fan]

Having an OHL final appearance two years ago and a championship last year, while adding to the draft picks, is yeoman’s (yes, yeoman’s) work by Hunter. This allows for a deadline where he can add via trade. Fortunately, a couple pieces were added without touching the draft capital (Fimis, Montgomery). One added via young player and picks (Allen). If London has card(s) remaining, nothing would shock me. I say add the biggest piece you deem a threat to you winning, and rebuild next year. But I’m just an observer. Go Knights.

Yeah I agree with getting that player that would add lots more offence (Jett or Musty) but I think next year is giving all this new talent we seem to have lots of some experience not really a rebuild just maybe a practice year for more great teams soon to come

 

[tjziel]

The only reason I kinda want Jett Luchanko is for his speed, playmaking, faceoffs and defensive play. But giving up Hawery is a steep price. 4 years of Hawery or potentially 0.5 or 1.5 years of Luchanko?

Luchanko centering Halttunen and Nurmi would be lethal.

Imagine this: Nurmi does all the gritty stuff along the walls and skates well. Halttunen’s skating hasn’t improved much so imagine how much room Halttunen would have if Luchanko and Nurmi are streaking down the ice into the offensive zone and they push the defense back with their speed, then Halttunen is the late trailer heading to the slot and Luchanko finds him. With Halttunen’s shot and Luchanko speed and vision. Perfect combo! Julien can’t push anyone back with his speed haha.

Problem this year is Halttunen hasn’t been able to get his shot off because he hasn’t had a lot of space this year which is good for him to learn to create space and skate. Teams are zoning in on him a bit more. O’Rielly could be good between Nurmi and Halttunen but then you gotta trust Julien between Cowan and Barkey.

Barkey - O’Rielly - Cowan
Nurmi - Luchanko - Halttunen
Nichol - Julien - Montgomery
Van Gorp - Sim - Van Bommel/Boulton

Dickinson - Bonk
Woolley - Allen
Fimis - Brzustewicz

Elliott
Medvedev

Spares: Aboflan, Read, Fagan, Spencer

 

[Knights2729]

Yup - also I just wonder if this is also a smart add in case there is a 10% chance Cam Allen could possibly come back next year as an OA.

Now once again let me reiterate it is very unlikely, but I would say there is more of a chance of that than Andrew Gibson returning and still less of a price because I’m think Soo would have wanted Noah Read and pieces or an 08.

Also, I think we are in fact done! No more significant trades needed….

Barkey - O’Rielly - Cowan
Nurmi - Julien - Halttunen
Montgomery - Nichol - Sim
Boulton - Read - Van Gorp

Spares: Hawery, Aboflan

Dickinson - Bonk
Woolley - Allen
Fimis - Brzustewicz

Spares: Fagan, Spencer

Elliott
Medvedev

Yup - also I just wonder if this is also a smart add in case there is a 10% chance Cam Allen could possibly come back next year as an OA.

Now once again let me reiterate it is very unlikely, but I would say there is more of a chance of that than Andrew Gibson returning and still less of a price because I’m think Soo would have wanted Noah Read and pieces or an 08.

Also, I think we are in fact done! No more significant trades needed….

Barkey - O’Rielly - Cowan
Nurmi - Julien - Halttunen
Montgomery - Nichol - Sim
Boulton - Read - Van Gorp

Spares: Hawery, Aboflan

Dickinson - Bonk
Woolley - Allen
Fimis - Brzustewicz

Spares: Fagan, Spencer

Elliott
Medvedev

I myself think that THIS is the most likely lineup scenario going forward and the fact that we got a stud like Montgomery for absolutely nothing as well as Fimis and Elliott for a very reasonable rate is the reason that Mark was able to go all in on Allen like this. Its super and our third line is as good as alot of teams second line and maybe even a couple teams first lines. Our D is as good as if not a little better then last year and our goaltending is better depth then last year and offence is about the same! In all its a team built to win the OVERALL prize!! MEMORIAL CUP OR BUST BABY!!!!!

 

[M21]

I myself think that THIS is the most likely lineup scenario going forward and the fact that we got a stud like Montgomery for absolutely nothing as well as Fimis and Elliott for a very reasonable rate is the reason that Mark was able to go all in on Allen like this. Its super and our third line is as good as alot of teams second line and maybe even a couple teams first lines. Our D is as good as if not a little better then last year and our goaltending is better depth then last year and offence is about the same! In all it’s a team built to win the OVERALL prize!! MEMORIAL CUP OR BUST BABY!!!!!

Aboflan for Boulton and agreed.

 

[Long Reach]

The only reason I kinda want Jett Luchanko is for his speed, playmaking, faceoffs and defensive play. But giving up Hawery is a steep price. 4 years of Hawery or potentially 0.5 or 1.5 years of Luchanko?

Luchanko centering Halttunen and Nurmi would be lethal.

Imagine this: Nurmi does all the gritty stuff along the walls and skates well. Halttunen’s skating hasn’t improved much so imagine how much room Halttunen would have if Luchanko and Nurmi are streaking down the ice into the offensive zone and they push the defense back with their speed, then Halttunen is the late trailer heading to the slot and Luchanko finds him. With Halttunen’s shot and Luchanko speed and vision. Perfect combo! Julien can’t push anyone back with his speed haha.

Problem this year is Halttunen hasn’t been able to get his shot off because he hasn’t had a lot of space this year which is good for him to learn to create space and skate. Teams are zoning in on him a bit more. O’Rielly could be good between Nurmi and Halttunen but then you gotta trust Julien between Cowan and Barkey.

Barkey - O’Rielly - Cowan
Nurmi - Luchanko - Halttunen
Nichol - Julien - Montgomery
Van Gorp - Sim - Van Bommel/Boulton

Dickinson - Bonk
Woolley - Allen
Fimis - Brzustewicz

Elliott
Medvedev

Spares: Aboflan, Read, Fagan, Spencer

If there is a card left, I would be all in on Jett. For London’s sake and to keep him off Windsor, Oshawa, Barrie, etc. Good fit for London. He does it all except take dumb penalties, lol. Bona fide #1 center and moves Julien and O’Reilly down for more favourable matchups as you’ve posted.
Hypothetically, I imagine it starts with Hawery if he waives his NTC. Something like Hawery, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4? Add conditionals if returned for next season. Using the Beck deal as a comparable…but London only has one 2nd left, so I added a 3rd and 4th. I dunno. Just win the darn last game.

On top of this, you have to think other GM’s are scrambling to get something done. Puts some pressure on them. London is defending OHL champions, are 25-6, and just added a top 4 defenceman (top 2, talent wise, arguably). Fimis, Montgomery, Halttunen have only played a handful of games too. Keep the foot on the gas. Finish the job, Hunters!

 

[M21]

If there is a card left, I would be all in on Jett. For London’s sake and to keep him off Windsor, Oshawa, Barrie, etc. Good fit for London. He does it all except take dumb penalties, lol. Bona fide #1 center and moves Julien and O’Reilly down for more favourable matchups as you’ve posted.
Hypothetically, I imagine it starts with Hawery if he waives his NTC. Something like Hawery, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4? Add conditionals if returned for next season. Using the Beck deal as a comparable…but London only has one 2nd left, so I added a 3rd and 4th. I dunno. Just win the darn last game.

On top of this, you have to think other GM’s are scrambling to get something done. Puts some pressure on them. London is defending OHL champions, are 25-6, and just added a top 4 defenceman (top 2, talent wise, arguably). Fimis, Montgomery, Halttunen have only played a handful of games too. Keep the foot on the gas. Finish the job, Hunters!

Hard no. Knights don’t need more offence and Julien and O’Rielly felt the sting of the Mem Cup loss (a dumb championship with a host team) and are solid contributors to the team. Hawery will be the next Evangalista. The team is solid with today’s move is all that was needed. The moves you don’t make are usually the best ones.

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

It’s like waking up on Christmas morning!

It would have been great to see Allan and Barkey make the juniors, but we are going to be really good over the holidays.

Barkey O’Reilly Montgomery
Van Gorp Julien Sim
Read Nicholl Van Bommel
Aboflan Hawery Boulton

Allen Brzustewicz
Woolley Fimis
Fagan Spencer
Mitchell

Elliot
Medvedev

 

[LDN]

It’s like waking up on Christmas morning!

It would have been great to see Allan and Barkey make the juniors, but we are going to be really good over the holidays.

Barkey O’Reilly Montgomery
Van Gorp Julien Sim
Read Nicholl Van Bommel
Aboflan Hawery Boulton

Allen Brzustewicz
Woolley Fimis
Fagan Spencer
Mitchell

Elliot
Medvedev

That’s a helluva lineup

 

[rve24]

If it is a 2 part deal I wondering if Mark or Dale are looking to go out with a bang lol.

What I've appreciated about this ownership group from day 1 is they are aggressive in mindset and constantly pivoting their philosophy on how they build their squads

 

[GangGreen]

Luchanko would be a nice luxury, but I wouldn't trade Hawery unless the deal is already done (2 parter as previously mentioned). Hawery is a big part of the future. At this point, nothing else needed. A #6 LH dman would be nice, but not really necessary. They won't play much in the playoffs, so Fimis, Fagan and Spencer can rotate in during the season.

As for the lineup, I feel like Barkey and Cowan should be split up, other than PP.

Something like
Barkey-Julien-Haltunnen
Montgomery-O'Reilly-Cowan
Sim-Nicholl-Nurmi
Van Gorp-Hawery-Boulton/Aboflan/Van Bommel

 

[LDN]

I wonder if Bonk or Cowan get a letter at the WJC?

 

[LDN]

Here is my thing with Jett.

Let’s just say he came back next year, Dickinson comes back. Boom contender again lol