Ottawa 67's 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 2)

[OMG67]

Good game actually we had much better jump. Ran into a good team and goalie on the road so I can live with a 1-0 loss in a shootout. Brochu is a very good goalie and Donoso looked good too. What impressed me is we had three rookie D's taking regular shifts and they looked good, not giving up one goal. The extra icetime with Matier/Smyth gone is gold for them for next year.

We are going to need to add a D-Man soon. With those other two gone, we are down to just the 6 and that’s probably until January.

Boucher is probably not in the lineup starting Sunday and Rohrer next weekend. We are running out of bodies. If Beck doesn’t return next week, we will have a short bench.

 

[OMG67]

Not too often you don't score a goal and you get a point!

I've seen the argument that Ottawa is a better team because they have better behind the scenes training and conditioning. well in the last 2 games Ottawa is the team looking like they are out of gas at the end of the game. I don't think Ottawa has any training that is any better than what most teams have. Windsor and London looked fine at the end of their games with Ottawa.

Too many key players out. The biggest issue for the 67s and has been highlighted heavily as we head to the deadline is their reliance on the 16 and 17 year olds. Their overall depth when so many bodies are out is bad. They are pretty much running out three lines now with two 16 year olds and a 17 year old rookies on defence with both Matier gone to Team Canada and Smyth out with mono.

The 4th line of Laforme, Kelly and whoever basically doesn’t play against the stronger teams.

This sort of play is what I’ve sort of predicts may happen because of too many young guys carrying the load.

They have still done well but they are far from elite with basically three lines and half the defence right now as rookies.

 

[Generalsupdates]

I've seen the argument that Ottawa is a better team because they have better behind the scenes training and conditioning. well in the last 2 games Ottawa is the team looking like they are out of gas at the end of the game. I don't think Ottawa has any training that is any better than what most teams have. Windsor and London looked fine at the end of their games with Ottawa.

Yeah that’s definitely one of those things fans just say because it’s impossible to prove and sounds good. Every team is more or less the exact same in that aspect

 

[AGranderson]

Too many key players out. The biggest issue for the 67s and has been highlighted heavily as we head to the deadline is their reliance on the 16 and 17 year olds. Their overall depth when so many bodies are out is bad. They are pretty much running out three lines now with two 16 year olds and a 17 year old rookies on defence with both Matier gone to Team Canada and Smyth out with mono.

The 4th line of Laforme, Kelly and whoever basically doesn’t play against the stronger teams.

This sort of play is what I’ve sort of predicts may happen because of too many young guys carrying the load.

They have still done well but they are far from elite with basically three lines and half the defence right now as rookies.

4th line of 21/4/28 only had 3 shifts of ice time last night unfortunately 21 & 28 are just not good enough to play at this level 4 can skate & bring some physical touch to the lineup but EQ & CK just can’t do it constantly chasing the play & having the puck stuck in our end every time they are on the ice.I think you will see EQ sent back to Jr in the new year maybe close by so Boyd can have the option to bring him up & down. Cameron can’t even trust them enough to give them a shift some periods. Basically dressing 3 lines. We need some healthy forwards it’s going to be a rough go until 1) players return from World Juniors & 2) players return from injuries

 

[OMG67]

4th line of 21/4/28 only had 3 shifts of ice time last night unfortunately 21 & 28 are just not good enough to play at this level 4 can skate & bring some physical touch to the lineup but EQ & CK just can’t do it constantly chasing the play & having the puck stuck in our end every time they are on the ice.I think you will see EQ sent back to Jr in the new year maybe close by so Boyd can have the option to bring him up & down. Cameron can’t even trust them enough to give them a shift some periods. Basically dressing 3 lines. We need some healthy forwards it’s going to be a rough go until 1) players return from World Juniors & 2) players return from injuries

The good part about all of this is that it is becoming obvious that they cannot stay status quo and only add one forward. If everyone is 100% healthy and in the lineup, adding one forward may help get them by but as soon as they start to have injury/suspension issues, the depth gets really thin, really fast. If they are truly going to contend for a championship, they can only get away with 1 or 2 17 year olds as part of the top 9. They can’t play top teams like London on the road on back to back games with four 17 year olds in the top 9. And then dress three rookie D-Men as two 16 year olds and a 17 year old.

The funny thing is they almost got away with it.

I will argue one thing you said though. Laforme can’t skate. He is not really an OHL player. There are some aspects of his game that are passable, mostly because he is a 19 year old And he does have a little bit of size but he really is a liability out there, even on the 4th line. If he has two solid wingers with him, he can go unnoticed but when he has rookies with him, it is a lot more obvious.

 

[OMG67]

I wonder how happy Yzerman is with Kasper’s development so far. he has 12 points (4 goals) in 23 games with Rogle. Looks like he is doing ok but I wonder if there is even a 10% chance of them reassigning him to Ottawa after the WJHC? He will be playing with Rohrer so you never know. Probably just a pie in the sky thought….

 

[OMG67]

Yeah that’s definitely one of those things fans just say because it’s impossible to prove and sounds good. Every team is more or less the exact same in that aspect

Every team has a coaching staff. Are we to believe that all coaching staffs are equal because every team has one?

 

[sirius67fan]

We are going to need to add a D-Man soon. With those other two gone, we are down to just the 6 and that’s probably until January.

Boucher is probably not in the lineup starting Sunday and Rohrer next weekend. We are running out of bodies. If Beck doesn’t return next week, we will have a short bench.

I don't see the need to add a d-man unless it's a game changer...Mintyukov? No need for a stopgap as the kids are playing fine. It's our forward depth that's the issue so let's keep the ammo to address that. Matier is back early jan. As for Smyth yes mono is tricky but most healthy young people recover pretty quickly, I'm guessing he's back after the break to mid January.

 

[sirius67fan]

I wonder how happy Yzerman is with Kasper’s development so far. he has 12 points (4 goals) in 23 games with Rogle. Looks like he is doing ok but I wonder if there is even a 10% chance of them reassigning him to Ottawa after the WJHC? He will be playing with Rohrer so you never know. Probably just a pie in the sky thought….

You never know. I think I read something last summer that part of reason he wanted to stay in Sweden was to finish a semester of school. So you never know will depend on Detroit. He's holding his own against men. So what's better for his development being challenged in Sweden or dominating in the O to maybe develop offensive tools? I don't know the answer but yes minimal chance we see him. Can you imagine if he shows though then we can really go get two other key players..a forward and a D ( Harrison and Moore anyone?)

 

[OMG67]

I don't see the need to add a d-man unless it's a game changer...Mintyukov? No need for a stopgap as the kids are playing fine. It's our forward depth that's the issue so let's keep the ammo to address that. Matier is back early jan. As for Smyth yes mono is tricky but most healthy young people recover pretty quickly, I'm guessing he's back after the break to mid January.

There are two types of mono. The first is a heavy in and quick out. The second is a constant long and drawn out 2-3 months.

With respect to defence, the issue is that we have 6. Next weekend, we will only have 10 forwards until guys start to come back from injuries and WJHC camps.

If no one comes back, this would be our lineup through early January:

Stonehouse - Tolnai - Kelly
Pinelli - Gardiner - Gerrior
Barlas - Foster - Quick
Laforme

If Beck comes back which seems to be the rumour, just pull out Kelly and insert Beck. Shift Quick or Kelly to the 4th line. It still leaves us one short.

If we are unfortuante enough to have one D-Man come up lame, we are short even more.

I sense some Holiday season call ups. They are likley going to have to try to sign a few guys to development cards to get through the holidays.

 

[44 95 plus tax]

There are two types of mono. The first is a heavy in and quick out. The second is a constant long and drawn out 2-3 months.

With respect to defence, the issue is that we have 6. Next weekend, we will only have 10 forwards until guys start to come back from injuries and WJHC camps.

If no one comes back, this would be our lineup through early January:

Stonehouse - Tolnai - Kelly
Pinelli - Gardiner - Gerrior
Barlas - Foster - Quick
Laforme

If Beck comes back which seems to be the rumour, just pull out Kelly and insert Beck. Shift Quick or Kelly to the 4th line. It still leaves us one short.

If we are unfortuante enough to have one D-Man come up lame, we are short even more.

I sense some Holiday season call ups. They are likley going to have to try to sign a few guys to development cards to get through the holidays.

I don't think Smyth will be back soon. I heard he had a lacerated spleen and has been sent home.

 

[OMG67]

I don't think Smyth will be back soon. I heard he had a lacerated spleen and has been sent home.

Oh wow. So his mono probably went undiagnosed and his spleen was exposed and he probably ruptured it during a game.

Assuming there was no surgery required, he would likely be back around February sometime depending on how long it will take him to get game ready.

 

[sirius67fan]

I don't think Smyth will be back soon. I heard he had a lacerated spleen and has been sent home.

Ouch, so kind of worse case scenario with mono so as OMG said earliest is february.

 

[AGranderson]

Oh wow. So his mono probably went undiagnosed and his spleen was exposed and he probably ruptured it during a game.

Assuming there was no surgery required, he would likely be back around February sometime depending on how long it will take him to get game ready.

have also heard Smyth has a ruptured spleen & will be out better part of 2 months he is gone home. Hopefully Beck & Dever return soon or this could be a rough patch in the road Dever can spot into the top of the lineup much better than Quick & Kelly . Looking through everything we seem to have no signed players to even call up we would have to sign someone who they may even be I’m not sure

Oh wow. So his mono probably went undiagnosed and his spleen was exposed and he probably ruptured it during a game.

Assuming there was no surgery required, he would likely be back around February sometime depending on how long it will take him to get game ready.

 

[sirius67fan]

So now that Clarke was loaned to team Canada what are Matier's chances to make it? As he's a right shot I'd say pretty good although if he makes it I see him more as a shutdown guy to permit their offensive d- guys to roam.

 

[OMG67]

have also heard Smyth has a ruptured spleen & will be out better part of 2 months he is gone home. Hopefully Beck & Dever return soon or this could be a rough patch in the road Dever can spot into the top of the lineup much better than Quick & Kelly . Looking through everything we seem to have no signed players to even call up we would have to sign someone who they may even be I’m not sure

The recovery time for a ruptured spleen is 3-12 weeks. So, the likely timeframe is around 8 weeks plus time to get into game shape. With a ruptured spleen, it is a rest and recover situation. He may be able to do some low impact exercise but it is likely the first 4 weeks is just lay around doing nothing.

With respect to roster situation, there are no real options. We don’t have any signed players that aren’t already with the team. We have 24 guys ont he roster plus the emergency goalie which shouldn’t count as a card. That leaves us with 6 cards to play with.

I don’t see them signing either of their u-18 draft players. 5th rounder Ryan Caton is a possibility. Maybe 8th rounder Talan Palmer. Neither are ideal candidates at this point. If they sign them and they play a game, they are on the hook for the scholarship but they wouldn't count as a roster card.

There really aren’t a lot of options. They’ve signed and used a lot of their recent higher draft picks the last couple years.

So now that Clarke was loaned to team Canada what are Matier's chances to make it? As he's a right shot I'd say pretty good although if he makes it I see him more as a shutdown guy to permit their offensive d- guys to roam.

I don’t think Clarke being returned makes any difference for Matier. The type of game he player sis what team Canada typically looks for deeper into its defence pairings. The fact he is a righty helps a heck of a lot. But his size is really good and translates well. The fact he can jump inot the play if necessary is also a strong positive. I know he isn’t a lock but I’d be surprised if he were returned.

 

[beastintheeast]

This team is going through a rough spot of having good players.

My worry is not so much can we get by during the break but how tired/hurt will the 3 of them be when they come back.
We play
Hamilton x1
Oshawa x1
Kingston x3
Barrie X1
OS x1
Niagara x1

So at least we are not playing all contenders.

As to Beck and Smythe, I think, especially in Beck's case, that he should not play until the new year. Let him practice and gain strength, then slowly put him in the lineup against Kingston to allow him to gain confidence and not overdo it.

Yes, I would like to see him back playing hockey for the 67, but I would rather see him healthy and having a long, happy life.

The good side to this is that this team looks a lot better than a lot of us thought they would. The feeling at the beginning of the year was that unless Beck and Boucher came back scoring, this team was in trouble.

however, just as these young guys do every year, a couple of players step up to the next level and surprise us.

 

[beastintheeast]

We are going to need to add a D-Man soon. With those other two gone, we are down to just the 6 and that’s probably until January.

Boucher is probably not in the lineup starting Sunday and Rohrer next weekend. We are running out of bodies. If Beck doesn’t return next week, we will have a short bench.

No matter what the age we would still be in the same position with the same short bench.

There is not much that can be done except to call up some central Junior A players to fill a few holes for the time being.

There is no need to panic we have a good team and we will be okay. we may lose a few games but in the long runt hat isnot the end of the world.
OMG at the beginning of the year did you predict that this team would be in first with Beck out most of the time and Boucher only being a bit player?

 

[AGranderson]

No matter what the age we would still be in the same position with the same short bench.

There is not much that can be done except to call up some central Junior A players to fill a few holes for the time being.

There is no need to panic we have a good team and we will be okay. we may lose a few games but in the long runt hat isnot the end of the world.
OMG at the beginning of the year did you predict that this team would be in first with Beck out most of the time and Boucher only being a bit player?

I was just told by a very reliable source that Boyd has told the players & staff there will be no trades. The room is the room get comfortable.

 

[dirty12]

I was just told by a very reliable source that Boyd has told the players & staff there will be no trades. The room is the room get comfortable.

So no players going out if true. And if true, a little disappointing for me. I want to see at least two loaded teams from the east as knowing Hamilton was going to win last season made the playoffs less interesting imo. Some unexpected team will fill the buyer void if costs are low; wolves would not surprise me.
They will fill the OA spot though, I expect. I am guessing ‘67s will add Morrison if only adding one player.

 

[sirius67fan]

I was just told by a very reliable source that Boyd has told the players & staff there will be no trades. The room is the room get comfortable.

Wow if true that would be shocking and borderline incompetence. It's your job as a gm to make moves for the benefit of the team either short or long term. This year you at least need to make a few moves to improve a very good team. Would be different if we had no assets but we're bursting with picks and ultimatly can't use all of them. Sorry Granderson not saying you didn't hear it but I can't buy that.

 

[ohloutsider]

I was just told by a very reliable source that Boyd has told the players & staff there will be no trades. The room is the room get comfortable.

Pretty significant rumor without providing a source.

 

[Devin]

I was just told by a very reliable source that Boyd has told the players & staff there will be no trades. The room is the room get comfortable.

Thats what Florida told Huberdeau before doing a 180 & dealing him to Calgary.

Thats what the rockies told Tulowitzki before doing a 180 & shipping him to another country.

 

[OMG67]

No matter what the age we would still be in the same position with the same short bench.

There is not much that can be done except to call up some central Junior A players to fill a few holes for the time being.

There is no need to panic we have a good team and we will be okay. we may lose a few games but in the long runt hat isnot the end of the world.
OMG at the beginning of the year did you predict that this team would be in first with Beck out most of the time and Boucher only being a bit player?

Pre-season I suggested that they needed to add an OA centre and if they did then they would be right there with North Bay, Peterborough, Barrie, and Mississauga. Gardiner managed to fill that centre role which allowed them to hold off on the OA. Did I expect them to be 21-6? No. But I expected them to be in that .600-.650 range with the OA centre.

I was just told by a very reliable source that Boyd has told the players & staff there will be no trades. The room is the room get comfortable.

That can be interpreted as no one is getting traded. That wouldn’t surprise me. I’ve said it many times that although I think they should add 3 players to hedge against their youth, they will likely only add one OA centre.

Now, with what we are seeing right now, that philosophy may change a as bit but I doubt it would change any players being included in deals.

At the end of the day, all they need is a player like Morrison and to be healthy with a full lineup. The rest is just “want.” It will be much more difficult to win a Championship for sure but if no other team does a complete 180 and blows their brains out at the deadline then it may be good enough.

 

[dirty12]

Thats what Florida told Huberdeau before doing a 180 & dealing him to Calgary.

Thats what the rockies told Tulowitzki before doing a 180 & shipping him to another country.

Rockies #1 goal was getting out of the Tulowitzki contract; but that withstanding, very valid point