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

[frontsfan67]

Alexei Medvedev (G) Hunter drafted him 2nd the round 905 save percentage in St Thomas a low ranking team in the GOJHL

He will be on the team but will he be a starter his first year? And if he is- will it be enough to lead the knights to a championship? Probably not. That’s why I believe they will be trading for someone or drafting an import goalie and Medvedev takes over the year after as the full time starter

 

[PuckStop75]

Hilton hasn't played since Jan 12. My understanding is he is not on the active roster. I’m not sure if he is playing with an affiliate. Hilton is 6’5” 196. he is going to get an opportunity to show he cannot play. All the big kids get the same opportunity. he won’t be drafted.

Uronen had a 6 month injury that stretches back to October 29. If that holds true, it means he wouldn’t return until the Finals. I think we need to consider him out for the season. If he somehow makes it back and the 67’s go deep int he playoffs, maybe he returns but that is a lot of hope and prayer I think.

Maillet has 4 points and is a -8 with Ottawa. The team is 8-2-3 over that stretch. Being a -8 in only 13 games when the team has gotten 19 of 26 points is horrible. The priority of finding a way to get the Overage player they paid a 2nd, two 3rds, and a 5th for has to be near the front of the line. Kressler and Pinelli have 17 and 18 points respectively during that stretch. We should not consider the first line at 1.3 ppg pace as a priority now.

Korbler has played the last five games with the first line. Over that stretch, the team is 4-0-1. Pinelli has 7 points and is a +7. Kressler has 8 points and is a +7 as well. I am fine with keeping Korbler there for the time being while they shuffle the rest of the deck. See who fits with whom. The team has run the course of the flu. They’ve had two tough road trips. They haven’t had a solid enough opportunity to really see what they have and how the pieces fit together. I think we will get a better viewing over the course of this week. The team should mostly be back in the lineup this week. Let’s hope Maillet can find his way.

Maillet has played his best hockey with a stronger RW, primarily Maggio & Greentree in Windsor. As a right shot centre that isn’t a surprise. In Ottawa it’s been primarily Horner & Dever, neither are the strongest playmakers. Kelly is the only other natural RW, Stonehouse is the other option but as a left shot that may not work easily either. Looking at the team overall, putting Gardiner on his RW may be the best option, it would mean Foster is back at centre on the 3rd line with Stonehouse on his RW. At LW Gerrior and Barlas complete the top 9. 4th line is a little greasy at that point with Dever, Whitehead & Horner.

 

[beastintheeast]

Yeah. I see where you are coming from but, at the same time, we need to circle back to the “Conference.” Even though the top two teams int he Central are likely ahead of the top two teams in the East, I wouldn’t say the Central is a better division. They will likely end up near equal in points accumulation.

Pre-deadline, we had Pinelli, Foster, Gerrior, Stonehouse, and Barlas as wingers you can count on for top 9 roles. That leaves one empty spot for a player that likely doesn’t fit in that role for a team that is supposedly contending. Most had dever as the guy to nail down the 9th spot. I wasn’t so sure about that. This is why I preached about needing that extra winger at the deadline. We didn’t get that extra winger so now we have what we have. We need to make the best of it. Through injury, suspension and illness, dire measures were taken to ice a Team. Korbler ended up ont he first line for that situation. He performed well enough to stay there this past weekend. Will he stay there the remainder of the season? Unlikely. BUT, while the other lines try to find the right fit, I am good with Korbler there for the time being. Let the other guys battle it out and prove they deserve their ice Based on results. Once the other lines are worked out, we will see who is left without a chair and Cameron will decide if that player is shuffled to the 4th line or takes over for Korbler. Not a big deal in the short term. I think everyone agrees that Korbler on line #1 for an extended period including the playoffs is not likely to be a solid strategy.

The challenge is that no matter what, in the playoffs, our first line is going to be found wanting just on size alone. Pinelli and Kressler are no bigger than Korbler.
I think that Cameron has to find a way to make the second line a more scoring line. I would love to see Foster Gardiner and stonehouse play a few games so that we at least have a line that averages 6' instead of 5'9"

Kelly Maillet and Barlas could be the 3rd line

I would love to see Yanni Korbler and Whitehead as a 4th line. Imagine if they get a few years under their belt, what they would be like.

Uronen cokming back would be a huge boost it is too bad no one gives any feedback

 

[beastintheeast]

Just noticed that the OHL roster site has London with 4 OA (lawrence, Simpson, MCkinnon and McCue) How does that work

 

[leafs4life94]

Just noticed that the OHL roster site has London with 4 OA (lawrence, Simpson, MCkinnon and McCue) How does that work

McKinnon had to retire due to concussions - still with them as a Player Development coach - guessing they just never removed him from the online roster.

 

[PuckStop75]

The challenge is that no matter what, in the playoffs, our first line is going to be found wanting just on size alone. Pinelli and Kressler are no bigger than Korbler.
I think that Cameron has to find a way to make the second line a more scoring line. I would love to see Foster Gardiner and stonehouse play a few games so that we at least have a line that averages 6' instead of 5'9"

Kelly Maillet and Barlas could be the 3rd line

I would love to see Yanni Korbler and Whitehead as a 4th line. Imagine if they get a few years under their belt, what they would be like.

Uronen cokming back would be a huge boost it is too bad no one gives any feedback

If they were going to try to bulk up a line the Maillet & Gardiner combination I referenced earlier with Foster on the LW would be the best they could do, but reality is they just don't have the personnel to do that effectively 6'1, 6'1 and 6'0 is not imposing in the OHL.

For what it worth I would put Barlas with Maillet & Gardiner, they could use them late in games to shut things down, all three can take faceoffs and they have a little bit of size to work with. Gerrior, Foster and Stonehouse as a 3rd line also looks pretty good IMO.

 

[OMG67]

If they were going to try to bulk up a line the Maillet & Gardiner combination I referenced earlier with Foster on the LW would be the best they could do, but reality is they just don't have the personnel to do that effectively 6'1, 6'1 and 6'0 is not imposing in the OHL.

For what it worth I would put Barlas with Maillet & Gardiner, they could use them late in games to shut things down, all three can take faceoffs and they have a little bit of size to work with. Gerrior, Foster and Stonehouse as a 3rd line also looks pretty good IMO.

I think the plan at the deadline was they were to add Sale. I think they had a deal in place but Sale would only go to Kitchener. He would have been that right side big body scorer. Although, he may have had the same issues as Stonehouse being a lefty. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out so we now have what we have.

For the remainder of the regular season, I wouldn’t have an issue pulling Whitehead up to the 3rd centre position. We have a few more tough games but the lions share of games remaining, he should be able to handle that role. Then slide Dever as the centre on the 4th line. It may not be optimal int he playoffs but with around 20 games left int he regular season, it would at least be good for Whiteheads development. If it works out positively, all the better.

 

[PuckStop75]

I think the plan at the deadline was they were to add Sale. I think they had a deal in place but Sale would only go to Kitchener. He would have been that right side big body scorer. Although, he may have had the same issues as Stonehouse being a lefty. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out so we now have what we have.

For the remainder of the regular season, I wouldn’t have an issue pulling Whitehead up to the 3rd centre position. We have a few more tough games but the lions share of games remaining, he should be able to handle that role. Then slide Dever as the centre on the 4th line. It may not be optimal int he playoffs but with around 20 games left int he regular season, it would at least be good for Whiteheads development. If it works out positively, all the better.

If its not optimal for playoffs then I fail to realize why they would do it. As I see it the top 9 is fairly recognizable, it is a simple matter of developing some chemistry amongst the players and an identity going into playoffs. Winning 15 of 20 or what what ever it takes to win the Division is a secondary goal.

 

[OMG67]

If its not optimal for playoffs then I fail to realize why they would do it. As I see it the top 9 is fairly recognizable, it is a simple matter of developing some chemistry amongst the players and an identity going into playoffs. Winning 15 of 20 or what what ever it takes to win the Division is a secondary goal.

I don’t see a clear top 9. I see a clear top 8. I know most suggest Dever to be that #9 guy but, no disrespect meant to him, he isn’t clearly ahead of anyone enough to anoint him as that guy. Seven points separate Dever, Whitehead, Korbler, Horner, and Kelly. The guy that plays as the 9th forward will likely need to play a role that doesn’t include being relied on as a point producer 5 on 5. Right now, I’d give the nod to one of Korbler or Horner. I’d play Dever in the 4th line and let him concentrate on the PK.

But, I can accept any argument provided that supports any of those guys playing in the top 9. That’s how close they are offensively. None of them are poor defensively. Maybe Horner has the hardest edge to his game? Do we need that in the top 9? Playoffs, yes. So if it is about prepping for playoffs, maybe you give it to Horner? Kelly has an edge and is still a decent prospect to a degree. Dever and Korbler are tow guys that we already have a lot of. Smallish guys that can skate. If you are going to be “that” guy, you have to produce offence. At least Korbler has shown the ability to cover the asses of Pinelli and Kressler and it allows them to do what they do and not be minus players.

We’ll see how everything falls over the next week or so. I’d hope they have it resolved by then.

 

[AGranderson]

My thinking is we lineup in the playoffs very close to this

Pinelli-Kressler-Gerrior
Foster-Gardiner-Stonehouse
Barlas-Malliet-Dever
Horner-Whitehead-Korbler

Scratch//-Kelly, Hilton

Mayer-Mews
Smyth-Sirman
Marelli-Mayich

Scratch//- Brady

Mackenzie
Michelone

Dever & Korbler could flip but i think for guys in guys out we look like this reason is if you watch how Cameron has used everyone it seems like the players in this lineup are his guys when everyone is healthy. Horner nearing his fight limit if that’s the way he’s going to play we could see him in & out of the lineup serving a suspension that’s where Kelly would slide in. D pairings could switch from game to game depending on who is playing well. Horner is also serving as the 7th D man so all it takes is an injury or suspension on the back end and Horner likely jumps back to D & Kelly slides in on the 4th line.

 

[sirius67fan]

Seven points separate Dever, Whitehead, Korbler, Horner, and Kelly.

True but don't forget he missed 6-8 weeks. Imo he's clearly ahead of the others and offers the greatest upside ( Dever to be clear). You do want your top 9 to be able to produce in the playoffs. However I could live with the argument that against a big team Horner might be an option.

As it looks like Hilton/Brady are not gonna see much ice going forward( barring injuries) they should send them down imo.

 

[OMG67]

True but don't forget he missed 6-8 weeks. Imo he's clearly ahead of the others and offers the greatest upside ( Dever to be clear). You do want your top 9 to be able to produce in the playoffs. However I could live with the argument that against a big team Horner might be an option.

As it looks like Hilton/Brady are not gonna see much ice going forward( barring injuries) they should send them down imo.

True but the other guys haven’t gotten the premium ice time dever has. Horner was the 6th/7th D-Man and he sits five points behind Dever who has mostly played top 9 minutes this season.

 

[sirius67fan]

They have Gerrior/Gardiner/Foster on a line tonight. Loved that line first half of last year. For some reason Cameron has not gone back to it.much. Let's see how they do tonight.

 

[mianjo]

67's down 1-0 aftger 40 secs

1-1

GOAL
#20 Luca Pinelli (36) scores. Assists: #12 Braeden Kressler, #22 Matthew Mayich 1st 7:58

1-2

2-2

GOAL
#18 Jack Dever (8) scores. Assists: #28 Caden Kelly 1st 17:47

2-3 20secs later

 

[mianjo]

2-4 after 2

SHOTS ON GOAL

Teams	1st	2nd	Total
KGN	7	8	15
OTT	13	10	23

 

[beastintheeast]

15 shots 4 goals I think we may see Nelson in the 3rd

Vaccari playing a solid game

Both teams need this game looks like Kingston wants it more.

 

[frontsfan67]

15 shots 4 goals I think we may see Nelson in the 3rd

Vaccari playing a solid game

Both teams need this game looks like Kingston wants it more.

Mann is all about getting that first win of the week.

Also clearly you guys need MacKenzie. Who knows but getting rid of donoso may bite you guys in the ass come playoff time if Mackenzie is still dealing with injuries

 

[mianjo]

still Michelone

 

[mianjo]

2-5

3-5

GOAL
#11 Henry Mews (9) scores. Assists: #20 Luca Pinelli, #27 Jacob Maillet POWER PLAY 3rd 15:15

3-6

 

[mianjo]

67's lose 6-3

SHOTS ON GOAL

Teams	1st	2nd	3rd	Total
KGN	7	8	6	21
OTT	13	10	13	36

 

[OMG67]

67’s have a .640 win% if we delete games against Kingston. Kingston has a .432 win% if we delete their games against Ottawa.

Every year there seems to be some sort of odd mismatch Somewhere in the league. This year it is Ott vs KGN. It is odd how that happens. It is not like Kingston is a great team. They get regularly pumped by average teams.

Ottawa has 11 games this year where they lost by 3 or more goals. Five of those are to Kingston and three by Peterborough. How does Ottawa lose to the bad teams that badly and yet beat most of the good teams? Such a strange season.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Mann is all about getting that first win of the week.

Also clearly you guys need MacKenzie. Who knows but getting rid of donoso may bite you guys in the ass come playoff time if Mackenzie is still dealing with injuries

That was Michelone's first regulation loss with Ottawa. and (before tonight) his save percentage was above 90%. That's better than Donoso's in Ottawa, though granted the team in front of him is better now. Michelone has had at least one stinker before this, but the team just wasn't there to pick him up tonight.

Overall I'm good with Boyd waiving Donoso to make room for an OA at the deadline. Doubt I'm alone in thinking that. The team is playing much better hockey; in fact I'd say tonight's game was the first poor showing by the 67s since the deadline. But yeah, we're all eagerly awaiting MacKenzie's return.

Kingston just seems to have Ottawa's number this season. Good win for you guys tonight.

 

[OMG67]

Mann is all about getting that first win of the week.

Also clearly you guys need MacKenzie. Who knows but getting rid of donoso may bite you guys in the ass come playoff time if Mackenzie is still dealing with injuries

Up until tonight, Michelone has been good! Go figure. Fronts have the 67’s number this season. Plain and simple.

 

[beastintheeast]

I am sorry, but until they find a first line that can play 200 ft, this team will play 2 games, maybe 3 in the playoffs, and be done.
Pinelli and Kressler are good for a PP, but they, to me, are a wreck waiting to happen as 2 way. They cannot play against other teams' top lines.

They are too small. Maybe put Gardiner and Foster with Pinelli. At least then, it is not a midget line.

Mu justification looking at the standings if the 67 get 2nd overall guess who they play in the playoffs

KINGSTON

 

[sirius67fan]

That was Michelone's first regulation loss with Ottawa. and (before tonight) his save percentage was above 90%. That's better than Donoso's in Ottawa, though granted the team in front of him is better now. Michelone has had at least one stinker before this, but the team just wasn't there to pick him up tonight.

Overall I'm good with Boyd waiving Donoso to make room for an OA at the deadline. Doubt I'm alone in thinking that. The team is playing much better hockey; in fact I'd say tonight's game was the first poor showing by the 67s since the deadline. But yeah, we're all eagerly awaiting MacKenzie's return.

Kingston just seems to have Ottawa's number this season. Good win for you guys tonight.

Ok that answers my question. As i can't see the game looking at shot count we appear to have carried the play. Michelone had an off night then?