Owen Sound Attack 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Stellar29]

I can't disagree with much of what your saying. I do think that if they move Guindon, it would be more of a Zhilkin type trade for 5 picks, vs a Del Mastro trade that brought in a strong 17 year old.

If they move Colby now or later, the return is probably the same, a young 16/17 year old and 4/5 picks.

I think they could net 10/13 picks if they sold now and a good young player or two, but as far as players on the ice, im not sure selling now would advance that much vs what they would look like at the deadline next year.

I can't say that anything your saying is wrong, but i do see a team that on paper should be one of the best in the west and if they ever figure it out, they could be a top team on that side. Personally I would support a buy given the makeup of the team, but I can see the argument on a sell mentality and can't say its wrong.

Buying now is more about hope that they figure it out vs selling is wanting to net picks and start again.

I think next year is a sell regardless, if they buy players they can sell next year, that may be a good middle ground to take.

I guess I'm just more pessimistic lol. This team should be better than it has been, I totally believe and understand that but it's a results driven game and this team hasn't delivered on that promise. Now at the half way point of the season I think it's pretty fair to say this team is what it is. In my opinion it would be incredibly poor judgement to buy based on hope alone and a team constructed on paper(criticizing management/ownership if they went that route). I could get behind a buy if the 4 seed was still reasonably in sight but I can't see them making the moves required to be better than Kitchener, Soo, Saginaw, London and Guelph while making up ten points in the standings. At best it would seem this team is a 6 seed.

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on trade values but I think based on going rates for players a return would look something like:

Goure/Sedley - two picks(2nd and 3rd?) or a player(06) or a player(05) and a pick
Burroughs - (3rd and a 5th)
Guindon - two 2nds and three 3rds
Petrovsky - Not a clue what a reasonable value for an 04 import is but 04 D Hamara went for a 3rd and 4th.
Jordan - complete unknown but maybe two 4ths?
Barlow - 07 1st rounder plue two 2nd and two 3rds?

I'm not saying they would move all of those pieces but I would think you'd have to do at least 3 of them.

Next year has to be a sell based on how thin this group will be at the 05 and 04 age group. Realistically, the best pieces would be Barlow and Petrovski to trade and maybe Guindon as an OA if Montreal doesn't sign him. Waddick would have to take meaningful strides to recoup any value I think. You won't get the same value from next year's team.

Either way, stand pat can't be an option in my opinion.

 

[AttackBeacher]

I guess I'm just more pessimistic lol. This team should be better than it has been, I totally believe and understand that but it's a results driven game and this team hasn't delivered on that promise. Now at the half way point of the season I think it's pretty fair to say this team is what it is. In my opinion it would be incredibly poor judgement to buy based on hope alone and a team constructed on paper(criticizing management/ownership if they went that route). I could get behind a buy if the 4 seed was still reasonably in sight but I can't see them making the moves required to be better than Kitchener, Soo, Saginaw, London and Guelph while making up ten points in the standings. At best it would seem this team is a 6 seed.

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on trade values but I think based on going rates for players a return would look something like:

Goure/Sedley - two picks(2nd and 3rd?) or a player(06) or a player(05) and a pick
Burroughs - (3rd and a 5th)
Guindon - two 2nds and three 3rds
Petrovsky - Not a clue what a reasonable value for an 04 import is but 04 D Hamara went for a 3rd and 4th.
Jordan - complete unknown but maybe two 4ths?
Barlow - 07 1st rounder plue two 2nd and two 3rds?

I'm not saying they would move all of those pieces but I would think you'd have to do at least 3 of them.

Next year has to be a sell based on how thin this group will be at the 05 and 04 age group. Realistically, the best pieces would be Barlow and Petrovski to trade and maybe Guindon as an OA if Montreal doesn't sign him. Waddick would have to take meaningful strides to recoup any value I think. You won't get the same value from next year's team.

Either way, stand pat can't be an option in my opinion.

I can't say that your wrong, as I said before. I just think that there is enough on this team to give the community a bit of an opportunity to get behind the team and hopefully get a run going. Carter George could steal a series and if Colby plays as well as he can, he could be the best player in the OHL.

Lots of ifs and buts, but I would roll the dice. Not a fair comparison because they were probably better last year then where the Attack are now, but many people thought that the Petes were crazy for buying like they did. I don't think the Attack are going to win this year, but a few smart buys may get them in the spot to make some noise in the playoffs.

 

[Jives]

Ranger fan here. I’d take Petrovky for a 3rd and 4th. He is good friends with Medar and they seem to play well together.

 

[OSattackfan]

Your point is correct, the 30 wins thing isn't Dale's, its the ownership groups, and not changing.

So really, people can accept it, or they can cheer for someone else. That's really the only two options.

With regards to rebuilds, be careful what you wish for, teams like Erie have been rebuilding for 5 years. Just because you start a rebuild doesn't mean you actualy build it back up.

I think the Attack draft quite well in the last 4/5 years and seem to trade smartly, so a rebuild may not be as painful. I do see them moving Barlow next year, much like Suzuki a few years ago. Next year the roster will be pretty lean on older players.

I've been supporting this team since day one along with a lot of other fans and I think we deserve a team that can at least get passed first round. WE the season ticket holders are contributing to the ownership income. So if it wasn't for us ticket holders there would be no team. At least the ownership could acknowledge that . The question here is " Are you happy with a 30 season every year? Or are you a billet who gets free season tickets every year so it doesn't matter to you.
I want a team in Owen Sound as much as anyone and I invest my share supporting the team, so you have no right telling me to accept it.

 

[AttackBeacher]

I've been supporting this team since day one along with a lot of other fans and I think we deserve a team that can at least get passed first round. WE the season ticket holders are contributing to the ownership income. So if it wasn't for us ticket holders there would be no team. At least the ownership could acknowledge that . The question here is " Are you happy with a 30 season every year? Or are you a billet who gets free season tickets every year so it doesn't matter to you.
I want a team in Owen Sound as much as anyone and I invest my share supporting the team, so you have no right telling me to accept it.

I pay just as much as anyone else and to be honest, probably get less then the average fan does because despite being semi - retired, i have some business that takes me out of town enough that I only get to see 25 games or so in person a year. I almost invest as much in seeing the team on the road when you count all the extra money spent for hotels, gas, etc.

Thats fine that you think that, I'm not telling you that you cannot expect that. I'm not telling you what to think. What Im telling you is that you do not get to decide what happens to the team, the owners do. I think the Attack probably have a better feel for their fan base then you do and as such operate the way they do. They please the majority vs the minority. You can write a post on here ranting about the team, but that and shaking your fist at the clouds have the same effect, nothing.

Based on that, you have options...

1. Do nothing, post on here and feel like you're doing something but actually doing nothing.
2. Be happy that we have a team and hope that we have a window every 3/4th year.
3. Talk to the owners and see if they change their mind on the constant need to compete.
4. Buy the team
5. Stop paying for your tickets.

Thats basically what it comes down too. And to be honest, I don't think you'll get the answer that you want with #3, so you may be to look to others. You have power to do whatever it is you like, the only thing that I can tell you will have zero effect on anything is complaining on here, that will have zero impact on anything other than perhaps making you feel a bit better psychologically.


Personally, I have little complaints on my value to spending on this team, I look at teams like Sudbury, Niagara and outside of last year Sarnia who are constantly mediocre with little championship success over the last 20 years. But you do NOT have to feel that way, and if you don't, then I encourage you to do something other then #1 on that list, because as I said about, #1 is the least effective route to getting what you say you want.

 

[ktownfan]

I guess I'm just more pessimistic lol. This team should be better than it has been, I totally believe and understand that but it's a results driven game and this team hasn't delivered on that promise. Now at the half way point of the season I think it's pretty fair to say this team is what it is. In my opinion it would be incredibly poor judgement to buy based on hope alone and a team constructed on paper(criticizing management/ownership if they went that route). I could get behind a buy if the 4 seed was still reasonably in sight but I can't see them making the moves required to be better than Kitchener, Soo, Saginaw, London and Guelph while making up ten points in the standings. At best it would seem this team is a 6 seed.

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on trade values but I think based on going rates for players a return would look something like:

Goure/Sedley - two picks(2nd and 3rd?) or a player(06) or a player(05) and a pick
Burroughs - (3rd and a 5th)
Guindon - two 2nds and three 3rds
Petrovsky - Not a clue what a reasonable value for an 04 import is but 04 D Hamara went for a 3rd and 4th.
Jordan - complete unknown but maybe two 4ths?
Barlow - 07 1st rounder plue two 2nd and two 3rds?

I'm not saying they would move all of those pieces but I would think you'd have to do at least 3 of them.

Next year has to be a sell based on how thin this group will be at the 05 and 04 age group. Realistically, the best pieces would be Barlow and Petrovski to trade and maybe Guindon as an OA if Montreal doesn't sign him. Waddick would have to take meaningful strides to recoup any value I think. You won't get the same value from next year's team.

Either way, stand pat can't be an option in my opinion.

Good post and i don't disagree with your evaluation of the trade market. Moving the 3 OAs make it a bit more difficult, but they have been your best players most nights. Short term rentals are difficult in this league

 

[Stellar29]

I can't say that your wrong, as I said before. I just think that there is enough on this team to give the community a bit of an opportunity to get behind the team and hopefully get a run going. Carter George could steal a series and if Colby plays as well as he can, he could be the best player in the OHL.

Lots of ifs and buts, but I would roll the dice. Not a fair comparison because they were probably better last year then where the Attack are now, but many people thought that the Petes were crazy for buying like they did. I don't think the Attack are going to win this year, but a few smart buys may get them in the spot to make some noise in the playoffs.

If they want to make a run they need at least two solid D additions I think and maybe have assets for one without mortgaging the future. Carter George can absolutely steal a game but stealing a series is a whole other matter altogether. That's a huge ask but it would very likely be reality if they want to make it out of round 1.

If they want to be the Petes of last year then Addy and Cormier/Rogers/Tersigni are all likely out the door along with any draft picks of value and then you stare down the barrel of a 3-4 year rebuild. That's a dangerous gamble to make on this group in my opinion.

Selling this year means you're likely bad for 1.5 seasons before being a contender again. Selling next year means you're likely just bad for 1 season and probably not a true contender the following year(though no guarantee they buy and aren't bad this year lol). Really a decision for ownership for how much pain they can stomach. One option gives them a chance to be more competitive, a true contender, and the other just leaves them in the mix.

To me, it's a clear cut sell year but it's not my money. Obviously ownership has final say but I know there are other factors behind the scenes that are part of the decision making process that we don't necessarily see. The health of the organization and viability of OHL hockey in Owen Sound is important.

I think at the end of day we all want to see the Attack make a serious run at another championship, I just don't think this is the team to do it.

 

[Bear in the Woods]

With only 6 wins at home this year and attendance holding relatively stead, I think the fanbase would support a rebuild. I understand the risk reward scenario in business and this is a tough one for ownership to grapple with.
My hope would be that the team sees us there ready to support them. Have some faith in us and build the team we know they can.

 

[MCur19]

 

[Stellar29]

Can't say I love the trade cost. Half way in now, best go all the way in if they are sending out our first round pick.

 

[OHL4Life]

Can't say I love the trade cost. Half way in now, best go all the way in if they are sending out our first round pick.

interesting they opened up an import spot

 

[PensFan101]

I don't think I've ever been so down on the state of this team, and that trade is not helping. Two guys who don't really move the needle, and we give up a promising 16 year old who for some reason, after being convinced to come here and forgo NCAA eligibility, never saw the ice and never got a chance.

Bad sign when Fred Wallace comes out and suggests the team should sell, then this happens.

DeGray better be all in now and that import spot better be filled, otherwise it should be his last deadline in charge.

 

[Stellar29]

interesting they opened up an import spot

Matejicek has underwhelmed this season I think but he's an 05 and could have been back next year. Left D in for Left D out. They need a right side D to bump Steen I think. I doubt there's another shoe to drop but I hope this isn't it if they are serious about trying to win anything this year.

 

[Kingpin794]

interesting they opened up an import spot

Maybe they aim for Vilmanis now?

 

[Section5Petes]

Have to say I'm shocked that Konnor Smith and Sam McCue brought back an '07 first rounder, not to mention Matejicek. I can confidently say that Attack fans will enjoy watching these two no doubt. Surprised the Petes dealt McCue but he will do good things in OS.

 

[AttackBeacher]

Have to say I'm shocked that Konnor Smith and Sam McCue brought back an '07 first rounder, not to mention Matejicek. I can confidently say that Attack fans will enjoy watching these two no doubt. Surprised the Petes dealt McCue but he will do good things in OS.

To be honest I think Matejicek was a pure throw in, his minutes have dwindled all year. Hes serviceable on a team with low expectations, but not a team with aspirations.

Maybe they aim for Vilmanis now?

That would make some sense.

 

[leafsrdue]

What was the pick?

 

[Stellar29]

To be honest I think Matejicek was a pure throw in, his minutes have dwindled all year. Hes serviceable on a team with low expectations, but not a team with aspirations.



That would make some sense.

If we're buying, might as well go all in. Vilmanis and Jacob LeBlanc(R D)/Andrew LeBlanc would work. Still need a R shot D I think.

 

[AttackBeacher]

Can't say I love the trade cost. Half way in now, best go all the way in if they are sending out our first round pick.

Didn't expect that so quick. I would have preferred to a higher end D if they are moving Addy, but Im not sure who else was out there. Smith should add 20 minutes a night and allow some guys to play more in slot vs playing out of slot.

Other thing about Smith being an overage next year, he should be a tradable asset.

McCue I don't really know, but 11 goals as an 05 should help the depth of the team. If they do add a forward import and McCue is on your 4th line, thats impressive depth.

 

[Stellar29]

Didn't expect that so quick. I would have preferred to a higher end D if they are moving Addy, but Im not sure who else was out there. Smith should add 20 minutes a night and allow some guys to play more in slot vs playing out of slot.

Other thing about Smith being an overage next year, he should be a tradable asset.

McCue I don't really know, but 11 goals as an 05 should help the depth of the team. If they do add a forward import and McCue is on your 4th line, thats impressive depth.

The thing about Smith, which the Attack D core sorely misses in my opinion, is an edge. He's going to be tough in front of the net and in the corners and add some bite. If he's returned as an OA he will recoup some of the cost next year potentially but we will need to try and get a good 07 for Barlow next year to replace Addy. That was a lot to give up.

 

[Section5Petes]

Didn't expect that so quick. I would have preferred to a higher end D if they are moving Addy, but Im not sure who else was out there. Smith should add 20 minutes a night and allow some guys to play more in slot vs playing out of slot.

Other thing about Smith being an overage next year, he should be a tradable asset.

McCue I don't really know, but 11 goals as an 05 should help the depth of the team. If they do add a forward import and McCue is on your 4th line, thats impressive depth.

I really liked Sam McCue and didn't expect to see him go. he can score

 

[PensFan101]

The thing about Smith, which the Attack D core sorely misses in my opinion, is an edge. He's going to be tough in front of the net and in the corners and add some bite. If he's returned as an OA he will recoup some of the cost next year potentially but we will need to try and get a good 07 for Barlow next year to replace Addy. That was a lot to give up.

The big risk though is that Smith turns pro, even though the Ducks don't have to sign him (and given their defensive depth overall, they don't seem to have a pressing need to have him turn pro). But that's a huge risk.

Matejicek was replaceable and not going to return to this team next year, but damn it stings to lose Addy and we may only have a depth scoring forward to show for it next year.

And who knows if the pick was a high one, too.

 

[Stellar29]

The big risk though is that Smith turns pro, even though the Ducks don't have to sign him (and given their defensive depth overall, they don't seem to have a pressing need to have him turn pro). But that's a huge risk.

Matejicek was replaceable and not going to return to this team next year, but damn it stings to lose Addy and we may only have a depth scoring forward to show for it next year.

And who knows if the pick was a high one, too.

That about sums it up pretty well. Lot of risk in the big piece acquired and a ton of risk in Addy moving out. McCue is likely an OA so buying two and a half years of him I would think. I thought Matejicek was starting to pick up his play but obviously patience was thin there and we need help on the blueline. Our left shot D are Jordan, Petrovski and Matejicek and that would make Matejicek odd man out for left shot Smith coming in. Have to wait and see about potentially filling the vacant import slot this year but it will likely be two new import players coming in next season.

Still seems wild to me to be buyers this year but if they are going to do it then they might as well keep going. Bring in a R shot D.

 

[OSattackfan]

I pay just as much as anyone else and to be honest, probably get less then the average fan does because despite being semi - retired, i have some business that takes me out of town enough that I only get to see 25 games or so in person a year. I almost invest as much in seeing the team on the road when you count all the extra money spent for hotels, gas, etc.

Thats fine that you think that, I'm not telling you that you cannot expect that. I'm not telling you what to think. What Im telling you is that you do not get to decide what happens to the team, the owners do. I think the Attack probably have a better feel for their fan base then you do and as such operate the way they do. They please the majority vs the minority. You can write a post on here ranting about the team, but that and shaking your fist at the clouds have the same effect, nothing.

Based on that, you have options...

1. Do nothing, post on here and feel like you're doing something but actually doing nothing.
2. Be happy that we have a team and hope that we have a window every 3/4th year.
3. Talk to the owners and see if they change their mind on the constant need to compete.
4. Buy the team
5. Stop paying for your tickets.

Thats basically what it comes down too. And to be honest, I don't think you'll get the answer that you want with #3, so you may be to look to others. You have power to do whatever it is you like, the only thing that I can tell you will have zero effect on anything is complaining on here, that will have zero impact on anything other than perhaps making you feel a bit better psychologically.


Personally, I have little complaints on my value to spending on this team, I look at teams like Sudbury, Niagara and outside of last year Sarnia who are constantly mediocre with little championship success over the last 20 years. But you do NOT have to feel that way, and if you don't, then I encourage you to do something other then #1 on that list, because as I said about, #1 is the least effective route to getting what you say you want

 

[Stellar29]

Deal is now official. The 3rd rounder falling in 2026 is a positive allowing the Attack to keep their two 3rds in the 24 draft.