The question I have is how sure we are that Dtonehouse is not making the Oilers system. Remember when he went to their camp last year no one really thought he would get a contract. Also the Oilers farm team is in need of players.
Mayich, it's possible they'll spend another year in Junior. If my prediction holds, we'll have the entire next year to secure his signing.
The player we need is a center. I am not sure if they are going to give up any of their centers, but I guess stats-wise, Van Volsen would be the obvious man out. But I have to think there will have to be more to the package to make it worthwhile or a guarantee for the Oilers that he is coming back.
If I were Smyth, I really would not plan on returning to Ottawa except for training camp.
I agree that we want the team to be competitive but I do not see any reason to be a buyer in any real shape or form at the deadline. We have been saying year after year tht they need to start building back the draft picks, not trading them away.
We have to quit. We will make a push this year and put off the retool until next year. We have too many draft holes that need to be filled.
The fans will understand if we are not a powerhouse this year or next as long as the product gives 100% on the ice. I see 26/27 as our big year to start another run at the top if we do it right.
I think this year is a “Hope for the best but prepare for the worst” kinda scenario. I think it is incumbent on the management to go into the season optimistic. It is not like they threw the kitchen sink at a run last season or the season previous. So, it is not like they go in as obvious sellers with no other viable choice like the Petes last season.
I think you really need to take the “we wanna give’r a chance” stance with a grain of salt.
If the 67’s are holding out for a player like Van Volsen for Stonehouse and Mayich, I think they will be holding out for the entire season. I don’t think it is realistic they trade the player they received for Owen Beck for two OA’s.
I really think there are a few teams in the East that are head and shoulders ahead of Ottawa. Oshawa went to the Finals and return most of their roster next season. Missy was right there with Ottawa this season and return basically their whole roster. Brantford returns a strong team. They were building for next season. Even their deadline moves were geared for next season. I think it would be VERY presumptuous for anyone in Ottawa to suggest they are right there with those three teams. Ottawa isn’t in the same ballpark as those three teams. Each of those three teams can out trade Ottawa at the deadline as well (assuming Boyd wouldn’t trade a 1st rounder).
This all doesn’t mean Ottawa will suck. It only means there are three teams IMO that start the season in ELITE mode. Last season we didn’t have one team in the Eastern Conference in ELITE mode until Oshawa rolled into the playoffs with 12 games left in the season. We won’t have that luxury this season.
Even if Ottawa were sitting in 4th, I think the gap at the end of the season between 3rd and 4th could be as much as 20 points.
Regarding Stonehouse, if there are trade talks right now, it probably means there is confirmation Stonehouse is returning regardless of his performance in training camp. I think everyone that is being realistic sees that he needs another season in the OHL for development. A lot of the middling NHL prospects with 2004 birthdates likely need it because of the double cohort rookie season squeezing their development ice early. You have to remember, teams sign players based on where they see them getting to 3-5 years from the time they sign, not that they expect them to produce even at the AHL level in any meaningful way the very next season. A player like Stonehouse needs a lot more development time than the normal player. The way he plays, he needs MAN STRENGTH. He needs to mature physically to make the type of impact he projects to make.
