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

[beastintheeast]

Well I guess for now we'll have to agree to disagree, I still think next year is more feasible. In any case we should have an answer in the next ten days as to the direction for this year which likely will also tell us what next year will be as I really doubt they sell 2 years in a row. Will be a really interesting ten days as I really have no clue what they're gonna do.

I think depending on the offers this could be a major sell year. It is interesting but no one has suggest Pinelli as a trade piece this year. I think that really the pieces we need to sell this year are

Pinelli
Donoso trade him for a bag of pucks and a 24 BUT TRADE HIM
Stonehouse

I see Uronen being let go and or possibly not coming back. He has options and playing on a team that is going to have little to any scoring power next year isnot where a kid looking to the NHL wants to be. Korbler may take teh same jump it is hard to say.

Looking at next year s I said ont eh Niagara page we are going to be crap offensively. I think next year is probably not a eling year at all unless we get a good offer for Mayich and or we find that we can live wth Nelso as the starting goalie.

The problem we have is that we were good too long. The downfall of being first or top 5 is that you get less than stellar picks in the draft.

@sirius67fan You think we should go for it next year please tell me where the offence is and how we are going to look much better next year on defence.

24/25
Gerrior - Gardiner - Foster
Barlas - Import - Kelly
Yanni - Whitehead - Dever
Hilton - 1st rd- Korbler
Houden

Marelli - Mews
Mayich- Ewles
Dietsch - Horner/Brady
1st or 2nd round

MacK
Nelson

25/26


Barlas (OA) Gardiner(OA) Dever(OA)
Yanni Whithead Kelly
Houben 1strd 24 Korbler/Euro
Hilton 25 draft 24 or 25 draft pick

Marelli - Mews
Dietsch- Ewles(OA)
1st or 2nd round 24- Brady
25 draft pick 24/25 drft pick or Euro

nelson
draft pick

The bad thing is that for 2-3 years we are ot gong to be the top dog. The good thing is that with good drafting we can start to look like the power teams again.

With good drafting we should start to see the team develop some scoring as well as size.
Also we are not buyers but defnitely are sellers for the right offer. The other catch is that we have to develop the plaeyrs we draft.

 

[44 95 plus tax]

Right now this team is bad. Really bad. We haven’t seen them play like this for some years, now. I am not sure what happened to Donoso, Mews or Stonehouse. I would have expected bigger things from them this year. Saturday the best line was the third line. You are not going to win many games like that. Monday, a 16 y/o call up played on the first line…

We also have out of the line up:

MacKenzie
Dever
Barlas
Foster
Uronen
Smyth

Put them back in the line up and they would be competitive. Not a contender, but competitive. We need a first or second line centre. We need a first pairing offensive defenseman. We need a big winger with some jam. Then we might contend.

We also need some composure and stop taking stupid penalties. Its to easy to get the 67’s riled up and goaded into penalties. Need more leadership from Pinelli, Gerroir and Mayich.

Trade deadline will be interesting. How serious are the injuries? That could be a big factor in what Boyd does.

 

[OMG67]

Right now this team is bad. Really bad. We haven’t seen them play like this for some years, now. I am not sure what happened to Donoso, Mews or Stonehouse. I would have expected bigger things from them this year. Saturday the best line was the third line. You are not going to win many games like that. Monday, a 16 y/o call up played on the first line…

We also have out of the line up:

MacKenzie
Dever
Barlas
Foster
Uronen
Smyth

Put them back in the line up and they would be competitive. Not a contender, but competitive. We need a first or second line centre. We need a first pairing offensive defenseman. We need a big winger with some jam. Then we might contend.

We also need some composure and stop taking stupid penalties. Its to easy to get the 67’s riled up and goaded into penalties. Need more leadership from Pinelli, Gerroir and Mayich.

Trade deadline will be interesting. How serious are the injuries? That could be a big factor in what Boyd does.

I think Barlas on the wing really helps to stabilize the 5 on 5 game. Foster is an offensive catalyst. Smyth is strong 5 on 5 as well. Dever adds some speed and depth. There is no doubt missing that many players is hurting.

I’ve said for the last little while that we need 4 additions. The three that you suggest plus another depth D-Man for the 3rd pairing. I would also look at upgrading Lawrence with a kid like Dubois. These are all deals that I think could be made.

I reiterate that if this season is not deemed to be A year where we try to make a run, I cannot see how next year is. It will cost us far less assets this year because we can fill our needs mostly with OA’s and Imports. Next year we won’t have the luxury of upgrading OA’s at a cheaper price.

 

[analyser]

I think that we should trade Donoso and add 2 OAs plus a 19 yr old to solidify the roster. We have at least 25% of our roster missing at the present time and we would be a lot more competitive if we had a full squad. Let's give the fans at least one competitive team over the next couple of years. The east is up for grabs and I think we would have a good shot at the title with a few tweaks. Next year would be a way too costly and does not make sense.

I do not see anyone in the east going all in as the west is just too strong this year. You win the east and you have to hope that Saginaw wins the west or you have to beat the Soo, Kitchener and even London in the finals. Unless you meet Saginaw in the finals I doubt an eastern team ends up in the Mem Cup.

This is based on the return of our injured players except Uronen.

We need that sold offensive defenseman and at least a quality centre.

Good luck JB.

 

[sirius67fan]

I think depending on the offers this could be a major sell year. It is interesting but no one has suggest Pinelli as a trade piece this year. I think that really the pieces we need to sell this year are

Pinelli
Donoso trade him for a bag of pucks and a 24 BUT TRADE HIM
Stonehouse

I see Uronen being let go and or possibly not coming back. He has options and playing on a team that is going to have little to any scoring power next year isnot where a kid looking to the NHL wants to be. Korbler may take teh same jump it is hard to say.

Looking at next year s I said ont eh Niagara page we are going to be crap offensively. I think next year is probably not a eling year at all unless we get a good offer for Mayich and or we find that we can live wth Nelso as the starting goalie.

The problem we have is that we were good too long. The downfall of being first or top 5 is that you get less than stellar picks in the draft.

@sirius67fan You think we should go for it next year please tell me where the offence is and how we are going to look much better next year on defence.

24/25
Gerrior - Gardiner - Foster
Barlas - Import - Kelly
Yanni - Whitehead - Dever
Hilton - 1st rd- Korbler
Houden

Marelli - Mews
Mayich- Ewles
Dietsch - Horner/Brady
1st or 2nd round

MacK
Nelson

25/26


Barlas (OA) Gardiner(OA) Dever(OA)
Yanni Whithead Kelly
Houben 1strd 24 Korbler/Euro
Hilton 25 draft 24 or 25 draft pick

Marelli - Mews
Dietsch- Ewles(OA)
1st or 2nd round 24- Brady
25 draft pick 24/25 drft pick or Euro

nelson
draft pick

The bad thing is that for 2-3 years we are ot gong to be the top dog. The good thing is that with good drafting we can start to look like the power teams again.

With good drafting we should start to see the team develop some scoring as well as size.
Also we are not buyers but defnitely are sellers for the right offer. The other catch is that we have to develop the plaeyrs we draft.

Well Beast to start with you have to put Pinelli on your 24/25 roster as there is no sense to trade him this year. If I'm wrong ( historically a good possibility) and next year this team is not contending then you trade him. I know I'm in the minority on this board pushing for next year however I expect the offense to come from Pinelli(40) Gardiner(25), Foster(》30) and Gerrior(30)primarily. I also expect Dever to get 20, Barlas and Whitecloud to get 15-20. Then we have any imports and trade acquisitions if we go for it. Finally I expect a significant contribution offensively from Mews and Marelli. Don't forget that if we acquire a true top 6 center that it's gonna elevate the wingers's production. Last point I want to make is I think people are underestimating the development potential of this team. Tourigny then Cameron have shown twice now that their teams have made huge jumps from year to year. Let's not forget we have a young team with a great program and elite coaching.

 

[sirius67fan]

Right now this team is bad. Really bad. We haven’t seen them play like this for some years, now. I am not sure what happened to Donoso, Mews or Stonehouse. I would have expected bigger things from them this year. Saturday the best line was the third line. You are not going to win many games like that. Monday, a 16 y/o call up played on the first line…

We also have out of the line up:

MacKenzie
Dever
Barlas
Foster
Uronen
Smyth

Put them back in the line up and they would be competitive. Not a contender, but competitive. We need a first or second line centre. We need a first pairing offensive defenseman. We need a big winger with some jam. Then we might contend.

We also need some composure and stop taking stupid penalties. Its to easy to get the 67’s riled up and goaded into penalties. Need more leadership from Pinelli, Gerroir and Mayich.

Trade deadline will be interesting. How serious are the injuries? That could be a big factor in what Boyd does.

Yes right now we are bad but it's expected considering the injuries. Foster really hurts as he was starting to show dominant play. Dever and Barlas are important role players. And we could use Mac right now. Don't want to blame Donoso as he's been a bit hung up to dry but he's in a bit of a funk right now after a stellar stretch.We simply don't have the depth to deal with that. We can't have half our forwards as rookies and expect to win in this league. So it sucks right now but once players come back we'll be competitive again. As far as the status of injuries aside from Uronen who is out for the year there is not much clarity in this league on that front. When Dever was injured Cameron said 8-10 weeks so I expect him back in feb. The rest I don't know .

 

[beastintheeast]

Well Beast to start with you have to put Pinelli on your 24/25 roster as there is no sense to trade him this year. If I'm wrong ( historically a good possibility) and next year this team is not contending then you trade him. I know I'm in the minority on this board pushing for next year however I expect the offense to come from Pinelli(40) Gardiner(25), Foster(》30) and Gerrior(30)primarily. I also expect Dever to get 20, Barlas and Whitecloud to get 15-20. Then we have any imports and trade acquisitions if we go for it. Finally I expect a significant contribution offensively from Mews and Marelli. Don't forget that if we acquire a true top 6 center that it's gonna elevate the wingers's production. Last point I want to make is I think people are underestimating the development potential of this team. Tourigny then Cameron have shown twice now that their teams have made huge jumps from year to year. Let's not forget we have a young team with a great program and elite coaching.

If you are rebulding then Pinelli is not off the market. Because he is avail to play in the O next year raises his value this year and deminishes it next year.

Of all the plaeyrs we have I would say that Pnelli will bring the highest return NOW.

LOL you are talking about players that have shown no real scoring prowess.

Why is it hard for fans to not understand that having a bad couple of years and rebulding is a fact of life.

This is a eam that next year will be the same as this year. Maybe a little better but it is still gong to be without 2 centers and a 4th defenceman

Besides that have you looked at the rest of the conference. We are not going to be a powerhouse next year we will be lucky to get 5th in the standings.

 

[OMG67]

Well Beast to start with you have to put Pinelli on your 24/25 roster as there is no sense to trade him this year. If I'm wrong ( historically a good possibility) and next year this team is not contending then you trade him. I know I'm in the minority on this board pushing for next year however I expect the offense to come from Pinelli(40) Gardiner(25), Foster(》30) and Gerrior(30)primarily. I also expect Dever to get 20, Barlas and Whitecloud to get 15-20. Then we have any imports and trade acquisitions if we go for it. Finally I expect a significant contribution offensively from Mews and Marelli. Don't forget that if we acquire a true top 6 center that it's gonna elevate the wingers's production. Last point I want to make is I think people are underestimating the development potential of this team. Tourigny then Cameron have shown twice now that their teams have made huge jumps from year to year. Let's not forget we have a young team with a great program and elite coaching.

Regarding the development jump, we haven’t seen it this year much. I fully believe that is because players are mostly playing out of position and in some cases with added responsibility they aren’t prepared for.

Regardless of any of that, I see the same holes next year as this year. So, even though there is development room for the 67’s, so does Richmond with Missy. Richmond has more to work with as well. Even Brantford looks good and ahead of schedule.

I am only looking at it from the perspective of efficiency. I think doing it this year is more efficient and the Conference is more wide open. It is hard for me to argue against next year when we are mostly looking at the same team minus Stonehouse. The additions this year should be much cheaper to make it all come together, especially against what is looking like a very weak conference.

 

[OMG67]

I have to be completely honest, MacKenzie is listed as having a Lower Body Injury. He played the full game agaisnt Missy for the last game prior to the Christmas Break. Now he is injured? Maybe a training accident or during a post Holiday practise? Either way, you’d think there would have been a comment made regarding the injury but all we hear are crickets.

To me, this seems like a bit of a convenient time to go down with injury. I am seriously wondering if he is injured or awaiting a trade.

 

[sirius67fan]

I have to be completely honest, MacKenzie is listed as having a Lower Body Injury. He played the full game agaisnt Missy for the last game prior to the Christmas Break. Now he is injured? Maybe a training accident or during a post Holiday practise? Either way, you’d think there would have been a comment made regarding the injury but all we hear are crickets.

To me, this seems like a bit of a convenient time to go down with injury. I am seriously wondering if he is injured or awaiting a trade.

That also crossed my mind and it would certainly change my expectations for next year if that is the case. However I still think he is injured. If you remember he was injured then came back. Then in his last start he was pulled between periods and awal since. Walls also has him listed as LB??

 

[sirius67fan]

Regarding the development jump, we haven’t seen it this year much. I fully believe that is because players are mostly playing out of position and in some cases with added responsibility they aren’t prepared for.

Regardless of any of that, I see the same holes next year as this year. So, even though there is development room for the 67’s, so does Richmond with Missy. Richmond has more to work with as well. Even Brantford looks good and ahead of schedule.

I am only looking at it from the perspective of efficiency. I think doing it this year is more efficient and the Conference is more wide open. It is hard for me to argue against next year when we are mostly looking at the same team minus Stonehouse. The additions this year should be much cheaper to make it all come together, especially against what is looking like a very weak conference.

I can't argue that adding this year would be cheaper but I just don't see it this year. Yes next year will be more expensive but we will have more assets and as I said you reload the year after. Question is I doubt that Boyd really has it in him to truly go all in either this year or next.

If you are rebulding then Pinelli is not off the market. Because he is avail to play in the O next year raises his value this year and deminishes it next year.

Of all the plaeyrs we have I would say that Pnelli will bring the highest return NOW.

LOL you are talking about players that have shown no real scoring prowess.

Why is it hard for fans to not understand that having a bad couple of years and rebulding is a fact of life.

This is a eam that next year will be the same as this year. Maybe a little better but it is still gong to be without 2 centers and a 4th defenceman

Besides that have you looked at the rest of the conference. We are not going to be a powerhouse next year we will be lucky to get 5th in the standings.

Well Beast I am pleased that you find my opinions amusing

 

[OMG67]

That also crossed my mind and it would certainly change my expectations for next year if that is the case. However I still think he is injured. If you remember he was injured then came back. Then in his last start he was pulled between periods and awal since. Walls also has him listed as LB??

His last start was against Missy on Dec 7, the last game for Ottawa before the Holiday break. He played the full game with the exception of being pulled for the extra attacker. If he were injured, you’d think Donoso would have played the game.

He may very well be resting. All three games post-Holiday break were not back to back so Donoso could easily handle them. The games Nelson dresses for during the Holiday break don’t count because of the rules for affiliate players during the Holiday break.

So, it is very possible I am looking too much into it but it seems fishy.

 

[sirius67fan]

His last start was against Missy on Dec 7, the last game for Ottawa before the Holiday break. He played the full game with the exception of being pulled for the extra attacker. If he were injured, you’d think Donoso would have played the game.

He may very well be resting. All three games post-Holiday break were not back to back so Donoso could easily handle them. The games Nelson dresses for during the Holiday break don’t count because of the rules for affiliate players during the Holiday break.

So, it is very possible I am looking too much into it but it seems fishy.

Ok but wasn't he pulled in a game since his return?? Maybe I'm confused

 

[OMG67]

I can't argue that adding this year would be cheaper but I just don't see it this year. Yes next year will be more expensive but we will have more assets and as I said you reload the year after. Question is I doubt that Boyd really has it in him to truly go all in either this year or next.

And I think you hit the nail on the head. If I had to make a best guess, Boyd adds an OA Centre this year, and then rolls with it next year. Neither year is bad, nor good. We are caught in the middle and if the teams focus is being competitive every year, the next three years are likely 4-6 seed playoff team.

Ok but wasn't he pulled in a game since his return?? Maybe I'm confused

Donoso was replaced by MacK for the 3rd period in Niagara.

 

[beastintheeast]

I can't argue that adding this year would be cheaper but I just don't see it this year. Yes next year will be more expensive but we will have more assets and as I said you reload the year after. Question is I doubt that Boyd really has it in him to truly go all in either this year or next.


Well Beast I am pleased that you find my opinions amusing

sirius I am not laughing at you but at the fact that youthink these guys are over the next 7 months going to become goal scoring machines.

Gardiner is not a first line center. It is possible that you are right but I guess my question is if you were laying 10k on the table would you really make the best that these guys are gong to be stars.

I amnot saying that they will b]not be better I am just saying that with Mississauga, Barrie, Brantford and to a cetain extendt the FDronts coming back with the teams they have next year plus that there really are no studs on our team nor is this going to be a team that can compete with them without needng thmake the same drastic changes that they would have to make this year.

If yo do not trade Pinelli now then expect him to pull a Beck adn ask to be traded and refuse to report.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

That also crossed my mind and it would certainly change my expectations for next year if that is the case. However I still think he is injured. If you remember he was injured then came back. Then in his last start he was pulled between periods and awal since. Walls also has him listed as LB??

He has a groin pull - there is nothing nefarious or conspiratorial happening.

 

[sirius67fan]

He has a groin pull - there is nothing nefarious or conspiratorial happening.

Thanks for the info. Groin pull can be a while for a goalie though

 

[dirty12]

It will take more than a few tweaks for the ‘67s to win the east, I think. There is a golden opportunity that cannot be passed up by all of Brantford, Kingston, and Ottawa.

Brantford and NB should imo consider what the conference has in store for the next couple of seasons, and just go all-in if there are teams willing to take their ‘07-1st and picks.
It might seem wreckless to some, but think of the bulldogs roster with one of the best OA D, import, and the best player their ‘07-1st can buy.

 

[OMG67]

It will take more than a few tweaks for the ‘67s to win the east, I think. There is a golden opportunity that cannot be passed up by all of Brantford, Kingston, and Ottawa.

Brantford and NB should imo consider what the conference has in store for the next couple of seasons, and just go all-in if there are teams willing to take their ‘07-1st and picks.
It might seem wreckless to some, but think of the bulldogs roster with one of the best OA D, import, and the best player their ‘07-1st can buy.

Without a doubt. Ottawa needs at minimum a front line centre and a top pairing D-Man. In theory, they could do a one stop shop with the Petes to acquire Dubois and Mayer but I don‘t think that is enough. I think Dubois would be a replacement for Lawrence. Adding a player like Ludwinski or Kumpulainen would be ideal.

Add:
one of Ludwinski or Kumpulainen
Mayer
Dubois
3rd pairing D-Man, preferably right side to play with Smyth.

If the 67’s could do all of that, they should do it. It is a lot though. It may be too much to expect Boyd to get done. Boyd would need to move a lot of bodies… Lawrence, Donoso, at least one d-Man and one Winger in those deals.

 

[Larionov]

Is it me, or has Mews sort of flatlined in his development? Maybe I was expecting too much, but I thought that he would really take a step this year and I am not seeing it. I'm not sure that he is a mid first round pick anymore. To be fair, he isn't the only one underachieving - I expected much more from Stonehouse and Marelli also, and I expect an OA goalie to keep his team in games while the team is battling injuries. Donoso looks like a guy heading to uSports, not a pro contract.

 

[OMG67]

Is it me, or has Mews sort of flatlined in his development? Maybe I was expecting too much, but I thought that he would really take a step this year and I am not seeing it. I'm not sure that he is a mid first round pick anymore. To be fair, he isn't the only one underachieving - I expected much more from Stonehouse and Marelli also, and I expect an OA goalie to keep his team in games while the team is battling injuries. Donoso looks like a guy heading to uSports, not a pro contract.

I’ve stated in the past I see a lot of Brendan Bell in Mews. Sometimes he makes very agressive decisions that are costly. He will need to learn when to push the envelop and when to hold back. He is still young though. The challenge with him as a D-Man is you expect him to be able to cover his own zone better but the really is an offence first guy so the mistakes defensively will have to be accepted as part of his early development.

I don’t like Mews and Marrelli together. I like Mews with Mayich. I‘d like to see them acquire a suitable D-Man to play with Marrelli.

The two components we are missing are key components. We really need that extra centre as well as the experienced D-Man. I had higher hopes for Horner and Ewles coming into the season. Neither managed to grab the 2nd pairing spot with gusto.

 

[dirty12]

Is it me, or has Mews sort of flatlined in his development? Maybe I was expecting too much, but I thought that he would really take a step this year and I am not seeing it. I'm not sure that he is a mid first round pick anymore. To be fair, he isn't the only one underachieving - I expected much more from Stonehouse and Marelli also, and I expect an OA goalie to keep his team in games while the team is battling injuries. Donoso looks like a guy heading to uSports, not a pro contract.

Draft years can be tough on those not getting off to a flying start to the season.

Often too much is assumed by a FA signing. There were wolves’ fans that truly believed Toure was a top OA D.

 

[ecraigs]

Draft years can be tough on those not getting off to a flying start to the season.

Often too much is assumed by a FA signing. There were wolves’ fans that truly believed Toure was a top OA D.

There is also that the sophomore season after a decent rookie year can be a step back, remembering that this year's team is a much weaker version of last year. Players at this age are growing and changing and that doesn't help.

 

[OMG67]

If the Jeff Marek tweet of the Peterborough-Owen Sound deal is accurate, I think the trade market is extremely tight. Owen Sound just gave up their 1st rounder for Konnor Smith and Sam McCue. Petes also get a decent 18 year old Import D-Man.

That would be like the 67’s giving up Mayich and Dever. If guys like that are garnering 1st round picks in return, Boyd better be selling everything not nailed down.

The other thing about this deal is Owen Sound is sitting in 7th in the West. We had a strong sense the top 5 were going to be buyers in the West. If Owen Sound is also in on the game, that is six teams in the West looking to add. If the prices are now including a 1st for a stay at home D-Man, Boyd needs to sell hard. Guys like Smyth must be worth a lot more than we are thinking.

 

[BarberPole9]

If the Jeff Marek tweet of the Peterborough-Owen Sound deal is accurate, I think the trade market is extremely tight. Owen Sound just gave up their 1st rounder for Konnor Smith and Sam McCue. Petes also get a decent 18 year old Import D-Man.

That would be like the 67’s giving up Mayich and Dever. If guys like that are garnering 1st round picks in return, Boyd better be selling everything not nailed down.

The other thing about this deal is Owen Sound is sitting in 7th in the West. We had a strong sense the top 5 were going to be buyers in the West. If Owen Sound is also in on the game, that is six teams in the West looking to add. If the prices are now including a 1st for a stay at home D-Man, Boyd needs to sell hard. Guys like Smyth must be worth a lot more than we are thinking.

Nico Addy is an Ottawa area kid to boot.

Only options are to add 3 or 4 high end guys or to sell- nothing in the middle makes sense.