Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[mianjo]

67's NO NO NO

Oshawa NO NO YES

67's lose 3-2

Shots on Goal

Teams	1st	2nd	3rd	OT	Total
OSH	8	6	7	4	25
OTT	8	13	9	1	31

 

[OMG67]

Good effort to pick up the loser point tonight. As long as they can keep picking up points no matter how they get them, it is a bonus.

MacKenzie was strong.

 

[AGranderson]

3-2 shoot out loss,
Ottawa out played Oshawa tonight and they are apparently to be the best in the East? Small sample size i understand it’s one game but once again how far off is this team from being right there?

 

[gadder]

A good solid game by both teams. Ottawa had their few offensive weapons out and getting good chances and their defensive stalwarts were on the whole solid. It was a game where we showed where we are at: which is a .500 team.
- didn't see much of Esh today nor was Nelson in the lineup. Saw Gerrior signing autographs at the Booster table
- we had enough chances but we couldn't put it in.

 

[Vector Calculus]

A good solid game by both teams. Ottawa had their few offensive weapons out and getting good chances and their defensive stalwarts were on the whole solid. It was a game where we showed where we are at: which is a .500 team.
- didn't see much of Esh today nor was Nelson in the lineup. Saw Gerrior signing autographs at the Booster table
- we had enough chances but we couldn't put it in.

Eshkawkogan played plenty though the pairings were weird; for the entire 3rd they had Mews and Esh together, and Marrelli with Mayich. I’m not sure why they put their two right shots on one pairing and the two lefty’s on the other? Dietsch and Brady did a good job making sure the bench didn’t float away for the final period at least.

Entertaining game overall and a fair result. Oshawa seemed to fade as the game went on and Ottawa picked it up. I think it is fair to say that this is as representative a game as we could ask for in terms of where this team stands right now.

 

[beastintheeast]

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?

I agree that Egert has done a great job with Euro contacts, but he has been with the team longer than Boyd, I believe.

The challenge is what Boyd does or doesn't do in the domestic draft. Also, the way they are treating the Euro players that they have.

 

[AGranderson]

I agree that Egert has done a great job with Euro contacts, but he has been with the team longer than Boyd, I believe.

The challenge is what Boyd does or doesn't do in the domestic draft. Also, the way they are treating the Euro players that they have.

Are you ever happy? You do nothing but complain and bring the team down every year, you should be looking for a new team to cheer for because this can’t be fun for you, I’ve never seen someone as negative as you about everything.

 

[beastintheeast]

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.

The other problem that needs to be addressed with bringing in r any of the USHL BCHL players is that they are under contract.

As to Vandenberg or any of the draft picks we are looking at players that Cameron will not play. So what is the use?

It is scary to think that we are actually talking about making a big trade.

Musty would probably not come here but let's say he did

We lose

Amidovski
Dietsch
and high draft picks.

What do you think we have next year or the years after?

I really donot think we would be able to get any top players to come here as they will not want to come to a team with a coach that has a system that they don't like and that is not going anywhere.

 

[beastintheeast]

Provided this latest little issue with Amidovski is not out of control, the group we build around is:

Amidovski
Eshkawkogan
Perrier
Bonomo
Vandenberg (assuming he reports)
Nelson
Whitehead
Houben
Yanni
Dietsch

That is ten quality (or should be) players that can form a strong foundation for 2026-27. Then you have three players (likely Nelson, Whitehead, and Yanni or Dietsch) that stick as OA’s in 2027-28 to support that two season competitive window.

If they trade Mews and Pinelli and get some ‘07’s, that makes it even a bigger foundation to build on which reduces the need to trade draft capital later.

I agree that there is a base from which to grow. I am just not sure we have the right contractor to build it.
Personally, I think the the sooner they relieve DC of his duties, the better. The big difference between good CHL coaches and bd ones is their ability to get the most out of their players and develop them.

DC is not a developmental coach and is alienating a lot of them. I think Amidovski is gone. I don't see DC playing him more and if he does it will be in instances that Amidovski is in over his head to prove that DC was right.

If the agent has already spoken, then I think it is at the Stay at home after Christmas and force the trade stage.

It would not surprise me either if Mews starts his song again about being traded.

Perrier Vendenberg and BONOMO will not come up as long as DC is there, and all they have to look forward to is sitting on the bench or in the stands.

If Whitehead ends up in the 4th line due to their trading for another center, then I would think he is gone also, as they are screwing with these kid's chances at Pro contracts or the draft.

Sorry, Boyd hired him. Boyd is responsible for him. Only 1 Pinelli of the draft picks he has made has developed, and he has let this Amidovski and Player unrest build.

Boyd has to go maybe bring in Jan as acting GM until you find a new one.

 

[ScoutLife4]

I heard Amidovski was on second line tonight?
Did he get some ice time tonight or was that just an pregame optical illusion?

 

[AGranderson]

I heard Amidovski was on second line tonight?
Did he get some ice time tonight or was that just an pregame optical illusion?

You heard wrong was never on the second line. 4th line did not play much

 

[OMG67]

I agree that there is a base from which to grow. I am just not sure we have the right contractor to build it.
Personally, I think the the sooner they relieve DC of his duties, the better. The big difference between good CHL coaches and bd ones is their ability to get the most out of their players and develop them.

DC is not a developmental coach and is alienating a lot of them. I think Amidovski is gone. I don't see DC playing him more and if he does it will be in instances that Amidovski is in over his head to prove that DC was right.

If the agent has already spoken, then I think it is at the Stay at home after Christmas and force the trade stage.

It would not surprise me either if Mews starts his song again about being traded.

Perrier Vendenberg and BONOMO will not come up as long as DC is there, and all they have to look forward to is sitting on the bench or in the stands.

If Whitehead ends up in the 4th line due to their trading for another center, then I would think he is gone also, as they are screwing with these kid's chances at Pro contracts or the draft.

Sorry, Boyd hired him. Boyd is responsible for him. Only 1 Pinelli of the draft picks he has made has developed, and he has let this Amidovski and Player unrest build.

Boyd has to go maybe bring in Jan as acting GM until you find a new one.

I’m not a Boyd fan nor am I a DC fan but both still deserve some respect. I don’t have an issue with Boyd as a drafter. I think on forced seller trades, Boyd has done very well. I think he paid too much for Mintyukov and Morrison. I think he could have used an expendable player and reduced those picks. I also don’t think he went hard enough in 2023. I think he let Burnett out maneuver him in 2019 as well. Both of those seasons, the 67’s with the right level of commitment from the GM, would have won the Championship. But, that is still a pretty high bar to be held to task against. So, I don’t think it is fair that we would be calling for his head.

If he were to make buyer trades this year and move young players that he wouldn’t move in previous years to make a run this year? Now, that is a different story. I HIGHLY HIGHLY doubt he would ever even consider it let alone do it. But, on the 1% off chance he were to do it? Then, yes. He’d need to go.

DC may not have lost the room but clearly the players aren’t on the same page. When you have disgruntled players, the team can never be a team. All the players have to accept their role and work within it. If DC is unable to assign roles and get players to buy into those roles, then he cannot coach at this level. I am in a position now where I think we’ve seen and heard enough. He is 66 years old. He’s had a great playing and coaching career. There is no shame going out as the Team Canada head coach Gold Medalist for 2025!

For me, if we are entering a rebuild, do we really want a 67 year old coach? Why? A two year rebuild makes him a 69 year old coach looking to be competitive. To me, that makes no sense and I’m not even trying to be disrespectful. Having Cameron go through another cycle from the beginning is questionable.

 

[OMG67]

Maybe I am a traditionalist but there has been one weird development with the starting lineup lately that is a bit of a head scratcher. Ekberg is part of the 1st unit PP. He is on pace for 25 goals. That is pretty solid for a team that doesn’t score a lot of goals. However, I cannot remember a 1st unit PP forward as the winger on the 4th line. To me, that is odd. Very odd. I don’t understand it.

Can anyone give an example of that at the Junior Level? Is Ekberg now a PowerPlay specialist? I really need someone to come out and give me a story that makes sense. For added perspective, the five wingers not named Pinelli that lines up ahead of him on the lineup tonight have a combined 7 goals. Ekberg has 6. Something is fishy there.

 

[beastintheeast]

Are you ever happy? You do nothing but complain and bring the team down every year, you should be looking for a new team to cheer for because this can’t be fun for you, I’ve never seen someone as negative as you about everything.

I am not negative about the team I think there are great kids ont he team. What I am negative about is the coaching. DC is not the coach that they need. I think they need to find a coach who is like Tourigny and can develop talent and make it work.

It was easy for DC the first year as he had a lineup that Tourigny and Brown had built.

Since then it has been downhill.

Look at the players who have been brought in and miss-used. You bring in Minty, who is an offense powerhouse, and then tell him to lay defence more and try to change a rental.

Last year, he had 2 players in the playoffs who should not have been on the ice, let alone playing, and he played them anyway and sat healthy players.

Boyd drafts what everyone says is a great player and DC benches him.

Again, I am not down on the team; I think we have some great players. I am even a fan of Barlas but I am not willing to accept the front office and coaching issues.

 

[Hinterland]

Maybe I am a traditionalist but there has been one weird development with the starting lineup lately that is a bit of a head scratcher. Ekberg is part of the 1st unit PP. He is on pace for 25 goals. That is pretty solid for a team that doesn’t score a lot of goals. However, I cannot remember a 1st unit PP forward as the winger on the 4th line. To me, that is odd. Very odd. I don’t understand it.

Can anyone give an example of that at the Junior Level? Is Ekberg now a PowerPlay specialist? I really need someone to come out and give me a story that makes sense. For added perspective, the five wingers not named Pinelli that lines up ahead of him on the lineup tonight have a combined 7 goals. Ekberg has 6. Something is fishy there.

Ekberg has this many goals in limited ice time because he's this good. Again, I think he's 1st round NHL draft material. Of course he's young and new to NA hockey. He's gonna make mistakes. But he does have experience in pro hockey and if this team is to go anywhere anytime soon then with Ekberg as 1C. Cameron has to end the Foster experiment and finally let Ekberg center Pinelli. If he's not willing to at least try that then he has to go. It's as simple as that.

 

[beastintheeast]

Ekberg was highly rated but being on this team with DC he has fallen to watch. The same thing happened to mews last year

 

[Hinterland]

Ekberg was highly rated but being on this team with DC he has fallen to watch. The same thing happened to mews last year

Yeah but I think that Mews has only himself to blame. I don't know what happened between them but Mews always seemed to play a big enough role under Cameron despite his warts.

Ekberg on the other hand has been getting inconsistent ice time. He'd be deserving of bigger opportunities, especially when it comes to playing Center. Otherwise his draft stock will continue to fall.

I may be wrong about Ekberg but if he doesn't get a chance then we'll never find out.

 

[beastintheeast]

Yeah but I think that Mews has only himself to blame. I don't know what happened between them but Mews always seemed to play a big enough role under Cameron despite his warts.

Ekberg on the other hand has been getting inconsistent ice time. He'd be deserving of bigger opportunities, especially when it comes to playing Center. Otherwise his draft stock will continue to fall.

I may be wrong about Ekberg but if he doesn't get a chance then we'll never find out.

I also think that if life does not treat Ekberrg well and he drops in the draft he will just stay home next year or like Uronen demand a trade.

 

[Hinterland]

I also think that if life does not treat Ekberrg well and he drops in the draft he will just stay home next year or like Uronen demand a trade.

Furthermore, if he doesn't get a chance to play top6 Center in Ottawa then, going forward, the 67's might find it harder to land such high profile imports. Ekberg was a 1st round candidate in many books, not just mine. If a prospect fails to live up to a expectations then that's the one thing and you can start looking at who's to blame but if that high profile import doesn't get enough of a chance then that's clearly a bad look for the 67's. Easing him in was fine but that period should be over now.

 

[Mild Italian]

I also think that if life does not treat Ekberrg well and he drops in the draft he will just stay home next year or like Uronen demand a trade.

One last time for the folks in the back seats.
Uronen did not demand a trade, but asked for a trade to Kingston, after he was let go by the 67‘s.

 

[dirty12]

I only watched parts of the ‘67s-gens game, so I really don’t know which players got TOI. But when seeing the line-up yesterday, I thought there was a first line, and three near balanced lines. It appeared to me that the listed fourth line was scoring line two, and a future scoring line one.

 

[sirius67fan]

Maybe I am a traditionalist but there has been one weird development with the starting lineup lately that is a bit of a head scratcher. Ekberg is part of the 1st unit PP. He is on pace for 25 goals. That is pretty solid for a team that doesn’t score a lot of goals. However, I cannot remember a 1st unit PP forward as the winger on the 4th line. To me, that is odd. Very odd. I don’t understand it.

Can anyone give an example of that at the Junior Level? Is Ekberg now a PowerPlay specialist? I really need someone to come out and give me a story that makes sense. For added perspective, the five wingers not named Pinelli that lines up ahead of him on the lineup tonight have a combined 7 goals. Ekberg has 6. Something is fishy there.

It's like the caramilk OMG, it's a mystery!