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

[mianjo]

Any chance that Boucher will be back with the 67s. supposedly he was at the 67s game yesterday with Sens management.

 

[OMG67]

Any chance that Boucher will be back with the 67s. supposedly he was at the 67s game yesterday with Sens management.

I doubt it. There are some logical reasons for him to return to Junior for a half season but I think most people would agree that it is unlikely the Sens would now pass him back to Junior when he was injured in Junior multiple times. Him continuing to trading and rehab with the Sens, even if he ends up losing the entire year, is more likely when considering the mentality of the NHL teams.

 

[BarberPole9]

I doubt it. There are some logical reasons for him to return to Junior for a half season but I think most people would agree that it is unlikely the Sens would now pass him back to Junior when he was injured in Junior multiple times. Him continuing to trading and rehab with the Sens, even if he ends up losing the entire year, is more likely when considering the mentality of the NHL teams.

He’s unlikely to return. Not sure if it’s a good fit either way at this point.

 

[BarberPole9]

I’ve enjoyed watching the team over the weekend but can’t help but think that they are a year away from true contender status.

If they are to contend, they need to add 1) one or two stud D; 2) one dominant Center 3) one more power winger.

If our stellar goaltending was replaced by league average, we would like be down with the lowly Generals in the standings. Our 64 goals against are the best in the league, all the while icing a very young Defence corps.

The 67’s have 73 goals scored, good for 16th in the league. They lack a truly dynamic offensive piece and depth scoring. Pinelli is their only double digit scorer and point per game player. Their D have scored a total of 10 goals, eight of which are 17 year old Mews and Marrelli’s.

There’s a ton of promise on this team, but I feel like the peak for the vast majority of the roster is down the road.

 

[HockeyPops]

I am surprised you think that you need 2 D. Your team has done an amazing job keeping the puck out of the net despite being caved in on shots most nights. My guess would be that a few forward additions might help level the ice, leading to more shots and more offense for all, including your existing D.

 

[OMG67]

I’ve enjoyed watching the team over the weekend but can’t help but think that they are a year away from true contender status.

If they are to contend, they need to add 1) one or two stud D; 2) one dominant Center 3) one more power winger.

If our stellar goaltending was replaced by league average, we would like be down with the lowly Generals in the standings. Our 64 goals against are the best in the league, all the while icing a very young Defence corps.

The 67’s have 73 goals scored, good for 16th in the league. They lack a truly dynamic offensive piece and depth scoring. Pinelli is their only double digit scorer and point per game player. Their D have scored a total of 10 goals, eight of which are 17 year old Mews and Marrelli’s.

There’s a ton of promise on this team, but I feel like the peak for the vast majority of the roster is down the road.

This one single decision is a lot more complex than most assume.

You are 100% correct that the team will be better next year. They will return a bunch of players. They are poised to lose Donoso, Lawrence, Stonehouse, Smyth, and Sirman. These aren’t scrubs but they aren’t pivotal players for the most part.

The challenge is assessing how they stack up against next year’s competition. Missy returns their entire roster except for Sharpe and Boudreau. Sharpe is a loss for sure. Boudreau? Not so much. We will enter next season behind Missy. Missy also holds four 2nds in 2025 which are gold tickets on the trade market. they are set in net with no issues. Their depth down the middle with KArmiris, MacDonell, JVV and Misa is crazy good. They don’t have a D-Man under 6’0”.

The 67’s will Have a tough time against Missy Next season. If they aren’t ready to make a run this year, then they aren’t ready to make a run next year. All the same holes on this roster follow them into next season. Missy has the picks to do damage At the deadline next season. I think that scares me a lot.

Not having Moldenhauer on this team as a 19 year old hurts. Not having HB on this team next year will hurt. The double first round picks are great in some respects but it can hurt the cycle.

 

[OMG67]

I know we are only around 1/3 of the way through the season BUT, I think it is worth while to take a look at next years roster. It will help determine whether next year is a better window. What sorts of holes do we have if we are truly targeting a Championship?

Pinelli - Gardiner - Foster
Gerrior (OA) - ??? - Uronen
Barlas - Whitehead - Dever
Hilton - ??? - Kelly/Korbler
Yanni

Mayich (OA) - Mews
Marrelli - ???
Dietsch - Brady/Horner/Ewles

MacKenzie (OA)
Nelson

I think I am being VERY generous with that depth chart. I am using players that are current roster. That doesn’t mean they are a good fit.

1> Clearly we need to add or graduate a player to 2nd line centre, second pairing D and 4th line Centre. The 2nd line centre really needs to be a 1B. The 2nd pairing D-Man needs to be one that has scoring capabilities. Two key contributors. When I look at these two positions, it screams Morrison and Mintyukov level contributors. The 2022-23 team was superior to this one with similar holes and those two weren’t’ enough to get it done. This leads me to point #2…

2> The combination of Dever and Uronen on the right side is very weak from a size perspective. Uronen may be able to get away with his weight at 194 but Dever sitting at 5’10” 175 may be a tough pill to swallow if we need to carry smaller LW because they are key contributors. The top three LW are all 5’10” or shorter. None of them heavy. Each plays a strong role though so I cannot see changing them up. That means the heavy needs to come from the right side. IMO, we can get away with Foster and Uronen but we really need one big.heavy body on RW. So, even though I have dever at #3RW, I really don’t think that recipe works.

3> I am giving the nod to Brady on the 3rd pairing ahead of Ewles and Horner but pairing him with Dietsch may not be ideal. We do need to see more of Dietsch but I’d feel a lot more comfortable with a big body veteran in that #3LD spot. The #2RD spot really needs to be a scorer.

4> The 4th line centre can be a first round pick.

So, what do we likely need to add to be a true contender?

1> Front line centre
2> Scoring RD
3> Bruising RW that can contribute offensively
4> 3rd pairing veteran D-Man with some size that can punish opposition forwards

We won’t have any OA spots available to use. We may have an Import spot open if we choose to make a substitute. So that may come at a reasonable cost. We will have two first round picks but one will be the last pick of the first round and the other will likely be in the latter half, so no one top 10.

I cannot see us being a true contender next year without addressing those four spots. From a team defence/goaltending perspective, I see us being top int he league or at least really close. Our goal prevention should be great. So, we are fine there. I think we will struggle to score the deeper we go into the season. We are struggling to score right now and we haven’t even made it into the second half. Second round of the playoffs this year will get even tougher.

Is it reasonable to consider us a contender next year with this roster?

 

[beastintheeast]

I know we are only around 1/3 of the way through the season BUT, I think it is worth while to take a look at next years roster. It will help determine whether next year is a better window. What sorts of holes do we have if we are truly targeting a Championship?

Pinelli - Gardiner - Foster
Gerrior (OA) - ??? - Uronen
Barlas - Whitehead - Dever
Hilton - ??? - Kelly/Korbler
Yanni

Mayich (OA) - Mews
Marrelli - ???
Dietsch - Brady/Horner/Ewles

MacKenzie (OA)
Nelson

I think I am being VERY generous with that depth chart. I am using players that are current roster. That doesn’t mean they are a good fit.

1> Clearly we need to add or graduate a player to 2nd line centre, second pairing D and 4th line Centre. The 2nd line centre really needs to be a 1B. The 2nd pairing D-Man needs to be one that has scoring capabilities. Two key contributors. When I look at these two positions, it screams Morrison and Mintyukov level contributors. The 2022-23 team was superior to this one with similar holes and those two weren’t’ enough to get it done. This leads me to point #2…

2> The combination of Dever and Uronen on the right side is very weak from a size perspective. Uronen may be able to get away with his weight at 194 but Dever sitting at 5’10” 175 may be a tough pill to swallow if we need to carry smaller LW because they are key contributors. The top three LW are all 5’10” or shorter. None of them heavy. Each plays a strong role though so I cannot see changing them up. That means the heavy needs to come from the right side. IMO, we can get away with Foster and Uronen but we really need one big.heavy body on RW. So, even though I have dever at #3RW, I really don’t think that recipe works.

3> I am giving the nod to Brady on the 3rd pairing ahead of Ewles and Horner but pairing him with Dietsch may not be ideal. We do need to see more of Dietsch but I’d feel a lot more comfortable with a big body veteran in that #3LD spot. The #2RD spot really needs to be a scorer.

4> The 4th line centre can be a first round pick.

So, what do we likely need to add to be a true contender?

1> Front line centre
2> Scoring RD
3> Bruising RW that can contribute offensively
4> 3rd pairing veteran D-Man with some size that can punish opposition forwards

We won’t have any OA spots available to use. We may have an Import spot open if we choose to make a substitute. So that may come at a reasonable cost. We will have two first round picks but one will be the last pick of the first round and the other will likely be in the latter half, so no one top 10.

I cannot see us being a true contender next year without addressing those four spots. From a team defence/goaltending perspective, I see us being top in the league or at least really close. Our goal prevention should be great. So, we are fine there. I think we will struggle to score the deeper we go into the season. We are struggling to score right now and we haven’t even made it into the second half. Second round of the playoffs this year will get even tougher.

Is it reasonable to consider us a contender next year with this roster?

I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that while we are going to build next year it will not be to be the top team in the league.

There are teams like Kingston and Mississauga in our conference that are pretty set and only need a player or 2. We need a whole lot.

I also do not think that Uronen will be back unless Vegas says that they want him there. He is a 6th-round draft pick and unless he shows them something they both may decide that his playing in a men's league would be beneficial.

I also do not think that Korbler is going to come back if he is only going to be a 4th line player. Next year is his draft year and he is not going t get enough minutes to impress a scout playing 4th line minutes.


Pinelli - Gardiner - Foster
Gerrior (OA) - Barlas - Dever
Hilton- Whitehead - Korbler
Yanni - DRAFT PICK - Kelly


SIRMAN/SMYTH - Mews
Marrelli - Brady
Dietsch - Horner/Ewles
DRAFT PICK

MacKenzie (OA)
Nelson

This is what I think we will have. If we go the rest of the year with Barlas and Whitehead as centers I think they will be given the chance to fight for 2nd and 3rd line center depending on their camp.

I see Us drafting a center and a defenceman in the first round.

If we can get a Euro center then that is great losing Uronen is not a loss at that stage. But this is not a championship team nor is it anywhere near on paper Kingston or Mississauga.

Any chance that Boucher will be back with the 67s. supposedly he was at the 67s game yesterday with Sens management.

It is likely that the Sens were there to see Mayich. There is no way they are going to let Boucher play in the OHL. The better move is to put him in the Hellville line up and let him play his way back into shape under the guidance of David Bell and the training staff.

 

[HockeyPops]

Hellville

Tell us how you really feel

 

[dirty12]

I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that while we are going to build next year it will not be to be the top team in the league.

There are teams like Kingston and Mississauga in our conference that are pretty set and only need a player or 2. We need a whole lot.

I also do not think that Uronen will be back unless Vegas says that they want him there. He is a 6th-round draft pick and unless he shows them something they both may decide that his playing in a men's league would be beneficial.

I also do not think that Korbler is going to come back if he is only going to be a 4th line player. Next year is his draft year and he is not going t get enough minutes to impress a scout playing 4th line minutes.


Pinelli - Gardiner - Foster
Gerrior (OA) - Barlas - Dever
Hilton- Whitehead - Korbler
Yanni - DRAFT PICK - Kelly


SIRMAN/SMYTH - Mews
Marrelli - Brady
Dietsch - Horner/Ewles
DRAFT PICK

MacKenzie (OA)
Nelson

This is what I think we will have. If we go the rest of the year with Barlas and Whitehead as centers I think they will be given the chance to fight for 2nd and 3rd line center depending on their camp.

I see Us drafting a center and a defenceman in the first round.

If we can get a Euro center then that is great losing Uronen is not a loss at that stage. But this is not a championship team nor is it anywhere near on paper Kingston or Mississauga.




It is likely that the Sens were there to see Mayich. There is no way they are going to let Boucher play in the OHL. The better move is to put him in the Hellville line up and let him play his way back into shape under the guidance of David Bell and the training staff.

The conference is relatively weak right now, pretty much bottomed out imo. But that should start to change next season. The concentration of a very good 2006 born class in the conference at this time is very unusual.

You should have Barrie at the top with Mississauga and Kingston. As long as Musty does not graduate, the wolves will be better than the middle for the first half at least. I think if willing Brantford, Ottawa, and Oshawa can all be a threat for first in the east division.

 

[OMG67]

I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that while we are going to build next year it will not be to be the top team in the league.

There are teams like Kingston and Mississauga in our conference that are pretty set and only need a player or 2. We need a whole lot.

I also do not think that Uronen will be back unless Vegas says that they want him there. He is a 6th-round draft pick and unless he shows them something they both may decide that his playing in a men's league would be beneficial.

I also do not think that Korbler is going to come back if he is only going to be a 4th line player. Next year is his draft year and he is not going t get enough minutes to impress a scout playing 4th line minutes.


Pinelli - Gardiner - Foster
Gerrior (OA) - Barlas - Dever
Hilton- Whitehead - Korbler
Yanni - DRAFT PICK - Kelly


SIRMAN/SMYTH - Mews
Marrelli - Brady
Dietsch - Horner/Ewles
DRAFT PICK

MacKenzie (OA)
Nelson

This is what I think we will have. If we go the rest of the year with Barlas and Whitehead as centers I think they will be given the chance to fight for 2nd and 3rd line center depending on their camp.

I see Us drafting a center and a defenceman in the first round.

If we can get a Euro center then that is great losing Uronen is not a loss at that stage. But this is not a championship team nor is it anywhere near on paper Kingston or Mississauga.




It is likely that the Sens were there to see Mayich. There is no way they are going to let Boucher play in the OHL. The better move is to put him in the Hellville line up and let him play his way back into shape under the guidance of David Bell and the training staff.

If we were to present that lineup next year, it would likely finish somewhere in the 6-8 range. That lineup is considerably weaker than the lineup we have now.

1> You have Mayich gone and replaced with Sirman or Smyth on the first pairing.

2> You have Barlas as a 2nd line centre which essentially takes this year’s unproductive 3rd line and makes it an unproductive 2nd line next year. We’d effectively be a one line scoring team with maybe Whitehead getting a promotion to 2nd line out of necessity.

Those two aspects alone place us behind all of Missy, Barrie, Kingston, and Brantford. If everything goes well, we maybe finish 5th? Maybe? If we were to face any injury issues to any of the top players for any length of time, we drop like a rock. We wouldn’t be able to score enough goals. We’d have to continually win games 2-1.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

I know we are only around 1/3 of the way through the season BUT, I think it is worth while to take a look at next years roster. It will help determine whether next year is a better window. What sorts of holes do we have if we are truly targeting a Championship?

Pinelli - Gardiner - Foster
Gerrior (OA) - ??? - Uronen
Barlas - Whitehead - Dever
Hilton - ??? - Kelly/Korbler
Yanni

Mayich (OA) - Mews
Marrelli - ???
Dietsch - Brady/Horner/Ewles

MacKenzie (OA)
Nelson

I think I am being VERY generous with that depth chart. I am using players that are current roster. That doesn’t mean they are a good fit.

1> Clearly we need to add or graduate a player to 2nd line centre, second pairing D and 4th line Centre. The 2nd line centre really needs to be a 1B. The 2nd pairing D-Man needs to be one that has scoring capabilities. Two key contributors. When I look at these two positions, it screams Morrison and Mintyukov level contributors. The 2022-23 team was superior to this one with similar holes and those two weren’t’ enough to get it done. This leads me to point #2…

2> The combination of Dever and Uronen on the right side is very weak from a size perspective. Uronen may be able to get away with his weight at 194 but Dever sitting at 5’10” 175 may be a tough pill to swallow if we need to carry smaller LW because they are key contributors. The top three LW are all 5’10” or shorter. None of them heavy. Each plays a strong role though so I cannot see changing them up. That means the heavy needs to come from the right side. IMO, we can get away with Foster and Uronen but we really need one big.heavy body on RW. So, even though I have dever at #3RW, I really don’t think that recipe works.

3> I am giving the nod to Brady on the 3rd pairing ahead of Ewles and Horner but pairing him with Dietsch may not be ideal. We do need to see more of Dietsch but I’d feel a lot more comfortable with a big body veteran in that #3LD spot. The #2RD spot really needs to be a scorer.

4> The 4th line centre can be a first round pick.

So, what do we likely need to add to be a true contender?

1> Front line centre
2> Scoring RD
3> Bruising RW that can contribute offensively
4> 3rd pairing veteran D-Man with some size that can punish opposition forwards

We won’t have any OA spots available to use. We may have an Import spot open if we choose to make a substitute. So that may come at a reasonable cost. We will have two first round picks but one will be the last pick of the first round and the other will likely be in the latter half, so no one top 10.

I cannot see us being a true contender next year without addressing those four spots. From a team defence/goaltending perspective, I see us being top int he league or at least really close. Our goal prevention should be great. So, we are fine there. I think we will struggle to score the deeper we go into the season. We are struggling to score right now and we haven’t even made it into the second half. Second round of the playoffs this year will get even tougher.

Is it reasonable to consider us a contender next year with this roster?

Well, when you put it that way....

Here's my personal view, which some may disagree with: with the competitive landscape shaping up to be very unfavourable for Ottawa next season, I think we're better off making a push this year. The needs this season are similar to what they would be next season - 1) a front-line centre; 2) a top-4 defenseman (preferably RHS) and 3) a power forward with some size and truculence that can play in the top-9.

On defense, we have three top-3 defenseman and the rest are guys you'd want as 6th defenseman. Smyth has been alright, Ewles has done his best and has improved but gets muscled around by stronger/bigger players all over the ice, Brady has good potential but needs to percolate a little while more, Horner is a 7D at best.

Donoso has likely improved his marketability considerably after his strong weekend. He'll garner some kind of return...not a big haul to be sure, but we'll get something and also open up an OA spot. With the Nelson signing, the writing is kind of on the wall for Donoso and its time Ottawa does right by him and the team and move his somewhere he can start.

Sirman, as I understand it, will return early in the new year and can bolster the bottom-6. Uronen is unfortunately out for the duration I believe. Perhaps with Sirman's impending return Boyd can shop around someone like Barlas (or Sirman) who are fairly redundant. Maybe we let someone like Horner go for a late pick as Sirman has the winger/defense versatility in the event of injury depletion.

Boyd will need to assess the market but teams like Missy, Kingston and Barrie may be holding onto their chips for a big push next year. Sudbury will likely be in acquisition mode this year, but unlike last season its shaping up to be more of a "buyer's market" this year but we'll have to see.

The team will almost certainly be better next season, but relatively speaking they may finish lower in the conference as some of the other teams I mentioned above will probably improve more and I honestly can't see them contend next season.

MacKenzie will keep us in the vast majority of games and give us a chance to win. Ottawa's goal suppression is elite. With a few meaningful but not earth-shattering deals I think Ottawa can go on a good run this season:

Pinelli - Gardiner - Acquired PF
Stonehouse - Acquired C - Gerrior
Foster - Lawrence - Dever
Sirman (or Barlas) - Whitehead - Korbler
Hilton, Kelly

Mayich - Mews
Marrelli - Acquired RHD
Smyth - Ewles
Brady

MacKenzie
Nelson

Out: Donoso, Barlas (or Sirman), maybe Horner

Then, if 2024-25 shapes up like we think it will, we look to move a Mayich or a Gerrior at next year's deadline, perhaps a 19-year old or two as well that aren't expected to return (Gardiner/Pinelli).

 

[OMG67]

Well, when you put it that way....

Here's my personal view, which some may disagree with: with the competitive landscape shaping up to be very unfavourable for Ottawa next season, I think we're better off making a push this year. The needs this season are similar to what they would be next season - 1) a front-line centre; 2) a top-4 defenseman (preferably RHS) and 3) a power forward with some size and truculence that can play in the top-9.

On defense, we have three top-3 defenseman and the rest are guys you'd want as 6th defenseman. Smyth has been alright, Ewles has done his best and has improved but gets muscled around by stronger/bigger players all over the ice, Brady has good potential but needs to percolate a little while more, Horner is a 7D at best.

Donoso has likely improved his marketability considerably after his strong weekend. He'll garner some kind of return...not a big haul to be sure, but we'll get something and also open up an OA spot. With the Nelson signing, the writing is kind of on the wall for Donoso and its time Ottawa does right by him and the team and move his somewhere he can start.

Sirman, as I understand it, will return early in the new year and can bolster the bottom-6. Uronen is unfortunately out for the duration I believe. Perhaps with Sirman's impending return Boyd can shop around someone like Barlas (or Sirman) who are fairly redundant. Maybe we let someone like Horner go for a late pick as Sirman has the winger/defense versatility in the event of injury depletion.

Boyd will need to assess the market but teams like Missy, Kingston and Barrie may be holding onto their chips for a big push next year. Sudbury will likely be in acquisition mode this year, but unlike last season its shaping up to be more of a "buyer's market" this year but we'll have to see.

The team will almost certainly be better next season, but relatively speaking they may finish lower in the conference as some of the other teams I mentioned above will probably improve more and I honestly can't see them contend next season.

MacKenzie will keep us in the vast majority of games and give us a chance to win. Ottawa's goal suppression is elite. With a few meaningful but not earth-shattering deals I think Ottawa can go on a good run this season:

Pinelli - Gardiner - Acquired PF
Stonehouse - Acquired C - Gerrior
Foster - Lawrence - Dever
Sirman (or Barlas) - Whitehead - Korbler
Hilton, Kelly

Mayich - Mews
Marrelli - Acquired RHD
Smyth - Ewles
Brady

MacKenzie
Nelson

Out: Donoso, Barlas (or Sirman), maybe Horner

Then, if 2024-25 shapes up like we think it will, we look to move a Mayich or a Gerrior at next year's deadline, perhaps a 19-year old or two as well that aren't expected to return (Gardiner/Pinelli).

Provided it is a buyers market, I like this option much better.

 

[sirius67fan]

On another topic. Am I the only one dissapointed a bit by Mews this year.Now don't get me wrong he has not been bad by any means but I was expecting a much more dynamic presence offensively ( which this team needs). I also find him much too deliberate when he quarterbacks the power play, Breaking out or when he retrieves the puck after a clear he wastes a lot of time imo. Imo with his skills and skating he should be way more agressive pushing the pace. Funny in a way we're a team that plays with great pace...except on the pp.

 

[dirty12]

Provided it is a buyers market, I like this option much better.

I’m sure the market finds an equillibrium, but at this time there does not appear to be a whole lot available to believe it will be a buyers’ market.

 

[scotty171]

I’m sure the market finds an equillibrium, but at this time there does not appear to be a whole lot available to believe it will be a buyers’ market.

Is there ever that much available at this point in the season though? Historically, most trades don't start until mid December kind of time. Need a bit more time to create some separation in the standings and allow teams to evaluate which way they want to go. We've seen a few surprise sellers over the years.

 

[dirty12]

Is there ever that much available at this point in the season though? Historically, most trades don't start until mid December kind of time. Need a bit more time to create some separation in the standings and allow teams to evaluate which way they want to go. We've seen a few surprise sellers over the years.

I find it a bit surprising more teams don’t sell early to mitigate injury risk, particularly those with multiple players representing their countries in the WJC where there is always a significant injury.

It’s probably more about selling small ticket packages for Christmas and perhaps creating a bit of a cushion to back into a playoff spot.

 

[OMG67]

I’m sure the market finds an equillibrium, but at this time there does not appear to be a whole lot available to believe it will be a buyers’ market.

Other than the types of deals we have seen so far. OA’s have mostly been worthless with the exception of a couple. The Outwater and McNamarra deals were somewhat surprising. The Hay deal was good but he is only 18. Admittedly, we haven’t’ seen a true big name flow through the Transaction list so it is tough to fully assess values.

HOWEVER…

The market could unfold as a buyer market if/when teams decide not to buy and look to sell. We could honestly be looking at a market in the Eastern Conference with little buyer moves and a lot of teams wanting to rebuild and sell. That MAY result in seller teams choosing to buy but only on the cheap.

What I see happening is the market will be a buyers market which will make teams like Peterborough consider maintaining status quo if they don’t get the types of offers they need. That will pull players off the market and inch prices higher again With lack of supply. So, when all is said and done, prices will likley be standard as you say BUT we won’t see as many deals as we normally see. A lot of players circled for trade/sale will likely stay put. Kids like Stonehouse on Ottawa will likely not move. The demand isn’t there enough to get the price met so he will stay put.

Last season we saw a lot of star players moved for two 2nds and three 3rds. A lot of those players this year will likley either move at a cheaper price or won’t be moved at all. I think it will end up being a lot of players simply not moving as expected. I think there will be a lot of status quo with some nibbling. The exception being Saginaw and maybe one or two other teams making a bigger push. They will eat up the most elite players leaving a lot of the more star quality players where they are now.

Last year we had Ottawa, Peterborough, North Bay, London, Windsor, Kitchener, and Sarnia all make significant buyer moves. This year? Saginaw and….?

 

[dirty12]

Other than the types of deals we have seen so far. OA’s have mostly been worthless with the exception of a couple. The Outwater and McNamarra deals were somewhat surprising. The Hay deal was good but he is only 18. Admittedly, we haven’t’ seen a true big name flow through the Transaction list so it is tough to fully assess values.

HOWEVER…

The market could unfold as a buyer market if/when teams decide not to buy and look to sell. We could honestly be looking at a market in the Eastern Conference with little buyer moves and a lot of teams wanting to rebuild and sell. That MAY result in seller teams choosing to buy but only on the cheap.

What I see happening is the market will be a buyers market which will make teams like Peterborough consider maintaining status quo if they don’t get the types of offers they need. That will pull players off the market and inch prices higher again With lack of supply. So, when all is said and done, prices will likley be standard as you say BUT we won’t see as many deals as we normally see. A lot of players circled for trade/sale will likely stay put. Kids like Stonehouse on Ottawa will likely not move. The demand isn’t there enough to get the price met so he will stay put.

Last season we saw a lot of star players moved for two 2nds and three 3rds. A lot of those players this year will likley either move at a cheaper price or won’t be moved at all. I think it will end up being a lot of players simply not moving as expected. I think there will be a lot of status quo with some nibbling. The exception being Saginaw and maybe one or two other teams making a bigger push. They will eat up the most elite players leaving a lot of the more star quality players where they are now.

Last year we had Ottawa, Peterborough, North Bay, London, Windsor, Kitchener, and Sarnia all make significant buyer moves. This year? Saginaw and….?

Given hindsight, big left shot OA forwards are a dime a dozen. And the Petes did Lockhart a solid by finding a team he could contribute every game.
Hache, Beck, Simpson, Christopolous all got excellent returns imo. Mayer & Punnett cannot not go cheap imo because Kingston, Miss, Sudbury, Ottawa, Hamilton can be much improved teams with them.
I think Hay was a bit desperate. The spirit got their 2 yr guy but the price seemed outrageous to me; the ‘24-2, 3 is the equivalent of 2(2, 3) 2025-27.

This year; Saginaw, Sudbury, and several of
Guelph, Flint, London, NB, SSM, OS, almost certainly one of Kingston, Brantford, or Ottawa, and possible surprises like Miss or Kitchener will make buyer moves.
Lots of buyers if players are available. That will depend a lot on Peterborough & Niagara, and Barrie & Erie if prices are fair

 

[HockeyPops]

Also, there are now more chairs than contestants in the OA musical chair game. 59 active OAs in the league. More demand than supply drives up prices.

 

[OMG67]

Given hindsight, big left shot OA forwards are a dime a dozen. And the Petes did Lockhart a solid by finding a team he could contribute every game.
Hache, Beck, Simpson, Christopolous all got excellent returns imo. Mayer & Punnett cannot not go cheap imo because Kingston, Miss, Sudbury, Ottawa, Hamilton can be much improved teams with them.
I think Hay was a bit desperate. The spirit got their 2 yr guy but the price seemed outrageous to me; the ‘24-2, 3 is the equivalent of 2(2, 3) 2025-27.

This year; Saginaw, Sudbury, and several of
Guelph, Flint, London, NB, SSM, OS, almost certainly one of Kingston, Brantford, or Ottawa, and possible surprises like Miss or Kitchener will make buyer moves.
Lots of buyers if players are available. That will depend a lot on Peterborough & Niagara, and Barrie & Erie if prices are fair

The question isn’t which or how many teams will make buyer moves. The question is how many are willing to part with two 2nds, and three 3rds for a single player as easily as teams did last year. How many are willing to move their 2023 1st rounders as did last year, especially the high ones? To me, that is the question.

We could see Ottawa add a relatively inexpensive OA and roll the team back out there. Would that make them a buyer? Maybe, but in a traditional sense? Not really. I would consider that nibbling on the fringes. I see a lot of teams taking that approach UNLESS the prices are reduced.

How many teams are going to be willing to hypothetically part with an ‘07 plus multiple high picks for guys like Nelson, Beck, Barlow etc? I don‘t see as many teams truly committed this year compared to last year. I see a handful of teams more in the two 2nds and three 3rds category of commitment for maybe ONE player Plus maybe some additional cheap tweaking. I don’t see a team like Ottawa trading 15 picks for two OA’s this year. I don’t think the commitment level is as high for buying.

Also, there are now more chairs than contestants in the OA musical chair game. 59 active OAs in the league. More demand than supply drives up prices.

And yet the prices for many have been very low. Savard and Lockhart come to mind. Plus, when you look at where Lockhart ended up, it is surprising there wasn’t more interest from the teams at the top of the standings.

 

[HockeyPops]

And yet the prices for many have been very low. Savard and Lockhart come to mind. Plus, when you look at where Lockhart ended up, it is surprising there wasn’t more interest from the teams at the top of the standings.

When those earlier transactions took place it wasn't necessarily the case. However recently with Zito still holding out and now Humphrey and Savard leaving, it's possibly swung the pendulum the other way.

Also, teams who may have been happy with their OA situation may now be sniffing around the available players (London?, Soo?, Sudbury?)

 

[dirty12]

The question isn’t which or how many teams will make buyer moves. The question is how many are willing to part with two 2nds, and three 3rds for a single player as easily as teams did last year. How many are willing to move their 2023 1st rounders as did last year, especially the high ones? To me, that is the question.

We could see Ottawa add a relatively inexpensive OA and roll the team back out there. Would that make them a buyer? Maybe, but in a traditional sense? Not really. I would consider that nibbling on the fringes. I see a lot of teams taking that approach UNLESS the prices are reduced.

How many teams are going to be willing to hypothetically part with an ‘07 plus multiple high picks for guys like Nelson, Beck, Barlow etc? I don‘t see as many teams truly committed this year compared to last year. I see a handful of teams more in the two 2nds and three 3rds category of commitment for maybe ONE player Plus maybe some additional cheap tweaking. I don’t see a team like Ottawa trading 15 picks for two OA’s this year. I don’t think the commitment level is as high for buying.


And yet the prices for many have been very low. Savard and Lockhart come to mind. Plus, when you look at where Lockhart ended up, it is surprising there wasn’t more interest from the teams at the top of the standings.

The Petes did Lockhart a solid. He did not deserve, and really he is too good to be in an OA rotation.

Barlow, Nelson, Rehkopf etc are not readily available. For an offer that includes Hopkins or Martin or Villeneuve maybe. But in that case your asking teams considering buying to sell.
Make no mistake, Beck will return an impressive haul. The Petes may not be able to resist offers for McCoy. There will be a bidding war for Mayer & Punnett.

 

[OMG67]

The Petes did Lockhart a solid. He did not deserve, and really he is too good to be in an OA rotation.

Barlow, Nelson, Rehkopf etc are not readily available. For an offer that includes Hopkins or Martin or Villeneuve maybe. But in that case your asking teams considering buying to sell.
Make no mistake, Beck will return an impressive haul. The Petes may not be able to resist offers for McCoy. There will be a bidding war for Mayer & Punnett.

But I think you and I are on the same page. We are only scanning the market differently. There isn’t’ enough information for anyone not on the inside of league chatter to really have a strong sense of who is committed to buying, selling or staying put. We can only infer the teams that are buying and selling.

In light of that, I fall on the side that I don’t see as many committed buyers as last year. At least not if the prices remain the same as last year. If there is a lack of fully committed buyers, that typically lends itself to a buyers market. There is less demand for the big named players at the typical heavy price demands. How the market adjusts to that is till to be determined.

One potential adjustment could be that the selling teams still want to sell and will do so at whatever price they can get. I don’t think that will happen but it is a possibility.

Another option is the teams that don’t get what they are asking will simply retain their players. I pointed to Ottawa and Stonehouse as an example. If this happens, we could see players come off the market which would decrease supply and potentially cause a rebound in trade compensation. I see this as the most likely scenario. What this means is the trade values will remain consistent to what we’ve seen but we will have less star players moving around compared to last year.

Alternatively, I could be reading the market totally wrong. There could possibly be six teams fully committed like there were last year. If so, you’d be 100% correct. I don’t see that happening but it is far too early to get a strong enough sense either way.

 

[gadder]

On another topic. Am I the only one dissapointed a bit by Mews this year.Now don't get me wrong he has not been bad by any means but I was expecting a much more dynamic presence offensively ( which this team needs). I also find him much too deliberate when he quarterbacks the power play,...

Yes I agree, as I mentioned before. Mews has really good qualities:he's poised and controlled and moves into good offensive positions really well. What is troubling is a certain lack of dynamism. He's young, he may find/develop it; As the best we've got, I hope so.