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

[sirius67fan]

There will always be an element of ”keeping up with the Jones.’” So, the 67’s do need to consider what other teams have done and measure themselves against that. Obviously they can’t change their style of play because their roster foundation doesn’t permit it but they can add pieces like you are saying to get to a point where they can be competitive against the bigger teams like North Bay.

You and I are similar in philosophy. We don’t necessarily agree about the defence. I agree to a point but I temper my expectations while placing a greater emphasis on depth down the middle. I view adding a LD as more of a luxury than a necessity. There are diminishing returns on adding a LD as well. It pushes one of your existing LD off the roster and into the stands so the addition can net out to be marginal. In my mind, unless it is an elite D-Man like Mintyukov, the 67’s would only be marginally upgrading. Pushing a kid like Sirman off the roster compared to pushing a kid like Dever off the roster at forward is a huge difference.

The 67’s recent record is somewhat whitewashed because of illness and roster deletions. I know all teams go through patches of illness but this particular roster needs to be darned near full and healthy to be effective based on the way they play. So, to me, the real question is whether it is realistic for this team to be healthy enough to play the heavy puck pursuit game they excel at or not? That is what it comes down to. IF this team is healthy and chasing the puck with the gusto they have done so, they can win. If they are banged up and not healthy and unable to chase the puck with gusto and pressure the opposition by limiting their time and space then they will lose. They cannot win games grinding it out. That is just a fact.

So, can deepening this team through four lines and hedging against injury by adding additional players be enough? This 67’s team will not beat North Bay no matter which players they add if they aren’t able to limit time and space. They aren’t near big enough and they cannot trade to get near big enough to grind out wins.

If the 67’s pretty much stand pat and only add one OA, I will be disappointed. It won’t be enough. It may get us to the Conference Finals which is good but it is not like we are protecting a future. The team next year doesn’t project as good and if we look two years out we can make a couple moves next season to reset. I find being perpetually good frustrating. Watching Kilrea lose in the finals so many times in the late 90’s and early 00’s while taking the same philosophy of running with what you have is just dumb and unfulfilling. Not just to the fans but also the players in your room. Four Finals losses to One Finals win over a 10 year period is frustrating to say the least. I don’t want to see that garbage again.

Again agree with your logic except for one statement that this team will not be good next year. As i put together a few days ago assuming no players are moved out next year as rumoured.
Pinelli/Rohrer/Stonehouse
Foster/Gardiner/Gerrior
Barlas/Dever/Kelly
Quick
Mayich/Mews
SmythEwles
Sirman/Marelli

Donoso
Mckenzie
Now add in an import, one or two OA's , further development ( a pattern with this team) and that's not even factoring in a Beck return which is 50/50 now imo. Look we won't be as strong as this year, that's two years from now. But I'll predict right now we'll be top 4 in the east.

 

[sirius67fan]

Before you make usumptionz

maybe you should take JB job as GM

Also keep in mind that this kid got drafted to the NHL not playing that year due to covid. Put him on a good team and I could almost bet that he would be over a point per game player unless they have a different role for him.

Umm we could do worse than OMG as a GM imo...lol. He would be the Mr Spock of Gm's, cold calculated logic. Kind of the Bill Belichick of the O!

 

[PuckStop75]

Again agree with your logic except for one statement that this team will not be good next year. As i put together a few days ago assuming no players are moved out next year as rumoured.
Pinelli/Rohrer/Stonehouse
Foster/Gardiner/Gerrior
Barlas/Dever/Kelly
Quick
Mayich/Mews
SmythEwles
Sirman/Marelli

Donoso
Mckenzie
Now add in an import, one or two OA's , further development ( a pattern with this team) and that's not even factoring in a Beck return which is 50/50 now imo. Look we won't be as strong as this year, that's two years from now. But I'll predict right now we'll be top 4 in the east.

With the exception of the first line, the 2nd half of the season will go a long way in determining where many of these players are at in their development. Several will need to go from supporting cast members to carrying the load, which is a significant progression. In a lot of ways this will be a determining factor in the success the team has this year as well, particularly if they don't add as many expect.
I also don't view a team who relies on a 2nd year player as a 1st pairing defender as a favorable position.
MacKenzie will need to be in a starting roll as well in net, he's not spending a third season as the BUG, movement and depth at this position would then have to be addressed.

 

[OMG67]

Again agree with your logic except for one statement that this team will not be good next year. As i put together a few days ago assuming no players are moved out next year as rumoured.
Pinelli/Rohrer/Stonehouse
Foster/Gardiner/Gerrior
Barlas/Dever/Kelly
Quick
Mayich/Mews
SmythEwles
Sirman/Marelli

Donoso
Mckenzie
Now add in an import, one or two OA's , further development ( a pattern with this team) and that's not even factoring in a Beck return which is 50/50 now imo. Look we won't be as strong as this year, that's two years from now. But I'll predict right now we'll be top 4 in the east.

If we don’t add to this team, we won’t add to next years team so who cares of we finish 4th and exit the playoffs in round 2?

 

[OMG67]

From a friend:


@OMG67 You didn't get your guy....GU

Are you saying Logan Morrison is on his way elsewhere? If so, that would suck….

 

[HUSH10]

Are you saying Logan Morrison is on his way elsewhere? If so, that would suck….

I'm just a messenger lol

 

[OMG67]

I'm just a messenger lol

LOL. We shall see what ends up transpiring. If it means Ottawa ends up with Moore instead then so be it.

 

[HUSH10]

LOL. We shall see what ends up transpiring. If it means Ottawa ends up with Moore instead then so be it.

Moore is not going to Ottawa, that I can say for sure

 

[44 95 plus tax]

Moore is not going to Ottawa, that I can say for sure

Moore to Kitchener.

 

[AGranderson]

Moore to Kitchener.

Lleyton Moore to Kitchener I can confirm this

 

[Section5Petes]

Lleyton Moore to Kitchener I can confirm this

Good return for Oshawa

 

[AGranderson]

This likely means you can knock Francesco Pinelli & Roman Schmidt off everyone’s list as Kitchener is clearly no longer selling

 

[OMG67]

This likely means you can knock Francesco Pinelli & Roman Schmidt off everyone’s list as Kitchener is clearly no longer selling

Yup. One less team sell inat and they have some decent picks in the cupboard so look at them being in on another player or two.

This is starting to shape up as a sellers market.

 

[BarberPole9]

This likely means you can knock Francesco Pinelli & Roman Schmidt off everyone’s list as Kitchener is clearly no longer selling

Maybe swap Kitchener with Mississauga on the sellers list. In the East, it looks like Ottawa, NB and the Petes with Barrie as the wildcard. I am still inclined to think that Barrie should sell but at some point they need to make a buyer move.

The West looks wide open with teams 2-6 and 8 in the standings as teams who may choose to stand pat or buy. Saginaw, currently in 1st is likely to sell to load up for next year’s host bid. Heck, even #9 Erie could be hesistant to sell Kyrou to try to end their playoff drought. It wouldn’t be advisable, but it could happen.

Mississauga could have the best forward (DelBelBelluz) and best domestic defenceman (Del Mastro) on the market behind Wright and Clarke (if either are returned after the WJC. They could also get a good return for overager James Hardie. There isn’t a seller in the league with more marketable assets than those three.

 

[OMG67]

Maybe swap Kitchener with Mississauga on the sellers list. In the East, it looks like Ottawa, NB and the Petes with Barrie as the wildcard. I am still inclined to think that Barrie should sell but at some point they need to make a buyer move.

The West looks wide open with teams 2-6 and 8 in the standings as teams who may choose to stand pat or buy. Saginaw, currently in 1st is likely to sell to load up for next year’s host bid. Heck, even #9 Erie could be hesistant to sell Kyrou to try to end their playoff drought. It wouldn’t be advisable, but it could happen.

Mississauga could have the best forward (DelBelBelluz) and best domestic defenceman (Del Mastro) on the market behind Wright and Clarke (if either are returned after the WJC. They could also get a good return for overager James Hardie. There isn’t a seller in the league with more marketable assets than those three.

Yeah, it is sort of tough to gauge the market right now.

If Clarke comes back, Barrie is a buyer. There doesn’t seem to be a doubt. They are the one team with more draft picks than Ottawa. If Clarke doesn’t come back, I don’t think they will be a seller unless someone knocks their socks off for Vierling or Cardwell.

North Bay is done. They may tinker a bit at the bottom of their lineup but I doubt it. They have a solid roster and there is not really much sense for them t do anything barring a massive injury.

Petes are close to done. If they choose to make Van Volsen available, they could add a player like Wright. They have an open OA spot left as well. As much as there is a lot of hype around Shane Wright, I somehow remain skeptical they trade VanVolsen and the rest of their high picks for him.

Mississauga looks to be done. I’m jsut not sure if they are sellers. They are somewhat light on draft picks but they did return a few for Lavoie. Some think they will now use them but I can’t see them making a splash. I think their performance to date has been less than stellar.

Saginaw is likely to move Mintyukov provided they get a good return. He is an Import and there is never a lot of serious interest in fair market valuse for imports. If they don’t get fair market then they may as well keep him. But, if they do make him available, I agree with Dirty that they would want a solid player back, probably a D-Man that can be a contributor on next seasons roster.

Flint has draft picks in hand. I think they will try to use them.

Kitchener has picks and they will use them.

Guelph will trade Zhilkin almost certainly.

The rest of the west may tinker but at this point, I see a lot of status quo going on. I think the prices will be too high for some to shift into buyer mode but the prices won’t be high enough to make them sellers either.

What does this mean for Ottawa? They will likely get their OA position filled. I’d be surprised if they do anything else. I’m not saying they shouldn’t do more, I think they should, but that is my sense on the topic. Looking at the deal today for Moore, clearly Oshawa is holding on to Harrison looking for an ‘06 1st. With the market shaping up like it is, I honestly think it may happen! Just not to Ottawa. If Wright comes back, I doubt Ottawa would be a serious contender for him.

As usual, I think we will be disappointed at the deadline once again. I don’t know this for sure, I have no inside knowledge but considering there hasn’t been even a slight budge on behalf of Ottawa other than trading off players to get a roster in place, it looks more like Boyd et all like their team and will act as such through the deadline.

 

[Robray12]

I think Ottawa must have their eyes on Wright and or Clarke....
They seem to be waiting till after world juniors to make their moves....
If they don't get either player then they will most likely just add 2nd line Caliber players.
Great opportunity for 67s to go all In....wouldn't you agree??

 

[OMG67]

I think Ottawa must have their eyes on Wright and or Clarke....
They seem to be waiting till after world juniors to make their moves....
If they don't get either player then they will most likely just add 2nd line Caliber players.
Great opportunity for 67s to go all In....wouldn't you agree??

In a recent interview, JB stated that there were teams holding on to players as long as possible to accumulate points in the standings to help make the playoffs.

I wouldn’t take the timing to mean much more than that. If we accept the logic that they are waiting until after Jan 1, then you also couple that withthe logic that they are likely to wait because they need time to free up trading Marrelli Who isn’t available to trade until the New Year trade window opens.

I’m not saying in the slightest that you are wrong. Just adding that little wrinkle based on what JB said a couple weeks ago.

 

[PuckStop75]

In a recent interview, JB stated that there were teams holding on to players as long as possible to accumulate points in the standings to help make the playoffs.

I wouldn’t take the timing to mean much more than that. If we accept the logic that they are waiting until after Jan 1, then you also couple that withthe logic that they are likely to wait because they need time to free up trading Marrelli Who isn’t available to trade until the New Year trade window opens.

I’m not saying in the slightest that you are wrong. Just adding that little wrinkle based on what JB said a couple weeks ago.

Sounds like Boyd is about to be left on the sidelines holding his own pecker while the other teams make key player acquisitions.

I somehow see Clarke and Wright being a package IF they return to the OHL, Barrie has the assets to make it happen and there would be very little Ottawa could do about it.

Ottawa has the assets to assemble the best team, the only question is will they?

 

[analyser]

Sounds like Boyd is about to be left on the sidelines holding his own pecker while the other teams make key player acquisitions.

I somehow see Clarke and Wright being a package IF they return to the OHL, Barrie has the assets to make it happen and there would be very little Ottawa could do about it.

Ottawa has the assets to assemble the best team, the only question is will they?

Well I hope it is not going to be like the Killer years where we had many good teams but would never go out and acquire players that could of put us over the top.

We have the assets so let's be proactive and get what our team needs to be a true contender and not worry about what the others are doing. The opportunity to have a legitimate chance at an OHL championship does not come along every year.

 

[44 95 plus tax]

I have supported and been a fan of the 67s for over 45 years, the last 33 sitting in the same seats. I have seen some great teams ('84 and '99 memorial cup champs, 2003/2005, 2019/2020) and seen some really bad teams (Bob Ellet / Peter Lee / Chris Byrne years). I have watched good teams get left in the dust because of GM's loyalty and lack of action. True, the league has evolved from one of development to win at all costs, however there has been a lot of disappointment over the years for would have, could have.

I think this years team is one of those teams that is a winner with the right moves, that we have the assets to make happen. If the 67's are not going to 'load up' (for want of a better term) with this years team, then they never will.

If nothing significant gets done, with all the assets we have and the team we have right now, I will be extremely disappointed. I don't mind shelling out money for tickets in years that the team is not very good. I understand the cyclical ways of junior hockey. But when the opportunity comes along and little to nothing gets done, well that would just piss me off.

Besides, you would think that with the poor performance of the REDBLACKS the last few years, OSEG would be screaming for a championship run.

 

[OMG67]

Well I hope it is not going to be like the Killer years where we had many good teams but would never go out and acquire players that could of put us over the top.

We have the assets so let's be proactive and get what our team needs to be a true contender and not worry about what the others are doing. The opportunity to have a legitimate chance at an OHL championship does not come along every year.

I doubt he is all in. But, he will acquire a key OA. If it were Killer, he’d acquire a role player OA from Ottawa and play him on the 4th line. Boyd will at least fill whatever gaps he perceives there are.

He did acquire DiPietro in 2019. He did play multiple seconds to do it. He also traded for Maksimovich and Chiodo the same season when he had open OA spots. So, he has proven to make deals but not proven to use roster players to do it.

So, I see him filling the OA slot with a key player. I see him looking for other opportunities with draft picks if there is another position he can fill. However, if we look at Forward, we do have three 17 year olds that can play top 9 minutes. I just question Gardiner’s ability to play his minutes in the top 9 at centre. I wouldn’t have an issue with him having less responsibility on the wing. If that is the case then adding a front line centre and shifting Gardiner to the wing fills our top 9. I just don’t want to see four 17 year olds out there. Slide Barlas and Gerrior to the 4th line Wing. We could add a 4th line centre that can play more of a checking role and use the 4th line to simply eat minutes 5 on 5 And on the PK. I’d be ok with that and hope we don’t have injuries.

Pinelli - Rohrer - Boucher
Foster - Morrison - Stonehouse
Beck - Tolnai - Gardiner
Barlas - XXX - Gerrior

*This I could live with

The question is whether you upgrade Sirman/Smyth on the left side as Puck is suggesting. I’m just not sure they can do that with just picks. Sirman is a 1/2 point per game and +12. Smyth is a big body and plays a big body role. He’s the likely candidate. So if they replace him, I think they look at a big body that can play an even bigger body role? Or they trade a guy like Smyth, a younger forward like dever plus picks for a player like Mintyukov if they can make it happen? I don't see them truly upgrading the defence with just picks unless they abandon the OA centre and shift focus to an OA D-Man.

 

[OMG67]

I have supported and been a fan of the 67s for over 45 years, the last 33 sitting in the same seats. I have seen some great teams ('84 and '99 memorial cup champs, 2003/2005, 2019/2020) and seen some really bad teams (Bob Ellet / Peter Lee / Chris Byrne years). I have watched good teams get left in the dust because of GM's loyalty and lack of action. True, the league has evolved from one of development to win at all costs, however there has been a lot of disappointment over the years for would have, could have.

I think this years team is one of those teams that is a winner with the right moves, that we have the assets to make happen. If the 67's are not going to 'load up' (for want of a better term) with this years team, then they never will.

If nothing significant gets done, with all the assets we have and the team we have right now, I will be extremely disappointed. I don't mind shelling out money for tickets in years that the team is not very good. I understand the cyclical ways of junior hockey. But when the opportunity comes along and little to nothing gets done, well that would just piss me off.

Besides, you would think that with the poor performance of the REDBLACKS the last few years, OSEG would be screaming for a championship run.

Great post. Great perspective.

I think North Bay has done enough to motivate JB to act. And I 100% agree that if that has not motivated JB to act then I doubt he ever will.

 

[analyser]

I have supported and been a fan of the 67s for over 45 years, the last 33 sitting in the same seats. I have seen some great teams ('84 and '99 memorial cup champs, 2003/2005, 2019/2020) and seen some really bad teams (Bob Ellet / Peter Lee / Chris Byrne years). I have watched good teams get left in the dust because of GM's loyalty and lack of action. True, the league has evolved from one of development to win at all costs, however there has been a lot of disappointment over the years for would have, could have.

I think this years team is one of those teams that is a winner with the right moves, that we have the assets to make happen. If the 67's are not going to 'load up' (for want of a better term) with this years team, then they never will.

If nothing significant gets done, with all the assets we have and the team we have right now, I will be extremely disappointed. I don't mind shelling out money for tickets in years that the team is not very good. I understand the cyclical ways of junior hockey. But when the opportunity comes along and little to nothing gets done, well that would just piss me off.

Besides, you would think that with the poor performance of the REDBLACKS the last few years, OSEG would be screaming for a championship run.

I am in a similar situation, I have been a fan for approximately 50 years, a season ticket holder for 32 years and have felt the disappointment over the years. I will not be happy if a concentrated effort is not made to improve the team and go for it. I have also went through those lean years and when we have an opportunity hopefully JB will show his management skills to acquire the missing pieces. At least give his best effort.

 

[2023]

Great post. Great perspective.

I think North Bay has done enough to motivate JB to act. And I 100% agree that if that has not motivated JB to act then I doubt he ever will.

JB thinks next year is his year.

 

[sirius67fan]

JB thinks next year is his year.x

Well if he thinks that he's wrong it's this year or 24/25, no way next year imo.

In a recent interview, JB stated that there were teams holding on to players as long as possible to accumulate points in the standings to help make the playoffs.

I wouldn’t take the timing to mean much more than that. If we accept the logic that they are waiting until after Jan 1, then you also couple that withthe logic that they are likely to wait because they need time to free up trading Marrelli Who isn’t available to trade until the New Year trade window opens.

I’m not saying in the slightest that you are wrong. Just adding that little wrinkle based on what JB said a couple weeks ago.

I do believe Ottawa will add. I don't believe the hearsay about keeping status quo. The question is how much. Would be shocked however if their first rounders are in play, don't think Marelli is going anywhere.