Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season, Part I

[dirty12]

How is this a surplus of picks? It's basically the bare mininum number of picks a team should have for any give draft year. There is no surplus of picks to acquire high-end talent (this year or next year) without severely crippling this franchise long term. Please take some time to get the facts before posting

ICEDOGS DRAFT CAPITAL
25: - , 3, 4, 4
26: 2, 3, 3, 4
27: 2, 3, 4, 4
28: 2, 3, 4



This is a surplus…that allow teams the flexible to add high-end talent to compete for championships if they choice to do so.

BRAMPTION DRAFT CAPITAL
25: 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5
26: 2, 2, 3, 3, 5
27: 3, 4, 5, 5
28: 2, 2, 5

BRANTFORD DRAFT CAPITAL
25: -, 3
26: 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5
27: 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5
28: 3, 4, 5

KINGSTON DRAFT CAPITAL
25: -, 3, 4, 5
26: 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5
27: 2, 3, 5, 5
28: 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4

SUBBURY DRAFT CAPITAL
25: 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5
26: 3, 3, 4, 5, 5
27: 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5
28: 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5

Niagara has 3-2nds, 6-3rds, 6-4ths, 2-5ths, 6-6ths over 4 years; that is a slight pick surplus.
The IceDogs will graduate 3-OAs and one ‘05 from the current line up. Frasca and Humphries and Hotles step in next season. The near future of the team has in no way been compromised.

 

[Sam14]

Niagara has 3-2nds, 6-3rds, 6-4ths, 2-5ths, 6-6ths over 4 years; that is a slight pick surplus.

LOL. Thanks for confirming my point! We can safely exit this conversation.

It's basically the bare mininum number of picks a team should have for any given draft year. There is no surplus of picks to acquire high-end talent (this year or next year) without severely crippling this franchise long term.

ACTUAL SURPLUS in the EAST! Brampton, Brantford, Kingston, Sudbury and the teams that plan to put themselves in a surplus situation at some point this season are North Bay and Ottawa

 

[dirty12]

3-2nds, 6-3rds, 6-4ths, 2-5ths, 6-6ths is 3 extra picks over four years. That is a slight pick surplus.

 

[Sam14]

3-2nds, 6-3rds, 6-4ths, 2-5ths, 6-6ths is 3 extra picks over four years. That is a slight pick surplus.

What is a team with a VERY slight surplus do up against teams with actual surplus (this year and next year). How in the world is this even being referenced BY YOU ONLY as a positive for this organization!!!

What you call a “slight surplus” most would call “a few picks over the bare minimum required” to conduct a proper draft

 

[Sam14]

As an IceDogs fan for IceDog fans, my posts are candid factual information, either from very reliable sources or research. The information can be both positive or negative. Not often but occasionally I will post opinions (e.g., NVV) but the majority of my posts are embedded and based on factual information.

I can respect that there are some IceDog fans that prefer the discussion or information shared to be solely positive in nature. However, my intent is to present information to further educate a loyal IceDog fan base regarding on and off issues, regardless if it’s flattering or non-flattering.

For fans that don’t want to read that information shared, analyse of trades (past and present), roster construct, long vs short range planning, etc…my suggestion would be to place the cursor over my name and click the ignore button. This site allows individuals to filter the comments they prefer to read.

Over the last few months, I’ve posted both sides of the discussion regarding areas of concern around a franchise IceDog fans care about.

Negative
<>ownership (cost cutting measures)
<>majority of DDD’s trades
<>asset management
<>lack of long range plan
<>inability to recruit imports (and other players)
<>05s (exception of Wyscik)
<>play of the D thus far in the 24-25 season
<>game during NFL Sunday

Positive
<>entire coaching staff (led by Ben Boudreau, one of this leagues best coaches)
<>07s and 08s players (a few exciting players)
<>Kevin He. Wow!!! Flores!
<>IceDogs will make the playoffs (a pre-season prediction)
<>very small number of DDD’s trades
<>games on Saturday (and the local Niagara night out experience)
<>play of the G and top 6 F thus far in the 24-25 season
<>knowledgeable IceDogs fan base

 

[dirty12]

What is a team with a VERY slight surplus do up against teams with actual surplus (this year and next year). How in the world is this even being referenced BY YOU ONLY as a positive for this organization!!!

The IceDogs are a competitive and still improving team that will return 16 players in the current line up next season; plus, at least 3-‘08s in Humphries, Frasca, and Hotles. I would expect an ‘09-1st and at least one import as well.
A slight pick surplus is not a negative.

 

[Dog Fan]

As an IceDogs fan for IceDog fans, my posts are candid factual information, either from very reliable sources or research. The information can be both positive or negative. Not often but occasionally I will post opinions (e.g., NVV) but the majority of my posts are embedded and based on factual information.

I can respect that there are some IceDog fans that prefer the discussion or information shared to be solely positive in nature. However, my intent is to present information to further educate a loyal IceDog fan base regarding on and off issues, regardless if it’s flattering or non-flattering.

For fans that don’t want to read that information shared, analyse of trades (past and present), roster construct, long vs short range planning, etc…my suggestion would be to place the cursor over my name and click the ignore button. This site allows individuals to filter the comments they prefer to read.

Over the last few months, I’ve posted both sides of the discussion regarding areas of concern around a franchise IceDog fans care about.

Negative
<>ownership (cost cutting measures)
<>majority of DDD’s trades
<>asset management
<>lack of long range plan
<>inability to recruit imports (and other players)
<>05s (exception of Wyscik)
<>play of the D thus far in the 24-25 season
<>game during NFL Sunday

Positive
<>entire coaching staff (led by Ben Boudreau, one of this leagues best coaches)
<>07s and 08s players (a few exciting players)
<>Kevin He. Wow!!! Flores!
<>IceDogs will make the playoffs (a pre-season prediction)
<>very small number of DDD’s trades
<>games on Saturday (and the local Niagara night out experience)
<>play of the G and top 6 F thus far in the 24-25 season
<>knowledgeable IceDogs fan base

I understand and appreciate the way you have expressed yourself in this post. It is informative and significantly less confrontational.

 

[dogs777]

How is this a surplus of picks? It's basically the bare mininum number of picks a team should have for any give draft year. There is no surplus of picks to acquire high-end talent (this year or next year) without severely crippling this franchise long term. Please take some time to get the facts before posting

ICEDOGS DRAFT CAPITAL
25: - , 3, 4, 4
26: 2, 3, 3, 4
27: 2, 3, 4, 4
28: 2, 3, 4



This is a surplus…that allow teams the flexible to add high-end talent to compete for championships if they choice to do so.

BRAMPTION DRAFT CAPITAL
25: 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5
26: 2, 2, 3, 3, 5
27: 3, 4, 5, 5
28: 2, 2, 5

BRANTFORD DRAFT CAPITAL
25: -, 3
26: 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5
27: 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5
28: 3, 4, 5

KINGSTON DRAFT CAPITAL
25: -, 3, 4, 5
26: 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5
27: 2, 3, 5, 5
28: 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4

SUBBURY DRAFT CAPITAL
25: 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5
26: 3, 3, 4, 5, 5
27: 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5
28: 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5

Does Niagara even have a third this year? I know on the data base it has a * next to it but I’m not sure if the conditions were met or not as for the other teams although I agree with you they’re in a much better spot let’s wait till after the deadline cause some of those picks will move

 

[dirty12]

Does Niagara even have a third this year? I know on the data base it has a * next to it but I’m not sure if the conditions were met or not as for the other teams although I agree with you they’re in a much better spot let’s wait till after the deadline cause some of those picks will move

That 3rd does belong to Niagara as Zito playing in his OA season met that condition.

 

[Sam14]

Does Niagara even have a third this year? I know on the data base it has a * next to it but I’m not sure if the conditions were met or not as for the other teams although I agree with you they’re in a much better spot let’s wait till after the deadline cause some of those picks will move

I’m not sure if the conditions were meet in the initial Zito trade. He did play a few games in his OA season with Windsor, just unsure if he played enough for the IDs to retain that pick. I’ll see if I can find out. That would really hurt if they don’t have that pick since they are already without a 2025 2nd.

Also, if the icedogs retain the 3rd from zito in 25 they would then lose a 4th in 25 to windsor as a result

 

[dirty12]

I’m not sure if the conditions were meet in the initial Zito trade. He did play a few games in his OA season with Windsor, just unsure if he played enough for the IDs to retain that pick. I’ll see if I can find out. That would really hurt if they don’t have that pick since they are already without a 2025 2nd.

Also, if the icedogs retain the 3rd from zito in 25 they would then lose a 4th in 25 to windsor as a result

It was a Niagara ‘25-5th already showing as part of Windsor’s picks

 

[ScoutLife4]

Do you guys really think Ben is one of the best coaches in the league?
Never heard that one before.

 

[Sam14]

Do you guys really think Ben is one of the best coaches in the league?
Never heard that one before.

Not sure if my comment represents all IceDog fans on here. It is little bit of a “personal bias” on my part, but nonetheless, I feel strongly that he is “one” of the best coaches in the OHL. He will get his opportunity to prove himself to be that over the next few years forced to produce winning teams with a pretty significant DDD hockey ops handicap to overcome.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Do you guys really think Ben is one of the best coaches in the league?
Never heard that one before.

It's too early to say that. He's the best coach since David Bell for sure in Niagara.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Not sure if my comment represents all IceDog fans on here. It is little bit of a “personal bias” on my part, but nonetheless, I feel strongly that he is “one” of the best coaches in the OHL. He will get his opportunity to prove himself to be that over the next few years forced to produce winning teams with a pretty significant DDD hockey ops handicap to overcome.

Winning the kelly cup was a nice accomplishment but he has not proven anything in JR hockey to get that tag yet in the OHL.
It's pretty rare you see a JR coach singling players out to the media like he does.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Winning the kelly cup was a nice accomplishment but he has not proven anything in JR hockey to get that tag yet in the OHL.
It's pretty rare you see a JR coach singling players out to the media like he does.

I'm not a fan of this. Keep that between you and the players. Defend them publicly

 

[Sam14]

Winning the kelly cup was a nice accomplishment but he has not proven anything in JR hockey to get that tag yet in the OHL.
It's pretty rare you see a JR coach singling players out to the media like he does.

He’s extremely transparent and pretty blunt (on and off the record) but the players do like and respect him.

But as I said (IMO), “It is little bit of a “personal bias” on my part, but nonetheless, I feel strongly that he is “one” of the best coaches in the OHL. He will get his opportunity to prove himself to be that over the next few years…”

Nothing more to my comment other than that.

 

[dirty12]

Winning the kelly cup was a nice accomplishment but he has not proven anything in JR hockey to get that tag yet in the OHL.
It's pretty rare you see a JR coach singling players out to the media like he does.

Even more rare is hearing a coach call-out management in the media for failing to provide him players. Management got him three upgrades on defence in the off-season, so whatever gets results

 

[bigsportsfan]

Last season I didn’t think Ben did much for the team. The IceDogs record under Ben was worse than it was under Ryan Kuwabara. Also I saw the interview with management of the ECHL team that fired him. They said the team often underperformed and was inconsistent under Ben.

This year has been a different story and the improvement in the team’s play is almost unheard of. However a scout told me a lot of the improvement is due to their new asst coach Marc Slawson as he apparently came in and implemented new systems.

But either way, the players seem to like and respect Ben and he has them believing in themselves and playing as a team.

Whether he is a great coach or not will become clearer in the coming years.

 

[three dog night]

Last season I didn’t think Ben did much for the team. The IceDogs record under Ben was worse than it was under Ryan Kuwabara. Also I saw the interview with management of the ECHL team that fired him. They said the team often underperformed and was inconsistent under Ben.

This year has been a different story and the improvement in the team’s play is almost unheard of. However a scout told me a lot of the improvement is due to their new asst coach Marc Slawson as he apparently came in and implemented new systems.

But either way, the players seem to like and respect Ben and he has them believing in themselves and playing as a team.

Whether he is a great coach or not will become clearer in the coming years.

In fairness lots of injuries last season

 

[WorkHardEveryShift]

When you look at the Central standings, I bet a lot of people would haved guessed in the preseason that the order would be flipped upside down

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

When you look at the Central standings, I bet a lot of people would haved guessed in the preseason that the order would be flipped upside down

So true!

 

[Sam14]

IceDogs catch a bit of break tonight. Callum Ritchie sent back but will not be in the lineup.

Along with the game itself, an interesting side-story is tonight’s attendance figures.

This game is the voucher game. Traditionally the game specific voucher games have drawn good crowds, as the purchasers represent the casual fan looking for an inexpensive night out and it fills up the arena. The vouchers handed out at previous games in the past (clothing donations) were for a $2.00 ticket, many were surprised to find it was a $10.00 voucher upon receiving it. This would probably be a better example of inflation, for Trump, than Tic-Taks

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Except for one large group in Sec. 116 there will not be a big crowd tonight.

 

[three dog night]

Except for one large group in Sec. 116 there will not be a big crowd tonight.

A shame