Ottawa 67's 2023-24 Off-Season Thread (Part 1)

[OMG67]

The East is wide open as far as playoffs go.
Oshawa is far superior to Ottawa is all I was eluding too and all of the data backs it up without using what if's and theories.

Tonight’s game (Oshawa vs Brantford) is the exact reason why Oshawa doesn’t inspire me at all. Brantford had 5 key pieces out of the lineup. Oshawa jumps out to the early 4-0 lead as they should and then proceed to get 9 total shots in the 2nd and 3rd combined. They let Brantford weasel they way back into the game to 4-3. Ritchie makes an outstanding play to pretty much win the game.

Oshawa has no 2nd gear. They have some size but outside of maybe three forwards no one can skate with pace. They have zero killer instinct.

The Generals SHOULD be much better but they aren’t. The expectation for them to simply somehow turn it on in the playoffs and take their game to another level isn’t something that I am very confident in, at least not as much as you. Their consistency has been off the entire season.

 

[badnova]

It has been pretty consistent now for a few weeks:

Sirman - Mews
Marrelli - Mayich
Smyth - Mayer

I dont’ think we will see different pairings. Maybe on things like special teams or if someone is in the box but 5 on 5 with no one in the penalty box, those will likely stay as is the rest of the way.

Yes I’m agree but today the D pairing change all the second and third period

 

[OMG67]

Yes I’m agree but today the D pairing change all the second and third period

I didn’t notice. Maybe it was awkward changes? I didn’t notice faceoffs with different pairings. I could be wrong though. I wasn’t’ paying all that close attention.

 

[AGranderson]

I didn’t notice. Maybe it was awkward changes? I didn’t notice faceoffs with different pairings. I could be wrong though. I wasn’t’ paying all that close attention.

I did notice some. As well I noticed I think Horner & Dever should switch spots, it would put Dever where he should play & make a pretty physical nasty 4th line of Hilton:Barlas:Horner , Barlas or Hilton can not skate with Dever and even though Horner has been an ok place holder on that line he has done nothing exceptional some good bounces have gone in his favour. I’ve liked the play of Mews as of late much better, MacK was not tested a heavy amount tonight but he made a lot of saves that he did not make in his last start against Erie. Lastly the line of Stone:Gard:Gerrior was lethal looking this evening. Hard to say to much about tonight’s game as it was not very interesting and against a very bad hockey team.

 

[OMG67]

I did notice some. As well I noticed I think Horner & Dever should switch spots, it would put Dever where he should play & make a pretty physical nasty 4th line of Hilton:Barlas:Horner , Barlas or Hilton can not skate with Dever and even though Horner has been an ok place holder on that line he has done nothing exceptional some good bounces have gone in his favour. I’ve liked the play of Mews as of late much better, MacK was not tested a heavy amount tonight but he made a lot of saves that he did not make in his last start against Erie. Lastly the line of Stone:Gard:Gerrior was lethal looking this evening. Hard to say to much about tonight’s game as it was not very interesting and against a very bad hockey team.

We really cannot use a game against Niagara as a measuring stick to be honest.

General thoughts:
1> I have been poking at Mews all year. Over the last 4 weeks or so, basically since he paired up with Sirman, he has significantly reduced his bonehead plays and has been much more impactful offensively. There is a difference between being the guy that sets up plays and the guy that finishes plays by scoring goals. Mews has been way more impactful finishing plays. I’ve been very impressed at how he has turned around his approach, reduced the errors and put himself in positions to score. VERY impressed.
2> Korbler has also put himself in a position to score and be a finisher. I don’t think he will be that guy against the tougher teams though. I question his impact when the going gets tougher. I honestly feel like Korbler will negatively affect that front line come the playoffs.
3> Any line with Gerrior on it will be successful. Simple as that. He is our second most impactful winger. I don’t think there is even a question about it.
4> Gardiner has not lived up to expectations. That is not to say he’s been poor. But, I had higher expectations. Every year, post season, I give my report card. The grades are related to expectation. If I expect a player to score 50-50-100 and that player scores 35-40-75 and leads the team in scoring, that player gets at best a “C.” Right now, I think Gardiner falls in that category. At best a “C.” He needs to find a way to be more noticeable. He’s scored 5 goals since the deadline. Since the deadline, he’s had competent wingers to play with. He’s on pace to score 15 goals. He needs to be more impactful.
5> Stonehouse is in the same boat as Gardiner. HOWEVER, his grade will be earned in the playoffs. Last year he scored 37-20-57 but had a paltry 3 points in the playoffs. Zero points and a -1 vs Peterborough. This playoffs is where he needs to show the impact he can have on a game and a series. Last year in the playoffs he was inconsequential across the board. HE needs to be a leader on the ice. He needs to be the rat that Marchand is for Boston.
6> MacKenzie plays a very calm game. He’s been getting beat high. He may be leaning forward a bit too much to help reduce the strain on the groin. He did look better tonight and his glove hand had more range. I’m curious to see how he progresses.
7> Dever’s impact is on the PK. He is very light and isn’t a strong finisher. In my opinion, the question is not whether he should replace Horner but whether he should replace Korbler. Korbler has 3 against Peterborough, 3 against Niagara, one against Kingston, Oshawa, and Barrie. He has more time and space against the weaker teams. He isn’t pushed around as much because he is quicker against the weaker teams. To me, Dever should replace Korbler when the playoffs come around. I think having Horner at 6’0” 195 with some nasty play on a regular shift in the top 9 has meaning. He creates space. When the going gets tough, he rises to the occasion.
8> Sirman has been a very calming influence in the second half. It is going to be very difficult choosing between Sirman and Mayich next year to start the season. Sirman has paired really well with Mews. I have a very strong feeling that Sirman is going to play an entire season next year with Ottawa. Mayich may be gone as early as the first week of the regular season. There will be a few teams looking for OA D-Men and I think Mayich will have early value.

 

[beastintheeast]

Sunday is a huge day, A mississauga win along with Brantford and Oshawa winning will start to really close the door.

 

[OMG67]

Sunday is a huge day, A mississauga win along with Brantford and Oshawa winning will start to really close the door.

Well, with any luck….here’s to hoping, right? You’d get your wish of picking 12th instead of 15th.

 

[beastintheeast]

Well, with any luck….here’s to hoping, right? You’d get your wish of picking 12th instead of 15th.

LOL today will go along way to showing you or I am on the path

In a sense, I hope it is your path, but then again, I would not be upset.

I was looking on elite prospects the players that are eligible to be drafted.

2024 OHL Draft Ranking - Elite Prospects

User submitted ranking at Eliteprospects.com - 2024 OHL Draft Ranking

www.eliteprospects.com

I must admit I am a little confused. The draft list shows players who have already committed to the USHL in the rankings. If a player has already committed, is he not gone? Therefore, it is a waste of skin to draft in the first round. Unless of course you are London LOL

 

[HockeyPops]

"The list" is just a user submitted list. You can make your own list if you don't like their's.

 

[NoQuit67s]

NB lost to Barrie yesterday... The plot thickens!
Crazy that only 4 points separate 1st to 6th in the conference still...

 

[beastintheeast]

NB lost to Barrie yesterday... The plot thickens!
Crazy that only 4 points separate 1st to 6th in the conference still...

NB is not that important although I am suprised. Like I said earlier today is huge.

BFD vs Petes
67 vs miss
Oshawa vs Barrie

These are division games

67's need to win!

 

[OMG67]

If 85 points to win the division is accurate, then they can lose one game the rest of the way. I think less than 85 points is unlikely now to win the division. Realistically speaking, they probably need to win their next four games stating today. It would make the final weekend 100% meaningful.

Sudbury is going to play a pivotal role in the East Division results. They play Oshawa twice. Two wins for Sudbury vs Oshawa likely results in the Wolves nailing down tops in the conference.

We’ve talked a lot of the 1 through 6 but there is another battle brewing. Barrie has clawed their way to only being four points back of Kingston but have 3 games in hand.

Obviously less meaningful but there is only 2 points separating 5th and 8th in the Western CConference right now too.

Some decent races for teams jockeying for position.

I can’t remember a season where so much was still at stake going into the last three weekends.

 

[mianjo]

67's down 3-1 midway 2nd period

GOAL
#6 Thomas Sirman (3) scores. Assists: #12 Braeden Kressler
1st 16:08

 

[OMG67]

67’s aren’t going to win this game. They have a terrible habit of letting their opponent come to them. Today is a prime example. When Ottawa forces the play, they have success. When they let the opposition come to them and try to maintain, they are sloppy.

 

[ecraigs]

67’s aren’t going to win this game. They have a terrible habit of letting their opponent come to them. Today is a prime example. When Ottawa forces the play, they have success. When they let the opposition come to them and try to maintain, they are sloppy.

Quite honestly, they lack the basic skills that they need. Far too many passes into skates, including D to D. The third Steelheads goal was an atrocious play. Instead of clearing the zone, a forward is the last player back and he tries to stickhandle behind the net. The other player in the zone was another forward. Steelheads have just been better.

 

[mianjo]

2-3

OAL
#22 Matthew Mayich (6) scores. Assists: #6 Thomas Sirman
3rd 18:14

2-4 EN

67's lose 4-2

 

[OMG67]

That is likely the ballgame. Mathematically, it is still possible but I think it is unlikely. Ottawa would need to run the schedule and Oshawa would need to lose two games. Brantford would need to lose one additional game over the two they’d lose to Ottawa if Ottawa ran their schedule. So, although it is not technically over, it seems not very likely.

It was a very lacklustre performance today. As mentioned earlier, they seem to have a bad habit of letting the opponents dictate the pace. The 67’s don’t’ seem to have a sense of urgency and play to their opponent. It is crazy how often they do that. A lot of times they are still successful because of goal suppression but Pinelli with the bonehead play turning over the puck in front of the net as the last man back. Little plays like that are the difference.

 

[NoQuit67s]

Team didn't show up, played sloppy in the 1st and 2nd.
They turned it on in the 3rd, but doesn't have the firepower to consistently win games that way this season. They do show that they can completely control games though. I still think we are the better team.

Foster, Gerroir, Pinelli always give their 110% effort every game, but this was a really bad game for Pinelli, by his standards anyway.... He may be trying to do too much.
Anybody notice Mayer may not be playing his best lately? He is not bad (which means still good), just not playing at the level he was when he first got here.

Probably a few missed calls today too, we could have used a few more powerplays.

Horner ended on the top line late in the game, laid out some good strong checks to make room. He plays a very disciplined game too. Had at least three good scoring chances too, unfortunately, doesn't have the skill to finish, but I think he has done everything the coaches ask of him. He still will be a 3rd and 4th line guy in the playoffs. I hope Korbler is too.

I think now, best would be to finish in the top 4, healthy and get home ice in the first series. Given how close the conference is, that could maybe mean more home ice depending who knocks who out in the first round.

Honestly, don't think it matter much where they finish in regards to the quality of 1st round pick selection next year.

 

[badnova]

Team didn't show up, played sloppy in the 1st and 2nd.
They turned it on in the 3rd, but doesn't have the firepower to consistently win games that way this season. They do show that they can completely control games though. I still think we are the better team.

Foster, Gerroir, Pinelli always give their 110% effort every game, but this was a really bad game for Pinelli, by his standards anyway.... He may be trying to do too much.
Anybody notice Mayer may not be playing his best lately? He is not bad (which means still good), just not playing at the level he was when he first got here.

Probably a few missed calls today too, we could have used a few more powerplays.

Horner ended on the top line late in the game, laid out some good strong checks to make room. He plays a very disciplined game too. Had at least three good scoring chances too, unfortunately, doesn't have the skill to finish, but I think he has done everything the coaches ask of him. He still will be a 3rd and 4th line guy in the playoffs. I hope Korbler is too.

I think now, best would be to finish in the top 4, healthy and get home ice in the first series. Given how close the conference is, that could maybe mean more home ice depending who knocks who out in the first round.

Honestly, don't think it matter much where they finish in regards to the quality of 1st round pick selection next year.

We see Mayer less since he played with Smyth

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Some really selfish play today with the Stonehouse roughing penalty 200 feet from his net and Pinelli dipsy doodling as the last man back in front of his own net. Not stuff you want to see from your leadership group with 6 games left to play in the regular season.

The 67s turned it on in the third but it was obviously too late. Thought Sirman, Marrelli and Horner were quite strong today.

 

[ecraigs]

Some really selfish play today with the Stonehouse roughing penalty 200 feet from his net and Pinelli dipsy doodling as the last man back in front of his own net. Not stuff you want to see from your leadership group with 6 games left to play in the regular season.

The 67s turned it on in the third but it was obviously too late. Thought Sirman, Marrelli and Horner were quite strong today.

I thought Horner showed grit and energy. First shift he made his presence known.

The Ottawa Power Play is anything but. 2/2 vs Niagara, 0 for March everywhere else and the dumbshit penalties continue apace.

 

[beastintheeast]

That is likely the ballgame. Mathematically, it is still possible but I think it is unlikely. Ottawa would need to run the schedule and Oshawa would need to lose two games. Brantford would need to lose one additional game over the two they’d lose to Ottawa if Ottawa ran their schedule. So, although it is not technically over, it seems not very likely.

It was a very lacklustre performance today. As mentioned earlier, they seem to have a bad habit of letting the opponents dictate the pace. The 67’s don’t’ seem to have a sense of urgency and play to their opponent. It is crazy how often they do that. A lot of times they are still successful because of goal suppression but Pinelli with the bonehead play turning over the puck in front of the net as the last man back. Little plays like that are the difference.

This might be the easiest 100$ ever made.

I feel like the big hole is @OMG67 hopes and dreams for Ottawa is they always surround all the other teams ahead losing several games.

Oshawa and Brantford are not going to roll over and let Ottawa pass them.
Ottawa is 7 pts out with 9 games remaining. Finishing 3rd in the division is likely the case.
I think its just a matter if they jump up to 5th in the conference or not now.

Oshawa's schedule which may look strong to finish the season isn't to bad considering Sudbury is without 2 top players. -Their travel Schedule isn't to bad either with just the one big travel day to Sudbury. -I feel like now that Ben Danford is back you will see this team finish very strong and maybe even pass Brantford to win the division.
Oshawa has won 5 straight since being humiliated in Ottawa Feb 23rd.

I wouldn't be overly shocked to see Brantford head into the playoff in a little bit of a slump if you look at their schedule its likely the toughest of the 3.

There is also the Steelheads who no one is really talking about that has the goaltending to steal games and is only 5 pts out of first in the east.
Does anyone know why Porter Martone didn't play yesterday?

Quite honestly, they lack the basic skills that they need. Far too many passes into skates, including D to D. The third Steelheads goal was an atrocious play. Instead of clearing the zone, a forward is the last player back and he tries to stickhandle behind the net. The other player in the zone was another forward. Steelheads have just been better.

Some really selfish play today with the Stonehouse roughing penalty 200 feet from his net and Pinelli dipsy doodling as the last man back in front of his own net. Not stuff you want to see from your leadership group with 6 games left to play in the regular season.

The 67s turned it on in the third but it was obviously too late. Thought Sirman, Marrelli and Horner were quite strong today.

So would you say they are, at best, a 5th place team? Right now I think I may have misjudged them and they are a 6th-place team

The only good news is that the teams ahead of them play a few head-to-head games. Depending on what the 67s do they may be able to climb a spot to 5th

The home and home with Barrie will be interesting Barrie may want to fight for 7th or be happy with 8th. If they want to get 7th they will be a very tough team to beat. Losses to Barrie guarantee 6th plac e



The question mark is going to
be if BFD can sew up first overall before the last weekend.

 

[OMG67]

So would you say they are, at best, a 5th place team? Right now I think I may have misjudged them and they are a 6th-place team

The only good news is that the teams ahead of them play a few head-to-head games. Depending on what the 67s do they may be able to climb a spot to 5th

The home and home with Barrie will be interesting Barrie may want to fight for 7th or be happy with 8th. If they want to get 7th they will be a very tough team to beat. Losses to Barrie guarantee 6th plac e



The question mark is going to
be if BFD can sew up first overall before the last weekend.

You continue to misunderstand the point. I don’t know how much more OBVIOUS I can make my point. When 6 teams are all within 5 points, there is no first place team, nor is there a 6th place team when “labeling” a team. You LABELLED the 67’s as a 5th place team. There is a very strong distinction between saying, “The 67’s are a 5th place team” and “the 67’s are likely to finish 5th.” Of course we will have teams finish 1st through 6th. That is obvious. But, can you label any team in this conference with a line like, “That is a first place team.” No, you can’t because there isn’t one team in our conference that is worthy of being designated a first place team.

“This is a 5th place team” as an argument within the context of the discussion suggests it is incapable of being anything more than that. You know that was the intent of the statement because you’ve argued all year that this 67’s team wasn’t worthy of investing assets in.

I find this whole line of reasoning flawed and insulting to the team and insulting to all of the teams in the top 6 of the Conference. Although none of the teams deserve to be labelled as a Conference leading team, none of them deserve to be painted with the brush of insult. I think all of those teams have performed very wel post-deadline. Their winning percentage vs the top teams int he Western Conference has been positive. The unfortunate part is they play each other a lot and the balance in overall talent has shown in the standings. None of those six teams managed to break away from the pack. All that proves is there are no elite teams but each of those teams are pretty darned solid and each of them are capable of representing the eastern Conference in the Championship Final. We may view certain teams chances differently based on our own biases and what we value in playoff hockey but it doesn’t diminish how relatively close each of these teams are.

 

[beastintheeast]

You continue to misunderstand the point. I don’t know how much more OBVIOUS I can make my point. When 6 teams are all within 5 points, there is no first place team, nor is there a 6th place team when “labeling” a team. You LABELLED the 67’s as a 5th place team. There is a very strong distinction between saying, “The 67’s are a 5th place team” and “the 67’s are likely to finish 5th.” Of course we will have teams finish 1st through 6th. That is obvious. But, can you label any team in this conference with a line like, “That is a first place team.” No, you can’t because there isn’t one team in our conference that is worthy of being designated a first place team.

“This is a 5th place team” as an argument within the context of the discussion suggests it is incapable of being anything more than that. You know that was the intent of the statement because you’ve argued all year that this 67’s team wasn’t worthy of investing assets in.

I find this whole line of reasoning flawed and insulting to the team and insulting to all of the teams in the top 6 of the Conference. Although none of the teams deserve to be labelled as a Conference leading team, none of them deserve to be painted with the brush of insult. I think all of those teams have performed very wel post-deadline. Their winning percentage vs the top teams int he Western Conference has been positive. The unfortunate part is they play each other a lot and the balance in overall talent has shown in the standings. None of those six teams managed to break away from the pack. All that proves is there are no elite teams but each of those teams are pretty darned solid and each of them are capable of representing the eastern Conference in the Championship Final. We may view certain teams chances differently based on our own biases and what we value in playoff hockey but it doesn’t diminish how relatively close each of these teams are.

Simple question

Where would you see this team if this was a normal season with teams playing the normal season?

My point is not talking about the positioning of the team but the player quality this team has.

The difference is this year, there were not any stand-out teams in the first half.

At the beginning of the year, we all agreed that with the talent this team had returning, we would be, at best, a mid-pack team.

What made it different is that this year there is a parity in the conference due to the late start of the other teams in the conference

The parity made things interesting, but still, in a normal year, this is a team that I would expect to finish fifth in the conference.

Parity has made it interesting, but let's face it, if you look at it, compare the abilities of this team with last year's team or the year before.

I had this team finishing as a 5/6 maybe 4 team.

This is based on teh quality of the players. It is not an insult. It is simply stating what I see as the quality of this team.

 

[OMG67]

Simple question

Where would you see this team if this was a normal season with teams playing the normal season?

My point is not talking about the positioning of the team but the player quality this team has.

The difference is this year, there were not any stand-out teams in the first half.

At the beginning of the year, we all agreed that with the talent this team had returning, we would be, at best, a mid-pack team.

What made it different is that this year there is a parity in the conference due to the late start of the other teams in the conference

The parity made things interesting, but still, in a normal year, this is a team that I would expect to finish fifth in the conference.

Parity has made it interesting, but let's face it, if you look at it, compare the abilities of this team with last year's team or the year before.

I had this team finishing as a 5/6 maybe 4 team.

This is based on teh quality of the players. It is not an insult. It is simply stating what I see as the quality of this team.

Do you walk through life making decisions based on what your preconceived expectations are for the future and never change based on the current landscape around you or do you rationalize your current situation and make adjustments along the way?

I live in the present. I make life decisions based on where I currently am in respect to what the environment around me is. I don’t walk through life single minded with a singular decision on how I am going to get through the next year ignoring the changing landscape around me. As such, neither should a sports franchise. If an opportunity presents itself, take advantage.

The reality is there are six teams that are all around the same. Provided the 7th and 8th placed teams lose in the first round, two good teams will be disappointed. it is what it is. The 67’s bought themselves a chance. They paid a relatively small amount to gain that chance.

Perspective is everything. Ottawa traded away HB, Beck and Ewles. They traded for Maillet, Kressler, and Mayer. I realize not all yeras of picks are equal and there is some massaging of values but if we ignore that argument for now, the result is we moved those three players, added these three players and the net result is the 67’s lost three 3rds and two 5ths. We added a 4th and a comp 1st pick. All in all, it wasn’t a huge price to pay considering two of the players we moved didn’t want to be here. I consider the value of the comp 1st pick and the 4th as a greater value than three 3rds but that is a discussion for another day.

The point being is that Boyd managed to reconfigure a roster to be competitive this year while moving same/similar asset values around. You can argue that the assets should not have been used on this season’s roster and that is a very valid argument. I am fine with that. I don’t think either of the next two seasons would be more advantageous to use those assets but that is my perspective.

The only criticism I have in what Boyd did this year is he didn’t go far enough. If I were to be more critical, I think passing on Dubois at what he went for in trade vs Maillet was a mistake provided that opportunity was available to him. I think Dubois packaged with Mayer saving a 3rd round pick in the process would have been a better move. But, there is consideration when it comes to the years the picks are in and whether Ottawa had the flexibility to move the right years picks. I do feel he tried to maneuver around the Import market but there really wasn’t anyone out there available that would have made an impact outside of Sale who would not come to Ottawa.

Ottawa is a team with flaws but every team in the Eastern Conference has flaws so it is what it is. Ottawa needed two centres and a #1 D-Man. they went out and filled those holes and pieced together a roster that is/was a contender for the division win. Even if they finish in 6th for the conference, they will still likely be within 6-8 points of the Conference lead. As mentioned in a previous post, that is a testament to how well all of the teams managed to maintain competitiveness. Only Kingston dropped out of contention post-deadline. The Petes did as well but they traded their way out of contention so that doesn’t count. Each of those six teams are same/similar. Classifying them as anything different is disingenuous.