Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[Hinterland]

I think, just one ref called it a good goal. Thats why they called the linesman over for a little chat. Don‘t ask me what the protocol would be in such cases.

One called it a good goal, the other one didn't object. Why would you have to signal a good goal if the other ref already did? At least one of those refs was very well positioned, certainly better than the linesman.

The job description of a linesman includes faceoffs and decisions re icings and offsides. Everything else is beyond their pay grade. They can step in and help if no ref is in a position to make a decision but that clearly wasn't the case here.

Give me only one example where well positioned refs changed their unanimous decision based on the opinion of a linesman. I've never seen anything like this at any level in over two decades of watching mostly hundreds of hockey games every year. I don't think it's how it's supposed to work either. A ref is a ref and a linesman is a linesman.

Again, it just looks like a scam to me.

I think hockey refing has to become more transparent. In rugby, the ref, the linesmen and the TMO (television match official, a still active or former refs), are all mic'd up and communication between them is directly relayed to the TV feed. In most cases games don't have to be stopped for replays because the TMO and his/her team are looking at everything with the TMO and ref talking about it with play still ongoing. If for once they have to look at something they do it on the big stadium screen, not on small tablets.


I don't see why this shouldn't be possible in hockey as well. Situations like the one we're discussing could be solved much easier, faster and in a more transparent way.

 

[OMG67]

Sorry, i was on the road…no celly while driving…

Ok. THIS TIME!

 

[OMG67]

One called it a good goal, the other one didn't object. Why would you have to signal a good goal if the other ref already did? At least one of those refs was very well positioned, certainly better than the linesman.

The job description of a linesman includes faceoffs and decisions re icings and offsides. Everything else is beyond their pay grade. They can step in and help if no ref is in a position to make a decision but that clearly wasn't the case here.

Give me only one example where well positioned refs changed their unanimous decision based on the opinion of a linesman. I've never seen anything like this at any level in over two decades of watching mostly hundreds of hockey games every year. I don't think it's how it's supposed to work either. A ref is a ref and a linesman is a linesman.

Again, it just looks like a scam to me.

Loads of puck touches are confirmed by linesmen. Many of the high sticks and pucks clear over the glass for delay of game penalties etc.

The back referee could have questioned it. Asked the linesman. Then confirm with the net Referee whether he only saw the puck enter the net or whether he saw the redirection. It is very possible the close ref did not see any redirection but the back official did. They can huddle up and if the linesman says it was clearly a high stick, they can reverse the call.

I don’t have an issue with that. It really should be about getting the call right (within the rules). I think we agree that if the call was actually a good goal, the video review wouldn’t’ be conclusive enough to overturn it. But this explanation does make a lot of sense to me.

 

[leafs4life94]

One called it a good goal, the other one didn't object. Why would you have to signal a good goal if the other ref already did? At least one of those refs was very well positioned, certainly better than the linesman.

The job description of a linesman includes faceoffs and decisions re icings and offsides. Everything else is beyond their pay grade. They can step in and help if no ref is in a position to make a decision but that clearly wasn't the case here.

Give me only one example where well positioned refs changed their unanimous decision based on the opinion of a linesman. I've never seen anything like this at any level in over two decades of watching hundreds of hockey games every year. I don't think it's how it's supposed to work either. A ref is a ref and a linesman is a linesman.

Again, it just looks like a scam to me.

Saying linesmen can't do anything but icing and offsides is a ridiculous statement. 4 pairs of eyes is better than 2 and if a ref misses something why would they not ask other officials what they saw?

It's much to better to communicate and get it right rather than have a ref not be confident in what they call because they shouldn't be allowed to talk to the icing/offsides drone.

 

[Hinterland]

Loads of puck touches are confirmed by linesmen. Many of the high sticks and pucks clear over the glass for delay of game penalties etc.

The back referee could have questioned it. Asked the linesman. Then confirm with the net Referee whether he only saw the puck enter the net or whether he saw the redirection. It is very possible the close ref did not see any redirection but the back official did. They can huddle up and if the linesman says it was clearly a high stick, they can reverse the call.

I don’t have an issue with that. It really should be about getting the call right (within the rules). I think we agree that if the call was actually a good goal, the video review wouldn’t’ be conclusive enough to overturn it. But this explanation does make a lot of sense to me.

We all agree there's no conclusive evidence either way. I don't like the way it went down one bit though. I think they made the wrong decision and the way they changed their call based on the opinion of a linesman is fishy as well. I think hockey refing has to become more transparent. They can't just so whatever the f*** they want and get away with it. They also have to stop ruining games with 10mins replays. Especially if the result is as underwhelming as the one yesterday where they were never gonna spot anything conclusive anyway.

 

[Hinterland]

Saying linesmen can't do anything but icing and offsides is a ridiculous statement. 4 pairs of eyes is better than 2 and if a ref misses something why would they not ask other officials what they saw?

It's much to better to communicate and get it right rather than have a ref not be confident in what they call because they shouldn't be allowed to talk to the icing/offsides drone.

I'm not saying they can't do anything. I said the way it's supposed to be is that linesmen can step in and help with decisions in case no ref is well enough positioned to do it. That clearly wasn't the case yesterday. I can't recall a similar situation in forever because that's not how it's supposed to work if one ref calls it a good goal with the other, well positioned one not objecting. Which is what makes what went down look like a scam...especially because there was zero transparency. We didn't hear their communication and they didn't even announce it when they changed their decision. In 2024 that's just unacceptable.

 

[ohloutsider]

Linesman can call too many men on ice penalties, delay of game and can call majors on hits but that has to be reviewed by the refs after the call. All 4 can weigh in on most all calls during a review. Refs look at off sides if a review is requested. It can and will always be dealt with as an officiating team. Be safe.

 

[Hinterland]

Linesman can call too many men on ice penalties, delay of game and can call majors on hits but that has to be reviewed by the refs after the call. All 4 can weigh in on most all calls during a review. Refs look at off sides if a review is requested. It can and will always be dealt with as an officiating team. Be safe.

I agree. Having said that, I've never seen refs, at least one very well positioned, change their unanimous decision based on the opinion of a linesman. I don't think that's how it should work either, especially if they don't announce their changed call ahead of the review and if we can't hear communication between the officials.

 

[OMG67]

I agree. Having said that, I've never seen refs, at least one very well positioned, change their unanimous decision based on the opinion of a linesman. I don't think that's how it should work either, especially if they don't announce their changed call ahead of the review and if we can't hear communication between the officials.

I agree but Stonehouse had his back to that official so I think ti is highly likely the official didn’t see the high stick. That is why there are two refs on the ice to catch what the other doesn’t see. Without actually being in that huddle after the play and before the video review, I cannot honestly say anything other than speculate. Based on what @Mild Italian said, it does make sense, even if it wasn’t handled with proper communication.

Normally the announcer would announce that the play is no goal and the play is under review for a high stick. Int his case, it doesn’t sound like they announced it and didn’t tell the coaches until after it was all done. But, it is what it is. I am jsut happy we actually got a clarification form someone.

Water under the bridge at this point.

Now back to shitting on DC!…..

 

[ScoutLife4]

I agree. Having said that, I've never seen refs, at least one very well positioned, change their unanimous decision based on the opinion of a linesman. I don't think that's how it should work either, especially if they don't announce their changed call ahead of the review and if we can't hear communication between the officials.

happens almost every game where they call the liney in for opinion on a goal or penalty.
Not uncommon at all.

 

[beastintheeast]

I wouldn't jump to conclusions. The team is playing very well in a season where expectations were really low. The results aren't matching the team's mostly dominant performances but that's due to rather subpar goaltending and a lack of finish on the team. I'd argue that neither is Cameron's fault. He has the team play the right way despite being short staffed many nights because of trades and lots of players injured/sick/absent. He hasn't lost the room and clearly, most players love playing for Cameron.

I think the problem is that he's too stubborn. I think it's too tough to fall out of favor or get out of his dog house. Cameron is too set in his ways. At least that's my interpretation of what I'm hearing and reading. But again, we're not in the room and we shouldn't jump to conclusions.

I agree Amidovski should have a bigger role because he's clearly a gifted player who showed some promise when given a chance but I'm not gonna judge the player or coach because I simply don't know how exactly it all went down.

I agree that there are too many players wanting out though in recent past and if the front office thinks that all of this is Cameron's fault then they have to consider their options. If they fire Cameron they better have a plan in the back pocket though because Cameron is a pretty good coach.

Consider that this will be 2 years in a row that Boyd has screwed up with the first round pick. HB took one look and said no thanks. Amidovski comes and tries his best and watches the coach play the same 9 guys even though the team has only 11 forwards. He gets 1 shift a game. He then looks around the league and sees that other guys are getting a better deal. I amsure that promises were made y Boyd and that one of the promises was not we will play your son 1 shift a game in games that mean nothing.

I may be old school but the idea in the first part of the season to give players good ice time to develop then at the xmas break sit down with the parents and go over everything always seemed the best to me.

Amidovski deserves a trade. as I said last year I thought whitehead deserved a trade.

Looking at the players that wanted out or want out there is a problem. The only constant is Cameron. You can not play just 3 lines every game before they get worn out. You need to give kids the time to learn and get accustomed. Imagine if we had a better player than Brady on defense how much ice time would Esh get.

I am sorry but the ownership needs to take ownership and give boyd the word. I agree if Boyd is a eunich then he needs to go also. His drafting has not been very good and trades well when did he make a good one.

This is not a team that is going to win the division or be even close I do not understand why Boyd and Cameron seem to think they are.

 

[Hinterland]

Consider that this will be 2 years in a row that Boyd has screwed up with the first round pick. HB took one look and said no thanks. Amidovski comes and tries his best and watches the coach play the same 9 guys even though the team has only 11 forwards. He gets 1 shift a game. He then looks around the league and sees that other guys are getting a better deal. I amsure that promises were made y Boyd and that one of the promises was not we will play your son 1 shift a game in games that mean nothing.

I may be old school but the idea in the first part of the season to give players good ice time to develop then at the xmas break sit down with the parents and go over everything always seemed the best to me.

Amidovski deserves a trade. as I said last year I thought whitehead deserved a trade.

Looking at the players that wanted out or want out there is a problem. The only constant is Cameron. You can not play just 3 lines every game before they get worn out. You need to give kids the time to learn and get accustomed. Imagine if we had a better player than Brady on defense how much ice time would Esh get.

I am sorry but the ownership needs to take ownership and give boyd the word. I agree if Boyd is a eunich then he needs to go also. His drafting has not been very good and trades well when did he make a good one.

This is not a team that is going to win the division or be even close I do not understand why Boyd and Cameron seem to think they are.

I agree but I think that Amidovski already showed more promise than Whitehead last season. I think that Amidovski should be playing more. But again, I don't know how it all went down. There's more than one way to express frustration and depending on which one Amidovski (or his camp) chose I could also understand why Cameron didn't like it.

Either way, Boyd has to fix it. Ideally should have stepped in before it escalated. And if Cameron is the main reason why so many kids wanted out then his job has to be on the line despite the team kinda overperforming this season.

I don't think Cameron is unwilling to play rookies or other younger kids. He does play some kids, but always the same ones. I really think the problem is that he's unwilling to make major changes to his lineup or ice time distribution. It rarely ever happens. That's not necessarily a bad philopsophy but you have to be open minded enough to make changes when necessary. Cameron's too stubborn, too set in his ways. We also saw that during last playoffs when he kept on playing injured players over Whitehead and Yanni despite them playing well. By doing so he completely ruined his 4th line but didn't have the balls to go back to what was actually working previously.

 

[beastintheeast]

I agree but I think that Amidovski already showed more promise than Whitehead last season. I think that Amidovski should be playing more. But again, I don't know how it all went down. There's more than one way to express frustration and depending on which one Amidovski (or his camp) chose I could also understand why Cameron didn't like it.

Either way, Boyd has to fix it. Ideally should have stepped in before it escalated. And if Cameron is the main reason why so many kids wanted out then his job has to be on the line despite the team kinda overperforming this season.

I don't think Cameron is unwilling to play rookies or other younger kids. He does play some kids, but always the same ones. I really think the problem is that he's unwilling to make major changes to his lineup or ice time distribution. It rarely ever happens. That's not necessarily a bad philopsophy but you have to be open minded enough to make changes when necessary. Cameron's too stubborn, too set in his ways. We also saw that during last playoffs when he kept on playing injured players over Whitehead and Yanni despite them playing well. By doing so he completely ruined his 4th line but didn't have the balls to go back to what was actually working previously.

You have nailed my thoughts completley. Cameron never had a team that he had to develop.. He never had to deal with young kids. Boyd should have realized that from his time in Miss.

Last year was a complete farce not just with Cameron but Boyd also. That was not a team that was oing to compete once the others made their deals.

My big fear is that they are playing the players they are because they think they can be competitive this year. They look at Kingston and think we have a better lineup so we should be able to be on top. Instead, they should realize that this is a team that is rebuilding and needs development. Look at the forwards that he has drafted. Only 1 has really done anything, Pinelli.

To me, if possible, before the end of the year, they need to sit down with Boyd. Making changes at the end of the year with the draft in the early playoffs is not going to help this team.

If DC gets his wish, I see everyone staying and trading Amidovski for a 19-year-old rental with the team going for it again this year.

More and more I see Mav/Gilmour in Boyd and that is not a compliment

 

[Hinterland]

You have nailed my thoughts completley. Cameron never had a team that he had to develop.. He never had to deal with young kids. Boyd should have realized that from his time in Miss.

Last year was a complete farce not just with Cameron but Boyd also. That was not a team that was oing to compete once the others made their deals.

My big fear is that they are playing the players they are because they think they can be competitive this year. They look at Kingston and think we have a better lineup so we should be able to be on top. Instead, they should realize that this is a team that is rebuilding and needs development. Look at the forwards that he has drafted. Only 1 has really done anything, Pinelli.

To me, if possible, before the end of the year, they need to sit down with Boyd. Making changes at the end of the year with the draft in the early playoffs is not going to help this team.

If DC gets his wish, I see everyone staying and trading Amidovski for a 19-year-old rental with the team going for it again this year.

More and more I see Mav/Gilmour in Boyd and that is not a compliment

I don't mind the desire to wanna win games and compete. If this team proves that it can squeeze more wins out of those games they dominate then I wouldn't even be against adding for the playoffs. However, for as long as you're not a clear cut contender, which the 67's aren't this season, you can't possibly justify trading your top forward prospect for an older player. Boyd has to find a better solution for the Amidovski problem. And like I said...the performances may be very good but the results so far aren't matching that. So I'm not yet at a point where I can say that adding would make sense.

 

[sirius67fan]

If Boyd doesn’t have the balls to do it then he goes with him.

And that would be a shame imo. I think the Boyd/Egert duo has done overall a very good job of drafting, getting good euros and in trades ( not arguing they might not have gone far enough though). Have people forgotten how we were before those two and Tourigny came on board?

 

[sirius67fan]

You have nailed my thoughts completley. Cameron never had a team that he had to develop.. He never had to deal with young kids. Boyd should have realized that from his time in Miss.

Last year was a complete farce not just with Cameron but Boyd also. That was not a team that was oing to compete once the others made their deals.

My big fear is that they are playing the players they are because they think they can be competitive this year. They look at Kingston and think we have a better lineup so we should be able to be on top. Instead, they should realize that this is a team that is rebuilding and needs development. Look at the forwards that he has drafted. Only 1 has really done anything, Pinelli.

To me, if possible, before the end of the year, they need to sit down with Boyd. Making changes at the end of the year with the draft in the early playoffs is not going to help this team.

If DC gets his wish, I see everyone staying and trading Amidovski for a 19-year-old rental with the team going for it again this year.

More and more I see Mav/Gilmour in Boyd and that is not a compliment

Beast I am starting to have doubts if DC is the right coach at this point. I don't like the pattern of rumored player discontent ths last few years. However I disagree on Boyd, he's been a very good GM imo but now he needs to act to fix things one way or another and I do not think trading Amidovsky a high first rounder to build around with Esh is the answer.

 

[OMG67]

You have nailed my thoughts completley. Cameron never had a team that he had to develop.. He never had to deal with young kids. Boyd should have realized that from his time in Miss.

Last year was a complete farce not just with Cameron but Boyd also. That was not a team that was oing to compete once the others made their deals.

My big fear is that they are playing the players they are because they think they can be competitive this year. They look at Kingston and think we have a better lineup so we should be able to be on top. Instead, they should realize that this is a team that is rebuilding and needs development. Look at the forwards that he has drafted. Only 1 has really done anything, Pinelli.

To me, if possible, before the end of the year, they need to sit down with Boyd. Making changes at the end of the year with the draft in the early playoffs is not going to help this team.

If DC gets his wish, I see everyone staying and trading Amidovski for a 19-year-old rental with the team going for it again this year.

More and more I see Mav/Gilmour in Boyd and that is not a compliment

We’ve had a lot of discussions regarding last season but, again, I roll it back to the previous season. Had Boyd spent appropriately to maintain their true standing and acquired that last elite piece, last season would not have been in question at all.

This is a domino effect now. In 2023, Boyd added Morrison and Mintyukov. Great additions for sure. HE had a lot of capital still in the bank with those extra draft picks as well as Marrelli and Mews. I’m not saying he should have blown it all but there was no reason not to trade either Marrelli or Mews to snag that last piece, whether it was Wright or even Harrison. Harrison went for JUST draft picks. Kingston was wanting the RHD for Wright. They settled on Miedema after London wouldn’t move Bonk. Ottawa could have swooped in with a Mews deal to put Ottawa over the top. But he didn’t.

We weren’t quite good enough to overcome some injuries sustained that season. We went into the following season (last season) too good to not do something in a landscape where no teams were really great. Sort of handcuffed into having to make a run because this year and next weren’t going to be much of an opportunity. Assuming that, why not make a run last year? But, again, Boyd didn’t go far enough.

To me, the justification to go on a run last year was specifically because we saw the landscape this year and we knew we weren’t in a compete role. For us to know hear the management is looking at this year as potentially another push is almost laughable. Sure, we may be in another push year if, like the previous two seasons, we make what is really a half push while not really making a push compared to the competition.

I honestly cannot see Boyd being that dense as to think this year’s outlook can change with a last ditch effort. If he does, I cannot see a scenario where he maintains his job. The only way he keeps his job is if OSEG simply doesn’t care about the 67’s and they take a hands off approach and only look at $$$. A push this year means the next two years are garbage. Next year for sure. Out of playoffs. They have no choice but to trade everything not nailed down.

We should never be in a situation where we have to rebuild by trading everything not nailed down. I refuse to believe that is the best way forward. If a team foundation is there, make the appropriate trades to put your team over the top in a single GO FOR IT season. Then judiciously manage the team through a retool period where you are trying to acquire extra picks while maintaining competitiveness.

 

[OMG67]

And that would be a shame imo. I think the Boyd/Egert duo has done overall a very good job of drafting, getting good euros and in trades ( not arguing they might not have gone far enough though). Have people forgotten how we were before those two and Tourigny came on board?

Brown did a great job. He cleaned up the mess Kilrea and Byrne left behind. That was a disaster with Kilrea as GM and Byrne as Head coach….then Higgins as GM etc…

Brown came in and installed a more professional approach. He really changed the culture. I really liked Brown a lot. He built up a really strong draft cabinet by making responsible trades. He handed Boyd and Tourigney a really strong foundation of a team for the 2017-18 season that was truly poised to make a run and they did in two straight years for 2018-19 and 2019-20. Boyd didn’t make any real big trades in either of those two seasons to augment those teams. Brown passed on a great foundation.

I give credit to Tourigny and Boyd but we need to be honest that without Brown prior to them, we’d be in rough shape. In fact, IMO, had Brown stayed on I think we’d have won a championship. I think he had the right mindset.

 

[sirius67fan]

Brown did a great job. He cleaned up the mess Kilrea and Byrne left behind. That was a disaster with Kilrea as GM and Byrne as Head coach….then Higgins as GM etc…

Brown came in and installed a more professional approach. He really changed the culture. I really liked Brown a lot. He built up a really strong draft cabinet by making responsible trades. He handed Boyd and Tourigney a really strong foundation of a team for the 2017-18 season that was truly poised to make a run and they did in two straight years for 2018-19 and 2019-20. Boyd didn’t make any real big trades in either of those two seasons to augment those teams. Brown passed on a great foundation.

I give credit to Tourigny and Boyd but we need to be honest that without Brown prior to them, we’d be in rough shape. In fact, IMO, had Brown stayed on I think we’d have won a championship. I think he had the right mindset.

GOod point on Brown and I agree.l should have been more specific as I was referring primarily to the Higgins/Byrne years. Yes Brown laid the foundation...the Felhaber and Konecny trades but I still think overall Boyd did a solid job. What we are missing greatly is Tourigny's charisma(aura) and ability to connect with the kids.

 

[sirius67fan]

We’ve had a lot of discussions regarding last season but, again, I roll it back to the previous season. Had Boyd spent appropriately to maintain their true standing and acquired that last elite piece, last season would not have been in question at all.

This is a domino effect now. In 2023, Boyd added Morrison and Mintyukov. Great additions for sure. HE had a lot of capital still in the bank with those extra draft picks as well as Marrelli and Mews. I’m not saying he should have blown it all but there was no reason not to trade either Marrelli or Mews to snag that last piece, whether it was Wright or even Harrison. Harrison went for JUST draft picks. Kingston was wanting the RHD for Wright. They settled on Miedema after London wouldn’t move Bonk. Ottawa could have swooped in with a Mews deal to put Ottawa over the top. But he didn’t.

We weren’t quite good enough to overcome some injuries sustained that season. We went into the following season (last season) too good to not do something in a landscape where no teams were really great. Sort of handcuffed into having to make a run because this year and next weren’t going to be much of an opportunity. Assuming that, why not make a run last year? But, again, Boyd didn’t go far enough.

To me, the justification to go on a run last year was specifically because we saw the landscape this year and we knew we weren’t in a compete role. For us to know hear the management is looking at this year as potentially another push is almost laughable. Sure, we may be in another push year if, like the previous two seasons, we make what is really a half push while not really making a push compared to the competition.

I honestly cannot see Boyd being that dense as to think this year’s outlook can change with a last ditch effort. If he does, I cannot see a scenario where he maintains his job. The only way he keeps his job is if OSEG simply doesn’t care about the 67’s and they take a hands off approach and only look at $$$. A push this year means the next two years are garbage. Next year for sure. Out of playoffs. They have no choice but to trade everything not nailed down.

We should never be in a situation where we have to rebuild by trading everything not nailed down. I refuse to believe that is the best way forward. If a team foundation is there, make the appropriate trades to put your team over the top in a single GO FOR IT season. Then judiciously manage the team through a retool period where you are trying to acquire extra picks while maintaining competitiveness.

I can't believe we are even talking on this thread about adding this year, it blows my mind. I think you're right and Boyd is just saying the political thing as you can't tell the players " well boys you're simply not good enough and whatever you do we're selling so take it easy save it for next year". I think Boyd is too smart to actually buy ( at least for 1 year players)...I hope I'm right!

 

[Hinterland]

I can't believe we are even talking on this thread about adding this year, it blows my mind. I think you're right and Boyd is just saying the political thing as you can't tell the players " well boys you're simply not good enough and whatever you do we're selling so take it easy save it for next year". I think Boyd is too smart to actually buy ( at least for 1 year players)...I hope I'm right!

I can totally see Boyd adding. 67's dominated most games despite playing short staffed many nights. Also, Nelson should have another gear and MacKenzie has been inconsistent as well. If this team is healthy, getting good goaltending and helped with a couple of added snipers then I think it's gonna be dangerous, even come playoff time. They now got Stonehouse and Eshkawkogan back. Körbler is hopefully back soon as well.

Cameron has them playing hard. I think the team has been performing better than most of us expected. If they can keep this up and stay healthy then I can see Boyd adding to help a team playing well but lacking finish.

I just hope he isn't dumb enough to trade his top forward prospect for an older player. The 67's most certainly aren't gonna win any trophies this season so you can't possibly justify such a move. Amidovski is a future cornerstone of the franchise so you want him to stay. If Boyd feels that, based on what happened, Amidovski absolutely has to get traded then Boyd has too look for picks or prospects in Amidovski's age group instead.

 

[Mild Italian]

I can't believe we are even talking on this thread about adding this year, it blows my mind. I think you're right and Boyd is just saying the political thing as you can't tell the players " well boys you're simply not good enough and whatever you do we're selling so take it easy save it for next year". I think Boyd is too smart to actually buy ( at least for 1 year players)...I hope I'm right!

Would adding players from USHL and BCHL be acceptable..?

 

[sirius67fan]

Would adding players from USHL and BCHL be acceptable..?

Absolutely!

Would adding players from USHL and BCHL be acceptable..?

I can totally see Boyd adding. 67's dominated most games despite playing short staffed many nights. Also, Nelson should have another gear and MacKenzie has been inconsistent as well. If this team is healthy, getting good goaltending and helped with a couple of added snipers then I think it's gonna be dangerous, even come playoff time. They now got Stonehouse and Eshkawkogan back. Körbler is hopefully back soon as well.

Cameron has them playing hard. I think the team has been performing better than most of us expected. If they can keep this up and stay healthy then I can see Boyd adding to help a team playing well but lacking finish.

I just hope he isn't dumb enough to trade his top forward prospect for an older player. The 67's most certainly aren't gonna win any trophies this season so you can't possibly justify such a move.

I think you're overestimating this team. Don't forget we are losing one very goog player by the OA deadline also. That being said I hope you're right and we're better than I think.

 

[OMG67]

I can totally see Boyd adding. 67's dominated most games despite playing short staffed many nights. Also, Nelson should have another gear and MacKenzie has been inconsistent as well. If this team is healthy, getting good goaltending and helped with a couple of added snipers then I think it's gonna be dangerous, even come playoff time. They now got Stonehouse and Eshkawkogan back. Körbler is hopefully back soon as well.

Cameron has them playing hard. I think the team has been performing better than most of us expected. If they can keep this up and stay healthy then I can see Boyd adding to help a team playing well but lacking finish.

I just hope he isn't dumb enough to trade his top forward prospect for an older player. The 67's most certainly aren't gonna win any trophies this season so you can't possibly justify such a move. Amidovski is a future cornerstone of the franchise so you want him to stay. If Boyd feels that, based on what happened, Amidovski absolutely has to get traded then Boyd has too look for picks or prospects in Amidovski's age group instead.

Just for perspective purposes, let’s run out the possibility of adding to this team. It is at least a worth while exercise.

The expendable assets we have that other teams would inquire about for trades are:
5x 2nds
3x 3rds
5x 4ths
Amidovski
Eshkawkogan
Whitehead
Dietsch
Houben
Yanni
Nelson

If we look at the Barlow deal, the comparable deal Ottawa would have offered is:
Yanni
Dietsch
2x 2nds
2x 3rds
5th
7th

The Rehkopf deal was:
3x (2nds, 3rds, 4ths)
7th

What does Ottawa need:
1> Top Pairing D-Man
2> Elite scorer
3> secondary scoring

IMO, that is three pieces.

Who would we be looking at to fill those roles? Andonovski (KIT), Musty (SUD), plus one player similar to Cooper Foster. What would those trades look like?

For Musty and Andonovski, we are most certainly looking at moving Amidovski in one of those deals. We are also looking at moving two of Yanni, Houben, Whitehead or Dietsch in the other deal. Additionally, we are likely looking at depleting every single one of those draft picks I listed between the 2nd and 4th rounds. There is no way around it. The competition for those players will be fierce. If Ottawa isn’t prepared to move those players and picks, there is no sense in even walking up to the auction.

If we approach this deadline as usual holding only draft picks, we don’t have enough picks to make more than one really good deal and one depth move. Even if we could get one elite player like Rehkopf for picks, that is 9 high picks to start. After we make that move, we are left with two 2nds and two 4ths for the remainder of the moves we make. There is no way around not moving young players.

Any thoughts of truly competing by adding one scorer is sort of crazy. We are 1.4 goals per game behind Kingston and close to a goal per game behind Niagara and Brampton. IMO we need to match up agaisnt Barrie. Their GA is almost a full goal better than Ottawa right now. So, the moves we make right now need to improve our GA and GF by a net of one goal per game. THEN, we need to improve above that to match what the competition will do at the deadline which likely means jsut to be on the same plain as Oshawa, Brampton, Barrie, and Kingston, we need to have a net improvement of around 2.0 goals per game. This is why we need those three players I identified. We need to be able to score AND improve our goal prevention. Our defence is way too young and inexperienced to go into the playoffs with Mayich and Eshkawkogan as the top pair. We’d need to go into the playoffs with a top pairing D-Man to place with MAyich and that drops Eshkawkogan down to anchor the 3rd pairing.

The great teams will focus on Pinelli in the playoffs. If he is our only elite scorer, he will get shut down 5 on 5. He will have zero space. This is why we need another elite scorer. Then we need that secondary scorer.

In a perfect world, Dever is the 3rd Centre. Foster can remain with Pinelli on the 1st line but we’d need to build 2/3 of a 2nd line to play with Stonehouse.

So, the question is whether we, as fans, would be ok seeing Amidovski, Yanni, and Dietsch moved along with the remainder of our draft picks to make an honest run this year. This is followed by trading MEws and MArrelli next year, forcing the team to bottom out and miss the playoffs and pretty much start from scratch. This also means we likely move Nelson the following year as part of the rebuild and have two poor seasons. That is what it will take to make an honest effort this year.

We are already seeing players move from the USHL and BCHL to the CHL. Unfortunately, almost all of Ottawa’s true NCAA committed players are USNTDP players. They are very unlikely to leave that program. I could see Vandenberg maybe moving but he’s a 16 year old and won’t help this year. He would help the rebuild. So, not only will we likley not improve in that regard, we likely will watch other teams around us improve.