North Bay Battalion 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[190 is almost 206]

I'm not sure how you see it that way. Not maximizing Nelson's trade return would limit the amount of capital they have moving forward. He will return a lot. And trade or no trade, Nelson won't be back next year.

Mathurin's injury, while unfortunate for this year's group likely increases the likelihood he comes back for a fourth season. There's a very good chance that next year's team is stronger than this one. Particularly on offense.

Unless there is a major defensive overhaul next years D as it stands now could have 2 or 7 on the top pair. Any trade involving Nelson that doesn’t include a can’t miss 06 or 07 D stud would be foolish. Do the same with DiVincentiis and suddenly we are competitive again with the offence you’ve noted above.

 

[dirty12]

I'm not sure how you see it that way. Not maximizing Nelson's trade return would limit the amount of capital they have moving forward. He will return a lot. And trade or no trade, Nelson won't be back next year.

Mathurin's injury, while unfortunate for this year's group likely increases the likelihood he comes back for a fourth season. There's a very good chance that next year's team is stronger than this one. Particularly on offense.

And I don’t understand how the Battalion can possibly be better next season. Romani is the only notable ‘05.
That does not take into account the conference will be significantly better over the next two seasons than it is now. You might want to look at the 2005-06 born of Barrie, Miss, Kingston, and Oshawa. While you’re at it, note that Sudbury has two ‘05-1sts, Ottawa & Brantford two ‘06-1sts, and Niagara two ‘07-1sts.
The Battalion with relatively good health, has a better chance to win now then the next two seasons.

 

[belair]

Unless there is a major defensive overhaul next years D as it stands now could have 2 or 7 on the top pair. Any trade involving Nelson that doesn’t include a can’t miss 06 or 07 D stud would be foolish. Do the same with DiVincentiis and suddenly we are competitive again with the offence you’ve noted above.

They'll definitely be in the market for a couple 18/19 year old right shots to pair with Mathurin/Cajkovic next season. I don't see how Nelson ties into that though. He and Christopolous will be gone either way.

These seller seasons are used to load up the trade capital. If you're worried about how much it costs to fill that D role, you're putting yourself in a position to trade for that player by adding the assets this year.

 

[dirty12]

Unless there is a major defensive overhaul next years D as it stands now could have 2 or 7 on the top pair. Any trade involving Nelson that doesn’t include a can’t miss 06 or 07 D stud would be foolish. Do the same with DiVincentiis and suddenly we are competitive again with the offence you’ve noted above.

No team would trade a top ‘06 D, so it would have to be a mid to late ‘07 D that can’t be expected to make much impact in the next 1.5-2 years.

They'll definitely be in the market for a couple 18/19 year old right shots to pair with Mathurin/Cajkovic next season. I don't see how Nelson ties into that though. He and Christopolous will be gone either way.

These seller seasons are used to load up the trade capital. If you're worried about how much it costs to fill that D role, you're putting yourself in a position to trade for that player by adding the assets this year.

There is no real adding for the Battalion next year. Seriously; see Barrie, Miss, Kingston, Oshawa, and Sudbury rosters.
It’s a good time to sell when the team is a likely 7-8 seed and no realistic chance of winning.

 

[belair]

And I don’t understand how the Battalion can possibly be better next season. Romani is the only notable ‘05.
That does not take into account the conference will be significantly better over the next two seasons than it is now. You might want to look at the 2005-06 born of Barrie, Miss, Kingston, and Oshawa. While you’re at it, note that Sudbury has two ‘05-1sts, Ottawa & Brantford two ‘06-1sts, and Niagara two ‘07-1sts.
The Battalion with relatively good health, has a better chance to win now then the next two seasons.

Who are they losing other than Nelson and an underperforming DiVincentiis? Ertel, Arnsby and Christopolous.

They have a strong looking 16/17 year old core this season. Proscyzcyn, Therien, Pazii, Kostuch and Amidovski will all be a year older. Good chance the first two are close to PPG players behind the vet core of Wakely/Romani/OVS.

Mind you I don't see that team as a contender either, but they'll be on the right track. You're not helping that team by buying this year in a year where they don't stand a chance when Sudbury and Missy will be significant buyers.

 

[dirty12]

Who are they losing other than Nelson and an underperforming DiVincentiis? Ertel, Arnsby and Christopolous.

They have a strong looking 16/17 year old core this season. Proscyzcyn, Therien, Pazii, Kostuch and Amidovski will all be a year older. Good chance the first two are close to PPG players behind the vet core of Wakely/Romani/OVS.

Mind you I don't see that team as a contender either, but they'll be on the right track. You're not helping that team by buying this year in a year where they don't stand a chance when Sudbury and Missy will be significant buyers.

Miss is ahead of schedule, but better next season guaranteed. They might not to spend a whole knowing they will have to contend with Barrie and Kingston next season.

The next competetive season for the Battalion is 2025-26 with a chance of contention if selling this year and next. I’m not sure Abott would be cool with that. I doubt Abott is ok with with selling Nelson and playoff gates with this being the 10th anniversary season.
I do think there could be a net benefit of acccepting a very good offer for DiVincentiis

 

[belair]

Miss is ahead of schedule, but better next season guaranteed. They might not to spend a whole knowing they will have to contend with Barrie and Kingston next season.

The next competetive season for the Battalion is 2025-26 with a chance of contention if selling this year and next.

You put that 25-26 team in the best position possible by adding the trade capital you can when you can. Allowing Dom and Nelson to graduate in a year where the Battalion are a likely one and out would be detrimental.

Let the young guys run with the ball this year and add what's necessary in the off-season.

@190 is almost 206 is on the right track IMO when it comes to the defense. It'll be a major focus next year losing two veteran RDs. It might be worthwhile targeting a team's bluechip D in either of those deals.

 

[dirty12]

You put that 25-26 team in the best position possible by adding the trade capital you can when you can. Allowing Dom and Nelson to graduate in a year where the Battalion are a likely one and out would be detrimental.

Let the young guys run with the ball this year and add what's necessary in the off-season.

@190 is almost 206 is on the right track IMO when it comes to the defense. It'll be a major focus next year losing two veteran RDs. It might be worthwhile targeting a team's bluechip D in either of those deals.

Look. Miss has three ‘06-1sts at forward and a goalie and probably two D better than the Battalion have currently. Barrie has 5-‘06 selected by round 3. Both teams have better ‘05s.

The Battalion are much more likely contenders adding a middle six F and a good #4 D than one and out with the status quo.

Again , I can see a net benefit of trading DiVincentiis but not Nelson.
Unless moving everything of value this year, next (is) a sell year.

 

[belair]

Look. Miss has three ‘06-1sts at forward and a goalie and probably two D better than the Battalion have currently. Barrie has 5-‘06 selected by round 3. Both teams have better ‘05s.

The Battalion are much more likely contenders adding a middle six F and a good #4 D than one and out with the status quo.

Again , I can see a net benefit of trading DiVincentiis but not Nelson.
Unless moving everything of value this year, next (is) a sell year.

This team regardless of what they add will not be in the contender conversation this season. Where they are in the standings today is a mirage. They are under 0.500 and give up more goals than they score. Their special teams are well behind where they were last season when they were a true contender with an elite offense.

What would they even have to sell next year other than an OA Wakely? Sell years are there to amass valuable trade chips. This is the year that you have those pieces.

This year by the time the deadline rolls around I expect the Battalion to be behind the real contenders in this conference; Sudbury, Missy, Peterborough and Oshawa. They're in the mushy middle with Kingston and Barrie, a team that would probably be ahead of them if they were healthier.

There's no benefit to holding onto and graduating Nelson.

 

[dirty12]

This team regardless of what they add will not be in the contender conversation this season. Where they are in the standings today is a mirage. They are under 0.500 and give up more goals than they score. Their special teams are well behind where they were last season when they were a true contender with an elite offense.

What would they even have to sell next year other than an OA Wakely? Sell years are there to amass valuable trade chips. This is the year that you have those pieces.

This year by the time the deadline rolls around I expect the Battalion to be behind the real contenders in this conference; Sudbury, Missy, Peterborough and Oshawa. They're in the mushy middle with Kingston and Barrie, a team that would probably be ahead of them if they were healthier.

There's no benefit to holding onto and graduating Nelson.

First of all, the team is at 0.540 despite an 0.880 SV% for DiVincentiis; and the team was not really ever elite offensively last season, certainly not prior to acquiring Bloom and Zito.

Romani, Wakely, possibly Cajokovic if not this season, and probably Mathurin would be the players to sell.

The Petes & Gens are not real contenders this year. The Steelheads can be if willing to part with Ivankovic; if Miss is serious buyer in addition to a team from the east, then I can get behind a Battalion sell.
I cannot see the need to sell for a good team with signed 16-17 yr olds unable to crack the line up consistently and 20 picks in each of the next two drafts

 

[belair]

First of all, the team is at 0.540 despite an 0.880 SV% for DiVincentiis; and the team was not really ever elite offensively last season, certainly not prior to acquiring Bloom and Zito.

Romani, Wakely, possibly Cajokovic if not this season, and probably Mathurin would be the players to sell.

The Petes & Gens are not real contenders this year. The Steelheads can be if willing to part with Ivankovic; if Miss is serious buyer in addition to a team from the east, then I can get behind a Battalion sell.
I cannot see the need to sell for a good team with signed 16-17 yr olds unable to crack the line up consistently and 20 picks in each of the next two drafts

I misspoke in the previous post. Meant to say Ottawa, not Oshawa. The Petes are still a squad that will give any team a run for its money due to their competitive level. They manhandled us last Thursday. And this Battalion team is at 0.540 because we're not factoring in their OT losses.

I don't know why you compare this team to last year's. It's a night and day difference. No Petrov, McDonald, Jackson, Bloom, Zito or Tarasevich. They went from a three line team to a one-and-a-half line team. One team finished twenty games over and this one is looking like it'll teeter around 0.500 all year. They're much younger to boot.

If you take the two big trade chips off of this roster at the deadline, they're likely getting just as far as they would if they both stayed. When it comes to being responsible with the assets you're given, moving them for futures is just the better long-term strategy.

 

[dirty12]

I misspoke in the previous post. Meant to say Ottawa, not Oshawa. The Petes are still a squad that will give any team a run for its money due to their competitive level. They manhandled us last Thursday. And this Battalion team is at 0.540 because we're not factoring in their OT losses.

I don't know why you compare this team to last year's. It's a night and day difference. No Petrov, McDonald, Jackson, Bloom, Zito or Tarasevich. They went from a three line team to a one-and-a-half line team. One team finished twenty games over and this one is looking like it'll teeter around 0.500 all year. They're much younger to boot.

If you take the two big trade chips off of this roster at the deadline, they're likely getting just as far as they would if they both stayed. When it comes to being responsible with the assets you're given, moving them for futures is just the better long-term strategy.

The point for OTL counts for all teams for a long time.
You brought up the supposed elite offence of last season a couple of times. The current edition with no in-season additions is right at the cut-off of the top third of GF where last years team finished. Bloom was added after 20 games, Zito later.
I think the difference is in the forwards defence due to age and size; and DiVicentiis’ start, of course.
Don't sell every player that will graduate. Sell because the team has no chance to win now. That time is next season when the only notable 19 yr old will be Romani.
You speak of a Petes team with no near picks, no 2005-06 born of note, a draft of the ‘07 with no 2nd or 3rd picks as a contender, but NB with 9-signed ‘06, a full draft of ‘07s, and 20 picks in each of the next two drafts needing to sell…?

 

[belair]

The point for OTL counts for all teams for a long time.
You brought up the supposed elite offence of last season a couple of times. The current edition with no in-season additions is right at the cut-off of the top third of GF where last years team finished. Bloom was added after 20 games, Zito later.
I think the difference is in the forwards defence due to age and size; and DiVicentiis’ start, of course.
Don't sell every player that will graduate. Sell because the team has no chance to win now. That time is next season when the only notable 19 yr old will be Romani.

I agree you don't sell every one that graduates. You sell the ones that bring you the lion's share of the assets. DiVincentiis and Nelson are those pieces.

The Battalion went into last season expecting to be the team to beat in the East. They were very close to winning a Championship. This season they've lost that core of impactful 19/20 year olds. Their OAs this year aren't the gamebreakers they were last season, they're middle of the line up supporting types.

You add Bloom and Zito to this core and I don't think they move the needle as much as you think. Certainly not to the point where they stand a chance against the team's that are truly in the conversation as legitimate buyers. Trading for that kind of help this year would be fruitless and shortsighted IMO.

Let Arnsby/Christo/Ertel lead as the vets and let the kids take the reins.

 

[dirty12]

I agree you don't sell every one that graduates. You sell the ones that bring you the lion's share of the assets. DiVincentiis and Nelson are those pieces.

The Battalion went into last season expecting to be the team to beat in the East. They were very close to winning a Championship. This season they've lost that core of impactful 19/20 year olds. Their OAs this year aren't the gamebreakers they were last season, they're middle of the line up supporting types.

You add Bloom and Zito to this core and I don't think they move the needle as much as you think. Certainly not to the point where they stand a chance against the team's that are truly in the conversation as legitimate buyers. Trading for that kind of help this year would be fruitless and shortsighted IMO.

Let Arnsby/Christo/Ertel lead as the vets and let the kids take the reins.

We see things very differently. I’m not of the opinion that you trade a player just because you can get a good return, particularly not one that set a franchise point record in just 2 1/4 seasons when you can build a contender around him. The 2004 class is no doubt among the Battalion have had all-time. It is surrounded by solid OAs and Romani and some fast tracking ‘06, all of whom have experienced conference final or two. No other potential contender in the conference can claim that. The Battalion can make a run at it this season then recoup more assets next season than using this season.

Pre-mature selling can be sexy, but not nearly certain to work. Odds are very low that you can return Nelson’s worth to the team now in a trade for a mid to late ‘07-1st and a few picks. Only trade a player like Nelson if there is no chance to win with him in the 10th anniversary season imo.

 

[belair]

We see things very differently. I’m not of the opinion that you trade a player just because you can get a good return, particularly not one that set a franchise point record in just 2 1/4 seasons when you can build a contender around him. The 2004 class is no doubt among the Battalion have had all-time. It is surrounded by solid OAs and Romani and some fast tracking ‘06, all of whom have experienced conference final or two. No other potential contender in the conference can claim that. The Battalion can make a run at it this season then recoup more assets next season than using this season.

Pre-mature selling can be sexy, but not nearly certain to work. Odds are very low that you can return Nelson’s worth to the team now in a trade for a mid to late ‘07-1st and a few picks. Only trade a player like Nelson if there is no chance to win with him in the 10th anniversary season imo.

I'm not saying that you trade them just because they can get a good return. I'm saying that the team doesn't stand a chance to win the Eastern Conference, let alone an OHL title.

The Battalion are in the 6, 7, 8 conversation with Kingston and Barrie when this division begins to open up. The mushy middle.

 

[dirty12]

I'm not saying that you trade them just because they can get a good return. I'm saying that the team doesn't stand a chance to win the Eastern Conference, let alone an OHL title.

The Battalion are in the 6, 7, 8 conversation with Kingston and Barrie when this division begins to open up. The mushy middle.

Maybe NB is middling if Mathurin is out for the season and DiVincentiis does not return to form. It is quite possible the two will be ok though, and NB adds a #4 D and middle six RW.
It is next season when the Battalion has no realistic chance to win (even one playoff round)

 

[belair]

Maybe NB is middling if Mathurin is out for the season and DiVincentiis does not return to form. It is quite possible the two will be ok though, and NB adds a #4 D and middle six RW.
It is next season when the Battalion has no chance to win.

It's also when they have very little to sell.

 

[belair]

https://x.com/Condors/status/1728632831256215882?s=20

Petrov scored his first pro goal tonight.

 

[dirty12]

It's also when they have very little to sell.

Not likely true as Romani alone should return 4-5 good picks, but that would be ok because there will likely be very little real need to sell big.

Starting next week I think, players will start trickling out to world jr camps. It will be interesting to see if NB can tread water without Nelson, DiVincentis, and Mathurin.

 

[StormWatcher]

Based on the convo here,
Guelph has a 1st rounder '07 RD....
Not interested in Divi though, but some say two years from now is your year... so

Nelson and Wakely for '07 1st, two 2nds and three 3rds.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Look. Miss has three ‘06-1sts at forward and a goalie and probably two D better than the Battalion have currently. Barrie has 5-‘06 selected by round 3. Both teams have better ‘05s.

The Battalion are much more likely contenders adding a middle six F and a good #4 D than one and out with the status quo.

Again , I can see a net benefit of trading DiVincentiis but not Nelson.
Unless moving everything of value this year, next (is) a sell year.

Hate to break it too my Northern friends but the writing has been on the wall since training camp: Nelson will be US bound traded to Saginaw and will be playing in the Mem Cup….IMO

 

[dirty12]

Hate to break it too my Northern friends but the writing has been on the wall since training camp: Nelson will be US bound traded to Saginaw and will be playing in the Mem Cup….IMO

I’ll guess not.
Since NB has not drafted a RD in the first five rounds of the previous two drafts, Guelph would have the inside track imo. If US bound, Flint has more need and can put together a better package.

 

[dirty12]

Based on the convo here,
Guelph has a 1st rounder '07 RD....
Not interested in Divi though, but some say two years from now is your year... so

Nelson and Wakely for '07 1st, two 2nds and three 3rds.

That’s not enough for both Nelson and Wakely. Wakely (with OA conditions) probably warrants 2-2nds, 3-3rds.

 

[Smithsy]

https://x.com/Condors/status/1728632831256215882?s=20

Petrov scored his first pro goal tonight.

And it was the teddy bear toss goal too! Fun way to get your first!

 

[SpezzaNoLookDropPass]

And it was the teddy bear toss goal too! Fun way to get your first!

assist from Dineen was a nice add on