SSM Greyhounds 2019 Offseason Thread

[DeletedAccountt]

Hounds top line
I can't see him squeezing into that line up full time. He'll get a long look but I can't see AZ keeping him this year. I also can't see Hounds keeping him past deadline. He's too valuable to not trade...with that being said, the way Raftis did not trade Frost, makes me think that we may have Hayton for the year. Maybe that was Frost saying "no" to a possible trade, who knows...but I would have liked to see him moved for picks/player last year. It'll be an interesting year. We won't be playing for the cup so trade Hayton for picks and player to stock up for next year...IMO...

This is the year to move Hayton. He is the best player in the O once returned. The deal will be massive.... Id like to see Mason MacTavish come and report here .....

 

[HockeyPops]

Great post HFP! Just because we didn't sell big last year, doesn't mean Raftis won't trade Hayton. Remember this quote from an article from last January after the trade deadline:

“If we were going to move out older players, we needed to get good, young impactful players and/or high draft choices in return. (The offers) just didn’t seem to make sense,” Raftis said of his decision not to sell off present-day assets for future ones.

Last year wasn't a seller's market. If Raftis can land a 16 year old first rounder for Hayton, that changes the landscape in a significant way.
Raftis satisfied with deadline results

 

[Houndzfan]

This is the year to move Hayton. He is the best player in the O once returned. The deal will be massive.... Id like to see Mason MacTavish come and report here .....

Mason would look awesome in a Hounds uniform but I can't see the Petes in any kind of a run this year. Hayton can be a game changer but now they finally lured Mason into a Petes jersey, they won't be quick to ship him out.

 

[HockeyHero96]

I’m thinking Ottawa’s pick

 

[HockeyPops]

You know it's the dog days of summer when Ruicci is publishing articles based on what Raftis is not saying...
Hounds silence could mean something — RUICCI COLUMN

 

[DeletedAccountt]

You know it's the dog days of summer when Ruicci is publishing articles based on what Raftis is not saying...
Hounds silence could mean something — RUICCI COLUMN

He's not wrong. Raftis has an easy to read behavioural pattern. Especially if youre communicating directly with him.

 

[Fischhaber]

It makes too much sense for Caufield to come here if he wants to make the NHL quickly. I'm sure Raftis and Bergevin are both trying to convince him of that. The Canadiens would then have 3 choices for him (NHL, OHL, AHL) in the following season instead of only one (NCAA).

 

[dirty12]

Mason would look awesome in a Hounds uniform but I can't see the Petes in any kind of a run this year. Hayton can be a game changer but now they finally lured Mason into a Petes jersey, they won't be quick to ship him out.

The Petes currently have 12-2000 born returning OHL players. I think they have every intention of taking a run at it this year.

 

[IcemanTBI]

It makes too much sense for Caufield to come here if he wants to make the NHL quickly. I'm sure Raftis and Bergevin are both trying to convince him of that. The Canadiens would then have 3 choices for him (NHL, OHL, AHL) in the following season instead of only one (NCAA).

I agree with this, if Cole wants to make the NHL as fast as possible, this would be the best route. He would be here for one year, then move on to Pro next year.

 

[DeletedAccountt]

It makes too much sense for Caufield to come here if he wants to make the NHL quickly. I'm sure Raftis and Bergevin are both trying to convince him of that. The Canadiens would then have 3 choices for him (NHL, OHL, AHL) in the following season instead of only one (NCAA).

Everything makes sense... Until you mention his brother, Turcotte and family will also be in Wisconsin.

To someone that young, it is part of the deciding factor

What is a big pull for SSM if we get him is we have a potential to be a top team with him here.

 

[Fischhaber]

Everything makes sense... Until you mention his brother, Turcotte and family will also be in Wisconsin.

To someone that young, it is part of the deciding factor

What is a big pull for SSM if we get him is we have a potential to be a top team with him here.

His family is from the Soo and he could play with a far better player than Turcotte if Hayton returns.

The biggest draw in my opinion is a path to the NHL. The NCAA is undoubtedly the worst path for him if he wants to be a pro in the near future. We'll see where his priorities lie, but I think he will sign an entry level contract. Then we'll see what the Canadiens do.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

He'll probably end up in Wisconsin. He has a lot of connections there, and they will also be a good team. As nice as it would be to have him with Hayton here, I don't expect it to happen. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Kingpin794]

he could play with a far better player than Turcotte if Hayton returns.

Far better? Ok. *rolls eyes*

 

[HockeyPops]

For Cole, the biggest draw is clearly good pizza. All someone needs to do is get the word out to him that SSM, ON pizza is better than Stevens Point, WI pizza. Piece of cake. Or pie, if you will.

Q: ONE RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD PEOPLE MUST TRY?

A: Polito's Pizza. It's in my hometown, Stevens Point, WI. It's a really good pizza place.

The Must List: Cole Caufield

 

[newhound777]

For Cole, the biggest draw is clearly good pizza. All someone needs to do is get the word out to him that SSM, ON pizza is better than Stevens Point, WI pizza. Piece of cake. Or pie, if you will.

The Must List: Cole Caufield

It would be amazing if this happened, but it seems foolish to be talking about either of these players. Neither are leaving the NCAA. No need to do so. They will both sign a contract next spring or the following spring and then move on to the NHL. Neither of them care about playing with Hayton because the Wisconsin team will be loaded with talent. My focus is on Hayton this season. If he does not make Arizona, I'm assuming he will be traded in early to mid December.

 

[HockeyPops]

What do we have to lose?

 

[Fischhaber]

It would be amazing if this happened, but it seems foolish to be talking about either of these players. Neither are leaving the NCAA. No need to do so. They will both sign a contract next spring or the following spring and then move on to the NHL. Neither of them care about playing with Hayton because the Wisconsin team will be loaded with talent. My focus is on Hayton this season. If he does not make Arizona, I'm assuming he will be traded in early to mid December.

I can't see it. If Raftis didn't trade Frost from the second youngest team in the league last year then he probably isn't going to trade Hayton from an older and better team.

Last year was a surprise in terms of wins during a rebuild, but this year the Hounds are starting another cycle of going for it and Hayton will be a big part of it.

 

[ohloutsider]

I can't see it. If Raftis didn't trade Frost from the second youngest team in the league last year then he probably isn't going to trade Hayton from an older and better team.

Last year was a surprise in terms of wins during a rebuild, but this year the Hounds are starting another cycle of going for it and Hayton will be a big part of it.

For an outsider just looking in I see the Soo as the opposite - last year you rode your vets hard and if assets were there the Soo should have been a "go for it year". This year most of the high end vets have moved on and now the younger players take a bigger role - that is usually considered a "rebuild year". Now I don't have all the info you fans have but it just seems to me that your team will be good but can't see them in the race at the end. I've been proven wrong before.

 

[Fischhaber]

For an outsider just looking in I see the Soo as the opposite - last year you rode your vets hard and if assets were there the Soo should have been a "go for it year". This year most of the high end vets have moved on and now the younger players take a bigger role - that is usually considered a "rebuild year". Now I don't have all the info you fans have but it just seems to me that your team will be good but can't see them in the race at the end. I've been proven wrong before.

You're certainly right that they counted on 5 key veterans that have since departed but that has been the case for many consecutive years with the Greyhounds. Look at the year before where they lost Katchouk, Kopacka, Gettinger, Verbeek, Carroll, Timmins, Sandin. That is a much better group.

Outside of those veterans the team was extremely young. Here's average age from last season.

1. Oshawa
2. Niagara
...
19. Sault Ste. Marie
20. Flint

The team has an extremely strong 2001 class and what looks like a good 2002 class as well. I'm expecting some pretty big gains from that group, especially guys like MacKay, O'Rourke, and Pytlik. Add that to a solid veteran group with Hayton and I expect a better team if he returns.

It's just so rare for such a young team to regress. If you're that young and that good then you usually have some big gains if OHL history is any guide. The 2 youngest teams before this past season were Ottawa and Saginaw.

 

[dirty12]

It seems the hounds 19-20 yr olds from last season were significantly better than the 19-20 yr olds will be this season. The 2001 born are likely a year away from being dominant OHL players

 

[Fischhaber]

It seems the hounds 19-20 yr olds from last season were significantly better than the 19-20 yr olds will be this season. The 2001 born are likely a year away from being dominant OHL players

We'll have to see what happens. Jordan Sambrook only put up 10 goals and Howdeshell only 16 before their breakout years. Sometimes development happens quickly in the OHL.

Hayton is arguably better than Frost if he returns and Cole MacKay already put up a point per game last season, which is pretty dominant for his age. Peca looked like a new man in the Soo and could put up some big numbers.
There's also an OA slot to add an impact player on the blueline.

O'Rourke and Pytlik won't be 19 but they were simply incredible last year and are ready to break out as star players in my opinion.

 

[Houndsfan22]

I have a huge hunch that Hayton isn't returning this year. I'm like 99.9% certain of it.

 

[PuckLife]

I think we will be good this year, but not at the top. Pytlic and O’Rourke will be awesome. Leggier will take a big step. Peca will be a strong OA for us. MacKay and Carroll will come in with something to prove after going undrafted. Goal is shaping up nicely. There’s a good supporting cast of Kartye, Wale, McLean etc.

We just don’t have a proven star to count on for 100 points unless Hayton returns, which I really doubt. (Though Pytlik might get there)

In the ohl these days you need a few dominant players to make it to the top. Winning by committee is awesome, and I loved what our team was able to accomplish last year during the World Juniors, but it’s not sustainable.

Fingers crossed that the US College kids come!

I’ll be there either way. I love the Hounds.

 

[soo hound girl]

I have a huge hunch that Hayton isn't returning this year. I'm like 99.9% certain of it.

You sound like Jalen Rose so like he was I hope you are wrong
Hayton is the KEY PIECE we need back to either make a run or trade for the future

 

[saska sault]

Hounds will finish top 4 in the West regardless of Hayton. Book it.