Ottawa 67's 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[NordiquesForeva]

I could get behind that. We’d then have to follow it up next year with the discipline of making seller moves again if we are middle of the pack with a couple front runners out of reach.

That is absolutely a must, yes. To be clear, I think the team will be good next year, just not a contender. If they're in the 4-7 neighbourhood in January 2025, and the youngsters like Nelson, Dietsch, Whitehead, Houben, Yanni, etc. are developing well, it would be an opportune time to sell one or two of Pinelli/Gardiner/Foster, and two or three of Mayich/Gerrior/MacKenzie.

MacKenzie would be the "easiest" to sell, as Boyd can bring in a competent backfill goaltender for a reasonable price. Conversely, he would obviously have more value to a buyer this year and command a much better package, which is why I was spitballing about trading him away this year and finishing up the season with Donoso/Nelson. For the record I think MacKenzie is a superior goaltender, but there isn't as big of a gap between the two as there is for your normal starter/backup arrangement.

We all love Gerrior, and with good reason, but not sure how much value the rest of the league puts on him. His value might be particular to Ottawa from a leadership standpoint and how his abilities mesh with Cameron's coaching and system. He'd be a bottom-6 winger on a contender I think.

Mayich would be a steady 2nd pairing d-man on a contender.

Pinelli (as a #1LW on a contender) and Gardiner (as a middle-6 centre on a contender) would command the most value in a trade package next year.

 

[OMG67]

That is absolutely a must, yes. To be clear, I think the team will be good next year, just not a contender. If they're in the 4-7 neighbourhood in January 2025, and the youngsters like Nelson, Dietsch, Whitehead, Houben, Yanni, etc. are developing well, it would be an opportune time to sell one or two of Pinelli/Gardiner/Foster, and two or three of Mayich/Gerrior/MacKenzie.

MacKenzie would be the "easiest" to sell, as Boyd can bring in a competent backfill goaltender for a reasonable price. Conversely, he would obviously have more value to a buyer this year and command a much better package, which is why I was spitballing about trading him away this year and finishing up the season with Donoso/Nelson. For the record I think MacKenzie is a superior goaltender, but there isn't as big of a gap between the two as there is for your normal starter/backup arrangement.

We all love Gerrior, and with good reason, but not sure how much value the rest of the league puts on him. His value might be particular to Ottawa from a leadership standpoint and how his abilities mesh with Cameron's coaching and system. He'd be a bottom-6 winger on a contender I think.

Mayich would be a steady 2nd pairing d-man on a contender.

Pinelli (as a #1LW on a contender) and Gardiner (as a middle-6 centre on a contender) would command the most value in a trade package next year.

I think we’d need to assess at the mid-point next season which ’05s would return as OA’s and go from there.

Although Gardiner is a good player, I am not 100% sure he is developing at the rate we’d like to have seen this season. That may have a lot to do with lack of support at centre meaning all the opposition checking is focused on him, for good reason. However, if he continues to mostly flatline, he may be in tough to get that NHL Contract. This is wayyyyy too early to do anything other than speculate with hypotheticals so I am only putting it out there as something to keep an eye on.

Same goes for Foster. There is something special about his game and I cannot put a finger on it. He simply jumps out at times. However, he also is that prime late NHL pick OA candidate we’ve seen many times in the past.

Pinelli will graduate for sure and he would clearly garner the most interest.

Gerrior has value right now. I am not sure he’d garner as much interest as an OA because, like you suggest, on a contender he is more of a 3rd line guy. I don’t think assigning OA’s to third line winger roles on contenders is good asset management. He would be far more valuable ont he 67’s through the end of next season than he would be as a trade asset. I feel the same about Mayich. I am not certain his value is strong enough as an OA to trade. If he is traded for value, it would need to be now. I am not certain that is a good option.

MacKenzie needs to be traded now or kept through the end of his OA season. Unless he is the top goalie or at least top 3 in the league next year and healthy for a long stretch, he won’t’ have enough value as an OA. Look at the return for Simpson this year. When he was traded, he was arguably the top rated goalie beside DiVin and he got a decent younger goalie and a 3rd round pick. The landscape right now suggests if you are every going to trade MacK, it is now.

Based on all that, I think Pinelli projects as the key trade piece next year if it comes to that. I am not sure the returns for the others would move the needle enough. I’d rather roll the dice on both Gardiner and Foster returning as OA’s. That would significantly help the 25-26 season for sure.

 

[mianjo]

Jeff Marek

@JeffMarek
·
32m
OHL - Sounds like the Saginaw Spirit are getting Owen Beck (MTL) from the Peterborough Petes. Deal not completely done yet but headed in that direction.

 

[OMG67]

Jeff Marek

@JeffMarek
·
32m
OHL - Sounds like the Saginaw Spirit are getting Owen Beck (MTL) from the Peterborough Petes. Deal not completely done yet but headed in that direction.

That may be good for Ottawa provided Mayer and Dubois are not included!

 

[OHL4Life]

That may be good for Ottawa provided Mayer and Dubois are not included!

ive heard that ottawa is shopping for an import, whatever happened to uronen, he got hurt but figured he would be back by now

 

[OMG67]

ive heard that ottawa is shopping for an import, whatever happened to uronen, he got hurt but figured he would be back by now

He’s out for the season. I believe that has been known for quite some time now. We discussed internally whether he would be released or whether they would invite him back next year as a 19 year old.

Conversely, we also have Kimi Korbler. He hasn’t performed to a level that gives anyone confidence that he will be a productive Import as an 18 year old next year. It is very possible they could be looking at replacing him…. Or both.

 

[beastintheeast]

Beast, I will say one thing, if we come out of the first round next year with no Centres, I am going to be supremely pissed! I know Whitehead was drafted just outside the first round but I hope if we don’t make a run this year that we bottom out just enough to get our hands on a decent sized centre.

I Fully agree and that is also why the lower you go the better your chances of getting the pieces you need 2 of first 3 picks should be forwards preferably centers with skill and if possible size.

I've been out of the country and haven't had the pleasure of watching the last 4/5 games.

Boyd finds himself in an unenviable position of managing a team that is not a contender this year, isn't expected to be a contender next year, and doesn't have a sufficient foundation to be a contender in 2025-26. Concerningly, the team is not bad enough (or expected to be bad enough) to finish as a #7 or 8 seed (or out of the playoffs) and garner high draft picks in any of those seasons.

What do I think Boyd will do? I think he'll look to move Donoso (provided MacKenzie is healthy), and entertain offers on Stonehouse and Smyth (or Sirman).

There is a logjam on defense and I feel its important to get Dietsch into the lineup and playing regularly for his development. Therefore, I feel like Boyd should look to move on from one of Ewles or Horner as well. Both are expendable, have low ceilings, and wouldn't necessarily be part of a contending team if Ottawa was to somehow make a big development jump next year. It would be bold of Boyd to shop around Mayich in lieu of Smyth (or Sirman), but I am certainly not opposed to it from the perspective of looking at 2024-25 as a retooling year and getting as much value out of our 19-year olds as possible. In fact, the more I think about it, the more it makes sense to me. I do, however, think its important to trade away one of Sirman/Smyth and one of Ewles/Horner.

Up front, when everyone returns to health we have another logjam which (imo) makes someone like Kelly expendable. I'd simply like to see Kelly moved from the perspective of providing him with a change of scenery. I think Boyd will fill the currently vacant OA spot regardless, and he could also fill Donoso's vacant OA spot as well which could allow us to trade both Kelly and, say, Barlas, providing a contending team with a good bottom-6 winger. I'd consider that if I were Boyd. I would be very surprised if he moved any of the 18-year olds that will form the team's nucleus next year - Gardiner, Pinelli, Foster. The offer would need to be really strong imo.

In goal, the expected move is to deal Donoso, but what if MacKenzie is dealt instead? The package would fairly strong, and all that would be required would be a commitment to fill the crease with a solid but unspectacular OA next year while Nelson learns the ropes. Again, I'm not opposed to dealing away MacKenzie either.

Boyd has said that it is Ottawa's objective to be competitive every year, so in my view its doubtful he'll deal Mayich or MacKenzie, but I've come around to this year being an opportune time for a sell.

Baseline lineup, post-deadline:

Pinelli - Gardiner - Gerrior
Yanni - Lawrence - Foster
Barlas - OA (trade) - Korbler
Hilton - Whitehead - Houben
INJ: Dever

Mayich - Mews
Marrelli - Brady
Sirman - Dietsch
Horner

MacKenzie
Nelson

Out: Donoso, Stonehouse, Smyth, Ewles, Kelly
In: OA centre
OAs: Lawrence, new centre

I like your line up, but again, if we are going to go into the rebuild and we want to draft the BEST PLAYER that fills our need, we need to make the playoffs but near the bottom.

I would prefer to see Barlas on the second line, Yanni Whitehead, and Korbler as the 3A or 3B line.

I have always been a fan of developing line Chemistry, which can only be done by playing players together as much and as long as possible.

I also think you are going to need an OA defenceman that you can use beside Dietsch or spell him into the system remmber for Yani Dietsch and Houben this is just like September for them they have to get used to the OHL level.

I am also not sure if bringing Houben up is a good thing. His stats are not high in the GOJHL, which could be because he is getting used to his body. Giving him the first of the season would, I think, be a benefit to him.

 

[OMG67]

Based On what I am hearing, it doesn’t look like Ottawa is selling. At least not right now. I may be reading the tea leaves a little too closely because we could see a couple savvy seller moves combined with a couple savvy buyer moves that keep us somewhat competitive while increasing our draft capital. But, I am not sure that is the way Boyd will run it. aka, I don’t think he would trade Stonehouse for a nice picks package and then use some of the picks for an OA and an Import. I think if he is looking at OA’s and Imports, that is what he is looking to add.

I know a lot of people, including myself, have crapped on the team post-holiday break. But, they are missing a lot of bodies and a team that isn’t overly deep missing bodies that wins a lot of one goal games are usually affected negatively by the injuries.

A fully healthy lineup with even just one OA and one Import added would look like:

Pinelli - Import (Misiak) - Stonehouse
Foster - Gardiner - Gerrior
Barlas - Lawrence - Dever
Yanni - Whitehead - Kelly

Mayich - Mews
Marrelli - OA(Mayer)
Smyth - Ewles

MacK
Donoso

I left out the scratches. Mayer and Misiak are placeholders. We know Mayer is available and is from Ottawa. Erie is likely going to sell and Misiak wouldn’t be overly pricy. I think both are good fits.

That isn’t a bad lineup in the Eastern Conference. It wouldn’t win it but it would be a fun team to watch. That said, Sudbury struck out on Beck. Papineau is a bit of a clown that other GM’s don’t want to deal with so who knows if they will get what they need done.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

I find the commentary re: Sudbury Wolves and GM Paps amusing. I’m hearing disingenuous and now clown and no one wants to deal with him. I wasn’t aware so many posters on here had a direct hot line to their respective GM’s desk. Our stocked draft cupboard would suggest otherwise. I’m sure to survive in this league as a GM one must maintain a level of respect and integrity. Having said that, there is an old saying in hockey, “ if your not cheating your not trying”. I think the Hunters came up with that one….

 

[OMG67]

I find the commentary re: Sudbury Wolves and GM Paps amusing. I’m hearing disingenuous and now clown and no one wants to deal with him. I wasn’t aware so many posters on here had a direct hot line to their respective GM’s desk. Our stocked draft cupboard would suggest otherwise. I’m sure to survive in this league as a GM one must maintain a level of respect and integrity. Having said that, there is an old saying in hockey, “ if your not cheating your not trying”. I think the Hunters came up with that one….

It is relatively common knowledge that he has flip-flopped on other GM’s, most notably Peterborough in the Stillman deal. Smaller deals are fine. But, when they get more complicated and involve actual players, there have been issues in the past. That seems to be common knowledge.

There is a difference between acting in a disingenuous manner and bending rules as much as possible, maybe even breaking them with no penalty. The Hunters don’t deal with other teams in a disingenuous manner. Papineau has Acted in a disingenuous manner at least twice per public knowledge.

This is a season where he will need to make complex deals involving actual key players moving both ways. If he has a conversation on Monday and says one thing, then on Wednesday flops a different way (changes his mind etc), the ghosts of the past come out of the closet and the opposing GM will take him less serious and won’t prioritize their time in his direction.

If it is draft picks to acquire Mayer, then so be it. No issues. If it is a serious player that requires multiple and varied assets? Ouch. I’m not confident that deal will happen easily. It is up to Papineau to prove us wrong, not the other way around at this point.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

It is relatively common knowledge that he has flip-flopped on other GM’s, most notably Peterborough in the Stillman deal. Smaller deals are fine. But, when they get more complicated and involve actual players, there have been issues in the past. That seems to be common knowledge.

There is a difference between acting in a disingenuous manner and bending rules as much as possible, maybe even breaking them with no penalty. The Hunters don’t deal with other teams in a disingenuous manner. Papineau has Acted in a disingenuous manner at least twice per public knowledge.

This is a season where he will need to make complex deals involving actual key players moving both ways. If he has a conversation on Monday and says one thing, then on Wednesday flops a different way (changes his mind etc), the ghosts of the past come out of the closet and the opposing GM will take him less serious and won’t prioritize their time in his direction.

If it is draft picks to acquire Mayer, then so be it. No issues. If it is a serious player that requires multiple and varied assets? Ouch. I’m not confident that deal will happen easily. It is up to Papineau to prove us wrong, not the other way around at this point.

I guess time will tell. Come on Paps prove your haters wrong!! Keep your word and flip, don’t flop. HaHa

 

[OMG67]

I guess time will tell. Come on Paps prove your haters wrong!! Keep your word and flip, don’t flop. HaHa

Love it!

 

[beastintheeast]

I find the commentary re: Sudbury Wolves and GM Paps amusing. I’m hearing disingenuous and now clown and no one wants to deal with him. I wasn’t aware so many posters on here had a direct hot line to their respective GM’s desk. Our stocked draft cupboard would suggest otherwise. I’m sure to survive in this league as a GM one must maintain a level of respect and integrity. Having said that, there is an old saying in hockey, “ if your not cheating your not trying”. I think the Hunters came up with that one

Naw Hunters didn't come up with it. Credit Killer and Bert Templeton and a few of the old guard. The young GM's used to count their toes after talking with them.

Where do you think the bag of hockey pucks and a case of Molson came from?

They used to be able to find a player that no one wanted and make him look a lot better and become a hockey player.

 

[analyser]

Based On what I am hearing, it doesn’t look like Ottawa is selling. At least not right now. I may be reading the tea leaves a little too closely because we could see a couple savvy seller moves combined with a couple savvy buyer moves that keep us somewhat competitive while increasing our draft capital. But, I am not sure that is the way Boyd will run it. aka, I don’t think he would trade Stonehouse for a nice picks package and then use some of the picks for an OA and an Import. I think if he is looking at OA’s and Imports, that is what he is looking to add.

I know a lot of people, including myself, have crapped on the team post-holiday break. But, they are missing a lot of bodies and a team that isn’t overly deep missing bodies that wins a lot of one goal games are usually affected negatively by the injuries.

A fully healthy lineup with even just one OA and one Import added would look like:

Pinelli - Import (Misiak) - Stonehouse
Foster - Gardiner - Gerrior
Barlas - Lawrence - Dever
Yanni - Whitehead - Kelly

Mayich - Mews
Marrelli - OA(Mayer)
Smyth - Ewles

MacK
Donoso

I left out the scratches. Mayer and Misiak are placeholders. We know Mayer is available and is from Ottawa. Erie is likely going to sell and Misiak wouldn’t be overly pricy. I think both are good fits.

That isn’t a bad lineup in the Eastern Conference. It wouldn’t win it but it would be a fun team to watch. That said, Sudbury struck out on Beck. Papineau is a bit of a clown that other GM’s don’t want to deal with so who knows if they will get what they need done.

I like your additions but would also like to see a couple of other moves. Trade Donoso and possibly Kelly, bring in Tyler Savard for our 3rd line LW. Move Barlas down to 4th line.
Savard has some scoring touch and could provide protection for Pinelli, Gardiner, etc. . The muscle would sure help come playoff time. Kingston got Savard for an 8th rd pick so he should not cost much. The only disadvantage is someone would have to play out of position on the 4th line.

I guess we will have to wait and see as the ball is in JB's court.

 

[beastintheeast]

I like your additions but would also like to see a couple of other moves. Trade Donoso and possibly Kelly, bring in Tyler Savard for our 3rd line LW. Move Barlas down to 4th line.
Savard has some scoring touch and could provide protection for Pinelli, Gardiner, etc. . The muscle would sure help come playoff time. Kingston got Savard for an 8th rd pick so he should not cost much. The only disadvantage is someone would have to play out of position on the 4th line.

I guess we will have to wait and see as the ball is in JB's court.

If Savard could not make it in Kingston as an OA LW, why do you think we want him in Ottawa? He would be useless to us as we need an OA Center that already has good Wingers.
Savard's best season was in the Soo with 30 points, which is not a person with a scoring touch.

We do not need protection in the playoffs, as this is not a team geared to win the division but to win a few games.

 

[OMG67]

If Savard could not make it in Kingston as an OA LW, why do you think we want him in Ottawa? He would be useless to us as we need an OA Center that already has good Wingers.
Savard's best season was in the Soo with 30 points, which is not a person with a scoring touch.

We do not need protection in the playoffs, as this is not a team geared to win the division but to win a few games.

He was suggesting we remove Donoso and add Savard. We would still add the Centre and the d-Man.

Some questions surround Savard in the dressing room…

 

[beastintheeast]

TRAVIS KONECNY IS AN NHL ALLSTAR

CONGRATULATIONS

 

[OMG67]

TRAVIS KONECNY IS AN NHL ALLSTAR

CONGRATULATIONS

We don’t like Sarnia players here!

 

[analyser]

If Savard could not make it in Kingston as an OA LW, why do you think we want him in Ottawa? He would be useless to us as we need an OA Center that already has good Wingers.
Savard's best season was in the Soo with 30 points, which is not a person with a scoring touch.

We do not need protection in the playoffs, as this is not a team geared to win the division but to win a few games.

Whatever you may think but I am entitled to my opinion. Savard had 30 points in 30 games for the Soo so he has some upside. We will still get our centre and we can take a chance on a player for next to nothing. How do yo know he would be useless in a new environment sometimes that is all it takes.

You need protection anytime for your star players wether you like it or not. Pinelli, Gardiner and others should be worrying about producing and not getting driven through the boards.

 

[ScoutLife4]

I don't see how Savard would fit into Ottawa.
He was a selfish player that lacked discipline and I'm told some personality issues as well.

What would be the upside to an OA that 3 teams didn't want?

 

[analyser]

I don't see how Savard would fit into Ottawa.
He was a selfish player that lacked discipline and I'm told some personality issues as well.

What would be the upside to an OA that 3 teams didn't want?

You do not know the circumstances of what happened with any of the teams and it is just to add a little muscle for once on this team. 30 games or so is not going to be the end of the world. Last season if we had Boucher or some kind of protection I believe the outcome of the series against the Pete's would have been different.

 

[ScoutLife4]

You do not know the circumstances of what happened with any of the teams and it is just to add a little muscle for once on this team. 30 games or so is not going to be the end of the world. Last season if we had Boucher or some kind of protection I believe the outcome of the series against the Pete's would have been different

Actually, I have lots of inside information about players & teams as a scout and sports data analyst.
I literally get paid to know this information.
I have watched Tyler for 3 years, spoken to his coaches, evaluated him on every level.
Trust me professionally when I say this is not the answer for Ottawa.

There are much better options out there that can add some physicality to Ottawa's lineup if that's what you think is missing. -Adding a selfish JR A caliber player that takes a bunch of undisciplined penalties won't solve you're problems.

 

[OMG67]

You do not know the circumstances of what happened with any of the teams and it is just to add a little muscle for once on this team. 30 games or so is not going to be the end of the world. Last season if we had Boucher or some kind of protection I believe the outcome of the series against the Pete's would have been different.

I understand where you are coming from and I do not disagree. The element that Savard brings is something this team needs.

The question is whether Savard is the right player to do it. He is not on the Kingston roster. I am not sure if he has been waived but my assumption is he has been waived. That means no teams picked him up for free. There is some scuttlebutt surrounding his deficiencies and how those deficiencies outweigh his positives, especially as an OA.

So, although I agree with your underlying premise, I am not sure you are focused on the right player. The one great thing is he would basically be zero cost! I like me some zero cost!

 

[analyser]

Actually, I have lots of inside information about players & teams as a scout and sports data analyst.
I literally get paid to know this information.
I have watched Tyler for 3 years, spoken to his coaches, evaluated him on every level.
Trust me professionally when I say this is not the answer for Ottawa.

There are much better options out there that can add some physicality to Ottawa's lineup if that's what you think is missing. -Adding a selfish JR A caliber player that takes a bunch of undisciplined penalties won't solve you're problems.

Look it is just a suggestion, their are much better options but at what cost. We do not want to waste a lot of assets when we are not a championship team.

 

[beastintheeast]

I understand where you are coming from and I do not disagree. The element that Savard brings is something this team needs.

The question is whether Savard is the right player to do it. He is not on the Kingston roster. I am not sure if he has been waived but my assumption is he has been waived. That means no teams picked him up for free. There is some scuttlebutt surrounding his deficiencies and how those deficiencies outweigh his positives, especially as an OA.

So, although I agree with your underlying premise, I am not sure you are focused on the right player. The one great thing is he would basically be zero cost! I like me some zero cost!

There is a huge cost to getting Savard, He takes away from us getting what we need in an OA Center and IF we trade Donoso an OA Defence

The fact that no one wanted him when he was sent down says a lot. Also, consider this: Kingston sent him down and kept Callen. That says alot to me