Peterborough Petes 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part I

[Petes]

Sounds like Petes expect all of Lefebrve, Page, McCallum and Bryant back in the lineup by next Tuesday. That’ll help.

 

[Section5Petes]

When will it be our turn...

 

[NorthernVoice]

When will it be our turn...

Gavin Lock hasn't played the last two games for Dubuque, anyone know if injured or healthy scratch? Based on how he's been used this season (frequently 13th forward - looks like they dress 20 skaters rather than 18), I'm assuming healthy scratch. Might as well come here and get some real development time, especially now since it seems he'll be able to go to college after now anyway.

 

[Section5Petes]

Gavin Lock hasn't played the last two games for Dubuque, anyone know if injured or healthy scratch? Based on how he's been used this season (frequently 13th forward - looks like they dress 20 skaters rather than 18), I'm assuming healthy scratch. Might as well come here and get some real development time, especially now since it seems he'll be able to go to college after now anyway.

From everything that I have heard he’s just been getting healthy scratched so no reason why he shouldn’t come here and play top 6 (most likely LW1) and PP1. Hopefully the Petes are making a push for him right now

 

[owensound4ever]

 

[ptbopete]

lots of love for the Petes and for Gavin Bryant in this podcast

 

[User13452]

In the overager thread there is rumours of the Petes trading Melee

 

[Section7fan]

Makes no sense to trade Melee now.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Makes no sense to trade Melee now.

Makes no sense to trade Melee now.

Sure it does.
Trade Melee - Get pick / picks
Release Mcintyre get nothing.
What's the benefit of holding onto him to play a couple months in a pointless season that's already a write off?

 

[NorthernVoice]

Sure it does.
Trade Melee - Get pick / picks
Release Mcintyre get nothing.
What's the benefit of holding onto him to play a couple months in a pointless season that's already a write off?

Sure but by that same logic, why would they have traded picks for Bryant to improve the team in a pointless season that's already a write off? It's completely contradictory to the last move they made.

 

[WillardJFredricks]

Makes no sense to trade Melee now.

The only thing I'm certain of is that they have absolutely no plan and no clue what they're doing.

 

[Bra Wavers]

From everything that I have heard he’s just been getting healthy scratched so no reason why he shouldn’t come here and play top 6 (most likely LW1) and PP1. Hopefully the Petes are making a push for him right now

Let's keep the hopeful thoughts going here!

The Petes have a few prospects that are struggling for ice-time presently who would play top minutes with the Petes and develop faster IMO.

Gavin Lock - playing with Dubuque in USHL, committed to Western Michigan University in 2026-2027
- as mentioned above by @NorthernVoice and @Section5Petes, Lock has dressed for only 6 of 12 games, playing minimal minutes on the 4th line when he's not a healthy scratch
- with the changes to CHL/NCAA rules it makes sense for Lock to join the Petes

Rio Kaiser - drafted in the 2023 import draft, stayed in Germany last year splitting time between the U20 league and the 2nd division Pro league DEL 2.
He's in Germany again this season (his draft year) signed to play in the top division (DEL) but he has been loaned to a DEL 2 team where he has dressed for only 5 of 16 games. It looks like he was the 7th Dman in those 5 games.
I'm hoping the Petes have be paying attention and have been in contact with Rio, his family and his agent.
Rio is a 6'7", 210lb LD who would see top 4 ice-time and top PK duty.
I'm not sure how it works with his contract.....Maybe he can be loaned to the Petes? It would be a win-win-win for Rio, the Petes and his DEL team at home who would likely benefit in the future from his development in the OHL. It would be awesome if he would come sometime this season.

Adam Novotny - drafted in the 2024 import draft, stayed in Czech and is averaging about 10 min/g with one of the top teams in the top league in Czechia (Adam Novotny (Mountfield HK) - Player Profile - Icehockey24.com )
He's not putting up a lot of points but those are good minutes for a 17yo kid. I don't expect him at all this season but next season is his draft year so "fingers crossed" that he, his family and his agent see the value of him playing in the OHL to boost his draft stock.

As a fan, I have to remind myself that this isn't fantasy hockey. I love that Mike Oke has drafted these guys but it can't be easy dealing with players who have NCAA commitments close to home or have signed pro contracts with teams close to home.

Best case scenario......

Gavin Lock - gets frustrated with his lack of playing time and the NCAA Division I Council votes in favour of allowing CHL players play NCAA hockey. He signs with the Petes, gets top 6 and PP1 ice-time and will still be allowed to play at Western Michigan afterwards.
The vote is happening this month (Nov. 7th?).

Rio Kaiser -frustrated with his lack of playing time with the DEL 2 division team that he has been loaned to, convinces his DEL team to loan him to the Petes where he plays in the top 4 and on PK1.

Adam Novotny - decides to join the Petes next season, in his draft year. Matejicek will be gone so Kaiser and Novotny will be the Petes' two imports.

 

[Petes1]

Wouldn't the Petes have needed to release Kaiser when they acquired Matejicek?

 

[Section5Petes]

Wouldn't the Petes have needed to release Kaiser when they acquired Matejicek?

Even if they haven't I would much rather the Petes release Kaiser in the offseason and used their next top 5-10 overall import pick on a very high end player and try to get both the drafted player and Novonty to come and go all out on imports

 

[User13452]

Makes no sense to trade Melee now.

Makes total sense outside of Melee and maybe Matejicek I’m not sure the Petes have much else to move this year and they need to accumulate as many picks as possible for the next few years ahead when they will turn from selling to buying

 

[ScoutLife4]

Sure but by that same logic, why would they have traded picks for Bryant to improve the team in a pointless season that's already a write off? It's completely contradictory to the last move they made.

Because the team desperately needed a leader which is probably one of the most blantantly obvious things in Peterborough this season

 

[Section7fan]

Sure it does.
Trade Melee - Get pick / picks
Release Mcintyre get nothing.
What's the benefit of holding onto him to play a couple months in a pointless season that's already a write off?

Makes total sense outside of Melee and maybe Matejicek I’m not sure the Petes have much else to move this year and they need to accumulate as many picks as possible for the next few years ahead when they will turn from selling to buying

They just traded for Bryant because things haven’t gone to plan and they wanted to upgrade. Unless they’re getting more than a 3rd and 9th (they won’t) it doesn’t make sense to trade your captain and one of your better offensive forwards in a year where they are young and can’t score to begin with.

 

[NorthernVoice]

Because the team desperately needed a leader which is probably one of the most blantantly obvious things in Peterborough this season

Okay, the coaching staff has had Melee for 2.5 years and didn't see in that time that he couldn't be the leader when they named him the captain last season? To the point that he's so bad a leader they had to trade a 3rd and 9th to bring another one in, knowing they won't get near that back when they move Melee out?

Could they be that incompetent...? Wait, nevermind, it actually makes total sense now!

 

[ScoutLife4]

They just traded for Bryant because things haven’t gone to plan and they wanted to upgrade. Unless they’re getting more than a 3rd and 9th (they won’t) it doesn’t make sense to trade your captain and one of your better offensive forwards in a year where they are young and can’t score to begin with.

Let’s see how it plays out

 

[Bra Wavers]

@Otto just posted this on the CHL/NCAA thread......

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852494738135425245

Gavin Lock............come on down!!

 

[Section7fan]

 

[User13452]

Just can’t make that play to give them the 4th goal. Blindly throwing a backhand pass to the middle of the ice is not a great idea with 4 minutes to go. This team has now lost 19 straight games going back to the end of last season…

 

[frontsfan67]

Pete’s gave me a couple scares today. I know they haven’t won but in the last 4 or 5 games every game is close. One of these times they’ll surprise. If not for Uronens beautiful second goal that couldve been today

 

[Bra Wavers]

Wouldn't the Petes have needed to release Kaiser when they acquired Matejicek?

I thought the same but I came across a post from Brock Otten on the OHL Prospect blog back in July.
Here is an excerpt:

Just to remind you, CHL clubs are permitted to carry only two import players on their team or protected list every year. However, if a CHL team has an Import who was an NHL first round pick they receive the opportunity to add another player to their protected list to cover should that first round import make the pro level. There are other scenarios which can allow you to carry the rights of three (such as having an OA Import, having an Import on their protected list who didn't show the year prior, having a player signed to an NHL contract on your list, etc). It is a pretty complicated process.

It's as clear as mud!

Even if they haven't I would much rather the Petes release Kaiser in the offseason and used their next top 5-10 overall import pick on a very high end player and try to get both the drafted player and Novonty to come and go all out on imports

I agree with this. The Petes are headed for the 2nd overall pick in the import draft at the rate they are going.
Early prediction........the Petes select a player from Czechia to help with the transition for Novotny and this player.
Here are details on 4 top Czech players eligible for the 2025 NHL draft; take your pick:

Radim Mrtka, RD, HC Oceláři Třinec (2025 NHL Draft) 6'6", 200lbs Radim Mrtka - Stats, Contract, Salary & More​

https://www.recruitscouting.com/2025-nhl-draft-profile-radim-mrtka/​

Radim Mrtka is a massive right-handed defenceman who is a pure A-rated prospect. He moves well for his size, can carry the puck up the ice, and regularly joins the rush. He also possesses a powerful point shot. What sets Mrtka apart is his hockey IQ and attention to small details, which make him an intriguing player to watch. I particularly like his aggressive challenges against opposing players, as he knows how to use his reach effectively.

While I’ve mentioned that younger players are getting more ice time, unfortunately, Mrtka has been facing more limitations recently. He’s been given less ice time and was even sent down to Třinec’s farm team for one game.

Štěpán Černý, LD, Mountfield HK U20 (2025 NHL Draft) 5'6", 140lbs​

played with Novotny last year, undersized but great offensive Dman​

The Czech defender plays in the Czech Extraliga U20, where he has played 11 games so far and scored 6 points. Stepan Cerny can read the play, as he continually makes very good guesses regarding the movement of opponents to get into position and break up offensive plays. Many times, he knows how the play will unfold before it happens, adding to his dependability on defence.

This season, Černý has been good under pressure. He keeps his nerve in high-pressure moments, using his solid edgework to stay balanced and agile as forwards come at him. His lateral movement is especially effortless, with gaps being shut quickly as attackers are forced into worse positions.

Vojtech Cihar, LW, HC Energie Karlovy Vary (top league in Czechia) (2025 NHL Draft) 6'1", 190lbs​

Vojtech Cihar - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Jan Skok, LD, HC Plzeň (top league in Czechia) (2025 NHL Draft) 6', 200lbs​

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/869430/jan-skok

 

[dirty12]

Okay, the coaching staff has had Melee for 2.5 years and didn't see in that time that he couldn't be the leader when they named him the captain last season? To the point that he's so bad a leader they had to trade a 3rd and 9th to bring another one in, knowing they won't get near that back when they move Melee out?

Could they be that incompetent...? Wait, nevermind, it actually makes total sense now!

LeFebvre and Melee are LWs playing some centre, Bryant C, McIntyre RW. Maybe the decision is as easy as trade the LW that nets the greatest return.
Besides, McIntyre offers the most protection from intimidation of the young 1sts the Petes are trying to develop.