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London Knights 2024-25 Season Thread, Part V

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rve24 said:
I think in many aspects he has looked better this year.
Guess some miss the 13 who had the op in the role he was in last year to fly the zone, get thru the blues with speed, dump the puck wide of tender and try n sneak by the D to recover off the end boards.
This year more engaged in his own end, supporting the D, usually the low F helping out, almost always on the right side of the puck, winning draws, positionally sound, good job on 1n1 battles. But ya doesn't skate super fast n score alot.
I'd love a break down from those disappointed in his game as an OA and how it differs from last year. ( both in role, expectations and a 200 ft game) Bet we won't get anymore than " OA should be better, looks lazy......"
His game has improved and his contributions will help this team more come crunch time than last year, JMO. Those expecting a scoring machine just had poor/unrealistic expectations. But I'd love an explanation as to why I'm wrong.

And which OA would u like to have in his place plus the cost.

And who cares if it is rookie or OA, it's about contribution, role given by staff n helping the team win.
You can win with great OAs or not, great 19 yr olds or not, 1st/2nd year players taking a big role or not, 2 great Euros or no great Euros, big trade deadline addition or not. Best goalie or not.......
Maybe it's an expectation of an OA that has a coupke posyers dissappointed? I dunno, but kid fills a big role n need on this team.
( no I do not think he carves out an NHL career, no I dont think he is top 10 talent ( akater ) on this team. But an OA doesn't need to be that to be part of a great team. So times they do ( not here thou)

Who were the OAs on the LK OHL Championship teams, but ya find a couplectgat didn't dominate.b
Click to expand...
I’m definitely not one of the Julian haters, but I’m in the crowd of, I think he has more to give. Which I think we have been seeing the last couple weeks.

He was well over a PPG player last year and the expectation usually is, a returning player improves on their point total from the year before. Now, I do agree with your points of, he plays well defensively and is a responsible 200ft player who wins draws. I just think at times this year, he has looked lazy and disengaged from the play and his offensive game has been lacking, which is usually what the average fan notices. Which is where alot of the haters come from.

But I agree with most of your post, for sure! I hope the Julian we have seen the last little bit, is the one that continues to play. Great story and a London kid, you’d love to see him succeed.

As for OAs on championship teams.
2005 - Prust, Rodney, Girardi
2012 - Cook, Martin
2013 - Hughes, Ferry
2016 - Burke, Graves, Berisha
2024 - Simpson, Lawrence, McCue

I believe those are the names, it’s hard to remember and the stats pages aren’t 100% clear, so if I have an error, sorry!
But, yes, you would be correct that some years, some didn’t contribute. Didn’t even have 3 a couple of the seasons. But other years, like last year, all 3 made significant contributions.
 
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TheOrangePylon said:
I’m definitely not one of the Julian haters, but I’m in the crowd of, I think he has more to give. Which I think we have been seeing the last couple weeks.

He was well over a PPG player last year and the expectation usually is, a returning player improves on their point total from the year before. Now, I do agree with your points of, he plays well defensively and is a responsible 200ft player who wins draws. I just think at times this year, he has looked lazy and disengaged from the play and his offensive game has been lacking, which is usually what the average fan notices. Which is where alot of the haters come from.

But I agree with most of your post, for sure! I hope the Julian we have seen the last little bit, is the one that continues to play. Great story and a London kid, you’d love to see him succeed.

As for OAs on championship teams.
2005 - Prust, Rodney, Girardi
2012 - Cook, Martin
2013 - Hughes, Ferry
2016 - Burke, Graves, Berisha
2024 - Simpson, Lawrence, McCue

I believe those are the names, it’s hard to remember and the stats pages aren’t 100% clear, so if I have an error, sorry!
But, yes, you would be correct that some years, some didn’t contribute. Didn’t even have 3 a couple of the seasons. But other years, like last year, all 3 made significant contributions.
Click to expand...
5 OHL championships in 19 years (good chance for 6 if not for the COVID shortened season). Not bad!
 
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dmead said:
... and queue the Windsor Number Crunchers.....
Click to expand...
They'll ( i should say the 2 with an agenda will) leave out the decade long non PO series win thou lol. It was a full decade they never were better than LK in the reg season or POs.
 
TheOrangePylon said:
I’m definitely not one of the Julian haters, but I’m in the crowd of, I think he has more to give. Which I think we have been seeing the last couple weeks.

He was well over a PPG player last year and the expectation usually is, a returning player improves on their point total from the year before. Now, I do agree with your points of, he plays well defensively and is a responsible 200ft player who wins draws. I just think at times this year, he has looked lazy and disengaged from the play and his offensive game has been lacking, which is usually what the average fan notices. Which is where alot of the haters come from.

But I agree with most of your post, for sure! I hope the Julian we have seen the last little bit, is the one that continues to play. Great story and a London kid, you’d love to see him succeed.

As for OAs on championship teams.
2005 - Prust, Rodney, Girardi
2012 - Cook, Martin
2013 - Hughes, Ferry
2016 - Burke, Graves, Berisha
2024 - Simpson, Lawrence, McCue

I believe those are the names, it’s hard to remember and the stats pages aren’t 100% clear, so if I have an error, sorry!
But, yes, you would be correct that some years, some didn’t contribute. Didn’t even have 3 a couple of the seasons. But other years, like last year, all 3 made significant contributions.
Click to expand...

Appreciate the reply. I don't disagree the PPG are a little underwhelming but it's also not needed. Maybe the staff has adjusted his role n linemates based on the team needs. Lazy....that's a tough one for me. Hard time judging it as it's often misread. I dont think Hunter puts up with Lazy for very long. JJ ain't a burner, but he is calculated and that tends to look disengaged when sometimes it's the opposite. I'm not a fan of kids flying around st 200mph just to get no where or worse outta position he doesn't shy away from being first to a puck either which first suggest Lazy.

Also appreciate the OA list. Had similar just wanted to point out to win you dont need super high end OAs and upgrading on JJ woulda been dumb IMO based on the cost vs improvement on position for this particular team.
They won with Cook, Martin, Hughes, Ferry, Lawrence......all not really significant pieces in the PO run....( Lawrence due to missed time) but point was OA schmoA lol. Just put together a team.

Glad Mark didnt pay to upgrade the JJ OA spot.

TY Pylon!
 
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Really like the line switching and using 2 PP units. The PP did not connect (yet) but had a lot of good looks. Experimentation now is a very smart move. The score tonight would have been different if not for Erie’s goalie. He was excellent. Another strong team effort.
 
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Agreed!

Good to get the win. Erie played well. Knughts prevailed. Yes the line switching was good! Aboflan should have been in!

Ty Henry is a hated man amongst knights players !
 
LDN said:
Agreed!

Good to get the win. Erie played well. Knughts prevailed. Yes the line switching was good! Aboflan should have been in!

Ty Henry is a hated man amongst knights players !
Click to expand...
Aboflan over Boulton is probably the better lineup choice. I have nothing against Boulton but I think Aboflan is the more skilled player. But each have positive impacts to the lineup.
 
Believe if you guys win 1 more game and Guelph loses 1 more then you clinch the playoffs already over Guelph and owen sound
 
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