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

[Larionov]

In terms of the Korbler vs Uronen debate, it's hard to know how that would go without knowing more about both Uronen's recovery and his mindset. How is his recovery from injury going, and is he determined to stick it out in North America? It would be tempting for the kid to just stay home and play there now, but as a sixth round pick doing so would be kissing goodbye to any NHL aspirations. If he wants to play in the show, he needs to come back to the OHL and have a strong season here in order to earn a contract from Vegas. It will be interesting to hear what the GM has to say about him when asked once the season wraps up...

 

[OMG67]

You will not see either Ludwinski or Hemstrom back. It does not make sense.

Hemstrom would be tying up both an OA and a Euro spot. He is not NHL drafted, so if he does not get an AHL slot, the best thing for him is to go home and start his Euro career as a pro.

Ludwinski has already signed, so at worst, he will be playing for Rockford to learn to be a 3rd line center. He won't develop in the OHL.

Ottawa will be a rebuild. I can see them trading a lot of their top forwards and possibly Mayich and MacK (if Nelson develops)


We will probably make the playoffs, but it should be close at the bottom between Kingston Niagara Petes and 67's.

You must also figure out what they will do in North Bay next year.

Once the 67 are eliminated, I can see Mayich possibly getting a game in Springfield if not signed, then definitely next year he will be traded by deadline.

If he looks good there, he may end up there next year. Not likely, but they may have an opening.

Pinelli will be back, but I can see him traded at the deadline or pulling a Beck and saying he wants to start the season somewhere else.

Stonehouse is a wild card. I think that with development, the Oilers will want him in the AHL or to start the season in the ECHL.

North Bay will go to rebuild. They need to recoup picks and Romani will be traded to recoup those picks. Niagara will take a step forward next year but their goal will be playoffs, not contention. PEtes will continue the rebuild. To me, those are the bottom 3 going into the season. The next group of teams is Ottawa, Kingston, Barrie, and Sudbury. The top group is Oshawa, Brantford, and Mississauga. The second group can rise to the first group vis trades. Ottawa is very unlikely to trade their way into the top group again next year.

We know Ottawa will move 3 OA’s. I think MacK and Gerrior will finish the year as OA’s next season. One of Mayich or Sirman will likely be the 3rd. It is VERY possible that Boyd moves Stonehouse and Mayich, takes those picks, puts them in his pocket and remains competitive the remainder of the year and does nothing else. It is possible if they are far enough back that Boyd will open the door for Pinelli provided the right deal is out there. If he were to do that, it changes the approach on the remaining OA’s I highlighted. If Pinelli goes, it will be a full rebuild. There is no sense stopping at Pinelli if other players have significant interest on the market. I am not sold that Boyd will move Pinelli though. I am not sure that is his style. I think he will stop at the OA’s.

 

[OMG67]

Final Standings predictions

Northbay 88
Oshawa 87
Sudbury 86
Brantford 86
Ottawa 83
Mississauga 82
Kingston 64
Barrie 62

I can see North Bay and Oshawa where you have them. I think Sudbury and Brantford are too high for points but they may still finish in the 3 and 4 spot with less points. Ottawa at 83 is probably the right number but it is possible they catch one of those two ahead of them. 82-84 is where Mississauga likely finishes but if Brantford keeps slipping with injuries, Mississauga and Ottawa could both pass them.

I’m curious to see what happens today in Brantford. If Ottawa were to win a not so close game, I think Brantford may have reached their peak at least until Lardis, Okitundu, Hamara, and Bujold are back in the lineup. So, to me, today’s game will likely tell a big story in how prepared Brantford is at finding a way to continue to win without a full lineup. If Brantford falters and lose both vs Ottawa and once vs Mississauga down the stretch, that tops them off at 82 and would put them 6th. I think that could be a real possibility.

 

[AGranderson]

24/25
Pinelli-Foster- Gerrior (OA)
Barlas-Gardiner-Dever
Kelly-whitehead-Korbler
Hilton-Yani-Houben
1st Rd pick

Sirman (OA)- Mews
Marelli-Brady
Horner-Dietsch
Comp 1st round


Mackenzie (OA)
Nelson

Stonehouse-AHL
Michelone- Try & Trade
Mayich-Trade
Smyth-Trade

 

[OMG67]

24/25
Pinelli-Foster- Gerrior (OA)
Barlas-Gardiner-Dever
Kelly-whitehead-Korbler
Hilton-Yani-Houben
1st Rd pick

Sirman (OA)- Mews
Marelli-Brady
Horner-Dietsch
Comp 1st round


Mackenzie (OA)
Nelson

Stonehouse-AHL
Michelone- Try & Trade
Mayich-Trade
Smyth-Trade

Uronen is likely in that mix. If he weren’t, they likely would have released him and traded for a warm import body.

I doubt we see Stonehouse in the AHL. At best he is an ECHL player and I doubt the Oilers place him there. He needs a stronger full season next year on a contender. That wont be Ottawa

I think Horner will stay up front.

I’m not exactly sure how they resolve their lack of centre depth but I think Foster may be the right option…or only option? They need to draft a centre with one of their two 1st round picks. That guy plays as the 4th line centre virtually at all costs. I also wonder if Whitehead move up to 2nd line centre with Gardiner as the 1st line centre. Having this discussion is the exact reason why I truly wanted Cole Beaudoin instead of Mews at that draft. No disrespect to Mews but a big centre would look fantastic on that roster right now. Beaudoin is going to be an absolute beast next year for the Colts.

 

[AGranderson]

Uronen is likely in that mix. If he weren’t, they likely would have released him and traded for a warm import body.

I doubt we see Stonehouse in the AHL. At best he is an ECHL player and I doubt the Oilers place him there. He needs a stronger full season next year on a contender. That wont be Ottawa

I think Horner will stay up front.

I’m not exactly sure how they resolve their lack of centre depth but I think Foster may be the right option…or only option? They need to draft a centre with one of their two 1st round picks. That guy plays as the 4th line centre virtually at all costs. I also wonder if Whitehead move up to 2nd line centre with Gardiner as the 1st line centre. Having this discussion is the exact reason why I truly wanted Cole Beaudoin instead of Mews at that draft. No disrespect to Mews but a big centre would look fantastic on that roster right now. Beaudoin is going to be an absolute beast next year for the Colts.

Uronen will not be back to North America, & with not many prospects in the system pretty much all are in this lineup and just the 1st round pick & comp 1st round pick, no second & one third. We will likely look to add a body with the Mayich & or Stonehouse trade

 

[OMG67]

Uronen will not be back to North America, & with not many prospects in the system pretty much all are in this lineup and just the 1st round pick & comp 1st round pick, no second & one third. We will likely look to add a body with the Mayich & or Stonehouse trade

If Uronen isn’t back, they still have their Import pick they will obviously use.

If I pull out my crystal ball, so this is just a flat out prediction with no inside info whatsoever, I think Mayich is gone to start next season. I think he is the single player that is most likely going to net as much at the start of the season as he would at the deadline. Smyth is probably worth something like a 5th round pick and I think he ends up in Niagara. Stonehouse, Sirman, Gerrior, and MacK will rotate as OA’s for a while. All four of those guys will have higher value as they head into December and the landscape is more known and teams are more confident in spending real assets to improve. BUT, I don’t think they will get bodies in the OA trades. They will get picks. If they want or need bodies, they will need to flip those picks. It isn’t often that bodies come back in OA deals directly.

What I would like them to do is draft a centre in both the Import draft and the Priority Selection draft with their first pick. Adding a 16 year old centre, and a 17 year old centre (Import), and coupling those two with Whitehead will help a lot the season after next.

I won’t go as far as say I want them to trade Pinelli and proceed with the sell off at this point. I am not 100% certain they will be middle-low in the standings BUT I want Boyd to be “willing” to do it if they are in the position to better the team going forward as opposed to keeping Pinelli and exiting in the first round of the playoffs, wasting an opportunity to get our hands on another first round ‘08.

 

[AGranderson]

Horner came back and played but there were a lot of penalties which meant he wasn’t getting ice at 4 on 4 as well as the special teams. It seemed like he was fine. He threw a really good hit int he 3rd. Dumped the player into his bench.

Regarding the Match penalty, based on the OHL rulebook, it is a Match penalty. He was blindsided and it caused injury. So, based on that, it fits the definition. The question is whether blindside “clean” hits should be a penalty. IMO, if you go shoulder to shoulder and it is not a charging penalty, it should not be a penalty. But, I am a little more old school in that regard.

I agree about Stonehouse. He isn’t the type of player to work with those two. He is a much better compliment to Maillet or Gardiner. Gerrior is 3x more impactful with Pinelli and Kressler. But, I think Cameron is trying to squeeze some production out of the Gardiner line so I can understand the juggling. Unfortunately, this goes back to not getting that one extra winger. It is what it is. I think they are going to have to configure the Gardiner line as a shit down line. Try to put that line up against a top 6 line at 5 on 5 and focus on goal suppression. If they have a 3rd line that plays against other teams top lines and holds them scoreless, that is a win IMO. That allows one of the Kressler or Maillet lines going up against the oppositions 3rd line where we may see a mismatch and take advantage.

Just hearing at the rink here in Brantford, not my great inside source. But word is someone bumped into Horner & he is likely to miss a 2-3 weeks

 

[OMG67]

Just hearing at the rink here in Brantford, not my great inside source. But word is someone bumped into Horner & he is likely to miss a 2-3 weeks

He’s not in the lineup today. I wouldn’t be surprised if what you say is accurate.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Just hearing at the rink here in Brantford, not my great inside source. But word is someone bumped into Horner & he is likely to miss a 2-3 weeks

Really unfortunate for Horner who’s playing the best hockey of his career.

 

[mianjo]

Brantford 2 67's 2 after 1

HOTS ON GOAL

Teams	1st	2nd	Total
OTT	9
BFD	11

GOAL
#20 Luca Pinelli (46) scores.
1st 3:38
+/-

GOAL#27 Jacob Maillet (17) scores. Assists: #18 Jack Dever, #22 Matthew Mayich SHORT HANDED

1st 17:59

 

[OMG67]

Korbler is completely ineffective against stronger competition. This small ice surface doesn’t help either. He is too light. Plain and simple. They need to move Gerrior up and slide Barlas on Gardiner’s wing.

 

[mianjo]

2-2 after 2

SHOTS ON GOAL

Teams	1st	2nd	3rd	Total
OTT	9	5	0	14
BFD	11	8	0	19

 

[mianjo]

2-3

2-4

 

[Race Dawg]

Classy fans in Brantford. Listening on the radio. Sounds like a community game from the old Merivale arena lol.

67's need not worry about home ice in the playoffs as they've been pretty effective on the road this season. Traditionally Ottawa steps it up in the playoffs.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Ottawa needs to be significantly better on the PP and on the faceoff dot if they want to do any sort of damage in the playoffs. At least MacKenzie was outstanding.

 

[mianjo]

67's lose 5-2

 

[Race Dawg]

On a side note, hate the fact that @Bell doesn't include the OHL on their premier sports action pack.

 

[OMG67]

That all she wrote folks! A very poor 2nd period didn’t help but, the Bulldogs are so well coached and the players have really bought into the system. They are so effective in their own rink. Such a hard place to play with so much less ice in the neutral zone. That team plays the style of game needed for that rink. Kudos to them for being such a good “team.” Missing so many players down the stretch (the did get Bujold back today). It is a testament to their overall team play. I don’t think it matters who is int he lineup for them because they play as a five man unit every shift. When Lardis comes back, he will add a significant element missing from the team right now and that is the dangerous winger with breakout skating ability. Adding that dimension will be a treat for their fans to watch.

I think Brantford is the sleeper for the playoffs. It looks like they will be healthy for the first round. They said Lardis should be back next week and Okitundu is walking around the rink now. I think they will be al hands on deck and ready to rumble. If they are, I think they may be my pick for the Eastern Conference Finalist.

It doesn’t look like Ottawa will be able to nail down home ice advantage. Oshawa or Brantford will win the division and take the #2 seed. I agree with Granderson that North Bay takes down the #1 seed. So, it looks like Ottawa is destined for the #6 seed and will play the #3 seed. Unfortunately, that is looking like Brantford. My sleeper pick…. Not looking good. Unless Sudbury falls totally flat down the stretch and we pass them and play Mississauga, it may be a short playoff. I don’t think we can beat Brantford. Not a good matchup for Ottawa.

 

[beastintheeast]

Uronen is likely in that mix. If he weren’t, they likely would have released him and traded for a warm import body.

I doubt we see Stonehouse in the AHL. At best he is an ECHL player and I doubt the Oilers place him there. He needs a stronger full season next year on a contender. That wont be Ottawa

I think Horner will stay up front.

I’m not exactly sure how they resolve their lack of centre depth but I think Foster may be the right option…or only option? They need to draft a centre with one of their two 1st round picks. That guy plays as the 4th line centre virtually at all costs. I also wonder if Whitehead move up to 2nd line centre with Gardiner as the 1st line centre. Having this discussion is the exact reason why I truly wanted Cole Beaudoin instead of Mews at that draft. No disrespect to Mews but a big centre would look fantastic on that roster right now. Beaudoin is going to be an absolute beast next year for the Colts.

Uronen, I think, will be decided in the next couple of weeks. He does have options. More and more players are staying in Europe. As a 6th round, it is going to be a case of what the knights see in him.

The ability to play against men of a calibre between AHL and ECHL and stay home is huge. Also, let's face it, he is not going to be coming to a competitive team with players that can help him excel.

Personally, I would have been looking at my options in Europe while convalescing. If he can get signed by a Euro team and paid, that would be the better option after attending the Vegas Camps.

6th-round picks getting signed is pretty rare.

Korbler, I think, will stay because it is his draft year, and he can shine more here than anywhere else.

Next year, this team will still have only 3 centers, and none str ready for top line.

Our top returning RW will be Dever or Korbler

To me Boyd should do what the Petes did. Sell the farm. get draft picks and any young players they can. Right off the season at the deadline.


Foster Barlas Dever (Bar and Foster interchangable)
Gerrior(OA) Gardner Kelly
Hilton Whitehead Korbler
Yanni 1st round 1st round

Marelli Mews
Mayich(OA) Brady
Dietsch Horner
euro draft pick

Mack
Nelson
Michelone


Reasoning: I still have a feeling that Pinelli will pull a Beck and ask to be traded, which, depending on the deal, could be good.

Uronen, I think, will decide to stay in Europe as I do not see him in the Knights's future.

Having Mack and Mich in camp gives them a chance to see what kid of offers they can get for Mack out of camp.

If not then they have the luxury of having a back up that can play. until the deadline

horner is going to have to play defence next year because we do not have a lot of players.

Smythe and Smythe - will not even make the team and, unfortunately, will be released to look at other leagues or university

 

[OMG67]

Uronen, I think, will be decided in the next couple of weeks. He does have options. More and more players are staying in Europe. As a 6th round, it is going to be a case of what the knights see in him.

The ability to play against men of a calibre between AHL and ECHL and stay home is huge. Also, let's face it, he is not going to be coming to a competitive team with players that can help him excel.

Personally, I would have been looking at my options in Europe while convalescing. If he can get signed by a Euro team and paid, that would be the better option after attending the Vegas Camps.

6th-round picks getting signed is pretty rare.

Korbler, I think, will stay because it is his draft year, and he can shine more here than anywhere else.

Next year, this team will still have only 3 centers, and none str ready for top line.

Our top returning RW will be Dever or Korbler

To me Boyd should do what the Petes did. Sell the farm. get draft picks and any young players they can. Right off the season at the deadline.


Foster Barlas Dever (Bar and Foster interchangable)
Gerrior(OA) Gardner Kelly
Hilton Whitehead Korbler
Yanni 1st round 1st round

Marelli Mews
Mayich(OA) Brady
Dietsch Horner
euro draft pick

Mack
Nelson
Michelone


Reasoning: I still have a feeling that Pinelli will pull a Beck and ask to be traded, which, depending on the deal, could be good.

Uronen, I think, will decide to stay in Europe as I do not see him in the Knights's future.

Having Mack and Mich in camp gives them a chance to see what kid of offers they can get for Mack out of camp.

If not then they have the luxury of having a back up that can play. until the deadline

horner is going to have to play defence next year because we do not have a lot of players.

Smythe and Smythe - will not even make the team and, unfortunately, will be released to look at other leagues or university

Uronen won’t be in the AHL. He just missed an entire season of development. If he doesn’t play in Ottawa, he will stay in Europe. I don’t care about Korbler either way to be honest. If he comes back, fine. If he doesn’t, fine. Small speedy wingers are easy to replace. Besides, the 67’s need to inject size. Having Dever and Korbler as two of three RW is almost useless.

I agree about selling off as of now. That is based on us likely not being in the top 4 at the deadline AND at least one team separates from the main pack making it difficult to even think about reeling them in. We will likely fill all or most of our empty pick spots with the OA trades but it would be nice to add another ‘08 plus a couple picks for Pinelli. So, we agree for now. I think Beck’s situation was far different than Pinelli. Beck needed a change of scenery to shake off all the injury issues.

There is a small possibility that a team could pay a real picks based offer for MacK out of the pre-season. I am not sure Boyd will throw int he towel that early though. But, I agree there is logic in keeping that option open with Michelone. But, I am not sold on keeping Michelone considering it is an OA spot with other high value OA’s that would benefit us keeping through the deadline.

We have loads of defence plus we will likely draft one with our first pick or Import Pick. You added Brady and Dietsch to the list plus we have three returning guys. We will at least have the flexibility to make a decision on Horner as forward or defence.

Smith and Gill-Shane should be similar values. I think Niagara will give a 5th for Smyth in the offseason. He moves the puck well and has good size. He may not be great positionally but big players seem to have that deficit overlooked and remain valuable.

EDIT:
I also think we need to wait to see what happens in the playoffs this year. I think it will potentially inform what we truly have coming back next year as well as provide more information to other teams that may want our players which would affect potential prices.

 

[beastintheeast]

Uronen won’t be in the AHL. He just missed an entire season of development. If he doesn’t play in Ottawa, he will stay in Europe. I don’t care about Korbler either way to be honest. If he comes back, fine. If he doesn’t, fine. Small speedy wingers are easy to replace. Besides, the 67’s need to inject size. Having Dever and Korbler as two of three RW is almost useless.

I agree about selling off as of now. That is based on us likely not being in the top 4 at the deadline AND at least one team separates from the main pack making it difficult to even think about reeling them in. We will likely fill all or most of our empty pick spots with the OA trades but it would be nice to add another ‘08 plus a couple picks for Pinelli. So, we agree for now. I think Beck’s situation was far different than Pinelli. Beck needed a change of scenery to shake off all the injury issues.

There is a small possibility that a team could pay a real picks based offer for MacK out of the pre-season. I am not sure Boyd will throw int he towel that early though. But, I agree there is logic in keeping that option open with Michelone. But, I am not sold on keeping Michelone considering it is an OA spot with other high value OA’s that would benefit us keeping through the deadline.

We have loads of defence plus we will likely draft one with our first pick or Import Pick. You added Brady and Dietsch to the list plus we have three returning guys. We will at least have the flexibility to make a decision on Horner as forward or defence.

Smith and Gill-Shane should be similar values. I think Niagara will give a 5th for Smyth in the offseason. He moves the puck well and has good size. He may not be great positionally but big players seem to have that deficit overlooked and remain valuable.

EDIT:
I also think we need to wait to see what happens in the playoffs this year. I think it will potentially inform what we truly have coming back next year as well as provide more information to other teams that may want our players which would affect potential prices.

Hey, at least we are starting from a base in thought that is agreeable.

We really do not have much defence. We have Mews, Marelli, Dietsch, Brady, and Horner.
Then we have either Mayich or Sirman or Smythe

Smythe and Sirman are both OA and while I like Sirman, I just do not see any opening for him. We are not going to have any open OA slots this year unless we make Nelson our starting goalie and find a rookie to back him up Release Gerrior and or Mayich.

So, really, we do not have a lot of movement to make to start the season.

Keeping Mich would be smart if he is interested, as in the games he plays, Mack can sit in the stands.

I think the draft is going to give us the best idea of what they are thinking. they are going to have to get a center with the first pick and ideally, they could get a winger for him also

There are not a lot of defencemen rated first around, so I do not see us jumping after one until the 2nd at the earliest.


I am picking Niagara to be a top 4 team next year. They have too much talent not to be near the top.

 

[AGranderson]

Hey, at least we are starting from a base in thought that is agreeable.

We really do not have much defence. We have Mews, Marelli, Dietsch, Brady, and Horner.
Then we have either Mayich or Sirman or Smythe

Smythe and Sirman are both OA and while I like Sirman, I just do not see any opening for him. We are not going to have any open OA slots this year unless we make Nelson our starting goalie and find a rookie to back him up Release Gerrior and or Mayich.

So, really, we do not have a lot of movement to make to start the season.

Keeping Mich would be smart if he is interested, as in the games he plays, Mack can sit in the stands.

I think the draft is going to give us the best idea of what they are thinking. they are going to have to get a center with the first pick and ideally, they could get a winger for him also

There are not a lot of defencemen rated first around, so I do not see us jumping after one until the 2nd at the earliest.


I am picking Niagara to be a top 4 team next year. They have too much talent not to be near the top.

we don’t have a second round pick, also why would you release Gerrior & Mayich, 1) Gerrior is going to make the team & 2) you can get picks for mayich in a trade, as well there is absolutely no chance Mich is being kept, Nelson will start every game that Mack does not

 

[dirty12]

Uronen won’t be in the AHL. He just missed an entire season of development. If he doesn’t play in Ottawa, he will stay in Europe. I don’t care about Korbler either way to be honest. If he comes back, fine. If he doesn’t, fine. Small speedy wingers are easy to replace. Besides, the 67’s need to inject size. Having Dever and Korbler as two of three RW is almost useless.

I agree about selling off as of now. That is based on us likely not being in the top 4 at the deadline AND at least one team separates from the main pack making it difficult to even think about reeling them in. We will likely fill all or most of our empty pick spots with the OA trades but it would be nice to add another ‘08 plus a couple picks for Pinelli. So, we agree for now. I think Beck’s situation was far different than Pinelli. Beck needed a change of scenery to shake off all the injury issues.

There is a small possibility that a team could pay a real picks based offer for MacK out of the pre-season. I am not sure Boyd will throw int he towel that early though. But, I agree there is logic in keeping that option open with Michelone. But, I am not sold on keeping Michelone considering it is an OA spot with other high value OA’s that would benefit us keeping through the deadline.

We have loads of defence plus we will likely draft one with our first pick or Import Pick. You added Brady and Dietsch to the list plus we have three returning guys. We will at least have the flexibility to make a decision on Horner as forward or defence.

Smith and Gill-Shane should be similar values. I think Niagara will give a 5th for Smyth in the offseason. He moves the puck well and has good size. He may not be great positionally but big players seem to have that deficit overlooked and remain valuable.

EDIT:
I also think we need to wait to see what happens in the playoffs this year. I think it will potentially inform what we truly have coming back next year as well as provide more information to other teams that may want our players which would affect potential prices.

Why would Niagara give a *15th for Smyth? They could interested in a good OA RD if available to them, or they just stick with Vannetten as the 4th OA.

Edit: I don’t like how I worded that. I think there will a place for some or all of McDowell, Smith, Smith, Smyth, VanVliet, …
For the first time in years Niagara has their own OAs in place. They probably choose Flores, Bryant; and start with two of Podolioukh, Vannetten, Klein, or trade for a legit top 3 OA D.

 

[OMG67]

Hey, at least we are starting from a base in thought that is agreeable.

We really do not have much defence. We have Mews, Marelli, Dietsch, Brady, and Horner.
Then we have either Mayich or Sirman or Smythe

Smythe and Sirman are both OA and while I like Sirman, I just do not see any opening for him. We are not going to have any open OA slots this year unless we make Nelson our starting goalie and find a rookie to back him up Release Gerrior and or Mayich.

So, really, we do not have a lot of movement to make to start the season.

Keeping Mich would be smart if he is interested, as in the games he plays, Mack can sit in the stands.

I think the draft is going to give us the best idea of what they are thinking. they are going to have to get a center with the first pick and ideally, they could get a winger for him also

There are not a lot of defencemen rated first around, so I do not see us jumping after one until the 2nd at the earliest.


I am picking Niagara to be a top 4 team next year. They have too much talent not to be near the top.

Michelone has negative value. The only reason to keep him is if we trade MacK and at least three other OAs to start the season. OA values rise at the deadline. It is rare to get deadline value at the start of the season. I can see them get deadline value for Mayich and maybe MacK depending on the goaltending landscape. But, that leaves them with Sirman, Stonehouse, and Gerrior still. I think they can trade a 12th round pick and get a 19 year old that can work out if needed. But, for all of that to happen, Boyd has to throw in the towel to start the season without playing a single game. I don’t see that happening.

Stop with Niagara. That is just silly. We have three for sure teams at the too next year (Brantford, Brampton, and Oshawa). We have a few other teams that I classify as wannabes but they wills till be good and they are Kingston and Barrie. Ottawa should be with those teams unless they sell everything not nailed down. Then there is North Bay who should have a good staart leading up to trading Romani at the deadline, Peterborough who will be decent for a rebuilding team but not in the playoffs and Niagara. I’d be willing to agree Niagara makes the playoffs next year but top 4? Whoa there cowboy. Let’s hold the horses back from the super hot takes.

Let’s take the “vanilla” approach. They will try to find a soft landing spot for Smyth. Ideally, Ottawa would get a pick in the 5th to 7th range for him, similar to the Gill-Shane deal. “IF” a deadline type deal is out there for Mayich to start the season, I think he is gone. Kitchener was rumoured to have wanted him and were willing to pay a pretty price for him at the deadline. I assume that is mostly because they wanted him next year as an OA. If that is still in the cards, we could see him go there or maybe one of Brampton or Kingston. I think they’d want a 2nd and 3rd.

Then it leaves them with Gerrior, Stonehouse, Sirman, and MacK. They can keep all four of those guys rotating them into the lineup all the way to the trade deadline if they want. That gives Boyd some time to see where the team sits. It allows for some stability since Mews plays with Sirman pretty well. We have stability in net. And we’d have two wingers that provide some leadership. Then the chips fall where they fall at or around the deadline.

That is the most likely approach unless some of them request early trades.