Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season, Part II
- Thread starter SoupNazi
- Start date
I know but I’m always so shocked that you return to post on this site with zero accountability.
You posted….“In other words, completely irrelevant considering the overhaul on defence” as if that has been a strength this season. Aside from their lack of scoring depth, the play of their D as a whole has been very sub-par. That statement only confirms you’ve not watched many games this year but that doesn't deter you from posting on here.
Also, “That is quite the departure from DDD is all-in to finish 8th at the expense of the 2025-26,27 seasons.”
No. That is exactly what I’m still saying!!! I’m on record clearly stating DD is all in to finish 8th at that expense (even outlined their cost cutting measures, poor trades and lack of draft capital as the primary reasons) AND I posted that the IceDogs probably finish as high as 7th since Ottawa and NB are likely sellers (check recent OHL records you need to be a .500 team to accomplish that) and possibly 6th but only if Sudbury were to sell, which I indicated I didn’t believe that would happen since Dario is on record stating "their goal is for a deep playoff run this year."
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Dogs Enthusiast
Registered User
Sam14, at what point do you say that maybe you are wrong?
Like if we get to the half way mark of the season and we are first/second in the Conference. Would that change your mind?
Like if we get to the half way mark of the season and we are first/second in the Conference. Would that change your mind?
As I stated on the closed pages "the reality is one at a time, at different times, I count 5 (probably 6) teams that are going to overtake the IceDogs this season." There is no timeline on that. What I know of the teams they are up against in comparison to the IceDogs' strengths and weaknesses (and lack of draft capital) it's inevitable.
However, if you require an answer specific to your question...if they are in first or second at the midway point, I'll be SHOCKED, it wouldn't completely change my mind in thinking they will drop but I will certainly have the utmost respect for that accomplishment, to that point, and be extremely interested in seeing if they can sustain that winning percentage required, over the last 34 games.
Dogs Enthusiast
Registered User
Ok, fair answer I suppose.
Are you not shocked that they are first after an entire quarter of the season?
Are you not shocked that they are first after an entire quarter of the season?
You are not going like my answer but it's the truth. Only shocked to see how the IceDogs got points in 4 or 5 of those games that they were completely outplayed in, only to be saved by Flores, He and/or RR. Those wins don’t change the fact they are playing like a .500 team. Fans watching unbiasedly, are not being misled by the standing but focused on their game to game play.
Once the top teams begin playing like the top teams, you are going to be disappointed in where the IceDogs are in the Eastern Conference standings.
Like to see Levin...Doherty and Galiyanov put few more packs in net....let's hope when Paris comes back he puts some in to
Any chance Giacomo Martino fw 05 ushl top scorer league from Toronto finishes season with icedogs ? 
Did the IceDogs previously draft him? I don’t remember that name.Any chance Giacomo Martino fw 05 ushl top scorer league from Toronto finishes season with icedogs ?
Any chance Giacomo Martino fw 05 ushl top scorer league from Toronto finishes season with icedogs ?
When asked last year, prior to this new NCAA/CHL ruling, DD said they were in contact with all past IceDog prospects and all declined offers to join the IceDogs.
That group of 2005 flyer picks (listed below) were drafted by Joey Burke in 2021. The fact that Martino went un-drafted, leading the USHL in scoring and headed to Northeastern next season makes this an extreme long shot. If Martino had been NHL drafted, it might have been something his NHL team might have considered.
Other than those three players, IceDogs have no potential US (or CAN) prospects from the last three drafts as a result of the NCAA/CHL Ruling.
NIAGARA ICEDOGS
2024 DRAFT: 08s
None
2023 DRAFT: 07s
None
2022 DRAFT: 06s
None
2021 DRAFT: (GM Joey Burke)
05 US D - Zach Shultz NHL Drafted 2023 NYI 6th RD (unsigned) – Current Team: U Wisconsin
05 CAN D - Jax Wismer Current Team: U Vermont
05 CAN F - Giacomo Martino Current Team: Sioux City Musketeers USHL – 25-26 Northeastern
Here is a link directly to the complete 2021 IceDogs Priority Draft
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.
chl.ca
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You sort of alluded to a big reason for the difference between Niagara and Brampton in your opening sentence; He does what it takes to win.
The top teams in the east are playing like top teams. Barrie and Oshawa (8-2) have gained two points on Niagara in the past 3-4 weeks. Kingston (7-2-1) has gained 1 point.
You forgot two stacked roster (and draft cupboard) teams currently under-performing in the standings.
BRAMPTON:
04 D - Stevie Leskovar (NHL MIN 24 RD 6); Spencer Sova
05 F - Carson Rehkopf (NHL SEA 23 RD 2); Angus MacDonell (NHL DAL 23 RD 6); Luke Misa (NHL CAL 24 RD 5); Mason Zebeski; Adam Zidlicky; D – Finn Harding (NHL PITT 24 RD 7);
06 – F Porter Martone (NHL 1st Rd top 5 Project 2025); Jack Van Volsen; Lucas Karmiris(NHL 4th/5th Rd Project 2025); ; Martin Vaculik IMPORT; D – Parker Von Richter; Jakub Fibigr IMPORT (NHL SEA RD 7)
07 - G Jack Ivankovic (NHL 2nd Rd Project 2025);
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:
OA-04 F PatrickThomas (NHL WSH 23 RD4); Zak Lavoie; D Tomáš Hamara IMPORT (NHL OTT 22 RD 3)
05 F Nick Lardis (NHL CHI 23 RD 3); Cole Brown (NHL NJ 23 RD 6); D Noah Roberts
06 F Marek Vanacker INJ RETURNING SOON (NHL CHI 24 RD 1); Luca Testa; D Owen Protz (NHL MON 24 RD 4); Adam Jiricek IMPORT INJ RETURNING SOON (NHL STL 23 RD 1); G – Ryerson Leenders (NHL BUFF 24 RD 7); G David Egorov
07 F Jake O’Brien (NHL 1st Rd Project 2025)
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
So along with avoiding questions on here you are also making the case that since a few of the top eastern teams have not passed the Icedog over the last the 3-4 weeks it is a good indicator they won’t catch them at all because why else would you post that if not to make the case that icedogs will not be caught.
So I have a question for you. According to your expertise (and statistical trends you researched), of the top teams in the east (performing and underperforming) Barrie, Kingston, Oshawa, Brantford and Brampton, how many of those teams will the IceDogs finish ahead of this season? 3? 4? All 5?
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I did not forget that (many) teams in the east have draft capital that may or may not be used effectively to significantly increase wins this season.
I simply pointed out that Niagara has a MVP type player that makes up for defensively and physically challenged forwards while producing enough offence to win games. Brampton has forwards that probably could but do not play like winning matters.
To answer the question in your next post, I assume teams know what they need to add to separate themselves from other wannabe contenders; but I do not really know which teams can and will get the players they need.
Oshawa, Barrie 100% finish above IceDogs
Brampton 99% finish above IceDogs
Kingston 75% finish above IceDogs
Brantford for me is tough because their schedule leading up to Christmas is insane. They have 16 games between now and Christmas and based on the quality of those opponents they could get as low as 5 wins and as high as 12ish wins. If Brantford ends up on the low side over those 16 games and is 15-20 points behind the IceDogs at Christmas (currently 10 points back), I would imagine they won’t be buying rentals and I would say that is likely too big of a gap and with the strength of the East this year the Bulldogs could/should look at things and say maybe they make their big push in 25-26 when the East becomes weaker. Of course if the Bulldogs win 12ish of the 16 before Christmas and make up ground on the teams above them, that would paint a different picture. So Bulldogs are tough projection, I’ll say 51% chance they finish above IceDogs. Barrie, Brampton Niagara this week will be interesting.
Sudbury 25% finish above IceDogs
Above are strictly opinions
First 3 you mentioned are easily better although I expected Brampton to be a lot better than they have been so far Kingston should be better but I don’t think the % is that high as should Brantford unless the slow start means they sell instead of buying one team I wouldn’t count out yet either is Ottawa
I understand there are inherent variables within a season, but this is just a simple question (no monetary risk) just how many of those five teams do you honestly think the IceDogs will finish ahead of this season? 3? 4? 5?
Brampton has the NHL drafted talent and draft picks to move right to the very top.
Brantford also has the NHL drafted talent and the picks but their lineup is about to get two first round NHL draft players (a F and D) return to their line up very soon.
Marek Vanacker (CHI 24 RD 1)
Adam Jiricek IMPORT (STL 23 RD 1)
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
IMO. All 5 will finish ahead of the IceDogs. Unless something changes Sudbury is my 6th team. They also have the draft picks to go all in.
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
Brantford also has the NHL drafted talent and the picks but their lineup is about to get two first round NHL draft players (a F and D) return to their line up very soon.
Marek Vanacker (CHI 24 RD 1)
Adam Jiricek IMPORT (STL 23 RD 1)
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
IMO. All 5 will finish ahead of the IceDogs. Unless something changes Sudbury is my 6th team. They also have the draft picks to go all in.
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
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Jiricek was back for 4 games before getting hurt and Bulldogs were 0-4 all in regulation during those games. Vanacker is the best player on their roster and will be a difference maker. The question more becomes how many points back is too many points to stop them going all in. They need to stop the bleeding in this stretch before Christmas. Their roster is built where they can realistically be just as suited to go for it next year.
The question isn’t about on paper talent. Team chemistry becomes crucial.
Idk, I really don’t know yet.
I could not predict how good Loshko and Brauti would be for Niagara or He being a MVP type this season; and I could not even imagine something like Misa/MacDonell-Rehkopf-Martone as a line. Is that somehow supposed to be more effective than Musty-Dvorak-Goyette?
I have very changed opinions of teams currently, but will wait until after the deadline to alter my pre-season pick of Barrie, Brampton, Kingston, Oshawa, Brantford, Sudbury, Niagara, NB, Ottawa, Peterborough.
I’m betting on their nhl talent, the return of Jiricek and Vanecker and their draft cupboard as a sure thing they overtake Niagara. I doubt it will even be close between them before the end of the season.
The question I have is how soon is SOON cause if it’s like a month+ that could be a problem as for Sudbury I just don’t see it them trying to get into the eastern arms race with Brampton Oshawa Barrie and maybe Brantford as for our roster I’d be moving some at the deadline but doubt it happens
Moving a couple or a few players like, Loshko, NVV, Virgilio, Flores at the deadline is what the IceDogs should be doing but you and I both know that will NEVER happen! Mark my words DD will be some version of an outlier buyer at the deadline. It will get weird.
Without an abundance of NHL drafted talent in combination with a lack of draft capital to facilitate a go for it year, is not a receipt for a championship run anytime soon. DD’s plans to bid on the Mem Cup in 26-27, can only, in part, be accomplished by trading NHL talent Kevin He next year. Really has no choice. However, I will shocked if does that too. Nothing DD decides to do over the next few years is going to make sense to the fan that fully understand the business of the OHL.
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