Mississauga Steelheads 2023-24 Off-Season Thread (Part One)

[Tarantula]

Great trade for the Steelheads, just saw that they also traded for Jacob Gibbons from Erie so they've also solved for the backup role. Not confident he'll be good enough but he has relatively high upside.

I assumed they'd get a solid return but three 2nds (with two of them in 2025!) and three 3rds is much better than I expected. Essentially replenished their draft pick cupboard from the Rehkopf deal.

Sweeter then I thought, glad to see the crease sorted out, hopefully there isn't any need for a long term BUG situation but they couldn't have kept both IvanK and Leenders in any case. Trading with a competing conference rival isn't the best but there was only so many teams he would have been a fit for so you take the draft picks, essentially as pointed out, pretty much pays for Rehkopf.

Still 2 open OA spots, what an offseason so far.

 

[AGranderson]

Barlows camp requested Barrie or Oshawa.
This is widely known by people in the know. (you wouldn't understand)

Barrie would have a hard time affording him unless they unload PV and their picks.
Oshawa is in a wait and see position right now with some of their signed players.

Brampton now has picks again so it would only make sense for them to come in? -I'm just speculating as geographically it fits to the area he wants to be in. "have to wonder"
He has been training in Toronto all summer.

Not sure if you are new to JR hockey or if the popcorn guy has just stopped feeding you news so you are sour but things change day by day in JR hockey with every trade and every move thats made.

Would be more then happy to chat in person Sunday in Kingston if you are traveling with the team big guy.
I don't really understand why you feel the need to attack my credibility everytime i make a comment.
I'd be more then having to share my credentials with you in person to shut you up for a bit.

I just find it funny I mentioned Brampton weeks ago and you tried to say no & now come back with Brampton to funny

 

[I Loveallsports]

Let's hope Brampton supports this team. Been their a few times in the past. Nice arena.

 

[ScoutLife4]

I just find it funny I mentioned Brampton weeks ago and you tried to say no & now come back with Brampton to funny

You mentioned 6 teams and Barlows agent is saying they prefer 2 (Oshawa and Barrie ) just like I told you in the Ottawa thread when you insisted it was 6.
Things have changed in 2 weeks.
Barrie can barelly afford him.
Oshawa has to wait and see on 2 players on signed ELCs and Brampton just inherited a shit loading picks again.
It’s not that difficult to understand man.
I simply was saying there is a possibility Brampton could be in on him now. (I have no inside information if they actually are and it’s purely speculation)
I still wouldn’t be surprised if a couple weeks from now he’s in a Generals uniform.

 

[AGranderson]

You mentioned 6 teams and Barlows agent is saying they prefer 2 (Oshawa and Barrie ) just like I told you in the Ottawa thread when you insisted it was 6.
Things have changed in 2 weeks.
Barrie can barelly afford him.
Oshawa has to wait and see on 2 players on signed ELCs and Brampton just inherited a shit loading picks again.
It’s not that difficult to understand man.
I simply was saying there is a possibility Brampton could be in on him now. (I have no inside information if they actually are and it’s purely speculation)
I still wouldn’t be surprised if a couple weeks from now he’s in a Generals uniform.

I knew all the of this pal,

 

[Mata]

Great trade for the Steelheads, just saw that they also traded for Jacob Gibbons from Erie so they've also solved for the backup role. Not confident he'll be good enough but he has relatively high upside.

I assumed they'd get a solid return but three 2nds (with two of them in 2025!) and three 3rds is much better than I expected. Essentially replenished their draft pick cupboard from the Rehkopf deal.

You are correct on Gibbons. At times he could stand on his head and be an extremely amazing netminder, unfortunately his time in Erie we often saw the inconsistency. Hoping a change of scenery for him will help him tremendously, kind of like Nolan LaLonde who moved on from Erie last season to play well above what he did here.

Best of luck to Gibbons, he's a very fine young man on and off the ice.

 

[Section7fan]

Let's hope Brampton supports this team. Been their a few times in the past. Nice arena.

The Battalion never got support, the excelsiors (lacrosse) don’t get support, the ECHL team didn’t get support and the steelheads didn’t get support in Missy. Wrong demographic for Jr Hockey.

 

[I Loveallsports]

The Battalion never got support, the excelsiors (lacrosse) don’t get support, the ECHL team didn’t get support and the steelheads didn’t get support in Missy. Wrong demographic for Jr Hockey.

Yes, I'm aware they were in Brampton previously. Perhaps the last kick at the can for junior in that area. I'm sure other city's would gladly take them over

 

[OMG67]

You mentioned 6 teams and Barlows agent is saying they prefer 2 (Oshawa and Barrie ) just like I told you in the Ottawa thread when you insisted it was 6.
Things have changed in 2 weeks.
Barrie can barelly afford him.
Oshawa has to wait and see on 2 players on signed ELCs and Brampton just inherited a shit loading picks again.
It’s not that difficult to understand man.
I simply was saying there is a possibility Brampton could be in on him now. (I have no inside information if they actually are and it’s purely speculation)
I still wouldn’t be surprised if a couple weeks from now he’s in a Generals uniform.

I’d be surprised if he were in a Generals uniform prior to Jan 1. I think the Generals desperately need a 2nd centre to play behind Ritchie. I think that guy is Wakely but who knows? Regardless, I don’t think they can acquire Barlow and a very strong OA Centre with spare parts and draft picks. I don’t think they have quite enough picks to make that happen. I think they’d need to use their ‘08. Same goes for Barrie to be honest.

At this point, I am not as sure Barlow will move early like I thought last week. The Gardiner deal sort of messed that plan up.

 

[frontsfan67]

Yes, I'm aware they were in Brampton previously. Perhaps the last kick at the can for junior in that area. I'm sure other city's would gladly take them over

hypothetically if it doesn’t work out and Brantford goes back to Hamilton once the arena is all worked out- I wonder if Brantford could be a better spot for the steelheads.

A lot of ifs, ands or buts and it’s way too early to say for sure but also if Brampton wins a championship here in the first year- they may get a solid fan base. Next year they should be good too regardless.

 

[Generalsupdates]

I’d be surprised if he were in a Generals uniform prior to Jan 1. I think the Generals desperately need a 2nd centre to play behind Ritchie. I think that guy is Wakely but who knows?

The rumour is Wakely is about to be signed by an AHL team and will not be in the OHL this year

 

[OMG67]

The rumour is Wakely is about to be signed by an AHL team and will not be in the OHL this year

What about that Import kid, Sinivuori? Is he a centre? I know he is listed as a C/LW but not sure where he fits in for the Gens. Any projections?

 

[OHL4Life]

Have to wonder if Brampton is in on Barlow.

they are, Barrie f’d up and probably lost the chance on him

The rumour is Wakely is about to be signed by an AHL team and will not be in the OHL this year

think it’s an nhl deal but yes he’s signing

 

[Generalsupdates]

What about that Import kid, Sinivuori? Is he a centre? I know he is listed as a C/LW but not sure where he fits in for the Gens. Any projections?

He isn't here yet, I've never seen him play

 

[Donnie740]

What about that Import kid, Sinivuori? Is he a centre? I know he is listed as a C/LW but not sure where he fits in for the Gens. Any projections?

He’s a winger.

If and when Roobroeck returns he’ll be the #2 centre for Oshawa.

 

[HolyRoller]

Valentini to Kitchener for 4 picks

 

[East Avenue Bully]

Valentini to Kitchener for 4 picks

Three of those picks are conditional

 

[Steel Fishbowl]

The team looks set so far in net and on defence. Wondering how the forward situation will shake out. Here's my quick take:

Locks:
Martone
Misa
MacDonell
Rehkopf
Karmiris
Van Volsen
Witkowski
Zebeski

Safe Bets:
Zidlicky
Vaculik (I know he's signed but didn't look very strong in the game in Kitchener I watched)
Patton

Bubble:
Chiarot
Eggleton
MacGregor (even though he has no place on a team with championship aspirations - team worst -14 last year and struggles with his speed and size)

Cut/Re-Assigned to Junior:
Jinman (I see he's already playing for the Chargers in the OJHL)
Lalkin (did put up intriguing numbers in the OJHL)
Amado

 

[mtshapcott]

Chiarot is a lock in my opinion. In fact, I would have him on the top line with Karmiris and Rehkopf.
I still don’t see what Witkowski brings to the team.
Patton will make the team based on his pre season.
Mac Richmond needs to go.

 

[Tarantula]

Mac Richmond needs to go.

He is hardly a healthy scratch. His spot could no doubt be upgraded for a team making no bones about contending.

 

[Kristina Hazzard]

He is hardly a healthy scratch. His spot could no doubt be upgraded for a team making no bones about contending.

His dad is the coach he ain't going anywhere

 

[Tarantula]

No #23 Drags or #88 Vaculik tonight, injuries?

 

[mtshapcott]

No #23 Drags or #88 Vaculik tonight, injuries?

Dragusica must be injured. I can’t see Cartwright or Gee starting ahead of him if he’s healthy. Although both played just fine tonight.

Vaculik I think is a healthy scratch.

 

[frontsfan67]

Still Mississauga steelheads lol @nelli27

 

[Northern Maroon]

Quite the blowout on poor Leenders tonight in Central Peel Regional Steelheads town.

I enjoyed the game as a neutral fan as I had to see the "new" barn. I really hope they fix or adjust the sound system, I had no clue what the P.A. announcer was saying. My last time in the Bunker... er, CAA centre was in the Troops last season so I can't remember if it was as bad then as it was tonight.

Quite the penalty filled game too, and not just because the score got out of hand. The fish can score, and score they did!