cvandenberg22
Registered User
- Dec 25, 2012
- 104
- 52
OHL Future Watch: Flint Firebirds
The Flint Firebirds finally turned the corner last season and were poised to challenge for the OHL Championship and then…the season was cancelled. Flint just can’t catch a break! Unfortunately, most of Flint’s talent resides in the 2000 and 2001 birth years and they have some interesting decisions to make in terms of which overage players they keep and which ones they release or trade. Their 2001s and overage players will be strong enough that they will take another shot at the OHL title, but they will need a major rebuild afterwards.
Forwards
Leading scorer Evgeniy Oksentyuk (2001, LW) returns to the Firebirds, along with Cody Morgan (2001,C) who averaged almost a point a game. Vancouver 4th rounder Ethan Keppen (2001, LW) needs a bounce-back season and Flint will have to make a decision whether they keep one or both of Connor Roberts (2000, C) or Jack Wismer (2000, RW). Riley Piercey (2002, RW) will be drafted in the 2020 draft and will be a good OHL player as early as next season. Brennan Othmann (2003, LW), Braeden Kressler (2003, C) and 2020 first rounder Gavin Hayes (2004, RW) are promising young players who represent the next wave for Flint.
Defense
Flint returns Florida Panthers’ 2nd rounder Vladislav Kolyachonok (2001, LD), who is the defensive anchor for the Firebirds. Overager Riley McCourt (2000, LD) was one of the top D-man scorers in the OHL last season (62 points). Owen Lalonde (2000, RD) and Dennis Busby (2000, RD), who recently signed an ATO with Coyotes AHL affiliate Tuscon, may be the odd men out if Busby gets returned by Arizona (5th round) because of the overage logjam. Lalonde will be an interesting case as there are conditions attached to him where Flint loses a couple of draft picks if he does play his overage season. Marcus Gretz (2001, LD) and Tyler Deline (2002, LD) provide depth for the Firebirds. 2020 3rd round pick Aaron Brown (2004, LD) is highly regarded and should help.
Goalies
Luke Cavallin (2001) has never taken hold of the top job with the Firebirds. As a result, look for them to make a move for a veteran goaltender to try to steer them to an OHL title this season.
Draft Capital
The Firebirds are in a position where they have to go for it this season. Othmann may be on the move if they can trade him for a top scorer or top 2 D-man in the league. Flint has a healthy haul of draft picks, and may move some of their extra 3rd round picks in a deal. Look for them to deal a couple of highly coveted overagers for a goaltender, or for some extra picks to use at the deadline.
In conclusion, Flint is in the midst of trying to change the organizational narrative that it does not have a winning culture. They are only a couple of years removed from players refusing to go there. With the right moves, they have a chance to challenge again this season for the OHL title and a possible birth in the Memorial Cup, but they will have to balance going all in with protecting the future. A possible deal with Barrie including one of their overage defensemen like Barrie area native Dennis Busby (if he returns from Arizona/Tucson) for one of Barrie’s 2001 born goalies would be a smart move.
The Flint Firebirds finally turned the corner last season and were poised to challenge for the OHL Championship and then…the season was cancelled. Flint just can’t catch a break! Unfortunately, most of Flint’s talent resides in the 2000 and 2001 birth years and they have some interesting decisions to make in terms of which overage players they keep and which ones they release or trade. Their 2001s and overage players will be strong enough that they will take another shot at the OHL title, but they will need a major rebuild afterwards.
Forwards
Leading scorer Evgeniy Oksentyuk (2001, LW) returns to the Firebirds, along with Cody Morgan (2001,C) who averaged almost a point a game. Vancouver 4th rounder Ethan Keppen (2001, LW) needs a bounce-back season and Flint will have to make a decision whether they keep one or both of Connor Roberts (2000, C) or Jack Wismer (2000, RW). Riley Piercey (2002, RW) will be drafted in the 2020 draft and will be a good OHL player as early as next season. Brennan Othmann (2003, LW), Braeden Kressler (2003, C) and 2020 first rounder Gavin Hayes (2004, RW) are promising young players who represent the next wave for Flint.
Defense
Flint returns Florida Panthers’ 2nd rounder Vladislav Kolyachonok (2001, LD), who is the defensive anchor for the Firebirds. Overager Riley McCourt (2000, LD) was one of the top D-man scorers in the OHL last season (62 points). Owen Lalonde (2000, RD) and Dennis Busby (2000, RD), who recently signed an ATO with Coyotes AHL affiliate Tuscon, may be the odd men out if Busby gets returned by Arizona (5th round) because of the overage logjam. Lalonde will be an interesting case as there are conditions attached to him where Flint loses a couple of draft picks if he does play his overage season. Marcus Gretz (2001, LD) and Tyler Deline (2002, LD) provide depth for the Firebirds. 2020 3rd round pick Aaron Brown (2004, LD) is highly regarded and should help.
Goalies
Luke Cavallin (2001) has never taken hold of the top job with the Firebirds. As a result, look for them to make a move for a veteran goaltender to try to steer them to an OHL title this season.
Draft Capital
The Firebirds are in a position where they have to go for it this season. Othmann may be on the move if they can trade him for a top scorer or top 2 D-man in the league. Flint has a healthy haul of draft picks, and may move some of their extra 3rd round picks in a deal. Look for them to deal a couple of highly coveted overagers for a goaltender, or for some extra picks to use at the deadline.
In conclusion, Flint is in the midst of trying to change the organizational narrative that it does not have a winning culture. They are only a couple of years removed from players refusing to go there. With the right moves, they have a chance to challenge again this season for the OHL title and a possible birth in the Memorial Cup, but they will have to balance going all in with protecting the future. A possible deal with Barrie including one of their overage defensemen like Barrie area native Dennis Busby (if he returns from Arizona/Tucson) for one of Barrie’s 2001 born goalies would be a smart move.
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