Wolfman Jack
Registered User
- Jan 19, 2009
- 3,382
- 2,689
Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part III
- Thread starter SoupNazi
- Start date
-
Work is still on-going to rebuild the site styling and features. Please report any issues you may experience so we can look into it. Click Here for Updates
I think an off ice injury. Took pre game skate Sunday and was a late scratch
I would not make too much out of the point production yet as 5 of 6 points came in two games last week.
But as good as it was for Wray to get more opportunity elsewhere, it would be a nice luxury to have kept Wray as the 13th forward. Injury happens, Wray would be a useful centre while Assadourian is out.
Last edited:
beastintheeast
Registered User
- Mar 27, 2013
- 3,796
- 813
Hey, no matter what happens from here you have to think this is a great ride. Nine of us saw them fighting for first in conference.
Dogs Enthusiast
Registered User
I think I predicted 6, 7 or 8th place and I am a huge homer and optimist. It really is amazing. Now I think its the best team we have had in a decade.
Fastpace
The Devil's Advocate in Person
At the commencement of this season, there were numerous pessimists, not only on this thread but also on a majority of other forums on this board. This year's team is forcing them to feed themselves on their very own words. One must appreciate the positive energy emanating from this Ice Dogs team and throughout the league.
beastintheeast
Registered User
- Mar 27, 2013
- 3,796
- 813
Just think most of this team will be back next year
I know Sam may not be happy but it looks like DD had a plan after all and it may work out.
Dogs Enthusiast
Registered User
I know. I can't wait.
I am far more invested in the Dogs winning the OHL next year than any Mem Cup bid the year after.
I am far more invested in the Dogs winning the OHL next year than any Mem Cup bid the year after.
knowescape
Made you look
I think with David Branch's retirement as OHL Commissioner much of the grudge against Niagara left with him. Ben Boudreau seems to be a better coach and capable of learning new things. As the team grows hopefully he can continue to help them adapt. We are still lacking on the GM side of things, hence only most of our picks instead of a healthy war-chest. There also needs to be a change of mentality in favour of defense rather than doubling down on offense.
The fanbase verdict is still out. The owner still has a long row to hoe before the faithful return. His cost-cutting business measures combined with his need to meddle directly in hockey operations are keeping many fans away. The team has played extremely well so far this year and they have exceeded expectations and become a fun group to watch. But can they maintain that?
Other teams loaded up at the deadline whereas Niagara stayed status quo. Add to that the usual mid-season injuries and it will be interesting to see what happens as we skate towards March.
A Niagara/London final is always a fun event. We love to hate each other. London is the best team year after year and one we should try to emulate. Niagara is scrappy and usually has no business being on top, yet there we go. Would be fun, but I see us finishing third or fourth in the conference this year.
Mcnotloilersfan
I'm here, I'm bored
Czata coming in at 41 on the North American skaters list for Central Scouting should be no surprise. He's a complete player and the offense is getting better. Fully expect him to be a solid 1C next season
knowescape
Made you look
After so many years in the basement, it would be almost impossible not to have a good team by now. I'm not sure if that was DD's plan all along, to tank and trade away assets like a drunken sailor? This year's performance was a surprise to us all, just hope it is not a fluke.
Thankfully, DD did not load up at the deadline and make a run this year. Good restraint for a change. However, he also did not sell at the deadline and try to recoup picks for a run next year, which may have been a mistake. I think he is torn between planning for the future and keeping the lights on inside the arena.
Not speaking for @Sam14 or any of the other fellow "NaySayers", I have no desire to see the players fail. I just don't want to reward DD for the last two years of his incompetence. I hope the boys go as far as possible and that either DD realizes what he needs to do going forward, or decides to pack it in.
Dogs Enthusiast
Registered User
I ran into DD a year or two ago and had a 10 minute conversation. After the pleasantries, I asked a bunch of questions. Including the main gripes that were discussed endlessly on the previous message board and referenced here. And damn if he didn't have good answers for all those awkward questions. I was quite surprised.
We may not like how we got here but we did. You have to give some credit to DD. It can't all be luck.
We may not like how we got here but we did. You have to give some credit to DD. It can't all be luck.
knowescape
Made you look
Glad he surprised you. Wonder how he'd do head-to-head with some of the more analytical members on here rather than a self-confessed homer?
Thanks in large part to hitting on consecutive lottery picks, it was actually a quick rebuild considering the forfeited ‘05-1st and roster left by the jr Burkes; and the first draft by DD consisted of just He & Vermuelen for ‘06s.
It seems crazy that it almost feels like some people would rather see the team fail so they can continue to attack DD rather than support the team...
Dogs Enthusiast
Registered User
I asked some very tough questions. It was pretty awkward for him. Like I said, he answered them head on and didn't weasel out of answering them at all. It was like he was reading the old message board because the responses were immediate. I should have asked him that!
The one thing to also throw in for next year is that anyone and everyone will want to play for the IceDogs next year. Which will be a huge change from the usual reputation. Having Roobroeck and Wassilyn as 2 potential 1st round picks in the 2026 NHL draft will bring a huge amount of media attention (e.g. Schaefer and Spence). Media attention is huge for middling guys who want to make a name for themselves. The age old adage of scouts showing up to games to scout Wassilyn and Roobroeck but hey did you see #XX. That will be big both in recruitments from the Ohl draft and import draft but also in the trade market to round out the roster. Of course gotta still be smart with the assets to pull it off.
You do realize in the OHL, if a GM were to simply draft players and then do nothing but return those players in the subsequent years, after three years an OHL team will finish at least 4th and win a playoff round. Right now there is a good chance they do neither of those
That has not been the case for Erie, Guelph, Niagara, OS, and Sudbury. It does not seem it will be the case for Brampton and Brantford this year either; and one of Kingston or Sudbury could fall short.
That is with most of those teams selling to kick start a re-tool and then adding 2-3 years after.
Last edited:
Oh wow! A compete swing and miss on that reply.
Show me the evidence where these teams only drafted and did not buy or sell over the last three seasons
Ad
Ad
Upcoming events
-
-
-
-
AFC Semifinal Houston Texans @ Kansas City ChiefsWagers: 2Staked: $5,440.00Event closes - 3 days from now- Updated:
-
