Conventional Wisdom

I have good news and I have bad news.  The bad news is the Ice Dogs are 8TH in their Conference.  The good news is that if the season were to end today they would have a spot in the post season.

 

To be sure, this stretch of 10 games has been hard to take.  Even seasoned broadcast veterans such as me would rather cover a Team that is successful and exciting to watch.  But let's not get too wrapped up in doom and gloom here.  Of their 10 losses, 1 was in overtime and 3 came via shootout.  Just 3 more points during that stretch and the Dogs would be tied with Barrie and Oshawa (as I sit down to write this on Sunday October 19TH) for 2ND in the Conference.

 

Faithful Ice Dog fans are itching for changes.  And not just tinkering, but significant changes that turn around a team's fortunes immediately.  Most immediately, the Fans are demanding trades.  Go get an experienced goalie some say.  Others say, trade your O/A's for help.  When is Pietrangelo coming back?  All valid thoughts and questions to be sure.  But the truth of the matter is that there aren't likely to be any easy answers.  If Dave Brown could make these moves, he probably would.  His career and that of his coaching staff depend on success on the ice.  Trust me, I have known Dave and Mario professionally for 4 years and they hate to lose.  Actions such as trades can only happen when someone else out there needs to help themselves as well.  And often as not, teams will only look to solidify their lineups as they get closer to the trade deadline.  Until then, Conventional Wisdom in the Major Junior Hockey World suggests all teams will continue to monitor their rosters and have conversations with other teams in an attempt to sniff out potential trade deadline opportunities.  At the same time, keeping their own statagey close to the vest.

 

Sounds painful to be sure.  But most OHL teams are currently locked into this courtship ritual.  And while it goes on, the fans have to endure it.

 

As for Alex Pietrangelo, Conventional Hockey Wisdom suggests, that unless an 18 year old prospect is the 2ND coming of Bobby Orr, it is always best to return him to Junior.  Better that than to scar him for life with a bitter NHL experience.  But when it comes to such traditional wisdom, the times may be changing.  In the world of the salary cap, NHL Teams may opt keep an entry level contract rather than a higher priced veteran who may have lost a step.  Alex has played 3 games with St.Louis so far and by all reports has done nothing to hurt his chances of staying with the Team.  In fact, reports are his play has been solid.  He may very well come back and for the sake of the suffering fans in Niagara, I hope he does.  But I would suggest that his return won't be automatic.

 

For all you suffering Niagara Ice Dog Fans out there, the ride this year may be bumpy.  But it certainly won't be dull!