Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season, Part II

[Sam14]

OK, so I have seen Eliasson come up here many times but, I don't recall seeing the actual plan (or trade) that was in place. It might help give some context to the deal.

Before the Import Draft the IceDogs agreed to draft Eliasson for the Colts and in return the Colts would draft Patrik Kerkola, a goalie from Finland. Eliasson and Kerkola both agreed to the deal (Eliasson for Kerkola and a 3rd) and would report, BUT, Kerkola was offered a pro contract in Finland after the draft. That put the IceDogs behind the 8 ball in two ways.
One, they have to move Eliasson to Barrie. They had no choice.
Two, they now had an OA goalie in Flores that they couldn't trade (they had been trying since last deadline, with no takers) and no real number one goalie if they released him (Robertson wasn't going to be the number one).
It also contributed to the four OA issue to start the season as well. If Flores was gone to start the season as expected, Bryant would still be here.

Could they have held onto Eliasson and tried to get more for him, yes but why would the Colts do that? The player wasn't reporting to anyone else. Hold onto him and he doesn't report you wasted a draft pick. At least there is a chance now that Marty knows he owes the Dogs something down the line.
Kerkola would have probably been here two years and would have been a very good starter in the OHL and a nice bridge to see if Humphries would have worked out.

Thanks for that post! The information shared to me. Kerkola was not aware of any possible deal when he was drafted by Barrie. When Barrie got word that Eliasson was not signing in Niagara, they offered the IceDogs Kerkola in a swap, however, when Kerkola was told of the trade he opt to sign a pro contract in Finland instead of signing in Niagara.

In the end, it was as usual a very odd and embarrassing Import Draft for Niagara. If they really wanted that goalie, they could have avoided the middle man and selected him with 12th or even the 66th pick. Barrie didn’t select him until the 75th pick. Actually, I may be mistaken but with Eliasson being NHL drafted the IceDogs could have drafted both Eliasson and Kerkola

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Finally I will say there are people looking to buy or buy into the team but ownership isn't going to take a loss on this. So people staying away are actually hurting the process.
I was talking with someone on the business side of the league and they were saying that if the building was full, the offers would increase because they are buying a viable business, but because crowds are down it's a reason to low ball the offer. They can claim there is no proof the crowds will come back.

Informative post dogfan.

Also interesting that not buying tickets is keeping the situation the same. That makes perfect sense. More fans equal more revenue means the team is worth more and will attract more buyers.

 

[knowescape]

Anything is better than discussing the current winning streak and the fact that if we win the game tomorrow night we will be in first place in the Conference .... .again.

Wrong. Barrie plays Owen Sound tonight. Anything can happen of course, but it takes more than winning tomorrow night.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Wrong. Barrie plays Owen Sound tonight. Anything can happen of course, but it takes more than winning tomorrow night.

Oh, I didn't notice that.

If they win tonight and we beat them tomorrow night. We would be tied in points but maybe have the tie breaker because of the win????

I am not sure what the order of tie breakers are in the OHL.

 

[knowescape]

Informative post dogfan.

Also interesting that not buying tickets is keeping the situation the same. That makes perfect sense. More fans equal more revenue means the team is worth more and will attract more buyers.

There's another way of looking at it @dogfan ... If DDD makes money, he won't sell. If he keeps bleeding money he will eventually sell, yes, even at a loss. The fans aren't coming back for him - period. No one cares if he loses money, he authored his own destruction. I'm betting he will soon be upsidedown in his investment and with his track record it will only get worse.

His best bet is to leave on a high note. Take whatever victory comes his way this year and ride off into the sunset. He won't save any money, but he can preserve a bit of dignity at least.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Either way. Not supporting the team is going to hurt the franchise.

 

[Dog Fan]

Oh, I didn't notice that.

If they win tonight and we beat them tomorrow night. We would be tied in points but maybe have the tie breaker because of the win????

I am not sure what the order of tie breakers are in the OHL.

This point of fact only matters after the last game of the season. Hopefully, we continue to play well...and DDD sells the team during the summer. #SELLTHETEAM

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

This point of fact only matters after the last game of the season. Hopefully, we continue to play well...and DDD sells the team during the summer. #SELLTHETEAM

A winning team with a deep bench and improving attendance would be the best situation to get what you want.

 

[knowescape]

Either way. Not supporting the team is going to hurt the franchise.

Only in the short term, and only financially.

If a bunch of hacks like The Naysayers® can figure out what happened to the STH, then surely the OHL Elite know what's going on. Niagara is a gold mine of opportunity. Invest in the team and care about the fans... they will be there. DDD knew better than everyone else and turned the tide against the loyal fan group himself.

Redemption is a one-year process for any new owner who knows what they are doing.

 

[dogfan]

Thanks for that post! The information shared to me. Kerkola was not aware of any possible deal when he was drafted by Barrie. When Barrie got word that Eliasson was not signing in Niagara, they offered the IceDogs Kerkola in a swap, however, when Kerkola was told of the trade he opt to sign a pro contract in Finland instead of signing in Niagara.

In the end, it was as usual a very odd and embarrassing Import Draft for Niagara. If they really wanted that goalie, they could have avoided the middle man and selected him with 12th or even the 66th pick. Barrie didn’t select him until the 75th pick. Actually, I may be mistaken but with Eliasson being NHL drafted the IceDogs could have drafted both Eliasson and Kerkola

In the end, I think we all hear different information from the people we talk to.
Your information could be correct. I know a few GM's/scouts that put out all kinds of stuff.
There was a GM in Niagara that used to put out three versions of a story to see which one went public so he knew who was talking to fans/media. Then he'd use them to spread dis-information without them knowing.
Also, I don't disagree with eliminating the middle man, they could have had their future in their hands but if they thought they'd get an extra pick out of it, I can see why they did it.

As for the buying or not buying tickets debate. I was simply offering information that I had heard.
You don't feel that you should spend you hard earned dollar on this team with current ownership, that's your choice. Nobody is right or wrong for choosing how to spend their money.
Personally, I think he has more dollars then people believe and he could stick it out for a couple more years if he doesn't get a good offer (I would also believe there are people looking to buy into the organization that could make this continue for the foreseeable future).

 

[knowescape]

You don't feel that you should spend you hard earned dollar on this team with current ownership, that's your choice. Nobody is right or wrong for choosing how to spend their money.
Personally, I think he has more dollars then people believe and he could stick it out for a couple more years if he doesn't get a good offer (I would also believe there are people looking to buy into the organization that could make this continue for the foreseeable future).

Well said. Sounds like we've each heard a version of the same story. I can't believe someone would leave DDD with controlling interest over the team, so maybe that's the debate.