Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[Larionov]

Those looking for a full tank and a high pick (and I now find myself as a convert to this thinking) should be happy - based on this game it doesn't look like this team will win another game this season. Now, we know that they will likely find a couple of wins here and there, but honestly, who are we better than right now? I can't think of any game in the last two months that says, "Ottawa should win this one." This team is circling the drain rapidly.

It's never one thing, of course, but a primary culprit of this team's crash has to be the goaltending. Nelson is who he is - a 17 year old finding his way in the league - but Mackenzie is a guy who was invited to a pro camp and who should have progressed into a top shelf OA goalie. Instead, his game appeared to fall apart and he regressed badly. Ask the Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils from last season - when your goalie isn't making the saves he should make and can't be your best penalty killer sometimes, it's tough to be competitive. Great goaltending doesn't guarantee that you will win, but mediocre goaltending pretty much guarantees that you're going to lose a lot...

 

[Larionov]

Also, this Stan Butler news out of Erie - what the heck? Does anyone know any details? All we hear is that he has been suspended by the club pending some kind of investigation, but beyond that the cone of silence has dropped. (Say this for OSEG - they tend to run pretty drama free sports teams, which is positive...)

 

[OMG67]

Also, this Stan Butler news out of Erie - what the heck? Does anyone know any details? All we hear is that he has been suspended by the club pending some kind of investigation, but beyond that the cone of silence has dropped. (Say this for OSEG - they tend to run pretty drama free sports teams, which is positive...)

I did discuss this with a few people and it looks like a situation between player and coach where Butler said something inappropriate to a level where it is likely if the allegations are proven after their internal review that it would result in Butler no longer being with the team. Let’s juse say the allegations are strong enough and serious enough that the organization deemed it necessary for the coach to be removed temporarily during the review process.

Those looking for a full tank and a high pick (and I now find myself as a convert to this thinking) should be happy - based on this game it doesn't look like this team will win another game this season. Now, we know that they will likely find a couple of wins here and there, but honestly, who are we better than right now? I can't think of any game in the last two months that says, "Ottawa should win this one." This team is circling the drain rapidly.

It's never one thing, of course, but a primary culprit of this team's crash has to be the goaltending. Nelson is who he is - a 17 year old finding his way in the league - but Mackenzie is a guy who was invited to a pro camp and who should have progressed into a top shelf OA goalie. Instead, his game appeared to fall apart and he regressed badly. Ask the Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils from last season - when your goalie isn't making the saves he should make and can't be your best penalty killer sometimes, it's tough to be competitive. Great goaltending doesn't guarantee that you will win, but mediocre goaltending pretty much guarantees that you're going to lose a lot...

MacKenzie has been very average and maybe even below average. Shocking really. He looked better as a 17 year old prior to his injury that resulted in Donoso being called up. I feel bad for him.

Nelson has been fine. Young goalie mistakes. His positioning and movement has gotten considerably better since the beginning of the year. The question for his is whether he can find a level of consistency as he matures. It isn’t often that even 18 year old goalies are capable in this league let alone 17 year olds so I think there is a lot of room for growth.

 

[OMG67]

Wonder if Souliere sticks around for a bit or maybe he's only there on an emergency basis due to the injury toll. He has good size at least at 6 foot 3 and 190lbs. Is he potentially one of those NCAA players the team might be able to convince to sign (heading to Princeton 26-27)?

Clearly Souliere is signed. His path suggests he wills tick with Ottawa starting next year. He was drafted by the 67’s and played U-18 as a 16 year old and had great success. As a 17 year old, he played Jr B and had great success. Now as an 18 year old in Jr A, he is having success. His next step is Major Junior. He is not committed ot Princeton until 2026-27 so he will likely be given every opportunity to stick with the 67’s as a 19 year old next year.

Caution on this one is that he wasn’t’ a great prospect when drafted. IT is not like he was going NCAA and he dropped like a rock and should have been a top 3 round pick. This is a kid that has clearly worked hard, gown into a good size and has had consistent success and improvement. The challenge is determining where his ceiling is. Has he reached in now in Jr A or is there still more room for maturity where his game will now translate to the OHL level?

 

[44 95 plus tax]

Might as well start following this now...