Ottawa 67's 2022-23 Season Thread

[beastintheeast]

Let’s be clear. This team is almost zero percent chance of selling at the deadline. The only way that happens is if a player requests a trade. They will either buy because they feel they are well positioned or they will tinker a bit at low cost and run with that. They cannot sell off and throw away playoff experience.

That said, if the right combo of trades are available where they trade one or two of the 19 year olds and get back a significant 18 year old then maybe I could see it. Something like what Peterborough did last year dealing MacT and ending up with Stillman. I don’t think adding draft picks is productive for Ottawa.

agreed draft picks at the deadline do nothing for a team's immediate future including the following season. It is allabout getting players that can make a difference now and next year.

 

[beastintheeast]

Saturday's game should be interesting we should have some of the players back in camp Stonehouse, Matier and possibly Beck should be back in uniform. Boucher will probably get to the main camp.

That will give Cameron and Boyd a chance to see what they have and possibly showcase some of the D that they are going to be willing to trade for North Bay who I read need D.

 

[dirty12]

Saturday's game should be interesting we should have some of the players back in camp Stonehouse, Matier and possibly Beck should be back in uniform. Boucher will probably get to the main camp.

That will give Cameron and Boyd a chance to see what they have and possibly showcase some of the D that they are going to be willing to trade for North Bay who I read need D.

I can’t imagine NB wasting a player card, and unsure which if any team would trade their top pairing LD right now.

 

[HockeyPops]

That said, if the right combo of trades are available where they trade one or two of the 19 year olds and get back a significant 18 year old then maybe I could see it. Something like what Peterborough did last year dealing MacT and ending up with Stillman. I don’t think adding draft picks is productive for Ottawa.

Sudbury also did this, selling Thompson and adding Holmes, Boudreau.

 

[PuckStop75]

Sudbury also did this, selling Thompson and adding Holmes, Boudreau.

Great additions by them as well as Alex Pharand; these are exactly the type of moves Ottawa needs to be considering for the future if they aren't going to make meaningful transactions to make the team better this year.

 

[OMG67]

Saturday's game should be interesting we should have some of the players back in camp Stonehouse, Matier and possibly Beck should be back in uniform. Boucher will probably get to the main camp.

That will give Cameron and Boyd a chance to see what they have and possibly showcase some of the D that they are going to be willing to trade for North Bay who I read need D.

I think you may be slightly confusing what Ottawa has to offer from a defence perspective and what North Bay needs from a defence perspective.

My understanding is North Bay is a contending team and needs a top pairing D-Man. Ottawa wants to contend and needs a Top pairing D-Man. North Bay’s needs and Ottawa’s needs align which means it is more likely that Ottawa would be competing with North Bay to fill their top pairing need.

The type of deal Ottawa would be looking to complete is to a middling team that needs depth on their defence. This would be a similar type deal that Kingston made last year for Belanger. Or maybe the same type of deal Ottawa made trading Lucas Peric to Kingston a few seasons ago. That is the type of deal I am seeing Ottawa potentially make.

If Ottawa were to make a deal with North Bay, it is more likely a deal that would see Matier move to North Bay in a big package. Like I’ve said before, I just don’t see Ottawa making that type of deal. Things could change and potentially the Poles could underachieve and that sort of deal happens but I don’t see it at this point.

Look for a kid like Sawyer to be traded for a 2nd and 5th. Sawyer is a candidate to play an OA season which raises his value a little. I don’t see North Bay or any other true contender make that type of deal. I see a middle of the road team making that type of acquisition, especially if they look at Sawyer as a key OA piece for their team next year. Maybe a team like Guelph would be the right spot. Their defence thinned out a bit and are in the right cycle to do a deal like that.

 

[PuckStop75]

I think you may be slightly confusing what Ottawa has to offer from a defence perspective and what North Bay needs from a defence perspective.

My understanding is North Bay is a contending team and needs a top pairing D-Man. Ottawa wants to contend and needs a Top pairing D-Man. North Bay’s needs and Ottawa’s needs align which means it is more likely that Ottawa would be competing with North Bay to fill their top pairing need.

The type of deal Ottawa would be looking to complete is to a middling team that needs depth on their defence. This would be a similar type deal that Kingston made last year for Belanger. Or maybe the same type of deal Ottawa made trading Lucas Peric to Kingston a few seasons ago. That is the type of deal I am seeing Ottawa potentially make.

If Ottawa were to make a deal with North Bay, it is more likely a deal that would see Matier move to North Bay in a big package. Like I’ve said before, I just don’t see Ottawa making that type of deal. Things could change and potentially the Poles could underachieve and that sort of deal happens but I don’t see it at this point.

Look for a kid like Sawyer to be traded for a 2nd and 5th. Sawyer is a candidate to play an OA season which raises his value a little. I don’t see North Bay or any other true contender make that type of deal. I see a middle of the road team making that type of acquisition, especially if they look at Sawyer as a key OA piece for their team next year. Maybe a team like Guelph would be the right spot. Their defence thinned out a bit and are in the right cycle to do a deal like that.

Peric was in his 18yo season when they traded him to Kingston and the return was a 3rd and 4th, I doubt they are getting a 2nd for Sawyer or Gill-shane as 19yo. At the best it is a 4th or 5th in combination with a later round selection. Neither provides much in the form of offense so a team looking at them as a "key" OA piece for next year is also unlikely.

 

[Monster66]

I can’t imagine NB wasting a player card, and unsure which if any team would trade their top pairing LD right now.

No question NB needs D but as it stands right now, the 67s have a better group of dmen than the NBB. Why would Boyd make a trade within the conference to strengthen a team they are competing with?? I just don't see those two teams making any deals. If they do, it's bc one of those teams is selling off bc the year didn't go as planned.

 

[Monster66]

No question NB needs D but as it stands right now, the 67s have a better group of dmen than the NBB. Why would Boyd make a trade within the conference to strengthen a team they are competing with?? I just don't see those two teams making any deals. If they do, it's bc one of those teams is selling off bc the year didn't go as planned.

Also, NB is looking for size and attitude in the backend. Someone who plays with an edge and is hard on other teams top players. Sawyer doesn't make any sense for NB - I know he has a bit of a mean streak but he's more known for is skating, puck moving and not for his physical play. NB already has Ty Nelson, Alex Christopolous and Avery Winslow as there puck moving PP type dmen.

 

[OMG67]

Peric was in his 18yo season when they traded him to Kingston and the return was a 3rd and 4th, I doubt they are getting a 2nd for Sawyer or Gill-shane as 19yo. At the best it is a 4th or 5th in combination with a later round selection. Neither provides much in the form of offense so a team looking at them as a "key" OA piece for next year is also unlikely.

Teddy Sawyer was injured a lot last season but I believe he is comparable to Alec Belanger. We received a 2nd, 3rd and 5th for Belanger at the deadline.

That was a deadline return which is why I omitted the 3rd. Provided Sawyer shows as healthy, his reputation will still pay dividends for teams looking for a D-Man that can move a puck with a bit of a mean streak.

Like I’ve said in the past, we may very well keep Sawyer and move a player like Sirman. Very similar type of player but a year younger. Slightly higher return on that deal.

We may also decide to send Marrelli and Ewles down to tier II and run with no trades. Maybe wait until closer to the deadline to make decisions. Who knows?

All I know is if the 67s make a deal with D-Men at or before the beginning of the season, it won’t be anything other than the type of deal like I suggested above. Time will tell if my trade value predictions are correct. I’m usually pretty close.

 

[OMG67]

Also, NB is looking for size and attitude in the backend. Someone who plays with an edge and is hard on other teams top players. Sawyer doesn't make any sense for NB - I know he has a bit of a mean streak but he's more known for is skating, puck moving and not for his physical play. NB already has Ty Nelson, Alex Christopolous and Avery Winslow as there puck moving PP type dmen.

Two teams both looking to compete are unlikely trade partners. I agree.

Ottawa will need to make a series of deals leading up to the deadline. They have a lot of assets but also too many gaps. They can shift some assets out and pull some assets in.

First up is the OA spot and whether they can add a centre. That’s need #1. Let’s see what they do there first. They may need to move a D-Man because of numbers. Let’s see what kind of return they get.

 

[beastintheeast]

Two teams both looking to compete are unlikely trade partners. I agree.

Ottawa will need to make a series of deals leading up to the deadline. They have a lot of assets but also too many gaps. They can shift some assets out and pull some assets in.

First up is the OA spot and whether they can add a centre. That’s need #1. Let’s see what they do there first. They may need to move a D-Man because of numbers. Let’s see what kind of return they get.

I think if the young kids Gardiner, Barlas, and foster show something you may not see the 67's go for an OA center at the beginning of the year.

A lot depends on where they see this team at the end of the season. As well as what do they see for next year and the team's future.

If you have 2 OA Centres this year that means that you have 2 possibly 3 positions that you have to fill next year and no one with experience to fill them.

Again while I would agree that you do not trade in your division Boyd and his 2 deals with Kingston have shown that he is not unwilling to do it.

Any trade has to have something that both teams want. In the case of trading to North Bay you would have to be an equal trade. Very hard to do and at this stage not likely but as we have seen in this league you never say never.
While the trade with NB may not be in the cards you still want to showcase your D for other teams so that maybe someone does get interested in Ewle or one of the others. I still think you keep both of this year's draft picks.

 

[Monster66]

I think if the young kids Gardiner, Barlas, and foster show something you may not see the 67's go for an OA center at the beginning of the year.

A lot depends on where they see this team at the end of the season. As well as what do they see for next year and the team's future.

If you have 2 OA Centres this year that means that you have 2 possibly 3 positions that you have to fill next year and no one with experience to fill them.

Again while I would agree that you do not trade in your division Boyd and his 2 deals with Kingston have shown that he is not unwilling to do it.

Any trade has to have something that both teams want. In the case of trading to North Bay you would have to be an equal trade. Very hard to do and at this stage not likely but as we have seen in this league you never say never.
While the trade with NB may not be in the cards you still want to showcase your D for other teams so that maybe someone does get interested in Ewle or one of the others. I still think you keep both of this year's draft picks.

I still think Ottawa should see about making a deal to get Jackson from NB. He bring Ottawa what they need and in turn Ottawa sends NB a couple of dmen. He's local to Ottawa and I am sure he'd love to play his OA year at home in front of family and friends. The question I have is, will Jackson or someone similar be enough to put Ottawa in the conversation for tops in the eastern conference.

 

[dirty12]

I still think Ottawa should see about making a deal to get Jackson from NB. He bring Ottawa what they need and in turn Ottawa sends NB a couple of dmen. He's local to Ottawa and I am sure he'd love to play his OA year at home in front of family and friends. The question I have is, will Jackson or someone similar be enough to put Ottawa in the conversation for tops in the eastern conference.

There is not a team in league without one glaring need right now. NB might be a minute munching OA-LD, if such a thing exists, shy of the best roster construction in the league along with the colts to begin the 2022-23 season. What could the ‘67s possibly offer the battalion in September for a 6’3” 200 lb centre that probably exceeds both 35 goals & 90 pts?

 

[beastintheeast]

Two teams both looking to compete are unlikely trade partners. I agree.

Ottawa will need to make a series of deals leading up to the deadline. They have a lot of assets but also too many gaps. They can shift some assets out and pull some assets in.

First up is the OA spot and whether they can add a centre. That’s need #1. Let’s see what they do there first. They may need to move a D-Man because of numbers. Let’s see what kind of return they get.

I think if the young kids Gardiner, Barlas, and foster show something you may not see the 67's go for an OA center at the beginning of the year.

A lot depends on where they see this team at the end of the season. As well as what do they see for next year and the team's future.

If you have 2 OA Centres this year that means that you have 2 possibly 3 positions that you have to fill next year and no one with experience to fill them.

Again while I would agree that you do not trade in your division Boyd and his 2 deals with Kingston have shown that he is not unwilling to do it.

Any trade has to have something that both teams want. In the case of trading to North Bay you would have to be an equal trade. Very hard to do and at this stage not likely but as we have seen in this league you never say never.
While the trade with NB may not be in the cards you still want to showcase your D for other teams so that maybe someone does get interested in Ewle or one of the others. I still think you keep both of this year's draft picks.

 

[OHL4Life]

I still think Ottawa should see about making a deal to get Jackson from NB. He bring Ottawa what they need and in turn Ottawa sends NB a couple of dmen. He's local to Ottawa and I am sure he'd love to play his OA year at home in front of family and friends. The question I have is, will Jackson or someone similar be enough to put Ottawa in the conversation for tops in the eastern conference.

jackson is their best forward, why would nb give him up? they dont need d that bad

 

[OMG67]

I think if the young kids Gardiner, Barlas, and foster show something you may not see the 67's go for an OA center at the beginning of the year.

A lot depends on where they see this team at the end of the season. As well as what do they see for next year and the team's future.

If you have 2 OA Centres this year that means that you have 2 possibly 3 positions that you have to fill next year and no one with experience to fill them.

Again while I would agree that you do not trade in your division Boyd and his 2 deals with Kingston have shown that he is not unwilling to do it.

Any trade has to have something that both teams want. In the case of trading to North Bay you would have to be an equal trade. Very hard to do and at this stage not likely but as we have seen in this league you never say never.
While the trade with NB may not be in the cards you still want to showcase your D for other teams so that maybe someone does get interested in Ewle or one of the others. I still think you keep both of this year's draft picks.

Right now the 67’s have one bonafide centre, Cam Tolnai. The rest are either better fit wingers or young guys that have not proven themselves.

Theoretically, Pinelli and Rohrer could shift to Centre to give them three guys with skill. Fine. Ideal? no.

The huge elephant in the room is the back to back 1st round picks that netted the 67’s very little. Moldenhauer didn’t report and Barlas to this point hasn’t proven capable of playing anything more than a depth player. That makes next season a big challenge because of that gap. Those players will be 18 and 19 respectively. Normally, those two picks would anchor the team but not the situation for us.

So, if we were to push assets forward, we’d really be pushing them two seasons forward. In light of that, I don’t think it matters who the centres are next season. Foster and Gardiner have promise but if they are in our top 3 next season, the season is likely a wash anyway so what does it matter?

The 67’s need to decide if they are a contender this year. Do they have the roster config right now? No. But they do have the assets. They do have relatively cheap acquisition roster spots open to acquire a couple players. A couple early shrewd moves and the outlook is completely different.

The problem is this season is tight. They have a lot of competition in conference. I feel it is imperative they finish top 4 and have home ice advantage in round #1. They cannot give the young guys a couple months to figure it out. The will fall behind in the standings and it will make it difficult to catch up as well as justify spending at or near the deadline.

The decision needs to be made now. They need to start the season or at worse, go into the second weekend with a newly acquired OA Centre. I really don’t see any way around it. If a kid like Gardiner or Barlas or Foster prove they are capable, then you can shift Rohrer back to the wing for example. No big deal. I’d rather push centres to the wing than wingers to centre.

 

[OMG67]

I still think Ottawa should see about making a deal to get Jackson from NB. He bring Ottawa what they need and in turn Ottawa sends NB a couple of dmen. He's local to Ottawa and I am sure he'd love to play his OA year at home in front of family and friends. The question I have is, will Jackson or someone similar be enough to put Ottawa in the conversation for tops in the eastern conference.

I think you need to target teams that are lower in the standings or are on a rebuild season. Hamilton has three stud OA’s up front. A kid like Morrison is a lock for 100 points as an OA Centre. Hamilton is likely selling players to rebuild because of the assets they moved last year. That is where I would start.

A kid like Morrison would be a big ticket, even as an OA. But, the possibility exists that because ‘Hamilton is rebuilding and currently configuring a roster, it‘s possible we could use a player or two in that deal if it were a pre-season deal. The longer this goes, the more likely a deal ends up being just draft picks. I think the 67;s would like to move an expendable body or two out and bring in one that better suits their needs.

Making trades with teams like Missy, NB, Peterborough, and Barrie that sees Ottawa get a valuable veteran player like Jackson is highly unlikely because those teams are our competition at the top of the conference. Those teams need their best players if they are planning on making a run.

 

[beastintheeast]

Right now the 67’s have one bonafide centre, Cam Tolnai. The rest are either better fit wingers or young guys that have not proven themselves.

Theoretically, Pinelli and Rohrer could shift to Centre to give them three guys with skill. Fine. Ideal? no.

The huge elephant in the room is the back to back 1st round picks that netted the 67’s very little. Moldenhauer didn’t report and Barlas to this point hasn’t proven capable of playing anything more than a depth player. That makes next season a big challenge because of that gap. Those players will be 18 and 19 respectively. Normally, those two picks would anchor the team but not the situation for us.

So, if we were to push assets forward, we’d really be pushing them two seasons forward. In light of that, I don’t think it matters who the centres are next season. Foster and Gardiner have promise but if they are in our top 3 next season, the season is likely a wash anyway so what does it matter?

The 67’s need to decide if they are a contender this year. Do they have the roster config right now? No. But they do have the assets. They do have relatively cheap acquisition roster spots open to acquire a couple players. A couple early shrewd moves and the outlook is completely different.

The problem is this season is tight. They have a lot of competition in conference. I feel it is imperative they finish top 4 and have home ice advantage in round #1. They cannot give the young guys a couple months to figure it out. The will fall behind in the standings and it will make it difficult to catch up as well as justify spending at or near the deadline.

The decision needs to be made now. They need to start the season or at worse, go into the second weekend with a newly acquired OA Centre. I really don’t see any way around it. If a kid like Gardiner or Barlas or Foster prove they are capable, then you can shift Rohrer back to the wing for example. No big deal. I’d rather push centres to the wing than wingers to centre.

I hear what you are saying and from a need to win and be a top 3/4 team you may be right. I just do not see this team as a top contender. That may change once the season starts,

Right now I think we have 2 top lines that are competitive.

The question then becomes how much faith you put into the upcoming players.

Unless a Morrison that is a stud becomes available and I disagree I think Hamilton will go for it again. You are going to see this team work with what it has..

I sort of think that Boyd for lack of a better word choice screwed the pooch in the last 3 drafts. I see Mews but I would have preferred he drafted a center in the first round this year to replace the foul-up with Barlas.

The 67 organization has been one that looks at putting seats in the seats and being competitive each year.

Expecting a 3rd line center to be your star next year is difficult but if you get an OA center then you are expecting your 4th line to start at center on line 1.

At this stage, I would put Tolnai on the first line and Rohrer on the second in the hopes that he comes back next year. and you have a first line that is powerful.

Anyway it is all our thoughts and we are not the 67 brain trust so It will be interesting to see what happens

 

[OMG67]

I hear what you are saying and from a need to win and be a top 3/4 team you may be right. I just do not see this team as a top contender. That may change once the season starts,

Right now I think we have 2 top lines that are competitive.

The question then becomes how much faith you put into the upcoming players.

Unless a Morrison that is a stud becomes available and I disagree I think Hamilton will go for it again. You are going to see this team work with what it has..

I sort of think that Boyd for lack of a better word choice screwed the pooch in the last 3 drafts. I see Mews but I would have preferred he drafted a center in the first round this year to replace the foul-up with Barlas.

The 67 organization has been one that looks at putting seats in the seats and being competitive each year.

Expecting a 3rd line center to be your star next year is difficult but if you get an OA center then you are expecting your 4th line to start at center on line 1.

At this stage, I would put Tolnai on the first line and Rohrer on the second in the hopes that he comes back next year. and you have a first line that is powerful.

Anyway it is all our thoughts and we are not the 67 brain trust so It will be interesting to see what happens

If this team can’t compete because the bottom half of the roster isn’t good enough then how will it be competitive next year when the bottom half of the roster this year is the middle of the roster next year?

I don’t see this team as competitive in the top half next year if the younger guys can’t hold down the 3rd and 4th lines this year. So no sense in suggesting they don’t have what it takes this year but expect them to be competitive next year.

Hamilton understands the cycle. If you participate in the big buy going after guys like MacTavish and Xhekaj, you need to balance that with selling later. Hamilton is pretty much built on the strength of their first line and that will comprise of at least two OAs depending on what actually returns and who they decide to keep. They can trade Morrison and probably still keep theee impact OAs if Hayes, Diaco and White all return. Of their top 8 scorers last year only one is 19 this year. The rest will graduate or turn OA. I can’t see them losing this window to trade when there are at least five better teams than them and no assets to trade to improve because they blew them all last year.

 

[dirty12]

Oshawa, Hamilton, Kingston, Sudbury are 7-10 teams I think. With G.White injured in a fight and Winterton apparently rehabbing shoulder again, Hamilton will be in tough trying to recoup picks and making playoffs.

 

[OMG67]

Oshawa, Hamilton, Kingston, Sudbury are 7-10 teams I think. With G.White injured in a fight and Winterton apparently rehabbing shoulder again, Hamilton will be in tough trying to recoup picks and making playoffs.

I’ll stop short of saying Hamilton is in full sell mode but with the number of teams in need of players combined with the number of quality 19-20 year olds on Hamilton, I think they are poised for a fire sale. I don’t think they will go that far but they gave up a lot of assets last season in trades. It makes sense for them to try to recoup those assets this year.

 

[beastintheeast]

If this team can’t compete because the bottom half of the roster isn’t good enough then how will it be competitive next year when the bottom half of the roster this year is the middle of the roster next year?

I don’t see this team as competitive in the top half next year if the younger guys can’t hold down the 3rd and 4th lines this year. So no sense in suggesting they don’t have what it takes this year but expect them to be competitive next year.

Hamilton understands the cycle. If you participate in the big buy going after guys like MacTavish and Xhekaj, you need to balance that with selling later. Hamilton is pretty much built on the strength of their first line and that will comprise of at least two OAs depending on what actually returns and who they decide to keep. They can trade Morrison and probably still keep theee impact OAs if Hayes, Diaco and White all return. Of their top 8 scorers last year only one is 19 this year. The rest will graduate or turn OA. I can’t see them losing this window to trade when there are at least five better teams than them and no assets to trade to improve because they blew them all last year.

That is my point. The only way to get the 3rd and 4th line centers ready is to play them. If we get Morrison then we will have Morrison, Tolnai and Rohrer that will leave a 4th line center which would be our top center next year.

How do we solve this mess? The only way I can see is to play them this year until the trade deadline if let's say Barlas is not ready for Primetime then Cut him and trade for a 3rd center that has a year and a half left.

Getting an OA is not going to help us b3e competitive next year and would leave us unable to compete. Not sure people will like that.

 

[sirius67fan]

That is my point. The only way to get the 3rd and 4th line centers ready is to play them. If we get Morrison then we will have Morrison, Tolnai and Rohrer that will leave a 4th line center which would be our top center next year.

How do we solve this mess? The only way I can see is to play them this year until the trade deadline if let's say Barlas is not ready for Primetime then Cut him and trade for a 3rd center that has a year and a half left.

Getting an OA is not going to help us b3e competitive next year and would leave us unable to compete. Not sure people will like that.

I'm personally not worried at all about two years from now Beast. I firmly believe this year is the year we need to try and make a run. I see next year as a bit of a rebooth but we should still be competitive as we have a lot of young guys that will improve. For me our window is this year and in 24/25. Next year having lost Beck, Boucher, Matier, Costantini, one of Sawyer/Gill-Shane will be a rebooth imo. Not saying we don't need to look at center position but not with next year as a priority

 

[PuckStop75]

If this team can’t compete because the bottom half of the roster isn’t good enough then how will it be competitive next year when the bottom half of the roster this year is the middle of the roster next year?

I don’t see this team as competitive in the top half next year if the younger guys can’t hold down the 3rd and 4th lines this year. So no sense in suggesting they don’t have what it takes this year but expect them to be competitive next year.

Hamilton understands the cycle. If you participate in the big buy going after guys like MacTavish and Xhekaj, you need to balance that with selling later. Hamilton is pretty much built on the strength of their first line and that will comprise of at least two OAs depending on what actually returns and who they decide to keep. They can trade Morrison and probably still keep theee impact OAs if Hayes, Diaco and White all return. Of their top 8 scorers last year only one is 19 this year. The rest will graduate or turn OA. I can’t see them losing this window to trade when there are at least five better teams than them and no assets to trade to improve because they blew them all last year.

The issue isn't the bottom of the roster, it is trying to push 17/18 year olds like Pinelli, Stonehouse, Barlas and Gardiner up the roster when they should be on the 3rd or 4th line. It's compounded by not having a legitimate 1st line centre; now there are guys out of position and being asked to play above their heads. Teams may get away with this for parts of the regular season, but it puts a huge strain on the veterans and if there is an injury or suspension it can turn into a $hit show real fast, as was seen last year.

Get the team a centre to play between Beck Rohrer, put Tolnai between Johnston Boucher and it is a very different conversation, Pinelli is on the 3rd line between Gerrior Stonehouse and the 4th line is Gardiner between Barlas Foster with Dever and Quick as the alternates and Kelly in Jr.A still training and working out with the team. The team likely loses one of the bottom 6 guys in the trade for the 1st line centre but that is the cost of getting that player. I would expect it to be Pinelli or Gardiner - Barlas would then slide back to 4th line centre and Dever, Quick and Foster then split 4th line duties. This may get them to the deadline in striking distance of the top 4 when they need to be active when the high-end graduating players come available.

On D, get a top puck moving guy to play beside Matier, chew up big minutes and QB the PP. Mayich is 2nd pairing with one of the 03's and then sort out the balance of the D, which means making a couple trades for draft picks. I really don't think they can afford to send Mews, Marrelli or Ewles down to Jr.A at the start. Doing this would not be good for optics when it comes to dealings with future player signings. At the deadline to end of season that boat can be rocked a little, and if they are contenders any of them may become part of a bigger deal.

Hamilton understands that if they want to win titles, they have to be aggressive in getting the best players available and working the roster around them. A lot of times this isn't about marginal gains it is about controlling the strength of the competition. Don't let a McTavish or Xhekaj go to a competitor and then have to deal with them later, get the best player, shuffle the pieces and Win!