Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season, Part II

[bigsportsfan]

So those of you who think the management is clueless and constantly reactionary (which has been my main complaint) are probably wrong.

Yep, management is amazing. 4 different coaches over the last 3 seasons. Combined 19 wins over DD’s first 2 seasons. Attendance falling from around 4800 per game to 3200 a game. Multiple players refusing to report to the team. Sounds like their plan is working out perfectly.

Look, they have been in last place for the last three seasons. That allowed them to pick early first round players. They got Loshko off waivers because they finished in last place. Finishing in last place has its benefits. They got lucky with Flores as he has developed into a top goalie. And it was rumoured they were trying to trade him last season but a deal couldn’t be worked out, which again was lucky for the IceDogs.

The question is can the IceDogs season after season play well despite not having a proper GM, only having 5 scouts, relying on one agent for most of their players and having one of the lowest budgets in the OHL. You may think that DD is so smart that he can spend less than what the other 19 teams spend and still build quality teams. I don’t. There is a reason why the top teams like London spend so much. But maybe you think the Hunters are fools and DD is going to show them all up.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

there is no evidence they currently have a long term plan in place

The evidence is I heard those words come out of the coaches mouth this morning.

Niagara Sports Report - Ben Boudreau - Niagara IceDogs Head Coach - Niagara Sports Report with Rod Mawhood | iHeart

www.iheart.com

Listen to it when you get a chance. He says it in the fist couple of minutes.

Yep, management is amazing.

I never said this. I don't feel that way all at. The last 3 seasons were a dumpster fire.

 

[bigsportsfan]

They have done something correct. And it is not just one thing. It can't all be luck.

I agree DD is doing some things better. He now has a good coaching staff and is apparently allowing the players to stay in hotels and has paid for some team building activities. But shouldn’t he have done these things from day 1. If it takes him a couple years to figure this out, sorry I don’t have confidence in our owner.

But there are still a lot of short comings that need to be addressed.

 

[dirty12]

No one will argue their first half short term success but there is no evidence they currently have a long term plan in place
IceDogs have no draft capital surplus; no 2nd pick in 2025; an imbalance long term roster with no 07 or 08 D to complement their impressive 07 and 08 F. Until they address those issues, there is no long range plan. So that complaint remains nothing has changed in that respect since the start of the season

The IceDogs roster is competitive now, and will be next season, and probably the season after that. Seven of eight defensemen to play this season can, most likely will return for at least one more season. Thirteen of the team’s top fourteen scorers can, twelve most likely do return for at least one more season. And, there is still a full compliment of picks.

 

[IceDogs452]

No one will argue their first half short term success but there is no evidence they currently have a long term plan in place
IceDogs have no draft capital surplus; no 2nd pick in 2025; an imbalance long term roster with no 07 or 08 D to complement their impressive 07 and 08 F. Until they address those issues, there is no long range plan. So that complaint remains nothing has changed in that respect since the start of the season

The 07 draft class for D outside of 1st round picks was pretty bad and the IceDogs picked Frasca and McMahon in the 08 draft class to hopefully develop this year and become solid OHL players. I think the IceDogs focusing on Brauti Virgilio Arrowsmith demonstrates the desire to get 2-4 year players. Yes they got NVV and Scott as well but the D was so bad last year they had to make huge changes and they did and it’s gotten better. The moves made since the end of last season shows much more of a clear vision to make a push for 25-26 or 26-27 for the mem cup. Those moves show their long term plan (3 years) and yes they’ve lost picks but they’ve lost picks to go get the guys that they want to have for that push (06’s 07-‘s)

 

[knowescape]

The evidence is I heard those words come out of the coaches mouth this morning.

Listen to it when you get a chance. He says it in the fist couple of minutes.

I never said this. I don't feel that way all at. The last 3 seasons were a dumpster fire.

Saying it doesn't make it true.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Well, I was laughed by some non ice dogs fans when I said the team had too much offensive fire power to miss the playoffs this year.

1st in goals forward in the league, and have also allowed the 3rd most goals in the league.

The recipe for the run next season is to focus on goaltending and D first

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

next season is to focus on goaltending and D first

Absolutely.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Czata is plus 14 and averaging a little more than a point a game. I remember when we were all disappointed when we took him as our compensatory pick at 5. He was widely regarded as a reach because nobody else would report here.

That worked out well for us!

 

[frontsfan67]

Czata is plus 14 and averaging a little more than a point a game. I remember when we were all disappointed when we took him as our compensatory pick at 5. He was widely regarded as a reach because nobody else would report here.

That worked out well for us!

Was thinking that yesterday what a pick that turned out to be