Raaymakers is not coming to Hamilton. Besides, along with the OA issue, it would also require the team to waive Nick Donofrio, which they're not doing, as he's under an OHL contract and likely cannot be sent down to Jr. B or anywhere.. plus he is needed next year when Fulcher likely leaves, as he's an OA next year and will likely be dealt, as the Bulldogs will be in a rebuild after this season as much of the roster is expected to graduate/eligible to play in the AHL.
Hamilton Bulldogs 2018 Offseason Thread
- Thread starter EON
- Start date
- Status
Canadian Game
Registered User
Like the rest of the forums, posts from the last 24-48 hours prior to the HF upgrade are gone. Not that there was anything important lost from here.
For anyone unaware, with Mississauga not having a broadcast crew, Cable14 is travelling to Mississauga and will be broadcasting the game.
For anyone unaware, with Mississauga not having a broadcast crew, Cable14 is travelling to Mississauga and will be broadcasting the game.
Fulcher vs. Vella tonight in net. Let's hope the Bulldogs are a little more disciplined tonight.. with Barrie and Kingston this weekend after Missy, the Bulldogs need to do a better job.. don't want to dig a deep hole early in the season when the team is projected as a Memorial Cup contender.
Bulldogs win 2-0. Fulcher with a clean sheet vs. the Steelheads, who are desperate for offense with several of their players looking like they won't be back from their NHL teams anytime soon.
Matt Strome had a goal, along with Isaac Nurse. Onto Barrie...
Matt Strome had a goal, along with Isaac Nurse. Onto Barrie...
The Hamilton Bulldogs delivered a complete performance in Mississauga tonight. They won the matchup 2-0 in front of a sparse crowd at the Hershey …
Hamilton 2 Mississauga 0
https://michaelwilloughby52.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/hamilton-2-mississauga-0/
Hamilton 2 Mississauga 0
https://michaelwilloughby52.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/hamilton-2-mississauga-0/
Bulldogs win 2-1 vs. Barrie as Fulcher stands on his head again.. but another low scoring affair.
Good god, score some goals Hamilton! You can't expect Fulcher to keep bailing you out. Lowest scoring team in the O as of right now.. and looking at a Nick Donofrio start tomorrow, as Fulcher has gone back to back nights.. need someone other than Strome to score goals. Really need Entwistle and Gleason back.. and Luff leaving for the AHL really hurts.
Good god, score some goals Hamilton! You can't expect Fulcher to keep bailing you out. Lowest scoring team in the O as of right now.. and looking at a Nick Donofrio start tomorrow, as Fulcher has gone back to back nights.. need someone other than Strome to score goals. Really need Entwistle and Gleason back.. and Luff leaving for the AHL really hurts.
Canadian Game
Registered User
Great weekend for Hamilton so far. Fulcher has been clutch. A few aspects of the Bulldogs' game still needs some work though: powerplay, faceoffs, scoring. However, they're only 3 games in so there's plenty of time to build some chemistry and improve. Faceoffs though, have been an issue for a year and with Petti gone, Saigeon is the only center that is good at faceoffs.
Canadian Game
Registered User
Hitting panic button? They've only played 3 games and have a 2-1 record. Let's not act like Strome is leading the team. Nurse got the first goal of the season and has two, which Strome caught up to tonight. Yes they need to score more but it's only 3 games.
Not trying to panic, but there has been a serious issue of trying to replace several scorers due to graduation or injuries.. and there are players in the league that have scored as many points as the Bulldogs have as a team. And there's no excuse for this team to be so offensively challenged, considering the talent on the roster.
Things need to be figured out soon offensively--or Staios will be out trading for help and/or firing coaches, as he's likely under pressure from Andlauer to get a deep playoff run or else there will be major changes in the Bulldogs organization.
Even with a good goaltender, you have to score more than 1 goal a night--it's not good for the team or good for Fulcher, who ends up having to stand on his head a lot because the team can't score.
Canadian Game
Registered User
It's only 3 games played of 68 in a season. 3 games isn't a large enough sample size to think the sky is falling and judge that scoring will be a long-term problem. Were any NHL teams concerned last year when Austin Matthews scored 4 goals in his first game, while most teams scored less? Give it some time. Generally, I like to assess how a season is going after 10 games. So far scoring has been low but they have a winning record, which I think is satisfactory. If they're still not scoring much after 10 games, then I'll be a bit concerned.
The Hamilton Bulldogs win in an another nail biter performance, this time in a shootout.
Goaltender Kaden Fultcher was incredible tonight, stopping…
Hamilton 2 Barrie 1 (SO)
https://michaelwilloughby52.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/hamilton-2-barrie-1-so/
Goaltender Kaden Fultcher was incredible tonight, stopping…
Hamilton 2 Barrie 1 (SO)
https://michaelwilloughby52.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/hamilton-2-barrie-1-so/
Where are the fans? Only 2,563 at a Sunday day game.. weren't they doing more day games to try to boost attendance? And it's tied 2-2 in the 3rd..
Congrats to Kaliyev on his first OHL goal.. jeers to the powerplay unit, though.. 0-6 so far this afternoon. Once again, Fulcher has to bail out the team..
Congrats to Kaliyev on his first OHL goal.. jeers to the powerplay unit, though.. 0-6 so far this afternoon. Once again, Fulcher has to bail out the team..
Kingston wins 4-3 in a SO. Bulldogs need to address this powerplay.. 0-6 this afternoon. And the management doesn't seem to like Donofrio.. thought he'd get a start today since Fulcher went on Friday and Saturday, are they going to run Fulcher to the ground again? Trade for a Carty type already! And the Bulldogs continue to have trouble staying out of the penalty box..
So far after 4 games, Hamilton only has 8 goals.. the Petes today in a game vs. Niagara where Dhillon was a healthy scratch and Incze was in net, scored 8 goals in a game..
If things don't improve offensively within the next week or two, Staios will be looking for help..
So far after 4 games, Hamilton only has 8 goals.. the Petes today in a game vs. Niagara where Dhillon was a healthy scratch and Incze was in net, scored 8 goals in a game..
If things don't improve offensively within the next week or two, Staios will be looking for help..
Last edited:
The Hamilton Bulldogs showed grit and continued to put pucks at the net, but couple of bad defensive miscues led to Kingston comeback twice to steal …
Kingston 4 Hamilton 3 (SO)
https://michaelwilloughby52.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/kingston-4-hamilton-3-so/
Kingston 4 Hamilton 3 (SO)
https://michaelwilloughby52.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/kingston-4-hamilton-3-so/
Hammer9001
Registered User
I will agree with digi that the power play needs work. However, I was fairly pleased by the performance as a whole. Certainly if Gleason and Entwhistle get healthy, things will be even better.
As far as attendance, you are following McMaster's homecoming game and a Ti-Cats vs Argos game the day before and are facing a team 5 hours away. The Bulldogs have always, even since the AHL days, have always had heavier attendance that the end of the season vs the start of the season. Attendance picks up around December, it always does.
As far as attendance, you are following McMaster's homecoming game and a Ti-Cats vs Argos game the day before and are facing a team 5 hours away. The Bulldogs have always, even since the AHL days, have always had heavier attendance that the end of the season vs the start of the season. Attendance picks up around December, it always does.
This will be Fulcher's final season with the Bulldogs---Detroit has signed him to a 3-year entry level deal. Hamilton better start finding a plan for 2018-19.. exactly why they need to give Donofrio a look, as he's most likely going to be the starter next year barring him being waived or traded..
BULLDOGS SIGN GOALIE PROSPECT ZACHARY ROY
"The Hamilton Bulldogs have received a commitment from 2017 fourth round (71st overall) selection Zachary Roy, who has agreed to an Ontario Hockey League standard player agreement with the club.
Roy, a 5’11” and 165-pound goaltender, was selected to take part in the 12th annual Hockey Canada Program of Excellence goaltending camp this past summer. He also led his Toronto Young Nationals team to the best record in the GTHL last season along with a birth in the OHL Cup Final.
“We are excited to have received a commitment from Zach Roy” said Bulldogs President and General Manager Steve Staios. “He has tremendous upside and we look forward to his continued development with Rockland this season.”
A North Bay, ON native, Roy also attended the Bulldogs Rookie Orientation Camp in April and the team’s main Training Camp in August."
http://hamiltonbulldogs.com/article/bulldogs-sign-goalie-prospect-zachary-roy
"The Hamilton Bulldogs have received a commitment from 2017 fourth round (71st overall) selection Zachary Roy, who has agreed to an Ontario Hockey League standard player agreement with the club.
Roy, a 5’11” and 165-pound goaltender, was selected to take part in the 12th annual Hockey Canada Program of Excellence goaltending camp this past summer. He also led his Toronto Young Nationals team to the best record in the GTHL last season along with a birth in the OHL Cup Final.
“We are excited to have received a commitment from Zach Roy” said Bulldogs President and General Manager Steve Staios. “He has tremendous upside and we look forward to his continued development with Rockland this season.”
A North Bay, ON native, Roy also attended the Bulldogs Rookie Orientation Camp in April and the team’s main Training Camp in August."
http://hamiltonbulldogs.com/article/bulldogs-sign-goalie-prospect-zachary-roy
Looks like Matt Luff is officially named on the Ontario Reign's roster this morning according to their website. Wish him all the best in his pro career. Does this change anything with the bulldogs moving forward? Adding a scorer? Time will tell. Go Dogs!
That will depend on if the Bulldogs start scoring goals.. if they're still averaging barely 2 goals/game by the end of October or sooner, Staios will be forced to take action, which could include trades, coach firings, etc.. with the team facing a large decline next season due to graduations, Andlauer is likely demanding a top tier season with them challenging for the Memorial Cup.. and is likely prepared to can both Staios and Gruden if the team disappoints.
I believe this season is big as if im not correct i think the lease is up at the end of the season too so u will want to prove to Andlauer that we can be a continuious team for the playoffs yearly...
Also just announced that Strome will miss a few games and Hanley is out with a concussion... Good news is Mac should be back next weekend for 3 in 3
Yes, the lease is up at season's end--when the Bulldogs moved to the OHL, Andlauer extended the option on the lease to 2017-18, guaranteeing 3 years in the O. It is uncertain what will happen next as the city of Hamilton is refusing to pay for renovations to FirstOntario Centre, which could be a condition to even keeping the team in the city, especially after David Branch basically blacklisted the city from ever hosting a Memorial Cup without renovations or a new arena.
As for Strome, it's a blow for a Bulldogs team that is starving for offense, and without Hanley and due to OA rules, Hamilton's only going to have 5 Ds available tonight. Fulcher is going to have to stand on his head tonight..
Bulldogs get another point, but lose 3-2 in a shootout to Niagara.
Saigeon with the first PP Goal of the season for the Bulldogs (and 2 goals tonight). Unfortunately, once again, the team disappoints on home ice due to a lack of scoring.
Good debut for Nick Donofrio in a Bulldogs uniform.. unfortunately, like with Fulcher, he ends up with little support. I know Hamilton is dealing with injuries to Hanley and Strome.. but the continued low scoring is going to force Staios to make a trade for offense sooner than later or pray for Entwistle's return to help the offense, as his job and Gruden's depends on it..
And with Sarnia looming, Hamilton is going to have its hands full Monday.. Sting are off to a hot start this season (5-1-0). Hanley not being in the lineup is going to be difficult to handle against a top-tier team like the Sting.
Saigeon with the first PP Goal of the season for the Bulldogs (and 2 goals tonight). Unfortunately, once again, the team disappoints on home ice due to a lack of scoring.
Good debut for Nick Donofrio in a Bulldogs uniform.. unfortunately, like with Fulcher, he ends up with little support. I know Hamilton is dealing with injuries to Hanley and Strome.. but the continued low scoring is going to force Staios to make a trade for offense sooner than later or pray for Entwistle's return to help the offense, as his job and Gruden's depends on it..
And with Sarnia looming, Hamilton is going to have its hands full Monday.. Sting are off to a hot start this season (5-1-0). Hanley not being in the lineup is going to be difficult to handle against a top-tier team like the Sting.
Navrin Mutter just really hurt the Bulldogs on a slew foot--tossed from the game and will likely be out for some time when David Branch hands out a suspension.
And it's now 3-0 and Fulcher is getting lit up by a good team as the Bulldogs D is leaving him out to dry..
And it's now 3-0 and Fulcher is getting lit up by a good team as the Bulldogs D is leaving him out to dry..
Canadian Game
Registered User
I believe a slew foot is an automatic (minimum) 2 game suspension, but could be wrong. Can't understand why the Bulldogs would scratch Walters for Templeton. Walters could have contributed more to this game. Better to run with 7 dmen than plug Templeton on the 4th line.
- Status
