Peterborough Petes 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[NorthernVoice]

If you trade for 2 wingers this year, it will be hard to roster a team next year. You probably have to send out a young player or two to get the deals done because of your limited picks. The wingers that you bring in will be OAs next year (of which you now have 10) and you can only dress 3 each game. Because of all your graduations you will need to add 10 players to your roster next year so it's a given that you will roster 4 x 16 year olds, but you aren't picking in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th round this summer because you traded those picks away so your 16 year olds are probably not OHL ready. You can add a couple imports (hopefully), but you still need to find 4 more OHLers from previous drafts.

Sure, you will be able to trade off surplus OAs next summer to get some picks back, but probably not enough to restock picks cupboard back to neutral, and it doesn't address the need for OHL calibre players next season.

So au contraire, trades this year vastly affect next year.

My point is it's going to be like that either way next year.

The current projected roster for next year is something like:

Lefevbre (04) - Melee (04) - McCue (05)
Faulkner (05) - IMPORT - McCallum (06)
Cadorin (07) - Partridge (06) - Page (05)
Rookie (08) - Rookie (08) - Rookie (08)

Cameron (07) - McCoy (04)
IMPORT - Ladds (07)
Woulds (06) - Rookie (08)

Bowen (05)
Rye (06)

They already don't have the picks to fill those gaps and one or two extra picks next season doesn't change the fact that next year's roster is going to be in a world of hurt, if that's how you view it. Additionally, I'm not suggesting they trade McCue or McCallum in such a deal and I don't think anyone else moves the needle to make next year's team significantly worse.

 

[NorthernVoice]

Hell, one of the cheap wingers I'm suggesting they add could be a 19 year old import - they have the open space and those players tend to be dealt for very little come deadline time.

 

[Section5Petes]

Hell, one of the cheap wingers I'm suggesting they add could be a 19 year old import - they have the open space and those players tend to be dealt for very little come deadline time.

acquire Matthieu Paris (ex), an Import forward, keep the goalie duo, the d core and this team could make some noise. NOT saying this is what they should do all however

7 Chase Lefebvre '05	16 Owen Beck '04	20 Tommy Purdeller '04
23 Jonathan Melee '04	26 Jax Dubois '03	12 Sam McCue '05
IMPORT ('04)	21 Mathieu Paris '05​	29 Braydon McCallum '06
14 Quinton Pagé '05	11 Brody Partridge '06	9 Joseph Cadorin '07​

6 Konnor Smith '04	19 Donovan McCoy '04
2 Samuel Mayer '03	15 Carson Cameron '07
3 Cam Gauvreau '03	4 Liam Ladds '07
24 Dylan Woulds '06	25 Brayden Velliaris '05

1 Liam Sztuska '04​

31 ZachBowen '05​

 

[HockeyPops]

Wowza, Faulkner and Ladds on the top 2 lines next year.

I guess not worrying about it now is one approach.

 

[NorthernVoice]

Wowza, Faulkner and Ladds on the top 2 lines next year.

I guess not worrying about it now is one approach.

Are you really suggesting they take players away from the team that is #8 in Canada at the moment to add players that might move the team from #10 in the Conference to #8 in the Conference next season? Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees. Next year should have ZERO bearing on what they do this year, it will not make any significant difference in their level of competitiveness one way or another.

It can make a difference for 25-26, 26-27, 27-28 but to suggest that they add players to help for NEXT YEAR is foolish, it doesn't matter.

 

[HockeyPops]

Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees.

Hey, you stole my argument!

I guess we will agree to disagree. But I will be shocked if you get your wish.

 

[OMG67]

Unpopular opinion: keep everyone, add a couple scoring wingers on the cheap, run it back.

The East stinks. No one is one trade away. The Petes are easily the best team in the conference now and have the goaltending, 4 solid veteran DMen + a rookie who can seemingly handle 25 minutes a night no problem.

They have strength down the middle, particularly two way play down the middle which is so valuable in the playoffs and in Wilson's system. They have all the difficult to acquire pieces on hand already.

This team is so far ahead of where it was at this point last year. Don't be brainwashed by "OHL cycle" or the fans from other teams coming in here wanting to grab players on the cheap. Run it back. If the Petes hadn't won the OHL last year would anyone be suggesting blowing up the first place team in the conference?

I know the thought was this team would struggle and a rebuild this season was the only way to go but that isn't the reality of the situation anymore.

I am aware of the opportunity cost of not trading away some of these players when they are at their peak value, to which I say... I don't care. The next couple years will be rough no matter what. So you're giving up on a team that could go deep in the playoffs again this year for a maybe that is at least three years away (Cameron's 19 year old season likely).

Draft picks are magic beans and there are always players you can move down the line. There is nothing they can/should do that will significantly improve the next couple seasons. We are talking about getting 07/08 guys or draft picks that become players even younger than that.

And then you're hoping that three years from now you can put together a team that maybe, possibly is as good as the one in front of us right now. I used to think that way too, the fantasy GM stuff is fun I guess, if you forget it's a bunch of 16-19 years olds lives you're just casually throwing around but the willingness to look at the team that is #8 in Canada and has shown they have a system that can win in the playoffs and want to blow it up for some sort of marginal improvement three years from now... I just don't get why fans seem so eager for it.

I fully and completely understand where you are coming from. I also agree wholeheartedly that they will suck next year no matter what. It isn’t about that. It is about the duration in which they will suck that is the concern.

The big issue is their ‘05 crop that would be depended on to relieve some of the stress on the picks issue. They have McCue, Page, Faulkner, Velliarus, and Bowen. I don’t think any of those guys are liely to garner any pick returns of consequence. Even the ‘06 group consisting of Partridge, McCallum, Woulds, and Rye are tough to project as desired trade chips. McCallum is likely the biggest trade piece if it comes to it.

All this means that if the Petes push in this year and spend what few picks they have in the 2nd-4th rounds, there isn’t a clear path to regaining those picks. It is possible they could move Melee and Dubois next year but even those two are not likely to garner enough interest to refill four years worth of picks being OA’s. Probably not even half of that.

It is going to be a really tough pill to swallow if the Petes go into the next four drafts as thin as they project. The length of time for the rebound will likley be long. We are talking off cycle long. When we talk about cycle, we usually expect it to be a 4-5 year cycle that culminates in two years of contention, one year of out of playoffs and 1-2 years of a gradual rebuild. It may take the Petes 2 years of bottom standings and 2 more years of building before they even get near the contention window. I am trying to be positive in that assessment too.

If the Petes were to be satisfied with a championship last year and made appropriate deals this year, they wouldn’t be forced to trade Dubois and other OA’s next year. They likely have an extra player or two to help the rebuild as well as some picks to help filter into the roster. It lightens the bottoming out next year as well as lessens the length of time before the Petes can contend again.

By all means, the team can just say screw it and push the chips in and run it back. But what will follow will be painful for en extended period. Additionally, they don‘t have the assets to make much of a push as is. It is very likely there will be one team in the East, maybe two, that see the exact same situation you are describing and push a heck of a lot more chips into the middle and all of a sudden the landscape at the top of the conference changes.

I know even the fans on the Ottawa board struggle with a lot of the same questions so it is definitely not an Easy question, that is for certain.

 

[HockeyPops]

Dubois

I think you mean Lefebvre as Dubois ages out this year. But other than that I can't find fault with your post.

 

[Section5Petes]

I fully and completely understand where you are coming from. I also agree wholeheartedly that they will suck next year no matter what. It isn’t about that. It is about the duration in which they will suck that is the concern.

The big issue is their ‘05 crop that would be depended on to relieve some of the stress on the picks issue. They have McCue, Page, Faulkner, Velliarus, and Bowen. I don’t think any of those guys are liely to garner any pick returns of consequence. Even the ‘06 group consisting of Partridge, McCallum, Woulds, and Rye are tough to project as desired trade chips. McCallum is likely the biggest trade piece if it comes to it.

All this means that if the Petes push in this year and spend what few picks they have in the 2nd-4th rounds, there isn’t a clear path to regaining those picks. It is possible they could move Melee and Dubois next year but even those two are not likely to garner enough interest to refill four years worth of picks being OA’s. Probably not even half of that.

It is going to be a really tough pill to swallow if the Petes go into the next four drafts as thin as they project. The length of time for the rebound will likley be long. We are talking off cycle long. When we talk about cycle, we usually expect it to be a 4-5 year cycle that culminates in two years of contention, one year of out of playoffs and 1-2 years of a gradual rebuild. It may take the Petes 2 years of bottom standings and 2 more years of building before they even get near the contention window. I am trying to be positive in that assessment too.

If the Petes were to be satisfied with a championship last year and made appropriate deals this year, they wouldn’t be forced to trade Dubois and other OA’s next year. They likely have an extra player or two to help the rebuild as well as some picks to help filter into the roster. It lightens the bottoming out next year as well as lessens the length of time before the Petes can contend again.

By all means, the team can just say screw it and push the chips in and run it back. But what will follow will be painful for en extended period. Additionally, they don‘t have the assets to make much of a push as is. It is very likely there will be one team in the East, maybe two, that see the exact same situation you are describing and push a heck of a lot more chips into the middle and all of a sudden the landscape at the top of the conference changes.

I know even the fans on the Ottawa board struggle with a lot of the same questions so it is definitely not an Easy question, that is for certain.

Dubois ('03) is an OA this year. But further to your point, the Petes really just need to ride this out to the deadline and see where they are then. A lot can change in a few weeks let alone a little over a month. Beck may be away at the WJ, and who knows what happens record wise during that time. I think we can all agree that this team isn't going to keep up a .737 winning percentage through to the trade deadline and the speculation we are engaging in now is going to change a ton as the season goes on. The Petes 'big' pieces (Beck, Mayer, maybe McCoy/Smith) would be deadline deals anyways so we have to wait for a sell or standpat/fringe pickups decision either way.

 

[OMG67]

I think you mean Lefebvre as Dubois ages out this year. But other than that I can't find fault with your post.

Jesus. That makes it even worse. I thought Dubois was a 19 year old this year and returns as an OA.

Dubois ('03) is an OA this year. But further to your point, the Petes really just need to ride this out to the deadline and see where they are then. A lot can change in a few weeks let alone a little over a month. Beck may be away at the WJ, and who knows what happens record wise during that time. I think we can all agree that this team isn't going to keep up a .737 winning percentage through to the trade deadline and the speculation we are engaging in now is going to change a ton as the season goes on. The Petes 'big' pieces (Beck, Mayer, maybe McCoy/Smith) would be deadline deals anyways so we have to wait for a sell or standpat/fringe pickups decision either way.

I think it would be more likely they trade Beck and add a couple pieces to keep the ball rolling this year while still netting a few pieces to push forward. Not necessarily to the level they traded MacT and flipped the assets for Stillman but something potentially meaningful.

 

[Section5Petes]

I think it would be more likely they trade Beck and add a couple pieces to keep the ball rolling this year while still netting a few pieces to push forward. Not necessarily to the level they traded MacT and flipped the assets for Stillman but something potentially meaningful.

That is frankly what my mind keep going towards as well. Let's say they dropped to a reasonable .635 winning percentage at the deadline (23-13), from an organizational sustainability standpoint, they still have to explore Beck trades. They just have to. As much as you want to just power through and see what happens with this group, the future for not just drafts but tradeable assets is bleak. But it may be a tough sell for President Lorentz and GM Oke to the great crowds and aura around the organization when they decide to tear things down in a wide open eastern conference year. However I believe they will still sell somewhat. You also just have to hope that Saginaw makes the OHL final because then you are guaranteed a memorial cup spot no matter what

 

[OMG67]

That is frankly what my mind keep going towards as well. Let's say they dropped to a reasonable .635 winning percentage at the deadline (23-13), from an organizational sustainability standpoint, they still have to explore Beck trades. They just have to. As much as you want to just power through and see what happens with this group, the future for not just drafts but tradeable assets is bleak. But it may be a tough sell for President Lorentz and GM Oke to the great crowds and aura around the organization when they decide to tear things down in a wide open eastern conference year. However I believe they will still sell somewhat. You also just have to hope that Saginaw makes the OHL final because then you ate guaranteed a memorial cup spot no matter what

The Petes are not in a boat all by themselves. Kitchener, Ottawa, North Bay and London are all in a similar situation where they don’t have a plethora of assets to deal because they made buyer moves last year. All are at or near the top of their respective conferences. All should be having the same discussions internally as the Petes. All could make seller deals and we could applaud them for their discipline. Or, they could all make buyer moves and we could applaud them for their dedication and competitiveness. I don’t think anyone could make a compelling argument either way with those teams. I think the PEtes are tilted way to far towards needing a sell off to be able to honestly make the buyer move decision.

 

[NorthernVoice]

I fully and completely understand where you are coming from. I also agree wholeheartedly that they will suck next year no matter what. It isn’t about that. It is about the duration in which they will suck that is the concern.

The big issue is their ‘05 crop that would be depended on to relieve some of the stress on the picks issue. They have McCue, Page, Faulkner, Velliarus, and Bowen. I don’t think any of those guys are liely to garner any pick returns of consequence. Even the ‘06 group consisting of Partridge, McCallum, Woulds, and Rye are tough to project as desired trade chips. McCallum is likely the biggest trade piece if it comes to it.

All this means that if the Petes push in this year and spend what few picks they have in the 2nd-4th rounds, there isn’t a clear path to regaining those picks. It is possible they could move Melee and Dubois next year but even those two are not likely to garner enough interest to refill four years worth of picks being OA’s. Probably not even half of that.

It is going to be a really tough pill to swallow if the Petes go into the next four drafts as thin as they project. The length of time for the rebound will likley be long. We are talking off cycle long. When we talk about cycle, we usually expect it to be a 4-5 year cycle that culminates in two years of contention, one year of out of playoffs and 1-2 years of a gradual rebuild. It may take the Petes 2 years of bottom standings and 2 more years of building before they even get near the contention window. I am trying to be positive in that assessment too.

If the Petes were to be satisfied with a championship last year and made appropriate deals this year, they wouldn’t be forced to trade Dubois and other OA’s next year. They likely have an extra player or two to help the rebuild as well as some picks to help filter into the roster. It lightens the bottoming out next year as well as lessens the length of time before the Petes can contend again.

By all means, the team can just say screw it and push the chips in and run it back. But what will follow will be painful for en extended period. Additionally, they don‘t have the assets to make much of a push as is. It is very likely there will be one team in the East, maybe two, that see the exact same situation you are describing and push a heck of a lot more chips into the middle and all of a sudden the landscape at the top of the conference changes.

I know even the fans on the Ottawa board struggle with a lot of the same questions so it is definitely not an Easy question, that is for certain.

I don't disagree with any of this in terms of the longer term view, I'm just suggesting the bird in hand this season is a more sure thing than anything that may come 3-5 years down the road and given the next two years are likely be a huge struggle anyway, why not give it a go.

I also probably view draft picks a bit differently - I think because the first round picks can't be traded and the other picks are constantly regenerating, we tend to overvalue them as currency in non contending windows (because they do get to make their first round pick every year and picks beyond round one are somewhat of a crapshoot - who was the last great player the Petes picked in round two?).

Sure, the Petes are going to need to add some extra picks to add to their roster be it by player or more likely by trade at some point - but given we're talking 3-5 years down the road for that next contending window, that's when they really need to potentially have a surplus of picks.

In the scenario where the next Petes team as competitive as the current one is in like 27-28, I say don't write off this year, there is a long time to go until trade deadline 2027 to recoup the picks by the time you really need them again/the next contending window.

 

[NorthernVoice]

My other OHL Draft pick hot take is that teams in an "all-in" year (in this case when the Petes selected Van Volsen last year) should always be drafting defected players wherever possible to punt their draft pick a year down the road and have two picks the following draft year to kick start their rebuild/next window, plus the picks they acquire if they can trade the player to help the all-in year.

 

[Section5Petes]

My other OHL Draft pick hot take is that teams in an "all-in" year (in this case when the Petes selected Van Volsen last year) should always be drafting defected players wherever possible to punt their draft pick a year down the road and have two picks the following draft year to kick start their rebuild/next window, plus the picks they acquire if they can trade the player to help the all-in year.

That might be the strategy this draft as well. but realistically, Petes will be taking guys to build around

 

[NorthernVoice]

That might be the strategy this draft as well. but realistically, Petes will be taking guys to build around

Yeah I don't think you do it now that you have Cameron in place as the next big piece you build around.

 

[OMG67]

I don't disagree with any of this in terms of the longer term view, I'm just suggesting the bird in hand this season is a more sure thing than anything that may come 3-5 years down the road and given the next two years are likely be a huge struggle anyway, why not give it a go.

I also probably view draft picks a bit differently - I think because the first round picks can't be traded and the other picks are constantly regenerating, we tend to overvalue them as currency in non contending windows (because they do get to make their first round pick every year and picks beyond round one are somewhat of a crapshoot - who was the last great player the Petes picked in round two?).

Sure, the Petes are going to need to add some extra picks to add to their roster be it by player or more likely by trade at some point - but given we're talking 3-5 years down the road for that next contending window, that's when they really need to potentially have a surplus of picks.

In the scenario where the next Petes team as competitive as the current one is in like 27-28, I say don't write off this year, there is a long time to go until trade deadline 2027 to recoup the picks by the time you really need them again/the next contending window.

If the Petes had the assets heading into the deadline that were more geared toward buying, then I may be more inclined to agree. I just don’t see the assets required to make a push. I think it would be disingenuous to assume just because they are contenders now, it doesn’t mean they are contenders after the dust settles post-deadline. This is a vastly different team from last year. There has been a tremendous amount of graduation. I think many would agree this has been more of a pleasant surprise to date.

If they had at least kept Simpson, I could maybe see it. He’s the man in my mind. As soon as he was dealt, I think the writing was on the wall. I know Sztuska has played well but there is still a wide gap between him and Simpson, especially in experience. He falls 80+ games behind Simpson and has only 28 playoff minutes played.

They have graduated or traded six key forwards and three key D-Men. They’ve only added Bowen and the three rostered ‘07s. I think it is going to be very difficult to expect guys like Dubois, Melee and Beck to carry the team in scoring up front. I think they likely need at least two forwards. IF they are going for it, I think they need to empty out the picks through 2027 and offer up Carson Cameron. I don’t think they can stay somewhat status quo and honestly make a run. I can’t see all teams in the Eastern Conference holding back. One or two will blow their brains out. Sudbury likely being one of them. Kingston being the most likely second candidate.

IF, and that is a big IF, no teams make moves of significance in the East by the day before the deadline, I would feel a lot more confident in the Petes making a run. I would at least want to know what they are facing before I make that sort of risk.

 

[dirty12]

Unpopular opinion: keep everyone, add a couple scoring wingers on the cheap, run it back.

The East stinks. No one is one trade away. The Petes are easily the best team in the conference now and have the goaltending, 4 solid veteran DMen + a rookie who can seemingly handle 25 minutes a night no problem.

They have strength down the middle, particularly two way play down the middle which is so valuable in the playoffs and in Wilson's system. They have all the difficult to acquire pieces on hand already.

This team is so far ahead of where it was at this point last year. Don't be brainwashed by "OHL cycle" or the fans from other teams coming in here wanting to grab players on the cheap. Run it back. If the Petes hadn't won the OHL last year would anyone be suggesting blowing up the first place team in the conference?

I know the thought was this team would struggle and a rebuild this season was the only way to go but that isn't the reality of the situation anymore.

I am aware of the opportunity cost of not trading away some of these players when they are at their peak value, to which I say... I don't care. The next couple years will be rough no matter what. So you're giving up on a team that could go deep in the playoffs again this year for a maybe that is at least three years away (Cameron's 19 year old season likely).

Draft picks are magic beans and there are always players you can move down the line. There is nothing they can/should do that will significantly improve the next couple seasons. We are talking about getting 07/08 guys or draft picks that become players even younger than that.

And then you're hoping that three years from now you can put together a team that maybe, possibly is as good as the one in front of us right now. I used to think that way too, the fantasy GM stuff is fun I guess, if you forget it's a bunch of 16-19 years olds lives you're just casually throwing around but the willingness to look at the team that is #8 in Canada and has shown they have a system that can win in the playoffs and want to blow it up for some sort of marginal improvement three years from now... I just don't get why fans seem so eager for it.

The Petes have very little born 2005-07, and do not have a full compliment of picks to draft the 2008 at this time. The Petes really do need to trade a couple of big pieces to fill some holes.

 

[beastintheeast]

I know this is not normal but I ca see everyone excpt maybe sudbury just staying status quo this year.

 

[dirty12]

The Petes are not in a boat all by themselves. Kitchener, Ottawa, North Bay and London are all in a similar situation where they don’t have a plethora of assets to deal because they made buyer moves last year. All are at or near the top of their respective conferences. All should be having the same discussions internally as the Petes. All could make seller deals and we could applaud them for their discipline. Or, they could all make buyer moves and we could applaud them for their dedication and competitiveness. I don’t think anyone could make a compelling argument either way with those teams. I think the PEtes are tilted way to far towards needing a sell off to be able to honestly make the buyer move decision.

These teams are not like the Petes.
Because London has three of the top ‘05 born, and Dickinson.
North Bay should have 20 picks in each of the next two drafts to build around a full 2007 born class and 9 signed ‘06.
Kitchener have a loaded 2007 class, and least have 2, 3, 4 picks for this coming draft.

 

[Petes1987]

The Peterborough Petes are in no win situation. They are currently leading the Eastern Conference but lack young players and draft picks from their last two runs (2019-2020 and 2022-2023) to first make any additions and for the future. Because of this many people think they should be going into a rebuild to add young players and draft picks. It is hard decision to trade away your best players when you have a chance to finish 1st in the East Division and at the very least win a round or two. It will be a hard sell to fans go from a team seen as a contender to a team that could miss the playoffs.

The Petes have never said for sure this is a rebuilding year. At the start the season and more recently they indicated they are trying to determine what type of team they are. There are now two members of the media that have said that the Petes will be buyers at the deadline. Team President, Dave Lorentz has indicated that the plan is that the Petes will strive to be competitive every year and GM, Mike Oke said when he signed his new contract and got his promotion that he has a plan to get the Petes back to the Memorial Cup within the next five years.

I do not think the Petes will be buyers at the deadline, I also doubt they will keep their current lineup intact. I think they will do a measured rebuild with the aim of remaining competitive but getting younger and adding needed draft picks. I think the Petes will trade Owen Beck and Sam Mayer. They will likely keep Jax Dubois, Jonathan Melee, Tommy Purdeller and Chase Lefebvre at forward and Donovan McCoy, Konnor Smith and Cam Gauvreau on Defence and both goaltenders. This will give them a solid foundation as they go into a small rebuild. I think they could will trade Beck for a young player but it may not be a 16 or 17 year old player drafted in the 1st round. I think they will likely target a 17 year old forward taken in a later round (round 2 to 4) instead and will get two 2nds and one or two, 3rds and if they don’t get the second, 3rd a 4th. I think they will accept a lesser player to get more draft picks. They could get a 17 year or 18 old defenceman plus a 2nd and a 3rd or 4th for Mayer.

If they get this return they would have four, seconds, four to six, 3rds, one to three, 4ths and five, 5ths over the next four drafts. They would also receive a young forward and defenceman in the deals. They then could trade a 3rd and 5th for an overage forward to replace Mayer as an overage and take Beck’s place on the top line. They also could make a trade for a project player that may cost them a 4th or a 5th. In the end they will have replaced Owen Beck and Sam Mayer (likely not at the same level as they are at) and added two additional forwards.

This will allow Peterborough to remain competitive but maybe not be a contender and add needed draft picks. After these trades they would still have the four 2nds, three to five 3rds, maybe two, 4ths and three to four, 5ths. Plus three additional players that would return next year.

 

[OMG67]

These teams are not like the Petes.
Because London has three of the top ‘05 born, and Dickinson.
North Bay should have 20 picks in each of the next two drafts to build around a full 2007 born class and 9 signed ‘06.
Kitchener have a loaded 2007 class, and least have 2, 3, 4 picks for this coming draft.

Which is why I said the Petes are in a boat all by themselves. When I referred to the other teams, I was pointing to the fact that they all made significant buyer moves last year that depleted resources and now are all in position again this year, like the Petes, to compete at the top of the Conference. We don’t normally see all the same teams the following year after a big buy also be Conference leaders again. None of these teams are armed with pick assets the way they were the previous year. This makes them less likely to push significant assets in a second year in a row.

North Bay doesn’t have “tradable” picks. They are currently held in conditions and won’t be released until post-season. They don’t Need to sell but they may have a tougher time buying this year. Each team can make moves but they don’t have the pick assets in hand to blow their brains out.

 

[dirty12]

Which is why I said the Petes are in a boat all by themselves. When I referred to the other teams, I was pointing to the fact that they all made significant buyer moves last year that depleted resources and now are all in position again this year, like the Petes, to compete at the top of the Conference. We don’t normally see all the same teams the following year after a big buy also be Conference leaders again. None of these teams are armed with pick assets the way they were the previous year. This makes them less likely to push significant assets in a second year in a row.

North Bay doesn’t have “tradable” picks. They are currently held in conditions and won’t be released until post-season. They don’t Need to sell but they may have a tougher time buying this year. Each team can make moves but they don’t have the pick assets in hand to blow their brains out.

I saw all in the same boat sorry.

 

[OMG67]

I saw all in the same boat sorry.

LOL. all good.

 

[Petesfan8]

The Peterborough Petes are in no win situation. They are currently leading the Eastern Conference but lack young players and draft picks from their last two runs (2019-2020 and 2022-2023) to first make any additions and for the future. Because of this many people think they should be going into a rebuild to add young players and draft picks. It is hard decision to trade away your best players when you have a chance to finish 1st in the East Division and at the very least win a round or two. It will be a hard sell to fans go from a team seen as a contender to a team that could miss the playoffs.

The Petes have never said for sure this is a rebuilding year. At the start the season and more recently they indicated they are trying to determine what type of team they are. There are now two members of the media that have said that the Petes will be buyers at the deadline. Team President, Dave Lorentz has indicated that the plan is that the Petes will strive to be competitive every year and GM, Mike Oke said when he signed his new contract and got his promotion that he has a plan to get the Petes back to the Memorial Cup within the next five years.

I do not think the Petes will be buyers at the deadline, I also doubt they will keep their current lineup intact. I think they will do a measured rebuild with the aim of remaining competitive but getting younger and adding needed draft picks. I think the Petes will trade Owen Beck and Sam Mayer. They will likely keep Jax Dubois, Jonathan Melee, Tommy Purdeller and Chase Lefebvre at forward and Donovan McCoy, Konnor Smith and Cam Gauvreau on Defence and both goaltenders. This will give them a solid foundation as they go into a small rebuild. I think they could will trade Beck for a young player but it may not be a 16 or 17 year old player drafted in the 1st round. I think they will likely target a 17 year old forward taken in a later round (round 2 to 4) instead and will get two 2nds and one or two, 3rds and if they don’t get the second, 3rd a 4th. I think they will accept a lesser player to get more draft picks. They could get a 17 year or 18 old defenceman plus a 2nd and a 3rd or 4th for Mayer.

If they get this return they would have four, seconds, four to six, 3rds, one to three, 4ths and five, 5ths over the next four drafts. They would also receive a young forward and defenceman in the deals. They then could trade a 3rd and 5th for an overage forward to replace Mayer as an overage and take Beck’s place on the top line. They also could make a trade for a project player that may cost them a 4th or a 5th. In the end they will have replaced Owen Beck and Sam Mayer (likely not at the same level as they are at) and added two additional forwards.

This will allow Peterborough to remain competitive but maybe not be a contender and add needed draft picks. After these trades they would still have the four 2nds, three to five 3rds, maybe two, 4ths and three to four, 5ths. Plus three additional players that would return next year.

i agree with a lot of your comments however I don't think that they will trade Mayer, I do believe that they will trade Sztuska and likely Connor Smith. They will trade Beck.