Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[SoupNazi]

Continued from Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

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[dirty12]

A 17 yr old DiPietro took the spot of a 19 yr old in Windsor winning the memorial cup; it happens. The next season as an OA, that goalie back stopped Kitchener to a conference final with a 0.919 SV%.
Elliot is a perfect 12-0 in two major junior leagues this season, hard to pick apart perfect imo. Good OAs get waived due to roster constraints, see Loshko waived through the Q.

 

[OMG67]

A 17 yr old DiPietro took the spot of a 19 yr old in Windsor winning the memorial cup; it happens. The next season as an OA, that goalie back stopped Kitchener to a conference final with a 0.919 SV%.
Elliot is a perfect 12-0 in two major junior leagues this season, hard to pick apart perfect imo. Good OAs get waived due to roster constraints, see Loshko waived through the Q.

He has a total of 4 playoff wins for two 100+ point teams. THAT is the number everyone seems to ignore.

Keep ignoring it. See what happens.

 

[beastintheeast]

Ottawa proved that you can have above-average but not great goaltending and still win making your goalies look like stars and even first-round NHL picks

All good defensive teams need is the goalie to make that first stop of a shot tht is outside the box.

As to Boyd learning frm Mav that is all anyone needs to Know and it is not a good thing.

Mav was a firm believer in not playing your first-round pick much and then trading him to another team for a rental so that you made the playoffs and got the extra 2=3 game receipts.

If Boyd goes down that road, season ticket holders will revolt because it is not worth it. Boyd would be better off taking advice from Killer (), not because Killer knows about today's hockey, but because his advice would be better than anything Mav would have told him.

 

[OMG67]

Ottawa proved that you can have above-average but not great goaltending and still win making your goalies look like stars and even first-round NHL picks

All good defensive teams need is the goalie to make that first stop of a shot tht is outside the box.

As to Boyd learning frm Mav that is all anyone needs to Know and it is not a good thing.

Mav was a firm believer in not playing your first-round pick much and then trading him to another team for a rental so that you made the playoffs and got the extra 2=3 game receipts.

If Boyd goes down that road, season ticket holders will revolt because it is not worth it. Boyd would be better off taking advice from Killer (), not because Killer knows about today's hockey, but because his advice would be better than anything Mav would have told him.

I think Boyd understands the cycle. The question out there right now based on some insight from others is that next year no matter what is a rebuild. Sell Mews and Marrelli. SO, may as well push some assets in this year and run with Pinelli in his last year. I can understand the logic. I just don’t think we are strong enough to pull it off. I would rather move Pinelli this year and Mews next year (or both this year if Mews is adamant about it). Then don’t move anyone else. Stay somewhat competitive at the bottom of the standings and retool. I think we have a lot of really solid young players that could be special in a few years. The added assets we receive will only help that next cycle.

 

[beastintheeast]

I think Boyd understands the cycle. The question out there right now based on some insight from others is that next year no matter what is a rebuild. Sell Mews and Marrelli. SO, may as well push some assets in this year and run with Pinelli in his last year. I can understand the logic. I just don’t think we are strong enough to pull it off. I would rather move Pinelli this year and Mews next year (or both this year if Mews is adamant about it). Then don’t move anyone else. Stay somewhat competitive at the bottom of the standings and retool. I think we have a lot of really solid young players that could be special in a few years. The added assets we receive will only help that next cycle.

It doesn't work, but hey, go for it. Just watch the fans disappear.

 

[gadder]

The junior hockey cycle has its' ups and downs. I think the 67s upper brass would like the hockey cycle to coincide with the Landsowne construction cycle. We are getting a new arena in about 3 years time (see Engage Ottawa site). The City and OSEG are putting a lot of money into the new site and I'm sure there are plans afoot to capitalise. This means the 67s need to be a great team in 3 years and maybe we can host the Mem cup too. I don't think it makes a difference to this plan if we trade Pinelli and Mews now or in the summer but we do need to draft very well in the next two years.

 

[OMG67]

The junior hockey cycle has its' ups and downs. I think the 67s upper brass would like the hockey cycle to coincide with the Landsowne construction cycle. We are getting a new arena in about 3 years time (see Engage Ottawa site). The City and OSEG are putting a lot of money into the new site and I'm sure there are plans afoot to capitalise. This means the 67s need to be a great team in 3 years and maybe we can host the Mem cup too. I don't think it makes a difference to this plan if we trade Pinelli and Mews now or in the summer but we do need to draft very well in the next two years.

Makes sense but unless Boyd will try to manufacture the timing which can be difficult, the best course of action is to do what they think is best for the franchise and then make minor adjustments when the time comes. But, you are 100% correct. Like any other year, drafting is the foundation of strong franchises. Developing the talent is #2. We did have a very poor ‘06 draft but overall, Boyd has drafted well. We had a solid crop of ‘04s, ‘05s, what looks to be a reasonably good crop of ‘07s and potentially some good ‘08s. I don’t think we can fault management overall.

There has been debate on development. Part of that is ensuring players want to be here and it seems we’ve struggled as of late with a handful of players requesting moves. That could be a sign or it could just be a spell of bad luck. Sample size is too small to say for certain.

With respect to the redevelopment and new arena which would be phase one of the nest plan, it will go to City Council approval in Q3 2025. The new arena would open Q4 2027. That would be good for the 67’s BUT I don’t think they would go for a Memorial Cup until at least the construction is done for the North Side Football stadium with is slated to be completed until Q2 2030. So, if everything goes as planned, I could see Ottawa bidding for the 2030 Memorial Cup to be held in the OHL. However, phase 3 (residential development) won’t be completed until Q2 2034 so any Memorial Cup bid would have to consider the active construction zone unless they wait for 2036.

So, the first season for the 67’s in the new arena would likely be 2027-28. The ‘07 group will be OA’s that season with the current ‘08 group being the 19 year olds. Assuming there are no additional ‘07s added through trade, the most likely OA candidates for that season would be Nelson, Whitehead, Yanni, and Dietsch. Our current crop of ‘08s (Amidovski, Eshkawkogan, Perrier, Bonomo, Vandenberg) would anchor that team.

 

[beastintheeast]

Makes sense but unless Boyd will try to manufacture the timing which can be difficult, the best course of action is to do what they think is best for the franchise and then make minor adjustments when the time comes. But, you are 100% correct. Like any other year, drafting is the foundation of strong franchises. Developing the talent is #2. We did have a very poor ‘06 draft but overall, Boyd has drafted well. We had a solid crop of ‘04s, ‘05s, what looks to be a reasonably good crop of ‘07s and potentially some good ‘08s. I don’t think we can fault management overall.

There has been debate on development. Part of that is ensuring players want to be here and it seems we’ve struggled as of late with a handful of players requesting moves. That could be a sign or it could just be a spell of bad luck. Sample size is too small to say for certain.

With respect to the redevelopment and new arena which would be phase one of the nest plan, it will go to City Council approval in Q3 2025. The new arena would open Q4 2027. That would be good for the 67’s BUT I don’t think they would go for a Memorial Cup until at least the construction is done for the North Side Football stadium with is slated to be completed until Q2 2030. So, if everything goes as planned, I could see Ottawa bidding for the 2030 Memorial Cup to be held in the OHL. However, phase 3 (residential development) won’t be completed until Q2 2034 so any Memorial Cup bid would have to consider the active construction zone unless they wait for 2036.

So, the first season for the 67’s in the new arena would likely be 2027-28. The ‘07 group will be OA’s that season with the current ‘08 group being the 19 year olds. Assuming there are no additional ‘07s added through trade, the most likely OA candidates for that season would be Nelson, Whitehead, Yanni, and Dietsch. Our current crop of ‘08s (Amidovski, Eshkawkogan, Perrier, Bonomo, Vandenberg) would anchor that team.

Ther uis so much we don't know about this team and it's plan. Right now I think Boyd has to be looking at coaching and decide what he wants to do. This year will be interesting not for on ice but for off ice performance. Both Boyd and DC contracts expire at the end of 2026. Therefore that tells me that OSEG will be looking at ths situation. Does Boyd want to put all his money on DC or does he find something else.

Let's face it no matter what these contracts end when we are goingto be developing and drafting players.

Having players say no or asking for trades is not what OSEG is going to want to see in their team.

You also have to think that Jan would not mind a shot at being the boss.

 

[gadder]

As Beast says, Boyd's and DC's contracts are up in 2026. What will OSEG do? (and do we have a hockey mind as CEO of the 67s instead of some real estate developer?)

Looking at Boyds reign, the 67s have been more than a top half team throughout and the crowds have been good. Given the 67s success, we have drafted late in each year and have done pretty well by scooping up talented munchkins (which is all thats left at those positions). The trades have been relatively good: the playoffs not so much.

As a corporate-type (if I was), I think I'd re-sign both of them up for another 3 years. As a fan, I want a winning season on the ice, so I might switch up the GM. Not much we fans can do anyways.

 

[OMG67]

As Beast says, Boyd's and DC's contracts are up in 2026. What will OSEG do? (and do we have a hockey mind as CEO of the 67s instead of some real estate developer?)

Looking at Boyds reign, the 67s have been more than a top half team throughout and the crowds have been good. Given the 67s success, we have drafted late in each year and have done pretty well by scooping up talented munchkins (which is all thats left at those positions). The trades have been relatively good: the playoffs not so much.

As a corporate-type (if I was), I think I'd re-sign both of them up for another 3 years. As a fan, I want a winning season on the ice, so I might switch up the GM. Not much we fans can do anyways.

We’ve seen “Boyd the Buyer.” Now we need to see “Boyd the Seller.”

“Boyd the Buyer” has been relatively good. Maybe he hasn’t gone far enough but at least he recognized he should buy and he did it. I think he has only acquired OA’s and Imports as deadline deals since he’s been in Ottawa. That is a little alarming but I can’t fault him for it since those were easily identified as open Oster spots with the highest impact at the lowest cost.

We need to see what he does at this deadline. For me, he needs to show capable of pulling off true seller deals. He needs to show he can make the hard decision.

 

[NoQuit67s]

We’ve seen “Boyd the Buyer.” Now we need to see “Boyd the Seller.”

“Boyd the Buyer” has been relatively good. Maybe he hasn’t gone far enough but at least he recognized he should buy and he did it. I think he has only acquired OA’s and Imports as deadline deals since he’s been in Ottawa. That is a little alarming but I can’t fault him for it since those were easily identified as open Oster spots with the highest impact at the lowest cost.

We need to see what he does at this deadline. For me, he needs to show capable of pulling off true seller deals. He needs to show he can make the hard decision.

Agree from a pure competitive hockey point of view.

But from a perspective of someone who's contract is up for review, wouldn't it be logical for him to maximize "ass in seats" every chance he gets? If he sells off all recognizable players, the team keeps losing, at the part of the season (2nd half) where 67s usually start filling in the stands more, does that make sense?
I think hosting the WJC is also playing a factor this year. Filling the stadiums with fans taking junior hockey this year will only support 2nd half 67 sales in Jan. Feb. Mar.

Food for thought.

 

[OMG67]

Agree from a pure competitive hockey point of view.

But from a perspective of someone who's contract is up for review, wouldn't it be logical for him to maximize "ass in seats" every chance he gets? If he sells off all recognizable players, the team keeps losing, at the part of the season (2nd half) where 67s usually start filling in the stands more, does that make sense?
I think hosting the WJC is also playing a factor this year. Filling the stadiums with fans taking junior hockey this year will only support 2nd half 67 sales in Jan. Feb. Mar.

Food for thought.

And that’s the trade off, right? We, as fans, take a pure hockey approach to it. The management needs to factor in financial aspects. Mind you, the first round of the playffs in Ottawa is always a write-off anyway so whether they make the playoffs or not is probably irrelevant financially.

My default is to do what is best for the team on the ice. If you can trade 3-4 months of Pinelli for assets that bring in another Pinelli in the future for a long playoff run, it pays off both on the ice and on the Income Statement (over term).

If both of their contracts are up after next season, assuming that is accurate, then I am not sure how to evaluate their success. They did go to the Finals in 2019. 202 looked pretty good but we lost the tail end of the season and playoffs so who knows? I think the Petes had us beat though with their deadline additions vs our zero deadline. In hindsight, that was good because we didn’t’ spend anything for a playoff run that never happened! Then two disappointing 2nd round losses in back to back seasons. That is still a good result vs the average but it really has to be considered a loss, not a win.

Now we come to this season where we see a really poor ‘06 draft followed by the hole of a defected ‘07 1st not being able to support a solid ‘04 and ‘05 class. That ‘06 draft is taking us right out of contention. Only two players playing a significant role from that draft. One of them (Mews) is rumoured to at least prefer not to be here. On top of that, we’ve had a bit of an exodus of players that have chosen not to return affecting our competitiveness. There doesn’t seem to be any chatter of Ottawa getting pen to paper with any NCAA recruits. Considering how many they have drafted year over year, I find that surprising.

So, there are a lot of positives and a lot of negatives. We are all over the spectrum with an evaluation. The challenge is the REAL rebuild starts next year. The question is whether you want this combo to guide the next rebuild. If Boyd moves Pinelli and decides it is best to go with a new coach to run the next cycle, I am 99% fine with Boyd. he will have proven capable of making trades (both buy and sell) when the time was right. He will have proven that he isn’t married to a coach to the death. He puts the franchise first. I am ok with that.

DC is 66. That is far from ancient for a coach but do you want a 67 year old coach that has had some issues with players not wanting to be here run the next 4 year cycle until he is in his 70’s? To me, that is the question. The other question is, “What’s the alternative?” You gotta think Norm Milley gets his opportunity but the 67’s brass may want a more accomplished coach. How will that play out? Conversely, if you don’t move DC out, how long will Milley wait int he wings? You gotta think he will or is in consideration for other head coaching jobs as they come up. Is DC holding him back? Does it even matter? A lot of questions there that I really don’t’ have answers to because I am not on the inside.