Ottawa 67's 2023-2024 Off-Season Thread (Part 2)

[sirius67fan]

I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about Daryan Matthews. I know he is a 13th-round pick but look at the size. Imagine putting him and Banomo as the 4th pairing

They would be the guys you send out to wear down the opposition LOL

Worse case scenario they would be very imposing pylons

 

[beastintheeast]

Looking at the players that we have and past thoughts, I think the number 1 thing that we need to look for is either a RH Center or an RHD. In both cases, I would look at 16-17-year-olds.

I also think, based on what we saw of DC and the minutes, that he does not give a 4th line; if Whitehead is not at least the 3rd line center starting the year, he will ask for a trade.

Pinelli - Gardiner - Horner
Gerrior - Foster - Korbler
Barlas - Whitehead - Euro
Yanni - - Amidovski Dever
Hilton - Houben x -

I think we are going to see some trades out of camp to make room for some of the younger players. Kelly and or Deve could be on the list. I can also make a case for trading Gerrior and freeing up an LW position and an OA slot.

 

[OMG67]

Looking at the players that we have and past thoughts, I think the number 1 thing that we need to look for is either a RH Center or an RHD. In both cases, I would look at 16-17-year-olds.

I also think, based on what we saw of DC and the minutes, that he does not give a 4th line; if Whitehead is not at least the 3rd line center starting the year, he will ask for a trade.

Pinelli - Gardiner - Horner
Gerrior - Foster - Korbler
Barlas - Whitehead - Euro
Yanni - - Amidovski Dever
Hilton - Houben x -

I think we are going to see some trades out of camp to make room for some of the younger players. Kelly and or Deve could be on the list. I can also make a case for trading Gerrior and freeing up an LW position and an OA slot.

Are we trying to predict what Boyd will do or are we suggesting what we would do if we were the GM? That’s a big difference.

I agree that Whitehead needs more responsibility; however, players need to earn their ice time. If Whitehead is unable to earn ice time as a centre on a team in and around .500, where else is he going to go to get it?

I can only go one what we saw down the stretch and into the playoffs. Based on that, I think Gardiner and Dever are the top two centres in the organization. Dever proved capable. Can he be impactful? I don’t know about that but he did prove capable. He was 2-7-9 over 10 games in the playoffs from the centre position. I think he has earned an opportunity to nail down a role at centre. So, I think Gardiner and Dever are pretty safe bets to get first crack at top 6 roles at centre.

The OA situation is a puzzle that I can only speculate on. We are reasonably certain that Mayich requested a trade. My understanding is it was for family reasons. Do those same family reasons exist? I don’t know. But, if they do and he would still have a preference to play closer to home then I think it makes sense to consider him as a top trade candidate going into training camp. Stonehouse is going to get an invite to Edmonton’s camp. What he does there will help to inform where Edmonton feels he is best suited for his development. We don’t know he is coming back so I think we need to consider him gone and if he returns, it is a bonus. We can deal with that if/when it happens. The sense I get is the organization likes Thomas Sirman. I think they will likely keep him to start the season. I also think they like Gerrior. They also seem to like Nelson a lot. Where does that leave MacKenzie? So, a few questions need answers for sure with respect to OA’s.

The rest? I think it will all be resolved through the pre-season. The coaching staff will have a strong sense of which players they want to play where. If some older players find themselves on the wrong side of the depth chart, they will likely be moved. Who those players will be? I don’t know. I think Kelly and Hilton are strong candidates at forward. Both will be in their 3rd eligible season. Barlas may also be a question mark. I like him but where does he fit in? I think these are the three we need to keep an eye on up front. On the back end, Smyth seems like a strong candidate to move. There probably won’t be an OA spot for him. Brady may also be a candidate to watch. He’s in his 3rd eligible season as well. If the rookies come in and play well, he could find himself on the outside. He’s a righty though. That is a positive.

Of course, there is MacKenzie as well. If this is a rebuilding year and Nelson proves capable, maybe it would be better to get him more minutes. If so, they need to find a landing spot for MacK. I think a landing spot for him will be much easier than last year with Donoso, but it is still something to keep an eye on.

 

[Sam14]

Before it becomes a full blown high-jacking question on the wrong fan site, I'll ask the fans on here.

Between the 04s, 05s and 06s Ottawa could roster 7 NHL drafted players, it doesn’t appear to be a complete rebuild, despite the lack of draft picks, but more of retooling? Ottawa returning roster looks almost as good as most of the projected top team next season. Thoughts on where Ottawa fits into the eastern conference overall picture?

 

[OMG67]

Before it becomes a full blown high-jacking question on the wrong fan site, I'll ask the fans on here.

Between the 04s, 05s and 06s Ottawa could roster 7 NHL drafted players, it doesn’t appear to be a complete rebuild, despite the lack of draft picks, but more of retooling? Ottawa returning roster looks almost as good as most of the projected top team next season. Thoughts on where Ottawa fits into the eastern conference overall picture?

Their lack of impact depth down the middle will likely prevent them from competing with the top of the Conference. The acquisition cost of those elements would be significant. It would also mark three straight seasons of making significant buyer moves which would further deplete the future asset pool. We had the luxury the last two seasons of only needing to trade draft picks because we acquired OA’s and an Import. We won’t have that luxury this year. We’d need to pay full value for 19 year olds to fill the gaps. I don’t believe the 67’s would have the assets without moving at least one of the two most recent 1st round picks. If they did, it would most certainly mean next year would be a full rebuild with them moving Mews and potentially Marrelli.

They have a very significant trade asset with Pinelli. As a 50ish goal scorer, he is likely to garner a 2024 1st round pick in a trade. I think that is definitely a trade piece that should be moved under that assumption for a trade return.

Brampton, Oshawa, and Brantford will all return significant rosters while both Brampton and Brantford having a sick amount of draft picks to offer in trades. Those two teams should be able to outbid any other teams for pick based deals. This further highlights Ottawa lack of competitiveness as a buyer on the trade market.

 

[beastintheeast]

The ‘67s lost HB because he would only get limited ice time? He went to London to get virtually no TOI.

But he is playing in the M Cup and will be on a competitive team next year. I still think the idea was that he wanted to play on the same team ad BB but it did not work out.

With Whitehead, the problem is not that he does not want to play here but that the team does not want to play him.

OMG

If Mayich wants to play closer to home then he is looking at either BFD or Niagara.

I have to think that Niagara would be the better location to trade to. What can you see in return for him? Also, could it be a more than one-piece deal?

 

[dirty12]

But he is playing in the M Cup and will be on a competitive team next year. I still think the idea was that he wanted to play on the same team ad BB but it did not work out.

With Whitehead, the problem is not that he does not want to play here but that the team does not want to play him.

You stated Henry B would not sign with the ‘67s due a lack of TOI …he went to London to play sparingly as an occasional forward.

OMG

If Mayich wants to play closer to home then he is looking at either BFD or Niagara.

I have to think that Niagara would be the better location to trade to. What can you see in return for him? Also, could it be a more than one-piece deal?

Brantford has 3 OA F options, 4 with Xhekaj. Maybe Bujold (C) from Ottawa for Mayich as an OA exchange?

If Niagara is to acquire a D, I think he would have to be a right shot.

 

[OMG67]

But he is playing in the M Cup and will be on a competitive team next year. I still think the idea was that he wanted to play on the same team ad BB but it did not work out.

With Whitehead, the problem is not that he does not want to play here but that the team does not want to play him.

OMG

If Mayich wants to play closer to home then he is looking at either BFD or Niagara.

I have to think that Niagara would be the better location to trade to. What can you see in return for him? Also, could it be a more than one-piece deal?

We have to wait to see what the OA class looks like. With the double cohort and lack of quality development for the ‘04 class after losing their important 16 year old season, there may be a lot of decent OA’s clogging up rosters. Mayich may be sought after enough to make a bit of a difference for some teams but I wouldn’t look at Brantford and Niagara as the only two teams. Kitchener, Guelph, and Brampton are all relatively close. In fact, it was Kitchener that was his destination at the deadline.

 

[Petes1987]

But he is playing in the M Cup and will be on a competitive team next year. I still think the idea was that he wanted to play on the same team ad BB but it did not work out.

With Whitehead, the problem is not that he does not want to play here but that the team does not want to play him.

OMG

If Mayich wants to play closer to home then he is looking at either BFD or Niagara.

I have to think that Niagara would be the better location to trade to. What can you see in return for him? Also, could it be a more than one-piece deal?

Based on the return for similar overage defenceman last year. Ottawa may get a 3rd and a 4th or 5th for Mayich in the preseason. Jacob Holmes and Brayden Hislop went for similar returns last year. There is a chance they could get as high as a two, 3rds. At the trade deadline they could get a similar return to what the Petes got for Sam Mayer which wasa 2nd, 3rd and 5th.

 

[dirty12]

We have to wait to see what the OA class looks like. With the double cohort and lack of quality development for the ‘04 class after losing their important 16 year old season, there may be a lot of decent OA’s clogging up rosters. Mayich may be sought after enough to make a bit of a difference for some teams but I wouldn’t look at Brantford and Niagara as the only two teams. Kitchener, Guelph, and Brampton are all relatively close. In fact, it was Kitchener that was his destination at the deadline.

Going to be difficult to find a home for Mayich in the central or mid-west without an OA exchange I think.
Brampton could have interest in Stonehouse. Is he a player the ‘67s would keep or trade?

 

[OMG67]

Going to be difficult to find a home for Mayich in the central or mid-west without an OA exchange I think.
Brampton could have interest in Stonehouse. Is he a player the ‘67s would keep or trade?

I assume the three they keep are MacK, Gerrior, and Sirman/Mayich. I think we could see them keep four OA’s through mid-November.

I think there are some situations at play they will work through. The first one is goaltending. They really like Nelson and he had an outstanding season in the CCHL. If he is ready to play as a starter, we could see them move MacK at some point.

My sense is they really like Sirman as a player and teammate. I think with all things being equal, if they don’t intend on truly competing, I really think they will keep Sirman over Mayich. But, I agree with @Petes1987 that Mayich’s value to start the season will be significantly less than at the deadline. IT is going to be really difficult to swallow a 3rd and 4th for Mayich if that is the market. They need to keep him and wait for the market to open up if that is the case.

I think Stonehouse is likely to have value early if he is returned for an OA season. I don’t feel his value would significantly escalate at the deadline. He plays a type of game that coaches typically like. The only reason to wait until the deadline is to see if there may be an extra team or two that are unexpected contenders and increase the potential for increased bidding.

Pinelli is the player to watch. He’s the one that will garner the most interest. The only issue is North Bay will likely make Romani available, and Sudbury may make Musty available. Three high scoring wingers all on the market at the same time may be an issue getting what the 67’s want for Pinelli.

 

[dirty12]

I assume the three they keep are MacK, Gerrior, and Sirman/Mayich. I think we could see them keep four OA’s through mid-November.

I think there are some situations at play they will work through. The first one is goaltending. They really like Nelson and he had an outstanding season in the CCHL. If he is ready to play as a starter, we could see them move MacK at some point.

My sense is they really like Sirman as a player and teammate. I think with all things being equal, if they don’t intend on truly competing, I really think they will keep Sirman over Mayich. But, I agree with @Petes1987 that Mayich’s value to start the season will be significantly less than at the deadline. IT is going to be really difficult to swallow a 3rd and 4th for Mayich if that is the market. They need to keep him and wait for the market to open up if that is the case.

I think Stonehouse is likely to have value early if he is returned for an OA season. I don’t feel his value would significantly escalate at the deadline. He plays a type of game that coaches typically like. The only reason to wait until the deadline is to see if there may be an extra team or two that are unexpected contenders and increase the potential for increased bidding.

Pinelli is the player to watch. He’s the one that will garner the most interest. The only issue is North Bay will likely make Romani available, and Sudbury may make Musty available. Three high scoring wingers all on the market at the same time may be an issue getting what the 67’s want for Pinelli.

Pinelli, Romani, maybe Musty and Barlow and Rehkopf. It might be better to sell high early if an ‘07 fits as good or better better than an ‘08-1st in January.
I don’t see the value of Mayich increasing, I’d say OA value is C=RD>RW>LD>G

 

[OMG67]

Pinelli, Romani, maybe Musty and Barlow and Rehkopf. It might be better to sell high early if an ‘07 fits as good or better better than an ‘08-1st in January.
I don’t see the value of Mayich increasing, I’d say OA value is C=RD>RW>LD>G

Yeah. The OA prices early will seriously depend on whether there is a particular player a team really loves compared to other teams. That is why I highlight Stonehouse. He had a poor season last year but he adds an element of pesky prick that isn’t a common commodity. He may be the “type” of player that has multiple suitors with not many other players having similar attributes that are available.

I think there are a handful of “Mayich” types available. OA trades may result in some real head scratcher type returns…both high and low prices.

 

[Petes1987]

Yeah. The OA prices early will seriously depend on whether there is a particular player a team really loves compared to other teams. That is why I highlight Stonehouse. He had a poor season last year but he adds an element of pesky prick that isn’t a common commodity. He may be the “type” of player that has multiple suitors with not many other players having similar attributes that are available.

I think there are a handful of “Mayich” types available. OA trades may result in some real head scratcher type returns…both high and low prices.

I think overagers traded in the preseason will bring returns similar to previous years. I think draft picks that teams got got for depth forwards will be higher than the 8th most teams got. I expect the Petes could get 6th or a 7th for Chase Lefebvre. Brady Stonehouse may get the 67s an 3rd and a 4th. Overa defencemen will likely be similar to last year. Donovan McCoy if he is traded at the start of the season could get Sudbury a 2nd and a 4th or a 5th. Matthew Mayich may also may go for more than the norm. I am not sure of the worth for overage goaltenders. The Petes may get a 3 and 5th for Liam Sztuska but that may be expecting too much.

 

[OMG67]

I think overagers traded in the preseason will bring returns similar to previous years. I think draft picks that teams got got for depth forwards will be higher than the 8th most teams got. I expect the Petes could get 6th or a 7th for Chase Lefebvre. Brady Stonehouse may get the 67s an 3rd and a 4th. Overa defencemen will likely be similar to last year. Donovan McCoy if he is traded at the start of the season could get Sudbury a 2nd and a 4th or a 5th. Matthew Mayich may also may go for more than the norm. I am not sure of the worth for overage goaltenders. The Petes may get a 3 and 5th for Liam Sztuska but that may be expecting too much.

Stonehouse is the exact “type” of player that too many teams in a Challenger position to pay much more than a 3rd and 4th. The players that went/go for a 3rd and a 4th are players that only one team wants or is in a position to take. There will be a handful of players that will be highly sought after; however, we can only speculate which players they are. I don’t think Mayich is one but I do think Stonehouse is.

What is more likely to happen is a team like Ottawa would roster four OA’s right up to the deadline, especially if one is a goalie. The goalie can sit out games he doesn’t start. They would give themselves as much runway as possible to work out more viable deals. As much as Ottawa may like the person Sirman is, I don’t think they would accept a piss poor return for Mayich just to keep Sirman, especially when Mayich and Sirman aren’t even moderately comparable. I think other teams will do the same. They will keep the projected valuable deadline OA and release the weaker ones. Let the chips fall where they may.

The OA’s that are CLEARLY studs won’t likely be traded until closer to the deadline. That wouldn’t be dissimilar to what the Petes did this past season. Get as many points in the standings as possible with the high end players and then make the moves as late as possible.

We could see some OA for OA deals with a shuffling of positions. @dirty12 mentioned Bujold for Mayich as a possibility. That would be a really smart deal for both teams. Ottawa needs help down the middle and Branford could use a steady D-Man with Sobolev and Hamara graduating. I don’t see Okitundu being quite strong enough to stick as an OA on a stronger roster like Brantford. Mayich would fit in much better. That is the type of deal that could even be a savvy June trade.

 

[beastintheeast]

We have to wait to see what the OA class looks like. With the double cohort and lack of quality development for the ‘04 class after losing their important 16 year old season, there may be a lot of decent OA’s clogging up rosters. Mayich may be sought after enough to make a bit of a difference for some teams but I wouldn’t look at Brantford and Niagara as the only two teams. Kitchener, Guelph, and Brampton are all relatively close. In fact, it was Kitchener that was his destination at the deadline.

The challenge with Kitchener is I do not think they have the pieces to offer for a trade.

The challenge is that OA for OA does not resolve any team issues.

I think that the OA field is going to be a buyers' market up to and including the deadline. There are too many available.

I think Sirman and Mayich will garner a couple of picks next year at most.

The only pieces we have that might get us a player are MacK and Pinelli.

I wioll be interested to see what Petrov is like in camp. If he is ready for a back role or can share minutes games with Nelson, then I can see Ottawa making a quick trade of MacK, opening up the ability to keep Gerrior, Mayich and Sirman or trading one of them for a center.

If they are at all thinking about trading MacK I think they have to do it by the end of camp for whatever price they can get versus going through the hell that Donoso went through last year.

 

[dirty12]

The steelheads can use two OAs, and need two RW of at least average size as they are a bit small imo. I’m not sure if there are any big RW available, so one of Konyen (30-30 guy would pair nicely with Karmiris) or Mangone and Stonehouse could work there.

 

[beastintheeast]

The steelheads can use two OAs, and need two RW of at least average size as they are a bit small imo. I’m not sure if there are any big RW available, so one of Konyen (30-30 guy would pair nicely with Karmiris) or Mangone and Stonehouse could work there.

Stonehouse would have to be a 13th-round pick and provisional. Looking at Edmonton and Bakersfield I am not sure Stonehouse will make it and may get sent to the ECHL. At that point, it will be up to the team and him if he plays there or comes back to the OHL

 

[OMG67]

The challenge with Kitchener is I do not think they have the pieces to offer for a trade.

The challenge is that OA for OA does not resolve any team issues.

I think that the OA field is going to be a buyers' market up to and including the deadline. There are too many available.

I think Sirman and Mayich will garner a couple of picks next year at most.

The only pieces we have that might get us a player are MacK and Pinelli.

I wioll be interested to see what Petrov is like in camp. If he is ready for a back role or can share minutes games with Nelson, then I can see Ottawa making a quick trade of MacK, opening up the ability to keep Gerrior, Mayich and Sirman or trading one of them for a center.

If they are at all thinking about trading MacK I think they have to do it by the end of camp for whatever price they can get versus going through the hell that Donoso went through last year.

I do feel that an OA for OA trade makes sense if it is a top 6 centre coming back. We have a need at centre. IT doesn’t help fix the surplus of OA’s but it provides a significant boost to an important area of need. The rest can fall into place however it serves the team best.

I do think it is highly likely Ottawa rosters four OA’s in the early stages. They will likely keep Stonehouse on the roster until they need to release his rights, assuming he is playing Pro. I can’t remember the deadlines but I think they need to get down to four on the roster by some time in November and then three by the deadline. Maybe someone can confirm those dates?

 

[ecraigs]

But he is playing in the M Cup and will be on a competitive team next year. I still think the idea was that he wanted to play on the same team ad BB but it did not work out.

With Whitehead, the problem is not that he does not want to play here but that the team does not want to play him.

OMG

If Mayich wants to play closer to home then he is looking at either BFD or Niagara.

I have to think that Niagara would be the better location to trade to. What can you see in return for him? Also, could it be a more than one-piece deal?

I doubt that London told HB that he would be as little used as he was, although, he had the series winner in OT vs Saginaw, as I recall. I'm pretty sure that the sales spiel focused on the Cup and "development".

Whitehead, Hilton, Yanni, Brady, et al were just shoved aside for the playoffs and a large part of the late season. Uronen is an unknown and Körbler looked like at different player at the U18s. Add in a new crop of draftees and it is hard to predict how long it will take for this team to take shape.

Have players asked to be moved elsewhere? It seems that this team will be in flux for some time.

 

[dirty12]

I doubt that London told HB that he would be as little used as he was, although, he had the series winner in OT vs Saginaw, as I recall. I'm pretty sure that the sales spiel focused on the Cup and "development".

Whitehead, Hilton, Yanni, Brady, et al were just shoved aside for the playoffs and a large part of the late season. Uronen is an unknown and Körbler looked like at different player at the U18s. Add in a new crop of draftees and it is hard to predict how long it will take for this team to take shape.

Have players asked to be moved elsewhere? It seems that this team will be in flux for some time.

Sixteen year olds like Dickinson are rare. All other 16 yr olds and their agents know they are being played sparingly if at all in London as true rookies.

 

[beastintheeast]

I do feel that an OA for OA trade makes sense if it is a top 6 centre coming back. We have a need at centre. IT doesn’t help fix the surplus of OA’s but it provides a significant boost to an important area of need. The rest can fall into place however it serves the team best.

I do think it is highly likely Ottawa rosters four OA’s in the early stages. They will likely keep Stonehouse on the roster until they need to release his rights, assuming he is playing Pro. I can’t remember the deadlines but I think they need to get down to four on the roster by some time in November and then three by the deadline. Maybe someone can confirm those dates?

I agree that it would be a good thing if we got a center that could help. I understand the idea of having 4 OA, but I have to wonder how players would feel.

Using your scenario of trading Mayich we would then have
Gerrior
OA Center
Sirman
MacK

We would also have to carry a 3rd goalie if you are going to sit out MacK as I am sure he can not be on the bench as backup. One of the things that we complained about last year was the line juggling. It would seem that we would be back to doing that again. Also we would be using a CARD that could be used to develop a player.

If Nelson looks ready for prime time and Petrov looks ready to take the next step, then I would suggest that we look at trading MacK ASAP. We do not want to be in the position we were in with Donoso again this year.

Stonehouse is a paradox. Did they sign him only to let him sit in the OHL and play against younger players or do they want him to develop in a men's league. They started Delong last year in the ECHL then brought him up to the AHL.

To me, if he wants to go pro, that would make the most sense, therefore, I would trade his rights as much as we did Cranley.

MacK to Niagara for Podolioukh
Mayich for draft picks to Kitchener

Would be deals that I see helping everyone

I doubt that London told HB that he would be as little used as he was, although, he had the series winner in OT vs Saginaw, as I recall. I'm pretty sure that the sales spiel focused on the Cup and "development".

Whitehead, Hilton, Yanni, Brady, et al were just shoved aside for the playoffs and a large part of the late season. Uronen is an unknown and Körbler looked like at different player at the U18s. Add in a new crop of draftees and it is hard to predict how long it will take for this team to take shape.

Have players asked to be moved elsewhere? It seems that this team will be in flux for some time.

No, but I think that the idea originally was to get both boys on the same team, and when that did not work out, they had to settle (if you can call London settling) for the knights. Personally, I think he would have gotten more ice time here than he did in London, but in London, he is not going to a retooling or rebuilding team.

Korbler was a rookie in all the same sense as Whitehead. He also needed to develop a different system than others and a different culture that sometimes players have challenges with.

I see him back here next year for his draft year and playing large minutes.

As to the playoffs, I will not rerant only say that I think Cameron was an idiot. He played players who could barely skate instead of players who were going to return and were hungry to show what they had. Let's face it: we are not going to beat Oshawa, so why not work on next year?

I heard that Mike Babcock did t not like rookies/ young players I wonder if Cameron is the same.

As for disgruntled players, Mayich wants out. I am sure that if Whitehead is relegated to the fourth line, he will immediately go home and demand a trade. Possibly, the same thing will happen with Yanni.

 

[OMG67]

I agree that it would be a good thing if we got a center that could help. I understand the idea of having 4 OA, but I have to wonder how players would feel.

Using your scenario of trading Mayich we would then have
Gerrior
OA Center
Sirman
MacK

We would also have to carry a 3rd goalie if you are going to sit out MacK as I am sure he can not be on the bench as backup. One of the things that we complained about last year was the line juggling. It would seem that we would be back to doing that again. Also we would be using a CARD that could be used to develop a player.

If Nelson looks ready for prime time and Petrov looks ready to take the next step, then I would suggest that we look at trading MacK ASAP. We do not want to be in the position we were in with Donoso again this year.

Stonehouse is a paradox. Did they sign him only to let him sit in the OHL and play against younger players or do they want him to develop in a men's league. They started Delong last year in the ECHL then brought him up to the AHL.

To me, if he wants to go pro, that would make the most sense, therefore, I would trade his rights as much as we did Cranley.

MacK to Niagara for Podolioukh
Mayich for draft picks to Kitchener

Would be deals that I see helping everyone


No, but I think that the idea originally was to get both boys on the same team, and when that did not work out, they had to settle (if you can call London settling) for the knights. Personally, I think he would have gotten more ice time here than he did in London, but in London, he is not going to a retooling or rebuilding team.

Korbler was a rookie in all the same sense as Whitehead. He also needed to develop a different system than others and a different culture that sometimes players have challenges with.

I see him back here next year for his draft year and playing large minutes.

As to the playoffs, I will not rerant only say that I think Cameron was an idiot. He played players who could barely skate instead of players who were going to return and were hungry to show what they had. Let's face it: we are not going to beat Oshawa, so why not work on next year?

I heard that Mike Babcock did t not like rookies/ young players I wonder if Cameron is the same.

As for disgruntled players, Mayich wants out. I am sure that if Whitehead is relegated to the fourth line, he will immediately go home and demand a trade. Possibly, the same thing will happen with Yanni.

There are too many dangling issues to really zero in on a viable option. As soon as you pull one string, another appears.

To be clear, my source says Mayich was/is not disgruntled. Sometimes family issues play a factor in trade requests and this seems to be one of those things. It doesn’t’ look like Mayich is unhappy in Ottawa. Sometimes life gets in the way and difficult decisions need to be made. I think this is one of those times. Usually, when that sort of thing happens, the opposing team pays fair market value as a courtesy. They don’t typically lowball. They either want the player or they don’t. At the deadline, the return for Mayich was 2x 2nds, 3rd, 4th. I doubt his value as an OA goes down to just the 3rd and 4th. But, I don’t think it will be 2x 2nds. Maybe just one single 2nd. The 67’s are also trying to fill pick voids in 2026 so the further away the pucks, the less they are valued so maybe it would be a 2nd and 3rd but in 2026/27?

The 67’s may be forced to play the hand they are dealt with respect to carding too many players. There is an opportunity cost at play. Trade a player at an unacceptable lower value or burn a card holding the player until the market heats up. It will be a judgement call to start the season.

I am a firm believer that players need to earn their icetime. It should never be given unearned. If a player earns the ice time and the depth chart gets in the way then the team usually moves out the older player blocking the younger player. But, the younger player has to force the teams hand with their strong play. If Whitehead doesn’t earn his spot and walks out (highly unlikely) then so be it. Don’t let the Oor hit you in the ass on the way out. IF the player isn’t worthy of top 9 minutes, who cares if he leaves? Plenty of capable 4th liners out there. That is not to say that is how I view him but let’s not get carried away with speculation.

I wasn’t a Dave Cameron fan and I still am not a Dave Cameron fan but he isn’t a bad coach. HE does develop players fairly well. He does manage to glean results. It is more that his style of play is sorta boring. But, given the right mix of players, you can win with him as the coach.

 

[ecraigs]

I wasn’t a Dave Cameron fan and I still am not a Dave Cameron fan but he isn’t a bad coach. HE does develop players fairly well. He does manage to glean results. It is more that his style of play is sorta boring. But, given the right mix of players, you can win with him as the coach.

Cameron has a reputation as a coach who implements a structured approach to play, but that seems geared to older, more experienced players. It's certainly what we've seen here in Ottawa. Whether I agree with his approach or not, he's the guy that calls the shots. His coaching record is not emblazoned with a lot of titles, which speaks to the personnel and management that he had to work with as well.

Major Junior gives a coach a limited window with each cohort, meaning getting the right players at the right time is crucial. Leaving the rookies out in the cold doesn't help that.

 

[frontsfan67]

Beast what do you think about the Thibodeau trade