If all three go to university, we could possibly be back to 0 centers on the team in 26/27.
How the hell can you call that player development fan retention of anything?
The other catch is that you basically have 4 rookies at center. DC hates rookies. Can you really see that working? Also, what is it saying to Canadian kids who get drafted?
We know that DC is disconnected from rookies and does not trust them to be able to play. He also has a disconnect when it comes to teaching offense.
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Any 18-year-old American is going to have been passed over by the USHL and the bigger and better CHL teams (London, Kitchener, Branford Brampton, Oshawa), and my question then becomes, how good are they? USHL players are under contract, yes, and Canadian players may have an out, but I think you will find that American kids will not.
The present political situation with the U.S. could also come into play, especially in Ottawa.
If Boyd makes this a go-for-it year, then I think hee should be replaced before the season even starts or simply told that he will not be extended.
Again I hate to bring up old history but bringin in 1 year players and makeing the palyoffs only to suck the year after sounds a lot like what we went through inthelas years of the M Center in Kingston
It also means tht this team in not interested in winning M Cups or going deep in the playoffs; it just wants to make the playoffs, get the money for 2 games and be done.
I know a lot of you will disagree but this is just my feeling as a long time fan.
I would rather go through a rebuild. Look at Niagara and what they are doing or what the Petes are going to look like this year and for the next few years.
At this stage say what you want about the owner in NIagara but he is looking a lot better than the braintrust here in Ottawa
Again, there is a lot of “worst case scenario” hypotheticals mixed in there. I think you are ignoring the bright side of drafting 2-3 mature Americans and getting them to sign. IF they can do that, the stink on the organization right now disappears. The assumption that they cannot get hard to sign players is gone.
Vandenberg was a late first round to mid-second round talent in the last draft. If they get him signed, then that is a positive as well. Same with Barnett who comes in as an 18 year old.
The players I am referring to aren’t being passed over by the USHL. The players are leaving the USHL, USNTDP, and/or delaying their NCAA commitment. This is my “best case scenario” hypothetical. But, if you believe all the chatter, a lot of players are going to jump to the CHL Leagues this year. That is going to lessen the competitiveness of the USH which, in turn, motivates more to leave the USHL. A lot of CHL players are jumping to the NCAA after they complete their OA year this year. So many signings so far. That is going to push out and delay some younger recruits. The young new American recruits are looking at red shirt years if they keep the timing of their scholarship to commence this fall. That means they cannot dress and play games, only practise. I think those kids will delay their committal year.
This is all about looking at the potential positives and then seeing if the bar can be raised. I mean, if you are Boyd, isn’t that your goal? IT could all fall apart but the potential is out there. The rest of the league is looking to do the same thing. It is not like Ottawa would be trying to reinvent the wheel. They are all working on their patent this offseason!
The 67’s theoretically already had a rebuild year. They are picking 3rd overall. They will get a good player there. I know your opinion differs but I still feel Oshawa and Kingston will sell hard. Two divisional rivals that will be weak in the 2nd half. I cannot see Ottawa missing the playoffs next year even if they tried, not with that back end returning. Goal suppression vs other weak teams should be enough to win enough games.
I don’t think you can compare Niagara and Ottawa. First Ottawa has not been repeatedly sanctioned and hasn’t lost 1st round picks, hasn’t been fined six figures, doesn’t have their current GM/owner suspended from the team for two years, and hasn’t finished last in the entire league each of the previous three years. After finishing last overall for each of the last three seasons, Niagara ONLY finished 8 points ahead of Ottawa this year. I’m not sure you can classify that a good rebuild.
I think you are reaching too far to try to discredit the 67’s organization. Many of us may be disappointed in Cameron and some of us Boyd as well but, I think you are taking it to a level that exceeds what is warranted. When you suggest that the Ice Dogs owner is looking a lot better than the brain trust in Ottawa right now, it clearly shows you have gone off the deep end. You’ve reached a little too far my friend.
Also, regarding the “current political situation,” keep in mind that Russia and Ukraine are blowing things up, loads of ill will towards Russia and yet, the watch is on for Ovechkin (a Russian) eclipsing the Great One’s goal scoring record and th eNHL will make a huge deal about it. If that can happen, I cannot see a scenario where hockey fans start to boycott 67’s games because they brought in a couple Americans. Hell, Brady Tkachuk is a fan favourite for the Senators and he is an American.
Boyd and Cameron deserve some criticism. I think both would agree if you had a candid conversation with them. But, this is way too over the top IMO. Didn’t Cameron win coach of the year a couple years ago? Didn’t he take a team that lost a lot of players through Covid and coach them up into a 100+ point team coming out of nowhere to do it? HE isn’t useless. I’d like to see him gone but more because I don’t want a 66 year old coach at the start of a rebuild.
