Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part III

[OMG67]

I know what Boyd was trying to do in terms of keeping his options open, but that OA rotation really didn't do anyone any favours. I would agree completely that it hurt MacKenzie's play, and at the end of the day the OA trade market was so weak anyway that we really didn't recoup much in the way of assets...

I don't think Boyd’s motivation was related to gaining value. I think it was more about trying to ensure all four remained in the league. Had he waived someone early, the possibility exists they’d have not been claimed.

 

[ecraigs]

I just checked CHLTV and it is listed as an upcoming game.

They may run a radio feed and the in house video if there is no Rogers crew. I remember a game like that maybe last year? It was still fine.

I just turn off the sound and listen to the voices in my head. They know their hockey.

Biggest glitch was the feed kept going half screen with the replay feed and you had to guess what was going on on the left side. Again, the voices had it covered.

 

[InTheValley]

I don't think Boyd’s motivation was related to gaining value. I think it was more about trying to ensure all four remained in the league. Had he waived someone early, the possibility exists they’d have not been claimed.

I also think one of the issues was they weren't sure Stonehouse was coming back. Until he had the setback with the shoulder, I heard that EDM was going to have him start in the ECHL and work his way to Bakersfield. When he wasn't where they thought he was, health wise, in training camp, they made the decision to send him to Ottawa.

 

[OMG67]

I also think one of the issues was they weren't sure Stonehouse was coming back. Until he had the setback with the shoulder, I heard that EDM was going to have him start in the ECHL and work his way to Bakersfield. When he wasn't where they thought he was, health wise, in training camp, they made the decision to send him to Ottawa.

I think Ottawa knew before the season started that he would be returning. I’m not sure how much of a negative effect that had on their strategy.

 

[beastintheeast]

I think Ottawa knew before the season started that he would be returning. I’m not sure how much of a negative effect that had on their strategy.

I think the problem with Stonehouse was that he, his agent and the 67's did not treat his injury seriously enough. I am not saying that this was abnormal but we have seen too many players get inured only to return saying they were good and playing through it.

HINDSIGHT IS A WONDERFUL THING

Last year Stonehouse sucked when compared to previous seasons. At some point it might have been advisable to shut him down early.

Again a grat deal of the blame can be held by the player and more importantly the agent.

Teams are looking to go as high as possible, and JB and DC, along with training staff, can share some of the blame. Stonehouse should have been benched or TOI decreased, but in the effort to win, even when they were losing to Oshawa, the 67's decided to put them in more games, further injuring the player.

We have all seen this before on this team, and it has been done by some of the best coaches in the he league. Oduya and MacAuley come to mind from the old days. MacAuley's helmet was so bad and had so little padding that it had to be hot-glued between periods. Freddie was never given the time or forced to sit to let his hands heal properly

There has to be a more holistic view of the person's future as a person and hockey player .

Remember we were all young once and were utterly indestructible. I am sure @OMG67 will agree that in our advancing years, we can look at some pains or \medical issues we have because we were young and foolish.

 

[OMG67]

I think the problem with Stonehouse was that he, his agent and the 67's did not treat his injury seriously enough. I am not saying that this was abnormal but we have seen too many players get inured only to return saying they were good and playing through it.

HINDSIGHT IS A WONDERFUL THING

Last year Stonehouse sucked when compared to previous seasons. At some point it might have been advisable to shut him down early.

Again a grat deal of the blame can be held by the player and more importantly the agent.

Teams are looking to go as high as possible, and JB and DC, along with training staff, can share some of the blame. Stonehouse should have been benched or TOI decreased, but in the effort to win, even when they were losing to Oshawa, the 67's decided to put them in more games, further injuring the player.

We have all seen this before on this team, and it has been done by some of the best coaches in the he league. Oduya and MacAuley come to mind from the old days. MacAuley's helmet was so bad and had so little padding that it had to be hot-glued between periods. Freddie was never given the time or forced to sit to let his hands heal properly

There has to be a more holistic view of the person's future as a person and hockey player .

Remember we were all young once and were utterly indestructible. I am sure @OMG67 will agree that in our advancing years, we can look at some pains or \medical issues we have because we were young and foolish.

I’m not sure that assessment of Stonehouse is accurate. The report after the season was that the shoulder could not be worsened by playing. The challenge was that it took a bit longer than hoped to return after surgery.

The other thing is this year he wasn’t any more effective than last year. That suggests the previous year was more likely an anomaly where he over produced. That is the one season that stands out, not the other seasons. I think expectations were too high on him if we are looking at it retrospectively.

That doesn’t discount your other points though. In theory, Stonehouse could have shut it down, had surgery early and then not missed any time this season but that likely would have resulted in a stint in the ECHL as opposed to the OHL.

At the end of the day, players now need to be cleared by the doctors because of insurance reasons. As a signed NHL player with an insured contract, there is no way he’d have been cleared to play if he was potentially able to do more damage to his shoulder.

 

[beastintheeast]

I’m not sure that assessment of Stonehouse is accurate. The report after the season was that the shoulder could not be worsened by playing. The challenge was that it took a bit longer than hoped to return after surgery.

The other thing is this year he wasn’t any more effective than last year. That suggests the previous year was more likely an anomaly where he over produced. That is the one season that stands out, not the other seasons. I think expectations were too high on him if we are looking at it retrospectively.

That doesn’t discount your other points though. In theory, Stonehouse could have shut it down, had surgery early and then not missed any time this season but that likely would have resulted in a stint in the ECHL as opposed to the OHL.

At the end of the day, players now need to be cleared by the doctors because of insurance reasons. As a signed NHL player with an insured contract, there is no way he’d have been cleared to play if he was potentially able to do more damage to his shoulder.

It may not have made things worse but it definitely did ot help Physically. The issue, though, is that when you have a chronic injury or a long-lasting one mentally, it can affect you as you play It is stillin your head when you are playing. Same thing with Boucher and it can take time to get that out.

It will be interesting to see where he goes after the 23rd of March.

My point still stands, though I wonder what Edmonton saw in that rookie camp tht made them sign him.

 

[Larionov]

My point still stands, though I wonder what Edmonton saw in that rookie camp tht made them sign him.

Good question. I can only assume that they projected ahead as to what he would be if his development continued, and they saw a good potential bottom six checker/agitator with a bit of offensive upside. Unfortunately, his development now appears to have stalled out. It happens - drafting and signing players is a very inexact science...

 

[NoQuit67s]

It may not have made things worse but it definitely did ot help Physically. The issue, though, is that when you have a chronic injury or a long-lasting one mentally, it can affect you as you play It is stillin your head when you are playing. Same thing with Boucher and it can take time to get that out.

It will be interesting to see where he goes after the 23rd of March.

My point still stands, though I wonder what Edmonton saw in that rookie camp tht made them sign him.

A part of the pro signings is not only what they "see", but also what NHL teams project what the player can become in the future and traits that will develop; usually they sign the players they think that can continue to improve as they age and gain more experience, essentially they need to have high talent "ceilings".

Unfortunately, in the case of Stonehouse, the future projection Edmonton may / should have expected does not seem to be accurate. That still may change, but his last two seasons in the OHL have not demonstrated any progress. In the end these teenagers all mature physically, mentally at different rates and some will "plateau" earlier than others.

From my observations, following his signing, Stonehouse's game became different, maybe a little less recklessness (and maybe effort) and more "routine". And I am not just talking about his chirping and post whistle crap, seems like, as one example, he seemed happier to be fed "one-timers" in the slot rather than carrying the puck himself with speed and going hard to the net like he did the year he scored 37 goals.

One theory I have, is that he was maybe asked to work on his playmaking skills to complement some of the goal scoring (of the 37 goal season), and that just hasn't worked for him. As he entered his 19yo and overage player seasons, he should have been able to take a bigger role to help carry the team and various ways; it didn't happen.

 

[OMG67]

Stonehouse has the tools to skate at the NHL level in a 4th line agitator role. He has a good shot, albeit not necessarily NHL calibre.

The reality is, Stonehouse has a niche and that is the Sean Avery/Brad Marchand type of player. He wasn’t signed to score goals. He is the type of player that pushes hard until 10 seconds AFTER the whistle and some teams/managers like that a lot. He plays the role of the “rat” very well. Whether that ends up being at the NHL level or the AHL level is yet to be determined.

I have said this many times in the past that a lot of times players like Stonehouse need to be in the right place at the right time. Chris Neil got filled in on a regular basis by Lance Galbraith. He never really put up great offensive numbers with North Bay. He had minor leagues written all over him. But, the Sens needed a guy to be the punching bag when sticking up for other players. They lacked that element and he played that role very well. Over time, he improved his skill level and his drive had a lot to do with his opportunity. Had he been with any other NHL team, his opportunity probably would never have come.

Stonehouse is or will be in a similar situation. Although he likely will not be called upon to fight, he will be called upon to stir the pot as much as possible. As a younger player showing a lack of respect to veteran players, he will stir the pot undoubtedly. He will get guys chasing him. If that is what Edmonton wants, he will play as long as he can prove he can skate at that level.