London Knights 2024-25 Season Thread, Part VI

[LDN]

Interesting

 

[LDN]

Simmer is a free agent big time

 

[sbpointer]

Sarnia poster brought up an interesting topic that I'd invite others to discuss. Maybe it's too early to know but we have time to kill before game 1...
Will the new CHL rules help or hinder the Knights moving forward?
E.g. Is it more challenging now for London to draft their coveted players given that there's little room for players to bluff other teams. Before a player could say to an O team, don't pick me I'm headed to the BCHL or USHL with the hope of playing college hockey. Then, London nabs the kid in a later round. Now, how are these kids/agents going to bluff?
On the other hand, a Sarnia poster raises an interesting point...maybe the high end U.S. kids will want to come to London in droves.
Just wanted to get the opinions of others....

I wouldn't expect it to change things much. The threat there before was that the player wouldn't report to said team and they could still play that card although maybe not as veiled.

I do think it will bring more talent to the league as a whole which is great for everyone from an entertainment perspective.

I think the CHL/NCAA winner this year was Kitchener. Between the coaching they've gotten the last two seasons and the mid season adds this year that is why they are the threat they are.

 

[Fastpace]

I wouldn't expect it to change things much. The threat there before was that the player wouldn't report to said team and they could still play that card although maybe not as veiled.

I do think it will bring more talent to the league as a whole which is great for everyone from an entertainment perspective.

I think the CHL/NCAA winner this year was Kitchener. Between the coaching they've gotten the last two seasons and the mid season adds this year that is why they are the threat they are.

I fully agree

 

[crowncarrier]

Interesting

Barkey has only gotten better and better since mono. Took him a while to get it going but he's been the best player on the ice every game. And he's better then he was from last year. I agree with the Bonk assessment. He definitely would not hurt having another year in junior.

 

[TheCoach]

Elliot is the game 1 starter right?

 

[LDN]

Elliot is the game 1 starter right?

100%

 

[LDN]

Barkey has only gotten better and better since mono. Took him a while to get it going but he's been the best player on the ice every game. And he's better then he was from last year. I agree with the Bonk assessment. He definitely would not hurt having another year in junior.

I think both need to be in the A next season for their development. I agree Barkey was awesome from December onwards. Bonk didn’t put the numbers up this year and wasn’t regarded as the #1D. Obviously Dickinson took over this year, but I think it’ll be interesting to see what Bonk does in the playoffs

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Interesting

This guy must have only looked at points stats, which don't tell the whole story.

Bonk focused much more on his defensive game this year and his +\- is improved from last year, he also didn't get as many chances at "Bumper" Bonk on the PP this year. He plays shut down D against the opponents best players every night, I think his defensive game has improved from last year and at the end of the D, that is job number one for a D man.

Barkey's point per game actually improved and that is after a very slow start to the year from mono recovery. Barkey when he wants, has also added a physical element to his game. I would say, from the eye test alone, Barkey is a better player than last years version.

 

[dino200022]

This guy must have only looked at points stats, which don't tell the whole story.

Bonk focused much more on his defensive game this year and his +\- is improved from last year, he also didn't get as many chances at "Bumper" Bonk on the PP this year. He plays shut down D against the opponents best players every night, I think his defensive game has improved from last year and at the end of the D, that is job number one for a D man.

Barkey's point per game actually improved and that is after a very slow start to the year from mono recovery. Barkey when he wants, has also added a physical element to his game. I would say, from the eye test alone, Barkey is a better player than last years version.

As per usual, people always look at stats and not actual gameplay. There are so many more ways to impact a hockey game then by getting a point. It gets frusterating sometimes trying to explain that to others. If stats were all the mattered then guys like Rob Schremp, Martin St. Pierre and Bill Bowler would all be NHL allstars.

 

[Otto]

Imagine how much better this team would have been if they had Kaeden Johnston for the full season.

 

[Otto]

 

[Otto]

So is Dale the coach of record last night and gets a W? If so, that’s a little odd lol

Yes, any game where Dylan has filled in for Dale it still gets credited to Dale. I'm guessing because he's still considered the head coach, under contract, and it's his game plan.

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Yes, any game where Dylan has filled in for Dale it still gets credited to Dale. I'm guessing because he's still considered the head coach, under contract, and it's his game plan.

Interesting! I did not know that’s how it worked, thanks for letting me know!

 

[Otto]

Knights finished 3rd in the league in team face-off % (52.7%)

Guelph was #1 (53.9%)
Peterborough was #2 (53.8%)

 

[tjziel]

As per usual, people always look at stats and not actual gameplay. There are so many more ways to impact a hockey game then by getting a point. It gets frusterating sometimes trying to explain that to others. If stats were all the mattered then guys like Rob Schremp, Martin St. Pierre and Bill Bowler would all be NHL allstars.

Corey Locke would be the OHL goat!

 

[rve24]

Corey Locke would be the OHL goat!

First player I thought of as well lol

 

[dino200022]

Corey Locke would be the OHL goat!

Haha my point exactly, last i checked NHL teams don't have 4 scoring lines and 6 offensive defenceman haha

 

[rve24]

Knights finished 3rd in the league in team face-off % (52.7%)

Guelph was #1 (53.9%)
Peterborough was #2 (53.8%)

I guess the message is here, no need to freak out early in a season?
Ya, Julien adds nothing and shoulda been upgraded lol

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Knights finished 3rd in the league in team face-off % (52.7%)

Guelph was #1 (53.9%)
Peterborough was #2 (53.8%)

Soooo, the Knights are now number 1 in the league of remaining teams!

 

[rve24]

FOs, while super important, it's more about context than OA #s. Time and place, not all FOs are created equal. You need a C ( or 2) that'll have good #s when it's important.in key games ( own zone PK, PP in OZone, late in periods in either attacking zone ect...
Set plays on FO wins/losses/draws also just as important as FOs.
Pre scouting tendencies on opponents and winger and D reaction can neutralize a lost draw or give the team a good chance offensively.
The overall margins are slim for every team thru an entire season.
( and as OP posted........being at the top by 5/6% doesn't guarantee success )

 

[crowncarrier]

This guy must have only looked at points stats, which don't tell the whole story.

Bonk focused much more on his defensive game this year and his +\- is improved from last year, he also didn't get as many chances at "Bumper" Bonk on the PP this year. He plays shut down D against the opponents best players every night, I think his defensive game has improved from last year and at the end of the D, that is job number one for a D man.

Barkey's point per game actually improved and that is after a very slow start to the year from mono recovery. Barkey when he wants, has also added a physical element to his game. I would say, from the eye test alone, Barkey is a better player than last years version.

What really hurts Bonk is his play in his own end. He's too slow footed and it's caused him alot of problems. Also because of this he's forced to make quick decisions that alot of times end up being bad ones. He has all the makings of a pro I just don't think he's there yet and needs a little more time....but he will get there.

Barkey on the other hand I believe is more then ready.

 

[Ken Yates]

Read and Hawery will be leaders on offence next year. Lots of choice for overagers to compliment them.

 

[dino200022]

Read and Hawery will be leaders on offence next year. Lots of choice for overagers to compliment them.

Only one real choice for OA at this point the rest are gone. Mark will have to get creative finding some OA's and new imports.

 

[Fastpace]

Read and Hawery will be leaders on offence next year. Lots of choice for overagers to compliment them.

Apart from O'Reilly, Nicholl & Van Gorp, I would add Cook and Cover to the mix as well with Hawery & Read. I am pleasantly impressed with those two, the future is still looking bright in London. I am eagerly awaiting Caleb Mitchell to see what he will do on defense as well.