London Knights 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[LDN]

Denver has got to be considered for player of the week. 7 points in 2 games.

 

[dino200022]

Cowan has 30pts in 22 games and has a point in 58 straight games. What more do you want from him?

Unfortunately that is the giant downfall of being Leafs property. Media hypes you up as the next Gretzky and when you only end up being a 99 point Mitch Marner all Leaf fans tear you down. He would be just another prospect if he was property of any other team, which is unfair to the kid for sure!

With that being said, hope he can keep his head held high and keep on trucking forward. I think he has a few good ones on this team that are going to keep his spirits lifted!

I am not scared of anyone in the West, but how good is Oshawa looking! If all goes well it is going to be a very tough finals, Oshawa is big, strong and fast. Can Oster hold up, that is their question mark IMO.

 

[All the Answers]

Cowan to me looks like a better version of Brendan Gallagher. Somewhat undersized 2-way agitator who's a better scorer, skater and PKer that can fill in top 6 minutes but career middle of the lineup guy. If he can improve his shot he can work up an NHL roster with the way he works and gets opportunities. Nothing wrong with that for a career. We all will know more in the next 10 years.

 

[Fastpace]

Unfortunately that is the giant downfall of being Leafs property. Media hypes you up as the next Gretzky and when you only end up being a 99 point Mitch Marner all Leaf fans tear you down. He would be just another prospect if he was property of any other team, which is unfair to the kid for sure!

With that being said, hope he can keep his head held high and keep on trucking forward. I think he has a few good ones on this team that are going to keep his spirits lifted!

I am not scared of anyone in the West, but how good is Oshawa looking! If all goes well it is going to be a very tough finals, Oshawa is big, strong and fast. Can Oster hold up, that is their question mark IMO.

I'd like to be as optimistic about the Generals, and I am not seeing it, unfortunately. I am seeing a downside from them, they may not even get out of the semi in the East. If their system doesn't change, they will have a hard time winning the East championship against Barrie and Sudbury. They will also have to deal with Niagara and Kingston. Different coach from last season, and it shows, their system seems to have changed quite a bit.

 

[dino200022]

Cowan to me looks like a better version of Brendan Gallagher. Somewhat undersized 2-way agitator who's a better scorer, skater and PKer that can fill in top 6 minutes but career middle of the lineup guy. If he can improve his shot he can work up an NHL roster with the way he works and gets opportunities. Nothing wrong with that for a career. We all will know more in the next 10 years.

Probably pretty close to what he will be, with a little bit of added offensive flair in his prime.

The issue is that the hardcore Leaf fans think he is the next coming of Gilmour because that is how the Canadian media ( TSN/SPORTSNET ) has built him up. They have built him up so much that even a successful NHL career is not enough at this point, he has to be a perennial all star. It is just silly to me to expect the world out of kids.

 

[Holden Caufield]

Unfortunately that is the giant downfall of being Leafs property. Media hypes you up as the next Gretzky and when you only end up being a 99 point Mitch Marner all Leaf fans tear you down. He would be just another prospect if he was property of any other team, which is unfair to the kid for sure!

I get that he has added attention related to the media and overzealous Leaf fans. But let’s not forget he earned the reputation himself. Cowan earned OHL MVP as an 18 year old. That is as high a standard as one can get.

He is capable of being the best player in the league, but is probably playing like the 4th best player on his team lately. There is no doubt he can elevate his game. And I’m sure he will down the stretch here… which is a scary thought for the rest of the league.

 

[Random2152]

Unfortunately that is the giant downfall of being Leafs property. Media hypes you up as the next Gretzky and when you only end up being a 99 point Mitch Marner all Leaf fans tear you down. He would be just another prospect if he was property of any other team, which is unfair to the kid for sure!

With that being said, hope he can keep his head held high and keep on trucking forward. I think he has a few good ones on this team that are going to keep his spirits lifted!

I am not scared of anyone in the West, but how good is Oshawa looking! If all goes well it is going to be a very tough finals, Oshawa is big, strong and fast. Can Oster hold up, that is their question mark IMO.

Probably pretty close to what he will be, with a little bit of added offensive flair in his prime.

The issue is that the hardcore Leaf fans think he is the next coming of Gilmour because that is how the Canadian media ( TSN/SPORTSNET ) has built him up. They have built him up so much that even a successful NHL career is not enough at this point, he has to be a perennial all star. It is just silly to me to expect the world out of kids.

This is just not true.
The idea that Cowan has been over hyped by the media is a total fabrication by fans who hate the Leafs. Given the level of hate he has been getting (particularly since the worlds) I think he is actually pretty underrated right now.

 

[Fastpace]

Check this out, the very top video; The refs is fist fighting the player

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=russian+hockey+refs+fight

 

[LDN]

 

[rve24]

I remember Barch well as a Knight. Great first year with London I felt as a rookie b showed good potential. Had to change his game up when he went pro but made a good career out of it.
Huron Perth has an excellent MM team this year if any1 wants to check out some solid hockey when they visit London or Elgin

 

[zman77]

London Knights longshot's path from house-league hockey to the OHL​

Noah Aboflan, a free agent with no tangible Ontario Hockey League experience, was determined to make the roster of the defending champion London Knights this season.
`Few have been better prepared for the task. The 19-year-old spent the summer training with ex-Knight Zac Rinaldo, his coach and mentor for the final half of the 2023-24 season with the Pelham Panthers of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
“We knew he wasn’t going to go in there and take a top six role and outskill the others,” Rinaldo said. “He needed to eat everybody’s food. There are no friends at camp. You’re there to take someone’s spot. You’re there for business.
“That’s how he conducted himself all summer and that’s why I’m coaching – for kids like Noah to have their dreams come true and put them on the path to success.”
Aboflan grew up in Elliot Lake, in northern Ontario between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. He started as a house league goaltender until pee wee, then made the North Shore Thundercats A team at U14.
A broken wrist helped him realize how much he missed the game and propelled him to get serious about the sport.
“I tried out in the Soo for the AAA Junior Greyhounds in my U16 year (during the pandemic) and ended up cracking the roster,” the 6-foot, 192-pounder said. “That really kicked it off.”
He had a tryout with the OHL’s Hounds, but it led to nothing. He spent a half-season with the Northern league’s Blind River Beavers, then went home and played in Elliot Lake for the Red Wings (who were rebranded to the Vikings) before Rinaldo came knocking.

London Knights longshot's path from house-league hockey to the OHL

Noah Aboflan was determined to make the roster of the defending champion London Knights this season.

lfpress.com

 

[Long Reach]

Barch’s kid is draft eligible? Yeah, I’m officially old.

 

[Buttsy]

NHL. Returnees are also given some assignments to work on, that will help them at the next level. This could explain some of their changes in junior plays, there are so many things to do beside scoring goals in hockey

You just have to look down the 402 to the kid named Nail Yakupov if ever you doubt how scoring is only one part of the game. How soon we forget .... The NHL is a MASSIVE last step!

 

[Homer44]

Great write up on Aboflan about his journey to the Knights. He’s earned every minute he’s played.

Zac Rinaldo’s comments about Mark and Dale speaks volumes about how they extended his career in the NHL.

 

[Knights77]

Unfortunately that is the giant downfall of being Leafs property. Media hypes you up as the next Gretzky and when you only end up being a 99 point Mitch Marner all Leaf fans tear you down. He would be just another prospect if he was property of any other team, which is unfair to the kid for sure!

With that being said, hope he can keep his head held high and keep on trucking forward. I think he has a few good ones on this team that are going to keep his spirits lifted!

I am not scared of anyone in the West, but how good is Oshawa looking! If all goes well it is going to be a very tough finals, Oshawa is big, strong and fast. Can Oster hold up, that is their question mark IMO.

I still think Barrie will be the team to beat in the finals. They played great game when they were in London, their import dman who is 6’7 224 is the nastiest player in the league and I mean that in a good way. He is very physical, plays a lot of minutes and uses his size. Add the fact they will have a new top scoring line we didn’t see (health depending), I think Barrie scares me much more than Oshawa.
That said in a 7 game series, still feel good about Knights chances.
Regarding which goalie starts playoffs unless something drastic happens between now and then, no way is it not Elliott starting. You spend an OA card for that guy to lead you with his experience. Yes there has been games he has fought the puck but all he’s done is go undeafeated. Tough crowd I guess.
Meds will have the rest of this year to gain experience and he will be the guy moving forward - and should Elliott falter, Dale won’t hesitate to give Meds a go. Dale always favours the older players and this will likely be no different.

 

[LDN]

I still think Barrie will be the team to beat in the finals. They played great game when they were in London, their import dman who is 6’7 224 is the nastiest player in the league and I mean that in a good way. He is very physical, plays a lot of minutes and uses his size. Add the fact they will have a new top scoring line we didn’t see (health depending), I think Barrie scares me much more than Oshawa.
That said in a 7 game series, still feel good about Knights chances.
Regarding which goalie starts playoffs unless something drastic happens between now and then, no way is it not Elliott starting. You spend an OA card for that guy to lead you with his experience. Yes there has been games he has fought the puck but all he’s done is go undeafeated. Tough crowd I guess.
Meds will have the rest of this year to gain experience and he will be the guy moving forward - and should Elliott falter, Dale won’t hesitate to give Meds a go. Dale always favours the older players and this will likely be no different.

Barrie has been on a slump well Oshawa has been hot. If Barrie finds their groove they will be amazing. But right now Oshawa shows they are for real. They added a lot of depth at the deadline

 

[dino200022]

This is just not true.
The idea that Cowan has been over hyped by the media is a total fabrication by fans who hate the Leafs. Given the level of hate he has been getting (particularly since the worlds) I think he is actually pretty underrated right now.

Are you sure about that. Going into the tournament he was touted as potentially being the best player on the team. Which us London folks hoped would be correct, but most could very well argue that he is not even the best player on his Junior team so I am not too sure how that is being "under hyped"

All summer TSN was Leafs or Bust for Cowan....I guess that is not overhype for a 19 year old prospect who again was not even the best player on his junior team last year? Ya he won OHL MVP, but to me that came out of nowhere based solely on hype and it should have gone to Denver, Musty or Parekh IMO.

 

[leafs4life94]

Are you sure about that. Going into the tournament he was touted as potentially being the best player on the team. Which us London folks hoped would be correct, but most could very well argue that he is not even the best player on his Junior team so I am not too sure how that is being "under hyped"

All summer TSN was Leafs or Bust for Cowan....I guess that is not overhype for a 19 year old prospect who again was not even the best player on his junior team last year? Ya he won OHL MVP, but to me that came out of nowhere based solely on hype and it should have gone to Denver, Musty or Parekh IMO.

Especially considering on FanDuel they had odds specifically for him for points (over/under 11.5 - tourney leader ended with 11 I believe), he was heavy minus money to score a goal - -280 I believe against Latvia (implied probability of a 73.% chance to score). Cowan's obviously a good player he's not at the level of elite goal scorer the media was making him out to be.

 

[LDN]

Are you sure about that. Going into the tournament he was touted as potentially being the best player on the team. Which us London folks hoped would be correct, but most could very well argue that he is not even the best player on his Junior team so I am not too sure how that is being "under hyped"

All summer TSN was Leafs or Bust for Cowan....I guess that is not overhype for a 19 year old prospect who again was not even the best player on his junior team last year? Ya he won OHL MVP, but to me that came out of nowhere based solely on hype and it should have gone to Denver, Musty or Parekh IMO.

You think Barks should have been the MVP last year? Only reason he had more points than Cowan was he played more games. Cowan still had 96 points in 54 games last year. He had an awesome 2nd half. He played well defensively as well which I’m sure factored in. The guy was truly outstanding and deserved to win it IMO

 

[LDN]

To match last years PPG Cowan needs 61 points in the last 29 games.

Hence the reason I have said he hasn’t looked the same this year.

Halttunnen was just over PPG last year. He currently has 8 points in 11 games and only 2 goals. He has a lot of room to grow his total this last 29 games.

Julien has 24 points in 39 games. He had 78 in 67 last year. Room for at least PPG 2nd half.

Nurmi was expected to be a PPG guy. 17 points in 30 games.

Bonk PPG last year. This year 23 points in 26 games.


I’m not ragging on them. I am just saying if they heat up and , Barkey, BMO, Peanut, Allen, Dickinson, Nicholl keep it up we are in for a great last 29 games.

If the same pace is held for the last 29 games should expect another 23ish wins. The team cannot slump or hit a snag though.

 

[dino200022]

You think Barks should have been the MVP last year? Only reason he had more points than Cowan was he played more games. Cowan still had 96 points in 54 games last year. He had an awesome 2nd half. He played well defensively as well which I’m sure factored in. The guy was truly outstanding and deserved to win it IMO

I am not really worried too much about points. You could have easily given the MVP to Barkey last year and I do not think anyone would have batted an eye about it. Barkey just does a little bit more on a game to game basis that changes outcomes of a game. In saying that I can see why Cowan did get it, I just do not think he was the best player on a nightly basis. I am sure the point streak also played a big factor. Just my opinion obviously, I am happy to have both on the team and if I had to choose one or the other it would certainly be an almost impossible decision to make.

As much I hate to admit it, I think Parekh should have won the MVP last year. Kid led his team in scoring by 15 points as a defenceman.

 

[LDN]

I am not really worried too much about points. You could have easily given the MVP to Barkey last year and I do not think anyone would have batted an eye about it. Barkey just does a little bit more on a game to game basis that changes outcomes of a game. In saying that I can see why Cowan did get it, I just do not think he was the best player on a nightly basis. I am sure the point streak also played a big factor. Just my opinion obviously, I am happy to have both on the team and if I had to choose one or the other it would certainly be an almost impossible decision to make.

As much I hate to admit it, I think Parekh should have won the MVP last year. Kid led his team in scoring by 15 points as a defenceman.

Interesting. You think Barkey drives play better than Cowan? It’s interesting cause hockey Canada, the NHL scouts do not view Cowan and Barkey as similar. I think they are pretty close in skill set, but Easton is bigger and a bit more explosive although skating speed wise they both are quick.

Yes agreed both are fantastic players and kids and both will hopefully go on to long NHL careers. We are lucky to have them!

 

[dino200022]

Interesting. You think Barkey drives play better than Cowan? It’s interesting cause hockey Canada, the NHL scouts do not view Cowan and Barkey as similar. I think they are pretty close in skill set, but Easton is bigger and a bit more explosive although skating speed wise they both are quick.

Yes agreed both are fantastic players and kids and both will hopefully go on to long NHL careers. We are lucky to have them!

There skill sets and hockey IQ are similar. Cowan has a little bit more size and likes to crash and bang a bit more than Barkey, but Barkey is a tough SOB for his size. Barkey plays what i like to call "Datsyuk" style and is always a step ahead of the defender, great with his stick defensively and reads the play better than Cowan. Which says a lot because Cowan has quite a high hockey IQ. Barkey's one average skill is his skating I think, especially for a "smallish" player.

Cowan has the speed and size/feisty advantage, where as Barkey has the stick/defensive and smarts advantage. What Barkey lacks in speed/skill/size he makes up for in smarts and what Cowan lacks in smarts he makes up for in speed/skill/size.

That is why they are so damn dangerous when on the ice together even when shorthanded! Although I am really liking the Barkey/BMO combo. If Cowan can find a running mate as well than this is a very dangerous team! Would like to see O'Reilly with Cowan and Sim/Nurmi. Let Sim or Nurmi battle on the boards and get Cowan and O'Reilly the puck. I find Cowan has to do too much battling in the corners for a guy with his skillset and size.

Barkey-Nicholl-BMO
Nurmi-O'Reilly-Cowan
Sim-Julien-Halts
Abo/Read-Van Bommell-Van Gorp

PS - @LDN I would like your posts but it appears the like button has disappeard for me for some reason??

 

[FrozenWookiee]

Wow. Big jump for Knights players on the mid-year NHL Central scouting list. Read and Van Gorp didn't even make the preliminary list but are now both on the mid-year. Brzustewicz was a "C" rated player (likely 4th or 5th rounder) and is now #19 amongst NA skaters (likely low 1st or high 2nd rounder). Medvedev was also a "C" rated goalie and is now #2 overall for NA goalies. Also of note that #2 skater is Hagens (oh, what could have been).

Overall, it really shows how much it helps your development to play for the knights!

 

[frontsfan67]

Are you sure about that. Going into the tournament he was touted as potentially being the best player on the team. Which us London folks hoped would be correct, but most could very well argue that he is not even the best player on his Junior team so I am not too sure how that is being "under hyped"

All summer TSN was Leafs or Bust for Cowan....I guess that is not overhype for a 19 year old prospect who again was not even the best player on his junior team last year? Ya he won OHL MVP, but to me that came out of nowhere based solely on hype and it should have gone to Denver, Musty or Parekh IMO.

IMO should’ve been either Goyette, Parekh or Cowan. Parekh had a season for the ages and capped it off with a Mem cup, Goyette lead the league in scoring so an argument to be made there.

However, Cowans big point streak is what won it 100%.

This year it has to be either Misa or Walton so far. Misa leading league in goals and points and Walton 3 pts behind but 20pt gap between him and his next teammate(excluding Mews since they just got him) all while having musty who may be the most talented in the league out for most of the year.

Not only can Walton win the MVP but also probably gets most improved (in east, and misa in west)