Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[sirius67fan]

Really strange game today play was generally disjointed and not terribly exciting. OMG will be happy as Korbler was taken off the first line and replaced by Kelly for the last two periods. Needed to be done as he has shown nothing this year. I still have faith in Korbler but he needs a kick in the pants.Dever was flying out there our best player today imo. To my surprise him and Foster are doing fine at center...had my doubts about Foster but he's proving me and others wrong. Ekberg has a hell of a shot!

 

[NoQuit67s]

Thanks - this is what I ended up doing. It was a hot mess using my phone’s browser (kept resetting to ads every 10 seconds) but working fine from my laptop.

The game was actually on Rogers 22... I watched it there/
Always worth checking despite what the "guide" says.

 

[frontsfan67]

Funny how every game is kinda the same. They're carrying play, dominating possession, creating chances...but somehow keep on finding ways not to win in 60'. They were the much better team in all four games but had to play OT twice and even lost one. They're being very generous right now...which is probably due to a lack of experience but them dominating four different teams this early in the season is still a good sign I'd say.

They dominated the fronts in the 1st period but fronts still scored 2 goals to their 3. Rest of the game was pretty even, maybe even slight edge to Kingston.

Nelson had a fairly good game though not checking sv% but he looked pretty good for a rookie

 

[Vector Calculus]

The game was actually on Rogers 22... I watched it there/
Always worth checking despite what the "guide" says.

Interesting, thanks for letting me know. Next time I’ll try that instead of spending $10 right away.

 

[Hinterland]

They dominated the fronts in the 1st period but fronts still scored 2 goals to their 3. Rest of the game was pretty even, maybe even slight edge to Kingston.

Nelson had a fairly good game though not checking sv% but he looked pretty good for a rookie

Kingston didn't have a chance, had no right to even reach OT. They were outplayed, outchanced, chasing the puck for most of the game...the 67's had their opponents chasing pucks in all four games this season. Unfortunately the 67's aren't efficient enough and they make horrible mistakes themselves. They also have a tendency to take stupid penalties though their PK is a laughing matter. They're dominating possession but keep on crippling themselves. Same story in every game.

 

[beastintheeast]

as a fan I cansay that Boyd blew it last year. Last yer we did not have the players tomake a push and you could see that other teams while late making it were in better condition.Boyd usedup draft picks and cards that he did ot need to. The team fiished where it would hav if he had not made the trades.

This year if he is a buyer I donot see how he can do it. first we don't have draft picks and second wse don't have the players to offer.

Looking at this team can anyone say that we coulde trade or release Mayich Gerrior or stonehouse and be a better team with what we get.Yes scoring is down but that is due to development and drafting..

We need a year or 2 near the bottom to get the better draft picks. then we can buld back to wher we were.

 

[frontsfan67]

Kingston didn't have a chance, had no right to even reach OT. They were outplayed, outchanced, chasing the puck for most of the game...the 67's had their opponents chasing pucks in all four games this season. Unfortunately the 67's aren't efficient enough and they make horrible mistakes themselves. They also have a tendency to take stupid penalties though their PK is a laughing matter. They're dominating possession but keep on crippling themselves. Same story in every game.

What do you mean didn’t have a chance? Did you stop watching the game after the first?

There is 3 periods to watch and OT. Fronts outshot them after the first and Nelson played real well. Kingston guy got tripped up on OT and no call (probably because they already waved off 1 goal) and then Ottawa scored the winner.

As I said and I’ll say it again. It was back and forth with the exception of the first period but even after the first you were only leading by 1 goal lol.

 

[Hinterland]

as a fan I cansay that Boyd blew it last year. Last yer we did not have the players tomake a push and you could see that other teams while late making it were in better condition.Boyd usedup draft picks and cards that he did ot need to. The team fiished where it would hav if he had not made the trades.

This year if he is a buyer I donot see how he can do it. first we don't have draft picks and second wse don't have the players to offer.

Looking at this team can anyone say that we coulde trade or release Mayich Gerrior or stonehouse and be a better team with what we get.Yes scoring is down but that is due to development and drafting..

We need a year or 2 near the bottom to get the better draft picks. then we can buld back to wher we were.

Can't trade Mayich. Whether the team is winning or not...he's too important and trading him can only make the team worse. Stonehouse or Gerrior I think are available for trades if a team is willing to offer either a righty goal scorer or a younger player in return.

 

[beastintheeast]

Can't trade Mayich. Whether the team is winning or not...he's too important and trading him can only make the team worse. Stonehouse or Gerrior I think are available for trades if a team is willing to offer either a righty goal scorer or a younger player in return.

I don't see getting any players for any of our OA. They are just not game break players. Mayich may be a good player but if you are building and want youth then you have to trade thepaleyr that will being you a possible body.

Mayich may help us now but we lose him next year. The deal to me is not what this team is gong to do this year but what they are going to do for the future.

Again as to who gets traded it is ot what we as 67 fans or Boyd wants it is what the market is offering and right now it is not much.

BTW has anyone noticed the Dogs this year. I seem to reember a raccoon that said they were not going to be the easy 2 that they used to be . DAMN ITS HARD TO BE HUMBLE

 

[AGranderson]

Trade Mack, Sirman,
Go with Stonehouse, Mayich, Gerrior
let Nelson show us what he has

Pinelli/Foster/Stonehouse
Gerrior/Dever/Horner
Barlas/Ekberg/Korbler
Amidovski/Whitehead/Kelly

Scratch-Houben,Yani

Mayich/Eshkawogan
Marelli/Mews
Brady/Dietsch

Nelson
Conway

Re evaluate where you are at near Christmas & either un load or buy a piece or two if you think you can make some noise

 

[Hinterland]

Trade Mack, Sirman,
Go with Stonehouse, Mayich, Gerrior
let Nelson show us what he has

Pinelli/Foster/Stonehouse
Gerrior/Dever/Horner
Barlas/Ekberg/Korbler
Amidovski/Whitehead/Kelly

Scratch-Houben,Yani

Mayich/Eshkawogan
Marelli/Mews
Brady/Dietsch

Nelson
Conway

Re evaluate where you are at near Christmas & either un load or buy a piece or two if you think you can make some noise

Not bad but I really don't wanna continue with the Foster C experiment. When Dietsch and Stonehouse return I'd go with something like this:


Pinelli, Ekberg, Kelly
Foster, Dever, Körbler
Gerrior, Whitehead, Horner
Yanni, Amidovski, Stonehouse
Barlas, Houben

Mayich, Eshkawkogan
Marrelli, Mews
Dietsch, Brady

Nelson
Conway


To ease back in, Stonehouse should be fine on the 4th line. Then it's gonna depend on who's gonna get moved of Pinelli, Gerrior and Stonehouse. My guess is that not all of them are gonna finish the season with 67's, pretty much no matter how the team does. I think those three are the most likely trade candidates. I think no matter what happens this season the 67's wanna be competitive again asap so I don't foresee them making more big moves unless they get any offers they can't refuse. I think that Mayich is near untouchable and so are the 06 or younger players already playing heavy minutes. Due to his versatility, Horner is a very handy player to have as well. The same, to a lesser extent, goes for Foster and Dever as well but I guess they could be available if the offer is good. With Pinelli, it's gonna depend on team performance, really. He's most likely gonna get moved but if Boyd doesn't get a good enough offer I could see him not wanting to do that if the 67's are still doing well.

 

[OMG67]

I think it is way too early to talk about “future” plans. Let the team play. The only decision that needs to be made soon is the one when Stonehouse gets reassigned and we need to get down to 4 OA’s. NINE teams right now with four rostered OA’s. I think the writing is on the wall for Sirman. I like the kid but the reality is the depth pool for OA’s this year league wide is vast. I cannot see a team opening a spot for him. I think he will be released.

They could still carry the four remaining OA’s through the deadline. It isn’t pretty nor clean but it is definitely doable. In that case, they would sit one of Gerrior or Stonehouse when MacKenzie plays. If MacK plays every 2nd game in a pure platoon situation with Nelson, it means that each of Stonehouse and Gerrior would sit once every four games. That isn’t horrible. If Stonehouse were to return for Nov 1, they’d each miss six games between then and the deadline. The World wouldn’t end if that needed to happen. I’d rather they be patient and find the right trade, whatever it ends up being, both for the team and the player.

I also feel we need to temper expectations at this point. The 3-1 start has been nice but Ottawa is a team that always starts rather quick because they are well prepared. They skate well and can put pressure on teams that aren’t quite in full swing yet.

Highlighting what @Hinterland has said, we have outskated out opponents so far but I am not sure we have outplayed them. We’ve managed to keep puck possession and have managed to force the play but we have gotten leaned on by the bigger players quite easily. Once those bigger teams like Kingston start to find their stride, they will be less vulnerable to Ottawa’s speed game than they are now. This is something to pay attention to as we play through October and into November.

I know I have mentioned this a lot but I see no reason to expend any more effort on Korbler’s development. He is blocking other players more deserving. The reality is we are 99% likely to roster Ekberg next season. We will get another 1st round Import Pick. We have really strong contacts in Europe that have helped fuel our success in picking players in the 1st round of that draft:
2017: Okhotyuk
2018: Rossi
2019: PASS
2020: Gaidamak
2021: Rohrer
2022: Kasper
2023: Uronen
2024: Ekberg

If we finish in that 6-8 range where we likely are destined, that would be an early Import pick. I am 95% sure we’d get a player that would be very good. This is why any effort expended in Korbler is a waste from my perspective. IMO, it would be good to select a high ceiling ‘08 in next year’s Import draft. I dont’ see a “reasonable” scenario where Korbler is a worthy player to keep under those circumstances. I think he would be a decent trade piece for a team that has a harder time nailing down Import players.

 

[AGranderson]

I think it is way too early to talk about “future” plans. Let the team play. The only decision that needs to be made soon is the one when Stonehouse gets reassigned and we need to get down to 4 OA’s. NINE teams right now with four rostered OA’s. I think the writing is on the wall for Sirman. I like the kid but the reality is the depth pool for OA’s this year league wide is vast. I cannot see a team opening a spot for him. I think he will be released.

They could still carry the four remaining OA’s through the deadline. It isn’t pretty nor clean but it is definitely doable. In that case, they would sit one of Gerrior or Stonehouse when MacKenzie plays. If MacK plays every 2nd game in a pure platoon situation with Nelson, it means that each of Stonehouse and Gerrior would sit once every four games. That isn’t horrible. If Stonehouse were to return for Nov 1, they’d each miss six games between then and the deadline. The World wouldn’t end if that needed to happen. I’d rather they be patient and find the right trade, whatever it ends up being, both for the team and the player.

I also feel we need to temper expectations at this point. The 3-1 start has been nice but Ottawa is a team that always starts rather quick because they are well prepared. They skate well and can put pressure on teams that aren’t quite in full swing yet.

Highlighting what @Hinterland has said, we have outskated out opponents so far but I am not sure we have outplayed them. We’ve managed to keep puck possession and have managed to force the play but we have gotten leaned on by the bigger players quite easily. Once those bigger teams like Kingston start to find their stride, they will be less vulnerable to Ottawa’s speed game than they are now. This is something to pay attention to as we play through October and into November.

I know I have mentioned this a lot but I see no reason to expend any more effort on Korbler’s development. He is blocking other players more deserving. The reality is we are 99% likely to roster Ekberg next season. We will get another 1st round Import Pick. We have really strong contacts in Europe that have helped fuel our success in picking players in the 1st round of that draft:
2017: Okhotyuk
2018: Rossi
2019: PASS
2020: Gaidamak
2021: Rohrer
2022: Kasper
2023: Uronen
2024: Ekberg

If we finish in that 6-8 range where we likely are destined, that would be an early Import pick. I am 95% sure we’d get a player that would be very good. This is why any effort expended in Korbler is a waste from my perspective. IMO, it would be good to select a high ceiling ‘08 in next year’s Import draft. I dont’ see a “reasonable” scenario where Korbler is a worthy player to keep under those circumstances. I think he would be a decent trade piece for a team that has a harder time nailing down Import players.

who has open import spots can you provide a list of possible trade destinations?

 

[OMG67]

who has open import spots can you provide a list of possible trade destinations?

That ship has sailed. I’m talking about the off-season.

My proposal is to shift Korbler down the lineup and pop other players up and find the right fit. It is about giving other players opportunities that Korbler currently has that hasn’t worked out. He has only produced offence vs the absolute weakest competition. Having him riding shotgun with Pinelli is no longer justifiable.

 

[beastintheeast]

That ship has sailed. I’m talking about the off-season.

My proposal is to shift Korbler down the lineup and pop other players up and find the right fit. It is about giving other players opportunities that Korbler currently has that hasn’t worked out. He has only produced offence vs the absolute weakest competition. Having him riding shotgun with Pinelli is no longer justifiable.

I know that there is an aversion to putting Foster on the top line but I think you either need him or Horner. You need someone tht can dig in the corner as a set up man. If you look at all the top lines they had a sniper a set up guy and a digger that feeds them. Korbler is not that player. He would be better with a player like Hilton ( I realize he is gone) that is a banger and digger. Putting him with Ekberg might not be a bad thing with maybe Barlas to start the season. Ekberg and Korbler have the same Euro style maybe it meshes.

The prblem is that we are light o the right side of players that can play.

 

[OMG67]

I know that there is an aversion to putting Foster on the top line but I think you either need him or Horner. You need someone tht can dig in the corner as a set up man. If you look at all the top lines they had a sniper a set up guy and a digger that feeds them. Korbler is not that player. He would be better with a player like Hilton ( I realize he is gone) that is a banger and digger. Putting him with Ekberg might not be a bad thing with maybe Barlas to start the season. Ekberg and Korbler have the same Euro style maybe it meshes.

The prblem is that we are light o the right side of players that can play.

I know that there is an aversion to putting Foster on the top line but I think you either need him or Horner. You need someone tht can dig in the corner as a set up man. If you look at all the top lines they had a sniper a set up guy and a digger that feeds them. Korbler is not that player. He would be better with a player like Hilton ( I realize he is gone) that is a banger and digger. Putting him with Ekberg might not be a bad thing with maybe Barlas to start the season. Ekberg and Korbler have the same Euro style maybe it meshes.

The prblem is that we are light o the right side of players that can play.

Korbler is a left shot.

When both Stonehouse and Gerrior are in the lineup, it stretches out the wings.

Pinelli - Ekberg - Foster
Stonehouse - Dever - Horner
Amidovski - Whitehead - Gerrior
Houben/Yanni - Barlas - Kelly/Korbler

 

[beastintheeast]

Korbler is a left shot.

When both Stonehouse and Gerrior are in the lineup, it stretches out the wings.

Pinelli - Ekberg - Foster
Stonehouse - Dever - Horner
Amidovski - Whitehead - Gerrior
Houben/Yanni - Barlas - Kelly/Korbler

The problem is that you can not have stonehouse and gerrior on the bench in the same game unless you are benching Mayich and Sirman or Sirman and MacK

Just not enough room and then we get back to developing the young players by playing all the older players

I actually think that this lineup we have is doing quite well. They are getting lots of shots whch eventualy as they get better means more goals.

They have ot been blownout of any games so i think that if they leave things as they are and of course get rid of at least 1 OA probably 2.

 

[OMG67]

The problem is that you can not have stonehouse and gerrior on the bench in the same game unless you are benching Mayich and Sirman or Sirman and MacK

Just not enough room and then we get back to developing the young players by playing all the older players

I actually think that this lineup we have is doing quite well. They are getting lots of shots whch eventualy as they get better means more goals.

They have ot been blownout of any games so i think that if they leave things as they are and of course get rid of at least 1 OA probably 2.

It is about fighting for a chance. That is all Boyd has done is given them a chance. He needs to follow this through.

By the deadline, the team will show what they are and I have faith that Boyd will make the best decision for the team. If that is trading Pinelli then so be it. But that trade opens up a spot for someone else that hopefully deserves it based on their play through the holiday break. That’s the way it should be.

 

[beastintheeast]

It is about fighting for a chance. That is all Boyd has done is given them a chance. He needs to follow this through.

By the deadline, the team will show what they are and I have faith that Boyd will make the best decision for the team. If that is trading Pinelli then so be it. But that trade opens up a spot for someone else that hopefully deserves it based on their play through the holiday break. That’s the way it should be.

We shall see the other thing I look at is this team playing fairly well and him thinking he can trade or stand pat and get home-ice advantage for 1 round of the playoffs

We saw what keeping a graduating player did to the Frotns with Ludwinski do we really want a repeat here with Pinelli

 

[Hinterland]

I know that there is an aversion to putting Foster on the top line but I think you either need him or Horner. You need someone tht can dig in the corner as a set up man. If you look at all the top lines they had a sniper a set up guy and a digger that feeds them. Korbler is not that player. He would be better with a player like Hilton ( I realize he is gone) that is a banger and digger. Putting him with Ekberg might not be a bad thing with maybe Barlas to start the season. Ekberg and Korbler have the same Euro style maybe it meshes.

The prblem is that we are light o the right side of players that can play.

I agree but I'd like to see what Kelly can do in that kinda role. Move Kelly and Ekberg up to play with Pinelli, take Foster and Körbler off the topline to play with Dever. Keep Horner with Whitehead but move him up to play with Pinelli if Kelly doesn't work. Ekberg and Pinelli would be a very dangerous and productive duo, especially if played with someone who can dig out pucks and win board battles for them.

 

[OMG67]

Stonehouse, Dever, and Horner played well as a unit in last year’s playoffs. I’d like to see that line reunited. See what they can do.

I’d like someone with experience play with Whitehead and Amidovski on the 3rd line. Right now I have Gerrior with that group. I think Gerrior is better defensively than Foster and will help energize the line.

That leaves Pinelli with Ekberg and Foster.

I realize this is an issue with the OA situation but on games MacKenzie is out of the lineup, that roster is doable. They can always slot Korbler or Kelly in for whichever of Stonehouse or Gerrior is rotated out of the lineup.

Keep Barlas as the 4C. I agree we shouldn’t put development time into Barlas. It is unfortunate that they don’t have the depth at centre which means he gets relegated back down to 4C in this setup but at least the rookies on the 4th line will get a veteran to play with.

If Pinelli is traded at the deadline, the 1LW opens up. If the 2nd and 3rd lines are working well, they can then rotate a few of the rookies up into that line when they faceoff in the Offensive Zone and give Barlas spot duty on that line when they face off in the defensive zone.

 

[NoQuit67s]

I thought the return of Stonehouse was still a longshot?

 

[beastintheeast]

Eventually the Micky mouse 4 OA shell game has to end if Stonehouse comes back that leves us with 5 OA and that does not compute.

so who are you going to get rid of when it has to be 3 and no more.

We are eventually going to have to get there, so why are we talking about playing shell games when we know that we have to play with what we have, and why delay the inevitable?

Let's call this year what it is: A DEVELOPMENT YEAR . Now, let's look at playing the players we have and not messing with other players. Nelson sitting on the bench with us is not helping him develop as he is not going to get many OJHL game starts that he needs.

The games that Mack plays ins Stonehouse are going to want to sit in the stands when he could be playing ECHL instead.

For that matter, is Edmonton going to want to send him back if he is going to be abused?

I can see him simply saying thanks but no thanks and either demanding a trade before he comes back or going to the ECHL to play his way into the AHL team.

I thought the return of Stonehouse was still a longshot?

Depends on what drugs @OMG67 is using today for his wish list LOL

 

[OMG67]

I thought the return of Stonehouse was still a longshot?

Looks like Stonehouse is currently in Ottawa. Since he would be at the stage where he is getting ready for a return (no contact - shoulder rehab), if he were going to be assigned to the ECHL or AHL, he’d likely be whether he is going to be reassigned. Since he is in Ottawa, it points to him being reassigned to Ottawa once he is ready to play.

 

[OMG67]

Eventually the Micky mouse 4 OA shell game has to end if Stonehouse comes back that leves us with 5 OA and that does not compute.

so who are you going to get rid of when it has to be 3 and no more.

We are eventually going to have to get there, so why are we talking about playing shell games when we know that we have to play with what we have, and why delay the inevitable?

Let's call this year what it is: A DEVELOPMENT YEAR . Now, let's look at playing the players we have and not messing with other players. Nelson sitting on the bench with us is not helping him develop as he is not going to get many OJHL game starts that he needs.

The games that Mack plays ins Stonehouse are going to want to sit in the stands when he could be playing ECHL instead.

For that matter, is Edmonton going to want to send him back if he is going to be abused?

I can see him simply saying thanks but no thanks and either demanding a trade before he comes back or going to the ECHL to play his way into the AHL team.

Sirman is the odd man out. I don’t think you would find anyone that would disagree with that. That gets them from 5 down to 4 to comply with the rules.

As I previously mentioned, if MacK and Nelson play in a pure platoon role, it would mean Stonehouse and Gerrior would sit out 6 times each between now and the deadline. That is not horrible. Maybe not ideal but meh. It is what it is.

The reason why you keep four is twofold:
1> The team obviously wants to maximize their return.
2> If there is no apparent landing spot for any of the four, you want to give it as much time as possible for a spot to open so you can accommodate the player. It didn’t work out great last year with Donoso but at least by the deadline, Windsor was willing to make an adjustment. Donoso stayed in the league.

Keep in mind, that is assuming it takes all the way to the deadline to get a resolution. For all we know, they will resolve it as soon as Stonehouse returns.

I’d keep MacK, Gerrior, and Mayich. I like the stability in net while Nelson is still a young goalie at 17. I think Stonehouse would have decent value at the deadline. But, we heard a rumour early about MacKenzie going to Flint. If that rumour is true, then it points to Boyd likely looking to move MacK as the odd man out. I don’t know what to believe.