London Knights 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[rve24]

Top 6 Fs if an addition is made
Halts, Montgomery, Barkey, Cowan, ORielly, X
Checking line options. Nurmi, Sim, Julien, Nichols, Van Gorp,
4th line. 2 from above plus Van Bommel, Read and Hawery ( both probly sit but wouldn't be outta place, Aboflann Bolts for toughness,
X can flipped from top 6 to mid 6 F.
Obviously if X is added I see 2 Fs leaving ( maybe 1 from this group n an add or 2 from this group)
That's a ton of flexibility in terms of how ya wanna play n depth as well. That bottom 6 is solid.

I'd run 3 even lines to start but we all know Dale loves to utilize a shutdown line. Soooo many options move or no move

 

[tjziel]

If we do get Luchanko, there is a specific reason why I want him. Also, he already plays a Knights style, so it wouldn’t take long for him to produce with London. He’s smart and has good hockey IQ, great speed, he back checks and has vision and skill. Already does the things Dale would ask of him in the Knights system.

The 1st line: as we know during World Juniors Barkey and O’Rielly have great chemistry. We all know even from back in 2023 that Barkey and Cowan have chemistry. That and looking almost alike got them the name “the twins”. And then from last year Cowan and O’Rielly were paired together quite a bit and had chemistry. The Barkey/O’Rielly/Cowan line is legit.

The 2nd line: we’ve struggled to have a consistent second line this year. At points we have had Nicholl look like a 2C, then Julien but nobody has meshed super well. That’s where I propose a line of Montgomery/Luchanko/Halttunen. Halttunen hasn’t been lights out yet, and it seems he always needs a playmaker on his line (Nicholl was that last year). Halttunen also hasn’t improved his skating and hasn’t had room to get his shot of well this year and we want him to be better 5 on 5, so here’s where BMO and Luchanko come in. Having BMO and Luchanko bearing down on defenceman and pushing them deep with their speed and skill will allow space for Halttunen to be the trailer on rushes cuz he’s not a great skater, thus will allow space to get Halttunen’s shot off, which won’t be fair for other teams. Also Luchanko’s vision and playmaking will help BMO and Halttunen thrive. Montgomery/Luchanko/Halttunen has speed vision and a shot. Great potential.

The third line: this is the line that beats up other teams bottom six. The speed and vision of Nicholl, the speed and grittiness of Nurmi, and Julien. Sim is also appealing here. These are matchups that Julien should be able produce, and there is plenty of speed and grit from Nicholl and Nurmi to grind teams down and cause headaches. Nurmi/Julien/Nicholl line will be good.

The fourth line: the a$$hole line lol! Boulton, Sim and Aboflan. If Julien doesn’t perform on the third line you drop him down to the 4th line and promote Sim.

 

[Slowpace]

Luchanko playing today, so not likely any deal made yet.

 

[bearfan]

Luchanko playing today, so not likely any deal made yet.

This might have been his last home game in Guelph, they would most likely wanted to give him a warm welcome back from the WLT and thank you for all you have done for us.

 

[Long Reach]

Kitchener and Windsor keep humming along. Very little separation in the standings. Barrie with another couple big additions. Not a rumor monger at all but I can’t see Hunters being done.

 

[ArielNederland]

Hopefully hunters respond to barrie's additions. Windsor london match up might be a tight one

 

[bearfan]

I think some people are going to be surprised at what happens early this week.

 

[Drop the Puck]

Hopefully hunters respond to barrie's additions. Windsor london match up might be a tight one

I watched them play in Niagara this afternoon, yes they were on the road and played last night.

I wasn’t overly impressed. Looked kinda slow, even against the slower Niagara D.

We shall see soon, but yes, May be tight.

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Could Pinelli still be in play for London? Was mentioned here he was going to Barrie for Vaughan, looks like Barrie liked the deal with North Bay more.

Pinelli is more of a goal scorer, which is something I would like to see them add and I don’t see his cost being as high as Luchanko. Just a thought!

 

[hockeylegend11]

I watched them play in Niagara this afternoon, yes they were on the road and played last night.

I wasn’t overly impressed. Looked kinda slow, even against the slower Niagara D.

We shall see soon, but yes, May be tight.

It was Windsor's 3rd game in 3-1/2 days with double travel against a team that didn't play last night,Flores only reason game went to OT.

 

[Long Reach]

I watched them play in Niagara this afternoon, yes they were on the road and played last night.

I wasn’t overly impressed. Looked kinda slow, even against the slower Niagara D.

We shall see soon, but yes, May be tight.

At the end of the day, London has the advantage at the head coaching position. We’ll see what happens.

 

[nelli27]

At the end of the day, London has the advantage at the head coaching position. We’ll see what happens.

I'm not at all worried about Windsor. They have a potent #1 line with Greentree, Protas, and whomever they put with them, sometimes Belchetz, sometimes Morneau. Protas is one of the better Imports in the league. Beyond that, nothing scary. Their D will get eaten alive by the Knights.
Keep in mind that the Spits have feasted on many teams with depleted lineups owing to World Junior departures, injuries. They are certainly one of the better teams in the league, but would not beat us in a seven game series. They will be a force next season. Just my two cents.

 

[Long Reach]

Halttunen looks like a man on a mission in this game.

 

[tjziel]

Looks like Guelph wanted to present Luchanko with a gift today. That’s why he dressed.

The earliest we will likely hear about the Luchanko trade is tomorrow if there is one already worked out, but if I’m Guelph I wait until Thursday to get the most value out of him and get other teams involved to up the trade value.

That is unless Luchanko is just wanting to come to London and that’s it….

 

[LondonKnightsRule]

I think some people are going to be surprised at what happens early this week.

I would be happy with no deals this week just have knights pick Hagens from USA to commit to the knights

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

I would be happy with no deals this week just have knights pick Hagens from USA to commit to the knights

Might as well add Minnetian too!

 

[LostRangers]

All announcers in the O are Homer's, hard not to be but ya they are far better than alot of the " over the top" ones around the league. Guelph, Kitchener and Erie guys need to dial it back for sure but it is still better than nothing at all.

That is in comparison to the London team that sound like we just woke them up from a nap that wasn’t long enough?

 

[tjziel]

Great showing by Finland. Halttunen and Nurmi should be proud!

 

[Matt93]

Looks like Guelph wanted to present Luchanko with a gift today. That’s why he dressed.

The earliest we will likely hear about the Luchanko trade is tomorrow if there is one already worked out, but if I’m Guelph I wait until Thursday to get the most value out of him and get other teams involved to up the trade value.

That is unless Luchanko is just wanting to come to London and that’s it….

If this deal was done like so many have said, he would not have dressed today whether they wanted to give some lame puck or not. You cannot risk injury if there is a deal done.

Therefore.....there is no deal done. Move on.

 

[ArielNederland]

Rangers pushing for Pinelli. Hopefully we can add another goal scorer

 

[LDN]

Rangers pushing for Pinelli. Hopefully we can add another goal scorer

Even if Kitchener added him. I would still like us in a matchup against them.

 

[Ken Yates]

Could Pinelli still be in play for London? Was mentioned here he was going to Barrie for Vaughan, looks like Barrie liked the deal with North Bay more.

Pinelli is more of a goal scorer, which is something I would like to see them add and I don’t see his cost being as high as Luchanko. Just a thought!

Pass on Pinelli and Luchanko

 

[ArielNederland]

Pass on Pinelli and Luchanko

Then who would we add?

 

[Harley49]

Then who would we add?

Sam McCue

 

[tjziel]

If this deal was done like so many have said, he would not have dressed today whether they wanted to give some lame puck or not. You cannot risk injury if there is a deal done.

Therefore.....there is no deal done. Move on.

Luchanko is different. He is an 06. If he gets injured then if he comes back next year then you trade him. It’s not like an 04 or an 05 when most won’t come back to the OHL next year.

It’s not like Guelph will completely lose in this scenario.