Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[mianjo]

Down 3-0 after 2

 

[OMG67]

I wonder if Pinelli is having any regrets…..

 

[mianjo]

67's shutout 3-0

 

[Hinterland]

I wonder if Pinelli is having any regrets…..

Possibly? But this honestly could have happened anywhere. Even the best teams would struggle missing almost all of their skilled forwards.

Considering the laughable forward group the 67's iced today this was honestly a pretty good game. The Soo probably deserves to win but the result is a bit misleading given the chances the 67's had. As per usual no finish but it was honestly a rather even game. Ekberg, Amidovski, Dever and Foster all out at the same is about as rough as it gets. That's a lot of skill, a lot of fire power missing.

 

[Vector Calculus]

I wonder if Pinelli is having any regrets…..

I know many of us in the stands are!

Predictable result. I thought all three affiliates played well. Bowes had two quality scoring chances and played the third period on the first line with Pinelli and Gerrior.

Korbler had maybe his best scoring chance of the year but unfortunately for him it was by having the puck go off his face. Hopefully he is ok; he was leaking on his way off the ice to the room.

 

[Hinterland]

I know many of us in the stands are!

Predictable result. I thought all three affiliates played well. Bowes had two quality scoring chances and played the third period on the first line with Pinelli and Gerrior.

Korbler had maybe his best scoring chance of the year but unfortunately for him it was by having the puck go off his face. Hopefully he is ok; he was leaking on his way off the ice to the room.

Imagine losing Körbler with Amidovski, Dever, Ekberg, Foster and Houben out already. Would be fun to play minus two full forward lines

Körbler had lots of quality chances this year though. Kinda crazy how this kid just seems to have zero finish. But I think he's lacking confidence as well...like many kids on the team. He had 10 goals last season and scored two at the WJC18. Nothing too crazy but you probably would have expected him to build on that.

 

[gadder]

Korbler had an awesome chance in the first - 4 feet out clear shot - and he missed the net. 1 assist all year. I hope he's good at school work cause hockey isn't it.

This game started with Pinelli centreing Gerrior and Korbler. Pinelli lost the opening draw and it was on from there. I don't blame the boys - this is the team that Boyd built. Even with all the injured players back would it really be different? Sure, we'd advance from 8th to 7th.

We had a chance at the trade deadline to start afresh, to build some hope, by moving Mews and Pinelli for draft picks to build our future. When that failed - unforgiveably - now, we have no hope or future for the next few years. The last time we picked #1 we got Konecny, before that MacCauley. Now we're gonna pick #9 maybe?...

 

[OMG67]

Korbler had an awesome chance in the first - 4 feet out clear shot - and he missed the net. 1 assist all year. I hope he's good at school work cause hockey isn't it.

This game started with Pinelli centreing Gerrior and Korbler. Pinelli lost the opening draw and it was on from there. I don't blame the boys - this is the team that Boyd built. Even with all the injured players back would it really be different? Sure, we'd advance from 8th to 7th.

We had a chance at the trade deadline to start afresh, to build some hope, by moving Mews and Pinelli for draft picks to build our future. When that failed - unforgiveably - now, we have no hope or future for the next few years. The last time we picked #1 we got Konecny, before that MacCauley. Now we're gonna pick #9 maybe?...

Don’t give up on finishing 9th. If any of Dever and Ekberg are out 4 weeks to match Foster, this team will struggle to get bonus points in OT/SO.

We got schooled today by a SSM team that was a point below us in the standings. Looking ahead at the next few games, we have Kingston back to back (GLWT), with Saginaw and Barrie to round out January. We ar win tough to get points those games. Maybe Guelph and Owen sound to start February? Even Peterborough is playing well right now so the games we have against them aren’t any sort of guarantee.

North Bay is hanging in against Brantford as I type this down 2-1 but outshooting them 20-11. I think NB Will pass us in the standings as early as today. Then it is a matter of whether Ottawa can have a late season push.

We need Ottawa the miss the playoffs. I had them as likely the 8th place team with a wide gap between them and 7th but NB is hanging tough right now. Maybe we could end up with a lottery pick?

 

[ecraigs]

Don’t give up on finishing 9th. If any of Dever and Ekberg are out 4 weeks to match Foster, this team will struggle to get bonus points in OT/SO.

We got schooled today by a SSM team that was a point below us in the standings. Looking ahead at the next few games, we have Kingston back to back (GLWT), with Saginaw and Barrie to round out January. We ar win tough to get points those games. Maybe Guelph and Owen sound to start February? Even Peterborough is playing well right now so the games we have against them aren’t any sort of guarantee.

North Bay is hanging in against Brantford as I type this down 2-1 but outshooting them 20-11. I think NB Will pass us in the standings as early as today. Then it is a matter of whether Ottawa can have a late season push.

We need Ottawa the miss the playoffs. I had them as likely the 8th place team with a wide gap between them and 7th but NB is hanging tough right now. Maybe we could end up with a lottery pick?

This is a team that's lost 8 in a row. In most of those games, we've scored 2 or fewer goals. It is not out of the question that we finish dead last. One of our imports is out for several weeks, and the other couldn't hit the ocean from the shore, despite copious amounts of ice time.

At the start of the year, my nagging issue was how we would score the 240 goals that are necessary to make the playoffs. It is worse now than then.

A lottery pick isn't a bad thing at all, but could this coach do anything productive with a top-end prospect?

 

[Fawlty]

This is a team that's lost 8 in a row. In most of those games, we've scored 2 or fewer goals. It is not out of the question that we finish dead last. One of our imports is out for several weeks, and the other couldn't hit the ocean from the shore, despite copious amounts of ice time.

At the start of the year, my nagging issue was how we would score the 240 goals that are necessary to make the playoffs. It is worse now than then.

A lottery pick isn't a bad thing at all, but could this coach do anything productive with a top-end prospect?

And would a top-end prospect drafted by the 67's report?

 

[Larionov]

This is the frustrating part. This should be a top shelf program in the OHL, a destination for players. Big city, good facilities, strong ownership, an NHL team in town (which means more scouts at your games), two universities minutes away from the rink if you're taking courses - I could go on. Instead, we are becoming a bottom feeder and a place players actively avoid. Make it make sense...

 

[OMG67]

Cameron has to go. The reasons presented over the course of the season have been beaten to death. It seems blatantly obvious.

The challenge now is politics. If they remove Cameron now, it looks like he’s fired for the poor WJC showing and that would look VERY bad on the 67s.

The least impactful option is for Cameron to retire at the end of the season. Do it in July when the hockey news is light. He will hop off into the sunset with little fanfare nor criticism. Leading up to that announcement, you let the prospects know there will be a coaching change.

They could do it after the season ends if they miss the playoffs. It would get a lot more focus if they do it then but it would be done before the draft and before the big negotiation push for the NCAA players.

The challenge is who they replace him with? Milley is the obvious choice but does he move the needle for player recruitment? I question whether that is the case. I think the 67s may need a much sexier candidate. As much as that sucks because I think Milley would do very well, they may not have a choice.

 

[analyser]

I think Bowes and Kingweĺl were as good as any of the 67s today. You noticed them out on the ice as they were involved.

 

[NoQuit67s]

There are 0 reasons Korbler needs to return next season.
He has played 24 games, he is an 06, often on the top line, and has 1 assist.
He has showed no improvement from last year, would even say he has regressed.

We need to replace him next season with a viable import. Even if that import doesn't report 67s will be better off with the extra roster spot.
Seems like a great kid, but even from his perspective, I am not even sure what he is gaining anything next year by coming back. Seems like he would be better off pursuing an opportunity closer to home if he has any aspirations to play any kind of pro game in Europe.

 

[OMG67]

There are 0 reasons Korbler needs to return next season.
He has played 24 games, he is an 06, often on the top line, and has 1 assist.
He has showed no improvement from last year, would even say he has regressed.

We need to replace him next season with a viable import. Even if that import doesn't report 67s will be better off with the extra roster spot.
Seems like a great kid, but even from his perspective, I am not even sure what he is gaining anything next year by coming back. Seems like he would be better off pursuing an opportunity closer to home if he has any aspirations to play any kind of pro game in Europe.

We are super short on right hand shooters. I think that is a big reason why he gets elevated. Left hand shots playing right wing is not ideal. I wonder if he’d be so elevated if not for him being a right shot?

 

[BarberPole9]

I think Bowes and Kingweĺl were as good as any of the 67s today. You noticed them out on the ice as they were involved.

Kingwell looked like the best F on the team. I’m hoping that they sign him to a full time card. Bowes skates hard and has a high compete. These are the kind of players that need ice at this stage of development for this team.

 

[Larionov]

Can someone remind me again why it is that we gave Uronen away for free to Kingston? Serious question - I can't recall the circumstances now. I just know that he has 51 points in 36 games for Kingston and probably could have helped us this year.

Agreed that the Korbler experiment has to come to an end - he has one point in 24 games this year and is a minus nine. He is consuming an import and roster spot that could go to someone who can actually help us and play at this level.

 

[ecraigs]

Cameron has to go. The reasons presented over the course of the season have been beaten to death. It seems blatantly obvious.

The challenge now is politics. If they remove Cameron now, it looks like he’s fired for the poor WJC showing and that would look VERY bad on the 67s.

The least impactful option is for Cameron to retire at the end of the season. Do it in July when the hockey news is light. He will hop off into the sunset with little fanfare nor criticism. Leading up to that announcement, you let the prospects know there will be a coaching change.

They could do it after the season ends if they miss the playoffs. It would get a lot more focus if they do it then but it would be done before the draft and before the big negotiation push for the NCAA players.

The challenge is who they replace him with? Milley is the obvious choice but does he move the needle for player recruitment? I question whether that is the case. I think the 67s may need a much sexier candidate. As much as that sucks because I think Milley would do very well, they may not have a choice.

DC has been coaching for more than 30 years, so he knows how things work and he has been fired before this. Letting him go after the Priority Selection is not ideal. Waiting until then could handicap his replacement and I expect the team to be on hiatus long before the PS.

I don't think the optics should concern the 67s. The team has been on the downward slide for a few years now and there is no reason to believe that it will turn around any time soon. There were two 67s players at the Prospects game, Ekberg and Jackson who was recently acquired. Not a sterling recommendation for the development here.

The key assets for any OHL club are their imports, their overage players, and their rookies. The 67s have mismanaged these assets for a few years.

 

[OMG67]

Kingwell looked like the best F on the team. I’m hoping that they sign him to a full time card. Bowes skates hard and has a high compete. These are the kind of players that need ice at this stage of development for this team.

The younger guys need to dedicate their summer to gaining weight. Kingwell and Bowes (as well as Perrier) are all sub-6’0” and range in the 160’s for weight. They need to get to the 180’s. The other challenge is they are all left shots. Bowes (as well as Perrier) are listed as a centre but who knows whether he lines up that way in the OHL.

Dever’s compete level increased once he got up to the 180’s for weight. It will be the same for these kids. Yanni’s compete level this year is also increased with the weight gains. He hasn’t developed a scoring touch though.

My fear is if none of these guys end up lining up down the middle, we will have duplicate type players. Also, just because they look good skating around and engaging, it doesn’t’ mean they will demonstrate a scoring touch. I hope the best for them all but I think all of them may have that Gerrior upside as their ceiling, players that work their tail ff and as they age and gain experience, they start to score as 19 and 20 year olds. We sort of need a couple fo these kids to up their games production wise next year as 18 year olds.

It is important to note the 67’s have 11 ‘07s on the roster (Whitehead, Bowes, Kingwell, Yanni, Houben, Ekberg, Dietsch, Avila, White, Jackson, and Nelson). Only Jackson was a non-67’s draft pick. It is doubtful we will see White around much, if any, and it is doubtful he is back next year but even if we end up filtering down to 9 players out of 11 going into next season, that is a lot of 18 year olds.

 

[OMG67]

Can someone remind me again why it is that we gave Uronen away for free to Kingston? Serious question - I can't recall the circumstances now. I just know that he has 51 points in 36 games for Kingston and probably could have helped us this year.

Agreed that the Korbler experiment has to come to an end - he has one point in 24 games this year and is a minus nine. He is consuming an import and roster spot that could go to someone who can actually help us and play at this level.

It depends on what you believe. My understanding is that Uronen wanted to return but the 67’s wanted to keep Korbler so Uronen requested a trade to Kingston. Others believe that Uronen had no intention of returning UNLESS he was traded to Kingston. I think the latter is a misunderstanding based on his trade request to Kingston. I believe the trade request to Kingston only came about because Ottawa would have released him otherwise.

I banged this drum quite a bit int he offseason and early season. Take the production out of the equation altogether. The question when keeping Korbler was always going to be whether we release Korbler at the end of this seaosn and use the 1st round Import pick or PASS on the pick to keep Korbler. I didn’t think there was any viable scenario that resulted in us keeping Korber as a 19 year olds, especially with all indications being that the 67’s were entering a rebuild and we’d have an early Import pick.

Considering that, if you knew it was unlikely Korbler was here next eyar, then why care about whether Uronen is a graduating 19 year old? Korbler is a graduating 18 year old. What’s the difference.

There have been a few mistakes made by Boyd but this one was the most confusing of them all from my perspective and that was even when I thought Uronen was likely to generate about 20 goals and 20 assists for 40 points on the season, not light it up and lead that team in scoring.

DC has been coaching for more than 30 years, so he knows how things work and he has been fired before this. Letting him go after the Priority Selection is not ideal. Waiting until then could handicap his replacement and I expect the team to be on hiatus long before the PS.

I don't think the optics should concern the 67s. The team has been on the downward slide for a few years now and there is no reason to believe that it will turn around any time soon. There were two 67s players at the Prospects game, Ekberg and Jackson who was recently acquired. Not a sterling recommendation for the development here.

The key assets for any OHL club are their imports, their overage players, and their rookies. The 67s have mismanaged these assets for a few years.

Agreed but for some reason I think OSEG cares about optics. No matter what, it cannot be framed as a firing. It needs to be a retirement with OSEG paying out the last year of his contract. I think that is a soft enough landing. His age should help with the optics.

What do people feel about a replacement coach? Should it go to Milley or do you feel we need someone more high profile to match the stature of the franchise?