London Knights 2024-25 Season Thread, Part VI

[Buttsy]

Dickinson should be back in London, his defensive skills need some work and San Jose isn't going anywhere next year, no need to have him getting beat up on every night in the NHL.
He has signed his ELC as well, so NCAA is not an option for him. It is OHL or NHL.

Sadly agree he has a lot of work to do before he is NHL ready. In my own opinion he is in tough to make the next step to the NHL. Think he will need a few years of AHL development and fingers crossed it works out for him. But every player develops somewhat differently so no need to give up on him at all. He has been a great London Knight and OHL player. Would make an excellent candidate for Captain next season if he does find his way “home”. Well worth the picks we gave up to get him from Niagara (?) as a defected first rounder.

 

[Knownothing]

I agree this is how it currently shakes out IMO

Van Gorp-O’Reilly-Read
Van Bommel-Nicholl-Hawery
Aboflan(OA)-Bidgood-Cook
Cover-Hickson-Campeau
Extra: Zakharov, Boulton, Gerber, Miniotas, Le Gallic

Woolley-Allen (OA)
Mitchell-Brzustewicz
Fagen-Fimis

Extra: Spencer, McAslan, Clark

Medvedev
Wilson
Weiss

This is without additions of imports and OAs and assuming Washington send Allen back and Dickinson makes the NHL or plays NCAA.

I agree this has the makings of a 3rd or 4th seed, if Dickinson is back that changes things though to make this team a contender. But either way you have to hit on both imports and bring in 1-2 high quality OAs

What makes you think CA is back next year?

 

[Ken Yates]

It is scary to think, but unless Edmonton has a giant shakeup in the off season and brings in some Veteran FA's down the middle I can see O'Reilly sticking to at least start the season. A lot of NHL scouts are already saying he could have easily been Edmonton's 4th line center this year. They have also said that they think he is the most NHL ready prospect on this London team based off his all around game. Take that for what it is, but that is high praise from people getting paid to scout these players.

I think Nicholl and Hawery have big years next year, and will need to carry the load offensively if there is no O'Reilly. Not to forget about Van Gorp as well!

Hawery and Read to carry the load. Nicholl someday will be a valuable 3 or 4th line NHLer but he is not a (carry the load) type of player. Does many things well (defense,faceoff,pass) but in my opinion will never be first line guy.

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Sadly agree he has a lot of work to do before he is NHL ready. In my own opinion he is in tough to make the next step to the NHL. Think he will need a few years of AHL development and fingers crossed it works out for him. But every player develops somewhat differently so no need to give up on him at all. He has been a great London Knight and OHL player. Would make an excellent candidate for Captain next season if he does find his way “home”. Well worth the picks we gave up to get him from Niagara (?) as a defected first rounder.

I think he will find his way to the NHL at some point and be a solid producer, if a guy like Erik Karlsson can find a home in the NHL, playing the way he does and make as much money as he has, Dickinson has a shot. Dickinson has the size and skill to be a great contributor, Dale also lets him play the gambler style he does. I think if he comes back next year and focuses on playing D first and Dale coaches him to play D, he will make it in the NHL sooner than later. Bonk this year has come back and focused and playing D, I would assume at the request of the Flyers.

 

[dino200022]

Regarding O’Reilly, I remember a regular poster to the Knights Thread suggested something similar during training camp but he was dismissed as a crazy old man who knew nothing and was placed on the ignore list by several regular contributors.
Hmm …. Now to confirm he clearly is a CRAZY old man (LOL) but in this particular case he was not alone his thoughts!

Haha I would not feel to bad about that, it is probably the same folks I have on ignore for the same reasons. They are always here to criticize but never really add anything to the conversation

 

[dino200022]

Hawery and Read to carry the load. Nicholl someday will be a valuable 3 or 4th line NHLer but he is not a (carry the load) type of player. Does many things well (defense,faceoff,pass) but in my opinion will never be first line guy.

Fair point, I can see where you are coming from on that point. I do like Read but I think he is a season or so away from being able to "carry" his own line but can see him having a solid second half of the season next year once he gets used to the minutes.

 

[tjziel]

Dickinson should be back in London, his defensive skills need some work and San Jose isn't going anywhere next year, no need to have him getting beat up on every night in the NHL.
He has signed his ELC as well, so NCAA is not an option for him. It is OHL or NHL.

Dickinson should get a 9 game trial run. If the Sharks get to draft Matthew Schaefer, there is a chance Dickinson comes back to London.

If the Sharks get Misa or Hagens, I think Dickinson will be needed in their backend early similar to an Olli Maatta situation. He would instantly get top 4 minutes.

 

[dino200022]

Dickinson should get a 9 game trial run. If the Sharks get to draft Matthew Schaefer, there is a chance Dickinson comes back to London.

If the Sharks get Misa or Hagens, I think Dickinson will be needed in their backend early similar to an Olli Maatta situation. He would instantly get top 4 minutes.

Top 4 might be a bit of a stretch, especially with his mediocre camp last year. He is going to have to show his worth and the Sharks are fairly deep on D. Guys coming back and in the system for next year he will need to surplant. That does not include any FA's, trades or as you mentioned draft picks. Vlasic is signed through next season as well but I expect him to retire or get bought out.

Mario Ferraro, Timothy Liljegren, Henry Thrun, Jack Thompson, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Lucas Carlsson.

I could see him getting a trial though, certainly agree on that.

 

[tjziel]

Top 4 might be a bit of a stretch, especially with his mediocre camp last year. He is going to have to show his worth and the Sharks are fairly deep on D. Guys coming back and in the system for next year he will need to surplant. That does not include any FA's, trades or as you mentioned draft picks. Vlasic is signed through next season as well but I expect him to retire or get bought out.

Mario Ferraro, Timothy Liljegren, Henry Thrun, Jack Thompson, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Lucas Carlsson.

I could see him getting a trial though, certainly agree on that.

That’s exactly why I think he could stay in the NHL because of that D core. Maybe not top 4 right away, but he could be a regular bottom 6 D at the NHL level.

If there’s no Schaefer on the Sharks roster, I think he’s got the tools and could offensively out produce the D on that Sharks roster.

 

[Fastpace]

If O'Reilly is back next season, it will not be because he is not ready for NHL hockey. It'll be because Edmonton's roster is too busy. He and Barkey are closest to be ready for NHL, in my opinion they are now. Bonk may start in the AHL but could finish the season in Philadelphia (NHL). Cowan is the most offensively consistent players around, as his long streak proved it, but sometimes his stick seem to be handling a hot potato, this is something that he will need to rectify before he is a full-time NHLer.

Dickinson he is my favorite, I want him back, but he may not, he's running into similar on-ice energy preservation that Bonk had last season and has now correct it this year, I think Dickinson may have to do the same correction next year. Imagine a defenseman leading the league in points next year, that would be awesome. Even at my age, I am still allowed to dream,

 

[BobHockey]

I was at Game 1 versus Erie and noticed a distinct lack of white "House of Green" tee shirts. I would say I probably saw more green HoG shirts from prior years. Not sure who thought this was a good idea but why mess with a tradition that has been fairly unique to the Knights in the OHL. Also, not a fan of the new concession areas. Miss the days when the first thing you smelled when coming into a rink is the fresh popcorn.

Knights should take this in 4 if they stick to a fairly disciplined high paced game

 

[Fastpace]

I was at Game 1 versus Erie and noticed a distinct lack of white "House of Green" tee shirts. I would say I probably saw more green HoG shirts from prior years. Not sure who thought this was a good idea but why mess with a tradition that has been fairly unique to the Knights in the OHL. Also, not a fan of the new concession areas. Miss the days when the first thing you smelled when coming into a rink is the fresh popcorn.

Knights should take this in 4 if they stick to a fairly disciplined high paced game

Marketing sham, you think? Everyone has some green, trying to sell some white, maybe

London in 4

 

[Otto]

The players can’t look past Erie until there are 4 wins, but as a fan I can….and wow, how bout Windsor up two games out scoring the Rags 10-2 in two games.
Last year, Parsons was great during the year and then the Knights made him look bad. This year he was even better, and now Windsor is doing it to him. Over rated? Weak under pressure? Or has the team crumbled at the wrong time…..
That series is far from over but you have to love to see Kitchener lose no matter what

Nobody should be surprised about this. I got ripped apart by Rags fans for saying their team was soft and that would be exploited in the playoffs. I wasn't wrong.

 

[crowncarrier]

The players can’t look past Erie until there are 4 wins .

I doubt they are but I am. Not trying to sound cocky and I know anything can happen in sports....but not this time. London is a Lion playing with a mouse right now. This team is far too deep for any team in the league. Allen being a bottom pairing for our D shows you how deep they are. That pickup for him was brilliant.

 

[crowncarrier]

What makes you think CA is back next year?

Exactly....no chance he's back. I would love it but he's too good to be back for an OA season.

 

[crowncarrier]

If O'Reilly is back next season, it will not be because he is not ready for NHL hockey. It'll be because Edmonton's roster is too busy.

100% and he will be back. They have tons of talent and there's no need to rush him into their system.

 

[ArielNederland]

I doubt they are but I am. Not trying to sound cocky and I know anything can happen in sports....but not this time. London is a Lion playing with a mouse right now. This team is far too deep for any team in the league. Allen being a bottom pairing for our D shows you how deep they are. That pickup for him was brilliant.

Windsor has proven that they are able to keep up with London. They will be a very tough opponent next round. Defense and goaltending will have to tighten up for sure

 

[Otto]

Windsor has proven that they are able to keep up with London. They will be a very tough opponent next round. Defense and goaltending will have to tighten up for sure

That pretty much solidifies a London victory

 

[LDN]

What makes you think CA is back next year?

DUI

 

[LDN]

Windsor has proven that they are able to keep up with London. They will be a very tough opponent next round. Defense and goaltending will have to tighten up for sure

Windsor did not play London as well as Kitchener did. Anyways both series are FAAAAAR from over

 

[LDN]

Exactly....no chance he's back. I would love it but he's too good to be back for an OA season.

I don’t disagree, but he made a massive mistake and could potentially use another year of jr for that mistake

 

[Otto]

DUI

That won't have any bearing on things.

 

[tjziel]

That pretty much solidifies a London victory

If we get to the next round, the key against Windsor will be to stay out of Penalty box. Greentree, Protas, Morneau really thrive on the PP.

Shutdown Protas and Greentree and maintain possession like London usually does and we should be fine…

 

[Otto]

If we get to the next round, the key against Windsor will be to stay out of Penalty box. Greentree, Protas, Morneau really thrive on the PP.

Shutdown Protas and Greentree and maintain possession like London usually does and we should be fine…

Regular season Windsors powerplay was 17.9% against London. PK was 70%

 

[M21]

I’m really surprised Kitchener is being so dominated by Windsor. They were a good team all year and Parsons was the goalie of the year. Difficult to understand how they are having so much trouble scoring and keeping the puck out of the net. If Windsor are that good the Knights will have to find another gear if (hopefully when) they make it to the next round as Windsor are full of confidence at the moment.