Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[dirty12]

This may be one of the better posts on the topic. The ‘05 group in general is weak. A lot of the complaining about roster selection is related to not taking ‘06 and ‘07 players like Senneke and Misa. There doesn’t’ seem to be much related to ‘05s. Even in the OHL, the top of the scoring leaders list is a who’s who of ‘06s and ‘07s.

I’m not one to assign point production the greatest weight determining the quality of player; but yeah, 19-20 yr olds have not exactly dominated the scoring race this season or last season.

 

[OMG67]

I’m not one to assign point production the greatest weight determining the quality of player; but yeah, 19-20 yr olds have not exactly dominated the scoring race this season or last season.

Three ‘05s in the top 15 in OHL scoring. I think that is all that needs to be said really.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Pinelli shouldn’t be a whipping boy. Had DC not been the coach, Pinelli wouldn’t have the target on him right now.

The reality is, the Team Canada preferred structure of two scoring lines is not ideal IMO. It should be three scoring lines. If that’s the case, then look more at the energy guys to replace.

From a DC perspective, I don’t like dump and chase hockey when you have elite talent. At least they started to abandon that last night and were gaining entry with puck possession on the top two lines. Dumping it in and asking Pinelli to go retrieve pucks is dumb. It’s not what he does.

DC is stubborn. He’s not flexible. This tournament is the example why he should no longer be coaching. Old dogs can’t learn new tricks. It is what it is.

All that said, the tourney isn’t over. Their road to Gold isn’t changed. They play Czechia instead of Slovakia game one but will likely play Sweden and USA the next two games regardless. So from a positioning perspective, it is pretty much meaningless.

In 2016, Dave Lowry brought his Victoria d-man Joe Hicketts as placed him as the team’s top d-man. Hicketts had played a depth role on the 2015 team so he wasn’t a huge stretch, but as an under-sized, undrafted player he was in over his head at the world juniors and ended up as the whipping boy that tournament (with Virtanen) as Canada placed 6th and Hicketts took an I’ll-timed delay of game penalty in the Finland game.

Reminds me a lot of what’s happening with Pinelli now. Cameron selecting him was I’m sure well-intentioned, but that kind of player can end up as a lightning rod for criticism if things don’t go well. I feel quite bad for the player. I’m sure they read social media. Despite several other players under-performing, a lot of the vitriol is directed at Pinelli.

 

[leafs4life94]

Three ‘05s in the top 15 in OHL scoring. I think that is all that needs to be said really.

Looking at the '23 draft there was only 4 OHL Canadians picked in the first 2 rounds (Barlow, Ritchie, Cowan and Rehkopf). Has to be one of the worst OHL forward years in a while - I had no idea it was that poor

 

[OMG67]

In 2016, Dave Lowry brought his Victoria d-man Joe Hicketts as placed him as the team’s top d-man. Hicketts had played a depth role on the 2015 team so he wasn’t a huge stretch, but as an under-sized, undrafted player he was in over his head at the world juniors and ended up as the whipping boy that tournament (with Virtanen) as Canada placed 6th and Hicketts took an I’ll-timed delay of game penalty in the Finland game.

Reminds me a lot of what’s happening with Pinelli now. Cameron selecting him was I’m sure well-intentioned, but that kind of player can end up as a lightning rod for criticism if things don’t go well. I feel quite bad for the player. I’m sure they read social media. Despite several other players under-performing, a lot of the vitriol is directed at Pinelli.

After the selection camp roster was announced, I thought he’d be 50-50 to make the team but I thought he would play more of a PP specialist role as a shooter. He is on the McKenna-Catton line as the shooter but they aren’t’ playing a puck possession style of game which is odd. It is not like Pinelli is going to retrieve pucks in the heavy zones. If he has possession he can use his feet and ability to cut back to maintain possession and work the puck into better areas but asking him to retrieve pucks isn’t smart IMO.

I don’t really want to pile on but DC was the wrong choice. We all pretty much said that when it was announced. I was hoping for the best and trying to stay positive about it thinking the players would outplay the coach but it isn’t looking like that will be the case. That said, we’ve seen turnarounds from this very situation in the past so I am not writing this team off. A timely goal here and there with more discipline and the games turn around quite a bit.

 

[dirty12]

In 2016, Dave Lowry brought his Victoria d-man Joe Hicketts as placed him as the team’s top d-man. Hicketts had played a depth role on the 2015 team so he wasn’t a huge stretch, but as an under-sized, undrafted player he was in over his head at the world juniors and ended up as the whipping boy that tournament (with Virtanen) as Canada placed 6th and Hicketts took an I’ll-timed delay of game penalty in the Finland game.

Reminds me a lot of what’s happening with Pinelli now. Cameron selecting him was I’m sure well-intentioned, but that kind of player can end up as a lightning rod for criticism if things don’t go well. I feel quite bad for the player. I’m sure they read social media. Despite several other players under-performing, a lot of the vitriol is directed at Pinelli.

Of the players we can say we’ve seen enough of to comment, which player(s) should have been taken and/or used over Pinelli; He, …? Most certainly not Rehkopf or Walton imo, probably not Greentree either; and Senneke would not offer much more than Martone.

 

[OMG67]

Of the players we can say we’ve seen enough of to comment, which player(s) should have been taken and/or used over Pinelli; He, …? Most certainly not Rehkopf or Walton imo, probably not Greentree either; and Senneke would not offer much more than Martone.

I really don’t think it is player selection as much as it is deployment/strategy.

This is also the most undisciplined Team canada I have ever seen. I could understand if the penalties were from being out of position or a step behind and trying to catch a play. They mostly are not that. They are stupidly penalties and completely unnecessary. A normal coach would bench a player for a period to help send the message to the player and the rest of the team. But, DC has not done that at all.

 

[dirty12]

After the selection camp roster was announced, I thought he’d be 50-50 to make the team but I thought he would play more of a PP specialist role as a shooter. He is on the McKenna-Catton line as the shooter but they aren’t’ playing a puck possession style of game which is odd. It is not like Pinelli is going to retrieve pucks in the heavy zones. If he has possession he can use his feet and ability to cut back to maintain possession and work the puck into better areas but asking him to retrieve pucks isn’t smart IMO.

I don’t really want to pile on but DC was the wrong choice. We all pretty much said that when it was announced. I was hoping for the best and trying to stay positive about it thinking the players would outplay the coach but it isn’t looking like that will be the case. That said, we’ve seen turnarounds from this very situation in the past so I am not writing this team off. A timely goal here and there with more discipline and the games turn around quite a bit.

How could an average at most sized 17 year old between two 5-10, 170 lb forwards dominate possession against the world’s best on NA sized ice surface? These Canadian kids cannot deliver a text book body check, so physicality will result in penalty. That is not discipline, it is a lack of skill. Comparisons of Martone to Tkachuk(s) is a joke.

 

[BarberPole9]

 

[OMG67]

Delete.

 

[Vector Calculus]

This is actually an interesting part of the changes I haven’t seen discussed as much. We’ve been speculating on players coming to the CHL and heading to NCAA when they are done…but we could see player poaching of existing CHL players coming off their 18 year old seasons.

 

[dirty12]

This is actually an interesting part of the changes I haven’t seen discussed as much. We’ve been speculating on players coming to the CHL and heading to NCAA when they are done…but we could see player poaching of existing CHL players coming off their 18 year old seasons.

It could get interesting for sure, NHL teams have just two years to sign their CHL prospects. It could be new leverage for players wanting a trade as well.

 

[OMG67]

It could get interesting for sure, NHL teams have just two years to sign their CHL prospects. It could be new leverage for players wanting a trade as well.

I think that is what is going on here. There has been that trade request hanging in the air since the beginning of the season. This is likely now public specifically because he wants to push Boyd into a trade now instead of next year. Just speculation on my part though.

 

[frontsfan67]

With that rumour and another about letting go of Pinelli and potentially mayich and or stonehouse. They’d be incredibly foolish to hold onto mews when he may not even be in the league next year

 

[OMG67]

With the rumour and already letting go of Pinelli and potentially mayich and or stonehouse. They’d be incredibly foolish to keep onto mews when he may not even be in the league next year

Could get very interesting in 67’s land this deadline!

 

[beastintheeast]

It could get interesting for sure, NHL teams have just two years to sign their CHL prospects. It could be new leverage for players wanting a trade as well.

I think player signings will be determined by where the player was when drafted

As to team Canada dc is not the coach but the guy behind the bench cheering. His comment that the players have to solve the penalty situation and that 5 on 5 wecplay great is assinine

Luca is too small for the WJC they have Cowan and others that can score. If anythingi think luca has hurt his brand and shown that he is not that dominant a player.

But dc I think just killed his contract extension

 

[dirty12]

I think that is what is going on here. There has been that trade request hanging in the air since the beginning of the season. This is likely now public specifically because he wants to push Boyd into a trade now instead of next year. Just speculation on my part though.

I was thinking the same, but also the big picture. It will be increasingly difficult for the NHL to sign prospects until the next CBA, when they will be forced to negotiate holding draft picks right longer in exchange for a BIG increase in AHL portion of the elc; or players will just go play in super elite division 1 conferences until free agents.

 

[OMG67]

As per OHL4Life, Ottawa shopping Mayich. Sounds like if they can get a deal done, they keep the other three.

 

[Vector Calculus]

As per OHL4Life, Ottawa shopping Mayich. Sounds like if they can get a deal done, they keep the other three.

Wild. Unless there is more of a market for him than I think (or, he has asked to move to a contender) this is not at all what I’d have done.

 

[OMG67]

Wild. Unless there is more of a market for him than I think (or, he has asked to move to a contender) this is not at all what I’d have done.

The one caveat I had placed on our OA’s is if they were part of a package to get an ‘08.

I had stated at the beginning of the year that I could not see Pinelli moved for an ‘08. I thought there would be other players out there that made more sense ahead of him. Although that market has shrunk with Romani being injured for much of the season and Misa not making it to market, the reality is, a package of Pinelli and Stonehouse or Mayich made sense.

The market has shifted which seems to look like Boyd will get an ‘08 plus picks for Pinelli by himself but I am not entirely sure what the deal will be with Mayich. K.Smith is a good OA D-Man but Mayich is right there with him. Mayich will provide a bit more puck movement and mobility while still providing some solid physicality. K.Smith is more physical and less puck mover but the Mayich style of play is well sought after by contending teams. It is why the market for Gibson is so strong.

Mayich has good value by himself in this market. The only issue is he is a lefty. The preference is for a righty. Although K.Smith is also a lefty. The team that loses out on K.Smith automatically should be shifting to Mayich. The cost won’t be much different. It will likley involve a decent player, not just picks.

Also, moving Mayich for a good package also includes keeping the remaining three OA’s. That means moving Maying is like adding MacKenzie because we get to keep him. No need to go out to find another goalie. So it can be a win-win move.

 

[sirius67fan]

The one caveat I had placed on our OA’s is if they were part of a package to get an ‘08.

I had stated at the beginning of the year that I could not see Pinelli moved for an ‘08. I thought there would be other players out there that made more sense ahead of him. Although that market has shrunk with Romani being injured for much of the season and Misa not making it to market, the reality is, a package of Pinelli and Stonehouse or Mayich made sense.

The market has shifted which seems to look like Boyd will get an ‘08 plus picks for Pinelli by himself but I am not entirely sure what the deal will be with Mayich. K.Smith is a good OA D-Man but Mayich is right there with him. Mayich will provide a bit more puck movement and mobility while still providing some solid physicality. K.Smith is more physical and less puck mover but the Mayich style of play is well sought after by contending teams. It is why the market for Gibson is so strong.

Mayich has good value by himself in this market. The only issue is he is a lefty. The preference is for a righty. Although K.Smith is also a lefty. The team that loses out on K.Smith automatically should be shifting to Mayich. The cost won’t be much different. It will likley involve a decent player, not just picks.

Also, moving Mayich for a good package also includes keeping the remaining three OA’s. That means moving Maying is like adding MacKenzie because we get to keep him. No need to go out to find another goalie. So it can be a win-win move.

My only issue is it will expose our D big time. Not sure it's a good thing for Esh, Dietsch and Brady. And we're down to 5 D. Do they get one back in the trades at the deadline? Bring up Bonino...is he ready? Revert to Horner? I do get Mayich likely has the higher value of our OA's but it needs to be weighed against the proper development of the young guys...not sure what I'd do, depends on the return I guess.

 

[Vector Calculus]

My only issue is it will expose our D big time. Not sure it's a good thing for Esh, Dietsch and Brady. And we're down to 5 D. Do they get one back in the trades at the deadline? Bring up Bonino...is he ready? Revert to Horner? I do get Mayich likely has the higher value of our OA's but it needs to be weighed against the proper development of the young guys...not sure what I'd do, depends on the return I guess.

This is where I’m at. I don’t know how our D corp absorbs that loss. My guess is Horner goes back to full time D but that doesn’t move the needle much. I like Horner and think he has value to the team but it isn’t like he shelters any of Esh, Dietsch, or Brady out there. For the right return it all makes sense but Mac has been highly replaceable this year as a starter and Stonehouse has been just OK. It will be interesting to see what the next week brings and where the market ends up.

 

[OMG67]

My only issue is it will expose our D big time. Not sure it's a good thing for Esh, Dietsch and Brady. And we're down to 5 D. Do they get one back in the trades at the deadline? Bring up Bonino...is he ready? Revert to Horner? I do get Mayich likely has the higher value of our OA's but it needs to be weighed against the proper development of the young guys...not sure what I'd do, depends on the return I guess.

I don’t think development matters int he 2nd half.

Eshkawkogan has proven capable. He skates so well. I don’t think anyone is lining him up. I have heard ZERO pertaining to Mews leaving “this year.”

I would put Marrelli on the left side of Eshkawkogan regardless. Also, Dietsch may be ready to move up beside Mews 5 on 5. That means they’d jsut need to add a D-Man to play with Brady. They can pick up a depth D-Man and not pay much if they don’t’ get someone as a kick in on one fo the trades. I think if Mayich is included as part of a package with Pinelli, the chances are pretty good they get a depth D-Man kicked in. Bonomo is an option but I think that is likely Plan C. I think bringing in a D-Man is more likely.

 

[OMG67]

This is where I’m at. I don’t know how our D corp absorbs that loss. My guess is Horner goes back to full time D but that doesn’t move the needle much. I like Horner and think he has value to the team but it isn’t like he shelters any of Esh, Dietsch, or Brady out there. For the right return it all makes sense but Mac has been highly replaceable this year as a starter and Stonehouse has been just OK. It will be interesting to see what the next week brings and where the market ends up.

Dietsch - Mews
Marrelli - Eshkawkogan
Trade - Brady

MacKenzie
Nelson

Horner stays as the swing man. Plays some right wing unless there is an injury. He drops back for the injury. If two guys are injured, they call up Bonomo on emergency call up and run out the Affiliate.

Eshkawkogan has beenn great and not jsut because he plays beside Mayich. Clearly it helps for sure but I think he has moved past needing that crutch and he could still have either with Marrelli. Even if I am wrong and they push up Dietsch, he has shown well too.

They are going to get exposed against the stronger teams without question but I don’t think the management cares now. We are talking 30 games to finish off the season at the deadline. No playoffs.

I am getting the feeling that Boyd is fine not making the playoffs. I think he would still prefer to and hopes the young guys he brings in count for something now but if they don’t he gets that early draft pick, early Import Pick, and early U-18 pick. All things that would be valuable for this team next year. On top of that, there is still the possibility they sign NCAA guys for next year.

This rebuild could be pretty quick, especially if they keep Mews. They move him next year and get an ‘09 (if he returns considering the rumours for NCAA).

 

[Vector Calculus]

Gerrior commits to Maine for 2025-2026.