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

[dirty12]

Sometime you need more than you need.

But if the team is at or near the point of diminishing returns, you go with what you have. There is a real possibility NB just watches other teams get better.
Honestly I don’t really remember; what was the reason the 2019-20 ‘67s were idle at the deadline while the Petes had built the best playoff roster in the conference?
The Petes are limited in ways to get better to one 2-way C and one defensively-able RD. There are several plausible options such as; Wright & Roger or Morrison/Vierling & Schmidt or Zito & Roger/Keane/Jesus or McGurn & Mailloux.
NB can realistically only move their ‘22-1st for DelMastro if available; or, upgrade Winslow with …Idk; Belanger?

 

[AGranderson]

So after 25 games next season, you expect them to be better than 21-4?

AND, if they are going to be so much bette next year because they were built for next year then they don’t need any picks because they are already set up.

Clearly once again not understanding what I’m saying. Ottawa is to be good again next season all I said is they could do nothing

 

[dirty12]

Clearly once again not understanding what I’m saying. Ottawa is to be good again next season all I said is they could do nothing

Middling good, probably; very unlikely a contender, or even pretender unless going on an all out spending spree imo.

 

[analyser]

Middling good, probably; very unlikely a contender, or even pretender unless going on an all out spending spree imo.

I agree, only OA candidates next season Laforme and Donoso. No experienced point producing d-men, Marrelli and Mews will be good but you cannot put that type of weight on their shoulders. Who is going to step up and replace Beck and Boucher.

You would have to go on a real spending spree just to be considered a contender. You have the assets this season and hopefully the necessary pieces can be added.

 

[OMG67]

But if the team is at or near the point of diminishing returns, you go with what you have. There is a real possibility NB just watches other teams get better.
Honestly I don’t really remember; what was the reason the 2019-20 ‘67s were idle at the deadline while the Petes had built the best playoff roster in the conference?
The Petes are limited in ways to get better to one 2-way C and one defensively-able RD. There are several plausible options such as; Wright & Roger or Morrison/Vierling & Schmidt or Zito & Roger/Keane/Jesus or McGurn & Mailloux.
NB can realistically only move their ‘22-1st for DelMastro if available; or, upgrade Winslow with …Idk; Belanger?

I agree about diminishing returns. Where I worry at times is once you fill your gaps are you risk mitigated against key injury?

For example, the 67s have Beck out and are still winning. Fine. But what if it were Matier or one of the top two centres? Who backfills?

So, even if Peterborough snags an elite centre to play with Othmann, what if one gets injured? Is there a replacement internal? I don’t have that answer.

Technically speaking, if I were reasonably certain Ottawa were to run through the playoffs healthy, I don’t think they “need” anything. But, the playoffs are long and difficult. They can replace almost everyone internally except Matier and their top two centres. No internal replacements for those three players. I’m not saying they have to cover for every risk but if there is a possibility out there that makes sense, then it would be good for teams that don’t need it to go get it anyway provided the cost isn’t crippling.

 

[PuckStop75]

Middling good, probably; very unlikely a contender, or even pretender unless going on an all out spending spree imo.

I recall a lot of conversation prior to the 19/20 season circulating about how they would replace all the scoring they lost from the 2019 finalist team. It is never about what they lose it is about what they have returning and how it develops in the short turn around between the end of one season and the break of the next season that follows.

On defense they will have Mayich, Sirman, Smyth and Marelli as the LD and Ewles and Mews on RD - the strength on the backend shifts from the right to the left side, and the hope would be that as a group they replace some of what is lost when Matier graduates, and he is not returning next year. If there is a need, a physical right shooting defenseman would be it.

On forward 5 of the top 6 forwards are returning (Pinelli, Rohrer, Stonehouse, Foster & Gardiner), 6 of 8 assuming Beck returns and I don't see him turning pro after consecutive seasons dealing with injury issues - they will want to see him to become more durable. They would still have Gerrior, Quick, Dever, Kelly & Barlas in the depth forward positions, all a year older and more mature. The other critical piece will be what they add through the import draft, they took a swing for the fences this year and things did go as planned. I fully expect there to a significant add through that draft this year.

It's not likely a 21-4 team out of the gate, but it's not in the bottom half either. This is obviously based on them staying status quo this year with the roster of players they have, only spending draft picks with this year's adds. Right or wrong, historically this is likely the direction Boyd goes.

 

[dirty12]

I agree about diminishing returns. Where I worry at times is once you fill your gaps are you risk mitigated against key injury?

For example, the 67s have Beck out and are still winning. Fine. But what if it were Matier or one of the top two centres? Who backfills?

So, even if Peterborough snags an elite centre to play with Othmann, what if one gets injured? Is there a replacement internal? I don’t have that answer.

Technically speaking, if I were reasonably certain Ottawa were to run through the playoffs healthy, I don’t think they “need” anything. But, the playoffs are long and difficult. They can replace almost everyone internally except Matier and their top two centres. No internal replacements for those three players. I’m not saying they have to cover for every risk but if there is a possibility out there that makes sense, then it would be good for teams that don’t need it to go get it anyway provided the cost isn’t crippling.

I recall a lot of conversation prior to the 19/20 season circulating about how they would replace all the scoring they lost from the 2019 finalist team. It is never about what they lose it is about what they have returning and how it develops in the short turn around between the end of one season and the break of the next season that follows.

On defense they will have Mayich, Sirman, Smyth and Marelli as the LD and Ewles and Mews on RD - the strength on the backend shifts from the right to the left side, and the hope would be that as a group they replace some of what is lost when Matier graduates, and he is not returning next year. If there is a need, a physical right shooting defenseman would be it.

On forward 5 of the top 6 forwards are returning (Pinelli, Rohrer, Stonehouse, Foster & Gardiner), 6 of 8 assuming Beck returns and I don't see him turning pro after consecutive seasons dealing with injury issues - they will want to see him to become more durable. They would still have Gerrior, Quick, Dever, Kelly & Barlas in the depth forward positions, all a year older and more mature. The other critical piece will be what they add through the import draft, they took a swing for the fences this year and things did go as planned. I fully expect there to a significant add through that draft this year.

It's not likely a 21-4 team out of the gate, but it's not in the bottom half either. This is obviously based on them staying status quo this year with the roster of players they have, only spending draft picks with this year's adds. Right or wrong, historically this is likely the direction Boyd goes.

NB can return DiVincentis and BUGs, Nelson, Mathurin, Lukin, Kennedy, Turley,, Rismond, Christopolous, and Hislop; that’s the entire back end.
KGN, SBY, Miss, Niagara, Barrie …the ‘67s are pretty much destined for the middle next season.

Edit: not sure what happened, I meant to reply to PuckStop75

 

[OMG67]

I recall a lot of conversation prior to the 19/20 season circulating about how they would replace all the scoring they lost from the 2019 finalist team. It is never about what they lose it is about what they have returning and how it develops in the short turn around between the end of one season and the break of the next season that follows.

On defense they will have Mayich, Sirman, Smyth and Marelli as the LD and Ewles and Mews on RD - the strength on the backend shifts from the right to the left side, and the hope would be that as a group they replace some of what is lost when Matier graduates, and he is not returning next year. If there is a need, a physical right shooting defenseman would be it.

On forward 5 of the top 6 forwards are returning (Pinelli, Rohrer, Stonehouse, Foster & Gardiner), 6 of 8 assuming Beck returns and I don't see him turning pro after consecutive seasons dealing with injury issues - they will want to see him to become more durable. They would still have Gerrior, Quick, Dever, Kelly & Barlas in the depth forward positions, all a year older and more mature. The other critical piece will be what they add through the import draft, they took a swing for the fences this year and things did go as planned. I fully expect there to a significant add through that draft this year.

It's not likely a 21-4 team out of the gate, but it's not in the bottom half either. This is obviously based on them staying status quo this year with the roster of players they have, only spending draft picks with this year's adds. Right or wrong, historically this is likely the direction Boyd goes.

It is more about philosophy. Either you are a team that nurtures talent and hoards it or you are team that shifts assets when necessary because you want Championships.

This team is strong enough to not need to worry too much about making a blockbuster deal but they can afford to trade from the fringes. They can afford to trade a player like Dever. Maybe even Ewles. They just can’t make a habit of it and when it isn’t their turn they need to make their own strategic seller move when necessary.

 

[PuckStop75]

NB can return DiVincentis and BUGs, Nelson, Mathurin, Lukin, Kennedy, Turley,, Rismond, Christopolous, and Hislop; that’s the entire back end.
KGN, SBY, Miss, Niagara, Barrie …the ‘67s are pretty much destined for the middle next season.

Edit: not sure what happened, I meant to reply to PuckStop75

NB has returning pieces and an empty draft cupboard to deal with, they will be crippled on the front end once they deal with graduating players and thin down the OA's. The point is, even if Ottawa has to deal a piece from this year's roster, and I doubt they will, they have the pieces to work with and an open import spot that I expect them to fill. All the other teams noted will be dealing with the same things, Sudbury has the best returning roster compliment, unfortunately they having a coaching and managerial team that competes with Niagara.

It is more about philosophy. Either you are a team that nurtures talent and hoards it or you are team that shifts assets when necessary because you want Championships.

This team is strong enough to not need to worry too much about making a blockbuster deal but they can afford to trade from the fringes. They can afford to trade a player like Dever. Maybe even Ewles. They just can’t make a habit of it and when it isn’t their turn they need to make their own strategic seller move when necessary.

Ottawa's approach always seems to give us lots to speculate about, but is very predictable at the end of the day.

 

[OMG67]

NB has returning pieces and an empty draft cupboard to deal with, they will be crippled on the front end once they deal with graduating players and thin down the OA's. The point is, even if Ottawa has to deal a piece from this year's roster, and I doubt they will, they have the pieces to work with and an open import spot that I expect them to fill. All the other teams noted will be dealing with the same things, Sudbury has the best returning roster compliment, unfortunately they having a coaching and managerial team that competes with Niagara.


Ottawa's approach always seems to give us lots to speculate about, but is very predictable at the end of the day.

I expect them to acquire an OA centre. Then “maybe” add a winger with some size that still compliments the system. I doubt they do anything else. Both of those acquisitions will only cost draft picks.

As much as I would like to see them add a little bit of an insurance policy on the back end in case Matier goes down, I’m not sure the cost would be worth the reward. It would all hinge on Matier going down. If Matier doesn’t go down to injury, the cost would be a waste because we’d need to displace a current D-Man and I doubt we’d get a significant boost.

 

[dirty12]

I agree about diminishing returns. Where I worry at times is once you fill your gaps are you risk mitigated against key injury?

For example, the 67s have Beck out and are still winning. Fine. But what if it were Matier or one of the top two centres? Who backfills?

No one, next man up. Just suck up a massive loss and hope attrition is equal among teams.

So, even if Peterborough snags an elite centre to play with Othmann, what if one gets injured? Is there a replacement internal? I don’t have that answer.

Again, there would be no equal replacement.
Lardis can move up, Robertson down, and Avon play C. The Petes are well positioned for C/W with Panwar, Dubois, Meelee, Stillman.

Technically speaking, if I were reasonably certain Ottawa were to run through the playoffs healthy, I don’t think they “need” anything. But, the playoffs are long and difficult. They can replace almost everyone internally except Matier and their top two centres. No internal replacements for those three players. I’m not saying they have to cover for every risk but if there is a possibility out there that makes sense, then it would be good for teams that don’t need it to go get it anyway provided the cost isn’t crippling.

The ‘67s will really need to add size/skill/discipline combo to match up well with the Battalion & Petes imo.

 

[OMG67]

No one, next man up. Just suck up a massive loss and hope attrition is equal among teams.

Again, there would be no equal replacement.
Lardis can move up, Robertson down, and Avon play C. The Petes are well positioned for C/W with Panwar, Dubois, Meelee, Stillman.

The ‘67s will really need to add size/skill/discipline combo to match up well with the Battalion & Petes imo.

To me, Ottawa needs to add a couple veterans to lessen the reliance on 17 year olds come playoff time. I honestly don’t think adding size is a priority. They have a system and if they can add size without disrupting the system then great but to me it is about experience. Go get two guys that can push guys like Gardiner and Barlas down the depth chart where they can play sheltered minutes.

Morrison fills their need at centre. Just go get another Centre that can play the wing with Morrison. Throw someone like Foster or Gerrior beside them. This would keep Tolnai with Stonehouse and Beck. Rohrer stays with Boucher and Pinelli.

That provides the depth up front. They’ve proven to have 2 strong goalies and 8 capable D-men. Just cross fingers there are no key injuries to top centres or Matier. They can live with an injury or two to the wingers. Younger guys can step in.

 

[dirty12]

NB has returning pieces and an empty draft cupboard to deal with, they will be crippled on the front end once they deal with graduating players and thin down the OA's. The point is, even if Ottawa has to deal a piece from this year's roster, and I doubt they will, they have the pieces to work with and an open import spot that I expect them to fill. All the other teams noted will be dealing with the same things, Sudbury has the best returning roster compliment, unfortunately they having a coaching and managerial team that competes with Niagara.


Ottawa's approach always seems to give us lots to speculate about, but is very predictable at the end of the day.

You really don’t realize what NB returns and picks NB should have.
OAs: Arnsby, Christopolous, Tarasevich, (Hislop-traded?).
2004 born: Nelson, Wakely, Mathurin, Lukin, VanSteensel, Podoliouhk, DiVincentis.
One half of the roster returns 19-20 yrs old. Over half of the returning roster has experienced at least one conference final.

 

[PuckStop75]

I expect them to acquire an OA centre. Then “maybe” add a winger with some size that still compliments the system. I doubt they do anything else. Both of those acquisitions will only cost draft picks.

As much as I would like to see them add a little bit of an insurance policy on the back end in case Matier goes down, I’m not sure the cost would be worth the reward. It would all hinge on Matier going down. If Matier doesn’t go down to injury, the cost would be a waste because we’d need to displace a current D-Man and I doubt we’d get a significant boost.

They are predictable if nothing else - and it may be enough on the front end as long as they can handle themselves physically.
I'm actually more concerned about the LD position than Matier going down, right now they are relying on Mayich with Sirman and Smyth as his secondary support. They only get away with that because they have Matier and Costantini as the RD. For best impact get an experienced LD to make the entire group better, and if they lose a D there is support on the other side. I wouldn't want to see either of the secondary guys forced into a 1st pairing position.

 

[dirty12]

To me, Ottawa needs to add a couple veterans to lessen the reliance on 17 year olds come playoff time. I honestly don’t think adding size is a priority. They have a system and if they can add size without disrupting the system then great but to me it is about experience. Go get two guys that can push guys like Gardiner and Barlas down the depth chart where they can play sheltered minutes.

Morrison fills their need at centre. Just go get another Centre that can play the wing with Morrison. Throw someone like Foster or Gerrior beside them. This would keep Tolnai with Stonehouse and Beck. Rohrer stays with Boucher and Pinelli.

That provides the depth up front. They’ve proven to have 2 strong goalies and 8 capable D-men. Just cross fingers there are no key injuries to top centres or Matier. They can live with an injury or two to the wingers. Younger guys can step in.

Maybe. I see NB as too big, strong, fast, (and disciplined) for the ‘67s + Morrison.

 

[OMG67]

Maybe. I see NB as too big, strong, fast, (and disciplined) for the ‘67s + Morrison.

I haven’t seen a team able to skate 60 minutes with Ottawa this season. Barring that two week stretch where they were sick, teams haven’t been able to keep pace. If Ottawa can mitigate against the inconsistency of 17 year olds by adding two veteran players, I think they are fine.

They have the assets to go out and build a “perfect” team but they don’t need to. If adding Morrison and a player like Harrison isn’t enough then so be it. It is what it is at that point. They’d have had to completely shift the way they play and start to swap out key players to change their system and roster makeup which they clearly are not going to do.

 

[OMG67]

They are predictable if nothing else - and it may be enough on the front end as long as they can handle themselves physically.
I'm actually more concerned about the LD position than Matier going down, right now they are relying on Mayich with Sirman and Smyth as his secondary support. They only get away with that because they have Matier and Costantini as the RD. For best impact get an experienced LD to make the entire group better, and if they lose a D there is support on the other side. I wouldn't want to see either of the secondary guys forced into a 1st pairing position.

I think we are at a point where if Matier goes down, it is just bad luck.

To me, the issue is centre ice. They only have three capable centres. The third one is essentially a rookie in Gardiner playing his first season in a role other than 4th line marginal minutes. That isn’t enough.

Their strength on defence is actually their forwards that are mostly very responsible.

Since I don’t think we can add a D-Man capable of replacing Matier at both ends of the ice, I’m not sure replacing one of Sirman or Smyth creates an impact worthy of shifting our assets. It doesn’t mean I disagree with your assessment. I actually agree. Im just not sure what type of trade makes sense in that regard. And it only makes total sense if Matier ends up going down. If he goes down, we are in trouble no matter how you look at it. In that, I think we can all agree.

 

[HockeyPops]

You really don’t realize what NB returns and picks NB should have.
OAs: Arnsby, Christopolous, Tarasevich, (Hislop-traded?).
2004 born: Nelson, Wakely, Mathurin, Lukin, VanSteensel, Podoliouhk, DiVincentis.
One half of the roster returns 19-20 yrs old. Over half of the returning roster has experienced at least one conference final.

North Bay does have a strong returning group. But this year is their best shot. All those 2004 born are providing strong contributions this season, along with a strong 2003 born group. Next season, do you see the 18 year olds (2005 born) providing strong contributions?

They won't have a full cupboard next season with which to add. They can run it back and make the second round, similar to what the Greyhounds did in 2018-2019. But I would be shocked if their depth is sufficient next season for them to again serously contend.

 

[OMG67]

North Bay does have a strong returning group. But this year is their best shot. All those 2004 born are providing strong contributions this season, along with a strong 2003 born group. Next season, do you see the 18 year olds (2005 born) providing strong contributions?

They won't have a full cupboard next season with which to add. They can run it back and make the second round, similar to what the Greyhounds did in 2018-2019. But I would be shocked if their depth is sufficient next season for them to again serously contend.

Plus the picks Dirty is talking about are linked to Fantilli. They will come back but not next year.

 

[dirty12]

I haven’t seen a team able to skate 60 minutes with Ottawa this season. Barring that two week stretch where they were sick, teams haven’t been able to keep pace. If Ottawa can mitigate against the inconsistency of 17 year olds by adding two veteran players, I think they are fine.

They have the assets to go out and build a “perfect” team but they don’t need to. If adding Morrison and a player like Harrison isn’t enough then so be it. It is what it is at that point. They’d have had to completely shift the way they play and start to swap out key players to change their system and roster makeup which they clearly are not going to do.

Then the ‘67s just might get swept by NB once again. I don’t think depth at C is the only concern. I think 2-3 grinding rounds will have the ‘67s hurting as much as NB was vs Hamilton.
Even Hamilton limped through the final round.

 

[OMG67]

Then the ‘67s just might get swept by NB once again

If they do while acquiring Morrison and another decent piece then it won’t be because of what they did or didn’t do at the deadline. It will have been because the foundation of their team wasn’t good enough. You can’t change your foundation at the deadline.

 

[OMG67]

Circle Monday February 20 on your calendar. Ottawa plays North Bay one more time this regular season. Hopefully both teams will be healthy. That head to head will be the statement game for the Eastern Conference IMO.

Of course the deadline could upset that assertion but for now, it’s the “like a playoff game” game.

 

[BarberPole9]

NB can return DiVincentis and BUGs, Nelson, Mathurin, Lukin, Kennedy, Turley,, Rismond, Christopolous, and Hislop; that’s the entire back end.
KGN, SBY, Miss, Niagara, Barrie …the ‘67s are pretty much destined for the middle next season.

Edit: not sure what happened, I meant to reply to PuckStop75

Out of curiosity, where did you expect the 67’s to finish this year? Oh yeah, found it below- 6th.

NB can return DiVincentis and BUGs, Nelson, Mathurin, Lukin, Kennedy, Turley,, Rismond, Christopolous, and Hislop; that’s the entire back end.
KGN, SBY, Miss, Niagara, Barrie …the ‘67s are pretty much destined for the middle next season.

Edit: not sure what happened, I meant to reply to PuckStop75

East:
Peterborough
Barrie
NB
Mississauga
Niagara
Ottawa
Sudbury
Kingston
Hamilton
Oshawa

West:
Flint
Kitchener
OS
Guelph
Sarnia
Windsor
Erie
London
Saginaw
Soo

You don’t give this franchise any credit, Dirty. They draft and develop better than any team in the OHL.

You predicted a 6th place finish for the 67’s this year and have been wrong thus far. Next year’s team will return 2/2 G, 6/8 D, and potentially 11/12 forwards if Jack Beck remains unsigned with Calgary. As another poster mentioned, Ottawa usually does very well in the import draft and I expect another high end player to come over next year.

The development of damn near their entire team this year has been incredible. If the coaching and training staff return next year, I can’t see how they aren’t at the top of the conference barring an all-in move this year.

You and others seem to forget that the 67’s were the clear beat team in the league when the season was cancelled due to COVID and the following year, they would have returned a very solid core as well. This franchise is ELITE.

 

[dirty12]

North Bay does have a strong returning group. But this year is their best shot. All those 2004 born are providing strong contributions this season, along with a strong 2003 born group. Next season, do you see the 18 year olds (2005 born) providing strong contributions?

They won't have a full cupboard next season with which to add. They can run it back and make the second round, similar to what the Greyhounds did in 2018-2019. But I would be shocked if their depth is sufficient next season for them to again serously contend.

Details of 2018-19 SSM is not etched into my memory. I do have a good grasp on the 2020 draft class though. Imo, NB is at or near the top.
If the battalion do not make another significant addition this season, the team will be fine for picks to add at forward next season.
The back end is full for the next two seasons, so 1st, 3rd, import picks can be used on forwards.

 

[dirty12]

Out of curiosity, where did you expect the 67’s to finish this year? Oh yeah, found it below- 6th.

Yeah, I had Niagara and (Ottawa if not adding) as middle of the pack Great start though! I think the ‘67s can finish 1st without adding and be a middling play off team.

You don’t give this franchise any credit, Dirty. They draft and develop better than any team in the OHL.

I don’t give the ‘67s enough credit for ‘67s fans, let’s be clear on that. I will credit Boyd for managing the embarrassment of riches inherited extremely well; and for the Swiss import pipeline. Drafting and development is as good or better than half the league I’d guess. Better than NB, Petes, Guelph, OS, Saginaw, Flint, Windsor, Hamilton, SSM, Oshawa, Kingston; Idk.

You predicted a 6th place finish for the 67’s this year and have been wrong thus far. Next year’s team will return 2/2 G, 6/8 D, and potentially 11/12 forwards if Jack Beck remains unsigned with Calgary. As another poster mentioned, Ottawa usually does very well in the import draft and I expect another high end player to come over next year.

The development of damn near their entire team this year has been incredible. If the coaching and training staff return next year, I can’t see how they aren’t at the top of the conference barring an all-in move this year.

You and others seem to forget that the 67’s were the clear beat team in the league when the season was cancelled due to COVID and the following year, they would have returned a very solid core as well. This franchise is ELITE.

When the season was stopped, I think the Petes were better, and any or all of Saginaw, Flint, London just as good.
London is elite, no other team is imo.