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Brantford Bulldogs 2023-24 Off-Season Thread (Part One)

Rounder8

Rounder8

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Sep 28, 2018
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OMG67 said:
The only potential issue with Sobolev is he is a bulldog “literally” at this level with less mature bodies. At the Pro level, his size wouldn’t stand out quite as much.

I’d be curious to see how his career tracks though.
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I thought the same thing about Arber Xhekaj. He got by on strength and intimidation and I wondered if it would translate.

He is a lot bigger than Sobolev though.

If I was an NHL team I would give him and look and find out.
 
OMG67

OMG67

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Sep 1, 2013
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Rounder8 said:
I thought the same thing about Arber Xhekaj. He got by on strength and intimidation and I wondered if it would translate.

He is a lot bigger than Sobolev though.

If I was an NHL team I would give him and look and find out.
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It is basically $500k to find out after signing bonus and three years guaranteed in the AHL. I think he’s more likely a return to Russia in the KHL but maybe there is a team that feels he is likely to translate at the next level. I’m not sure he has shown more in Brantford than he did in Niagara. MTL chose not to sign him and no one else extended an offer.

I hope he does get a chance on an NHL deal. I just think if he doesn’t get that, he goes home for more money than a Minor league deal in the AHL/ECHL.
 
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PuckStop75

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Feb 21, 2019
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OMG67 said:
It is basically $500k to find out after signing bonus and three years guaranteed in the AHL. I think he’s more likely a return to Russia in the KHL but maybe there is a team that feels he is likely to translate at the next level. I’m not sure he has shown more in Brantford than he did in Niagara. MTL chose not to sign him and no one else extended an offer.

I hope he does get a chance on an NHL deal. I just think if he doesn’t get that, he goes home for more money than a Minor league deal in the AHL/ECHL.
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the pro level hockey IQ isn't there
 
Canadian Game

Canadian Game

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OMG67 said:
The only potential issue with Sobolev is he is a bulldog “literally” at this level with less mature bodies. At the Pro level, his size wouldn’t stand out quite as much.

I’d be curious to see how his career tracks though.
Click to expand...
His size wouldn’t stand out as much, but he wouldn’t be small either. If anything, he would be above average in the league. Meanwhile everyone will still add muscle.

I could see a team giving him a tryout contract and then him signing a 1-2 year AHL deal. He could be sent to the ECHL and called up. Then again, if he can make more money in Europe, he might chase that instead.

The qualities I see in Sobolev that I see him making pro are his shot blocking (he’s a warrior), checking, and he skates well with the puck and protects it well. He can also log minutes on the ice. He probably won’t turn into a #1 D, but I see an opportunity to have a steady pro career.
 
OMG67

OMG67

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Canadian Game said:
His size wouldn’t stand out as much, but he wouldn’t be small either. If anything, he would be above average in the league. Meanwhile everyone will still add muscle.

I could see a team giving him a tryout contract and then him signing a 1-2 year AHL deal. He could be sent to the ECHL and called up. Then again, if he can make more money in Europe, he might chase that instead.

The qualities I see in Sobolev that I see him making pro are his shot blocking (he’s a warrior), checking, and he skates well with the puck and protects it well. He can also log minutes on the ice. He probably won’t turn into a #1 D, but I see an opportunity to have a steady pro career.
Click to expand...

Agreed. The only issue is he would undoubtedly make more money in Wurope than the AHL or ECHL, especially if it is a two way contract AHL-ECHL where the ECHL value is super crappy.
 
kovacro

kovacro

Uvijek Vjerni
Nov 20, 2008
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FYI, Sobolev is a Montreal draft pick (5th round, 2021) and they own his rights until June 1, 2025.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Laval sign him to a ATO for the rest of the season just to get some pro experience.
 
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Babs716

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Sep 22, 2023
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Canadian Game said:
His size wouldn’t stand out as much, but he wouldn’t be small either. If anything, he would be above average in the league. Meanwhile everyone will still add muscle.

I could see a team giving him a tryout contract and then him signing a 1-2 year AHL deal. He could be sent to the ECHL and called up. Then again, if he can make more money in Europe, he might chase that instead.

The qualities I see in Sobolev that I see him making pro are his shot blocking (he’s a warrior), checking, and he skates well with the puck and protects it well. He can also log minutes on the ice. He probably won’t turn into a #1 D, but I see an opportunity to have a steady pro career.
Click to expand...
My thoughts on him exactly…he’s been fun to watch. That’s for sure.

Rounder8 said:
I was hoping that he would be back, but was figured that this would happen. Best of luck to him.
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He did a little too well this year 😅
 
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ktownfan

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I hate to admit when I'm wrong, but I missed it with Florian, watched him come in the league and didn't think he had what it took to make it. I thought it was a reach drafting him where the Habs did. I was wrong, really wrong.
Good luck to him
 
Rounder8

Rounder8

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ktownfan said:
I hate to admit when I'm wrong, but I missed it with Florian, watched him come in the league and didn't think he had what it took to make it. I thought it was a reach drafting him where the Habs did. I was wrong, really wrong.
Good luck to him
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Totally agree with this. I didn't see this coming at all.

Both brothers are late bloomers I guess.
 
HockeyPops

HockeyPops

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Aug 20, 2018
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Is there a Brantford fan that wants to make a pick in the mock draft thread?

hfboards OHL mock draft

With the 9th pick of the 2024 OHL Draft, the Guelph Storm are proud to select, Caleb Malhotra. (Yes, he's been "selected", but not really because I'm going with the OG intent of the post and people's pick's. Guelph needs a forward, his dad played in Guelph, if he's available at 9 it's a lock.
forums.hfboards.com forums.hfboards.com
 
frontsfan67

frontsfan67

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How the hell do you guys always get draft steals. Guy put up well over a ppg in u18. You guys got him at 14… how?!
 
Jawk

Jawk

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Sep 29, 2021
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frontsfan67 said:
How the hell do you guys always get draft steals. Guy put up well over a ppg in u18. You guys got him at 14… how?!
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Loophole rule that if your dad played in the OHL you can commit to that league. I'm sure all teams knew this.

What I don't know is if he opts for the OHL, gets taken by a team he doesn't like, can he still opt in to the Q draft.

People always talk about some teams being destinations, and some not (not even in regards to location). Bulldogs have done a good job at treating and developing their players right.
 
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ScoutLife4

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Nov 28, 2023
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Hamara may make his NA Pro debut in Belleville this Weds.

1713196619159.png
 
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Rounder8

Rounder8

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