Couple of things- first off congrats to London.
Also no worries about Debrincat. I don't believe he is even ahl eligible but even if he was... He is 5'7 165lbs and will be a later 1st round pick/early second. He isn't ready for ahl in my book just based off strength and having no pressure to be there. However it doesn't matter as he isn't eligible for it
Other notes- this team exceeding expectations so really not too much disappointment. A very young and small squad that worked hard all year to even get to this point. The future is bright. And we made no trades to destroy the future like previous two seasons. Combined with another solid draft this season.
Also I still think there is a chance Strome comes back. His skating is not good enough for NHL, he is a big body but doesn't preferably like contact or seek it and still has consistency issues. The only reason he is in Arizona next season is 1) he very much improves his skating and strength or 2) they unwisely rush him. I don't think they want Dylan playing 4th line minutes or sitting the bench. Even 3rd line is a stretch because he can't grind in the corners yet. Is he a top 6 forward in NHL yet? Nope. Top 9? Maybe. If he was a later pick in draft he might be back but Arizona might feel the pressure and rush him. I still think he has a slight chance to be back because in my view, even though he doesn't have a hell of a lot left to learn here, he isn't NHL ready.
Either way- if we get him back I want to trade him and look towards a small rebuild. Darren Raddysh could be moved as well. Consider Debrincat as well. Pettit another small move.
The killer this year was having 0 assets. We really had a strong core but had we have had the ability to, adding a top 6 winger and 3/4 veteran defender would have made the team much deeper. We need to rebuild the cupboard a bit
H10, great posts.
If Erie can find the right trade partner/partners, I say unload at the deadline & rebuild. The casual fans didn't show up like they should have for this run, the ones that understand will. If you go back to the beginning of the season, who would have predicted Erie going this far? The good part of winning the regular season championship is "Another banner" to hang from the rafters, the bad is lower draft picks, maybe Erie was rope-a-doped into that? Sure seems that way.
Who to root for to win the championship? Kinda tough. You can go with the American loaded roster of London (even though America shouldn't have teams in the OHL by those BRAVE anonymous posters from up North,lol so why have players from down South?) or Niagara with the fan that posts how much he hates Erie. In my mind, there's only one team to hate in the OHL so.....Not one team to root for?
H10, I agree about Strome and I think if he is in the OHL we should trade him for younger workers. I just feel in the last two playoff years he has hid alot especially for a #3 pick. The other thing is goaltending ... we need a little more consistancy.. But overall a good year and looking forward to the next with hopefully Chis still coaching the team.
Mcdavid never gave or wanted contact, neither does Marner or other stars. But those guys have ultra speed and skating to avoid hits and puck skills to make guys miss.
Very much a young and talented team now and for the future. I've said it before and I'll make note of it again- they can be just as good if not better than the past 3 seasons in 2017-18. Strong youth and depth in system. First issue will be getting a few guys to sign on. 2nd issue will be developing and likely finding coach to replace Knoblauch and 3rd issue will getting some more size on the roster and assets/picks for future trades
(All guys that could be on team in 17-18 season, which Erie should look towards next)
Forwards-
Patrick Fellows ('97)
Taylor Raddysh ('98)
Kyle Maksimovich ('98)
Shaun Bily ('98)
Christian Girhiny ('98)
Vanya Lodnia ('99)
Brett Neumann ('99)
Nick Celotti ('99)
Allan McShane ('00)
College Commits/USHL/unsigned-
Tyler Gratton ('99)
Calen Kiefiuk ('00)
Other options-
Derek McVey ('99)
Carson Edwardson ('99)
Max Carbone ('99)
Cade Robinson ('00)
Defense-
TJ Fergus ('97)
Jordan Sambrook ('98)
Mitch Byrne ('98)
Taylor Egan ('98)
Josh Wainman ('99)
Ryan Martin ('99)
Jack Duff ('00)
College Commit-
Owen Headrick ('97)
Goaltending-
Jake Lawr ('98)
College/USHL/Unsigned
Mitchell Gibson ('99)
Colton Point ('99)
I like where this team is headed. Don't think this organization is headed in any direction but up and winning games and having success should continue. Just have to sign some key names. Gibson, Kiefiuk, and Gratton would be the biggest steals- especially Kiefiuk who has signed on for USHL and is committed to Michigan. But overall in good shape especially if we sell off a bit next season
H10...solid post.
I think that Erie is in good shape moving forward owing to some excellent scouting, and will be competitive in the years to come.
Lodnia, Maksimovich, Neumann, McShane is a good core group within which to re-build.
Is Erie the new Plymouth? A team that will be competitive year in and year out?
Thanks. I really hope we are headed in that direction. The system is in place and the new owners seem strong to keep it building. Got to just continue to make strong decisions and that could start with finding a new coach this summer- Knoblauch has to be on the verge of leaving
Here you people are saying how Erie exceded expectations this year and how they have had 3 - 50 win seasons (which has never been done in the OHL), made it to the WCF all three years and in the next breath put Williams down because he was the one in net those three years. Something is out of whack about that. Yes he had an inconsistent year last year, unfortunately it happens, (look at Lundquists playoffs this year) but where would we have been without him the first year we made it? You forget he took over for Dansk and got us to the WCF, would we have made it that far without him. He did falter in the finals last year, but so did the rest of the team, shut down by a better defensive team, it happens. And this year, with the youth on this team and no trades at the deadline when London and Niagara loaded up, what did you people expect. From my vantage point I saw more back door goals than you can shake a stick at, more turnovers, more missed passes, skating that looked like a stroll in the park, nobody hitting and nobody home to get rid of the second shot after Williams got the first and/or second. I, for one, am proud of every player who was an Otter the past three seasons, they have made Erie a place other players will want to come to. With the new leadership you will eventually get your championship, just appreciate the effort by all the players on this team who have taken the fans this far.
I would be willing to bet that Jim Waters made him an offer that he couldn't refuse $$$, and well deserved at that. In spite of what happened with London, he is one hell of a good coach. He respects his players, and they respect him. I sure hope that he is back next year.