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

[OMG67]

Lawrence is starting to come into his own and find his game as a 67 In their style of play. I think there is more room for growth there still.

Marrelli is such a poised player. Mayich may be the better all around defenceman but I think by the end o fthe season, we will be looking at Marrelli as the #1 guy.

Donoso needs to play at least two games per week to be effective. This platoon situation is killing his game. He is the type of goalie that needs the minutes to stay sharp and on point. He is such a strong goalie but when he plays as a platoon or worse, he is nowhere near as effective. I feel bad for him right now. This situation is doing absolutely nothing for him right now. And it isn’t advancing the 67’s much either.

I had much higher expectations for Ewles and Horner. They jsut are not where I really thought they would be. Brady seems much more poised and ready. Between those three, I really think he has the inside track to an every day role. If Ottawa were to acquire a player like Chromiak to play with Mayich, Brady and Smyth would form a pretty solid 3rd pairing I think. Maybe using one of Ewles or Horner in a Chromiak deal would make sense for both teams. Still a long shot for Ottawa to land Chromiak but we can hope.

Big game tomorrow against London. That game should be a strong measuring stick.

 

[Petes1987]

Hence why I said and picks

You said a couple of picks. For Owen Beck it would be Chromiak plus multiple picks likely two, 2nds, two, 3rds and a 4th.

 

[frontsfan67]

Or Papineau is waiting it out because he believes a team wants Chromiak and will pay near what he wants rather than that team watch Chromiak go to another for less than they would have been fine with, or worse on waivers.

Papineau is playing with house money here, any return has to be viewed as an unexpected bonus. He might just prefer to stick it to a team that wasted his time with crap offers. And he’s waited until last minute in the past.
If there is a team (Kingston?) that really wants Chromiak, the onus is on them to acquire him.

In all honestly I think it must be kingston that wants him but perhaps they’re iffy about acquiring him with many factors coming into play about what happens with pieniniemi and not to mention the new coach. Could screw things up but i really do think they’re the front runner for the kid. Martin was a good kid too hard worker extremely skilled. Jakub is a d man so it’s hard to judge but if he works hard like Martin he will be a good ohler and future pro.

Is a low return really unfair to Sudbury? They have a player they can no longer have on their roster and for whatever reason have not traded him. It is possible there is little interest because teams that have an open import spot want to leave it open in hope they can convince their drafted imports to report or don’t have the assets to make the trade? Are the Wolves asking more than teams are willing to pay? Or are teams waiting it out in hopes they can get him at a lower price as the two week deadline approaches?

I think they started high and now teams are beginning to talk them down. With time winding down they’re going to have to settle for the best deal here soon which may not be for as much as they had originally hoped for.

I don’t have any inside info that’s just my 2 cents.

 

[frontsfan67]

Oh also about that trade another factor comes into play.

What if he isn’t actually traded, and instead put on waivers?

How do the waivers work? I heard teams that missed the playoffs last season get first “dibs”? Kingston was one of the 4. Im not sure if that is 100% accurate if someone could fill me in on that I’d appreciate it for the future.

I’m curious if the fronts or other teams are waiting it out hoping they get him for free rather than giving picks and/or a player up to the top team in the conference

 

[Petes1987]

In all honestly I think it must be kingston that wants him but perhaps they’re iffy about acquiring him with many factors coming into play about what happens with pieniniemi and not to mention the new coach. Could screw things up but i really do think they’re the front runner for the kid. Martin was a good kid too hard worker extremely skilled. Jakub is a d man so it’s hard to judge but if he works hard like Martin he will be a good ohler and future pro.


I think they started high and now teams are beginning to talk them down. With time winding down they’re going to have to settle for the best deal here soon which may not be for as much as they had originally hoped for.

I don’t have any inside info that’s just my 2 cents.

I think Kingston could be the frontrunner for Jakub Chromiak. Many fans have overvalued him. At this point Sudbury would be lucky to get more than a 3rd and a 4th round draft pick for him. Peterborough might have interested in him at the deadline with him being part of a bigger deal but at this point they are likely not making any trades until closer to the trade deadline and don’t currently have the draft picks to make a draft pick deal for him. They might be able to obtain him if no other team wanted him and they could get him for a 5th round draft pick at the deadline to trade him or he went on waivers.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Mews is the better NHL Prospect because of his size and offensive upside. BUT! Marrelli will be the better OHL player. I have zero doubt about that. His issue is he is only 5’11”. If he were 6’1”, he’d be a higher rated prospect than Mews. Maybe a top 10 pick. But his size will probably hold him out of the first round.

Ottawa spays a very strong defensive game. Teams that lack high end offensive skill tend to get caught out of the play quite a bit.

I thought Marrelli was much better in the playoffs last year than Mews too - and I recall you thinking the same thing. I thought he should have been partnered up with Mintyukov instead of Constantini. He has a lot of jam in his game; hopefully he's able to fill himself out and grow another inch or two in the next couple of years. I saw Marrelli ranked as a "C" level prospect for the NHL draft earlier this week (meaning, 4th - 6th round draft pick, which I thought was too low. Mews is considered an "A" level prospect. Hilton and Brady are also "C" level prospects.

I wasn't able to watch any of the Hlinka tournament but Marrelli earned strong reviews.

As an aside, Mintyukov has really hit the ground running with Anaheim. Its a shame Ottawa wasn't able to get a little more out of him in last year's playoffs. What an amazing talent.

 

[OMG67]

I thought Marrelli was much better in the playoffs last year than Mews too - and I recall you thinking the same thing. I thought he should have been partnered up with Mintyukov instead of Constantini. He has a lot of jam in his game; hopefully he's able to fill himself out and grow another inch or two in the next couple of years. I saw Marrelli ranked as a "C" level prospect for the NHL draft earlier this week (meaning, 4th - 6th round draft pick, which I thought was too low. Mews is considered an "A" level prospect. Hilton and Brady are also "C" level prospects.

I wasn't able to watch any of the Hlinka tournament but Marrelli earned strong reviews.

As an aside, Mintyukov has really hit the ground running with Anaheim. Its a shame Ottawa wasn't able to get a little more out of him in last year's playoffs. What an amazing talent.

I don’t understand the “C“ ranking for Marrelli. He’s only 5’11” so that does hurt him a bid being a D-Man. But, he has tools with the puck, without the puck and is strong in all three zones. His poise is stellar.

Mews can be way too cavalier at times. He isn’t particularly strong in his own end and needs some work there. He relies a lot on his natural talent/skill but needs to anticipate better in his own end without the puck. It is kind of like Ewles except Mews has the added skill that makes up for his mistakes.

Marrelli only needs two more inches and 15 pounds to be a serious NHL prospect. But, we are fans of the 67’s so all he really needs to be is a great OHL D-Man. That is not an issue for him. I believe he will be our #1 D-Man soon enough.

Love Mintyukov. He;s going to be a dandy at the NHL Level. He is built for the NHL game.

 

[frontsfan67]

I think Kingston could be the frontrunner for Jakub Chromiak. Many fans have overvalued him. At this point Sudbury would be lucky to get more than a 3rd and a 4th round draft pick for him. Peterborough might have interested in him at the deadline with him being part of a bigger deal but at this point they are likely not making any trades until closer to the trade deadline and don’t currently have the draft picks to make a draft pick deal for him. They might be able to obtain him if no other team wanted him and they could get him for a 5th round draft pick at the deadline to trade him or he went on waivers.

From what I’ve heard they have 2 weeks to make the Chromiak trade but that was a week ago they gotta be approaching 2 weeks. I forget the exact date Dvorsky came back

 

[PuckStop75]

I don’t understand the “C“ ranking for Marrelli. He’s only 5’11” so that does hurt him a bid being a D-Man. But, he has tools with the puck, without the puck and is strong in all three zones. His poise is stellar.

Mews can be way too cavalier at times. He isn’t particularly strong in his own end and needs some work there. He relies a lot on his natural talent/skill but needs to anticipate better in his own end without the puck. It is kind of like Ewles except Mews has the added skill that makes up for his mistakes.

Marrelli only needs two more inches and 15 pounds to be a serious NHL prospect. But, we are fans of the 67’s so all he really needs to be is a great OHL D-Man. That is not an issue for him. I believe he will be our #1 D-Man soon enough.

Love Mintyukov. He;s going to be a dandy at the NHL Level. He is built for the NHL game.

The ranking this early in the season is largely based on statistical analysis. Marrelli had 28 points last year which is a C level prospect for a defensemen under 6ft and he is on the same pace (0.32pts/gm) this season. A player like Ty Nelson (5'-10") as a comparison had 51pts as a 16 yo and bumped to more than a point a game in his draft year - 3rd round selection. Jamie Drysdale (5'-11) would be the next comparable who demonstrated offense and incorporated the intelligence teams are looking for at a point a game in his draft year and plus 9 on a horrible hockey team in Erie - NHL 6th overall.

NHL scouts are evaluating talent and skill with the understanding that players will fill into their frame and become more intelligent. The challenge with guys like Marrelli who are ahead of the curve when it comes to decision making is they are risk averse. Strange to say, but making mistakes and demonstrating the ability to recover actually benefits the player at this stage.

Marrelli will fill in, whether he grows vertically is a guess and something he doesn't control. The challenge for him will be demonstrating a higher level of skill while maintaining discipline within the system he is being asked to play in Ottawa. He will never be a player that gets paid to clear the net front like Bahl or Matier so their has to be something there offensively to make up the difference.

Mintyukov has the size and demonstrated exceptional skills, puck handling and vision, his defensive game has never been his strength and much of what he does depends on his team being in possession of the puck. Ottawa's system isn't ideally suited for this style of play, and Mintyukov saw his point totals drop off by half a point a game when he arrived. Playing the right way is important to making the transition to pro hockey but the player has to get himself into that position first.

 

[OMG67]

The ranking this early in the season is largely based on statistical analysis. Marrelli had 28 points last year which is a C level prospect for a defensemen under 6ft and he is on the same pace (0.32pts/gm) this season. A player like Ty Nelson (5'-10") as a comparison had 51pts as a 16 yo and bumped to more than a point a game in his draft year - 3rd round selection. Jamie Drysdale (5'-11) would be the next comparable who demonstrated offense and incorporated the intelligence teams are looking for at a point a game in his draft year and plus 9 on a horrible hockey team in Erie - NHL 6th overall.

NHL scouts are evaluating talent and skill with the understanding that players will fill into their frame and become more intelligent. The challenge with guys like Marrelli who are ahead of the curve when it comes to decision making is they are risk averse. Strange to say, but making mistakes and demonstrating the ability to recover actually benefits the player at this stage.

Marrelli will fill in, whether he grows vertically is a guess and something he doesn't control. The challenge for him will be demonstrating a higher level of skill while maintaining discipline within the system he is being asked to play in Ottawa. He will never be a player that gets paid to clear the net front like Bahl or Matier so their has to be something there offensively to make up the difference.

Mintyukov has the size and demonstrated exceptional skills, puck handling and vision, his defensive game has never been his strength and much of what he does depends on his team being in possession of the puck. Ottawa's system isn't ideally suited for this style of play, and Mintyukov saw his point totals drop off by half a point a game when he arrived. Playing the right way is important to making the transition to pro hockey but the player has to get himself into that position first.

I understand and this is actually a very well represented analysis that is easy for most to understand. Well said.

My underlying point regarding Marrelli is that although his prospect ranking isn’t as high as we believe it should be, more so based on where we know his ceiling is, it doesn’t matter. Ottawa 67’s fans don’t benefit from where a player plays as a professional. We benefit from what the player does while he is in a 67’s uniform. This is why having an infatuation with Mews because he is a much higher level NHL prospect is meaningless. What truly matters is the productivity demonstrated on ice as a 67. Right now, Marrelli is pushing Mayich for the #1 D-Man role. That is more what I am focused on.

If Marrelli were to fill out and grow an extra couple inches, it would likely add an additional dimension to his game because he does physically engage Already. He would be doing it at a more impactful level if he were 2 inches taller and 10-15 pounds heavier. In turn, that would raise his professional profile. His size, based on the type of game he plays, doesn’t fit an NHL profile. As you said so very well, he doesn‘t score enough and he isn’t physical enough to translate into a higher ranking at this time. But, he sure is great to watch at the OHL level, that is for certain! I am impressed with his poise and confidence.

 

[analyser]

The ranking this early in the season is largely based on statistical analysis. Marrelli had 28 points last year which is a C level prospect for a defensemen under 6ft and he is on the same pace (0.32pts/gm) this season. A player like Ty Nelson (5'-10") as a comparison had 51pts as a 16 yo and bumped to more than a point a game in his draft year - 3rd round selection. Jamie Drysdale (5'-11) would be the next comparable who demonstrated offense and incorporated the intelligence teams are looking for at a point a game in his draft year and plus 9 on a horrible hockey team in Erie - NHL 6th overall.

NHL scouts are evaluating talent and skill with the understanding that players will fill into their frame and become more intelligent. The challenge with guys like Marrelli who are ahead of the curve when it comes to decision making is they are risk averse. Strange to say, but making mistakes and demonstrating the ability to recover actually benefits the player at this stage.

Marrelli will fill in, whether he grows vertically is a guess and something he doesn't control. The challenge for him will be demonstrating a higher level of skill while maintaining discipline within the system he is being asked to play in Ottawa. He will never be a player that gets paid to clear the net front like Bahl or Matier so their has to be something there offensively to make up the difference.

Mintyukov has the size and demonstrated exceptional skills, puck handling and vision, his defensive game has never been his strength and much of what he does depends on his team being in possession of the puck. Ottawa's system isn't ideally suited for this style of play, and Mintyukov saw his point totals drop off by half a point a game when he arrived. Playing the right way is important to making the transition to pro hockey but the player has to get himself into that position first.

Well Marrelli is similar to Brian Campbell in stature and it is possible to carve out a good career as Brian did. Marrelli had the same point total as Campbell did in his first full OHL season. Campbell was a great skater but Marrelli seems to be very capable in this department.

Another example is Matt Grzelyck of the Bruins.

It will not change his ranking so I guess his play will have to be the determining factor.

 

[dirty12]

From what I’ve heard they have 2 weeks to make the Chromiak trade but that was a week ago they gotta be approaching 2 weeks. I forget the exact date Dvorsky came back

Dvorsky committed October 18.

 

[ohloutsider]

Dvorsky committed October 18.

Sudbury tweeted it out that day but it might have even been a day or 2 before that he signed and league processed him. Either way it is very close to that date for sure.

 

[dirty12]

Sudbury tweeted it out that day but it might have even been a day or 2 before that he signed and league processed him. Either way it is very close to that date for sure.

I think it was realized ~36 hrs prior to signing standard OHL education package that Dvorsky was on his way

 

[DraftEligibleOHL]

I don’t understand the “C“ ranking for Marrelli. He’s only 5’11” so that does hurt him a bid being a D-Man. But, he has tools with the puck, without the puck and is strong in all three zones. His poise is stellar.

Mews can be way too cavalier at times. He isn’t particularly strong in his own end and needs some work there. He relies a lot on his natural talent/skill but needs to anticipate better in his own end without the puck. It is kind of like Ewles except Mews has the added skill that makes up for his mistakes.

Marrelli only needs two more inches and 15 pounds to be a serious NHL prospect. But, we are fans of the 67’s so all he really needs to be is a great OHL D-Man. That is not an issue for him. I believe he will be our #1 D-Man soon enough.

Love Mintyukov. He;s going to be a dandy at the NHL Level. He is built for the NHL game.

Agreed. C is just too low for him.

I want to be careful how I say this because I don't want people to get the wrong idea. I'm not saying that Marrelli has the same potential or will become the same player but I did see a lot of similarities to Cale Makar's game last night in terms of poise and decision making, especially when under pressure. Makar is 5'11 and 185 compared to Marrelli at 5'11 187. Marelli is still only 17 years old so could still add an inch or two and definitely some weight if need be.

I'm not sure size is going to be an issue if he can keep developing the other facets of his game.

 

[gadder]

Yes, I agree DraftEligble, that Makar and Marelli have similar poise and decision-making ability. But, Makar has gifted skating ability beyond what Marelli can develop. Maybe a better comparison is Eric Branstromm, similar size (and poise?). The difference is Branstromm had good offence as a youngster which held him gain attention.

Marelli needs to work on offense. There's no future to being smaller and superb defensively in the OHL. Still, I'm really glad he's on our team.

Looking forward to London!

 

[mianjo]

67's down 1-0 early first and Brzustewicz gets his first point of the season

 

[mianjo]

1-1
GOAL
#29 Cooper Foster (3) scores. Assists: #17 Brady Stonehouse, #20 Luca Pinelli POWER PLAY

 

[mianjo]

1-1 after 1

SHOTS ON GOAL

Teams	1st	Total
OTT	13	13
LDN	13	13

 

[mianjo]

67's down 2-1 after 2

 

[mianjo]

2-2

GOAL
#20 Luca Pinelli (8) scores. Assists: #8 Frankie Marrelli

 

[mianjo]

67's lose 3-2 in Overtime

SECOND
#29 Cooper Foster C
G 1A 1+/- -1Ottawa

 

[DraftEligibleOHL]

Yes, I agree DraftEligble, that Makar and Marelli have similar poise and decision-making ability. But, Makar has gifted skating ability beyond what Marelli can develop. Maybe a better comparison is Eric Branstromm, similar size (and poise?). The difference is Branstromm had good offence as a youngster which held him gain attention.

Marelli needs to work on offense. There's no future to being smaller and superb defensively in the OHL. Still, I'm really glad he's on our team.

Looking forward to London!

I agree that Marrelli is a step behind but he's also only 17. Skating can be improved when all the tools are already there. Again, I'm not saying that they're the exact same player just there are certain stylistic similarities in their games. He will never be the skater that Makar is but few are.

 

[beastintheeast]

I don’t understand the “C“ ranking for Marrelli. He’s only 5’11” so that does hurt him a bid being a D-Man. But, he has tools with the puck, without the puck and is strong in all three zones. His poise is stellar.

Mews can be way too cavalier at times. He isn’t particularly strong in his own end and needs some work there. He relies a lot on his natural talent/skill but needs to anticipate better in his own end without the puck. It is kind of like Ewles except Mews has the added skill that makes up for his mistakes.

Marrelli only needs two more inches and 15 pounds to be a serious NHL prospect. But, we are fans of the 67’s so all he really needs to be is a great OHL D-Man. That is not an issue for him. I believe he will be our #1 D-Man soon enough.

Love Mintyukov. He's going to be a dandy at the NHL Level. He is built for the NHL game.

It is the natural talent that NHL teams crave. you can teach everything else but if the person has no talent then EH!

Checking on a different thread Korbler is in the same trade window as a 1st round 16 year old draft pick.

I still think he is gong to be good but he needs the ice time. I see him coming into his own after Xmas if he comes back when Stonehouse is probably gone and there is a spot open.

I think we are going to see Hoefmayer get the call to play in Edmonton. He has what they are missing a presence in front of the net that likes to lay the body. He also knows how to play back so that his partner can rush.

 

[beastintheeast]

Good game against what likely will be one of the top 2 teams in the league, if not the CHL.

The one thing that I am noticing is that this is a team that is willing to go toe to toe when needed.

There were a couple of times that the score could have been different, but hey still a good game.

As to defense, I am wondering if having Marelli Mayich and Mews is a bit of a quandary as they all want to be offensive.

Also wingers need to realize that when the D floats up in the offensive zone they have to slide back.