Hamilton Bulldogs 2018 Offseason Thread

[Canadian Game]

ummmm...no thanks to that deal....we will need as many youngsters in the lineup next year and beyond after losing many after this year. It isnt like we have tons of draft choices to deal from either. In addition, there are better pairings than Ang and Timms to go after for the players you suggest.

While the team needs youngers in the lineup next year, this year the need is very different if they are serious about making a run. It always sucks to trade younger guys (especially if they have big potential) but teams have to be willing to give up assets (younger players along with draft picks) if they want quality in return. Junior hockey is very cyclical and trades like this the nature of the business. Over the summer Hamilton will lose their OA's along with a few other key players (to be determined). Next year Hamilton will be on the other side of the trade fence offering older talent to recoup younger players and draft picks to start the rebuild.

Below are just a few younger blue chip players included in trades for older players to help teams win now:
2017-18: Hamilton traded Connor Roberts (Caamano, Moore) Barrie traded Curtis Douglas (Luckuk)
2016-17: Erie traded Brett Neumann (Foegele), Erie traded Allan McShane (Cirelli), London traded Ian Blacker (Vande Sompel)

With the clarification from ohloutsider about 16 year olds, we know that Kaliyev and Mutter won't be going anywhere. McMichael on the other hand, could be traded.

 

[Canadian Game]

All first round picks and all kids still in high school also have a NTC so gives the kids and parents a chance to refuse a move that may impact their schooling. As I noted on another thread GM's continue to talk during the break and kids may already be part of a deal but kids cannot be informed and the league will not approve of it until after Jan 1st. There are likely deals agreed to right now sitting on a GM's desk that will not see the light of day until Jan 1st so the short window is not really an issue for the GM's. The only way it becomes a problem if the 1st rounder decides to invoke his NTC and the GM has to scramble for another option.

Awesome. I knew that most or all first rounders have NTCs and that parents get a say if their kid is in school. This clarifies that us for me as well.

 

[Petes]

ummmm...no thanks to that deal....we will need as many youngsters in the lineup next year and beyond after losing many after this year. It isnt like we have tons of draft choices to deal from either. In addition, there are better pairings than Ang and Timms to go after for the players you suggest.

That's fine and all but the opportunity you guys have being the best in the East doesn't come along very often... as it currently stands you guys will get run right over by SSM in the finals... you need to add a few more elite pieces.

 

[vince]

my point is, you can get a better couple of players than Ang and Timms for that type of return. I respect both of them but i am not necessarily going out to get those two particular players if i have to give up two youngsters and a bunch of picks. Their are better duo combinations out there is my point. Both those youngsters will be huge pieces of the Bulldog puzzle for a few more years and although strength and defensive play is always an issue at their age, they are fitting into the Bulldog puzzle now.

 

[Petes]

my point is, you can get a better couple of players than Ang and Timms for that type of return. I respect both of them but i am not necessarily going out to get those two particular players if i have to give up two youngsters and a bunch of picks. Their are better duo combinations out there is my point. Both those youngsters will be huge pieces of the Bulldog puzzle for a few more years and although strength and defensive play is always an issue at their age, they are fitting into the Bulldog puzzle now.

Fair enough.

 

[Canadian Game]

I agree. Ang and Timms are good players but they're not necessarily the right fit for the Bulldogs and their needs. There's no doubt though that Hamilton still needs elite players. I'd expect this will be addressed by the deadline.

 

[Canadian Game]

Just reading the Petes board... and there's a lot of negativity towards Timms and his defensive game. Definitely not a fit for a team building for a run of a D can't be defensively responsible. Hamilton doesn't want to acquire a project. They want someone who can contribute now.

 

[Bra Wavers]

The story on Timms IMO is.......
He entered last season under the radar. Under-sized but a good skater and puck mover. He was paired for most of the season with O/A Kyle Jenkins and therefore was somewhat "protected" defensively. He was a PP specialist but didn't spend much time on the PK. He ended up with 63 points last season.

This season has been a different story. A slow start thanks to a broken ankle. A much younger Petes' D corps, which has forced Timms to play more minutes and be the more defensively responsible one when usually paired with a younger Dman. Unfortunately he hasn't always been up to the task.

But, make no mistake......if you pair Timms, a LD, with Walters or Lemcke he will be a big plus for you guys, jumping into the rush, distributing to your snipers and playing on the PP.

It probably makes a nice story that he is a Waterdown boy.

 

[digiblader]

Scott Radley's recent piece about the arena situation. Someone please wake up the city of Hamilton! The team could bolt(possibly to Buffalo) at season's end without plans for a new arena and a lease renewal(the AHL lease and the 3-year extension from the relocation expire the day the Bulldogs are eliminated in the playoffs or qualify for the Memorial Cup in Regina, whichever comes first) as Andlauer has basically said the team cannot continue to play at FirstOntario Centre as he's losing significant money every year there playing to attendance that can't pay the team's bills.. unfortunately, councillors are just twiddling their thumbs:

Opinion | A whole lot of silence for the Bulldogs’ owner

 

[Generalsupdates]

Just reading the Petes board... and there's a lot of negativity towards Timms and his defensive game. Definitely not a fit for a team building for a run of a D can't be defensively responsible. Hamilton doesn't want to acquire a project. They want someone who can contribute now.

He's the most over-rated played in the OHL. An absolute nightmare in his own zone but gets high point totals from passing to Ang/Korostelev on the PP and letting them work their magic. He's good for 2-3 brutal pinches and/or turnovers for opponent 2-on-1's or 3-on-1's a game

 

[Dogsgottabite]

so....if the Bulldogs are truly going all in, do they have the assets left to grab Brown and Day from Windsor? Anyone else have any juicy speculation for us to digest over the holidays?

 

[Dogsgottabite]

One other thing. How the heck did Bruce in North Bay, escape further discipline for the predatory style, blindside hit on Caamano? Looked way worse than Mutter's transgression.

 

[Canadian Game]

One other thing. How the heck did Bruce in North Bay, escape further discipline for the predatory style, blindside hit on Caamano? Looked way worse than Mutter's transgression.

When Branch spun his wheel of discipline, it landed on "Free Pass".

 

[digiblader]

so....if the Bulldogs are truly going all in, do they have the assets left to grab Brown and Day from Windsor? Anyone else have any juicy speculation for us to digest over the holidays?

Gotta do something--this team may clobber the East, but they're no match against Sarnia or the Soo in a 7-game series in the finals.. and possibly not even Barrie either, considering the Colts are loading up..

 

[Dogsgottabite]

Gotta do something--this team may clobber the East, but they're no match against Sarnia or the Soo in a 7-game series in the finals.. and possibly not even Barrie either, considering the Colts are loading up..

exactly how many Soo games have you watched this year? Didn't we almost beat the Sting already this year before the upgrades? Don't undersell our squad. We are deep and balanced. Trade winds may be blowing today tho me thinks... Go Dogs!

 

[MCur19]

Dogs just acquired Stillman from the Gens

 

[Naz]

Dogs just acquired Stillman from the Gens

Not official as info came from OHLinsider

 

[The Mikestro]

Hamilton Bulldogs 2017/2018 Mid-Season Review

 

[HamiltonOHL]

Bulldogs just acquired riley stillman from oshawa

Whoa... a lot of picks given up for Stillman: Rd. 3 (WSR) in 2018, Rd. 2 in 2020, Rd. 2 in 2022, Rd. 4 in 2023 (conditional) and Rd. 3 in 2024 (conditional).according to Teri

 

[Wolfman Jack]

Why all the love for Stillman when he has been bashed all season in the Oshawa thread. Does Hamilton see him that differently that he will make the kind of difference that would cost that much. Boy did the prices just go up for some players like McLeod, Brown, Raddysh, and Sambrook.

WJ

 

[digiblader]

Bulldogs trying to load up for a cup run.. adding another rental who won't be in Hamilton next year (Stillman is Panthers property and is Springfield bound in 2018-19).

What's the big issue with Stillman that is getting him criticized in Oshawa?

 

[Dogsgottabite]

Why all the love for Stillman when he has been bashed all season in the Oshawa thread. Does Hamilton see him that differently that he will make the kind of difference that would cost that much. Boy did the prices just go up for some players like McLeod, Brown, Raddysh, and Sambrook.

WJ

Agreed on the over payment, but kudos on the willingness to go for it. He certainly makes players worry about zone entries. we will be tough to play against with him and Lemcke on patrol back there. You have more to worry about up in Sudbury than being concerned for us. Go Dogs!

 

[Generalsupdates]

Bulldogs trying to load up for a cup run.. adding another rental who won't be in Hamilton next year (Stillman is Panthers property and is Springfield bound in 2018-19).

What's the big issue with Stillman that is getting him criticized in Oshawa?

He's had a really rough year in Oshawa. Mainly a lot of really bad decisions that led to really costly turnovers. He was much better last season so I don't know what's happened this year. Also had a great shot that he used a ton last year and this year has just 1 goal and it was a weak shot through a screened goalie. Not a guy you want to use against the other teams top line but can be a quality 2nd pairing guy. Surprised it took 2 2nds+3rd to get a 2nd pairing guy but Stillman was pretty good last season.


And Florida hasn't signed him, so not 100% that he's AHL/ECHL bound next year. Florida would have to sign him for that to happen

 

[MCur19]

Not official as info came from OHLinsider

Its official ...
WSR 3rd Round 2018
HAM 2nd Round 2020
HAM 2nd Round 2022
HAM 4th Round 2023*
HAM 3rd Round 2024* .... going to Oshawa

 

[Duke Guy]

It seemed that a few of the Gens players really missed their head coach Jones on the bench and Stillman would be at the top of that list. I can see him return to last years skills once he gets a few Bulldogs games under his belt.