London Knights 2023-2024 Season Thread (Part 7)

[PhlyerPhanatic31]

Sure wasn’t much of a dog fight

You gotta get off the porch to run with the big dogs

 

[crowncarrier]

I still believe Cowan is here at some point next season. Still a lot of maturity missing at times

The only thing I see where he might have a chance is if Bertuzzi does not get signed. His last contract is/was 5 mil. Cowan is a good fit and would come at a great price for that role. I too think he needs more time but you never know.

 

[Ferguson Jenkins]

Players that dominate their 18yo season, especially the postseason, usually don’t return.

 

[LDN]

Also, did anyone else know that Henry Brzustewicz is dating Jussi Ahokas’ daughter (Kitchener coach).

What a gutsy man!

lol no way

 

[OHL4Life]

How did he manipulate the draft to get those players?

Cowan - Rd 2
George - Rd 6
Bonk - Rd 2

all three told teams they were not coming to the ohl. george was a 1st round pick all day. bonk and cowen too but at least cowan was closer to his value at 24 or 25 or whatever he went.

 

[crowncarrier]

all three told teams they were not coming to the ohl. george was a 1st round pick all day. bonk and cowen too but at least cowan was closer to his value at 24 or 25 or whatever he went.

I never heard that. Do you have a source?

 

[rve24]

I never heard that. Do you have a source?

George was a very good player in MM. No source to sight but my eye test was 1st rd potential. Now did Hinter tell him/agent/advisor to say that or was it more let's take a chance, sell him on the org. Or just call his bluff? That's what we don't know.
Rumors around rinks was US as well.

Not sure on the other 2 pre draft rankings but 2nd rd is not as big a "steal" as 4th. They went early 2nd as well I believe.so didn't drop much unless both were sure top 10 picks.

 

[Otto]

 

[LDN]

I’m excited to see what Van Gorp and Nicholl can do. Both smart players. Played their role well, but both skilled enough to be top 6ers next year

 

[OHL4Life]

I never heard that. Do you have a source?

talk to the moderator if you don’t trust me, he’s a London guy, he thinks I have the knowledge. I didn’t scout during Covid but I know lots of alliance guys who interviewed Cowan and he told them all he was going to school .same with bonk. George was easy a 1st round pick but his agent called everyone the day before the draft and said he’s going to school

 

[LDN]

talk to the moderator if you don’t trust me, he’s a London guy, he thinks I have the knowledge. I didn’t scout during Covid but I know lots of alliance guys who interviewed Cowan and he told them all he was going to school .same with bonk. George was easy a 1st round pick but his agent called everyone the day before the draft and said he’s going to school

Well thankfully they are here now and London Knights. We should be thankful for that.

 

[Buttsy]

talk to the moderator if you don’t trust me, he’s a London guy, he thinks I have the knowledge. I didn’t scout during Covid but I know lots of alliance guys who interviewed Cowan and he told them all he was going to school .same with bonk. George was easy a 1st round pick but his agent called everyone the day before the draft and said he’s going to school

Seriously though if that is all it takes to manipulate the draft what the heck is every other GM in the league doing? If it's that simple how possibly is not every team doing it or are they but Mark just picks the right guys to "coach"?

 

[OHL4Life]

Seriously though if that is all it takes to manipulate the draft what the heck is every other GM in the league doing? If it's that simple how possibly is not every team doing it or are they but Mark just picks the right guys to "coach"?

dont misconstrue what im saying. Im not saying mark or the knights are in the wrong, im saying those were not great picks that worked out, they were guys that were recruited and fell due to sign ability. very different things.

 

[rve24]

Seriously though if that is all it takes to manipulate the draft what the heck is every other GM in the league doing? If it's that simple how possibly is not every team doing it or are they but Mark just picks the right guys to "coach"?

You aint wrong.
For those who say Mark manipulated anything I think we need more info. I posted above what may or may not have happened. "Now did Hunter tell him/agent/advisor to say that or was it more let's take a chance, sell him on the org. Or just call his bluff? That's what we don't know."
Either way it's not Mark speaking for agents/advisors/parents. They are the ones hopefully looking after the clients best interests.........and if they feel that's exercising options to land where they want, it's allowed under the system. I'm all for empowering the players in the decision making process esp. as 15/16 yr olds.
Build it and they will come
We would never consider a draft for University admissions to a program where kids hope to develop knowledge, training experience to pursue their dreams but some figure it's ok to do that to a 15 yr old cause they are a fan of a team?

dont misconstrue what im saying. Im not saying mark or the knights are in the wrong, im saying those were not great picks that worked out, they were guys that were recruited and fell due to sign ability. very different things.

Agreed. But I'll add signability is solely in the hands of the player/family/agents/advisors and not team executives.
Sure it's an advantage, totally agree. But one they fostered and built.
Appreciate the insights n posts.

 

[OHL4Life]

You aint wrong.
For those who say Mark manipulated anything I think we need more info. I posted above what may or may not have happened. "Now did Hunter tell him/agent/advisor to say that or was it more let's take a chance, sell him on the org. Or just call his bluff? That's what we don't know."
Either way it's not Mark speaking for agents/advisors/parents. They are the ones hopefully looking after the clients best interests.........and if they feel that's exercising options to land where they want, it's allowed under the system. I'm all for empowering the players in the decision making process esp. as 15/16 yr olds.
Build it and they will come
We would never consider a draft for University admissions to a program where kids hope to develop knowledge, training experience to pursue their dreams but some figure it's ok to do that to a 15 yr old cause they are a fan of a team?


Agreed. But I'll add signability is solely in the hands of the player/family/agents/advisors and not team executives.
Sure it's an advantage, totally agree. But one they fostered and built.
Appreciate the insights n posts.

for sure. sometimes I see ‘wow, what a great pick by London, how could everyone be so dumb’, well no, everyone knew how good he was, they just don’t recruit as well. drafting vs recruiting. mark is the best recruiter and trader in the business

 

[crowncarrier]

talk to the moderator if you don’t trust me, he’s a London guy, he thinks I have the knowledge. I didn’t scout during Covid but I know lots of alliance guys who interviewed Cowan and he told them all he was going to school .same with bonk. George was easy a 1st round pick but his agent called everyone the day before the draft and said he’s going to school

It wasn't that I didn't believe you at all. I just never heard it. I know it happens all the time. Players say they are opting for the ncaa route and that's where the GMs come in and try to lure the players to their program. Fortunately London has a fantastic track record of producing future NHLers and a winning OHL team.

 

[OhSheilaa]

Massive Congratulations to the Knights. An incredible season followed by one of, if not the most dominant playoff and league championship series of all time.

I know the 2005 edition of the Knights was named the greatest OHL team of all time, but this year's team has got to be way up there too.

This series also showed the wrong coach was awarded OHL Coach of The Year. Dale completely school Laxdal in this series.

Congratulations again and bring back the Memorial Cup to the OHL.

 

[nelli27]

talk to the moderator if you don’t trust me, he’s a London guy, he thinks I have the knowledge. I didn’t scout during Covid but I know lots of alliance guys who interviewed Cowan and he told them all he was going to school .same with bonk. George was easy a 1st round pick but his agent called everyone the day before the draft and said he’s going to school

Yes, you're the real deal! Thanks for sharing your info.

 

[nelli27]

I never heard that. Do you have a source?

He is the source! Vetted insider.

 

[EvenSteven]

The only thing I see where he might have a chance is if Bertuzzi does not get signed. His last contract is/was 5 mil. Cowan is a good fit and would come at a great price for that role. I too think he needs more time but you never know.

One thing to consider is whether or not the Leafs look to sign a bottom six player or two to address lack of grit. It’s possible.

Also, what is Treliving’s history regarding playing underage players? Did he automatically send junior aged players back to junior or has he used 18 or 19 year olds in Calgary? Something worth looking up.

 

[Fastpace]

There is another mini little series with a huge prize at the end, to be played yet, Go Knights Go !

 

[Hendy]

It’s Oshawa


Sure wasn’t much of a dog fight.

Hard to do much when you hardly ever have the puck.

 

[Knights2729]

Barkey-O’Reilly-Gazizov (Imp/OA)
Sim(OA)-Nicholl-Van Gorp
Van Bommel-Johnston-Boulton
Gerber-Hawrey-Arrowsmith
Bidgood

Bonk - Woolley
Jenkin-Brzustewicz
Fagen II - Mitchell

Willmore (OA)
Gatto
Medvedev

If Gatto can take over the next Willmore gets moved and Leonard stays, but otherwise Leonard gets moved. If Ustinkov comes we won’t add an import. If he doesn’t we will. If Dickinson, Cowan and Halttunnen come back OH BABY

Leonard will be back, Gazizov wont

 

[frontsfan67]

It wasn't that I didn't believe you at all. I just never heard it. I know it happens all the time. Players say they are opting for the ncaa route and that's where the GMs come in and try to lure the players to their program. Fortunately London has a fantastic track record of producing future NHLers and a winning OHL team.

Which is why you’ll be competitive until the hunters leave

 

[LDN]

Leonard will be back, Gazizov wont

Then our D is our strength