London Knights 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part VII

[Ferguson Jenkins]

 

[Ferguson Jenkins]

He has absolutely played well no one in their right mind can argue that. However he was brought here with the sole goal of winning the Memorial Cup. I think he and the team will get it done. All I am suggesting is there is still some work to do. “Greedy” perhaps but the level of excellence in London demands perfection. You can’t tell me the Hunters began this season with the goal of just winning the OHL title. Every player on this team will tell you something was left unfinished last year and they are going to correct that. GO Knights GO …..

The goal is always to win the last game because that’s how the CHL designs the tournament. You can build teams to win 7 game series though. Hard to build a team with the mindset of winning 1 game where anything can happen. See 2012 and 2024.

 

[rangersblues]

Once a Ranger, always a Ranger!!

I’ve said it on here before in the past. I remember going to Ranger games as a preteen and really liking the kid line that included Dale Hunter. They were the energy line on a middling team that year and I remember not being able to wait for them to get back on the ice again.

I still remember the trade to Sudbury. I couldn’t understand it. In our household, I still remember the cursing that went on by my dad. He was a big Ranger fan and a big Dale Hunter fan.

That still has to rank today as one of the worst trades in Ranger history.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's going to be a great night when Dale gets his banner for being in the Hall of Fame hoisted to the rafters at the Aud. Sooner the better.

 

[Fastpace]

I think it makes sense if he is at all interested in possibly doing this “GM” thing at a higher level? Niagara could be an incredible Resume building opportunity. But my question would be why he has waited so long if moving up possibly to pro hockey is what he has envisioned? He was ready to move on several years ago IMO so why now? Cheers …. if he does move on the Knights will miss him as he has been an incredible 1B to Mark the 1A.

How much recognition would Simpson get over the years, while standing behind and alongside the success of the Hunter brothers ? I wonder !

 

[Fastpace]

Since I was only 11 or 12 at the time, I wouldn’t have been “up on” reasons for stuff like that.

But I heard years later that there was a tiff between the family and the Rangers. Brother Ron played here first. Then Dale. Perhaps the trade itself to distant Sudbury was the reason? Not sure. Just a guess. But Brother Dave had already played three years in Sudbury so the family would have been used to a “distant” team.

But I believe it was said that due to the tiff, the Hunters informed the Rangers that should they draft Mark, he wouldn’t report. It didn’t come to that because Mark went #1 to Brantford.

Dale said years ago (pre Knights ownership?) on a “where are they now” intermission segment on Ranger radio, when asked about the trade, that he didn’t know why, but said, “I guess they wanted a backup goalie or something”. (Jim Sidwell). Saying that tells me I don’t think the Hunters demanded to trade out of Kitchener. But then, you never know. Dale likely wouldn’t say so in that interview anyway.

As I said, one of the worst deals in Ranger history. Not sure there were other player(s) involved or draft picks. But I do know Dale went one way, and Sidwell came our way in the deal.

Unfortunately, as fans, we don't always get to know what is all happening on a hockey team beside of what our eyes are witnessing on the ice. The mystery had to have been off the ice, that was likely never made public. Sometime not all players can get alone on the same team, and for the team's sake it is best to keep silence.

 

[M21]

You and I have been around long enough to know:
Every team has divers. All of them. Yes, your team and mine too.

This league needs to have the balls to call the dive ONLY.

The way games are called now, there is no deterrent to diving. None. Best case scenario you put your team on the PP. Worst case scenario is a 4 on 4 situation. Where’s the deterrent?

Call the dive only enough times and the diver will get heat from his coach to stop putting his team on the PK.

Stop the embarrassment.

Call the dive as a 2:00 penalty and a 10:00 misconduct

 

[frontsfan67]

How much recognition would Simpson get over the years, while standing behind and alongside the success of the Hunter brothers ? I wonder !

Not as much as if he had that success plus leading another team to success. Then people can’t just say it’s because of the hunters

 

[EvenSteven]

Call the dive as a 2:00 penalty and a 10:00 misconduct

They tried that years ago. After the 2005 playoffs and the Corey Perry and co divefest.

Refs refused to put star players in the box for 12 minutes. To diving calls went down and the dives went up.

They changed the rule back as a result.

 

[Ferguson Jenkins]

Wanted to mention Jacob Julien had an outstanding playoff. Above average offensive production playing on line 2 and excellent work in all zones of the ice. Felt he could have put up some better numbers during the season but most of the criticism he received was unwarranted imo.

 

[Ferguson Jenkins]

Is it just me or does it feel the Knights got a Championship at the end of an era for the OHL?

We might not see a loaded team like this for a very long time with NCAA gaining commitments from the OHL and it might be hard for elite OHL players to stay 4 years in Junior.

Especially if they change the NHL/CHL agreement at some point to allow 19 year olds to play Pro.

Take it in Knights fans, cuz this might be the end of an era and one of the best teams we see in a very long long time!

Many people disagree with me but I think the CHL is in trouble. At the very least, the age will skew younger and most people (casual fans and hardcore fans) don’t want to watch a league of 16-17 year olds and maybe even 15. Cooper Williams, an 08 for Saskatoon, just committed to UND for his 18 year old season. Hope the Knights finish this season with a Memorial Cup because I think you’re right that this is the end of an era.

Of course, time will tell with all of this but I have a hard time seeing the CHL winning a fight with the NCAA on a horse. But maybe the CHL can rebrand and consolidate the competition from the BCHL and USHL. I hope it all works out.

 

[ArielNederland]

Didn't know Dale was into Horse racing

 

[purple pharrt]

Someone probably told Dale which "athletes" have the absolutely best retirement package in ALL of sports
RACEHORSES !!! The really good ones get retired to stud !

 

[rve24]

Wanted to mention Jacob Julien had an outstanding playoff. Above average offensive production playing on line 2 and excellent work in all zones of the ice. Felt he could have put up some better numbers during the season but most of the criticism he received was unwarranted imo.

I chuckled when a few posters wanted him gone n upgraded on. JJ does does so many things to help the team but the minority got caught up in numbers or whatever.

 

[crowncarrier]

Didn't the Gens lose their timeout from a Coaches Challenge on the OReilly-Torrance collision?Either way, yeah they should have kept Oster on the bench and go for it. Nothing to lose at that point.

I do not think the did. They just called the ref over and then the ref went back and discussed it with the group of officials. Regardless even if they didn't have a time out. I didn't see him flinch....the team folded like a lawn chair.....not a good look.

 

[crowncarrier]

I chuckled when a few posters wanted him gone n upgraded on. JJ does does so many things to help the team but the minority got caught up in numbers or whatever.

I'll man up. I 1000% criticized him and it was warranted. He was not putting up any points at that time and he looked disengaged. At that point I would have much rather had Leonard playing for the Knights. Julien has really turned it around and I'm happy for him.

 

[Fastpace]

My prediction of what may happen for the Memorial Cup week. (IMHO)

-Rimouski Oceanic are peaking at this moment, but will also be a very tired club comes Memorial Cup Tourney.

-Moncton Tigers have been dominant in the Q's all year, they have slowed down a bit in the finals. They seem to be coasting right now, but don't let them fool you, they will be ready and should pick up their pace next week.

-Medicine Hat Tigers is a well balance team, much stronger than Moose Jaw was last season and is the team that will give London the hardest time

-London is the team to beat, rolling on all cylinders and well rested for the Tourney, they have to make sure that they are not overconfident, but should come out as winner of the Memorial Cup

My guess is London will win all three of the round-robin games, and go straight to the final.
I am guessing that Rimouski, Moncton, and Medicine Hat will all likely win one game each.
Whichever team not playing in the tiebreaker has a better chance of winning the one-game playoff and going to the cup final to play London. Wishing all of you a super Memorial Cup week.

 

[nelli27]

My prediction of what may happen for the Memorial Cup week. (IMHO)

-Rimouski Oceanic are peaking at this moment, but will also be a very tired club comes Memorial Cup Tourney.

-Moncton Tigers have been dominant in the Q's all year, they have slowed down a bit in the finals. They seem to be coasting right now, but don't let them fool you, they will be ready and should pick up their pace next week.

-Medicine Hat Tigers is a well balance team, much stronger than Moose Jaw was last season and is the team that will give London the hardest time

-London is the team to beat, rolling on all cylinders and well rested for the Tourney, they have to make sure that they are not overconfident, but should come out as winner of the Memorial Cup

My guess is London will win all three of the round-robin games, and go straight to the final.
I am guessing that Rimouski, Moncton, and Medicine Hat will all likely win one game each.
Whichever team not playing in the tiebreaker has a better chance of winning the one-game playoff and going to the cup final to play London. Wishing all of you a super Memorial Cup week.

Well, I said no team would beat the Knights in a 7 games series, but as for the Memorial Cup, it's hard to pick a winner. I've watched a few games from each team, and based on my limited viewing, I'd rank the teams as....
1) London
2) Moncton
3) Rimouski
4) Medicine Hat.
I like Moncton's overall skill level; deep; fast team. Could be a tough test. Still think we're the early favourite.

 

[Fastpace]

Well, I said no team would beat the Knights in a 7 games series, but as for the Memorial Cup, it's hard to pick a winner. I've watched a few games from each team, and based on my limited viewing, I'd rank the teams as....
1) London
2) Moncton
3) Rimouski
4) Medicine Hat.
I like Moncton's overall skill level; deep; fast team. Could be a tough test. Still think we're the early favourite.

Medicine Hat may surprise a few, if this is the case !

 

[tjziel]

I'll man up. I 1000% criticized him and it was warranted. He was not putting up any points at that time and he looked disengaged. At that point I would have much rather had Leonard playing for the Knights. Julien has really turned it around and I'm happy for him.

To be fair, there are a couple factors for that.

Sim, Julien, Barkey, Cowan Bonk, Dickinson have all played 3 years of 80+ games a year. That’s a lot for junior players and you don’t wanna run out of gas in the playoffs.

I think they were set on the goal to win the Memorial Cup. I don’t think putting up massive points was a factor. They just wanted to conserve their energy and health for the playoffs. For example, Halttunen, Julien, Bonk, Cowan and Barkey all had down years in terms of points in the regular season, but showed up come playoffs where it matters most. You don’t wanna run outta gas at this time of the season…

Heck I have liked playoff JJ. He’s actually skating for the puck and not just floating around.

 

[tjziel]

Medicine Hat may surprise a few, if this is the case !

Yup,

Gavin McKenna, Cayden Lindstrom, Ryder Ritchie, Hunter St. Martin, Andrew Basha are all NHL draft prospects up front. They are deep as well..

With Tanner Molendyk, Niilopekka Muhonen, Veeti Vaisanen are all NHL drafted prospects on the backend.

But can we slow down Gavin McKenna?? I hope so….

 

[SaneKnightsfsn]

I do not think the did. They just called the ref over and then the ref went back and discussed it with the group of officials. Regardless even if they didn't have a time out. I didn't see him flinch....the team folded like a lawn chair.....not a good look.

Barlow looked really rattled in game 5 His whole junior career has been a knights beat down I felt I little bad for him . Gibson got payback ! How many times was he on the ice looking lost after a knights goal. Or he was in the penalty box and we scored on them .
That’s the way to payback him for a dirty hit . Score on his shift over and over !

 

[Londoner Knight]

Been searching for a few days for Mem Cup finals tix....sold out?...already? Am I looking too early before internet-land resells? Any advice?

 

[frontsfan67]

Been searching for a few days for Mem Cup finals tix....sold out?...already? Am I looking too early before internet-land resells? Any advice?

My advice- get tickets when they go on sale. Way too difficult to get them a week beforehand.

 

[horner]

The regular season he is our top player

This is about the playoffs

Toronto fan here
I have been a Marner fan since his days with the Knights.
When watching him with the London I thought we had drafted a Gilmour like player . He seemed to be always in the mix.
People that have watched him with London and Toronto , what happened to him ?

 

[bearfan]

Toronto fan here
I have been a Marner fan since his days with the Knights.
When watching him with the London I thought we had drafted a Gilmour like player . He seemed to be always in the mix.
People that have watched him with London and Toronto , what happened to him ?

Nothing happened to him, Question should be what happened to the players around him. He has mostly been a setup guy. 64 to 68 percent of his points are setting up others. If you look at Matthews goals and others I would thing the same percentage would be who helped their total and they now it. You lose Marner and their points will dramatically go down. Media and Toronto fans seem to pick on individual players but when Matthews only has one goal in the last series you have to question why he was fed the puck a lot but couldn't find his spot or hit the net. If Marner leaves the Leaf's and has a outstanding year the same media and fans will ask why he didn't do it in Leaf Land.