Ottawa 67s 2024 25 Season Thread Part Iii

[OMG67]

Likely picks only for Soto and Miedema if he’s back unless there’s some sort of package deal.

Battaglia a great 08 or 09 and fewer picks is my prediction- maybe in a package with one of our OA’s (bishop/mcgowan/soto/miedema/Hay top ones)

Will be a big summer for them- lots of people moved out.

We are on the same page for sure. I think that is very accurate as a prediction.

With both Miedema and Soto as wingers, I don’t think they will move in the offseason. I think they are more likely deadline trades. Same with Battaglia.

I honestly haven’t looked at the OA landscape for next year too closely but there are usually a lot of OA wingers available so with so much potential choice, it will be tough to get fair value for an OA wingers available in the offseason.

 

[beastintheeast]

We are on the same page for sure. I think that is very accurate as a prediction.

With both Miedema and Soto as wingers, I don’t think they will move in the offseason. I think they are more likely deadline trades. Same with Battaglia.

I honestly haven’t looked at the OA landscape for next year too closely but there are usually a lot of OA wingers available so with so much potential choice, it will be tough to get fair value for an OA wingers available in the offseason.

I just went through the league, and many teams have a glut of OA. The only teams tht might need OA are Kitchener London Soo and North Bay

I feel that unless the world falls apart, Ottawa will not be trading any of our OA, and Kingston will have trouble with the ones they have. That does not include any Euro players who are OA because most are signed to the NHL, or I doubt OHL teams will keep them and waste two positions.

The only player we will have with any trade value is Ekberg if he has a good year.

 

[dirty12]

I think the Fronts will get a really good ‘08 or ‘09 for Battaglia. After that, if they aren’t trading Hopkins, they are looking at their three OAs. Neither Soto or Miedema are going to garner a great player to help build around. Those two are screaming draft picks as comp in trades. So, really, they will get what they get for Battaglia from a skater perspective. After that, they would need to move the OAs and use those picks in other deals right away (which is possible). But then they’d still have all those pick gaps that they are or should be trying to require using the OAs.

There really is no way around it. They are going to be super young in 2026-27 unless they sign NCAA guys. Maybe they can get Imports but there aren’t many good 18 year olds. The best ones are 17 and either they come over now or the following year. Crap shoot for the Fronts since their pipeline from Europe doesn’t pay off every year. At least it is not something to count on.

We differ in opinion regarding high value graduating players on inconsequential teams. Nothing wrong with that. I feel 100% of the time, you flip that player for the sizeable haul expected and push the assets forward because you can never have too many tangible assets in hand. You feel differently and that’s ok. We disagreed on Ludwinski last year and we will likely disagree on Hopkins in 2026-27.

Every season there are upside players that teams cannot really use at that time. Kingston just has to identify players that fit and (be prepared to take players when available). Kingston should be able to get up to 7-8 players born ‘08 with ease. A couple of ‘09s can be had after the 2025-26 season.

 

[dirty12]

We are on the same page for sure. I think that is very accurate as a prediction.

With both Miedema and Soto as wingers, I don’t think they will move in the offseason. I think they are more likely deadline trades. Same with Battaglia.

I honestly haven’t looked at the OA landscape for next year too closely but there are usually a lot of OA wingers available so with so much potential choice, it will be tough to get fair value for an OA wingers available in the offseason.

The ‘06 class is really good, there might be a shortfall of worthwhile OAs. It might depend on the level of saturation in the NCAA & AHL. Akey, Bertucci, MacDonnel, Terrance…are signed to pro contracts but not really ready to force their way into meaningful AHL roles.

 

[OMG67]

The ‘06 class is really good, there might be a shortfall of worthwhile OAs. It might depend on the level of saturation in the NCAA & AHL. Akey, Bertucci, MacDonnel, Terrance…are signed to pro contracts but not really ready to force their way into meaningful AHL roles.

Agreed but you have to go out and get them. That’s fine. But usually you make a trade like that to surround an already capable team, not to become a little more capable….unless they are cheap OA’s.

The reality is, we are speculating 2 seasons ahead. I am fine with that but we need to see wha they do next season to be confident about 2026-27. All we have to go on is their current roster and draft picks. Kingston has not proven to be a team to take full advantage of their draft picks as picked. They also haven’t been consistent bringing over high quality Imports. They don’t look to be in a position where they will sign elite NCAA guys. That doesn’t mean it won’t change. But, leading indicators are they will still struggle a bit in those areas. I am using past capabilities to forecast the future but it isn’t an exact science.

Let’s pick this convo back up next offseason when we will have a more full picture of what that team will look like in 2026-27.

 

[OMG67]

I just went through the league, and many teams have a glut of OA. The only teams tht might need OA are Kitchener London Soo and North Bay

I feel that unless the world falls apart, Ottawa will not be trading any of our OA, and Kingston will have trouble with the ones they have. That does not include any Euro players who are OA because most are signed to the NHL, or I doubt OHL teams will keep them and waste two positions.

The only player we will have with any trade value is Ekberg if he has a good year.

I will take your word for it regarding the League wide OA situation. We don’t have any “graduating” players that are worth anything next year. We are an inconsequential deadline team next year. That isn’t a secret.

Ekberg isn’t a graduating player. He won’t be moved.

 

[dirty12]

Agreed but you have to go out and get them. That’s fine. But usually you make a trade like that to surround an already capable team, not to become a little more capable….unless they are cheap OA’s.

The reality is, we are speculating 2 seasons ahead. I am fine with that but we need to see wha they do next season to be confident about 2026-27. All we have to go on is their current roster and draft picks. Kingston has not proven to be a team to take full advantage of their draft picks as picked. They also haven’t been consistent bringing over high quality Imports. They don’t look to be in a position where they will sign elite NCAA guys. That doesn’t mean it won’t change. But, leading indicators are they will still struggle a bit in those areas. I am using past capabilities to forecast the future but it isn’t an exact science.

Let’s pick this convo back up next offseason when we will have a more full picture of what that team will look like in 2026-27.

I’m guessing you did not reply to the post that you had intended.
I am an advocate for acquiring players for a planned run well in advance. Many 17 yr olds and future middle of the roster 18 yr olds are easier to acquire. They are cheaper and have less alternatives than true rookies and 19 yr olds, and have time to grow as players in a system.

 

[beastintheeast]

I will take your word for it regarding the League wide OA situation. We don’t have any “graduating” players that are worth anything next year. We are an inconsequential deadline team next year. That isn’t a secret.

Ekberg isn’t a graduating player. He won’t be moved.

I didn't say he should or would be; I just said that he is the only player other teams might want

 

[OMG67]

I’m guessing you did not reply to the post that you had intended.
I am an advocate for acquiring players for a planned run well in advance. Many 17 yr olds and future middle of the roster 18 yr olds are easier to acquire. They are cheaper and have less alternatives than true rookies and 19 yr olds, and have time to grow as players in a system.

I am with you there. If you know where your gaps and holes are, and you have an opportunity to fill them now, then do it provided it is not cost adverse to do so. The issue with Kingston is they are light on picks and don’t have players to use in those deals other teams would want so that strategy may be more difficult for them. The Fronts graduate so many bodies this year that they are massively hamstrung which is the point of the entire conversation arch.

Over the next three drafts, Kingston has one 2nd and two 4ths. They have a handful of potential conditional picks that may pay off depending on Thibodeau and Malhotra playing next year. Again, they NEED draft picks. Without picks, you cannot draft players and you cannot trade for players.

Strategies are great but you have to have the assets in hand to implement the strategies.

I assume you are suggesting they trade the OA’s and use those picks to acquire the 17 year olds. Again, that is fine but they still have a bunch of open draft slots. The cheapest way to acquire a player is to use a 3rd round pick and draft him, not trade a 2nd and a 3rd for a 17 year old investment. It may be a bird in hand which is good but when you are short on the picks, you have less options.

 

[OMG67]

I didn't say he should or would be; I just said that he is the only player other teams might want

Then why does it matter?

Marrelli will have significant value at the deadline but he is unlikely to be a graduating player. He is likely to return for an OA season.

Foster may have some value as an OA (3rd and 4th?). It is likely he would be more valuable to the 67’s as a player on roster though….similar situation to Gerrior this year.

Nelson would also have a pretty high value. But, again, why would they trade their starting goalie at 18 years old?

Amidovski would have significant value.

Jackson would have value

Eshkawkogan would have very serious value, probably the most of any player on the roster.

So, if the idea is we are trying to present an argument that the 67’s have nothing of value, I think you may be a little off base. The more accurate statement is that the 67’s don’t really have players set to graduate that would have significant value at the deadline this year. So, they are more likely to stand pat, or move players that are deemed expendable from positions of depth. A team may be looking for a depth LW and a player like Souliere could be traded for a 10th round pick? Something like that could happen.

 

[ScoutLife4]

I am with you there. If you know where your gaps and holes are, and you have an opportunity to fill them now, then do it provided it is not cost adverse to do so. The issue with Kingston is they are light on picks and don’t have players to use in those deals other teams would want so that strategy may be more difficult for them. The Fronts graduate so many bodies this year that they are massively hamstrung which is the point of the entire conversation arch.

Over the next three drafts, Kingston has one 2nd and two 4ths. They have a handful of potential conditional picks that may pay off depending on Thibodeau and Malhotra playing next year. Again, they NEED draft picks. Without picks, you cannot draft players and you cannot trade for players.

Strategies are great but you have to have the assets in hand to implement the strategies.

I assume you are suggesting they trade the OA’s and use those picks to acquire the 17 year olds. Again, that is fine but they still have a bunch of open draft slots. The cheapest way to acquire a player is to use a 3rd round pick and draft him, not trade a 2nd and a 3rd for a 17 year old investment. It may be a bird in hand which is good but when you are short on the picks, you have less options.

The problem you speak of is only existent until one trade is made though.
Draft picks are fully restocked by moving one player.
It’s really a non issue for upcoming draft.
Everyone knows that cupboard gets fully stocked next season so it means nothing

 

[beastintheeast]

The problem you speak of is only existent until one trade is made though.
Draft picks are fully restocked by moving one player.
It’s really a non issue for upcoming draft.
Everyone knows that cupboard gets fully stocked next season so it means nothing

Then why does it matter?

Marrelli will have significant value at the deadline but he is unlikely to be a graduating player. He is likely to return for an OA season.

Foster may have some value as an OA (3rd and 4th?). It is likely he would be more valuable to the 67’s as a player on roster though….similar situation to Gerrior this year.

Nelson would also have a pretty high value. But, again, why would they trade their starting goalie at 18 years old?

Amidovski would have significant value.

Jackson would have value

Eshkawkogan would have very serious value, probably the most of any player on the roster.

So, if the idea is we are trying to present an argument that the 67’s have nothing of value, I think you may be a little off base. The more accurate statement is that the 67’s don’t really have players set to graduate that would have significant value at the deadline this year. So, they are more likely to stand pat, or move players that are deemed expendable from positions of depth. A team may be looking for a depth LW and a player like Souliere could be traded for a 10th round pick? Something like that could happen.

Give me a break if I do not agree with you I am out to lunch.

Teah any player on a team has some value and could be traded.

What I said is that looking at our lineup next year, the leading player that a team would definitely want is Ekberg.

He is the only offensive-threat player we have. Look at all the returning forwards do you really think that Boyd is going to be able to trade him next year when he could not trade him or Pinelli this year.

You have your views and others have ours.

Some of us think that Kingston could be competitive next year compared to many other teams, including Ottawa.

To use your argument, you never know how many NCAA players Kingston can sign and get to play.

 

[OMG67]

The problem you speak of is only existent until one trade is made though.
Draft picks are fully restocked by moving one player.
It’s really a non issue for upcoming draft.
Everyone knows that cupboard gets fully stocked next season so it means nothing

Which player is being moved to acquire two 2nds, three 3rds, and a 4th? Additionally, is it ideal to simply have ONLY a full cupboard or is or more ideal to be overstocked to allow for the flexibility to use picks to add players as needed to help round out the roster?

IMO, Miedema and Soto can be used to acquire the picks. Battaglia can be used to acquire a key player (and a couple picks) which would put Kingston in a good situation to launch their rebuild. However, with such mass graduation, there isn’t much other than Hopkins, Dervin, McGowan(OA) and Williamson to move forward with post-deadline that has any experience….assuming they move Battaglia, Miedema, and Soto. Players like Buttar, Weir, and Moore may take a step forward but in your honest opinion, will they? If they don’t, then Kingston has no other option than to build around the ‘09s and ‘10s.

The ‘07s are Hopkins, Dervin, and Moore. The ‘08s are Buttar, Kelly, and Betts.

So, the long term approach, and much of the conversation is about forecasting the lineup not next year (because we know it will be awful post-deadline next year), it is what does it look like in 2026-27? How do you strategize NOW for how you approach 2026-27 and 2027-28? If you go into 2026-27 with Hopkins, Williamson, Betts, two 1sts in 2025, one 1st in 2026, and two Import picks as the core of the lineup, is that a strong enough lineup to compete at a level where keeping Hopkins is a serious discussion? THAT is what I am trying to point to. Is it optimal to strategically bring the picks cupboard back to normal and stand pat and not want to try to stockpile more picks to use as ammunition in future trades (potentially in 2027-28)? Is it best to finish 6th in 2027 and losing in five games WITH Hopkins or it is better to finish in 8th and lose in 4 games without Hopkins (but then holding a 1st round pick and a couple extra picks)? AND, if you think that is an ideal situation, then the logical next step in the discussion is how aggressive do you want to be? Do you want to say, F it and deal Hopkins next year IF the market is hot or do you wait one more year and see what that market is like?

That is all I am saying. I think this is much more than simply having a strategy to replace empty slots in the draft cupboard as if doing that solves all problems and everything is back to normal in Fronts-land. Take the next step on that path to the next competitive window and figure out wha tyou need to get there. Map out the path now. Don’t be content with just filling in holes in the draft pick cabinet.

Brantford is competing for a Championship this year. Next year they will enter the season with TEN 2nd round picks to use as further ammunition. They didn’t get that way being content with filling in empty slots on their draft board. They were aggressive at selling off players after their last Championship run. IMO, that is a strong model to use for other teams not named London. Don’t go into your Championship calibre year with an average amount of picks and be forced to trade two draft classes like the Petes. Go in loaded for bear and use that big bag of bullets. I think Kingston has an opportunity to go into their next Championship run loaded with a big bag of bullets.

 

[OMG67]

Give me a break if I do not agree with you I am out to lunch.

Teah any player on a team has some value and could be traded.

What I said is that looking at our lineup next year, the leading player that a team would definitely want is Ekberg.

He is the only offensive-threat player we have. Look at all the returning forwards do you really think that Boyd is going to be able to trade him next year when he could not trade him or Pinelli this year.

You have your views and others have ours.

Some of us think that Kingston could be competitive next year compared to many other teams, including Ottawa.

To use your argument, you never know how many NCAA players Kingston can sign and get to play.

YOU SAID:

The only player we will have with any trade value is Ekberg and that is if he has a good year.

I SAID:

Ekberg isn’t a graduating player so he won’t be moved.

YOU SAID:

I didn’t say he should be or would be; I said he’d be the only player other teams might want.

I SAID:

XXXXXX players are all valuable and clearly teams would want them.

Now, for some reason, you are mad at me for listing a bunch of other players with value that other teams would want? You are saying again that looking at our lineup, the only player that teams would want is Ekberg. So, you are doubling down on the statement that the ONLY PLAYER teams would want is Ekberg. I differ in opinion. I suggest that if we put all the roster players on the market next year, I think there are at least three players that would be more valuable as trade pieces. In order:

1> Eshkawkogan
2> Amidovski
3> Nelson

I could also make a strong argument that Marrelli is worth more than Ekberg and would be more sought after simply because Ekberg is an Import and a lot of teams would already have two Imports and no roster space for him.

I cannot infer what you are saying. I can only read what you type and expect that what you mean when you use the words ONLY PLAYER (now twice) is that you mean there are no other players. You have stated twice that Ekberg is the ONLY PLAYER followed by THAT TEAMS WOULD WANT. I’m pretty strong at reading comprehension. Using my skills at reading comprehension, I am taking you at your word and arguing that there are not only other players teams would want BUT ALSO that there are players that hold a higher value than the player you have presented.

If I am misinterpreting what you are saying, then the onus is on you to clarify and be more clear.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Which player is being moved to acquire two 2nds, three 3rds, and a 4th? Additionally, is it ideal to simply have ONLY a full cupboard or is or more ideal to be overstocked to allow for the flexibility to use picks to add players as needed to help round out the roster?

IMO, Miedema and Soto can be used to acquire the picks. Battaglia can be used to acquire a key player (and a couple picks) which would put Kingston in a good situation to launch their rebuild. However, with such mass graduation, there isn’t much other than Hopkins, Dervin, McGowan(OA) and Williamson to move forward with post-deadline that has any experience….assuming they move Battaglia, Miedema, and Soto. Players like Buttar, Weir, and Moore may take a step forward but in your honest opinion, will they? If they don’t, then Kingston has no other option than to build around the ‘09s and ‘10s.

The ‘07s are Hopkins, Dervin, and Moore. The ‘08s are Buttar, Kelly, and Betts.

So, the long term approach, and much of the conversation is about forecasting the lineup not next year (because we know it will be awful post-deadline next year), it is what does it look like in 2026-27? How do you strategize NOW for how you approach 2026-27 and 2027-28? If you go into 2026-27 with Hopkins, Williamson, Betts, two 1sts in 2025, one 1st in 2026, and two Import picks as the core of the lineup, is that a strong enough lineup to compete at a level where keeping Hopkins is a serious discussion? THAT is what I am trying to point to. Is it optimal to strategically bring the picks cupboard back to normal and stand pat and not want to try to stockpile more picks to use as ammunition in future trades (potentially in 2027-28)? Is it best to finish 6th in 2027 and losing in five games WITH Hopkins or it is better to finish in 8th and lose in 4 games without Hopkins (but then holding a 1st round pick and a couple extra picks)? AND, if you think that is an ideal situation, then the logical next step in the discussion is how aggressive do you want to be? Do you want to say, F it and deal Hopkins next year IF the market is hot or do you wait one more year and see what that market is like?

That is all I am saying. I think this is much more than simply having a strategy to replace empty slots in the draft cupboard as if doing that solves all problems and everything is back to normal in Fronts-land. Take the next step on that path to the next competitive window and figure out wha tyou need to get there. Map out the path now. Don’t be content with just filling in holes in the draft pick cabinet.

Brantford is competing for a Championship this year. Next year they will enter the season with TEN 2nd round picks to use as further ammunition. They didn’t get that way being content with filling in empty slots on their draft board. They were aggressive at selling off players after their last Championship run. IMO, that is a strong model to use for other teams not named London. Don’t go into your Championship calibre year with an average amount of picks and be forced to trade two draft classes like the Petes. Go in loaded for bear and use that big bag of bullets. I think Kingston has an opportunity to go into their next Championship run loaded with a big bag of bullets.

Battaglia being moved before deadline next season would fully restock their cupboard!
Not to mention they have a surplus of 19 year olds right now that need homes for picks.
I just don’t see why you think there is this big issue coming at Kingston when there isn’t lol.
They are not going to keep their picks empty and not be able to draft lol

 

[OMG67]

Battaglia being moved before deadline next season would fully restock their cupboard!
Not to mention they have a surplus of 19 year olds right now that need homes for picks.
I just don’t see why you think there is this big issue coming at Kingston when there isn’t lol.
They are not going to keep their picks empty and not be able to draft lol

You are missing the point. You are looking at step one. I am looking past step one. Step one is obvious.

Step One:
I will argue that Miedema and Soto will fill in all the holes in the draft cabinet. AND if both Thibodeau and Malhotra suit up next season in the OHL, that is a full 2028 draft pick restock 2nd through 5th rounds. Additionally, when they trade Battaglia, they will get a couple more picks and likely will get an elite prospect (‘08 or ‘09). In fact, they will likely have a small pick surplus if they don’t use picks to acquire players. They also have Willis, Hay and Bishop that could return and may garner trade value. I AGREE WITH YOU. Filling in the empty draft picks isn’t the topic of conversation. That will happen organically. If there is a surplus of OA’s league wide like there was this year, there may be some difficulty turning players into picks but regardless, at minimum, I don’t see a scenario where they cannot at least fill in their holes.

Step Two:
The Fronts will graduate a considerable portion of their lineup this season. Combine that with the trades of Battaglia, Soto, and Miedema, their lineup gets even more thin post-deadline. If we use the current SIGNED players to compile the nucleus of next year’s team, there will be three ‘07s and three ‘08s. That isn’t just a problem next year. It is a problem for future years. Even their crop of ‘06 players that would form their nucleus of OA’s in 2026-27 is weak. IMO, Williamson is their only current ‘06 that is a viable OA candidate. So, not only is there a gap in draft picks, but there is a gap in viable players across all age cohorts. The trades they make in Step One will not fix that issue. When working with OA trades, you usually translate those into draft picks.

Step Three:
How do you fill in those age cohorts gaps for 2026-27? This is where @dirty12 has a strategy of using picks to acquire some young’ish players in the ‘06, ‘07, and ‘08 age cohorts come into play. But, if you only fill in draft pick gaps and are content and stop there, how do you then have a surplus of picks to acquire multi year players to fill in those age cohorts gaps? If you don’t fill in those age cohort gaps then 2026-27 will be another rebuild year because you will have Williamson as an OA and Hopkins+Dervin as your 19 year olds. You are then faced with the probability of trading Hopkins because the team is still struggling.

This is how I view the Fronts situation. If the Fronts management goes into next season only focused on next season and they think they will have accomplished all their goals by remaining somewhat competitive to appease their coach and they recoup their missing draft picks (barely) and consider that a successful season, wait until 2026-27 comes along.

The Fronts have the ability and should have the foresight to take a multi-year approach by building a roadmap to their next competitive window. If they don’t do that then they will likely only ever stay mediocre.

 

[dirty12]

You are missing the point. You are looking at step one. I am looking past step one. Step one is obvious.

Step One:
I will argue that Miedema and Soto will fill in all the holes in the draft cabinet. AND if both Thibodeau and Malhotra suit up next season in the OHL, that is a full 2028 draft pick restock 2nd through 5th rounds. Additionally, when they trade Battaglia, they will get a couple more picks and likely will get an elite prospect (‘08 or ‘09). In fact, they will likely have a small pick surplus if they don’t use picks to acquire players. They also have Willis, Hay and Bishop that could return and may garner trade value. I AGREE WITH YOU. Filling in the empty draft picks isn’t the topic of conversation. That will happen organically. If there is a surplus of OA’s league wide like there was this year, there may be some difficulty turning players into picks but regardless, at minimum, I don’t see a scenario where they cannot at least fill in their holes.

Step Two:
The Fronts will graduate a considerable portion of their lineup this season. Combine that with the trades of Battaglia, Soto, and Miedema, their lineup gets even more thin post-deadline. If we use the current SIGNED players to compile the nucleus of next year’s team, there will be three ‘07s and three ‘08s. That isn’t just a problem next year. It is a problem for future years. Even their crop of ‘06 players that would form their nucleus of OA’s in 2026-27 is weak. IMO, Williamson is their only current ‘06 that is a viable OA candidate. So, not only is there a gap in draft picks, but there is a gap in viable players across all age cohorts. The trades they make in Step One will not fix that issue. When working with OA trades, you usually translate those into draft picks.

Step Three:
How do you fill in those age cohorts gaps for 2026-27? This is where @dirty12 has a strategy of using picks to acquire some young’ish players in the ‘06, ‘07, and ‘08 age cohorts come into play. But, if you only fill in draft pick gaps and are content and stop there, how do you then have a surplus of picks to acquire multi year players to fill in those age cohorts gaps? If you don’t fill in those age cohort gaps then 2026-27 will be another rebuild year because you will have Williamson as an OA and Hopkins+Dervin as your 19 year olds. You are then faced with the probability of trading Hopkins because the team is still struggling.

This is how I view the Fronts situation. If the Fronts management goes into next season only focused on next season and they think they will have accomplished all their goals by remaining somewhat competitive to appease their coach and they recoup their missing draft picks (barely) and consider that a successful season, wait until 2026-27 comes along.

The Fronts have the ability and should have the foresight to take a multi-year approach by building a roadmap to their next competitive window. If they don’t do that then they will likely only ever stay mediocre.

Stockpiling picks for big buys 2-3 seasons down the road no longer seems worth it.

Moving a one season point producing ((only)) forward got the rangers three years worth of 2-4 picks. The cost of Leenders was about 3-2nds more than the cost of a top OA goalie for three consecutive years. Renting a solid top 6 F, a very good #3 C, and a large #6 D cost Kingston 20 future picks and two early picked ‘07s.

Maintaining picks for the next draft, and stockpiling future middle of roster players with term remaining that suit the system is the way to re-tool right now imo.

 

[OMG67]

Stockpiling picks for big buys 2-3 seasons down the road no longer seems worth it.

Moving a one season point producing ((only)) forward got the rangers three years worth of 2-4 picks. The cost of Leenders was about 3-2nds more than the cost of a top OA goalie for three consecutive years. Renting a solid top 6 F, a very good #3 C, and a large #6 D cost Kingston 20 future picks and two early picked ‘07s.

Maintaining picks for the next draft, and stockpiling future middle of roster players with term remaining that suit the system is the way to re-tool right now imo.

You need to hit on your draft picks, which is fine. You should build through your draft. But, that can only take you so far. London is the only team that has managed to win without making big deadline moves. No other team has done it. London, as discussed a lot over the years on this forum, has had a distinct advantage taking can’t miss gues deeper int he draft that are hard to sign and also are the preferred destination for defected players. They are able to pick up guys like Dickenson for peanuts and get four seasons out of him. Not a fair comparison…and I know you aren’t making that comparison.

None of this addresses the Fronts needs over the next few seasons. They are very short on capable ‘06s, ‘07s and ‘08s, and not because they traded them. They simply didn’t draft well enough. If Kingston is not a desired destination, it is hard to stockpile players with term because all highschool aged players have no trade clauses. At best, they can maybe pick up some 18 year olds but those players have to come available. There are some players that you re referring to that come available but they are either disgruntled or excess. It is hard to stockpile guys that are traded for when there aren’t all that many available or at least not in high enough quantity to easy pick them up for cheap.

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong because I am not scouring the transactions list for those guys so if there are some strong examples of players you are referring to over the past couple seasons, I am open to being corrected. From my perspective, the volume of traded players tends to be OA’s or depth guys to fill out numbers (and elite deadline guys). Most teams aren’t effectively releasing 17 and 18 year olds to the market unless there is a very good reason. Usually that reason is geographical. They want to be closer to home.

 

[beastintheeast]

wHY HAS THE 67 THREAD BECOME THE fRONTS THREAD

 

[dirty12]

You need to hit on your draft picks, which is fine. You should build through your draft. But, that can only take you so far. London is the only team that has managed to win without making big deadline moves. No other team has done it. London, as discussed a lot over the years on this forum, has had a distinct advantage taking can’t miss gues deeper int he draft that are hard to sign and also are the preferred destination for defected players. They are able to pick up guys like Dickenson for peanuts and get four seasons out of him. Not a fair comparison…and I know you aren’t making that comparison.

None of this addresses the Fronts needs over the next few seasons. They are very short on capable ‘06s, ‘07s and ‘08s, and not because they traded them. They simply didn’t draft well enough. If Kingston is not a desired destination, it is hard to stockpile players with term because all highschool aged players have no trade clauses. At best, they can maybe pick up some 18 year olds but those players have to come available. There are some players that you re referring to that come available but they are either disgruntled or excess. It is hard to stockpile guys that are traded for when there aren’t all that many available or at least not in high enough quantity to easy pick them up for cheap.

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong because I am not scouring the transactions list for those guys so if there are some strong examples of players you are referring to over the past couple seasons, I am open to being corrected. From my perspective, the volume of traded players tends to be OA’s or depth guys to fill out numbers (and elite deadline guys). Most teams aren’t effectively releasing 17 and 18 year olds to the market unless there is a very good reason. Usually that reason is geographical. They want to be closer to home.

The good ‘06s won’t be for re-tooling teams, I don’t think.
Kingston just needs to think term in the import draft, and be ready to take on ‘08s that come available. There will be good teams that cannot really wait on the upside of 17 yr olds and/or be concerned about number of player cards used.

 

[Robray12]

my wishes for the 67s drafting this year is for size and right shots.
1-jaakko wycick
2-cannon thibodeau
3-jeremy freeman

Based on the positions we are picking and who will be available most likely at that time.

 

[OMG67]

wHY HAS THE 67 THREAD BECOME THE fRONTS THREAD

It is a more interesting conversation. Don’t be a party pooper!

 

[OMG67]

The good ‘06s won’t be for re-tooling teams, I don’t think.
Kingston just needs to think term in the import draft, and be ready to take on ‘08s that come available. There will be good teams that cannot really wait on the upside of 17 yr olds and/or be concerned about number of player cards used.

Agreed. But to make that happen, they need excess picks. And, that has been my point since the beginning of this conversation. So, first, they need to recoup what the don’t have. Then they need to add excess. Then they trade the excess for the players you have highlighted, or for mature players later. One way or the other, they need excess picks.

The only remaining question is whether they can be successful doing it without trading Hopkins by the deadline in 2026-27.

 

[beastintheeast]

Agreed. But to make that happen, they need excess picks. And, that has been my point since the beginning of this conversation. So, first, they need to recoup what the don’t have. Then they need to add excess. Then they trade the excess for the players you have highlighted, or for mature players later. One way or the other, they need excess picks.

The only remaining question is whether they can be successful doing it without trading Hopkins by the deadline in 2026-27.

Hopkins will be decided by whether the team is doing wel or not and if he is or is not signed to an NHL contract. There is a lot of hockey to go before the deadline in 27

 

[dirty12]

Agreed. But to make that happen, they need excess picks. And, that has been my point since the beginning of this conversation. So, first, they need to recoup what the don’t have. Then they need to add excess. Then they trade the excess for the players you have highlighted, or for mature players later. One way or the other, they need excess picks.

The only remaining question is whether they can be successful doing it without trading Hopkins by the deadline in 2026-27.

Kingston really only needs 3,4,5 picks for the ‘26 draft and 2,3 picks for ‘27. Assuming Kingston does not bust in the next two import drafts they should with relative ease come up with 3-‘08s & 2-‘09s over two seasons, and maintain an adequate amount of picks.

North Bay in one year moved out 3-OAs, 2-‘05s, [and picks with a bare cupboard]; and brought in an OA, ‘06, 4-‘07s, 2-‘08s, as well as an adequate amount of picks to draft with.
Now I do not think Kingston has the real option of holding Battaglia at deadline like NB did with Kennedy & Romani, and Brantford did with VanVliet & Roberts; so, Kingston may not make out as well in that regard. I do however believe Kingston can choose to re-tool or choose to accumulate a silly amount of draft picks.

I no longer like the pick accumulation strategy because in recent years I have seen teams frivolously over spend for Rehkopf; Leenders; VanVliet & Roberts; five OAs over three seasons; …of those five OAs, only Morrison could not be had for a song a couple of years prior.
Furthermore, teams are using those accumulated picks on players that were their third or fourth options.

Say what you want about the inability of Kingston to acquire targeted players, but the truth is; Wakely chose Barrie because it gave him a direct line of communication with the coach/GM, and SSM was not taking a deal for Gibson unless Kingston gave up Hopkins.