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

[PuckStop75]

The problem is hd has not sat anybody to send a message yet. Quite a few recently would have deserved it for lack of effort.

I'm really not sure effort is the issue, the approach and system is very conservative. OMG summed it up nicely when he said they play not to lose.

 

[OMG67]

This is the product of the system and Coaching, which I can say is not my favorite. But I can reassure you of one thing; DC is not changing, the players will play his way or they will not play.

I agree. DC will give us a chance to win most years. The challenge is squeezing that extra drip of emotion out of the team when it is needed. It is a double edged sword.

 

[sirius67fan]

I'm really not sure effort is the issue, the approach and system is very conservative. OMG summed it up nicely when he said they play not to lose.

I would partially disagree. Some players put out all effort like Pinellii, Gerrior, Dever, Sirman, Marelli to name a few. I know Pinelli made some boneheaded plays recently but you can't fault his effort. However this year I've been dissapointed by the lack of consistent effort of Gardiner, Stoney, Foster ( first half of season) and Mews ( better recently) to name a few. Could put Smyth in there but not sure if it's effort or so so hockey sense. To be successful this team needs 100% all the time and ax OMG said push the pace and play your game. 67's successin last five years was built on competitiveness and effort. Not always evident this year imo. Maybe it's time before the playoffs for Cameron to send a message or two!

 

[dirty12]

For sure. I had North Bay as the Conference winner and Eastern Conference winner when the dust settled at the deadline. I am still earning that way but they haven’t been quite as impressive as I first thought.

To me, the big surprise is Brantford. When they started getting hit with injuries, I thought they would fall back and they really haven’t. They’ve been 4 weeks now missing at least three key players (more than 3 in many games). I’ve also been a little surprised with Mississauga. I thought they would fall back a bit in 5th/6th. They are a young team but it is a testament to how good Richmond is. I honestly feel Richmond may be emerging as the next great OHL coach/GM. I have a ton of respect for what he’s done to date.

I like Oshawa as many others do. It is just that tone tendency they have of being out-skated by the speedy teams and they don’t have enough of a response to it. Oster is great in net for sure and he can win a series in those situations but I really think teams like North Bay and Ottawa present a problem for Oshawa in the style of play. If they can avoid those two teams, I think they have a much stronger chance.

I have zero respect for Sudbury at this point. They are playing 80’s firewagon hockey and that won’t fly in the playoffs. If they don’t piece it together and start Playing responsible hockey, they may not make it out of the first round no matter who they play. They don’t have the goaltending to play that style of hockey successfully.

If Brantford returns to full health, how can any of us not pick them to win the Conference? With what they have done short staffed, a full team would make a huge difference. Their rink is tiny and they play to it very well. In many respects, a healthy Brantford team scares me most.

67’s could still win the division but they’d need to run the schedule and hope Oshawa and Brantford lose an unexpected game. Not very likely so I think that ship has sailed. That puts Ottaw ain tough for round one. Was hoping for a bit of a vacation round one.

It is hard to believe the wolves could be consistent enough to win three rounds.

I’ve thought of Richmond as the best coach for defensemen for 5-6 years. I believe he is a genuine guru.

I wonder how the load management of DiVincentiis, Mathurin, and Nelson works out for them if they do not win the conference or division. I think DiVincentiis sits at only 35 gp. The team is an impressive 14-2-2 in his appearances since January though.

 

[OMG67]

It is hard to believe the wolves could be consistent enough to win three rounds.

I’ve thought of Richmond as the best coach for defensemen for 5-6 years. I believe he is a genuine guru.

I wonder how the load management of DiVincentiis, Mathurin, and Nelson works out for them if they do not win the conference or division. I think DiVincentiis sits at only 35 gp. The team is an impressive 14-2-2 in his appearances since January though.

It isn’t just Richmond the coach that I am impressed with. Richmond the GM has been outstanding. He kept it simple the last three seasons. He’s done the right things at every turn. He was great last eyar at the deadline bringing in key young players Martone, JVV, and MacDonell. Having the discipline to trade Beck at the right time is brave. Then to follow that up this year and recognize next year and potentially the year after are his window to do damage while only adding Loukes on the cheap was another strong disciplined move. Drafting Ivankovic while also having another young goalie is brave as well. He needs to follow that up with trading Leenders in the offseason though. Maybe he can stretch that to the deadline but I think the value of goaltenders is as strong int he offseason a s it is at the deadline so no sense farting around.

North Bay and Ottawa have a lot of similarities except I feel North bay has a little more impact on scoring which I feel gives them the edge. Sudbury is a train wreck waiting to happen. Fun to watch but not if you are a fan.

I will wait to see how the teams line up in round one before I put too much effort into the predictions but I still like North Bay and Brantford (if healthy) as the favourites to come out of the East. Oshawa and Ottawa would be wildcards depending almost exclusively on matchups. I think North Bay and a healthy Brantford can beat any team if they play to potential. That Branford rink is true home ice advantage.

I would partially disagree. Some players put out all effort like Pinellii, Gerrior, Dever, Sirman, Marelli to name a few. I know Pinelli made some boneheaded plays recently but you can't fault his effort. However this year I've been dissapointed by the lack of consistent effort of Gardiner, Stoney, Foster ( first half of season) and Mews ( better recently) to name a few. Could put Smyth in there but not sure if it's effort or so so hockey sense. To be successful this team needs 100% all the time and ax OMG said push the pace and play your game. 67's successin last five years was built on competitiveness and effort. Not always evident this year imo. Maybe it's time before the playoffs for Cameron to send a message or two!

Ottawa is missing that Matier type player that really settles down the bench. Having that ice general makes a big difference.


Stonehouse not dressed for the game today. I don’t notice any injury so I assume it is illness.

 

[ecraigs]

This is the product of the system and Coaching, which I can say is not my favorite. But I can reassure you of one thing; DC is not changing, the players will play his way or they will not play.

I will be candid that I thought the choice of head coach was not what I would have done. Strangely, nobody asked me my opinion. That was weird. I would have replaced Tourigny (whose work was stellar) with a younger, more ambitious, up-and-comer, but, we got what we got.

I have seen little sign that Cameron will sit anyone. After the winning goal for Steelheads on Sunday last, that player should have been stapled to the bench for a few shifts regardless of the name on his jersey.

What Cameron has done is find a spot for Horner, who plays tough, grinding hockey and makes the other team pay for the puck. He even chips in offensively.

 

[dirty12]

With all due respect to playoffs, I go to see the team develop over a season. I never really worried too much about trades, with them often taking my by surprise. Like when Killer shipped out the Wilson boys. I understand why they're done, but meh.

What I do see this year is a very patchy development record. Some players have been given a chance to shine and did so, while others just keep making the same errors over and over again. The young players are sitting. Practice is great, but they also need to play games.

Whether this works out long term, I don't know but, I will be back next year to see.

The battalion have designs on a 5th conference final in 10 seasons, their graduates are coveted at NHL deadlines, and most importantly turn boys into the finest young men. They have had good coaching imo.

 

[PuckStop75]

It isn’t just Richmond the coach that I am impressed with. Richmond the GM has been outstanding. He kept it simple the last three seasons. He’s done the right things at every turn. He was great last eyar at the deadline bringing in key young players Martone, JVV, and MacDonell. Having the discipline to trade Beck at the right time is brave. Then to follow that up this year and recognize next year and potentially the year after are his window to do damage while only adding Loukes on the cheap was another strong disciplined move. Drafting Ivankovic while also having another young goalie is brave as well. He needs to follow that up with trading Leenders in the offseason though. Maybe he can stretch that to the deadline but I think the value of goaltenders is as strong int he offseason a s it is at the deadline so no sense farting around.

North Bay and Ottawa have a lot of similarities except I feel North bay has a little more impact on scoring which I feel gives them the edge. Sudbury is a train wreck waiting to happen. Fun to watch but not if you are a fan.

I will wait to see how the teams line up in round one before I put too much effort into the predictions but I still like North Bay and Brantford (if healthy) as the favourites to come out of the East. Oshawa and Ottawa would be wildcards depending almost exclusively on matchups. I think North Bay and a healthy Brantford can beat any team if they play to potential. That Branford rink is true home ice advantage.



Ottawa is missing that Matier type player that really settles down the bench. Having that ice general makes a big difference.


Stonehouse not dressed for the game today. I don’t notice any injury so I assume it is illness.

Its easy to do a lot of those things in Mississauga when you don't have a fanbase to answer too. Could you imagine the kick back if Boyd were to have traded Pinelli, Gardiner, Foster and Mayich this year and placed the focus on 2026 when Mews and Marrelli are 19.

Starting point would be Nelson in net, Yanni, Kelly, Dietsch and a few 07 1st rounders plus two first rounder and whatever else would have been acquired in the coming draft this year.

No discussion on winning the division but to say they would have a glute of talent would be an understatement.

 

[OMG67]

Its easy to do a lot of those things in Mississauga when you don't have a fanbase to answer too. Could you imagine the kick back if Boyd were to have traded Pinelli, Gardiner, Foster and Mayich this year and placed the focus on 2026 when Mews and Marrelli are 19.

Starting point would be Nelson in net, Yanni, Kelly, Dietsch and a few 07 1st rounders plus two first rounder and whatever else would have been acquired in the coming draft this year.

No discussion on winning the division but to say they would have a glute of talent would be an understatement.

I think next season is the seller season so we shall see if Boyd has it in him to do a proper selloff or whether he only sells the higher values OAs.

 

[dirty12]

Its easy to do a lot of those things in Mississauga when you don't have a fanbase to answer too. Could you imagine the kick back if Boyd were to have traded Pinelli, Gardiner, Foster and Mayich this year and placed the focus on 2026 when Mews and Marrelli are 19.

Starting point would be Nelson in net, Yanni, Kelly, Dietsch and a few 07 1st rounders plus two first rounder and whatever else would have been acquired in the coming draft this year.

No discussion on winning the division but to say they would have a glute of talent would be an understatement.

Can’t really consider Miss last season and the ‘67s this season at all similar. Miss sitting in a 4-6 spot did not have (any) assets to add with while seeing Ottawa, Peterborough, NB, and Barrie add. Selling was the only play, and well played I think.

 

[mianjo]

67's tied 3-3 after 1

Michelone pulled after the first after giving up 3 goals

67's lead 5-3 after 2


GOAL
#5 Bradley Horner (5) scores. Assists: #29 Cooper Foster, #27 Jacob Maillet
1st 4:44
+/-

GOAL
#20 Luca Pinelli (44) scores. Assists: #8 Frankie Marrelli
1st 16:42
+/-

GOAL
#23 Will Gerrior (23) scores. Assists: #18 Jack Dever, #6 Thomas Sirman
1st 18:17
+/-

GOAL
#5 Bradley Horner (6) scores. Assists: #27 Jacob Maillet, #20 Luca Pinelli
2nd 7:22
+/-

GOAL
#23 Will Gerrior (24) scores. Assists: #18 Jack Dever, #19 Samuel Mayer
2nd 19:20

 

[mianjo]

6-3

GOAL
#19 Samuel Mayer (21) scores. Assists: #25 Brad Gardiner, #2 Derek Smyth
3rd 0:52

6-4

 

[mianjo]

67's win 6-4

SHOTS ON GOAL

Teams	1st	2nd	3rd	Total
BAR	14	7	14	35
OTT	15	14	13	42

STARS OF THE GAME​

FIRST
#5 Bradley Horner D
G 2A 0+/- +1Ottawa

SECOND
#23 Will Gerrior LW
G 2A 0+/- +1Ottawa

 

[PuckStop75]

I think next season is the seller season so we shall see if Boyd has it in him to do a proper selloff or whether he only sells the higher values OAs.

I’ll believe that when I see it. Better odds of just rolling things over. Trading a couple pieces to make room for the two first rounders and bring the draft cupboard back to level.

 

[OMG67]

I’ll believe that when I see it. Better odds of just rolling things over. Trading a couple pieces to make room for the two first rounders and bring the draft cupboard back to level.

If I had to make a prediction, Boyd will move the OA’s only.

If the Mayich to Kitchener deal was as I was told, it is likley that the Rangers may be looking at Mayich in the offseason. We know Kingston will be looking at D-Men and I think the Steelheads are going to look at defence.

The sense I am getting is if Boyd were ok with moving Mayich at the deadline then he isn’t set in stone to start next season provided a competitive offer is made. To couple that, Sirman has been a solid partner for Mews. That could carry over to next season. I think Sirman plus the picks from a Mayich deal is better than Mayich plus the Sirman picks in a trade.

I think we will keep Gerrior and MacK. Add Sirman to that and it means they would get whatever for Stonehouse, Mayich and Smyth, assuming everyone is back. The sense I get is Boyd will be happy with those picks added to fill all of the draft pick holes in 2026 (2nd through 4th).

I think Smyth will end up in his hometown next season with the Ice Dogs.

The question is whether Boyd will get aggressive and try to move Pinelli. To me, that is the barometer we need to read. If the 67’s are in 5th place or lower at the deadline and there are 2 or 3 teams clearly leading the way int he conference and Boyd doesn’t move Pinelli, I don’t think he will participate in the seller type trades. You move a 50 goal scorer at the deadline, considering the trades made this season, you are getting an ‘08 in that deal I think. With us drafting two ‘08’s in the first round this coming season coupled with potentially another ‘08 in a Pinelli deal, you gotta think hat should be a priority in all honesty.

 

[beastintheeast]

I'm really not sure effort is the issue, the approach and system is very conservative. OMG summed it up nicely when he said they play not to lose.

I have to think that part of this issue is in the dressing room. The team lacks that 200 ft player who can go on the ice and take the team on his back and lead. by example.

Part of that is that this team has done well in the past few years playing this style because they had the guns to make up for a quiet 1st and 2nd period and go out and score.

As I have said all year, this is not a team that is M Cup or league championship ready. They are a mix of role players and some of them have forgotten their roles,

Stonehouse, I fear, has the dreaded draftitis disease. Only in his case, it is due to being signed.

Pinelli is a one trick pony with little size that doesnot understand what 200 ft is

I am sure Ewles got traded over the others not because Boyd wanted to let him go, but because he was the only one not of the top three that anyone was interested in. RHDs are in short supply.

As to Sale and Savard, I think there is a flaw in the info that OMG67 has. Does anyone really see Ottawa being able to match the Kitchener offer for the same players, 2 players, and 8 draft picks to a team that at the time had 2 of the top point-getters in the league?

There are a lot of players on this team that either should not be invited back next year or traded early.

We are going to have a drought soon on the defence. We are still not going to be any more than a possible one-line team.

Let's realize that we are in the rebuilding phase, which means that instead of wasting draft picks, we should use them to draft players who can play in the OHL and rebuild.

You do not build winning teams by trading your draft picks away; you build a team by using your draft picks the best you can to get the right players and then develop them.

I think a few kids are going to get a big surprise when they go to NHL camps and find out that they are not all they think they are.

 

[NoQuit67s]

Random Thoughts:

Jason Spezza was in the house, presumably to watch on draftee Coopy (yes, Coopy) Foster. I think Coopy had a hell of a game. Great passes, good puck fights and possession, 200 foot game, driving the net hard.

Just as I say Horner can't finish, he scores 2.

Maillet is playing well, but he is snake bitten as far as scoring goes (hopefully he takes a page out of the Horner situation I just mentioned above.

Was surprised about the Michelone start. I would think they would want to get MacK some work and continue to build confidence. I guess that worked itself out with MacK coming in in the 2nd and playing really well.

Mayer really good today.

Sean Reid is this era's Brad Beer (with Beer jr. being the heir apparent).

After getting elbowed to the head, Marelli lost his mind a little at the end of the game. Nice on Mayich to stick up for him though.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Random Thoughts:

Jason Spezza was in the house, presumably to watch on draftee Coopy (yes, Coopy) Foster. I think Coopy had a hell of a game. Great passes, good puck fights and possession, 200 foot game, driving the net hard.

Just as I say Horner can't finish, he scores 2.

Maillet is playing well, but he is snake bitten as far as scoring goes (hopefully he takes a page out of the Horner situation I just mentioned above.

Was surprised about the Michelone start. I would think they would want to get MacK some work and continue to build confidence. I guess that worked itself out with MacK coming in in the 2nd and playing really well.

Mayer really good today.

Sean Reid is this era's Brad Beer (with Beer jr. being the heir apparent).

After getting elbowed to the head, Marelli lost his mind a little at the end of the game. Nice on Mayich to stick up for him though.

I agree with all of this, would just add that I thought Mews was really sharp today and has looked excellent the last couple of week.

Horner went for the hat trick goal in the empty net and….ping! Would have liked to have seen him get that one. Fun moment with the players all putting their arms up to celebrate for a second before realizing it hit the post.

 

[OMG67]

Oshawa winning in OT vs Mississauga tonight. Probably the worst possible outcome.

 

[beastintheeast]

Random Thoughts:

Jason Spezza was in the house, presumably to watch on draftee Coopy (yes, Coopy) Foster. I think Coopy had a hell of a game. Great passes, good puck fights and possession, 200 foot game, driving the net hard.

Just as I say Horner can't finish, he scores 2.

Maillet is playing well, but he is snake bitten as far as scoring goes (hopefully he takes a page out of the Horner situation I just mentioned above.

Was surprised about the Michelone start. I would think they would want to get MacK some work and continue to build confidence. I guess that worked itself out with MacK coming in in the 2nd and playing really well.

Mayer really good today.

Sean Reid is this era's Brad Beer (with Beer jr. being the heir apparent).

After getting elbowed to the head, Marelli lost his mind a little at the end of the game. Nice on Mayich to stick up for him though.

I think in Mack's case, the idea is not to build confidence but to limit ice time before the playoffs to reduce the risk of injury.

I wonder if Mich's pulling was not just a comment on him but to wake up the defence and the rest of the team. I'm to play 200 ft.

Right now, I see 2 battles, BFD Osh and NB Sud, for the top of their respective divisions.
A smaller battle could be Miss Ottawa

Right now, we are looking at either Osh or BFD, and not sure I would want to meet either in the first round.

 

[OMG67]

I think in Mack's case, the idea is not to build confidence but to limit ice time before the playoffs to reduce the risk of injury.

I wonder if Mich's pulling was not just a comment on him but to wake up the defence and the rest of the team. I'm to play 200 ft.

Right now, I see 2 battles, BFD Osh and NB Sud, for the top of their respective divisions.
A smaller battle could be Miss Ottawa

Right now, we are looking at either Osh or BFD, and not sure I would want to meet either in the first round.

I agree about MacK. Coming off injury, especially a groin, they likely want to take a more cautious approach. Barrie had four scoring opportunities and scored three goals. I’m not sure it lies on the defence in this situation.

Looking at division winners and matchups in round one is almost a folly exercise. Too many teams are too close to even give more than a sheer guess.

 

[frontsfan67]

It is hard to believe the wolves could be consistent enough to win three rounds.

I’ve thought of Richmond as the best coach for defensemen for 5-6 years. I believe he is a genuine guru.

I wonder how the load management of DiVincentiis, Mathurin, and Nelson works out for them if they do not win the conference or division. I think DiVincentiis sits at only 35 gp. The team is an impressive 14-2-2 in his appearances since January though.

Divinctiis is back. North bay doesn’t care about seeding much. They can take out anyone in the east. Especially if divinctiis is on his game. A lot of the game for a goaltender is mental and clearly he wasn’t 100% there for the first half of the season, then a snub from the wjc, he is out for redemption here.

I agree about MacK. Coming off injury, especially a groin, they likely want to take a more cautious approach. Barrie had four scoring opportunities and scored three goals. I’m not sure it lies on the defence in this situation.

Looking at division winners and matchups in round one is almost a folly exercise. Too many teams are too close to even give more than a sheer guess.

I don’t remember the east being so close before. After this weekend the matchups may be a little more clear.

 

[beastintheeast]

We could end up playing as a team fighting for the first seed in the last weekend.

The good news is that they may wear themselves out.

 

[OMG67]

We could end up playing as a team fighting for the first seed in the last weekend.

The good news is that they may wear themselves out.

Mathematically speaking, it is possible. Ottawa needs to run the schedule BUT if Ottawa runs the schedule and ends up with 85 points, Oshawa would need to lose two games (out of four) and Brantford would need to lose one game (out of four). It could all happen but the odds are long.

All that said, I don’t think this is an issue with respect to wearing themselves down. Cameron has been running out 4 lines pretty consistently. It is not like playing half assed going into the playoffs is advisable so they can’t just go out and dog it. They need to be playing well which means taking it easy isn’t an option anyway. This team doesn’t really have the bodies to be able to sit guys out either. I am also not aware of any injuries that may require that week of rest but they could be hiding them well.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

My prediction is that Ottawa will go 4-1 in its remaining games (with the loss being in Brantford), finish with 83 points, and 5th in the eastern conference. How I see it shaking out:

1. Oshawa (~89 pts)
2. North Bay (~88 pts)
3. Brantford (~86 pts)
4. Sudbury (~85 pts)
5. Ottawa (~83 pts)
6. Mississauga (~82 pts)

Ottawa needs to run the table to have a shot at the #4 seed, but even then they need help I think. Should be an interesting finish.