Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[gadder]

A rather dispiriting 4-1 loss, 22 shots. The game was over by the 2nd. I'll try to find some positives.
- Nelson played well. He looked calm, steady, and ready to be the starter soon.
- Houden is getting better each game. Some real fight in him (if not actual fighting). And Horner was fiesty too.
- There were 3 solid bury-em hits against our smaller guys (which is almost everyone?) that they wobbled off from. Good for them to come back but if you're gonna be a munchkin you'd better be fast and agile.

 

[ecraigs]

It was hard to find good in today's feckless, soft effort. Sudbury was better, took better shots, hit more effectively, and dominated the faceoff circle. There are at least three players who look like they're waiting for a bus out of town. Our rookies from last year look confused out there. No playing time and precious concern for their development at the OHL level has cost them a year and it seems that our first pick this year is heading down the same road.

Nelson played well, but had very little support. That was about it, really.

 

[OMG67]

It was hard to find good in today's feckless, soft effort. Sudbury was better, took better shots, hit more effectively, and dominated the faceoff circle. There are at least three players who look like they're waiting for a bus out of town. Our rookies from last year look confused out there. No playing time and precious concern for their development at the OHL level has cost them a year and it seems that our first pick this year is heading down the same road.

Nelson played well, but had very little support. That was about it, really.

Give the young guys half a year to find their way. They are all getting decent ice time. We need to wait on judgement through the 2nd half.

This is a bit of a rebuild year. It is what it is. It is good to try and angle the positives and not dwell on the negatives in a rebuilding year. I have no issues being hard on the team when they are set for success. But in a rebuild, I don’t typically angle the negatives on the players. If there are negatives, it is usually directed at the management and coaches that don’t take a rebuild approach.

 

[sirius67fan]

He looks like a little scared lost puppy dog. What has he done good?

Of course you are allowed your opinion but I don't agree. He's got a great motor, starting to show flashes of being a very good stickhandler and he set up Mayich beautifully on friday. Yes he's not the most physical but it's not his game, he's 160 lbs. That being said he hasn't shied away imo. He's gonna be a good player.

 

[beastintheeast]

I know things will change when dietsch gets back but I am wondering with the amount of time Conway is here and the lack of fwd depth ifack and sirman might be off men out

 

[beastintheeast]

Give the young guys half a year to find their way. They are all getting decent ice time. We need to wait on judgement through the 2nd half.

This is a bit of a rebuild year. It is what it is. It is good to try and angle the positives and not dwell on the negatives in a rebuilding year. I have no issues being hard on the team when they are set for success. But in a rebuild, I don’t typically angle the negatives on the players. If there are negatives, it is usually directed at the management and coaches who don’t take a rebuild approach.

This is going to be a tough year, and we are going to have these games. Remember that we have 8 rookies on the team( yes, I am including last year's because DC did not develop them).

I agree tht we will have some good players next year after the break. We are not going to be a top team but we are going to get better. The challenge is for Boyd to treat this year as rebuilding anot try to compete with the big teams.

 

[AGranderson]

This is going to be a tough year, and we are going to have these games. Remember that we have 8 rookies on the team( yes, I am including last year's because DC did not develop them).

I agree tht we will have some good players next year after the break. We are not going to be a top team but we are going to get better. The challenge is for Boyd to treat this year as rebuilding anot try to compete with the big teams.

You just don’t understand it’s getting to be a little much I will be scrolling passed rather than reading your posts from here on out

 

[beastintheeast]

You just don’t understand it’s getting to be a little much I will be scrolling passed rather than reading your posts from here on out

What are you expecting out of this team this year?

Me it is simple I am looking at a team that except for maybe a couple of players is an average team without a major 1st line at this stage. I am looking at a team that is in the start of a rebuild.

I am disappointed in DC not developing or giving players last year a chance to develop. This year, the players are showing that they have the desire. They are showing that they belong. Whitehead was never going to be anything this year but a 3rd line center. That is what he is doing and from what I read and I see as his face off percentage he is doing a good job.

Next year, our top-scoring players at this point will be Foster if he comes back and Ekberg if he comes back. I am expecting Whitehead to take the leap to the second-line center. But we still don't have a lot of power and will be hard pressed to be a top contender with several other teams ahead of us in the development track.

If you do not share my thoughts, that is fine. We each have our own. BUT Please tell me where you see this team finishing and how you see it doing so.

My Prediction was that we would be fighting for 7-9 in the standings when it comes time for the playoffs.

Where do you see this team please enlighten me.

 

[beastintheeast]

LOL, just for fun, I thought I would ask this.

How long have you been an OHL fan? 51 years minus 4 years gong to Laffs games and cheering for the other team
4 years of military hockey in Cold Lake, Alberta.

How long have you been a 67 faN 92-present

What other OHL team did you cheer for? 73-84 Kingston Canadians Those were the good days LOL

@OMG67 I think you are close to this are you not.

 

[dirty12]

What are you expecting out of this team this year?

Me it is simple I am looking at a team that except for maybe a couple of players is an average team without a major 1st line at this stage. I am looking at a team that is in the start of a rebuild.

I am disappointed in DC not developing or giving players last year a chance to develop. This year, the players are showing that they have the desire. They are showing that they belong. Whitehead was never going to be anything this year but a 3rd line center. That is what he is doing and from what I read and I see as his face off percentage he is doing a good job.

Next year, our top-scoring players at this point will be Foster if he comes back and Ekberg if he comes back. I am expecting Whitehead to take the leap to the second-line center. But we still don't have a lot of power and will be hard pressed to be a top contender with several other teams ahead of us in the development track.

If you do not share my thoughts, that is fine. We each have our own. BUT Please tell me where you see this team finishing and how you see it doing so.

My Prediction was that we would be fighting for 7-9 in the standings when it comes time for the playoffs.

Where do you see this team please enlighten me.

Rather than just focus on Cameron not developing players, also consider what young prospects he has had to develop. Over five seasons; Boyd must have traded away 30 higher picks for Mintyukov and OAs, used two first picks on defects, and too many of the remaining higher picks on players 5’10”’or less.

 

[beastintheeast]

Rather than just focus on Cameron not developing players, also consider what young prospects he has had to develop. Over five seasons; Boyd must have traded away 30 higher picks for Mintyukov and OAs, used two first picks on defects, and too many of the remaining higher picks on players 5’10”’or less.

I was asked to give Boyd and Cameron a chance to show me something this year and be nice. In fairness he has drafted good defenceman just can't seem to find the forwards. Yes Pinelli and Foster are good but. We shall see how Whitehead Yanni and Amidovski anet all turn out.

 

[dirty12]

I was asked to give Boyd and Cameron a chance to show me something this year and be nice. In fairness he has drafted good defenceman just can't seem to find the forwards. Yes Pinelli and Foster are good but. We shall see how Whitehead Yanni and Amidovski anet all turn out.

Coming away with one forward 6’ drafted though round four 2021-23 is not something I subscribe to.
Having said that, the drafting and development of Barlas, Pinelli, Foster, Gardiner, and Dever from the ‘21 draft is about as good as anyone could reasonably expect of that particular draft.

Boyd drafted 3 defencemen out of the four first round picks 2022-24. I think it would be reasonable to expect the ‘67s D to be among the best in the league next season.

It is too early to judge the development of Kelly, Yanni, and Whitehead imo. I would say anytime before the end of the 2024-25 season is too soon to judge. Pinelli breaking out early says more about his talent and desire than it does coaching.

 

[OMG67]

There have been two failures.

1> The inability or willingness to chase a Championship while focusing on being good every year.
2> The inability to get any of the mid-round NCAA bound players to sign.

The first one has been discussed at length. In 2019, Boyd was out-GM’d by Burnett. Then in 2023 he was out GM’d by Oak. Plain and simple. Each of those two teams could have and likely should have Won a championship with the right moves (and sacrifices) at the deadline.

The second point is more important from my perspective. Since 2019 we’ve used a lot of picks in the 5th to 8th rounds on high risk US players with commitments to US Schools. Boucher did end up in Ottawa but not because Boyd managed to convince a player to sign but because the Ottawa Senators arranged it. I have no issues with rolling the dice on high risk players. But, if you are going to do it, you need to have it payoff at least once every three seasons. You need to get someone signed. Even this year, he picked Vandenberg int he 5th round and couldn’t even get the local boy signed.

With the proposed new rule change related to eligibility for NCAA, Boyd may start to be able to recruit those players easier but so will all of the other teams. It is more likely those players will be drafted earlier going forward. We should keep an eye on Vandenberg, Barnett x2, Williams, Zajic, McKinney, White….. see if Boyd can convince any of those guys to suit up for the 67’s. From my perspective, this a primary area of focus I would be using to judge the GM’s. Clearing the top focus is scouting.drafting overall but the ability or inability to recruit high risk players is essential to the success of a franchise and points directly to how respected the franchise is.

 

[ecraigs]

Give the young guys half a year to find their way. They are all getting decent ice time. We need to wait on judgement through the 2nd half.

This is a bit of a rebuild year. It is what it is. It is good to try and angle the positives and not dwell on the negatives in a rebuilding year. I have no issues being hard on the team when they are set for success. But in a rebuild, I don’t typically angle the negatives on the players. If there are negatives, it is usually directed at the management and coaches that don’t take a rebuild approach.

Well, that's certainly the theory, but the lacklustre performances this weekend make me question management and coaching right now. Players who should have been hitting their stride last year are still struggling and some of the veterans are seemingly just playing out the string. A mediocre PP, a dreadful PK, and weak scoring make for a long season.

I can live with a rebuild. In my 47 years as a STH, I've seen many such efforts, I hope to see many more. I just need to see signs of one.

 

[gadder]

Boyd drafted 3 defencemen out of the four first round picks 2022-24. I think it would be reasonable to expect the ‘67s D to be among the best in the league next season.

Assuming no changes, lets look at the D next year:
Mews-Marelli
Esh-Dietsch
Brady-?

Without some veteran additons that's not best-in-league. Veteran add's requires trade bait. Not sure we have that w/o subtracting from what good forwards we have.

People have said that in a season the 67s start strong then the others catch up. Last couple years that was true. This year, we're not starting strong: we're scrapping with the bottom-feeders to be the best bottom-feeder. If we continue to be mediocre, I can see Mayich and Mews asking to be traded, and then we move from a rebuild to a reboot.

As OMG pointed out above, we needed to get the NCAA draft picks to show up. I can't see them showing up to a bottoming team. Maybe we should stop drafting them until we're in a better position.

Ultimately, the problem is strategic: it's the attempt to be good every year, which means poor draft pick positions every year, which means prolonged mediocrity. I think everyone here is dickering over how to do a quickest rebuild: maybe the quickest is a reboot.

And to Beast's point, I've been following the 67s for 30ish years and I remember the NOOF and the ups and downs. I love Junior hockey and I'll always go to the games (even in - yech- Kanata).

 

[OMG67]

Well, that's certainly the theory, but the lacklustre performances this weekend make me question management and coaching right now. Players who should have been hitting their stride last year are still struggling and some of the veterans are seemingly just playing out the string. A mediocre PP, a dreadful PK, and weak scoring make for a long season.

I can live with a rebuild. In my 47 years as a STH, I've seen many such efforts, I hope to see many more. I just need to see signs of one.

There is a reason why the 67’s were predicted by many to finish between 7-9 in the eastern Conference this year in the Season Prediction thread.

Boyd, to his credit, is not going to throw in the towel on day one. He will wait until later in the season to do so. He will show confidence in his team and allow them to prove one way or the other.

With that comes the responsibility on his part to do what is necessary to improve the status of the franchise. If that means moving a player or two out at the deadline then so be it.

A lot has been said about the development of players last season. The focus last season was on winning. Same with the season previous. You cannot have it both ways. You cannot have a focus on developing young players and winning. One comes at the cost of the other. We are now faced with that cost. So be it.

I think we should all be patient and allow things to unfold as the season progresses. If the team shows poorly and Boyd doesn’t’ make seller moves, then I think we have every right to bash him. But, until then, we should have a little faith.

 

[beastintheeast]

Personally I donot see a reason to draft

Assuming no changes, lets look at the D next year:
Mews-Marelli
Esh-Dietsch
Brady-?

Without some veteran additons that's not best-in-league. Veteran add's requires trade bait. Not sure we have that w/o subtracting from what good forwards we have.

People have said that in a season the 67s start strong then the others catch up. Last couple years that was true. This year, we're not starting strong: we're scrapping with the bottom-feeders to be the best bottom-feeder. If we continue to be mediocre, I can see Mayich and Mews asking to be traded, and then we move from a rebuild to a reboot.

As OMG pointed out above, we needed to get the NCAA draft picks to show up. I can't see them showing up to a bottoming team. Maybe we should stop drafting them until we're in a better position.

Ultimately, the problem is strategic: it's the attempt to be good every year, which means poor draft pick positions every year, which means prolonged mediocrity. I think everyone here is dickering over how to do a quickest rebuild: maybe the quickest is a reboot.

And to Beast's point, I've been following the 67s for 30ish years and I remember the NOOF and the ups and downs. I love Junior hockey and I'll always go to the games (even in - yech- Kanata).

I do not see a reason to draft NCAA-committed players in the first five rounds. These are players you need on your team, not players you would like. Then again because of coaching and the team system London seems to attract these borderline kids that are not sure,

We used to under Killer and If Tourigny was still here might.

You still can develop players when you are goingona run. To my belief, you need to do that as well as the run, and both are important.

I have never understood, and even when Killer was here, understood the reason for pushing your team for first place in the conference or division. Too many times I saw good players that, due to the fatigue and the amount of ice time, got injured or were not in shape to play the playoffs while a team that was more rounded and had played their players walked in and kicked our proverbial butts.

Yes, in this day and age, you seem to have to make huge trdes give up the future in order to win.

But in the case of this duo, that does one snot to make sense. Cameron, to me, is not the great coach that he is supposed to be, and Boyd is not the great GM that people thought he was. I see the player Boyd in the GM Boyd.

As to not doing what was needed.

Why trade a huge pile of assets for an offensive Defenceman who plays a fast-paced style not like yours and then try to change him down the stretch reign in the reason that you traded for him? MINTY

Playing players that are injured on your top lines and heavy minutes when you have young guys that you can slot in at the 3rd line and move players around.

People have mentioned we did not get Wright. The issue with things like that is we do not know the phone calls that were or were not made, so we really do not know what was offered or if Wright would want to come here. Remember he was being a royal pain in the but and thought his Sheet did not stink.

Drafting—I am not sure if it is a money issue or if it is simply that they don't care. Killer used to go out and look at players during the week, and he would talk to the families of kids that he was interested in. He knew what he was drafting. Boyd has no other job but to be GM, so why is he not out in some of these rinks looking for kids?

Coaching—This is the year that DC has to show that he can coach and develop talent. We talked about Killer being too old from a different time. Cameron isn't that much younger.

OA to me and I know I am different I think we are screwing around with kids tht deserve better. We need to get this team down to 3 OA.

If we bring him in and he is the number 3 OA Then we have to get rid of either Mack or Gerrior.
If we trade him for a couple of low picks and a conditional, then we will stay the same.

The part tht could get interesting is if (and it is only if) DC decides that he likes Nelson and moves him to number 1 goalie.

But if we are going to keep Stonehouse and he wants to come back, we are going to have to release either MacK or Gerrior, and right now, neither has any market value.

 

[beastintheeast]

Simple question

What players have we drafted under Boyd and been coached by Cameron that are playing in the NHL?

 

[OMG67]

Personally I donot see a reason to draft

I do not see a reason to draft NCAA-committed players in the first five rounds. These are players you need on your team, not players you would like. Then again because of coaching and the team system London seems to attract these borderline kids that are not sure,

We used to under Killer and If Tourigny was still here might.

You still can develop players when you are goingona run. To my belief, you need to do that as well as the run, and both are important.

I have never understood, and even when Killer was here, understood the reason for pushing your team for first place in the conference or division. Too many times I saw good players that, due to the fatigue and the amount of ice time, got injured or were not in shape to play the playoffs while a team that was more rounded and had played their players walked in and kicked our proverbial butts.

Yes, in this day and age, you seem to have to make huge trdes give up the future in order to win.

But in the case of this duo, that does one snot to make sense. Cameron, to me, is not the great coach that he is supposed to be, and Boyd is not the great GM that people thought he was. I see the player Boyd in the GM Boyd.

As to not doing what was needed.

Why trade a huge pile of assets for an offensive Defenceman who plays a fast-paced style not like yours and then try to change him down the stretch reign in the reason that you traded for him? MINTY

Playing players that are injured on your top lines and heavy minutes when you have young guys that you can slot in at the 3rd line and move players around.

People have mentioned we did not get Wright. The issue with things like that is we do not know the phone calls that were or were not made, so we really do not know what was offered or if Wright would want to come here. Remember he was being a royal pain in the but and thought his Sheet did not stink.

Drafting—I am not sure if it is a money issue or if it is simply that they don't care. Killer used to go out and look at players during the week, and he would talk to the families of kids that he was interested in. He knew what he was drafting. Boyd has no other job but to be GM, so why is he not out in some of these rinks looking for kids?

Coaching—This is the year that DC has to show that he can coach and develop talent. We talked about Killer being too old from a different time. Cameron isn't that much younger.

OA to me and I know I am different I think we are screwing around with kids tht deserve better. We need to get this team down to 3 OA.

If we bring him in and he is the number 3 OA Then we have to get rid of either Mack or Gerrior.
If we trade him for a couple of low picks and a conditional, then we will stay the same.

The part tht could get interesting is if (and it is only if) DC decides that he likes Nelson and moves him to number 1 goalie.

But if we are going to keep Stonehouse and he wants to come back, we are going to have to release either MacK or Gerrior, and right now, neither has any market value.

I do take exception to a few points.

Boyd lives in the GTA. He attends tons of games and views a ton of players. He is very connected to the scouting side.

I don’t have an issue with acquiring a player like Mintyukov and pulling the reigns in. Once he found his stride, he was an excellent D-Man.

Players will always want to play hard. Coaches want to push players hard. I do agree there are times where the 4th line should play more to conserve the energy of your top lines. I think most coaches do that. But, injuries are part of the program. Some teams are more fortunate than others. Sometimes luck plays a role. Never underestimate luck.

Wright was available. Kingston wanted a right hand D-Man. Mews was a right hand D-Man. Ottawa was the team in 1st place by a wide margin. Suggesting Wright wouldn’t go to Ottawa as a factor is likely inaccurate. I admit that we weren’t on those calls but I don’t think you’d find anyone then or now that would suggest Windsor got a good deal for Wright when compared to getting Mews.

Regarding the OAs, how do you know they are mistreating them by not resolving the issue? How do you know that Sirman doesn’t know he is the odd man out and they are giving him an opportunity to play his way into another team as opposed to just releasing him like they did Michelone? Same with Gerrior or MackK if the plan is to keep Stonehouse upon his return? There are at least seven other teams right now juggling four OAs for all the same reasons. Discrediting the management for not resolving it is basically saying they should have cut Michelone, Sirman, and Gerrior in training camp. That is absurd.

The rest I pretty much agree with. But would suggest the revisionist history is getting overplayed. What is done is done. Replaying it over and over is not productive. You come across like an old man in a rocking chair yelling at the kids to get the hell off your lawn.

Boyd and DC had a rebuild year coming out of Covid followed by two highly competitive years. That’s not bad. I don’t agree with everything they’ve done but overall they have both done well. I understand many of the shortcomings. I agree with you on many of them. But if this is the first “true” rebuild year, I am somewhat excited to see what Boyd has up his sleeve for the year.

 

[OMG67]

Simple question

What players have we drafted under Boyd and been coached by Cameron that are playing in the NHL?

I think I can answer that with another question.

How many players drafted by Hunter in London that played for Hunter in London during the same period Cameron coached the 67’s have played in the NHL?

I am pretty sure the answer is ONE. Logan Mailloux played one game last year with the Montreal Canadiens.

 

[beastintheeast]

I do take exception to a few points.

Boyd lives in the GTA. He attends tons of games and views a ton of players. He is very connected to the scouting side.

Then why does our drafting suck when it comes to forwards.

I don’t have an issue with acquiring a player like Mintyukov and pulling the reigns in. Once he found his stride, he was an excellent D-Man.

Still look at the number of games it took

Players will always want to play hard. Coaches want to push players hard. I do agree there are times where the 4th line should play more to conserve the energy of your top lines. I think most coaches do that. But, injuries are part of the program. Some teams are more fortunate than others. Sometimes luck plays a role. Never underestimate luck.

Wright was available. Kingston wanted a right hand D-Man. Mews was a right hand D-Man. Ottawa was the team in 1st place by a wide margin. Suggesting Wright wouldn’t go to Ottawa as a factor is likely inaccurate. I admit that we weren’t on those calls but I don’t think you’d find anyone then or now that would suggest Windsor got a good deal for Wright when compared to getting Mews.

We will never know. there are so many moving pieces in these puzzles that unless someone comes out with the story, you never know. Another point may have been did Mews want to go to Kingston.

Regarding the OAs, how do you know they are mistreating them by not resolving the issue? How do you know that Sirman doesn’t know he is the odd man out and they are giving him an opportunity to play his way into another team as opposed to just releasing him like they did Michelone? Same with Gerrior or MackK if the plan is to keep Stonehouse upon his return? There are at least seven other teams right now juggling four OAs for all the same reasons. Discrediting the management for not resolving it is basically saying they should have cut Michelone, Sirman, and Gerrior in training camp. That is absurd.

I am not saying they are mistreating him just that the longer they go without waiving him the harder it may be for him to find a place to play. As to Gerrior and Mack, we have discussed the fact that there is a flood of OA goalies this year that are available or playing.

The rest I pretty much agree with. But would suggest the revisionist history is getting overplayed. What is done is done. Replaying it over and over is not productive. You come across like an old man in a rocking chair yelling at the kids to get the hell off your lawn.

Boyd and DC had a rebuild year coming out of Covid followed by two highly competitive years. That’s not bad. I don’t agree with everything they’ve done but overall they have both done well. I understand many of the shortcomings. I agree with you on many of them. But if this is the first “true” rebuild year, I am somewhat excited to see what Boyd has up his sleeve for the year.

We will see what they do as the deadline approaches.

 

[dirty12]

Simple question

What players have we drafted under Boyd and been coached by Cameron that are playing in the NHL?

I would expect none as they are all still eligible to play in the OHL. Don’t forget, Boyd selected two defects in the five drafts/four seasons that Cameron has been coach.

 

[beastintheeast]

I think I can answer that with another question.

How many players drafted by Hunter in London that played for Hunter in London during the same period Cameron coached the 67’s have played in the NHL?

I am pretty sure the answer is ONE. Logan Mailloux played one game last year with the Montreal Canadiens.

one with Ethan Cowan on the way is a lot better than Cameron's record and I will agree it is hard to develop those players if they are not drafted. As previously stated, Ekberg will answer my question.

 

[dirty12]

Then why does our drafting suck when it comes to forwards.

There are two forwards selected in the first round 2020-24 that have played for Cameron. One has two years of eligibility remaining, and the other is a true rookie with 6 games played. Pinelli and Gardiner do not suck. I haven’t seen enough of Foster to really say for sure, but he seems to be doing alright.

 

[OMG67]

There are two forwards selected in the first round 2020-24 that have played for Cameron. One has two years of eligibility remaining, and the other is a true rookie with 6 games played. Pinelli and Gardiner do not suck. I haven’t seen enough of Foster to really say for sure, but he seems to be doing alright.

When such a small sample size is analyzed, it is really tough to make true assessments. Then you factor in the disruption of everything with Covid and you add a layer of variability to it all.

The 67s finished first in the league three times since 2019. I’d suggest the drafting has been pretty good.

We could argue about size etc but the reality is Boyd and Brown drafted very well and gave the team a solid foundation. Has Boyd pushed hard enough at the deadline? No. Clearly. But is that a mistake he will have learned from? Too early to tell.