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

[OMG67]

Maybe we go back to a post I said long long long ago that JB told the boys he isn’t shuffling this team around ya never know.

Are you suggesting the team that is there is the team that will remain or are you suggesting we won’t see a player moved?

There is too much smoke to suggest there will not be a significant move. If it were Morrison and Grushnikov, I think it would have already happened. I could be wrong but that is what my thought is.

If JB makes a couple subtle moves, it will likely be a mistake. Leaning on this many 16 and 17 year olds is a mistake. I know you believe that as well. But, I don’t think JB is that naive.

 

[Robray12]

Well time is ticking away....perhaps Wright would fill the seats best for oseg?
The most far fetched would be Wright and Del Mastro.....

Then we would be have empty cupboards....but it would pack the stadium for sure.....I'd go more often.

 

[OMG67]

Well time is ticking away....perhaps Wright would fill the seats best for oseg?
The most far fetched would be Wright and Del Mastro.....

Then we would be have empty cupboards....but it would pack the stadium for sure.....I'd go more often.

Filling seats or trying to win a Championship? Make the deals that help you win and the seats will fill on their own.

 

[AGranderson]

Filling seats or trying to win a Championship? Make the deals that help you win and the seats will fill on their own.

I would be ok with a Del Mastero & Hardie deal

 

[beastintheeast]

We have mentioned how the WJHC has affected the players, but i am wondering how much it affects Boyd as GM of both. Does it limit his ability to do his job here? If that is the case, I think we are going to see what he has planned on Friday or Saturday at the earliest. If I am not wrong, he has to sign off on all the deals and that could be an issue. Also the fact that the 3 players we are talking about are tied up in the WJHC leaves a lot of hands tied by the NHL and the OHL teams involved.

 

[OMG67]

We have mentioned how the WJHC has affected the players, but i am wondering how much it affects Boyd as GM of both. Does it limit his ability to do his job here? If that is the case, I think we are going to see what he has planned on Friday or Saturday at the earliest. If I am not wrong, he has to sign off on all the deals and that could be an issue. Also the fact that the 3 players we are talking about are tied up in the WJHC leaves a lot of hands tied by the NHL and the OHL teams involved.

He’s stated that Team Canada takes up about 50% of his time. There should be no issues related tot he trade deadline.

 

[beastintheeast]

Likely to land Friday no reason why they do not play Sunday. But I guess we shall see

Most players will not be back in their towns until Sunday. I would think that it is possible that Rohrer, Boucher and Matier are dressed, but to be honest it would not surprise me not to see them play. OS is doing the 3-in-4-day trip and the team may decide to give the players some time to relax and visit with family. The big question is who will be in the line up on 11 Jan against Kingston.

He’s stated that Team Canada takes up about 50% of his time. There should be no issues related tot he trade deadline.

Time will tell also something you said abut NHL aspirations has me wondering if he is doing any self-promotion or tire-kicking while at the WJHC.

 

[OMG67]

Most players will not be back in their towns until Sunday. I would think that it is possible that Rohrer, Boucher and Matier are dressed, but to be honest it would not surprise me not to see them play. OS is doing the 3-in-4-day trip and the team may decide to give the players some time to relax and visit with family. The big question is who will be in the line up on 11 Jan against Kingston.


Time will tell also something you said abut NHL aspirations has me wondering if he is doing any self-promotion or tire-kicking while at the WJHC.

He should always be tire kicking for an NHL job.

 

[beastintheeast]

He should always be tire kicking for an NHL job.

yes but like you said this is probably his best shot at a job at the AHL NHL level. It would make sense that teams that are interested would be talking to him now and he talking to them.

I would think that the coyotes would be an interesting team to talk to him. They know how well he works with the young players and Tourigny.

 

[OMG67]

yes but like you said this is probably his best shot at a job at the AHL NHL level. It would make sense that teams that are interested would be talking to him now and he talking to them.

I would think that the coyotes would be an interesting team to talk to him. They know how well he works with the young players and Tourigny.

I would think that if the 67s fall flat in the playoffs and don’t go anywhere because he was out managed at the deadline this year, his job offers would dry up fast.

So if the argument is he is too busy ass kissing NHL teams and being the GM of Team Canada to do his job with the 67s, that would be a poor argument.

His focus on the NHL would come mostly in the off-season after a Championship has been won. That’s “if” we assume he has his sights set on a position at the next level. That’s probably a big “if” at this point. Possible consideration but we shall see.

If Boyd tinkers but doesn’t do much and keeps his team mostly intact, I think we know he’s here long term.

 

[PuckStop75]

yes but like you said this is probably his best shot at a job at the AHL NHL level. It would make sense that teams that are interested would be talking to him now and he talking to them.

I would think that the coyotes would be an interesting team to talk to him. They know how well he works with the young players and Tourigny.

Until he demonstrates he can assemble a Championship team the AHL/NHL options will be limited. At present he is a good scout for a team with a good development system, which works at the OHL level but not the way things are run at the pro levels.

 

[PuckStop75]

I would be ok with a Del Mastero & Hardie deal

This doesn't really improve the centre situation which is still the principle need at the moment. DelMastro is a perfect fit on D other than they still really don't have a highly mobile puck distributor.

 

[PuckStop75]

Are you suggesting the team that is there is the team that will remain or are you suggesting we won’t see a player moved?

There is too much smoke to suggest there will not be a significant move. If it were Morrison and Grushnikov, I think it would have already happened. I could be wrong but that is what my thought is.

If JB makes a couple subtle moves, it will likely be a mistake. Leaning on this many 16 and 17 year olds is a mistake. I know you believe that as well. But, I don’t think JB is that naive.

The stance of not trading a roster player is the kind of narrow minded thinking that concerns me about Ottawa's management group, I thought that was a mistake in 2019 and believe it bites them in the ass again this year if that is the approach that is being taken. With a contending team there may be pieces that are untouchable but if they truly want to be a Champion more doors have to be open than closed at this point.

 

[dirty12]

The stance of not trading a roster player is the kind of narrow minded thinking that concerns me about Ottawa's management group, I thought that was a mistake in 2019 and believe it bites them in the ass again this year if that is the approach that is being taken. With a contending team there may be pieces that are untouchable but if they truly want to be a Champion more doors have to be open than closed at this point.

To be fair, Boyd gave up a pretty good (non-roster) player in what was one of the two largest packages ever for an OHL goalie. He may have just over estimated his team and what other teams could/would do to win.

 

[OMG67]

To be fair, Boyd gave up a pretty good (non-roster) player in what was one of the two largest packages ever for an OHL goalie. He may have just over estimated his team and what other teams could/would do to win.

He gave up a player that had zero intention of playing in Ottawa and was from the Windsor area… sort of.

Since he has been on Ottawa, he has not traded a roster player unless the roster needed to be thinned out.

I think it is reasonable to be suspicious of his intent. At least until he does otherwise.

I think everyone knows what he needs to do, maybe not the full extent because we are in trade talks. I think we all agree that he is likely to do it. We’ll need to wait and see if he does.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

With the flurry of activity yesterday, with Savard and Harrison coming off the board (who I thought would both be really good fits in Ottawa), I think we're still waiting for the completion of the world juniors to hear an announcement. With all the rumours floating around, including Plante's tweet, I suspect we're still in the running for Wright, and perhaps Del Mastro too (that would fit the "2 stars") comment in the tweet.

Wright for Marrelli + picks
Del Mastro and Hardie for Foster (or Devers/Ewles) + picks

A steep price, but that would give us our elite center, middle 6 veteran winger, and stud defenseman allowing ~50 minutes/game of Matier or Del Mastro on the ice and would extend our forward group nicely. Wright and Del Mastro have played for Cameron before at the world juniors (though Wright only played a few games at the cancelled tournament last Christmas), and both Boyd and Cameron seem to have a lot of respect for both players.

Otherwise, its Morrison and Grushnikov, which gives us our elite center and a really good (arguably not "star" quality d-man) and we're presumably shopping around still for a middle 6 veteran winger. Perhaps we get Hayes too, from Hamilton, or maybe we still get Hardie straight-up, but a package with Del Mastro makes more sense to me. The Hamilton deal could be done right now, so my sense is we (and everyone else) is waiting around to see what Seattle and LA do with Wright and Clarke, respectively to assess the value of guys like Morrison.

Not sure if DelBelBelluz or Beck really gives us what we need at center, though Boyd seems to be on good terms with the Mississauga organization.

Mintyukov would be incredible, but would presumably cost so much that we couldn't fill our other needs adequately. I think we need an elite center more than an elite d-man. Not sure if Saginaw would be selling anyway.

Barrie is the other buyer I'm concerned about, if Clarke is returned. Peterborough is still a buyer, but is more limited than Ottawa or Barrie with what they can achieve with their available assets.

 

[OMG67]

It’s sort of funny in a way. I don’t remember an .800 win% team get less love and more disrespect than this 67s team.

I read all over the place how all these teams are better than Ottawa and yet through significant injuries, a massive illness running through the room, three key players participating at International tournaments and playing two weekends with 16 skaters where 9 of them are 17 or younger while still they only have 6 regulation losses on the season.

This team has done nothing but trade away players this season. They’ve added nothing.

They have the least goals against by a fairly wide margin and are six goals behind the leaders in goals for.

Their leading scorer sits 29th on league scoring which shows they are doing this as a result of a team effort.

Cooper Foster is currently 3rd in rookie scoring and has been continually discredited as a viable trade asset in trades involving big name players.

Somehow, if this were the London Knights team I think they’d get a lot more respect.

 

[AGranderson]

I think if we were getting Morrison or Hayes the trade would be done. In fact I think if we were adding anyone that was not apart of the WJ the trade would be done. Doesn’t make sense to not have it done especially going into a weekend like this one with a short lineup.

 

[OMG67]

I think if we were getting Morrison or Hayes the trade would be done. In fact I think if we were adding anyone that was not apart of the WJ the trade would be done. Doesn’t make sense to not have it done especially going into a weekend like this one with a short lineup.

Not necessarily. A team like Hamilton may be holding on to players through the weekend in an effort to accumulate points needed to make the playoffs.

When we acquired Maksimovich and Chiodo it was pretty much at the deadline.

I wouldn’t read too much into it at this point. We know they will fill their OA spot. It would make no sense leaving that spot vacant.

Assuming Morrison would be here already would also assume he’d be wherever he ends up already.

 

[HockeyPops]

Otherwise, its Morrison and Grushnikov, which gives us our elite center and a really good (arguably not "star" quality d-man) and we're presumably shopping around still for a middle 6 veteran winger. Perhaps we get Hayes too, from Hamilton, or maybe we still get Hardie straight-up, but a package with Del Mastro makes more sense to me. The Hamilton deal could be done right now, so my sense is we (and everyone else) is waiting around to see what Seattle and LA do with Wright and Clarke, respectively to assess the value of guys like Morrison.

If you were getting Morrison and Hayes/Hardie, then which OA would you be shipping out to make room?

 

[NordiquesForeva]

If you were getting Morrison and Hayes/Hardie, then which OA would you be shipping out to make room?

Shit, that's right. Forgot about Constantini. Scratch that! I'll let Boyd do his job and stop trying to play fantasy GM.

 

[dirty12]

It’s sort of funny in a way. I don’t remember an .800 win% team get less love and more disrespect than this 67s team.

I read all over the place how all these teams are better than Ottawa and yet through significant injuries, a massive illness running through the room, three key players participating at International tournaments and playing two weekends with 16 skaters where 9 of them are 17 or younger while still they only have 6 regulation losses on the season.

This team has done nothing but trade away players this season. They’ve added nothing.

They have the least goals against by a fairly wide margin and are six goals behind the leaders in goals for.

Their leading scorer sits 29th on league scoring which shows they are doing this as a result of a team effort.

Cooper Foster is currently 3rd in rookie scoring and has been continually discredited as a viable trade asset in trades involving big name players.

Somehow, if this were the London Knights team I think they’d get a lot more respect.

I think that until the Knights added, much of the talk was around maybe the best in league defence and return of great goaltending had the hottest team at the top of the standings; but lack of forwards excluded them as real contenders.
Personally, I don’t think the ‘67s are better than the knights were; (yet).

 

[OMG67]

I think that until the Knights added, much of the talk was around maybe the best in league defence and return of great goaltending had the hottest team at the top of the standings; but lack of forwards excluded them as real contenders.
Personally, I don’t think the ‘67s are better than the knights were; (yet).

And yet, they skated to a 0-0 tie through OT on the road in London short staffed without Beck, Matier and Boucher.

One game does not tell the story, I agree.

However, Ottawa has only had one rough stretch and that was when the team was sick And skating on fumes. I honestly thought this recent short bench with most of their veterna players out of the lineup would expose them heavily but it didn’t. I know they played Guelph, Oshawa, Hamilton and Kingston (x3) so not big league teams but going 5-1 with a short bench and the bulk of your leadership gone says a lot About how well the team plays as a team. They don’t rely on any particular player to push them through. They are balanced and well coached. Even a team mostly comprised of 16 and 17 year olds are winning games against and above .500 team.

For the 67’s to be able to win games consistently against even average OHL competition with such a young roster over the last few weeks says a lot about what this team is made of.

I think it is disrespectful to continually point to other teams as better when those teams have not achieved what Ottawa has to date. I think Ottawa has done enough at this point to garner the respect they deserve. I can and will say they would have a tough time in the playoffs against North Bay or London for example but to flat out say either of those teams are better when Ottawa has compiled an enviable record in face of adversity is pretty shallow.

I understand where you are coming from so don’t take it the wrong way. I am jsut pointing to the fact that for some reason, Ottawa is not looked upon as a threat. I don’t understand why. I think it may have a lot to do with their youth and their standing last year. People view it as a flash in the pan situation. I can assure you, that is not the case at all. The team is well coached and they pursue the puck as good or better than any other team int he league. Their youth has thrived in that environment because of the effort and drive the team has. That has been the element that has defined their success. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work.

 

[dirty12]

And yet, they skated to a 0-0 tie through OT on the road in London short staffed without Beck, Matier and Boucher.

One game does not tell the story, I agree.

However, Ottawa has only had one rough stretch and that was when the team was sick And skating on fumes. I honestly thought this recent short bench with most of their veterna players out of the lineup would expose them heavily but it didn’t. I know they played Guelph, Oshawa, Hamilton and Kingston (x3) so not big league teams but going 5-1 with a short bench and the bulk of your leadership gone says a lot About how well the team plays as a team. They don’t rely on any particular player to push them through. They are balanced and well coached. Even a team mostly comprised of 16 and 17 year olds are winning games against and above .500 team.

For the 67’s to be able to win games consistently against even average OHL competition with such a young roster over the last few weeks says a lot about what this team is made of.

I think it is disrespectful to continually point to other teams as better when those teams have not achieved what Ottawa has to date. I think Ottawa has done enough at this point to garner the respect they deserve. I can and will say they would have a tough time in the playoffs against North Bay or London for example but to flat out say either of those teams are better when Ottawa has compiled an enviable record in face of adversity is pretty shallow.

I understand where you are coming from so don’t take it the wrong way. I am jsut pointing to the fact that for some reason, Ottawa is not looked upon as a threat. I don’t understand why. I think it may have a lot to do with their youth and their standing last year. People view it as a flash in the pan situation. I can assure you, that is not the case at all. The team is well coached and they pursue the puck as good or better than any other team int he league. Their youth has thrived in that environment because of the effort and drive the team has. That has been the element that has defined their success. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work.

You read that ‘I thought the ‘67s were not better than the knights were; (yet)’? That’s disrespectful?
No disrespect, stop it with the flu excuse and missed games. I am 100% convinced NB is better than the ‘67s, from game 1,
[ insert excuse: despite the shaky play early by rookie BUGs, only 4 combined games from Mathurin, Winslow, and MacDonald].
and especially now having added Zito.

 

[HockeyPops]

It's possible that Ottawa without any changes is good enough to win the league. It's possible. If Boyd goes down that road and gets that result he is going to look like a genius. Not only for knowing not to rock the apple cart, but also for finding the diamonds in the rough that other teams overlook, knowing what kind of players to draft that fit into his team's system, and building a winning system based on those players without having to go "all in" at the deadline. I mean, if the 67s win it all this year without adding at the deadline, look at their draft cupboard. That is one heck of a sustainable model. They could theoretically keep doing it every season and force the rest of the league to adapt. I mean, we are talking about a Billy Beane type of turning the league on it's head.

However,

If they add big at the deadline, they might have to go through a selling season to refill the cupboard, similar to other teams. Or if they fail to push the team over the line, again, whether or not they add, it will call into question whether the 67s system is a good system for playoff success, or whether it is only good for regular season success. Until they push over the line, there will be doubters. The proof is in the pudding.