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...

 

[OMG67]

To be clear, there is a significant importance to missing the playoffs. The obvious one is the lottery and the potential of getting pick #1. But, there is also the issue of defected players. Kingston picked Malhotra at # which means they get the #9 pick in the next draft. Both Youngstown and Muskegon have both applied to join the OHL. That application is being blocked by USA Hockey but they have now retained a serious lawyer to battle it. If USA Hockey steps away form it, we could see both teams added to the OHL next year. In the past, the expansion teams have been granted pick 4 and 5 after the non-playoff teams made their picks. The West is kinda weak at the bottom as well which may elevate the 8th place team in the East.

So, if the first four picks go to the non-playoff teams and then 5+6 go to expansion teams, that leaves picks 7 & 8 to the lowest two seeds not making the playoffs. Sarnia, SSM, and Flint are all poor teams. It is not inconceivable for the 8th place team in the East to finish ahead of two of those three teams. If that happens, the 8th placed team in the east would pick 10th!

If this were a normal season where the 8th placed team team in the East picks 5th, then no big deal but that is likely not the case this year.

If we are going to be crappy, we may as well pick early.

Where it also comes into play is the other two drafts. Our Priority Selection placing applies to both the Import draft and the U-18 draft. If Ottawa were to be fortunate and win the draft lottery, we’d have the #1 pick in the U-18 draft as well as the #2 pick in the Import draft. That opens some additional possibilities.

 

[ohloutsider]

To be clear, there is a significant importance to missing the playoffs. The obvious one is the lottery and the potential of getting pick #1. But, there is also the issue of defected players. Kingston picked Malhotra at # which means they get the #9 pick in the next draft. Both Youngstown and Muskegon have both applied to join the OHL. That application is being blocked by USA Hockey but they have now retained a serious lawyer to battle it. If USA Hockey steps away form it, we could see both teams added to the OHL next year. In the past, the expansion teams have been granted pick 4 and 5 after the non-playoff teams made their picks. The West is kinda weak at the bottom as well which may elevate the 8th place team in the East.

So, if the first four picks go to the non-playoff teams and then 5+6 go to expansion teams, that leaves picks 7 & 8 to the lowest two seeds not making the playoffs. Sarnia, SSM, and Flint are all poor teams. It is not inconceivable for the 8th place team in the East to finish ahead of two of those three teams. If that happens, the 8th placed team in the east would pick 10th!

If this were a normal season where the 8th placed team team in the East picks 5th, then no big deal but that is likely not the case this year.

If we are going to be crappy, we may as well pick early.

Where it also comes into play is the other two drafts. Our Priority Selection placing applies to both the Import draft and the U-18 draft. If Ottawa were to be fortunate and win the draft lottery, we’d have the #1 pick in the U-18 draft as well as the #2 pick in the Import draft. That opens some additional possibilities.

You only have to look at Windsor to see how a 1st overall ( OHL) pick in all 3 drafts can jump start your rebuild. Protas , Beltchz and Newlove. And Windsor may very well be better next year, but who knows?

 

[dirty12]

You only have to look at Windsor to see how a 1st overall ( OHL) pick in all 3 drafts can jump start your rebuild. Protas , Beltchz and Newlove. And Windsor may very well be better next year, but who knows?

Of all the ‘06s, Protas seems most ready and likely to graduate since AHL is an option.