Niagara IceDogs 2022-23 Off-Season Thread

[dkl]

What is the injury that kept Cato out most of the season?

Not sure if it was ever explicitly said, but he had shoulder surgery a few weeks ago. Mentioned he'll be back for the full season on the Dog Pound Podcast

 

[hockeylife05]

Not sure if it was ever explicitly said, but he had shoulder surgery a few weeks ago. Mentioned he'll be back for the full season on the Dog Pound Podcast

Cato does not even make a playoff team roster. Why would Niagara keep him.

 

[dkl]

Roobroeck committed officially. Wearing #25. LFG

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Cato does not even make a playoff team roster. Why would Niagara keep him.

He doesn't make a top contender (unless it's bottom pair). But most teams are playoff teams. This statement is a bit ridiculous, no?

Based on their current D, having him makes the team better.

 

[hockeylife05]

You would think that Niagara does not want the same D.

DD said in the media that he's going after 2 Euros on defense and looking for another upgrade.

Euro, Euro, ?, Leblanc, Ride, Wycisk/Ronco/2023 pick

I don't see Cato being part of that core as an OA, at least not past the January deadline

 

[I Loveallsports]

Roobroeck committed officially. Wearing #25. LFG

And to think many said they wouldn't draft him and him not report if they did.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

You would think that Niagara does not want the same D.

DD said in the media that he's going after 2 Euros on defense and looking for another upgrade.

Euro, Euro, ?, Leblanc, Ride, Wycisk/Ronco/2023 pick

I don't see Cato being part of that core as an OA, at least not past the January deadline

IF he gets those 2 Euro's, it could be them, Cato, Leblanc, Ride, Wysick and Frolov. Frolov starts as the 7D and you slowly work him in.

 

[bigsportsfan]

Why? Why can't a rebuilding team have a few decent 19/20 year olds to help ease the rookies in?

Michaud for example. If Rooberick and Assadourian look like they hold their own at C by the deadline, you might trade Michaud and let the kids take over. But in the beginning, he's there so the young kids don't have to struggle as much.

Sure, most rebuilding teams have a few 19/20 year olds. The IceDogs have ten 19/20 year olds eligible to return next season. That is almost half the team! That is not a rebuilding team. In fact, based upon the age of the players, next season should be the year they go for it.

 

[bigsportsfan]

Who are you counting?
Michaud for sure. Possibly Cato, probably not Agonestelli or Rosenzweig. All four of Leblanc, Leblanc, Flores, Lavoie are future OAs. Klein and Vannetten are essentially place holders.
The 2024-25 Icedogs likely have ~20 returnees. I can see Niagara counting cards closely again this coming season.

The IceDogs have seven 19 year olds (Klein, Lavoie, A Leblanc, Podoliovkh, Vannetten, J Leblanc, and Flores) as well as four 20 year olds (Agostinelli, Michaud, Cato and Rosenzweig) eligible to return next season. They are not a young rebuilding team.

 

[dirty12]

The IceDogs have seven 19 year olds (Klein, Lavoie, A Leblanc, Podoliovkh, Vannetten, J Leblanc, and Flores) as well as four 20 year olds (Agostinelli, Michaud, Cato and Rosenzweig) eligible to return next season. They are not a young rebuilding team.

The defense is nowhere near settled, so Niagara still has to be considered a rebuilding team.
I don’t consider Niagara a young team. In fact, I do not often consider any team young as the difference in average age of 25-30 player rosters will probably be 6-9 months top to bottom.
If you read my post closely, I doubt the Icedogs graduate 10-11 players and will likely be counting cards again 2023-24 because ~20 players will be part of the 2024-25 roster.
Michaud and maybe Cato, Rosenzweig, & Agonestelli are possibilities to be on the opening day roster. None necessarily graduate Icedogs.
One maybe two of the current 2004 born Niagara decide to roster graduate. Lavoie, Leblanc & Leblanc, Flores, and Podolioukh are near certain OAs somewhere.

 

[AuldBone]

You're forgetting, Niagara's GM is trade happy. Making deals like his business depends on it... Except in the one place his business ACTUALLY does depend on it... Hiring a proper OHL level GM. Instead of letting himself fail year after year after year like he's done in Brantford...

 

[dirty12]

You're forgetting, Niagara's GM is trade happy. Making deals like his business depends on it... Except in the one place his business ACTUALLY does depend on it... Hiring a proper OHL level GM. Instead of letting himself fail year after year after year like he's done in Brantford...

It’s probably a lot easier to build a good team in the OHL with drafts, defect rule, gold education limits, fixed stipends as opposed to jr where nicest arena, town, and largest stipends wins

 

[Dog Fan]

You're forgetting, Niagara's GM is trade happy. Making deals like his business depends on it... Except in the one place his business ACTUALLY does depend on it... Hiring a proper OHL level GM. Instead of letting himself fail year after year after year like he's done in Brantford...

I think he will have a very busy off season and trade deadline. It is possible the Dogs could qualify for the playoffs next year, maybe 7th or 8th place in the east. With so many 19 year olds on the roster, some will go at the deadline in order to prepare for Roobroeck's 3rd and 4th year which coincides with the next OHL Memorial Cup bid.

 

[CarriageRider]

Geez hits keep coming.

 

[DeletedAccountt]

Ontario Hockey League

The OHL consists of 20 member teams, including 17 in the province of Ontario as well as three in the United States, with two in the state of Michigan and one in the state of Pennsylvania.

ontariohockeyleague.com

 

[the dog]

Wow here we go again

 

[HUSH10]

This franchise is a joke.

 

[DWI Dale]

i wonder if this is why they signed so many guys already. get them in under the wire before they can have second thoughts? lol

 

[SpezzaNoLookDropPass]

My god what an embarrassment, fans deserve so much better

 

[the dog]

Sell the team...making us fans suffer..he is a joke of owner

 

[SSMHoundsFan]

Have to feel for Ice Dogs fans, just can't catch a break with team backroom shenanigans

 

[sbpointer]

You're forgetting, Niagara's GM is trade happy. Making deals like his business depends on it... Except in the one place his business ACTUALLY does depend on it... Hiring a proper OHL level GM. Instead of letting himself fail year after year after year like he's done in Brantford...

Well he doesnt have much of a choice now...
I guess he doesnt have to hire an OHL Caliber GM but it has to not be him..

This guy make Rolf Nillsen look like a model franchise owner...

 

[Rounder8]

I feel bad for the fanbase. They deserve better.

 

[sbpointer]

i wonder if this is why they signed so many guys already. get them in under the wire before they can have second thoughts? lol

I mean they can still demand a trade and not show..
Which might be advised this is a dumpster fire...

 

[dkl]

Wow, such a joke franchise. Absolutely pathetic, good on the OHL to come down hard on this. But of course it's us