Ottawa 67's 2022-23 Season Thread

[OMG67]

6-1 now haha - Gatineau looks to have the majority of their roster dressed and they’ll be on of the favourites out of the Q this year. Not overly surprising.

I think the QMJHL starts earlier so when Ottawa plays Gatineau in the pre-season it usually is during Ottawa’s early exhibition and Gatineaus last game before the start of the season.

 

[OHLoutsider2020]

Final Gatineau 6 - 67's 1

Good luck getting return for some of those guys.
Holy hell.

 

[Generalsupdates]

Dylan Robinson drafted in the first round of the NLL draft tonight

 

[Robray12]

I am actually quite surprised at how our defense is playing seeing that this should be our strength.

I'm also not convinced we have a true backup goalie at the moment.
Our forwards all seem to be 2nd and 3rd line players Aswell.

How did we get in a position we are to be weaker then last year?

The only positives are that the rookies seem to be the best we've had in awhile.

 

[beastintheeast]

I think we are going to see how good or bad Cameron is this year. He is not going to have the star players that can be depended on,

This is a team like last year that he is going to have to develop and get the most out of.

As to KIller comparisons. Killer not only developed hockey players but I think it is safe to say that he developed a lot of men.

There is a bit of a comparison to Butler's teams and the Kingston Frontenacs.

Butlers teams just like the fronts were all developed to get the 2-3 extra play off games.

I am actually quite surprised at how our defense is playing seeing that this should be our strength.

I'm also not convinced we have a true backup goalie at the moment.
Our forwards all seem to be 2nd and 3rd line players Aswell.

How did we get in a position we are to be weaker then last year?

The only positives are that the rookies seem to be the best we've had in awhile.

Most of the players that we will be counting on this year are away at Rookie camps of sitting out.

This is not a defense that is gong to gel with just the rookies we need the older players to step up. I personally think that knowing 2 of them are going to be gone may inhibit some of the older players Kids like Ewle have nothing to lose.

 

[OMG67]

We need an experienced front line centre. We had a lot of the same issues last year early. Without enough quality pivots, you have guys that are better suited as wingers being forced into centre roles they really aren’t suited for.

Once we add a centre and get rid of the riff raff, we will have our 23 players and we’ll be fine.

 

[OMG67]

The 67s now have two weeks before their next exhibition game. I imagine we will start to see them thin out the herd soon.

It will be interesting to see if they manage to snag an OA centre.

I’m still not entirely sold on them being able to move D-Men for proper value but we shall see. They dressed 8 D-Men last game. Clearly they want to see what’s what.

 

[beastintheeast]

The good news is that other teams have a pretty good idea now of what they have and where they think they are going.

The bad news is at this stage unless you are a building team that needs warm bodies, there will be very little value market for our D.

There are a couple of teams that can use D but I am sure they will not trade a body for a 1 year left D.

I think at this stage, I would be looking at trading Ewle as age-wise, he gives us the best chance at value along with either another forward or picks.

 

[Monster66]

Rohrer out for 4 weeks after taking a puck to the face

At least he won't miss any regular season games. Why is Boucher not playing any pre-season games? Fear of injury prior to NHL rookie and main camp?

 

[Monster66]

Butler is not a ‘killer’ comparable; Cameron and Butler though, absolutely.
If you’re thinking the battalion are >10-15% different under Butler’s disciples, you have really never paid attention to battalion games or player profile. The big difference is the result of better draft position and use of many extra 3-4 picks over 5 years.

The one thing I've learned from watching OHL hockey for many years and I have seen all these guys coach for since I was young and I am an old guy now. The OHL is all about top six forwards and top four defensemen. Generally speaking, if you are a physically and emotionally mature young man and are already a polished player you get support and playing time. With coaches and GM's getting paid pretty good money (coaches 100K plus and GM's 150K plus) to win games and help ownership make money the development of players is secondary revenue and winning.

I will say that NBB has had a real hard time attracting high end talent due to a perceived notion that Stan Butler was a defensive minded coach and his reputation of stifling skill in lieu of offense, certainly deterred any highly skilled offensive minded player(s) from going there. On the other hand, learning to play defense is not a bad thing and is likely going to be very beneficial at the next level should you get that opportunity. The issue is offensive players sell tickets and offensive production gets you drafted high. Partly because scouts are lazy and only review game-sheets and box-scores.

 

[Monster66]

The 67s now have two weeks before their next exhibition game. I imagine we will start to see them thin out the herd soon.

It will be interesting to see if they manage to snag an OA centre.

I’m still not entirely sold on them being able to move D-Men for proper value but we shall see. They dressed 8 D-Men last game. Clearly they want to see what’s what.

I was thinking and hear me out, North Bay has a plethora of good young offensive players and in fact a buddy of mine was telling me they will have to play some highly skilled 2004's 2005's and 2006's on their fourth line. Apparently they are trying to move some of these guys. The Jackson kid is from Ottawa he's 19 years old but turns 20 in October. Jackson would have had 40 plus goals and 100 plus points had he not got hurt. I think he had 31 goals and 64 points in 45 games. NB is in need of some defensive depth - what about bringing the kid home for his final year through a trade scenario. Also, the kid played for 67's assistant Marty Dagenais in Ottawa with the Junior Sens as a 15/16 year old so there is a nice connection there. Are the 67's thinking they are a legit team this year? with the addition of a top line center where do you think that puts them?

 

[dirty12]

I was thinking and hear me out, North Bay has a plethora of good young offensive players and in fact a buddy of mine was telling me they will have to play some highly skilled 2004's 2005's and 2006's on their fourth line. Apparently they are trying to move some of these guys. The Jackson kid is from Ottawa he's 19 years old but turns 20 in October. Jackson would have had 40 plus goals and 100 plus points had he not got hurt. I think he had 31 goals and 64 points in 45 games. NB is in need of some defensive depth - what about bringing the kid home for his final year through a trade scenario. Also, the kid played for 67's assistant Marty Dagenais in Ottawa with the Junior Sens as a 15/16 year old so there is a nice connection there. Are the 67's thinking they are a legit team this year? with the addition of a top line center where do you think that puts them?

Jackson is probably ideal for the ‘67s, but the battalion are looking to fill a need without creating another, I think. There is not a 2004-06 born centre in the system remotely capable of filling Jackson’s role right now. Unless, you think Fantili reporting is imminent that is.

The Battalion has plenty of defensive depth with Lukin, Kennedy, Gauvreau, Turley, maybe even Rismond vying for the 5-6-7 spots; with Winslow unavailable, the battalion would be looking for the top pairing (LD) which the ‘67s don’t really have.

 

[dirty12]

The one thing I've learned from watching OHL hockey for many years and I have seen all these guys coach for since I was young and I am an old guy now. The OHL is all about top six forwards and top four defensemen. Generally speaking, if you are a physically and emotionally mature young man and are already a polished player you get support and playing time. With coaches and GM's getting paid pretty good money (coaches 100K plus and GM's 150K plus) to win games and help ownership make money the development of players is secondary revenue and winning.

I will say that NBB has had a real hard time attracting high end talent due to a perceived notion that Stan Butler was a defensive minded coach and his reputation of stifling skill in lieu of offense, certainly deterred any highly skilled offensive minded player(s) from going there. On the other hand, learning to play defense is not a bad thing and is likely going to be very beneficial at the next level should you get that opportunity. The issue is offensive players sell tickets and offensive production gets you drafted high. Partly because scouts are lazy and only review game-sheets and box-scores.

There is some truth in all of this. But every one involved understands that the OHL is developmental league where 16 yr old kids (and their parents) pursue their dreams. To be sustainable, the OHL has to be a place where >90% of its’ graduates have a better future after hockey for playing in the the league.

Some teams (Brampton especially) need playoff gates just to limit losses. So yeah, GM & coach need to be focussed on winning.
NB has had the same difficulty attracting the top entries to the league as every other remote location with a bad team has had. After 5 years of extra 2-4 picks, the battalion were good, will be good in the near future, and had an OHL best 5 players NHL drafted this year. NB will not have much trouble recruiting (at this time).

 

[Robray12]

I think I'm the only person so far who feels that this team built the way it currently is would be a sub 500 team and won't make the playoffs.

 

[OMG67]

There is some truth in all of this. But every one involved understands that the OHL is developmental league where 16 yr old kids (and their parents) pursue their dreams. To be sustainable, the OHL has to be a place where >90% of its’ graduates have a better future after hockey for playing in the the league.

Some teams (Brampton especially) need playoff gates just to limit losses. So yeah, GM & coach need to be focussed on winning.
NB has had the same difficulty attracting the top entries to the league as every other remote location with a bad team has had. After 5 years of extra 2-4 picks, the battalion were good, will be good in the near future, and had an OHL best 5 players NHL drafted this year. NB will not have much trouble recruiting (at this time).

Now that Butler is gone, the Franchise has had that infusion of fresh air it desperately needed. This iteration of Battalion is far superior to the average Battalion team that Butler used to produce. The on ice philosophy has undergone a solid pivot. Still a bigger team but they aren’t nearly as shackled as they were int he past and you see that offence production as a result.

 

[OMG67]

I think I'm the only person so far who feels that this team built the way it currently is would be a sub 500 team and won't make the playoffs.

If they rolled out this team with no changes, then I would probably agree they’d have a tough time. Would it be sub-.500 and miss the playoffs? I doubt that. I think 6th/7th with 72 points is where this team would be. I think we have a bit of a weak division with Oshawa, Kingston and Hamilton all on the downside of their cycle. There will be more easy points to grab out there this season inter-division.

If they add a front line centre to stretch out the roster, they turn into a 90 point team overnight. I truely believe that. But, it needs to be a centre that can contribute on the first or second line. Assuming they do add a top centre, they have Tolnai and Rohrer as the other two. That makes them fairly solid down the middle. I’d prefer Rohrer on the wing but let’s not get too greedy!

The second deal that I think would be good is flipping Costantini for a puck moving OA D-Man. I like Costantini but we have other similar players on the back end. I like that he is a RHD but it looks mor e like Mews will probably play as a regular on the Right Side. Plus there is Matier and Gill-Shane so we should be ok on the right side.

Adding two OA’s shouldn’t be too difficult nor should it be expensive. The return we get for a player like Sirman would get us one of them. Then we dip into a deep draft pick closet for the second one. The assets can mostly get moved around where it probably wouldn’t cost too much. Leyton Moore in Oshawa wouldn’t cost a heck of a lot. Maybe a 2nd and a couple 3rds? Somewhere in that area. Anyway, it is doable.

I’m sort of waiting on Kitchener to see if they get everyone they need to report. IF they don’t they may be on the outside looking in and older brother Francesco Pinelli would be a great addition. HE’s 19 so he’d cost more but that would be a massive difference maker.

 

[OMG67]

Potential Lineup after a couple moves:

Beck - OA/Morrison(HAM) - Boucher
Pinelli - Pinelli(KIT) - Rohrer
TJ - OA/Tolnai - Stonehouse
Gerrior - Foster - Gardiner
Dever or Kelly

Mayich - Matier
OA/Moore(OSH) - GillShane
Smyth - Mews
Marrelli - Ewles

Donoso
McKenzie

Trade #1 - Acquire Logan Morrison from Hamilton. The cost on this one would hurt a bit. I think we’d need to give a solid body plus a couple seconds and thirds. Someone like Barlas would probably be required.

Trade #2 - Acquire Leyton Moore from Oshawa. I think this is where the body for body type trade may work. Maybe a kid like Sirman plus a 3rd?

Trade #3 - Acquire Luca Pinelli. This one hurts as well. A player like Foster or Gardiner plus a couple seconds and couple thirds.

Trade #4 - We’d need to make room for Moore so Costantini would need to be traded. I think a 3rd and 4th is accurate.

Trade #5 - Teddy Sawyer or GillShane need to move. I think Sawyer still has some value because of the projected ceiling int he right environment. I think you can get a 2nd and maybe a 5th for him. A little less for GillShane.

They wouldn’t nee to empty their cupboard to do these deals because they do have some significant player assets that can move in the trades or for picks to use in trades.

Also keep in mind that the names I am using to acquire are placeholders. It doesn’t necessarily mean I am saying THOSE ARE THE PLAYERS. We can substitute other names based on their availability. Pinelli, for example, may never come available in Kitchener. Hamilton may decide to keep an all OA first line and decide to keep Morrison. Who knows.

 

[beastintheeast]

Potential Lineup after a couple moves:

Beck - OA/Morrison(HAM) - Boucher
Pinelli - Pinelli(KIT) - Rohrer
TJ - OA/Tolnai - Stonehouse
Gerrior - Foster - Gardiner
Dever or Kelly

Mayich - Matier
OA/Moore(OSH) - GillShane
Smyth - Mews
Marrelli - Ewles

Donoso
McKenzie

WOW a lot of ifs and buts.

LIke you said the big question is who is going for it and who is not.
Hamilton still has a pretty good returning cast They may want to hold onto players until the deadline.
Kitchener the same thing
Depending on where we are in the standings Oshawa may not want to trade.

While yes, we have the assets I think your costs are low. Both of the centers that you mention will probably be deadline trades which means that it will be the highest bidder.

I think Rohrer will be the center on this team this year. Montreal and Laval can always make him a winger but they can not develop his face-off skills.

 

[OMG67]

WOW a lot of ifs and buts.

LIke you said the big question is who is going for it and who is not.
Hamilton still has a pretty good returning cast They may want to hold onto players until the deadline.
Kitchener the same thing
Depending on where we are in the standings Oshawa may not want to trade.

While yes, we have the assets I think your costs are low. Both of the centers that you mention will probably be deadline trades which means that it will be the highest bidder.

I think Rohrer will be the center on this team this year. Montreal and Laval can always make him a winger but they can not develop his face-off skills.

I dont believe the costs are low. They are on or close to target based on trades over the last few seasons. There are some factors that may skew the results. For example, if Pinelli is a deadline trade and he plays a pivotal role for Team Canada at the WJHC, then I can see a shift in value.

Again, we have to look at name substitutions. The names don't matter, only the perceived value of the player needed. I say Leyton Moore but really, what I am saying is a point per game D-Man that can run a Powerplay and is 20 years old. Moore is just an example of that player.

Morrison is a stretch but he is still an OA. Not as many teams have space for an OA. Some may make space but to do so, they have to trade a viable OA to make room. Most wont do that unless the skill gap is significant. Most of the contending teams int he East have a viable contributory pool of OAs. Therefore a team like Hamilton with a glut of OAs will need to make some decisions early. If a team like Ottawa comes knocking and offers that type of deal for Morrison, they may do that instead of a lessor deal for one of the wingers.

I am reasonably certain he 67s are going to snag an OA forward, probably a centre. They then will let it ride for a bit but unless MEws can step into the Powerplay from day one as the anchor, I think hey may look to upgrade there and the easiest spot is OA.

The wish list item is Pinelli. They dont “need” him. As you say, they can shift Rohrer to centre but if they are competitive and want to make a run, they may have to keep up with the Jones's and make that type of deal.

We also could consider the Import spot. Look at the trade last year between Oshawa and Barrie. Oshawa acquired Olausson for a 2nd, two 3rds and a 6th plus a throw away Import. Olausson was close to a point per game. That is the type of deal that may be available for a D-Man or Centre that can contribute.

 

[Monster66]

I dont believe the costs are low. They are on or close to target based on trades over the last few seasons. There are some factors that may skew the results. For example, if Pinelli is a deadline trade and he plays a pivotal role for Team Canada at the WJHC, then I can see a shift in value.

Again, we have to look at name substitutions. The names don't matter, only the perceived value of the player needed. I say Leyton Moore but really, what I am saying is a point per game D-Man that can run a Powerplay and is 20 years old. Moore is just an example of that player.

Morrison is a stretch but he is still an OA. Not as many teams have space for an OA. Some may make space but to do so, they have to trade a viable OA to make room. Most wont do that unless the skill gap is significant. Most of the contending teams int he East have a viable contributory pool of OAs. Therefore a team like Hamilton with a glut of OAs will need to make some decisions early. If a team like Ottawa comes knocking and offers that type of deal for Morrison, they may do that instead of a lessor deal for one of the wingers.

I am reasonably certain he 67s are going to snag an OA forward, probably a centre. They then will let it ride for a bit but unless MEws can step into the Powerplay from day one as the anchor, I think hey may look to upgrade there and the easiest spot is OA.

The wish list item is Pinelli. They dont “need” him. As you say, they can shift Rohrer to centre but if they are competitive and want to make a run, they may have to keep up with the Jones's and make that type of deal.

I am not sure Ottawa is in a position to win an eastern conference or make a run at the league championship this year. Why would Boyd and Cameron sell off 1/2 good young players who will potentially be impactful next year such as Barlas for an OA player such as Morrison and Moore or a player that will be in the AHL (F, Pinelli) next year? Not to mention, handover lots of draft picks...wouldn't those picks be better kept until the 2023-2024 season where the 67s might be much closer to a top contender?

 

[dirty12]

Now that Butler is gone, the Franchise has had that infusion of fresh air it desperately needed. This iteration of Battalion is far superior to the average Battalion team that Butler used to produce. The on ice philosophy has undergone a solid pivot. Still a bigger team but they aren’t nearly as shackled as they were int he past and you see that offence production as a result.

Actually, the 2-1 neutral zone press and right of centre stretch breakout is pretty much identical to a decade ago. The increased offensive production now is due to talent influx from several extra picks early in the past drafts. Having #1 pick and #1 import pick in the same year really helps when they report.

 

[OMG67]

I am not sure Ottawa is in a position to win an eastern conference or make a run at the league championship this year. Why would Boyd and Cameron sell off 1/2 good young players who will potentially be impactful next year such as Barlas for an OA player such as Morrison and Moore or a player that will be in the AHL (F, Pinelli) next year? Not to mention, handover lots of draft picks...wouldn't those picks be better kept until the 2023-2024 season where the 67s might be much closer to a top contender?

If they shift focus to next season, I think it would be a mistake. Barlas has not proven capable as an OHL player let alone a compelling 1st round pick that will help drive the offence. I think there is a chance that Barlas turns it around though but I think it is probably more likely in another organization. Moldenhauer didn’t report so that is back to back 1st round picks that have netted relatively nothing. You cannot typically compete with two first round picks in what would be their 18 and 19 year old season that are non-existent.

But, if they were to shift focus, it would mean they would have to trade Matier and Beck. There is no real way around it. The problem with that is they would then probably either miss the playoffs or be first round fodder...
2023 playoff - 0-4
2022 playoff - 0-4
2021 playoff - cancelled
2020 playoff - cancelled

We will go into next season with zero playoff games won over the previous four seasons. Not ideal if we are shifting focus to next year competing.

They have collected quite the draft pick cupboard, one of the most high picks collection in the entire league. You cannot keep using them to pick players. If you do, you end up in the situation they are in now where they have capable bodies and no spots for them. So, you flip a couple of those bodies for picks you flip to make improvements.

The best way to develop a consistently winning team is to strategically trade pieces that you can afford to trade when the time is right. The time is right for the 67’s to trade some assets for at least an OA and second player, maybe an Import. A centre and a puck moving D-Man. They have expendable pieces.

If they were to maintain status quo, this is the team they could return next season:

Pinelli -Rohrer - Stonehouse
TJ (OA) - Barlas - Dever
Gerrior - Gardiner - Kelly
Foster - Quick

Mayich - Mews
Sirman - GillShane (OA)
Marrelli - Ewles
Smyth (OA)

Donoso (OA)
McKenzie

***Dever, Quick and Ewles probably don’t play as 67’s this season and come in next year quite green.

I’m not too sure but I don’t see much of a threat there with Beck, Boucher and Matier gone. I’d suggest there are more spots to fill next year than this year.

That is just signed players. That doesn’t include another Import pick from 2023, as well as a full compliment of draft picks in 2023 that includes a first and a couple more seconds etc. So you have at least four more players coming in next season that would be expected to insert into the lineup. They have one winger spot?

They have expendable pieces they can use now to turn into picks to add to their cupboard. Then use some picks to bolster this roster. So when all is said and done, how does next years roster look compared to the one above? Delete Barlas, Sirman and one of Dever or Ewles. It is not all that different. Incoming players will fill the gaps. They probably have a small reset year because of the Moldenhauer/Barlas back to back whiffs on first round picks. They deal Rohrer and gain some assets Back and then focus on 2024-25.

 

[OMG67]

Actually, the 2-1 neutral zone press and right of centre stretch breakout is pretty much identical to a decade ago. The increased offensive production now is due to talent influx from several extra picks early in the past drafts. Having #1 pick and #1 import pick in the same year really helps when they report.

Very true but the reality is this NB Team is playing more freely. Their flow is far superior to the past. Some of that is player skill for sure. The new management/coaching structure in place has made a difference. I like where NB is now going. I don’t think the franchise is being looked upon the same now that Butler is gone. I see them drafting more skill and speed and moving away from hulking size. I’m not sure Butler was capable of keeping up with the change in the game.

I’d been very critical about Kilrea as a GM. He also wasn’t keeping up with the times. He was a great coach and was able to develop skill as good or better than anyone but when if came to doing what it took to win a championship, he wasn’t the guy. He was unwilling to make the types of trades necessary. The league had changed and he didn’t. Stan Butler was similar in that regard. The difference was Butler was coach/GM for too long of a period after the league changed. Killer was too old to maintain his tenure. I’m sure I’d have been just as critical about Killer and Butler had Killer stuck around as long.

Regardless of all of that, I am happy for NB. Good hockey town with a rich history. I hope they solidify themselves in the community and maintain their following. The League needs them. I think he new organization structure there will go a long way towards building credibility long term.

 

[dirty12]

Very true but the reality is this NB Team is playing more freely. Their flow is far superior to the past. Some of that is player skill for sure. The new management/coaching structure in place has made a difference. I like where NB is now going. I don’t think the franchise is being looked upon the same now that Butler is gone. I see them drafting more skill and speed and moving away from hulking size. I’m not sure Butler was capable of keeping up with the change in the game.

I’d been very critical about Kilrea as a GM. He also wasn’t keeping up with the times. He was a great coach and was able to develop skill as good or better than anyone but when if came to doing what it took to win a championship, he wasn’t the guy. He was unwilling to make the types of trades necessary. The league had changed and he didn’t. Stan Butler was similar in that regard. The difference was Butler was coach/GM for too long of a period after the league changed. Killer was too old to maintain his tenure. I’m sure I’d have been just as critical about Killer and Butler had Killer stuck around as long.

Regardless of all of that, I am happy for NB. Good hockey town with a rich history. I hope they solidify themselves in the community and maintain their following. The League needs them. I think he new organization structure there will go a long way towards building credibility long term.

There was indeed a ‘breath of fresh air’, maybe personality.
Otherwise, it’s nearly identical. The GM & coach are Butler’s disciples. While they have differing ideas than Butler, they had a lot of input at least as far back as 2013-14. The player profile is nearly identical. Arnsby, Christopolous, twins, Mathurin, Podoliouhk, Outwater, Sima, Kennedy, Proczycn …all battalion types. The extra early picks allowed for earlier picked smaller talent like VanSteensel, Romani, Therrien. And the game plan is nearly identical too, right down to the PP.

 

[OMG67]

There was indeed a ‘breath of fresh air’, maybe personality.
Otherwise, it’s nearly identical. The GM & coach are Butler’s disciples. The player profile is nearly identical. Arnsby, Christopolous, twins, Mathurin, Podoliouhk, Outwater, Sima, Kennedy, Proczycn …all battalion types. The extra early picks allowed for earlier picked smaller talent like VanSteensel, Romani, Therrien

Well then for your sake I hope you are wrong. If they run the ice like they did with Butler, you will compete about once every ten season with a two year stretch and then fall into a toilet swirling down a drain for 6 of the other 8 seasons.