Ottawa 67's 2022 Off-season Thread
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OMG67
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It depends on perspective to be honest. It is very possible that Mews plays as a forward in year #1 while he gets accustomed to the speed and flow of the OHL. He is a converted forward so it‘s not a stretch to see that happening.
Marrelli could go to JrA or play as the spare D-Man. It depends on the development plan.
We do have seven returning D-Men but Costantini is an OA. If there is a better fit to add an additional forward OA, they may go in that direction BUT I think it is unlikely. I think we may see a player like Sawyer get dealt. We all had a sense of him making a push for top pairing minutes last year but he wasn’t as impressive as expected. He had a strong rookie year but the Covid off-year seemingly hurt his development momentum. That is not to say he was unimpressive, just not as impressive as expected. He has a higher ceiling for sure but with so many bodies In Ottawa, he seems to be the most likely to be moved. The other D-Man some seem to think is more likely to move is Gill-Shane but he is an Ottawa lad so I can’t see them going that direction. Plus he’s a Righty with size and can skate. Even if he isn’t quite as offensive as Sawyer, he may fill the role better.
Sirman also took some ice this year up front as a forward. I can’t see that happening again much this year. HE has a nasty streak that seems to align better on defence. He can also move the puck. Moving him up to forward to make room for 16 year old rookies would be a waste. He’s 18, not 17 so if they plan on doing that to make room they may as well find a spot for him on another team.
Mayich played the majority of the season with Matier so I think he is safe in his position. They seemed to play well together.
There definitely are too many puzzle pieces across all positions other than centre so I’d look to Ottawa moving some of their pieces to acquire a bonafide top centre to make a bit of a run this year.
i thought sawyer was out for a bit with the leg/knee injury?
marrelli should be a 7 at worst tba.
OMG67
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I’m not sure when he is back TBH. He should be back at some point in The fall.
As of right now, Marrelli is the #9 D-Man assuming all 7 return and Mews slots in as the #8. On top of that, they have Ewles that is signed and played some games last year and looked pretty good. He got caught up in the numbers game as well.
I do see them moving a D-Man and my prediction is Sawyer. Maybe it is a deadline move? Who knows. I think the first couple months will be a bit of a shit show roster juggle unless they manage to make a move pre-season.
Home opener is October 2nd against Erie.
Looks like it will be a regular schedule again with games against western division teams.
BTW, the Hamilton - Windsor series is great!
Looks like it will be a regular schedule again with games against western division teams.
BTW, the Hamilton - Windsor series is great!
beastintheeast
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Training camp is going to be very interesting I would d not want to be a rookie forward trying to get fancy. they will get killed.
This is going to be a defensive battle with no holds barred.
To m e there are only 2 D that are safe Matier and Mews.
Everyone else is going to be fighting for one of 2 things.
a place on the team
show another team what they have.
This is going to be a defensive battle with no holds barred.
To m e there are only 2 D that are safe Matier and Mews.
Everyone else is going to be fighting for one of 2 things.
a place on the team
show another team what they have.
OMG67
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When you say “safe” regarding the defence, what do you mean? Are you suggesting that essentially Matier is the only D-Man guaranteed a spot next year on the 67’s blueline? That comes across a little hyperbolic. It is suggesting that the returning defence are fighting for their jobs when that really isn’t the case.
There may be a numbers game afoot and it is likely that the 67’s strategically trade a veteran D-Man but it likely won’t be the odd man out. They will likely do what they did at the last deadline trading Belanger for a higher return than trading Costantini.
IMO, EVERY returning rostered D-Man will make the team out of training camp. No one is getting cut and waived in the same sort of situation as Yannick Crete last year. Whether the 67’s make a trade to accommodate younger rookie D-Men is a completely different discussion. A worthy discussion for sure but the way you phrase it sounds like the returning D-Men have something to prove at the OHL level. I believe they all proved to be completely competent OHL D-Men that would easily fit on most, if not all, OHL rosters.
Sawyer will likely not join the team on the ice until October or so. His recovery timetable would suggest possibly to start the season but it is unlikely. I think he’ll miss about the first 10 games. That opens a roster spot to start the season.
We don’t know whether Costantini will be back or not. He could get a PTO somewhere and earn a Pro Contract. I don’t think that will happen but it is possible. HE may also look at the depth of the roster and want to play elsewhere. Who knows?
As mentioned above, I think it is likely they do trade a D-Man early, maybe even prior to training camp. The Carter Robertson trade to Owen Sound a few seasons ago comes to mind. That deal happened during the exhibition schedule. You could see a player like Sirman or Mayich traded for a couple 2nds in similar fashion. Not saying the 67’s will do this but they had in the past with Robertson So there is precedent for it.
I also mentioned that Mews does have a track record fo playing forward in the past. With that in mind, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility he plays as a forward in his rookie year while manning the point on the power play. Although he was drafted as a D-Man and he does have promise in that position, the team may benefit from a move like this in the short term, even if it is jsut the first half through the deadline where they can better shape their team for the second half.
beastintheeast
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OMG I hear you; what I am saying is that most of these guys are available for trade except Matier and Mews.
I agree that the returning players will have an inside track BUT it is going to come down to wh o are the better players. If the players coming in a show more justle and more ability or promise then I think it is definitely possib le that Boyd looks to sell a couple of them. Remember he has only so many cards to go around.
It is going to be a numbers game a kid like Ewle will be coming in looking to replace one of the others. As an OA I do not think Costantini is safe again if they are building then they can look to Matier or others for leadership.
All I am saying is that there is going to be a hell of a fight at camp.
The best way for the young kids to make their mark is to look at what the to they did not bring to the table and show that they has it.
I agree that the returning players will have an inside track BUT it is going to come down to wh o are the better players. If the players coming in a show more justle and more ability or promise then I think it is definitely possib le that Boyd looks to sell a couple of them. Remember he has only so many cards to go around.
It is going to be a numbers game a kid like Ewle will be coming in looking to replace one of the others. As an OA I do not think Costantini is safe again if they are building then they can look to Matier or others for leadership.
All I am saying is that there is going to be a hell of a fight at camp.
The best way for the young kids to make their mark is to look at what the to they did not bring to the table and show that they has it.
OMG67
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The team will be responsible and balance development with success on the scoreboard. Clearly they need to introduce rookies into the lineup for continuity and development purposes. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean they will get starting ice time. It also doesn’t mean they will play defence full time. We’ve seen many incidents of D-Men playing forward jsut to get them into the lineup. Sirman would be the latest example and Belanger the one prior. Teams will typically do that because they want to maintain their defence depth to cover for injuries. It makes more sense to play a rookie D-Man as a forward to get them ice time as opposed to rotating the defence in and out of the lineup. So, it is highly likley that one d-Man will occupy a 4th line forward role when all the D-Men are healthy.
It is doubtful that training camp and exhibition results or performance will determine who goes. I think, as you’ve stated, there will be options available and the 67’s will pull the trigger on the best value trade weighing all options. I think they are a contender next year but let’s jsut say for a second that I am wrong and they are still in a development mode. That could very well mean that Ma tier is a strong deadline candidate to be moved. I don’t see that happening but the point is there are circumstances that would see their #1 D-Man moved.
Personally, I think it will be Sawyer that gets moved but his injury may cause a problem with that scenario. Then the next two likely candidates would be Sirman or Mayich. Reason? Simply because those three would fetch a strong return and not overly leave a gaping hole in the lineup. They would comprise, in my mind, the most expendable 3 guys that fetch a meaningful return. Moving one of them won’t hurt From a big picture perspective.
I see Costantini staying. I think they need that steady presence from the Right side. Matier and Costantini provide that presence. Gill-Shane should round into form next year as the 3rd pairing Right Side d-Man. Two of Mayich, Sirman and Sawyer fill in the left side with Smyth.
That leaves Mews and Marrelli on the outside. This is why I think it would be best if Mews played forward For the first half of the season. He’d play every game and he is probably strong enough to play a 3rd line role. He’d still get powerplay time from the point. If there are injuries, he slots back to defence. Let Marrelli play on the merry-go-round between the press box and the bench.
Or they dress 7 D-Men and leave their forwards short with just 11. I can’t see them do that and not play a D-Man as a forward but it does happen at times so it’s a possibility.
Based on all that, I don’t see a way around it. They need to move at least one body out and even then it looks like a d-Man will move to forward. I haven’t even touched on Ewles. I think he is in the wrong place at the wrong time. He played well last year in a limited viewing. In my mind he showed he could contribute at the OHL level so it truly wouldnt’ be fair if the 67’s buried him selfishly.
beastintheeast
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OMG Fu lly agree but could see Ewle and one other traded for that OA center you are looking for
OMG67
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Possibly. I did have a look at the potential OA’s around the league and there is a wide gap at Centre. I am not sure we’d be able to acquire an available OA Centre at this point. I think it may be more likely a deadline move where we’d have to pay through the nose to get it.
I think we may need to move a couple bodies for draft picks early and then use those draft picks later when the players we need become available.
The one advantage of waiting to acquire that key player is we build a runway that we can use to evaluate. The downside is the costs always get higher the deeper we get into the season.
I’m pretty confident we have the key components to be contenders but there is a gentle voice reminding me that this team wasn’t great last year. It may be a little too much for this team to make that sort of jump. So as confident I am, it isn’t a guarantee.
I have to admit that I am intrigued by what they decide to do at the Import draft. That may provide a few answers we need.
beastintheeast
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OMG Looking at hamilton next year are they rebuilding.
Also wondering about the NHL draft and the Euro draft.
The area that I worry about is the goal and if we have the physical defence.
A lot of talk about wright and the worry that he would not develop in KIngston if sent back.
Yeah I know it is a pipe dream. LOL
The thai sun is getting to me too much 35 degree weather and beer.
Also wondering about the NHL draft and the Euro draft.
The area that I worry about is the goal and if we have the physical defence.
A lot of talk about wright and the worry that he would not develop in KIngston if sent back.
Yeah I know it is a pipe dream. LOL
The thai sun is getting to me too much 35 degree weather and beer.
OMG67
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Keep in mind when I say not much available at Centre, I am talking about what we would consider bonafide #1 Centres. If we are happy with Rohrer and Tolnai as the top 2, then there would be viable options for a #3. I’m jsut not sure that would be good enough if our true goal is to properly contend.
This is why I am thinking that if we truly want a #1 Centre, I think it would need to be a 19 year old closer to the deadline. That gets bloody expensive though. Francesco Pinelli comes to mind if things go sideways for the Rangers. It would be cool to see the brothers play together.
The other potential option is the Import Draft. They could draft a 19 year old centre as a one and done. There could be an NHL team looking for the right landing spot for one of their top prospects. This is less likely because Imports can play AHL but one can dream dammit!
Not sure it's a pipe dream beast, it's crossed my mind. Let's assume my Habs pick Wright and assume they do the "wright" thing and send him back after 9 games. Kingston probably not a contender next year and if I'm montreal i want Wright to develop with a proven nhl coach which leaves London and Ottawa as prime destinations. So he could be sent back with condition that he's traded to a spot of their choice. K-town gets a good return and everybody wins. We certainly have the assets to do it.
OMG67
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I’m not sure the value would be there. The price would be silly compared to other viable options. At a certain point, the value proposition drops and you pay more for marketing a name through recognition. So, it it is about selling tickets then so be it but if it is about winning, then I’m not sure the cost would be viable.
Not sure where the rumour came from about a possible additional OA spot for goalies?
If it were true, might also be good to reunite the Constantini twins in Ottawa. Maybe later in the season?
If it were true, might also be good to reunite the Constantini twins in Ottawa. Maybe later in the season?
Not a bad idea if none of our goalies prove they can be the guy and provided we have an OA spot available at the deadline.
Price could be more palatable if he's directed here?? Either way we have plenty of assets especially if Moldenhauer reports.
HockeyPops
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I don't believe OAs get more expensive the later you get; the opposite seems to be true in my experience. If you buy before the season you are getting them for a full year and usually pay a slight premium for that luxury. At the deadline you are only getting them for half the year. The problem with waiting of course is that a seller might not want to wait and someone else might swoop in before you get them. But when it comes to your center dilemma, it likely makes good sense to wait. Sometimes a team can go from buyer to seller by the time the deadline approaches, adding a name onto the available list that you didn't expect to be there. If no OA option appears as the deadline approaches, perhaps the 19 year old big fish gets put on the table to fill that hole. It also gives the rest of your lineup a chance to show you that you are wrong and that they are capable of filling that role.
OMG67
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The challenge is I am not seeing an available OA centre which is why I think we’d need to wait. If there were an OA centre that fits as a front line player, there would be no reason for Ottawa to wait.
This is a situation where because I think Ottawa’s needs are so tightly defined, they may need to wait out the market until the right player becomes available and then pounce.
OMG67
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Any deal for a player like Wright automatically includes Mews or Marrelli. That’s a no go for me at this point. I don’t think Ottawa needs a player like Wright. To me, a player like Jake Uberti may be good enough and far cheaper. Ethan Cardwell would be my target but I doubt Barrie is selling Cardwell.
This is why I think of Kitchener doesn’t get the reports they are looking for, Francisco Pinelli is my key target. He won’t command a 2022 first rounder and Kitchener may be in a position to understand where they stand early on and may value a package of two strong younger players and picks in the early stages of the season.
The somewhat early Import pick may bear fruit as well.
beastintheeast
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The thing I am wondering about is where does Hamilton fit into this coming season. They traded for a lot of players at the deadline.
As to the OA goalie, that is a crap shoot and depends on how much confidence Ottawa has in the 2 young guys or what Cranley is gong to do
As to the OA goalie, that is a crap shoot and depends on how much confidence Ottawa has in the 2 young guys or what Cranley is gong to do
OMG67
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‘If Hamilton runs a reset or full rebuild, maybe Morrison would be available. He’s a guy I’d target for sure.
beastintheeast
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