Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season, Part II

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Finally getting a little respect..

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

That’s an off-season or next deadline move? Virgilio, Brauti, Wycisk, Scott, Cheynowski, Frasca all return and should only get better.

IMO Brauti is the only untouchable on that list for me.

Wycisk and Scott are up against Assadourian, Levin, & Paris for the overage spots. That's if they don't also target someone better who might become available.

If we end up just keeping 3 of our own, I'd guess Wycisk, Assadourian and Levin.

Virgilio and Cheynowski both turn the puck over a lot. I'd prefer not to have both on the roster (Likely keep Virgilio).

Frasca is an unknown. I'd like to see him get more time. (He could also be moved in a deal next season for an upgrade as a young piece going the other way)

That said, I've always maintained we need to add 2 dmen for next years run. so Brauti, Wycisk, Virgilio and Frasca can be the other 4.

 

[dirty12]

IMO Brauti is the only untouchable on that list for me.

Wycisk and Scott are up against Assadourian, Levin, & Paris for the overage spots. That's if they don't also target someone better who might become available.

If we end up just keeping 3 of our own, I'd guess Wycisk, Assadourian and Levin.

Virgilio and Cheynowski both turn the puck over a lot. I'd prefer not to have both on the roster (Likely keep Virgilio).

Frasca is an unknown. I'd like to see him get more time. (He could also be moved in a deal next season for an upgrade as a young piece going the other way)

That said, I've always maintained we need to add 2 dmen for next years run. so Brauti, Wycisk, Virgilio and Frasca can be the other 4.

Other teams’ wants might help determine the IceDogs OAs; but it’s definitely Assadourian, Wycisk, Scott, Paris, Robertson, Levin in that order for me right now. The last thing the IceDogs should need is a LW, and undersized.

I’m pretty sure Virgilio is going to be a good one, and that Brauti-Virgilio will be an excellent OA pair. Often enough very highly rated players for the OHL draft like Virgilio don’t approach their scouting reports until age 19-20 seasons.

 

[bigsportsfan]

I think keeping Robertson is a must unless they make a trade to bring in a goalie. Having an OA and 19 year old goalie on this year’s roster is bad planning.

 

[dirty12]

I think keeping Robertson is a must unless they make a trade to bring in a goalie. Having an OA and 19 year old goalie on this year’s roster is bad planning.

It could have, might still work out

 

[Sam14]

IMO Brauti is the only untouchable on that list for me.

Wycisk and Scott are up against Assadourian, Levin, & Paris for the overage spots. That's if they don't also target someone better who might become available.

Virgilio and Cheynowski both turn the puck over a lot. I'd prefer not to have both on the roster (Likely keep Virgilio).

Frasca is an unknown. I'd like to see him get more time. (He could also be moved in a deal next season for an upgrade as a young piece going the other way)

That said, I've always maintained we need to add 2 dmen for next years run. so Brauti, Wycisk, Virgilio and Frasca can be the other 4.

Bang on! Great analysis! If the IceDogs have any intention of going for it next year (rather than trading He for a 26-27 run), the D core needs to be addressed. It’s just not or will not be good enough to win a championship. At best, Cheynowski and Virgilio are 3rd pairing D. Brauti and Wyscik a solid 2nd pairing. However, they need two elite NHL drafted calibre 1st pairing D to round out a D capable of carrying the IceDogs on a serious playoff run next season

 

[IceDogs452]

Other teams’ wants might help determine the IceDogs OAs; but it’s definitely Assadourian, Wycisk, Scott, Paris, Robertson, Levin in that order for me right now. The last thing the IceDogs should need is a LW, and undersized.

I’m pretty sure Virgilio is going to be a good one, and that Brauti-Virgilio will be an excellent OA pair. Often enough very highly rated players for the OHL draft like Virgilio don’t approach their scouting reports until age 19-20 seasons.

I agree with this. I think Assadourian is the only OA we keep. Would leave 2 open OA spots and 2 open import slots with the need to fill a goalie, 3 D and 3 F. I think these are issues better solved in the summer than at this deadline.

 

[frontsfan67]

IMO Brauti is the only untouchable on that list for me.

Wycisk and Scott are up against Assadourian, Levin, & Paris for the overage spots. That's if they don't also target someone better who might become available.

If we end up just keeping 3 of our own, I'd guess Wycisk, Assadourian and Levin.

Virgilio and Cheynowski both turn the puck over a lot. I'd prefer not to have both on the roster (Likely keep Virgilio).

Frasca is an unknown. I'd like to see him get more time. (He could also be moved in a deal next season for an upgrade as a young piece going the other way)

That said, I've always maintained we need to add 2 dmen for next years run. so Brauti, Wycisk, Virgilio and Frasca can be the other 4.

OA d and import d would be pretty easy to fill and trade the scraps

 

[Dog Fan]

Get me Gibson out of the Soo for d this year's run. Trade He and a few others at the deadline next year to fill deficit of draft capital and concentrate on a 27 run.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Get me Gibson out of the Soo for d this year's run. Trade He and a few others at the deadline next year to fill deficit of draft capital and concentrate on a 27 run.

I'm a big believer that you don't choose the year to go for it. You draft and develop as best you can and let your talent situation determine that.

Having a core of He, Roobroeck, Wassilyn, Czata and Brauti in their prime next year. Crete, Arrowsmith, Assadourian, Doherty add depth scoring. Both import slots available. 2 Overage positions to make the most of.

They can also make a deadline deal this time next year with whoever they take in the first round to bring in another elite player.

I get the desire to go for it in a memorial cup hosting year, but I just think next year is the go all in year.

 

[frontsfan67]

I'm a big believer that you don't choose the year to go for it. You draft and develop as best you can and let your talent situation determine that.

Having a core of He, Roobroeck, Wassilyn, Czata and Brauti in their prime next year. Crete, Arrowsmith, Assadourian, Doherty add depth scoring. Both import slots available. 2 Overage positions to make the most of.

They can also make a deadline deal this time next year with whoever they take in the first round to bring in another elite player.

I get the desire to go for it in a memorial cup hosting year, but I just think next year is the go all in year.

100% cause year after you’re losing He for sure, and very likely Roobroeck.

Imports id go with goalie first pick, d man second pick. Then trade for an OA d man, keep Assadourian, maybe keep levin too unless you wanna go with 2 OA D, get rid of the rest.

A guy like Scott could be a decent bottom 4 guy on a few teams like Barrie, Kingston just to name a couple. Get a pick for him before you have to waive/trade him and get nothing for him next year when he is an OA. Same with wysick. Keep Paris and try trading him this off season. Gotta get picks for a push next year. Dont want to be trading any of your young guys.

 

[Dog Fan]

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Why wouldn’t the IceDogs just go for it this year?

I mean, the team is exceeding expectations, and, in reading the social media posts, being first in the conference and leading the entire league in goals for, it would seem just add a D and make your run this year. Why wait?

Because the team has also allowed the 3rd amount of goals against. It would take a top 3 dman in the league to change that. We don't have the assets to bring someone like that in, unless you trade Wassilyn, which would be idiotic.

I'm proud of the boys for where they are in the standings. However, I'd still call this roster middle of the pack at the end of the day - overachieving while a few contenders in the East have been under.

Next year just makes so much sense.

 

[three dog night]

Looks like ticket sales are good for the New Year’s Eve game and January fifth game hopefully a good sign going forward.

 

[Sam14]

With no success or interest in spending money on the Import Draft the likelihood of landing 2 high-end Imports, let alone 1 is, safe to say, a long-shot at this point.

The most likely scenario next season? DD keeps Kevin He and adds a couple of mid-level players to remain competitive, but not a championship calibre team. A similar plan to this season.

If DD is serious about a winning team, he would: (a) spend the money required to purchase two elite NHL drafted Import players; (b) accumulate draft capital at the deadline, by moving anyone not in next year’s plans that can return a 2nd, 3rd or 4th, otherwise refrain and just keep the player.

Personally, I would love to see it happen, but I’ve not seen any evidence DD is financially capable or possess the ability to plan long-term to this point.

For the 25-26 season, the IceDogs would need to:

(1) Add 2 Imports e.g. F - Ilya Protas; K. Halttunen; D - G.Eliasson, A.Jiricek, T.Hamara, E.Pieniniemi – type

(2) Trade for multiple players to fill these positions not filled by the Import players: 1 G; 2 D; 1 F the calibre of the OHL current elite players e.g., D - T.Bertucci, K.Aitcheson, B.Akey; L.Marrelli, B.Danford; M.Schaefer, C.Allen, M.Andonovski; K.Smith; Z.Parekh; A.Gibson; S.Dickinson, O.Bonk; F - J.Luchanko

 

[dirty12]

With no success or interest in spending money on the Import Draft the likelihood of landing 2 high-end Imports, let alone 1 is, safe to say, a long-shot at this point.

The most likely scenario next season? DD keeps Kevin He and adds a couple of mid-level players to remain competitive, but not a championship calibre team. A similar plan to this season.

If DD is serious about a winning team, he would: (a) spend the money required to purchase two elite NHL drafted Import players; (b) accumulate draft capital at the deadline, by moving anyone not in next year’s plans that can return a 2nd, 3rd or 4th, otherwise refrain and just keep the player.

Personally, I would love to see it happen, but I’ve not seen any evidence DD is financially capable or possess the ability to plan long-term to this point.

For the 25-26 season, the IceDogs would need to:

(1) Add 2 Imports e.g. F - Ilya Protas; K. Halttunen; D - G.Eliasson, A.Jiricek, T.Hamara, E.Pieniniemi – type

(2) Trade for multiple players to fill these positions not filled by the Import players: 1 G; 2 D; 1 F the calibre of the OHL current elite players e.g., D - T.Bertucci, K.Aitcheson, B.Akey; L.Marrelli, B.Danford; M.Schaefer, C.Allen, M.Andonovski; K.Smith; Z.Parekh; A.Gibson; S.Dickinson, O.Bonk; F - J.Luchanko

Niagara will not need to acquire five all-stars

 

[Sam14]

Niagara will not need to acquire five all-stars

Count again math genius LOL

 

[IceDogs452]

With no success or interest in spending money on the Import Draft the likelihood of landing 2 high-end Imports, let alone 1 is, safe to say, a long-shot at this point.

The most likely scenario next season? DD keeps Kevin He and adds a couple of mid-level players to remain competitive, but not a championship calibre team. A similar plan to this season.

If DD is serious about a winning team, he would: (a) spend the money required to purchase two elite NHL drafted Import players; (b) accumulate draft capital at the deadline, by moving anyone not in next year’s plans that can return a 2nd, 3rd or 4th, otherwise refrain and just keep the player.

Personally, I would love to see it happen, but I’ve not seen any evidence DD is financially capable or possess the ability to plan long-term to this point.

For the 25-26 season, the IceDogs would need to:

(1) Add 2 Imports e.g. F - Ilya Protas; K. Halttunen; D - G.Eliasson, A.Jiricek, T.Hamara, E.Pieniniemi – type

(2) Trade for multiple players to fill these positions not filled by the Import players: 1 G; 2 D; 1 F the calibre of the OHL current elite players e.g., D - T.Bertucci, K.Aitcheson, B.Akey; L.Marrelli, B.Danford; M.Schaefer, C.Allen, M.Andonovski; K.Smith; Z.Parekh; A.Gibson; S.Dickinson, O.Bonk; F - J.Luchanko

Suggesting this team is 6 elite players away from being a championship contender is crazy.

 

[Sam14]

Suggesting this team is 6 elite players away from being a championship contender is crazy.

With those 4 acquisitions, it would give the IceDogs 6 NHL drafted player (including Kevin He and Ethan Czata) for the 25-26 Season.

Just to be clear, I'm suggesting it's the minimum required to be a serious OHL championship calibre team.

LOOKING AHEAD 25-26 Eastern Conference Favourites alone:
Brampton: potentially 6-8 NHL Drafted players to start the season
Brantford: potentially 6 NHL Drafted players to start the season
Barrie: potentially 7 NHL Drafted players to start the season


In fact, here are the 24-25 pre-OHL Trade Deadline rosters of the top contenders NHL Drafted Players. I will update this after the deadline to see where the final draft numbers land:

-LONDON: 13
-BARRIE: 8
-BRANTFORD: 7
-KINGSTON: 7
-BRAMPTON: 7
-OSHAWA: 5

23 – 24 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions: London 11 NHL Drafted Players
Mem-Cup Champions: Saginaw 9 NHL Drafted Players

22-23 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions Peterborough Petes: 8 NHL drafted players

21-22 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions Hamilton Bulldogs: 9 NHL drafted players

—————

18-19 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions Guelph Storm 9 NHL drafted players

17-18 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions Hamilton Bulldogs: 10 NHL drafted players

 

[IceDogs452]

With those 4 acquisitions, it would give the IceDogs 6 NHL drafted player (including Kevin He and Ethan Czata) for the 25-26 Season.

Just to be clear, I'm suggesting it's the minimum required to be a serious OHL championship calibre team.

LOOKING AHEAD 25-26 Eastern Conference Favourites alone:
Brampton: potentially 6-8 NHL Drafted players to start the season
Brantford: potentially 6 NHL Drafted players to start the season
Barrie: potentially 7 NHL Drafted players to start the season


In fact, here are the 24-25 pre-OHL Trade Deadline rosters of the top contenders NHL Drafted Players. I will update this after the deadline to see where the final draft numbers land:

-LONDON: 13
-BARRIE: 8
-BRANTFORD: 7
-KINGSTON: 7
-BRAMPTON: 7
-OSHAWA: 5

23 – 24 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions: London 11 NHL Drafted Players
Mem-Cup Champions: Saginaw 9 NHL Drafted Players

22-23 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions Peterborough Petes: 8 NHL drafted players

21-22 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions Hamilton Bulldogs: 9 NHL drafted players

—————

18-19 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions Guelph Storm 9 NHL drafted players

17-18 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions Hamilton Bulldogs: 10 NHL drafted players

Number of NHL drafted players is not the be all and end all. Realistically Roobroeck would be a top 10 pick this year so he’s as good as any. If Wassilyn continues to finish top of the OHL in points for rookies he likely wins ROTY and again 1st round pick and as good as any.

Next year you need realistically:
Goalie: needs to be solid but doesn’t have to be nhl drafted. Maybe an import.

D: basically need a top pairing of 2 top end OHL D men. Lukas Fischer-Henry Mews type pairing. Could go cheaper on the left side and get a high end OA like Mitch Young (might actually prefer this). Brauti-Virgilio I see being the second pairing and being fine (unless they OA Wycisk)

F: top 2 lines could be pretty much the same
He-?-Wassilyn
Roobs-Czata-Arrowsmith
Crete-Assadourian-?
?-Galiy-Doherty

So you need a top centreman. And a solid right shot winger.

Summary:
1 solid goalie
2 elite D
1 elite C
1 solid RW
Depth

 

[Sam14]

Number of NHL drafted players is not the be all and end all. Realistically Roobroeck would be a top 10 pick this year so he’s as good as any. If Wassilyn continues to finish top of the OHL in points for rookies he likely wins ROTY and again 1st round pick and as good as any.

Next year you need realistically:
Goalie: needs to be solid but doesn’t have to be nhl drafted. Maybe an import.

D: basically need a top pairing of 2 top end OHL D men. Lukas Fischer-Henry Mews type pairing. Could go cheaper on the left side and get a high end OA like Mitch Young (might actually prefer this). Brauti-Virgilio I see being the second pairing and being fine (unless they OA Wycisk)

F: top 2 lines could be pretty much the same
He-?-Wassilyn
Roobs-Czata-Arrowsmith
Crete-Assadourian-?
?-Galiy-Doherty

So you need a top centreman. And a solid right shot winger.

Summary:
1 solid goalie
2 elite D
1 elite C
1 solid RW
Depth

There is no mistaking the correlation of NHL drafted players with OHL championship teams.

I didn’t post them but each one of those teams also had elite NHL players in their draft years that went high in the NHL draft that season (similar to what Niagara will have with wassilyn and RR). I can post those additional names as a point of reference.

6 ( plus 2 or 3 elite level players in their draft is the minimum when you look at the OHL championship teams. There is no team in recent years that has won a championship with 6 (plus 2). Hard to argue the importance of NHL drafted as there is no real evidence to the contrary

A few more examples

16-17 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions Erie Otters: 7 NHL drafted players

15- 16 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions London Knights: 7 NHL drafted players

14 - 15 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions Oshawa Generals: 8 NHL drafted players

 

[frontsfan67]

Number of NHL drafted players is not the be all and end all. Realistically Roobroeck would be a top 10 pick this year so he’s as good as any. If Wassilyn continues to finish top of the OHL in points for rookies he likely wins ROTY and again 1st round pick and as good as any.

Next year you need realistically:
Goalie: needs to be solid but doesn’t have to be nhl drafted. Maybe an import.

D: basically need a top pairing of 2 top end OHL D men. Lukas Fischer-Henry Mews type pairing. Could go cheaper on the left side and get a high end OA like Mitch Young (might actually prefer this). Brauti-Virgilio I see being the second pairing and being fine (unless they OA Wycisk)

F: top 2 lines could be pretty much the same
He-?-Wassilyn
Roobs-Czata-Arrowsmith
Crete-Assadourian-?
?-Galiy-Doherty

So you need a top centreman. And a solid right shot winger.

Summary:
1 solid goalie
2 elite D
1 elite C
1 solid RW
Depth

Draft import goalie and an import d that’ll come here.

Doesn’t have to be an Emil pieniniemi type of guy but someone good enough to atleast play top 4. Top 2 could be “elite” I guess.

Get an OA d that can be one of your other “elite” d

Then you only need a #1 C and a top 9 winger

Definitely do not go and get Luchanko though as it’ll cost likely Czata since roobroeck is not going anywhere and you can’t trade Wassilyn the potential ROTY and Crete is a second round 16 year old so can’t use him. Other pieces would be galiyanov and arrowsmith but not sure they’d trade arrowsmith as they just acquired him and he’s been doing very well.

 

[frontsfan67]

There is no mistaking the correlation of NHL drafted players with OHL championship teams.

I didn’t post them but each one of those teams also had elite NHL players in their draft years that went high in the NHL draft that season (similar to what Niagara will have with wassilyn and RR). I can post those additional names as a point of reference.

6 ( plus 2 or 3 elite level players in their draft is the minimum when you look at the OHL championship teams. There is no team in recent years that has won a championship with 6 (plus 2).

A few more examples

16-17 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions Erie Otters: 7 NHL drafted players

15- 16 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions London Knights: 7 NHL drafted players

14 - 15 OHL SEASON
OHL Champions Oshawa Generals: 8 NHL drafted players

with all the good youth the icedogs have (roobroeck will be a top 10 pick, Wassilyn likely a first rounder next year barring injuries, Crete probably a top 3 round pick assuming he doesn’t fall off a cliff, Galiyanov gets drafted next year too with the late birthday- wait and see but maybe he is a late bloomer and someone takes a pick on him?) that’s potentially 4 guys of nhl calibre you don’t even need to trade for. Not to mention Czata will be a top 2/3 round pick this year and if arrowsmith keeps this up he probably gets drafted too. If all of this happens that would give them 7 I believe with He before they trade for other guys or draft imports.

Still you can have as many guys up front drafted as you want. Defence and goaltending will win you the championships though.

Have to really hit with the imports

 

[IceDogs452]

I wonder what the price for someone like Mitch Young would even be now that I think of it. Sarnia is going nowhere fast, undrafted so I imagine he would be a lock for OA… very good player.

 

[dirty12]

The IceDogs will be fine returning a practically finished product playing ~0.700 now. The concerns will be finding a goaltender, and a potentially wicked central division. The competition is out of the IceDogs’ control; maybe Barrie & Brampton sacrifice next season this deadline, and Sudbury & NB end up in a two year re-tool.
He-Assadourian-trade/import
Roobroek-Czata-Arrowsmith
Wassylin-Crete-Doherty
1st_Galiyanov_Hotles

Brauti-Virgilio
Scott-Wycisk
Cheynowski-Frasca

I wonder what the price for someone like Mitch Young would even be now that I think of it. Sarnia is going nowhere fast, undrafted so I imagine he would be a lock for OA… very good player.

Probably over priced considering the rumoured costs of the most likely available D.