Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[OMG67]

Wasn't Korbler DC's boy last year. I agree that if given a choice, Uronene would have the better stats, but then again, if you are building, then considering he did not look out of place for a rookie last year on the team, korbler was the choice. There is nothing we can do at this stage we have what we have.

As for Mack, I think there is a forward problem that needs to be dealt with. We are going to be short forwards with Pinelli and Ekberg gone, so having both Gerrior and Stonehouse in the lineup is mandatory unless you are going to bring up a couple of rookies.

This forces Boyd and the coching staff to go with Anderson and Nelson. If it works out then I think we are saying good by to MacK. The deadline is going to tell us a lot.

If only there was someone yelling about Korbler from the rafters in the offseason? Dude had 2 goals last year bs teams that made the playoffs all while playing premium minutes for much of the season on top lines.

I don’t know what is going to happen with the goaltending but everything seems to be trending for MacK to be gone. I am not convinced Donovan is the new backup. At some point we will have the three game weekend that will require a backup goalie to start. The question is whether Donovan is that guy or whether they acquire one with OHL experience. It seems odd for Ottawa to go sign some random 19 year old with middling stats in the CCHL as a full time tandem goalie. What do you do if he starts his first game and it is 5-0 after the first? He has no OHL track record to draw from. This is why I think he is more likely Conway’s replacement. Allows Conway to go play elsewhere and get the playing time in. Then they go acquire an experienced OHL goalie on the cheap that is OHL experience.

 

[NoQuit67s]

That was pretty bad officiating today.
Lack of calls on blatant penalties led to the crap that happened later.
And if Horner gets an instigator, which as described earlier in the thread was dubious, how does the guy pummeling on Foster's back (during the teddy bear toss), while Foster was a completely unwilling combatant, not get an instigator penalty?

 

[OMG67]

That was pretty bad officiating today.
Lack of calls on blatant penalties led to the crap that happened later.
And if Horner gets an instigator, which as described earlier in the thread was dubious, how does the guy pummeling on Foster's back (during the teddy bear toss), while Foster was a completely unwilling combatant, not get an instigator penalty?

That whole Teddy Bear toss incident was a clown show by the Officials. Eliasson totally instigated all of that by skating into the celebration scrum after the goal. Who does that? Then as he is skating into the scrum, he collides with Dever and it is a donnybrook (as expected). How does that end up even with four misconducts. Foster, Pinelli, and Wakely shouldn’t’ have received misconducts. The only misconduct should have gone to Eliasson. I’d be ok if the minors were all equalled out. So be it. But four misconducts on that is just plain dumb.

 

[ecraigs]

That whole Teddy Bear toss incident was a clown show by the Officials. Eliasson totally instigated all of that by skating into the celebration scrum after the goal. Who does that? Then as he is skating into the scrum, he collides with Dever and it is a donnybrook (as expected). How does that end up even with four misconducts. Foster, Pinelli, and Wakely shouldn’t’ have received misconducts. The only misconduct should have gone to Eliasson. I’d be ok if the minors were all equalled out. So be it. But four misconducts on that is just plain dumb.

It was a terrible display from the officials. Questionable icing and offside decisions all the way through to just ignoring blatant fouls. The referees seemed disinterested and overwhelmed at the same time. They knew that the first Ottawa goal would trigger the Teddy Bear Toss, but did nothing to take control of the ice surface when a fight broke out. They didn't call fights and then evened it all out. Horner's Instigator penalty was a bad call and both teams continually hooked and held with impunity.

As for our import friend, he just cannot handle the puck. Down a goal, pull the goalie, and send him out for the 6 on 5? Just plain stupid. The Colts scored the winner on the kind of shot we never see from Ottawa. Way too much dipsy-doodle trying stickhandle through the whole team.

 

[Gbemi107]

If only there was someone yelling about Korbler from the rafters in the offseason? Dude had 2 goals last year bs teams that made the playoffs all while playing premium minutes for much of the season on top lines.

I don’t know what is going to happen with the goaltending but everything seems to be trending for MacK to be gone. I am not convinced Donovan is the new backup. At some point we will have the three game weekend that will require a backup goalie to start. The question is whether Donovan is that guy or whether they acquire one with OHL experience. It seems odd for Ottawa to go sign some random 19 year old with middling stats in the CCHL as a full time tandem goalie. What do you do if he starts his first game and it is 5-0 after the first? He has no OHL track record to draw from. This is why I think he is more likely Conway’s replacement. Allows Conway to go play elsewhere and get the playing time in. Then they go acquire an experienced OHL goalie on the cheap that is OHL experience.

You are very right on the Donavan Conway situation and the need for a backup. Last year the got Michelone allowing Nelson to focus on CCHL and we all know well that turned out for Nelson. They may have to pull off something similar again.

 

[OMG67]

You are very right on the Donavan Conway situation and the need for a backup. Last year the got Michelone allowing Nelson to focus on CCHL and we all know well that turned out for Nelson. They may have to pull off something similar again.

There is a bigger challenge this year finding the 19 year old like Michelone. The goaltending landscape is different but not insurmountable. We know we cannot have Nelson and Conway. That is for certain. We may very well be fine with Nelson and Donovan but Donovan is untested. We play three in three next weekend. We will have to see what happens this week. I have a feeling the OA situation will be resolved this week. It seems to be lining up that way.

 

[OMG67]

It was a terrible display from the officials. Questionable icing and offside decisions all the way through to just ignoring blatant fouls. The referees seemed disinterested and overwhelmed at the same time. They knew that the first Ottawa goal would trigger the Teddy Bear Toss, but did nothing to take control of the ice surface when a fight broke out. They didn't call fights and then evened it all out. Horner's Instigator penalty was a bad call and both teams continually hooked and held with impunity.

As for our import friend, he just cannot handle the puck. Down a goal, pull the goalie, and send him out for the 6 on 5? Just plain stupid. The Colts scored the winner on the kind of shot we never see from Ottawa. Way too much dipsy-doodle trying stickhandle through the whole team.

There is a blind spot for Cameron when it comes to Korbler. Almost like he has blackmail pictures over DC!

This whole handling of the Imports has been brutal. My understanding is that the 67’s didn’t’ want Uronen back and they traded him to Kingston so he could play with Pieniniemi. There has been some confusion about whether it was the 67’s that initiated that by telling Uronen he wouldn’t be back vs Uronen requesting a trade and Ottawa accommodating. If it is the latter, they really didn’t have a choice with Korbler. But, my understanding is it was the former. Ottawa made their decision and Uronen requested a move to Kingston. If I am wrong, then so be it but either way, Korbler is a one year Import. He is done after this season. I cannot see any reason for him to return next seaosn. It never made any sense to think otherwise because his ceiling wasn’t high enough. At least, not high enough with Ottawa’s strong contacts likely paying off with an relatively early Import selection next July.

Again, I could very well be wrong about the sequence of events surrounding the Import situation and if I am, I will stand corrected. It wouldn’t be the first time and won’t’ be the last!

Korbler plays a pretty strong defensive game though. he has utility. I am not sure first line with Pinelli’s nd Foster is ideal. I agree with @Hinterland that it should be Ekberg centring Pinelli and Foster but it is what it is.

 

[beastintheeast]

There is a bigger challenge this year finding the 19 year old like Michelone. The goaltending landscape is different but not insurmountable. We know we cannot have Nelson and Conway. That is for certain. We may very well be fine with Nelson and Donovan but Donovan is untested. We play three in three next weekend. We will have to see what happens this week. I have a feeling the OA situation will be resolved this week. It seems to be lining up that way.

Unless Boyd has been told that there is no market for stonehouse then I really do not see the situation clearing up soon.

I still think the idea is to trade Stonehouse which would mean keep MacK Mayich and Gerrior.

Looking at Donovan he is playing for Kemptville is just down the road. I think he is a stop gap until after xmas when we have Pinelli back and no longer need both OA forwards. The weekend we have 3 I think you will see MacK in nets for one of the games and Gerrior sitting out.

I am not sold on Ekberg as a center i would rather see him play wing with Dever and Gerrior or Whitehead and Yanni. Then when the deadline deals are all done we would have 2 lines that are ready to play

 

[OMG67]

Unless Boyd has been told that there is no market for stonehouse then I really do not see the situation clearing up soon.

I still think the idea is to trade Stonehouse which would mean keep MacK Mayich and Gerrior.

Looking at Donovan he is playing for Kemptville is just down the road. I think he is a stop gap until after xmas when we have Pinelli back and no longer need both OA forwards. The weekend we have 3 I think you will see MacK in nets for one of the games and Gerrior sitting out.

I am not sold on Ekberg as a center i would rather see him play wing with Dever and Gerrior or Whitehead and Yanni. Then when the deadline deals are all done we would have 2 lines that are ready to play

Coming into the season, the rumours had Boyd very high on Nelson. I think Nelson has proven capable as a starter for a rebuilding team. There is no sense at this point to keep MacK. I like MacK and I have been a big supporter of them keeping MacK as one of the three OA’s. But, if they are potentially moving Pinelli, then keeping Stonehouse makes sense. /he effectively fills in the hole left by Pinelli. He doesn’t’ replace him but he lessens the impact. So, logically speaking, it makes sense to go that route.

I’m not sold on Ekberg as a centre either, mostly because DC hasn’t given him an opportunity to show whether he can play centre or not. That said, I am not sold on Foster as a centre either but he’s play 1C all season so…

 

[ecraigs]

There is a blind spot for Cameron when it comes to Korbler. Almost like he has blackmail pictures over DC!
...
Korbler plays a pretty strong defensive game though. he has utility. I am not sure first line with Pinelli and Foster is ideal.

No question that he can skate, but he is not now and has never been an offensive threat, even as a setup man. He has no points and just one shot per game. He ranks down with the goalies in the scoring stats. If he was a homegrown player, he would have been out of here long ago. And yet, DC keeps firing him out there and in key situations. Slap him on a shutdown line. He doesn't shy away from hitting other players and he can skate.

The problem is what I said months ago. With 40 some games left, half of our goals have come from 3 players. To make the playoffs, we need more scoring. And a better PK.

 

[OMG67]

No question that he can skate, but he is not now and has never been an offensive threat, even as a setup man. He has no points and just one shot per game. He ranks down with the goalies in the scoring stats. If he was a homegrown player, he would have been out of here long ago. And yet, DC keeps firing him out there and in key situations. Slap him on a shutdown line. He doesn't shy away from hitting other players and he can skate.

The problem is what I said months ago. With 40 some games left, half of our goals have come from 3 players. To make the playoffs, we need more scoring. And a better PK.

I’m not sure our priority should be making the playoffs at this point. Missing the playoffs and remaining competitive and entertaining is actually a good thing. If NB can stay competitive and finish just below .500, the 67’s could miss the playoffs with as many as 60 points. That would be optimal. We then get plugged into the draft lottery and potentially could pick 1st overall. Imagine the injection a player rated 1st overall could inject into this franchise?

No matter what we do, we would get at best 2 home games int he playoffs. With our playoff attendance figures in round one, especially as the road team with playoff games on Sunday afternoon and Thursday night, or Tuesday and Thursday night in a 2-2-1-1-1 setup, it is not like we are cashing in at the gate in the playoffs.

 

[ecraigs]

I’m not sure our priority should be making the playoffs at this point. Missing the playoffs and remaining competitive and entertaining is actually a good thing. If NB can stay competitive and finish just below .500, the 67’s could miss the playoffs with as many as 60 points. That would be optimal. We then get plugged into the draft lottery and potentially could pick 1st overall. Imagine the injection a player rated 1st overall could inject into this franchise?

No matter what we do, we would get at best 2 home games int he playoffs. With our playoff attendance figures in round one, especially as the road team with playoff games on Sunday afternoon and Thursday night, or Tuesday and Thursday night in a 2-2-1-1-1 setup, it is not like we are cashing in at the gate in the playoffs.

Any team needs a goal and usually, in Major Junior, that is a shot at the playoffs. I agree that we would be 4 and done. A number one pick would be great, but it usually comes from one or two awful years. Those I hate.

 

[OMG67]

Any team needs a goal and usually, in Major Junior, that is a shot at the playoffs. I agree that we would be 4 and done. A number one pick would be great, but it usually comes from one or two awful years. Those I hate.

But in this case, that #1 pick could come after a 60 point season finishing jsut below .500. With the lottery in play for that pick, even a decent team that jsut missed the playoffs has a chance at #1. In seasons past, you’d need to be awful to pick #1. Not anymore.

Also, with the potential of two Expansion teams coming in, I think both of those teams would pick #5 and #6. So, there is the potential of making the playoffs this year that could be the difference between picking #1 and as high as #8 or 9 depending on the standings in the Western Conference.

 

[three dog night]

First time I have seen a brawl during a Teddy bear toss guess no Christmas cards between the two teams.

 

[beastintheeast]

But in this case, that #1 pick could come after a 60 point season finishing jsut below .500. With the lottery in play for that pick, even a decent team that jsut missed the playoffs has a chance at #1. In seasons past, you’d need to be awful to pick #1. Not anymore.

Also, with the potential of two Expansion teams coming in, I think both of those teams would pick #5 and #6. So, there is the potential of making the playoffs this year that could be the difference between picking #1 and as high as #8 or 9 depending on the standings in the Western Conference.

Until the OHL actually approves the cities and the set-up, I will continue to believe that they are talking about it. LOL, the OHL does a lot of talking, and remember, this is a new man in charge. There are supposedly two teams interested in the states. Both are part of the USHL, so I am sure there will be issues with them, and it will not happen this year.

At the beginning of the season, I said that Ottawa would be fighting with NB for the final playoff spot my thoughts have stayed the same. The difference is going to be who sells the most.

As to Korbler it is interesting as you have stated if this was a Canadian kid you would be fully behind him Hell we can even compare him to a few players.

He is a defensive player. One thing we have to remember is that he spent the greater part of this year hurt. Then you have the merry-go-round that DC calls his line-up. The important number for him is not so many points scored or assisted but the fact that after 12 games, he is 0 plus minus on this team. Stonehouse, who you think we need, has 4 points in 11 games and a 0 +/-.

The only way we are going to find out how good he is or is not is to put him in a productive position, as you have said. That does not mean putting him on the first line. That means putting him on a line that stays together and is not required to score a lot of goals but to shut down the other team.

Ekberg Foster Gerrior/stonehouse
Barlas Dever Korbler
Yanni Whitehead Kelly
Houben Amidovski Horner

This is taking into account Pinelli, Gerrior, or Stonehouse being traded or let go. Line 2 and 3 are interchangeable as to who is what, but the line 2 I am looking at is not a scoring line as much as it is a defending line.

Brady Mews
Mayich Dietsch
Marelli Esh

As I have stated, next year, he is not going to have Mayich to bail him out, so I would like to see how he does. You can always move him back . I still have visions of UENS running through my head LOL

 

[OMG67]

Until the OHL actually approves the cities and the set-up, I will continue to believe that they are talking about it. LOL, the OHL does a lot of talking, and remember, this is a new man in charge. There are supposedly two teams interested in the states. Both are part of the USHL, so I am sure there will be issues with them, and it will not happen this year.

At the beginning of the season, I said that Ottawa would be fighting with NB for the final playoff spot my thoughts have stayed the same. The difference is going to be who sells the most.

As to Korbler it is interesting as you have stated if this was a Canadian kid you would be fully behind him Hell we can even compare him to a few players.

He is a defensive player. One thing we have to remember is that he spent the greater part of this year hurt. Then you have the merry-go-round that DC calls his line-up. The important number for him is not so many points scored or assisted but the fact that after 12 games, he is 0 plus minus on this team. Stonehouse, who you think we need, has 4 points in 11 games and a 0 +/-.

The only way we are going to find out how good he is or is not is to put him in a productive position, as you have said. That does not mean putting him on the first line. That means putting him on a line that stays together and is not required to score a lot of goals but to shut down the other team.

Ekberg Foster Gerrior/stonehouse
Barlas Dever Korbler
Yanni Whitehead Kelly
Houben Amidovski Horner

This is taking into account Pinelli, Gerrior, or Stonehouse being traded or let go. Line 2 and 3 are interchangeable as to who is what, but the line 2 I am looking at is not a scoring line as much as it is a defending line.

Brady Mews
Mayich Dietsch
Marelli Esh

As I have stated, next year, he is not going to have Mayich to bail him out, so I would like to see how he does. You can always move him back . I still have visions of UENS running through my head LOL

1> Where there is smoke, there is fire. The OHL has actually gone out to visit both sites. This is more than idle chatter.
2> Almost everyone felt this way about the 67’s. Somewhere between 7 and 9. It wasn’t rocket science.
3> Korbler isn’t a North American so everything else is irrelevant. Either he is a viable Import to keep next year or he isn’t. In other words, do we pass on our top 20 Import pick to keep him for his 19 year old season? Everything else is just meaningless static. Totally irrelevant.

Nothing for you has changed. At every turn, you choose to fall on the negative side. If there is a potential range of ceiling for a player, you pull out the shittiest players to use as the comparable.

 

[dirty12]

But in this case, that #1 pick could come after a 60 point season finishing jsut below .500. With the lottery in play for that pick, even a decent team that jsut missed the playoffs has a chance at #1. In seasons past, you’d need to be awful to pick #1. Not anymore.

Also, with the potential of two Expansion teams coming in, I think both of those teams would pick #5 and #6. So, there is the potential of making the playoffs this year that could be the difference between picking #1 and as high as #8 or 9 depending on the standings in the Western Conference.

And #2 pick in import draft if winning the lottery.
I really dislike the lottery as set up for the OHL. If it is about discouraging a tank, I would prefer 5 teams in the lottery and teams not winning the lottery dropping just one slot.

 

[OMG67]

And #2 pick in import draft if winning the lottery.
I really dislike the lottery as set up for the OHL. If it is about discouraging a tank, I would prefer 5 teams in the lottery and teams not winning the lottery dropping just one slot.

Does the result in the OHL otters carry over to the Import draft? If so, I never even thought of that. I just assumed the import draft did the straight worst to first order with the league rotating in every 3rd pick. That would be somewhat cool if that were to happen.

I don’t mind the lottery as it stands. It is only four teams that draw for positioning. 12 points separated the four teams in the standings. Sometimes it can be a wider margin if one team absolutely bottoms out but if a team does that, they do it on purpose. We may see a bigger gap this year because the Petes sold off recklessly last year. I have no sympathy for them not getting the 1st pick if it works out that way. They shouldn’t be rewarded for selling off every viable player not nailed down. At least they did it knowing they weren’t guaranteed to get the 1st pick.

At the same time, I wouldn’t be upset if they eliminated the lottery or weighted it and only drew one team. I’m not concerned either way but if I had my choice of how it was run, I would keep it as it is now. But, I am not married to it, that is for sure.

 

[ohloutsider]

Does the result in the OHL otters carry over to the Import draft? If so, I never even thought of that. I just assumed the import draft did the straight worst to first order with the league rotating in every 3rd pick. That would be somewhat cool if that were to happen.

I don’t mind the lottery as it stands. It is only four teams that draw for positioning. 12 points separated the four teams in the standings. Sometimes it can be a wider margin if one team absolutely bottoms out but if a team does that, they do it on purpose. We may see a bigger gap this year because the Petes sold off recklessly last year. I have no sympathy for them not getting the 1st pick if it works out that way. They shouldn’t be rewarded for selling off every viable player not nailed down. At least they did it knowing they weren’t guaranteed to get the 1st pick.

At the same time, I wouldn’t be upset if they eliminated the lottery or weighted it and only drew one team. I’m not concerned either way but if I had my choice of how it was run, I would keep it as it is now. But, I am not married to it, that is for sure.

The lottery is positioning for all 3 drafts. OHL draft, import draft and U18 draft.

 

[OMG67]

I am NOT advocating for Ottawa to try to miss the playoffs. I want to be clear. In my most previous posts, I mentioned there would be an advantage of missing the playoffs if there are expansion teams involved this year. It is likley the expansion teams will get the first picks after the 4th. So, two expansion teams come in, they get #5 and #6. If Ottawa were to finish in 8th in the Eastern Conference while finishing ahead of the 7th and 8th place teams in the west, they would end up with the 9th pick placing. But, Kingston picked Malhotra with the #8 pick and he was declared defected so they get the #9 pick which would bump Ottawa to #10.

So, the difference between finishing 8th vs 9th could end up being a quite wide margin in the draft considering the lottery as well. Right now the bottom five teams inthe western Conference are below Ottawa. If that statistical anomaly remains through the end of the season where the bottom teams in the west remain below that .430 win%, it is very possible the 9th place teams int he eastern Conference finishes ahead of the 6th or 7th place teams in the Western Conference. It is not likely to stay that way but stranger things have happened.

Imagine if Ottawa finishes in 9th in the East and North Bay finishes 8th separated by 2 points int he standings and Ottawa picks first overall and North Bay picks 10th! It would definitely be a massive silver lining for the 67’s not making the playoffs!

 

[mianjo]

Sweden U19 10 Canada West U19 2 Ekberg zero points

 

[OMG67]

Sweden U19 10 Canada West U19 2 Ekberg zero points

And Team canada East got smoked by the USA as well 8-0. I have a feeling the JrA teams out of Sweden and USA aren’t the same calibre as the Canadian JrA!

 

[mianjo]

Zero points again tonight for Eckberg in a 5-3 win over USA

 

[OMG67]

I was thinking I g we may see a resolution to the OA situation this week. With the addition of Donovan, I thought that would kickstart the trade for a full time backup and then lead to the release/trade of MacKenzie. Donovan was only signed to an Affiliate Card so it doesn’t’ seem likely he is the backup.

There was the possibility that they felt going with Donovan (out of Kemptville) was better than dragging conway all over the place which lessens his ability to get into JrA games which has been the case. So, Donovan is more likely the 3rd goalie replacing Conway for this season. I assume conway is still in the future mix.

With Donovan not currently on the 67’s roster, I thought we’d see that goalie trade but we have not. So, we go into the weekend with only MacK and Nelson. I assume they will call up Donovan to backup Nelson one or two games this weekend.

We will see how everything shakes out leading up to game time tomorrow.

 

[mianjo]

Ekberg scores for Sweden, the 5th goal in a 5-2 win over Canada East