Niagara IceDogs 2023-24 Off-Season Thread

[three dog night]

Two losses since Christmas break 10 to 2 loss in Owen Sound and a 6 to 3 Loss in Erie tonight we host Guelph at 6 pm .Guelph coming in from Flint who makes this schedule up almost a six hour drive.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

I think Ride and Wycisk have taken big strides forward this season; and, can be a top half first pair next season. Prodekar should be a pretty good #3.

Again, looking at the goals against this team is allowing, our current D core doesn't give me a whole lot of confidence for next season.

 

[dirty12]

Again, looking at the goals against this team is allowing, our current D core doesn't give me a whole lot of confidence for next season.

There probably is not a D that can be acquired that should change your confidence in the D for next season

 

[bigsportsfan]

There was nothing misleading about my post, you're simply doubling down on a bad take.

We absolutely know this team will be better in 2 years because of the quality of those 18/19 year olds then compared to now.

Burns started in Junior B because the team started with 2 better 19 year old goalies.

Every team has later picks who make it later in the career.

Its weird that you tried to argue my point about the U16 draft. Of course every team gets players from there. I'm painting a picture of how easily the roster 2 years from now will be filled out.

Really? Can you list for me the quality 19 year olds that will be on the IceDogs roster in 2 seasons.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Really? Can you list for me the quality 19 year olds that will be on the IceDogs roster in 2 seasons.

When was this part of the conversation? You're changing the subject entirely because you want to pout for being proven wrong. lmfao

 

[three dog night]

Icedogs survived a brutal second period and rallied to beat Guelph 6 to 5 in overtime their third overtime win first at home Wysick game winner two more goals for He and Czta. Season best crowd 4,624 on hand.Next game Friday night at home against Owen Sound.

 

[three dog night]

Happy New Year everyone.

 

[Dog Fan]

Happy New Year! I enjoyed the game tonight and the competitive fire from Flores. #SELLTHETEAM

 

[beastintheeast]

This is a team that has had a Crap coach. You now have a good coach and the added bonus of Bruce. Looking at the lineup you have mostly top 4 round picks. These are usually players that can play in the league but could use some development.

If anyone here thinks this team can be a top contender next year, they are nuts. Sorry Mississauga; Brantford and Barrie are pretty strong.

This team, if it finds its stride, could be number 8 and make the playoffs. That would not be a bad thing to most people ( I say most only because of the DOG.)./ Next year, they can be a top 45 team easily, and in year three, they could be back in the hunt.

 

[bobber]

Saw the last part of the game yesterday. Congrats on a great win against the Storm who are not exactly chicken salad. Proves the Ice Dogs can win with hard work. Good stuff!

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

This is a team that has had a Crap coach. You now have a good coach and the added bonus of Bruce. Looking at the lineup you have mostly top 4 round picks. These are usually players that can play in the league but could use some development.

If anyone here thinks this team can be a top contender next year, they are nuts. Sorry Mississauga; Brantford and Barrie are pretty strong.

This team, if it finds its stride, could be number 8 and make the playoffs. That would not be a bad thing to most people ( I say most only because of the DOG.)./ Next year, they can be a top 45 team easily, and in year three, they could be back in the hunt.

I don't think anyone is expecting them to contend next year.

They just might be fun to watch next year as a 6-8 seed in the East. Fingers crossed for a top 2 pick in the draft and a quality import!

 

[dirty12]

I don't think anyone is expecting them to contend next year.

They just might be fun to watch next year as a 6-8 seed in the East. Fingers crossed for a top 2 pick in the draft and a quality import!

I expect better, though not likely a real contender.

 

[bigsportsfan]

We absolutely know this team will be better in 2 years because of the quality of those 18/19 year olds then compared to now.

Really? Can you list for me the quality 19 year olds that will be on the IceDogs roster in 2 seasons.

When was this part of the conversation? You're changing the subject entirely because you want to pout for being proven wrong. lmfao

Hey Mcnotoilersfan, please see the quotes above. Thanks for the good laugh. I get it. You were wrong about the 19 year-olds. But now you just sound delusional rather than admitting you were wrong.

To clarify, the IceDogs only have two 17 year-olds on the roster. They are Kevin He, who will likely be picked in rounds 3-5 in the upcoming NHL draft and forward Andrew Vermeulen, who has 3 goals this season. The IceDogs also have 17 year-old Charlie Burns as a back-up goalie but he has played only one period this season and has a 0.600 save percentage.

So without making trades, Kevin He may be the only 19 year-old on the team in two years or at least will likely be the only impact 19 year-old. There are no other players from the 2022 draft expected to make the team, which was one of the worst drafts in IceDogs history.

Looking at this year's roster and excluding any trades, the quality of the IceDogs 19 year-olds will be worst in two seasons, not better.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Hey Mcnotoilersfan, please see the quotes above. Thanks for the good laugh. I get it. You were wrong about the 19 year-olds. But now you just sound delusional rather than admitting you were wrong.

To clarify, the IceDogs only have two 17 year-olds on the roster. They are Kevin He, who will likely be picked in rounds 3-5 in the upcoming NHL draft and forward Andrew Vermeulen, who has 3 goals this season. The IceDogs also have 17 year-old Charlie Burns as a back-up goalie but he has played only one period this season and has a 0.600 save percentage.

So without making trades, Kevin He may be the only 19 year-old on the team in two years or at least will likely be the only impact 19 year-old. There are no other players from the 2022 draft expected to make the team, which was one of the worst drafts in IceDogs history.

Looking at this year's roster and excluding any trades, the quality of the IceDogs 19 year-olds will be worst in two seasons, not better.

Okay Kiddo. I was proving you wrong about your bogus theory of a lacking of quality players around in 2 seasons. I lumped the 18 and 19 year olds together as He will be one of the best 19 year olds in the league, playing with arguably the best group of 18 year olds. Not to mention through trade and Import draft, it is highly likely, that this team has a way better class of 19 year olds than and now.

Because you didn't like me accurately calling out your bad take, you decided to take my lumping of that group of highly skilled returnees together (He, Roobroeck, Czata, Galiyanov, Frolov), and single out your version of a minute detail, that again, wasn't part of the conversation.

Enjoy your day champ

 

[bigsportsfan]

Okay Kiddo. I was proving you wrong about your bogus theory of a lacking of quality players around in 2 seasons. I lumped the 18 and 19 year olds together as He will be one of the best 19 year olds in the league, playing with arguably the best group of 18 year olds. Not to mention through trade and Import draft, it is highly likely, that this team has a way better class of 19 year olds than and now.

Because you didn't like me accurately calling out your bad take, you decided to take my lumping of that group of highly skilled returnees together (He, Roobroeck, Czata, Galiyanov, Frolov), and single out your version of a minute detail, that again, wasn't part of the conversation.

Enjoy your day champ

In two seasons, He and Roobroeck will be better than they are now and better than any player that plays for the IceDogs now. But that is it. The other players you mention will be no better than the 18 year-olds and 19 year-olds we have now. And in fact, we will likely have very few 19 year-olds on the team. Having a lack of quality players here in two seasons is not a bogus theory - It's called being realistic.

The IceDogs have struggled with drafting. This year they had the number 4 overall pick in the Import draft and failed to pick an NHL drafted player. The year before they passed on the import draft despite having an opening. They had the number 5 pick this year in the U16 draft and chose Czata, a player that was projected to go in the late first round or second round. Their third round pick Hayden Reid failed to show up despite the owner of the IceDogs saying the player wanted to play in the OHL. The year before our first round pick failed to show. I have no confidence in their drafting ability.

We also have trouble keeping players. Humphrey quit the IceDogs earlier this year. And last year the owner basically said that players were asking to be traded. It's doubtful that He, Roobroeck, Czata, Galiyanov and Frolov are all still with the IceDogs in 2 seasons. Any even if by some chance they are, it won't be enough.

 

[beastintheeast]

I don't think anyone is expecting them to contend next year.

They just might be fun to watch next year as a 6-8 seed in the East. Fingers crossed for a top 2 pick in the draft and a quality import!

next year Ottawa, NB, Petes, Sudbury will be rebuilding.

Mississauga, Brantford, Barrie should be fighting for top team.

Oshawa and Kington are unknowns at this point

With the line up you have and the youth it is not unthinkable for you guys to be fighting for 4-5 next year and having one of the top teams the year after.

Ottawa is definitely in a 2 year rebuld after being at the top so long.

 

[dirty12]

next year Ottawa, NB, Petes, Sudbury will be rebuilding.

Mississauga, Brantford, Barrie should be fighting for top team.

Oshawa and Kington are unknowns at this point

With the line up you have and the youth it is not unthinkable for you guys to be fighting for 4-5 next year and having one of the top teams the year after.

Ottawa is definitely in a 2 year rebuld after being at the top so long.

I think the IceDogs are on track too. For the first time in years they will have their own OAs and 19 yr olds in place. It should be an ok place for the lottery picks to develop.

Ritchie and Sennecke should lead Oshawa to a lot of wins. Unless Kingston is somehow all-in this season, a likely wicked top six should have the team among the top contenders next season.

 

[beastintheeast]

Unless Kingston is somehow all-in this season, they should be among the top contenders next season.

If they can sort out their defence

 

[OHL4Life]

Okay Kiddo. I was proving you wrong about your bogus theory of a lacking of quality players around in 2 seasons. I lumped the 18 and 19 year olds together as He will be one of the best 19 year olds in the league, playing with arguably the best group of 18 year olds. Not to mention through trade and Import draft, it is highly likely, that this team has a way better class of 19 year olds than and now.

Because you didn't like me accurately calling out your bad take, you decided to take my lumping of that group of highly skilled returnees together (He, Roobroeck, Czata, Galiyanov, Frolov), and single out your version of a minute detail, that again, wasn't part of the conversation.

Enjoy your day champ

they have an awful scouting staff and most players on the roster are represented by one agent. they need a gm with the ability to run the team without interference.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

In two seasons, He and Roobroeck will be better than they are now and better than any player that plays for the IceDogs now. But that is it. The other players you mention will be no better than the 18 year-olds and 19 year-olds we have now. And in fact, we will likely have very few 19 year-olds on the team. Having a lack of quality players here in two seasons is not a bogus theory - It's called being realistic.

The IceDogs have struggled with drafting. This year they had the number 4 overall pick in the Import draft and failed to pick an NHL drafted player. The year before they passed on the import draft despite having an opening. They had the number 5 pick this year in the U16 draft and chose Czata, a player that was projected to go in the late first round or second round. Their third round pick Hayden Reid failed to show up despite the owner of the IceDogs saying the player wanted to play in the OHL. The year before our first round pick failed to show. I have no confidence in their drafting ability.

We also have trouble keeping players. Humphrey quit the IceDogs earlier this year. And last year the owner basically said that players were asking to be traded. It's doubtful that He, Roobroeck, Czata, Galiyanov and Frolov are all still with the IceDogs in 2 seasons. Any even if by some chance they are, it won't be enough.

I've talked with actual scouts this year who see a big future for Czata and Galiyanov as well.

Their difficulty to keep players has been due to the poor record. It will be better next year.

 

[OHL4Life]

I've talked with actual scouts this year who see a big future for Czata and Galiyanov as well.

Their difficulty to keep players has been due to the poor record. It will be better next year.

the dificulty to keep players has more to do with the lack of foresight with management and penny pinching on player expenses. no team makes players pay for their own lunch on the bus. no team goes on a 4 hour road trip the day of and drives right back to save on hotels. no team goes through 3/4 coaches in 12 months.

management needs to get out of their own way. but there is no history to suggest that he knows how to.

 

[three dog night]

the dificulty to keep players has more to do with the lack of foresight with management and penny pinching on player expenses. no team makes players pay for their own lunch on the bus. no team goes on a 4 hour road trip the day of and drives right back to save on hotels. no team goes through 3/4 coaches in 12 months.

management needs to get out of their own way. but there is no history to suggest that he knows how to.

the dificulty to keep players has more to do with the lack of foresight with management and penny pinching on player expenses. no team makes players pay for their own lunch on the bus. no team goes on a 4 hour road trip the day of and drives right back to save on hotels. no team goes through 3/4 coaches in 12 months.

management needs to get out of their own way. but there is no history to suggest that he knows how to.

That is old news it changed midway last season

 

[OHL4Life]

That is old news it changed midway last season

no its not old news, its a factor when your trying to recruit players whose agents have seen the song and dance of last year (and this year with a coaching firing already). there's a reason why 70 percent of your roster is represented by one agent, the other agents want nothing to do do with you.

 

[WorkHardEveryShift]

I've talked with actual scouts this year who see a big future for Czata and Galiyanov as well.

Their difficulty to keep players has been due to the poor record. It will be better next year.

I like these 2 as well. People don't realize that being a young player on the Ice Dogs means you get way more ice time than on any other team. Look what it did for He last year to be playing so much. And the rookies this year will be very good next year because of it. Yes, they want to win. But ice time and exposure, even on a bad team, goes a long way for them

 

[Dog Fan]

no its not old news, its a factor when your trying to recruit players whose agents have seen the song and dance of last year (and this year with a coaching firing already). there's a reason why 70 percent of your roster is represented by one agent, the other agents want nothing to do do with you.

It's not old news...I spoke to a scout at a game in early December/late November and he said that there still are no refreshments or food at the scouts room...brutal was the way he described it...way different than other OHL franchises. I hope things are better with respect to the team and his spending habits.