Guelph Storm 2018-19 Season Thread

[Northernstormfan]

This is the part that is so frustrating and I understand better now after the recent Knights / Storm game. It was so evident
I can’t believe a coach at some point hasn’t gone to battle with this kid and “played” it out of him. I guess his offensive game which is elite level for sure has kept it hidden to some degree? Let’s hope he “gets it” as he really is fun to watch in the offensive zone.

Buttsy,
It isn't hidden at all. His defensive faux pas' are glaringly noticeable and frustratingly annoying. When he came back from Sharks camp we did see improvement from him but he is fast retreating back to his old ways and I don't think his teammates, coaches or the fans are ready or willing to put up with it anymore.

 

[storm surge]

Buttsy,
It isn't hidden at all. His defensive faux pas' are glaringly noticeable and frustratingly annoying. When he came back from Sharks camp we did see improvement from him but he is fast retreating back to his old ways and I don't think his teammates, coaches or the fans are ready or willing to put up with it anymore.

I still believe for all concerned .. team .. fans... Merkley.. I believe he is a naturally gifted scoring center..needs to be trained to back check..and have 2 solid D behind him to cover turnovers.. he could be all time points leader.. but all is wasted under present "system"?.. really do wish him success ......BUT!

 

[RoyalCitySlicker]

As Benjamin Franklin once said, 'There are only three certainties in life:'
1) Death
2) Taxes
3) storm surge only wanting the best for Ryan Merkley

 

[jamemcca]

13 pieces going from Niagara to Kingston in Robertson trade. This sets the bar high for deadline acquisitions

 

[storm surge]

As Benjamin Franklin once said, 'There are only three certainties in life:'
1) Death
2) Taxes
3) storm surge only wanting the best for Ryan Merkley

got that right

As Benjamin Franklin once said, 'There are only three certainties in life:'
1) Death
2) Taxes
3) storm surge only wanting the best for Ryan Merkley

got that right Slick..

 

[three dog night]

Forgot to mention the other day Merkely reminded me of Vince Dunn when he played for the Icedogs great offensive threat but defence was lacking.

 

[Buttsy]

Nice to talk openly on another teams forum and not get ripped for being a troll just because it’s not an openly positive topic, thanks for that!

 

[StormWatcher]

As Benjamin Franklin once said, 'There are only three certainties in life:'
1) Death
2) Taxes
3) storm surge only wanting the best for Ryan Merkley

I spat out my water RCS!

 

[storm surge]

I spat out my water RCS!

PFFFFFT!

 

[Molson Muscle]

Ah just another day on the Storm forum

Quick thought......If Guelph continues to play inconsistently and not really establish that they are a true contender. Would you consider moving assets to reload for the coming years given what Kingston just received for Robertson and Paquette. I do not want them to part with Chayka in any deal.

 

[StormWatcher]

Ah just another day on the Storm forum

Quick thought......If Guelph continues to play inconsistently and not really establish that they are a true contender. Would you consider moving assets to reload for the coming years given what Kingston just received for Robertson and Paquette. I do not want them to part with Chayka in any deal.

I agree with not wanting to part with Chayka, but I find it hard to believe they will sell based on the standings. If the focus is on D and G we have a shot at a run. Most likely scenario is flashy forward as there are just more of them available - then it's a cross your fingers and hope, without likelihood at a Championship.

So to answer your question, I'd rather they trade Ratcliffe than only trade for a forward. But I don't see that happening. IMO DiPietro is the biggest defensive piece available which is why I have been hoping for that trade, it's the most likely to make Guelph a top contender.

 

[storm surge]

Ah just another day on the Storm forum

Quick thought......If Guelph continues to play inconsistently and not really establish that they are a true contender. Would you consider moving assets to reload for the coming years given what Kingston just received for Robertson and Paquette. I do not want them to part with Chayka in any deal.

trade Chayka and keep the Merkas D;I'll beconvinced management,ownership is brain dead.

 

[HockeyPops]

I agree with not wanting to part with Chayka, but I find it hard to believe they will sell based on the standings.

If you don't want to trade Chayka then it would probably have to be Bertuzzi, but his stock has dropped since you drafted him last summer so you would probably need to supplement with an extra pick. Keep in mind there are other very good goaltenders available other than DiPietro...

 

[StormWatcher]

If you don't want to trade Chayka then it would probably have to be Bertuzzi, but his stock has dropped since you drafted him last summer so you would probably need to supplement with an extra pick. Keep in mind there are other very good goaltenders available other than DiPietro...

Yes, there may be other good goalies available but IMO if you're going for it get the best. Have him instead of facing him in the playoffs.

 

[HockeyPops]

IMO if you're going for it get the best.

Are you so sure that he is what you think he is? A year and a half ago he was drafted 64th, and Villalta went 72nd (with no other goalies drafted in between). And that happened right after DiPietro won the Memorial Cup, at the height of his young career. Villalta's stock has only been going up since then. Has DiPietro kept pace with Villalta's accomplishments in the last year and a half? DiPietro has lost his only 3 OHL playoff series he has been in with a combined OHL playoff record of 6W-10L. What is going to happen at the World Juniors this year?

How much difference do they make to their teams this year?
With DiPietro, Windsor is 8-8 this season. Without him they are 3-5.
With Villalta, Soo is 9-4 this season. Without him they are 4-6.

Perhaps it's time you took another, closer look at Villalta?

 

[StormWatcher]

Are you so sure that he is what you think he is? A year and a half ago he was drafted 64th, and Villalta went 72nd (with no other goalies drafted in between). And that happened right after DiPietro won the Memorial Cup, at the height of his young career. Villalta's stock has only been going up since then. Has DiPietro kept pace with Villalta's accomplishments in the last year and a half? DiPietro has lost his only 3 OHL playoff series he has been in with a combined OHL playoff record of 6W-10L. What is going to happen at the World Juniors this year?

How much difference do they make to their teams this year?
With DiPietro, Windsor is 8-8 this season. Without him they are 3-5.
With Villalta, Soo is 9-4 this season. Without him they are 4-9.

Perhaps it's time you took another, closer look at Villalta?

Villalta is injured, no? How do you know what shape he will be in when he gets back? SSM has some good pieces if they sell, obviously.

 

[RoyalCitySlicker]

Are you so sure that he is what you think he is? A year and a half ago he was drafted 64th, and Villalta went 72nd (with no other goalies drafted in between). And that happened right after DiPietro won the Memorial Cup, at the height of his young career. Villalta's stock has only been going up since then. Has DiPietro kept pace with Villalta's accomplishments in the last year and a half? DiPietro has lost his only 3 OHL playoff series he has been in with a combined OHL playoff record of 6W-10L. What is going to happen at the World Juniors this year?

How much difference do they make to their teams this year?
With DiPietro, Windsor is 8-8 this season. Without him they are 3-5.
With Villalta, Soo is 9-4 this season. Without him they are 4-6.

Perhaps it's time you took another, closer look at Villalta?

All this tells me is that the Soo has had a better team than Windsor over the last three years.

To draw any other conclusions from what you have presented, is difficult IMO without knowing more. Were both teams at full lineups in every game? Were they on the 3rd game of a 3 in 3? Were the wins against strong opponents? How many goals were surrendered in wins/losses by the starter and the back-up?

I have followed a lot of what you have posted, and in general I think you have a lot of goof info. This one though, would have to be more thoroughly looked into for me to give credence to. That said, I'm not going to be the one to do it

All that said, I don't think Villalta is a bad option....I'm just not sold that he's as good as DiPietro. I've been wrong before, just ask storm surge lol

 

[ohloutsider]

Are you so sure that he is what you think he is? A year and a half ago he was drafted 64th, and Villalta went 72nd (with no other goalies drafted in between). And that happened right after DiPietro won the Memorial Cup, at the height of his young career. Villalta's stock has only been going up since then. Has DiPietro kept pace with Villalta's accomplishments in the last year and a half? DiPietro has lost his only 3 OHL playoff series he has been in with a combined OHL playoff record of 6W-10L. What is going to happen at the World Juniors this year?

How much difference do they make to their teams this year?
With DiPietro, Windsor is 8-8 this season. Without him they are 3-5.
With Villalta, Soo is 9-4 this season. Without him they are 4-6.

Perhaps it's time you took another, closer look at Villalta?

Villalta is the 8th rated goalie in the OHL right now and he is playing for a first place team (division). Not sure how you can say he has been better?

 

[rangersblues]

Villalta has never had to play for a sub standard team. Dipietro has rarely played for a really good team. Even the year Windsor won the Memorial Cup they were decimated with injuries a good portion of the season. I don't see Dipietro and Villalta as being on the same level .

 

[storm surge]

goal; its weaknesses are mostly rooted out of crap defensive support.
the Soo;..has been better top to bottom last three years by 10 miles..they are a great organization..last year .. a huge success;...was with a ton of rookies..a classy organization.

 

[NamesAreHardToChoose]

If you don't want to trade Chayka then it would probably have to be Bertuzzi, but his stock has dropped since you drafted him last summer so you would probably need to supplement with an extra pick. Keep in mind there are other very good goaltenders available other than DiPietro...

Chayka is untouchable.

 

[NamesAreHardToChoose]

Hearing people throw Chayka's name around is really grinding my gears.

The fact is Chayka is untouchable, and this is a straight fact.

 

[HockeyPops]

Villalta is the 8th rated goalie in the OHL right now

Any source? I have not seen this rating before. EDIT: Oh I see, you are talking about GAA. Yes he is 8th which is remarkable considering the turnovers a few of our defensemen have been guilty of.

Villalta has never had to play for a sub standard team.

He has for 13 games so far this year.

he is playing for a first place team (division).

How good would the leafs be without Anderson? That was the Greyhounds last year. Our defense was really not great last year but look at what we did and look at what we almost achieved.

Not sure how you can say he has been better?

Villalta has been better because the Soo is not a first place team this year without him. Not even close. We graduated so many pieces last year, and have a very young team this year. But with Villalta we are a first place team. He gets all the toughest assignments. But he wins more than 2/3 his games with a mediocre team in front of him against the top competition in the league. Without him we can only win 2/5 games. Our backups are doing very well - don't get me wrong. But Villalta is in a whole other league of his own. The entire team over achieves when he is in net. He has a calming influence that you can perceive even from the bleachers. He has worked exceptionally hard over the summer to improve his conditioning, work on his weaknesses, and get more consistent.

Anyway, I really didn't come over here to argue or debate. I came over to offer my perspective on the hole you are trying to fill. If DiPietro is really commanding 8 2nds plus Chayka, and Villalta continues flying under everyones radar, then you might have the opportunity to get what you need elsewhere.

Good luck on your season.

 

[RoyalCitySlicker]

Hearing people throw Chayka's name around is really grinding my gears.

The fact is Chayka is untouchable, and this is a straight fact.

People without actual inside knowledge know nothing. Don't forget that. Them throwing around names is inconsequential.

Same with fans stating what is or is not a fact. Him being untouchable is your opinion, not to mention likely. It is not a fact.

 

[RoyalCitySlicker]

Any source? I have not seen this rating before. EDIT: Oh I see, you are talking about GAA. Yes he is 8th which is remarkable considering the turnovers a few of our defensemen have been guilty of.

He has for 13 games so far this year.

How good would the leafs be without Anderson? That was the Greyhounds last year. Our defense was really not great last year but look at what we did and look at what we almost achieved.
Villalta has been better because the Soo is not a first place team this year without him. Not even close. We graduated so many pieces last year, and have a very young team this year. But with Villalta we are a first place team. He gets all the toughest assignments. But he wins more than 2/3 his games with a mediocre team in front of him against the top competition in the league. Without him we can only win 2/5 games. Our backups are doing very well - don't get me wrong. But Villalta is in a whole other league of his own. The entire team over achieves when he is in net. He has a calming influence that you can perceive even from the bleachers. He has worked exceptionally hard over the summer to improve his conditioning, work on his weaknesses, and get more consistent.

Anyway, I really didn't come over here to argue or debate. I came over to offer my perspective on the hole you are trying to fill. If DiPietro is really commanding 8 2nds plus Chayka, and Villalta continues flying under everyones radar, then you might have the opportunity to get what you need elsewhere.

Good luck on your season.

He's 8th in SV%. That's where that comes from.

As for the rest of your post, sounds like opinion rather than fact.