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Post by Jack Bauer on Apr 6, 2023 8:31:29 GMT -4
The Memorial Cup stuff might not be a complete pipe dream but it is for 2025. Longer term...2028 or 2031...who knows. But it seems like the government money is being put into place to expand C200 to something larger for some other sports so maybe with a few more million and new concession areas, sound systems, press box, etc we can pull it off. Somehow we're completely missing the boat on a 5,000 seat arena here. Little to no concerts or large events. We need to find some ways to fix that and it sounds positive that some good things are happening behind the scenes. Our economy is no longer suffering like it was. We literally have a housing crisis and a population growing for the first time in a long time. Yet our arena is mostly empty outside of hockey. We can be doing better there. I was shocked at last nights attendance but it should have been an eye opener to what the potential is here if its done properly. And how not developing chemistry and constantly making a lot of trades probably doesn't help you develop a great culture over time. Our fans want to watch a young core grow together and win together but not at the cost of a 4 year rebuild. I find the emotional investment tough to give when I see so many flaws. There's a lot of great things to be excited about. But I still need to see how this off season unfolds and hopefully see this transition into our moves being more targeted to fill needs vs trying to win the trophy for the team making the most roster moves while trying to preach about looking for hard working kids with good character. The cost is still the #1 factor driving most away. $75 after 2 adult tickets, a concession trip, and even splits. It has to be a competitive product to justify that cost. In a league where the entertainment factor has changed so drastically it really does come down to being competitive. I don't know how parents with 2+ children do it regularly. Just want to echo Jack's point, to anyone reading from Eagles management, cost is the #1 reason I don't go to many games anymore. The price point jumps from when I was a "youth" to an "adult" was pretty extreme and it's only increasing every year. I'd consider myself someone who's firmly "middle class" as well, these games have been priced out to families who are on unemployment, minimum wage, etc. I was in for almost $100 taking my girlfriend to Tuesdays game. I have absolutely no clue if the Eagles have anyone doing analysis on price elasticity of demand but I'd recommend starting there. On to the game... I just never felt like this Eagles team had any chemistry at all, closer to a bunch of good/decent players with a junior star or two sprinkled in who largely carried games with 3/4 point nights. Hopefully Lavoie flourishes in to the #1 defenseman he was projected to be, else we're in for some more tough sledding in then next few years. I know "the movies" is always a comparable they like to make as a price point. I've been to 1 movie since covid...not because I don't enjoy the experience....but because the cost is really hard to justify. Habits are changing. And lets discuss the elephant in the room....People can sit home and watch the games for free. Just like I can wait for a Top Gun to hit the internet. The feeling of a big win is similar to the feeling coming out of a theatre after seeing a blockbuster. But if that cost starts to make me need to change my habits...it REALLY has to be good to justify paying the close to $100 for a night for 2 people. QMJHL hockey, even for an elite team, from September to February or so...its not exciting. At like $25 for an adult its an impossible price point for me. And I'll be there for any big playoff game but something needs to happen to find ways to get more people in the rink during the first part of a season that on a Sunday in November can feel like a wake in terms of atmosphere and excitement.
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Post by Jack Bauer on Apr 6, 2023 8:41:01 GMT -4
Ruccia has been inconsistent in his 3 years, but seemed to have turned a bit of corner. He needs to take a big leap next year. But if he does, and if the rumours from xmas are true that some vets are coming in as futures, you guys should have a really good year. I'm not seeing this at all. I think it would be borderline insane to bring Ruccia back and expect consistency. He was 16th in GAA (Satny 15th) 22nd in save % (Satny 21st) Are you doubling down that his 19yr old season is when he finally fully comes into his own or going with a proven established guy who you know has a better history and numbers? Both goalies numbers are a reflection on the team in front of them but at no point did either guy really leave us with much confidence in them. Average at best was my goaltending expectation every night and average was mostly what we got.
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Post by Jack Bauer on Apr 6, 2023 8:44:33 GMT -4
maybe get Sly to call in sick around the trade period seriously you guys showed up and i do believe you will be very competitive next year It should line up that Halifax, Moncton, CB are all very competitive next season which would be a nice change as we have rarely lined up with those teams. Halifax returns a lot but loses a lot as well so while I still expect them to be a favorite some of the explosiveness will be gone but I can see there being a lot of parity among the 3 teams and a tight division race all season.
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Post by howitzer on Apr 6, 2023 9:45:13 GMT -4
Ruccia has been inconsistent in his 3 years, but seemed to have turned a bit of corner. He needs to take a big leap next year. But if he does, and if the rumours from xmas are true that some vets are coming in as futures, you guys should have a really good year. I'm not seeing this at all. I think it would be borderline insane to bring Ruccia back and expect consistency. He was 16th in GAA (Satny 15th) 22nd in save % (Satny 21st) Are you doubling down that his 19yr old season is when he finally fully comes into his own or going with a proven established guy who you know has a better history and numbers? Both goalies numbers are a reflection on the team in front of them but at no point did either guy really leave us with much confidence in them. Average at best was my goaltending expectation every night and average was mostly what we got. I certainly wouldn't write Ruccia's name in pen as a bonafide #1 next year, but I think you give him a bit of a leash at the start of the year. If he's the same guy, then at xmas Sly needs to figure that out. But with an improved team in front of him, I see no harm starting him out of the gate. You invested 1st round pick on him. It's not a good-for-it year. Tell him he's the starter out of camp and see what he can do.
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Post by Jack Bauer on Apr 6, 2023 10:17:48 GMT -4
I'm not seeing this at all. I think it would be borderline insane to bring Ruccia back and expect consistency. He was 16th in GAA (Satny 15th) 22nd in save % (Satny 21st) Are you doubling down that his 19yr old season is when he finally fully comes into his own or going with a proven established guy who you know has a better history and numbers? Both goalies numbers are a reflection on the team in front of them but at no point did either guy really leave us with much confidence in them. Average at best was my goaltending expectation every night and average was mostly what we got. I certainly wouldn't write Ruccia's name in pen as a bonafide #1 next year, but I think you give him a bit of a leash at the start of the year. If he's the same guy, then at xmas Sly needs to figure that out. But with an improved team in front of him, I see no harm starting him out of the gate. You invested 1st round pick on him. It's not a good-for-it year. Tell him he's the starter out of camp and see what he can do. After 3 years here he wasn't the #1 entering game 1. With the season on the line he wasn't the choice for game 4. He played 2 playoff games and gave up 8 in 1. Personally i'm finding another vet or an overager with a history of success and trading Ruccia closer to home because I can't roll the dice on what can not be a disappointing season by handing the reigns to the guy I never had confidence in over 3 years and when given the chance has not shown any consistency. Its not a go for it year but it has to be a competitive year and assuming a young guy as a #2...we have to have a stable #1 and expecting that to be Ruccia is a risk. He's now a 19yr old...where he was drafted shouldn't come into play. The 3 years in the league has to be what he's evaluated on....not where a different regime thought he would be 3 years ago.
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Post by Reesor on Apr 6, 2023 10:23:45 GMT -4
Would not be surprised in the slightest if Cape Breton ended up with William Rousseau from Quebec as fallout from the Langlois trade based on the information I've seen so far.
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Post by Jack Bauer on Apr 6, 2023 10:30:17 GMT -4
Would not be surprised in the slightest if Cape Breton ended up with William Rousseau from Quebec as fallout from the Langlois trade based on the information I've seen so far. I have no inside info to reference it from but since day 1 of the Langlois trade Rousseau is the return that made the most sense to me.
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Post by hal on Apr 6, 2023 12:05:11 GMT -4
Would not be surprised in the slightest if Cape Breton ended up with William Rousseau from Quebec as fallout from the Langlois trade based on the information I've seen so far. I have no inside info to reference it from but since day 1 of the Langlois trade Rousseau is the return that made the most sense to me. Didn't you mention one time you thought it might be the Russian Defenceman ?
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Post by Jack Bauer on Apr 6, 2023 12:17:39 GMT -4
I have no inside info to reference it from but since day 1 of the Langlois trade Rousseau is the return that made the most sense to me. Didn't you mention one time you thought it might be the Russian Defenceman ? Yep he was another who lined up with what our plans seem to be. Spit balling here but if you expand that Langlois deal a bit is this completely unrealistic: A 2nd in 2025 came from Quebec so say that with our 2023 1st rounder to Quebec for Rousseau and Komarov. Quebec would get Langlois for just a 3rd and we'd get Rousseau and Komarov for a 1st to start a rebuild with. I'm sure someone will come in to say there's NTC's and Quebec probably has promised them to others but it wouldn't shock me to see either or both come over to finish the Langlois deal somehow.
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Post by sherwood1020 on Apr 6, 2023 12:41:29 GMT -4
Didn't you mention one time you thought it might be the Russian Defenceman ? Yep he was another who lined up with what our plans seem to be. Spit balling here but if you expand that Langlois deal a bit is this completely unrealistic: A 2nd in 2025 came from Quebec so say that with our 2023 1st rounder to Quebec for Rousseau and Komarov. Quebec would get Langlois for just a 3rd and we'd get Rousseau and Komarov for a 1st to start a rebuild with. I'm sure someone will come in to say there's NTC's and Quebec probably has promised them to others but it wouldn't shock me to see either or both come over to finish the Langlois deal somehow. IIRC, Couterier said at the post deadline Town Hall meeting that 2 or 3 assets were potentially coming back to complete that deal. If both Komarov and Rousseau are part of that deal with say a pick and/or a goalie (Ruccia/Cloutier?) Heading to Quebec it would make sense for both parties.
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Post by falconz on Apr 6, 2023 13:33:21 GMT -4
Despite the sweep, you guys played a hell of a lot better than I expected. There are definitely foundation pieces in place. It's how you surround those guys next year and the year after. Squires, Shields, Lavoie, Daigle, Houde...Newcombe and Schmitt should be around for 2 more years. Even guys like Patterson and Fullerton. They'll always be depth guys, but you need players like that around. Ruccia has been inconsistent in his 3 years, but seemed to have turned a bit of corner. He needs to take a big leap next year. But if he does, and if the rumours from xmas are true that some vets are coming in as futures, you guys should have a really good year. But it seems like CB has been at this point a lot over the last 10-15yrs, but can never finish the job and ice a true contender. Front offices always fumble the bag, make dumb trades and next thing you know, the core is gone, you never won anything, you no picks left on and on lol. Hopefully things are different this time around. Big off-season for the Eagles, but you guys should feel good about the team overall. The Truest thing you spoke about in this Post is that The Front Office in the past always seem to Fumble the Ball at the Goal Line . However , two things come to mind .... 1- Who knows how 2020 would have ended ...We had a Power House Team in Place . 2- We now have a GM in place who has Built Several Contenders over the Years and just a few Years ago built a Memorial Cup Champion in Bathurst . Now I never included The President or The Head Coach in that assessment as I think they have done things that leave you shaking your Head . Who is coming in to finish off the Langois Deal ? What is left to be finished with the Dessereux Deal ? Who will be the 20's ? Possibly 2 New Euros ? Is Ruccia the Guy going Forward ? What 17 year Old Prospects join the fold Next Season ? Who are they targeting in the Q Draft ? All things that will be addressed in the next little while . Lot of questions for next year - I think NO doubt they need to go out and build a competitive team with this core for next year and also the year after. I actually thought Eagles played fairly well in the series. Special Teams was a huge difference with Moose PP being so damm good! At the end of the day Moose was a top CHL team so my expectations were be competitive right to the end and they did that. Langois deal - Could we ever get Rousseau over as a 20 G ? Desressieaux deal - Probably not getting too much back IMO 20's - Biggar, Schmitt, Rousseau ? 2 Euro's need to be Forwards and 100% come - we need that secondary scoring badly Draft - Target a Scoring skilled Forward best available - D is locked up i would say for next season and looks really solid!
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Post by sherwood1020 on Apr 6, 2023 14:29:35 GMT -4
The Truest thing you spoke about in this Post is that The Front Office in the past always seem to Fumble the Ball at the Goal Line . However , two things come to mind .... 1- Who knows how 2020 would have ended ...We had a Power House Team in Place . 2- We now have a GM in place who has Built Several Contenders over the Years and just a few Years ago built a Memorial Cup Champion in Bathurst . Now I never included The President or The Head Coach in that assessment as I think they have done things that leave you shaking your Head . Who is coming in to finish off the Langois Deal ? What is left to be finished with the Dessereux Deal ? Who will be the 20's ? Possibly 2 New Euros ? Is Ruccia the Guy going Forward ? What 17 year Old Prospects join the fold Next Season ? Who are they targeting in the Q Draft ? All things that will be addressed in the next little while . Lot of questions for next year - I think NO doubt they need to go out and build a competitive team with this core for next year and also the year after. I actually thought Eagles played fairly well in the series. Special Teams was a huge difference with Moose PP being so damm good! At the end of the day Moose was a top CHL team so my expectations were be competitive right to the end and they did that. Langois deal - Could we ever get Rousseau over as a 20 G ? Desressieaux deal - Probably not getting too much back IMO 20's - Biggar, Schmitt, Rousseau ? 2 Euro's need to be Forwards and 100% come - we need that secondary scoring badly Draft - Target a Scoring skilled Forward best available - D is locked up i would say for next season and looks really solid! Schmitt will only be 19 next year, so probably Biggar, Shortall, and potentially Rousseau (depending on if he's a future and/or will actually report)
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Post by Jack Bauer on Apr 6, 2023 14:47:16 GMT -4
Lot of questions for next year - I think NO doubt they need to go out and build a competitive team with this core for next year and also the year after. I actually thought Eagles played fairly well in the series. Special Teams was a huge difference with Moose PP being so damm good! At the end of the day Moose was a top CHL team so my expectations were be competitive right to the end and they did that. Langois deal - Could we ever get Rousseau over as a 20 G ? Desressieaux deal - Probably not getting too much back IMO 20's - Biggar, Schmitt, Rousseau ? 2 Euro's need to be Forwards and 100% come - we need that secondary scoring badly Draft - Target a Scoring skilled Forward best available - D is locked up i would say for next season and looks really solid! Schmitt will only be 19 next year, so probably Biggar, Shortall, and potentially Rousseau (depending on if he's a future and/or will actually report) I don't think both Biggar and Shortall are back. I think there will be 2 overagers added.
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Post by Jack Bauer on Apr 6, 2023 14:49:36 GMT -4
The Truest thing you spoke about in this Post is that The Front Office in the past always seem to Fumble the Ball at the Goal Line . However , two things come to mind .... 1- Who knows how 2020 would have ended ...We had a Power House Team in Place . 2- We now have a GM in place who has Built Several Contenders over the Years and just a few Years ago built a Memorial Cup Champion in Bathurst . Now I never included The President or The Head Coach in that assessment as I think they have done things that leave you shaking your Head . Who is coming in to finish off the Langois Deal ? What is left to be finished with the Dessereux Deal ? Who will be the 20's ? Possibly 2 New Euros ? Is Ruccia the Guy going Forward ? What 17 year Old Prospects join the fold Next Season ? Who are they targeting in the Q Draft ? All things that will be addressed in the next little while . Lot of questions for next year - I think NO doubt they need to go out and build a competitive team with this core for next year and also the year after. I actually thought Eagles played fairly well in the series. Special Teams was a huge difference with Moose PP being so damm good! At the end of the day Moose was a top CHL team so my expectations were be competitive right to the end and they did that. Langois deal - Could we ever get Rousseau over as a 20 G ? Desressieaux deal - Probably not getting too much back IMO 20's - Biggar, Schmitt, Rousseau ? 2 Euro's need to be Forwards and 100% come - we need that secondary scoring badly Draft - Target a Scoring skilled Forward best available - D is locked up i would say for next season and looks really solid! Re: Euro's...I don't think they have to be forwards as much as they have to report. Whether its a 3rd liner or 4/5 D or even a potential #1 G...the key is finding a 17/18yr old kid wanting to come over.
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Post by scotiahockey on Apr 6, 2023 16:02:10 GMT -4
The Memorial Cup stuff might not be a complete pipe dream but it is for 2025. Longer term...2028 or 2031...who knows. But it seems like the government money is being put into place to expand C200 to something larger for some other sports so maybe with a few more million and new concession areas, sound systems, press box, etc we can pull it off. Somehow we're completely missing the boat on a 5,000 seat arena here. Little to no concerts or large events. We need to find some ways to fix that and it sounds positive that some good things are happening behind the scenes. Our economy is no longer suffering like it was. We literally have a housing crisis and a population growing for the first time in a long time. Yet our arena is mostly empty outside of hockey. We can be doing better there. I was shocked at last nights attendance but it should have been an eye opener to what the potential is here if its done properly. And how not developing chemistry and constantly making a lot of trades probably doesn't help you develop a great culture over time. Our fans want to watch a young core grow together and win together but not at the cost of a 4 year rebuild. I find the emotional investment tough to give when I see so many flaws. There's a lot of great things to be excited about. But I still need to see how this off season unfolds and hopefully see this transition into our moves being more targeted to fill needs vs trying to win the trophy for the team making the most roster moves while trying to preach about looking for hard working kids with good character. The cost is still the #1 factor driving most away. $75 after 2 adult tickets, a concession trip, and even splits. It has to be a competitive product to justify that cost. In a league where the entertainment factor has changed so drastically it really does come down to being competitive. I don't know how parents with 2+ children do it regularly. Just want to echo Jack's point, to anyone reading from Eagles management, cost is the #1 reason I don't go to many games anymore. The price point jumps from when I was a "youth" to an "adult" was pretty extreme and it's only increasing every year. I'd consider myself someone who's firmly "middle class" as well, these games have been priced out to families who are on unemployment, minimum wage, etc. I was in for almost $100 taking my girlfriend to Tuesdays game. I have absolutely no clue if the Eagles have anyone doing analysis on price elasticity of demand but I'd recommend starting there. On to the game... I just never felt like this Eagles team had any chemistry at all, closer to a bunch of good/decent players with a junior star or two sprinkled in who largely carried games with 3/4 point nights. Hopefully Lavoie flourishes in to the #1 defenseman he was projected to be, else we're in for some more tough sledding in then next few years. I don’t really know how to say this without sounding like a complete ass and while I do agree the all in cost of a QMJHL game is pricing people out of the fold, I’m not sure it’s a Q teams responsibility to price games to a point where they’re affordable to people on unemployment/working minimum wage jobs. I personally don’t think that should be the target audience, the price point should more closely reflect the average middle class family though. That’s the bread and butter, those are the ones you want to get into the rink because I don’t see a scenario where you can price them to a point that people below that can come to the games and still turn a profit/break even at the end of the year. Now that’s obviously being said without seeing the finances of the team but if you’re trying to draw in the lowest paid people, I can’t imagine it’s going to be a long-term favourable business strategy, since we know there are a lot of costs associated with running a QMJHL franchise.
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