Owen Sound Attack 2024-25 Season, Part I

[PensFan101]

Michael Dec returned home after yesterday's game, as intended .
He will finish his schooling at St Andrew's, and by all accounts will ( likely ) suit up next season with the Attack .

The situation with Bennett is interesting . He was brought in to fill a gap and has performed exemplary.

Could/ would he come back in a year, if Carter were traded ?

Would love Bennett to come back in the event of a George trade but there are a lot of roster decisions in there that would complicate it for both sides. If the team is selling George, and waiving the white flag on next season, what's the upside in bringing in a goalie who is slated to play his OA season in the NCAA? He's been worthy of playing in the OHL for sure, though, and I'm sure he's gotten some bonus exposure with NHL scouts.

This summary pretty well nails it right on the head. The focus needs to be on adding additional draft stock and top 6 forward potential. The cupboard is in good shape for future drafts but we need extra draft capital for a potential future run if we want to be serious about contending. The Attack have assets that should be able to return exactly that this year and would do well to capitalize on that. Konnor Smith, Sam McCue and James Petrovski should all move and maybe Hookey if somebody offers enough to make it worth the Attack's while. Short term pain for long term gain.

How confident are we feeling about McCue coming back as an overager? I feel like right now it's better than 50/50 with the Leafs having no pressure to sign him. I would lean towards keeping him.

Hookey is an interesting name though. I feel like DeGray's history is to keep a player like him, and with almost every team rostering all three overage spots (and it being a deep year for him), I'd lean towards keeping him though.

Smith and Petrovski, absolutely 100% would move and it seems clear that Smith will go. When we consistently have to scratch either Smith or Bleicher, both of whom I think deserve a regular shift and to see where they slot in for the future, Petrovski's minutes can be replaced.

Going to be an exciting week.

 

[cruickshankd]

Would love Bennett to come back in the event of a George trade but there are a lot of roster decisions in there that would complicate it for both sides. If the team is selling George, and waiving the white flag on next season, what's the upside in bringing in a goalie who is slated to play his OA season in the NCAA? He's been worthy of playing in the OHL for sure, though, and I'm sure he's gotten some bonus exposure with NHL scouts.



How confident are we feeling about McCue coming back as an overager? I feel like right now it's better than 50/50 with the Leafs having no pressure to sign him. I would lean towards keeping him.

Hookey is an interesting name though. I feel like DeGray's history is to keep a player like him, and with almost every team rostering all three overage spots (and it being a deep year for him), I'd lean towards keeping him though.

Smith and Petrovski, absolutely 100% would move and it seems clear that Smith will go. When we consistently have to scratch either Smith or Bleicher, both of whom I think deserve a regular shift and to see where they slot in for the future, Petrovski's minutes can be replaced.

Going to be an exciting week.

I think 6,28 and 12 are on the block....not 32

 

[PensFan101]

I think 6,28 and 12 are on the block....not 32

Sorry I wasn't clear enough, meant selling George next season. Have had no reason to think he's on the block this season nor should he be.

If the other three are moved, the team definitely needs to bring in some OA candidates for next season, but would likely be a great haul for the team.

 

[Stellar29]

Would love Bennett to come back in the event of a George trade but there are a lot of roster decisions in there that would complicate it for both sides. If the team is selling George, and waiving the white flag on next season, what's the upside in bringing in a goalie who is slated to play his OA season in the NCAA? He's been worthy of playing in the OHL for sure, though, and I'm sure he's gotten some bonus exposure with NHL scouts.



How confident are we feeling about McCue coming back as an overager? I feel like right now it's better than 50/50 with the Leafs having no pressure to sign him. I would lean towards keeping him.

Hookey is an interesting name though. I feel like DeGray's history is to keep a player like him, and with almost every team rostering all three overage spots (and it being a deep year for him), I'd lean towards keeping him though.

Smith and Petrovski, absolutely 100% would move and it seems clear that Smith will go. When we consistently have to scratch either Smith or Bleicher, both of whom I think deserve a regular shift and to see where they slot in for the future, Petrovski's minutes can be replaced.

Going to be an exciting week.

Buys you time if Bennett comes in next year full time. He can be the starter or 1A/1B with Koprowski. If he sticks with leaving for the NCAA at the end of the year then hopefully Koprowski is ready to take over the starter's role at 19(which could free up an OA slot). As of right now, the Attack don't have another goalie in the pipeline so drafting one this year to come in behind Koprowski as a rookie at 17 would be a good path as well.

I'm pretty certain McCue comes back. The issue is his value is higher now than it would be as an OA next year if this group can't take that step towards contention next year and we end up selling, which at this point seems likely. The 07s just haven't progressed the way we had hoped(but maybe they figure it out in the second half this year). I'd prefer to take the max value return now than wait and settle for whatever he returns as an OA next year. Our 05 group isn't great but there will be surplus 05s available in the offseason/pre-season that they can bring in for relatively cheap, even if we have to bring in 3 all new OAs.

Hookey is a guy I'd move if somebody is willing to make it worth the Attack's while. I wouldn't move him just for the sake of it as he certainly holds significant value to this Attack team as a good veteran leader and a consistent offensive contributor this year. You could theoretically get an OA back in that transaction that can provide a similar role too so it's not necessarily pure subtraction to the roster.

And that's exactly why I'd move Petrovski if they can get value back for him. I don't want to see Smith/Bleicher/Arnett sitting in the second half. The Attack have enough depth on D that they can move him. If they elect to convert Roy to an A card then they have 7 D. Roy can come up and play if they get into injury or suspension issues.

 

[PensFan101]

Buys you time if Bennett comes in next year full time. He can be the starter or 1A/1B with Koprowski. If he sticks with leaving for the NCAA at the end of the year then hopefully Koprowski is ready to take over the starter's role at 19(which could free up an OA slot). As of right now, the Attack don't have another goalie in the pipeline so drafting one this year to come in behind Koprowski as a rookie at 17 would be a good path as well.

I'm pretty certain McCue comes back. The issue is his value is higher now than it would be as an OA next year if this group can't take that step towards contention next year and we end up selling, which at this point seems likely. The 07s just haven't progressed the way we had hoped(but maybe they figure it out in the second half this year). I'd prefer to take the max value return now than wait and settle for whatever he returns as an OA next year. Our 05 group isn't great but there will be surplus 05s available in the offseason/pre-season that they can bring in for relatively cheap, even if we have to bring in 3 all new OAs.

Hookey is a guy I'd move if somebody is willing to make it worth the Attack's while. I wouldn't move him just for the sake of it as he certainly holds significant value to this Attack team as a good veteran leader and a consistent offensive contributor this year. You could theoretically get an OA back in that transaction that can provide a similar role too so it's not necessarily pure subtraction to the roster.

And that's exactly why I'd move Petrovski if they can get value back for him. I don't want to see Smith/Bleicher/Arnett sitting in the second half. The Attack have enough depth on D that they can move him. If they elect to convert Roy to an A card then they have 7 D. Roy can come up and play if they get into injury or suspension issues.

I think the replacement cost to get 2, maybe 3 OAs is the biggest reason to keep McCue unless a team blows the Attack away with an offer they can't refuse, thinking like a 2008 born player coming back.

If we want an OA with a similar level to McCue next season, we're looking at a Guindon level asking price. If we're looking to do it on the cheap, you end up risking getting multiple guys at the level of Bruce McDonald - who no doubt plays the right way on a rebuilding team - but doesn't have the offence to justify an overage spot on a playoff team. That's a huge, huge risk.

And re: the 07's progressing, that's definitely a reason to trade everyone they can and hand the reigns over to them to see who steps up, but to me the fact that they're seemingly all stagnating or even regressing offensively is a structural issue with the team and goes beyond the players. It's a big task that the rookie coaching staff will have to address in the second half.

 

[Stellar29]

I think the replacement cost to get 2, maybe 3 OAs is the biggest reason to keep McCue unless a team blows the Attack away with an offer they can't refuse, thinking like a 2008 born player coming back.

If we want an OA with a similar level to McCue next season, we're looking at a Guindon level asking price. If we're looking to do it on the cheap, you end up risking getting multiple guys at the level of Bruce McDonald - who no doubt plays the right way on a rebuilding team - but doesn't have the offence to justify an overage spot on a playoff team. That's a huge, huge risk.

And re: the 07's progressing, that's definitely a reason to trade everyone they can and hand the reigns over to them to see who steps up, but to me the fact that they're seemingly all stagnating or even regressing offensively is a structural issue with the team and goes beyond the players. It's a big task that the rookie coaching staff will have to address in the second half.

Guindon is a top tier OA. I don't expect Owen Sound to be shopping in that tier. Maybe more mid tier like 3rd and 5th round picks for a decent OA? Certainly a step up from a McDonald type. Not sure you need 3 OAs anyways. Two solid OAs and maybe add the third if an opportunity presents itself? They project to have extra bodies next year as it is so there will be some roster tweaks coming without question.

Dec will be a fulltime piece next year. Vandeven and Gilby are having nice seasons amongst the 08 draft class. Trent Gates(who has a late birthday) could factor in. Prud'homme could still be a player potentially as an 07. Roy should join full time next year and then there's the Jet Kwajah scenario that could shake out in the offseason(which correct me if I'm wrong, the buyout/transfer fee isn't a thing during the offseason?). Then factor in the new 09 draft class which should produce a high pick forward that will play. Some bodies are getting shipped out/cut at some point. Some of the guys on the roster today are essentially trying out for next year's team and showing they belong. Competition for roster spots is going to be steep.

 

[PensFan101]

Guindon is a top tier OA. I don't expect Owen Sound to be shopping in that tier. Maybe more mid tier like 3rd and 5th round picks for a decent OA? Certainly a step up from a McDonald type. Not sure you need 3 OAs anyways. Two solid OAs and maybe add the third if an opportunity presents itself? They project to have extra bodies next year as it is so there will be some roster tweaks coming without question.

Dec will be a fulltime piece next year. Vandeven and Gilby are having nice seasons amongst the 08 draft class. Trent Gates(who has a late birthday) could factor in. Prud'homme could still be a player potentially as an 07. Roy should join full time next year and then there's the Jet Kwajah scenario that could shake out in the offseason(which correct me if I'm wrong, the buyout/transfer fee isn't a thing during the offseason?). Then factor in the new 09 draft class which should produce a high pick forward that will play. Some bodies are getting shipped out/cut at some point. Some of the guys on the roster today are essentially trying out for next year's team and showing they belong. Competition for roster spots is going to be steep.

Bolded appears to be the case, but don't know the ins and outs of USHL contracts.

Agree with the rest, but if the team is wanting to be competitive with George, can't see them not making use of all 3 OA slots. There will be a lot of competition for spots next season.

 

[Stellar29]

Bolded appears to be the case, but don't know the ins and outs of USHL contracts.

Agree with the rest, but if the team is wanting to be competitive with George, can't see them not making use of all 3 OA slots. There will be a lot of competition for spots next season.

I mean, hypothetically, Owen Sound could hard sell now and soft buy some 05s for next year if they wanted to at this deadline? Brantford was rumored to be a back up option on Konnor Smith. What if a solid 05 like Crombie came back as opposed to a younger player in addition to the draft picks that come back? Crombie could be a Hookey replacement for next year filling a similar role with the physical play and depth scoring. Just purely spit balling a hypothetical here but that could make some sense too.

 

[JRHOCKEYBUZZ]

I mean, hypothetically, Owen Sound could hard sell now and soft buy some 05s for next year if they wanted to at this deadline? Brantford was rumored to be a back up option on Konnor Smith. What if a solid 05 like Crombie came back as opposed to a younger player in addition to the draft picks that come back? Crombie could be a Hookey replacement for next year filling a similar role with the physical play and depth scoring. Just purely spit balling a hypothetical here but that could make some sense too.

If a team like Brantford is looking to make a run this year & acquire a player like Smith - It is not likely that they are looking to off load an 05. Crombie especially sitting 6th on their team in points providing good depth scoring would likely be someone they hold onto until the summer time at least.

 

[Stellar29]

Here's an interesting nugget in Greg Cowan's Trade Deadline piece with Dale DeGray:

“At some point you’ve got to throw caution to the wind and say ‘we’re in, we’re in, here you go’ right? But I think before you do that you have to start accumulating some assets, and that’s what I’m hoping to do,” DeGray said. “I think I’ve done that with Cedrick, I think I’ve done that with Colby and I’m hoping I can do that with Konnor Smith.”

Dale has admitted he's not typically an all in buyer/seller in the past but that quote seems to indicate some shift in mentality that he understands we need the assets to contend down the road. Hopefully he can accumulate a good haul this deadline and really set up the Attack with a good war chest for down the road when the Attack can field a contending roster. It's always frustrating to have a good team approaching the deadline but not the assets to really make a splash to improve the team. This would be a good start.

Owen Sound Attack looking to move captain Konnor Smith ahead of trade deadline

The Owen Sound Attack have their captain on the trade market. GM Dale DeGray said Friday he's looking to move overage defenceman Konnor Smith.

www.owensoundsuntimes.com

 

[Stellar29]

Interesting note in the bottom of Greg Cowan's post game write up.

"Meanwhile, highly touted Attack prospect Jet Kwajah will likely remain in the USHL at least for the rest of the 2024-25 season. The 16-year-old from Etobicoke has dealt with an injury for much of the year. The Penn State commit is a prized target for the Attack, but DeGray cited expensive “development fees” owed to USHL teams when signing a player off the roster as a barrier to acquiring Kwajah in-season."

I don't know about anyone else but to me at least it kind of reads like we'd have signed him if not for the "development fees". Odds of him joining the Attack for next season might actually be pretty decent.

"Jovo" notches first-career shutout as the Owen Sound Attack are blanked in Guelph

The kid from Tecumseh turned the lights back on in Guelph Friday night with a 40-save shutout as the Guelph Storm blanked the Owen Sound Attack 2-0 inside the Sleeman Centre.

www.owensoundsuntimes.com

 

[three dog night]

Tonight game canceled

 

[Stellar29]

Tonight game canceled

Not surprised. It's not pretty in Owen Sound. Lots of snow and it's blowing. Better to be cautious.

 

[Millpond]

Not surprised. It's not pretty in Owen Sound. Lots of snow and it's blowing. Better to be cautious.

It's been a snowglobe here all day.

Hasn't stopped.