Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season, Part II

[Fastpace]

I agree little expensive but think the player has high potential given more of a role.

A great pick-up for Niagara ! Arrowsmith was really loved in London by his mates and fans, it was unfair to hold him back, he needs the ice. Too expensive, noway, Mark is not the winner of this deal, not this time. He's just itchy to get going, and he'll do great in Niagara once he's familiarized in about 8–10 games.

 

[Sam14]

A great pick-up for Niagara ! Arrowsmith was really loved in London by his mates and fans, it was unfair to hold him back, he needs the ice. Too expensive, noway, Mark is not the winner of this deal, not this time. He's just itchy to get going, and he'll do great in Niagara once he's familiarized in about 8–10 games.

I don’t have any issues with the player acquired (need to see him in person), but it doesn’t change the fact that when a team drafts a player in the 3rd round in 2023 and without any OHL success at all, a team hands over a 3rd, 3rd and 6th for that player, it’s a textbook example of an overpay.

The overpay is most likely linked to London absorbing the cost of the US education package because DD CAN’T take on any more debt. He’s currently not in a good financial situation with this franchise. OHL draft picks are used to save money here in Niagara. It sucks but it’s also the truth.

 

[Fastpace]

I don’t have any issues with the player acquired (need to see him in person), but it doesn’t change the fact that when a team drafts a player in the 3rd round in 2023 and without any OHL success at all, a team hands over a 3rd, 3rd and 6th for that player, it’s a textbook example of an overpay.

The overpay is most likely linked to London absorbing the cost of the US education package because DD CAN’T take on any more debit. He’s currently not in a good financial situation with this franchise. OHL draft picks are used to save money here in Niagara. It sucks but it’s also the truth.

That's why he needed the ice and didn't have OHL success. The lack of playing wasn't because he wasn't good enough, it was because he was on a loaded team. Even on the bench, in the press, on the bus, and in the dressing room, he learned from the OHL Championship team he was part of. How many in the Niagara dressing room can say this ? He can, and he's coming to this dressing room in Niagara to talk about it. How important is this?

 

[dirty12]

That's why he needed the ice and didn't have OHL success. The lack of playing wasn't because he wasn't good enough, it was because he was on a loaded team. Even on the bench, in the press and in the dressing room, he learned from the OHL Championship team he was part of. How many in the Niagara dressing room can say this ? He can, and he's coming to this dressing room in Niagara to talk about it. How important is this?

Flores, Paris, Levin, now Arrowsmith ...Federkow. Learning in a winning environment is indeed important imo.

 

[Sam14]

That's why he needed the ice and didn't have OHL success. The lack of playing wasn't because he wasn't good enough, it was because he was on a loaded team. Even on the bench, in the press, on the bus, and in the dressing room, he learned from the OHL Championship team he was part of. How many in the Niagara dressing room can say this ? He can, and he's coming to this dressing room in Niagara to talk about it. How important is this?

That's why he needed the ice and didn't have OHL success. The lack of playing wasn't because he wasn't good enough, it was because he was on a loaded team. Even on the bench, in the press, on the bus, and in the dressing room, he learned from the OHL Championship team he was part of. How many in the Niagara dressing room can say this ? He can, and he's coming to this dressing room in Niagara to talk about it. How important is this?

That was NOT in anyway the point of my reply to you. Its not about the player, its the fact that this owner continues to overpay for players because he uses the team’s draft picks as cash in his pocket. I don’t mind the discussion but don’t change the point or concern of the post. This is not the first time DD has done this to the fan base. It’s beyond frustrating if it’s your team.

 

[Fastpace]

Flores, Paris, Levin, now Arrowsmith ...Federkow. Learning in a winning environment is indeed important imo.

On London team, yes, were they all championship teams both league and playoffs? That's more confirmation for their dressing room to work with

 

[Fastpace]

That was NOT in anyway the point of my reply to you. Its not about the player, its the fact that this owner continues to overpay for players because he uses the team’s draft picks as cash in his pocket. I don’t mind the discussion but don’t change the point or concern of the post. This is not the first time DD has done this to the fan base. It’s beyond frustrating if it’s your team.

I understand, and I see what you are getting at. Can you not see and feel of their improvement, they came back from the dark ages from what this team has experienced the last height to ten years? I think it is awesome to see, many rabbits had to be found and yes, paid for, I only see but good things moving on from this year. Yet not so long at the start of this season, many on social media were placing the Ice Dogs at the bottom again this season, they are eating cold dogs now, let me tell you. Cheers!.

 

[Sam14]

I understand, and I see what you are getting at. Can you not see and feel of their improvement, they came back from the dark ages from what this team has experienced the last height to ten years? I think it is awesome to see, many rabbits had to be found and yes, paid for, I only see but good things moving on from this year. Yet not so long at the start of this season, many on social media were placing the Ice Dogs at the bottom again this season, they are eating cold dogs now, let me tell you. Cheers!.

There is price to pay when a team continually over-pays for players…future success!
DRAFT CAPITAL (UPDATED)
25: -, 3, 4, 4,
26: 2, 3, 4, -
27: 2, 3, 4, 4,
28: 2, 3, 4, -

And if you think DD is done this year, then allow me to quote someone reliable, "You don't know the half of it". DD has actually told STHs, who have been around since 2007, with a straight face, "We have lots of picks!"

WTF!

 

[Sam14]

There has been a flurry of US/CAN flyer picks and FAs signing with various OHL teams. IceDog fans need not hold their breath waiting for a signing to bolster the team, as many OHL teams are currently doing.

A couple of reasons: (1) IceDogs’ didn’t take a single flyer pick, the last three years; (2) apparently the CHL/USHL transfers cost range, depending on the player, anywhere between $10k - $25k US.

 

[dogs777]

There is price to pay when a team continually over-pays for players…future success!
DRAFT CAPITAL (UPDATED)
25: -, 3, 4, 4,
26: 2, 3, 4, -
27: 2, 3, 4, 4,
28: 2, 3, 4, -

And if you think DD is done this year, then allow me to quote someone reliable, "You don't know the half of it". DD has actually told STHs, who have been around since 2007, with a straight face, "We have lots of picks!"

WTF!

He’s not done he’ll move one or more out at some point and maybe (probably add as well)

 

[IceDogs452]

He’s not done he’ll move one or more out at some point and maybe (probably add as well)

Could see them Moving Robertson if they can get something decent for him and are just saying screw it Flores every game.

 

[Dog Fan]

DD is a gong show! It's scary being an Ice Dog fan...and, in my opinion, this trade makes no sense. unless we are going for it this year. I would prefer to see Wes and DD be patient and not spend draft capital until we know what level we will be competing at this year. I still think we will make the playoffs but recently have been showing glimpses of last year.

 

[dogs777]

Could see them Moving Robertson if they can get something decent for him and are just saying screw it Flores every game.

They are saying screw it flores every game cause they don’t trust the Jr.B goalies right now once Robertson comes back I can see them giving him a start a week also he’s your starter next year as of now so I don’t see them moving him now if a team wanted an OA goalie I’d still consider moving Flores depending on Robertsons health

 

[dogs777]

DD is a gong show! It's scary being an Ice Dog fan...and, in my opinion, this trade makes no sense. unless we are going for it this year. I would prefer to see Wes and DD be patient and not spend draft capital until we know what level we will be competing at this year. I still think we will make the playoffs but recently have been showing glimpses of last year.

I don’t think getting a 17 year old indicates anything about going for it at all although I don’t understand the move it’s better than having Hotles and Rafek playing

 

[dirty12]

He’s not done he’ll move one or more out at some point and maybe (probably add as well)

Forget the PBO ‘28-3rd*?

 

[Sam14]

UPDATED: November 26, 2024

2022-2023 SEASON
TOTAL TRADES: 22
June 30, 2022…a nice try, he just wasn’t very good here and didn’t want to be here.
To Niagara: Pasquale Zito (03)
To Windsor: 2nd, 2nd, 4th, 4th, 5th, 6th

June 30, 2022…his play, so disappointing...over-rated and over-paid for this OA.
To Niagara: Nathan Ribau (OA)
To Windsor: 3rd, 4th

June 30, 2022…the best of all three OA D. Oshawa felt Niagara overpaid, but he was worth the 3rd
To Niagara: David Jesus (OA)
To Oshawa: 3rd, 5th

June 30, 2022…the trade, the return, just horrible!
To Niagara: Matthew Papais (OA)
To Guelph: 3rd, 4th
(6 games later Oct.11, 2023) IceDogs trade with Owen Sound. Papais for their 5th in 2025.

June 30, 2022 …never did show up and the pick was not conditional.
To Niagara: Russian import F Vsevolod Gaidamak (03)
To OTTAWA: 4th

August 2, 2022…fair price coming off a 29 goal season; expected 40 was on pace for 12 goals.
To Niagara: Nolan Dann (03)
To Sarnia: 2nd, 2nd, 5th

August 4, 2022…Enright IceDogs 1st rd 2020 pick.
To Niagara: 3rd, 3rd, 12, 15
To Missy: Isaac Enright (03) Ryan Struthers (04)

August 31, 2022…the max return was great! The Problem: In 14 months DD gave all the picks (plus more) back to London.
To Niagara: 3x2rds, 3x3rds and a 5th
To London: Sam Dickinson (07)

September 8, 2022…didn’t look like a good deal at the time, but it has proven to be one of DDs better trades.
To Niagara: Owen Flores (04)
To London: 2nd, 5th

Sept 12, 2022…as bad as a trade can possibly be. WTF!
To Niagara: 8th
To Oshawa: Dylan Roobroeck (04)

Sept 12, 2022
To Niagara: William Stewart (05)
To Flint: 12th

Sept 21, 2022
To Niagara: Gabe Runco (05)
To Petes: 15th

Sept 27, 2022 …first goalie drafted the 2021 OHL Priority Draft. WTF!
To Niagara: 4th, 12th
To Windsor: Joey Costanzo (05)

Sept 29, 2022…fair trade just a horrible flip of draft capital the following year.
To Niagara: Andrew LeBlanc (04) and Jacob LeBlanc (04)
To Kitchener: 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 5th
(June 6, 2022) Jacob Leblanc and Andrew Leblanc (04) to Sarnia for 5th, 6th, 14th, 15th

Oct 11, 2022…an OA overpay. Keane was just not very good.
To Niagara: Gerard Keane (OA), 12th
To London: Alec Leonard (04), 2nd, 3rd
…that trade forced this trade: Papais for a 5th.

Dec. 12, 2022…first really good trade (and a win) by DDD.
To Niagara: Michael Podolioukh (04), 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 5th,
To North Bay: Pasquale Zito

Dec. 12, 2022…heavy price tag.
To Niagara: Zakary Lavoie (04)
To Mississauga: 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 4th,

Dec. 15, 2022…a 3rd for a soft perimeter player was fair.
To Niagara: 3rd, 8th
To SSM: Brenden Sirizzotti (03)

Jan. 1, 2023…return was decent for a kid who desperately wanted out of the mess.
To Niagara: 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd
To Erie: Pano Fimis (04)

Jan. 6, 2023 …ok, but still undersold on Dionicio because of Castle’s educational package
To Niagara: Chris O’Flaherty (05), Bronson Ride (05), 2nd, 6th
To Windsor: Aidan Castle (04) and Rodwin Dionicio (04)

Jan 10, 2023…a little pricey.
To Niagara: Alex Assadourian (05)
To Sudbury: 2nd, 3rd,

Jan 10, 2023…crazy good return for an underachieving player!
To Niagara: 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 4th, 4th,
To Flint: Nolan Dann


2023-2024 SEASON
TOTAL TRADES: 14
June 6, 2023…what they paid for them, in combination with, what they got back was an embarrassment.
To Niagara: 5th, 6th, 14th, 15th
To Sarnia: Jacob Leblanc and Andrew Leblanc (04)

June 6, 2023…for Kitchener’s backup goalie (23gp), a 2nd and 5th was a steep price.
To Niagara: Marcus Vandenberg (04)
To Kitchener: Gabe Runco, 2nd, 5th

August 2, 2023…a good trade despite being an Import/OA. One of the best pure hitters Niagara has ever had.
To Niagara: Daniil Sobolev (Import/OA)
To Windsor: 4th, 8th, 15th

August 24, 2023…only that 3rd received make that trade seem ok now
To Niagara: Gavin Bryant (04), 3rd
To Owen Sound: Declan Waddick (05)

September 5, 2023…the price for London’s OA 8th D/ 4th line F was high, but he turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
To Niagara: Connor Federkow (OA), Mike Levin (05)
To London: 3rd, 5th

September 11, 2023…overpay, educational package implication trade
To Niagara: Ryan Humphrey (OA), Mathieu Paris (05)
To London: Juan Copeland, 2nd, 3rdh
(Sept 30th, 2023)…11 games later, Humphrey left Niagara to play in the USHL

November 9, 2023…overpay, educational package implication trade
To Niagara: Brody Crane (04)
To London: Chris O’Flaherty, 3rd, 3rd, 4th
(January 4, 2024)…Crane traded to Owen Sound for a 6th.

December 8, 2023…gave up a 2nd and 5th to get him a few months ago got back two 3rds
To Niagara: 3rd, 3rd
To Sudbury: Marcus Vandenberg (04)

January 4, 2024…Good Trade.
To Niagara: Charlie Robertson (05), 3rd, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 9th
To North Bay: Bronson Ride (05)

January 4, 2024…Horrible Trade, when you factor in what Niagara paid to acquire him!
To Niagara: 6th
To Owen Sound: Brody Crane

January 9, 2024…Two younger players (who are still struggling) for an expiring OA/Import is still a Good Trade.
To Niagara: Callum Cheynowski (06), Mason Wray (06)
To Brantford: Daniil Sobolev (Import/OA)

January 9, 2024
To Niagara: Anson Thornton (OA)
To Barrie: 15th

January 9, 2024
To Niagara: 10th
To Erie: Charlie Burns (06)

January 10, 2024…Bad trade, under-sold due Education Package implications
To Niagara: 3rd, 3rd, 8th
To Brantford: Zak Lavoie

2024-2025 SEASON
TOTAL TRADES: 09
June 6, 2024 …overpaid.
To Niagara: Matthew Virgilio (06)
To SSM: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th

August 19, 2024…Part I Overpaid
To Niagara: Tristan Bertucci(05), 8th, 14th ,*3rd (currently seeking clarification on condition)
To Flint: Artem Frolov, Urban Podrekar, Hayden Reid, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd,

August 19, 2024…Part II Under-sold
To Niagara: Jack Brauti (06), Blair Scott (05), 2025 2nd, 3rd, 4th
To Barrie: Tristan Bertucci (05)
…in the words of an OHL GM, “Barrie recieved Bertucci and got Niagara to play for it.”

August 23, 2024… While his physicality has his supporters; his foot speed has his detractors, regardless of what fans like or dislike about his play, it still an OA overpay.
To Niagara: Noah Van Vliet (OA)
To Sudbury: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 15th
FYI. St Catharines native with a similar physicality to his game but better foot speed 6.03 OA Derek Smyth was available from the Ottawa 67s at no cost at all.

September 16, 2024
To Niagara: 9th
To Kitchener: Andrew Vermeulen (06) 2022 4th round selection

September 16, 2024
To Niagara: Sean Doherty (06) 2022 3rd round selection
To Owen Sound: 5th

September 25, 2024…a horrible return for a 6.06 2nd round NHL Drafted 2006 D.
To Niagara: 3rd
To Barrie: Import Gabriel Eliasson (06)

October 22, 2024…return is fine, the team’s reputation not so much.
To Niagara: 3rd, 9th
To Petes: Gavin Bryant (OA)

November 26, 2024
…unnecessary overpay; 2023 London 3rd rd; 2 OHL seasons combined stats 24GP-4G-5A-9pts
To Niagara: 07 Blake Arrowsmith;
To London: 3rd, 3rd, 6th

DRAFT CAPITAL (UPDATED Nov.26)
25: -, 3, 4, 4,..
26: 2, 3, 4, -
27: 2, 3, 4, 4,..
28: 2, 3, 4, -

 

[dirty12]

I don’t think getting a 17 year old indicates anything about going for it at all although I don’t understand the move it’s better than having Hotles and Rafek playing

An ‘07 RW with decent size was a good idea.

 

[Sam14]

Forget the PBO ‘28-3rd*?

Since no one in the organization has step forward to confirm the IceDogs have officially received that conditional pick, my guess is that they have not received it or not expecting to receive it.

 

[frontsfan67]

.

 

[dogs777]

An ‘07 RW with decent size was a good idea.

Not saying it’s a bad idea at all just don’t think it needed to be done right now especially with Paris and AA probably coming back this week or next if they’re both back skating

 

[knowescape]

I would prefer to see Wes and DD be patient and not spend draft capital

Wes could be the most patient guy in the world, for all it matters. I'm surprised DDD didn't appoint a sock-puppet as interim GM. Result would be the same.