London Knights 2023 - 24 Season Thread (Part Three)

[crowncarrier]

We have to move some 04's this year. No way the Hunters roll into next season with 8 on the roster. 04's will lose value coming into next season as we will be forced to do it and we will not get as much back as we would now.

 

[nelli27]

It will be interesting to see who returns to the lineup tonight against the Colts: Julien? Cowan? Bonk?
McCue still has another game to serve on his 3-game suspension.

Knights boast the OHL's top PP @ 34% and the PK is 2nd overall @ 84.2%.
Barrie's PK is last overall @ 68.8%.

 

[nelli27]

We have to move some 04's this year. No way the Hunters roll into next season with 8 on the roster. 04's will lose value coming into next season as we will be forced to do it and we will not get as much back as we would now.

Let's take a look at those 8 '04s:

1.Julien * possible OA (but could turn pro)
2.S. Boulton: GONE
3.Gazizov * an OA Import, unlikely I would think.
4.Sim * possible OA
5.George: SIGNED, will play pro.
6.Leonard * possible OA
7.Edward: SIGNED, will play pro.
8.Willmore * possible OA

Those 8 can get trimmed quite quickly. However, if we consider possible trades, someone who'd have trade value, it would be J. Edward (but I'd be surprised if he gets moved).
Julien, Gazizov, Sim, George and possibly Edward too important for this year's run to be dealt.
S. Boulton: no reason to keep him as an OA.
Leonard a 'maybe' to be traded, but doubtful...not much trade value.

 

[TheCoach]

We have to move some 04's this year. No way the Hunters roll into next season with 8 on the roster. 04's will lose value coming into next season as we will be forced to do it and we will not get as much back as we would now.

Don't underestimate the Hunters ability to squeeze other GM like it's fantasy league! lol

 

[TheCoach]

Imagine winterton comes back from the AHL only player 24 games so far 11 points does it happen probably not but imagine . Could Mark pick up the rights to tucker Robertson?

 

[LDN]

04 OAs would likely be Gazizov, Leonard and Willmore

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

04 OAs would likely be Gazizov, Leonard and Willmore

Gazizov would not be here next year, imports should be Halttunen and Ustinkov.

OAs Leonard, Sim, Julien, Willmore if all report 1 is traded.

 

[LDN]

Gazizov would not be here next year, imports should be Halttunen and Ustinkov.

OAs Leonard, Sim, Willmore

Sim could be an AHLer no?

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Sim could graduate but he is not signed yet, so right now he would be coming back.

 

[dino200022]

I love Woolley and think he should get regular minutes, but to downgrade our D to do so seems like it wouldn’t make sense for the trajectory of this team.

So our D is deep:

Bonk, Dickinson, George, Edward are as good of a top 4 as any. If we could get a vet to play on that 3rd pair with Woolley, Jenkin , Fagen and Brz?
Speaking of Brz I think it’s hard to take him out of the line up he can play forward as well as any. That versatility is too valuable

I honestly think at this point he is a far better forward...keep him up there even if it is on the 4th line and let Woolley and Leonard e the 3rd pair. Bursty can fill in where needed.

 

[dino200022]

Gazizov would not be here next year, imports should be Halttunen and Ustinkov.

OAs Leonard, Sim, Julien, Willmore if all report 1 is traded.

Halts was drafted out of Europe so he has PRO eligibility, unless something crazy happens I would expect him to start next year in the A.

 

[jamemcca]

Cowan and Bonk are in tonight

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Halttunen has not dominated at this level, he can use another year of seasoning to improve his even strength play against peers. He then gets top line minutes at the WJC.

Last year he proved that playing in a men’s league too early stunted his growth. He could get a cup of coffee in the AHL but I think he finishes in junior. A lot can happen between now and then.

 

[LDN]

Halttunnen should be back. Now considering Sim isn’t signed I suppose he should as well. Does anyone know if Julien is signed? He could probably play in the A next season. Agreed Ustinkov would be a nice add if he would come?

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Julien is not signed. Ustinkov in all likelihood should come to demonstrate he can play a North American game against his peer group for his draft year. He could stay in the Swiss pro league but it’s harder to showcase, as of now he is in the discussion as an A prospect so it may not matter where he plays.

Looking at Halttunen, would he have improved his draft stock if he was in London rather than Jokreit in his draft year…… Yes!

 

[LDN]

Julien is not signed. Ustinkov in all likelihood should come to demonstrate he can play a North American game against his peer group for his draft year. He could stay in the Swiss pro league but it’s harder to showcase, as of now he is in the discussion as an A prospect so it may not matter where he plays.

Looking at Halttunen, would he have improved his draft stock if he was in London rather than Jokreit in his draft year…… Yes!

Agreed Halttunnen might have been a 1st rounder if he came to London last year

 

[Fastpace]

Julien plays the rest of this season like he did this last month, he'll likely not be coming back.
Same for Halttunnen, since he was not drafted as a Knight, he'll turn pro as well, I also think Halttunnen is good for another 30 goals in the last half of this season. In my opinion of course

 

[Fastpace]

Is this Owen beck deal to Saginaw been confirmed yet, anyone knows?

 

[nelli27]

Is this Owen beck deal to Saginaw been confirmed yet, anyone knows?

Not confirmed yet...

Canadiens Prospect Owen Beck Involved In OHL Trade

Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck is once again on the move in the Ontario Hockey League. The 2022 second-round pick is expected to be traded from the Peterborough Petes to the Memorial Saginaw Spirit. This comes on the heels of another Petes trade which saw them send defenceman Konnor Smith...

montrealhockeynow.com

 

[Wifi]

Julien is not signed. Ustinkov in all likelihood should come to demonstrate he can play a North American game against his peer group for his draft year. He could stay in the Swiss pro league but it’s harder to showcase, as of now he is in the discussion as an A prospect so it may not matter where he plays.

Looking at Halttunen, would he have improved his draft stock if he was in London rather than Jokreit in his draft year…… Yes!

Ustinkov is draft eligible this year. Being a left handed defensive defenseman he might partner well with Brzustewicz on the second/third pairing

 

[nelli27]

I watched the Finland games to see how the national team used Halttunen vs how he's utilized with the Knights. As it turns out, not much difference. Same spot on the PP where he sets up for the one-timer. He also does not skate the puck up ice, instead that's what his linemates do. He waits until they set up in the offensive zone. Makes sense though given his particular skill set.

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Ustinkov is draft eligible this year. Being a left handed defensive defenseman he might partner well with Brzustewicz on the second/third pairing

Good catch 17 not 16. So similar boat to Halttunen coming over after the draft.

 

[All the Answers]

I watched the Finland games to see how the national team used Halttunen vs how he's utilized with the Knights. As it turns out, not much difference. Same spot on the PP where he sets up for the one-timer. He also does not skate the puck up ice, instead that's what his linemates do. He waits until they set up in the offensive zone. Makes sense though given his particular skill set.

Letang could have taken notes vs Rehkopf with Canada, SMH.

 

[Purple Phart]

Julien plays the rest of this season like he did this last month, he'll likely not be coming back.

There's the possibility that his education situation could have an influence on his return. I understand that he's currently enrolled in an Engineering program at Western, and his hockey was a somewhat secondary preoccupation. He could come back to get his degree, while still playing for the Knights, and then graduate to the NHL with the bonus of an Engineering degree in hand. Not too many OHL players exhibit higher academic performances while actively devoting time to hockey. Back in the day, Dave Simpson managed to get his MBA degree while playing for the Knights.

 

[dino200022]

There's the possibility that his education situation could have an influence on his return. I understand that he's currently enrolled in an Engineering program at Western, and his hockey was a somewhat secondary preoccupation. He could come back to get his degree, while still playing for the Knights, and then graduate to the NHL with the bonus of an Engineering degree in hand. Not too many OHL players exhibit higher academic performances while actively devoting time to hockey. Back in the day, Dave Simpson managed to get his MBA degree while playing for the Knights.

I would second this, his engineering degree is still very much his highest priority so fully expect him to come back unless he is making the Show...or the Jets can somehow have him play and do his schooling at the same time in the A which is probably not high on their list. He is a very smart individual and it most certainly translates in his play. Lets also not forget that he has only played in 75 regular season OHL games, with the first 45 of those coming in a a very limited role. Another year in the O would probably do him a world of wonder anyways IMO.