Kingston Frontenacs 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[frontsfan67]

If they keep making moves I'd like to see them go for a responsible puck moving middle-six D - then switch up the pairs to be Burns/Holmes, ???/Schmidt and McGowan/Chromiak with Uens/Williamson as the 7th D.

I hope Hopkins doesn't lose too much icetime - but it feels almost like a guarantee that he'll be playing 4th line more frequently - Dubois could impact his PK time too.

Chromiak and uens won’t work as a pair they play very similar games puck moving wise- getting caught up the ice etc I believe that’s why uens is on the second d line right now to split those 2 up.

I think they’ll play Hopkins as a third line winger with Dubois centreing and thibs on the other side
So 4 forward lines will look like

1 Battaglia ludwinski soto

2 Miedema frasca hemstrom

3 hopkins dubois thibodeau

4 McNamara Poole heyes

Extra f cavallin

Or they could swap hemstrom and thibodeau if that’s a better fit but I can’t see Dubois playing over frasca or ludwinski as the c. And with how good of a centreman he is I don’t see him playing wing.

Or they could move frasca to RW, dubois to C on line 2 with hemstrom coming down, and Hopkins as the centre on line 3.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Chromiak and uens won’t work as a pair they play very similar games puck moving wise- getting caught up the ice etc I believe that’s why uens is on the second d line right now to split those 2 up.

I think they’ll play Hopkins as a third line winger with Dubois centreing and thibs on the other side
So 4 forward lines will look like

1 Battaglia ludwinski soto

2 Miedema frasca hemstrom

3 hopkins dubois thibodeau

4 cavallin Poole heyes

Or they could swap hemstrom and thibodeau if that’s a better fit but I can’t see Dubois playing over frasca or ludwinski as the c. And with how good of a centreman he is I don’t see him playing wing.

Or they could move frasca to RW, dubois to C on line 2 with hemstrom coming down, and Hopkins as the centre on line 3.

You forgot McNamara -- so that would mean that likely Cavallin is the 13th F - even if he probably deserves a better fate.

 

[ottsabrefan]

Chromiak and uens won’t work as a pair they play very similar games puck moving wise- getting caught up the ice etc I believe that’s why uens is on the second d line right now to split those 2 up.

I think they’ll play Hopkins as a third line winger with Dubois centreing and thibs on the other side
So 4 forward lines will look like

1 Battaglia ludwinski soto

2 Miedema frasca hemstrom

3 hopkins dubois thibodeau

4 cavallin Poole heyes

Or they could swap hemstrom and thibodeau if that’s a better fit but I can’t see Dubois playing over frasca or ludwinski as the c. And with how good of a centreman he is I don’t see him playing wing.

Or they could move frasca to RW, dubois to C on line 2 with hemstrom coming down, and Hopkins as the centre on line 3.

Where is McNamara?

 

[frontsfan67]

Other than the Petes (especially after Beck is moved) I think any of the other 4 East teams can beat the other on any given night - the standings show exactly that. It's a tight race - saying any team is definitively better is a waste at this point, especially since we still have 2 days of potential moves.

I do think it's going to be someone out of the central in the OHL finals - I lean Mississauga but NB has made things interesting.

I agree all of the teams in the east division are fairly close it’s not a huge gap between 1-4(then there’s the Pete’s that are obviously going to have one hell of a second half LOL)

You forgot McNamara -- so that would mean that likely Cavallin is the 13th F - even if he probably deserves a better fate.

oops!! Yes McNamara would be 4th line probably with Poole and Heyes. Wow this team is DEEP up front

 

[leafs4life94]

Dubois now on the roster rocking #63 - Callens is still listed so I'm guessing they're leaving it up until tomorrow (I believe that's the OA deadline) to find somewhere for him to play in the O if there's anyone interested. If he gets released - I would hope there's a news release considering he's the last pre-pandemic Front.

 

[leafs4life94]

The ship has long-sailed but seeing all these big moves makes me wonder what a Ludwinski return would've looked like. I'm not sure sure if he would've pulled an '07 but I'd think he'd be at least worth 2 2s and 2 3s, if not more.

 

[frontsfan67]

The ship has long-sailed but seeing all these big moves makes me wonder what a Ludwinski return would've looked like. I'm not sure sure if he would've pulled an '07 but I'd think he'd be at least worth 2 2s and 2 3s, if not more.

If guys like Donovan McCoy and konner smith are getting 07’s 100% ludwinski would

Me personally though I’d rather have lots of picks like how Donovan got shipped to Saginaw

 

[zaluty]

Basically the only 2 teams left for Ludwinski would be Kitchener or Sudbury

 

[OMG67]

Looking at the Donovan trade today, it gives you the example of why trading guys like Ludwinski when the time is right can make a difference. Saginaw traded Mintyukov last year for 9 picks. They essentially traded those picks for Donovan this year. They pushed assets forward.

So, next year if you feel you need a #1 D-Man as well as an elite forward, you could trade your ‘08 and a couple picks for one guy and then a huge picks package for the other. You’d still have a nice basket of picks left over to add a few more pieces. Now? Not so much.

This is why I seriously think Kingston made a big mistake not trading Ludwinski (assuming they don’t).

NB improved a lot. Ottawa improved a lot. Sudbury is in the process of improving. Missy was already good.

Brantford was disciplined and made the deal they needed to make while sitting in first in the East Division. That is the discipline Kingston needs.

Basically the only 2 teams left for Ludwinski would be Kitchener or Sudbury

Kitchener doesn’t have the picks. If your goal is to make a run next year, you need picks more so than the ‘07. Sudbury would be the most realistic partner for a picks deal.

 

[ottsabrefan]

Looking at the Donovan trade today, it gives you the example of why trading guys like Ludwinski when the time is right can make a difference. Saginaw traded Mintyukov last year for 9 picks. They essentially traded those picks for Donovan this year. They pushed assets forward.

So, next year if you feel you need a #1 D-Man as well as an elite forward, you could trade your ‘08 and a couple picks for one guy and then a huge picks package for the other. You’d still have a nice basket of picks left over to add a few more pieces. Now? Not so much.

This is why I seriously think Kingston made a big mistake not trading Ludwinski (assuming they don’t).

NB improved a lot. Ottawa improved a lot. Sudbury is in the process of improving. Missy was already good.

Brantford was disciplined and made the deal they needed to make while sitting in first in the East Division. That is the discipline Kingston needs.


Kitchener doesn’t have the picks. If your goal is to make a run next year, you need picks more so than the ‘07. Sudbury would be the most realistic partner for a picks deal.

We’ll see. That number 2 seed is definitely up for grabs and with the new OAs and new coach. I’m sure they also feel that they can make the finals and are banking on Saginaw to get there as well. As great as you think Ottawa is I’m thinking our GM feels they are beatable (and the evidence so far shows it as well).

They can still trade their 08 next year plus their 07 2nd rounder (Weir) and the remainder of their picks. Not as big of a return obviously but still will land some good pieces.

This allows them to make a run in both years rather than taking just one stab at it.

I know last year you criticized the Petes moves non-stop and they ended up just fine.

 

[OMG67]

We’ll see. That number 2 seed is definitely up for grabs and with the new OAs and new coach. I’m sure they also feel that they can make the finals and are banking on Saginaw to get there as well. As great as you think Ottawa is I’m thinking our GM feels they are beatable (and the evidence so far shows it as well).

They can still trade their 08 next year plus their 07 2nd rounder (Weir) and the remainder of their picks. Not as big of a return obviously but still will land some good pieces.

This allows them to make a run in both years rather than taking just one stab at it.

I know last year you criticized the Petes moves non-stop and they ended up just fine.

True about the Petes to a certain extent. I liked the Beck deal for sure. I was a little pissed the 67’s didn’t do it. I knew he’d end up being traded for something moderately close to what it cost them. To me, that was the savviest deal of the entire deadline last year! I wasn’t fond of the Hayes/White deal. I really don;’t feel they upgraded to the point of losing Lardis. I still feel that way to be honest. But, that is another reason to make sure you have an abundance of picks. They could have made that deal without moving Lardis had they planned properly in advance. them trading Lardis is like you guys trading Hopkins next year. Not ideal.

Ottawa had three glaring holes. Like massive black holes! Two centres and a top pairing D-Man. That was what they needed. This was not a luxury type series of trades. These were necessity. When they are necessity, they are far more impactful. You aren’t shoving a suitable player on line 2 and reducing his minutes on line 3 for example. We are shifting totally unsuitable wingers from centre back to the wing where they can produce PLUS adding the centre that can produce. That is like adding 1.5 players for each of the three they added.

I am not knocking Kingston. On the contrary. I honestly felt like the Fronts and Brantford were the two teams (maybe Barrie?) that could give Mississauga an honest push next year. To do that, Ludwinski needed to go. No choice really. You need the added picks big time. It gives you the flexibility you need when you are poised to make a strong push. I feel Kingston is now set up for an ok year this year and an ok year next year. That’s fine if you are simply trying to sell tickets. But if you truly want to hunt for a Championship, you need to commit to the sell and to the buy. You can’t stay in the middle anymore. I know this because I’ve seen Ottawa do it twice (2019 and 2022).

 

[dirty12]

The Kingston forwards should be wicked next season. Import draft and/or trade deadline they will need D.

 

[OMG67]

The Kingston forwards should be wicked next season. Import draft and/or trade deadline they will need D.

Sounds the same as a team just west of the Big Smoke! They’ll be battling for the same players at the deadline me thinks!

 

[dirty12]

Sounds the same as a team just west of the Big Smoke! They’ll be battling for the same players at the deadline me thinks!

Probably. Kingston might have more OA flexibility.

 

[OMG67]

Looking at the Mississauga roster, I think they will have at least one OA spot open. As of now, only Veccia and Leskovar return as ‘04s

 

[leafs4life94]

If they're able to push back both their '24 2s they'll have 4 2s, 4 3s and 4 4s between 25-27. Add in potentially Weir/Velliaris (even though I really liked Velliaris in the limited viewing I've seen), plus an '08 first - the stockpile isn't that bare.

Mississauga definitely has more picks but I think Kingston has better depth up front and they have even/"to be improved" defense but what Mississauga has is goaltending, though I'd be curious if Ivanovic is there the whole year? I can't imagine him wanting spend his entire draft year (didn't look it up - assuming he's not a late '07) as a back-up to Leenders.

 

[ottsabrefan]

True about the Petes to a certain extent. I liked the Beck deal for sure. I was a little pissed the 67’s didn’t do it. I knew he’d end up being traded for something moderately close to what it cost them. To me, that was the savviest deal of the entire deadline last year! I wasn’t fond of the Hayes/White deal. I really don;’t feel they upgraded to the point of losing Lardis. I still feel that way to be honest. But, that is another reason to make sure you have an abundance of picks. They could have made that deal without moving Lardis had they planned properly in advance. them trading Lardis is like you guys trading Hopkins next year. Not ideal.

Ottawa had three glaring holes. Like massive black holes! Two centres and a top pairing D-Man. That was what they needed. This was not a luxury type series of trades. These were necessity. When they are necessity, they are far more impactful. You aren’t shoving a suitable player on line 2 and reducing his minutes on line 3 for example. We are shifting totally unsuitable wingers from centre back to the wing where they can produce PLUS adding the centre that can produce. That is like adding 1.5 players for each of the three they added.

I am not knocking Kingston. On the contrary. I honestly felt like the Fronts and Brantford were the two teams (maybe Barrie?) that could give Mississauga an honest push next year. To do that, Ludwinski needed to go. No choice really. You need the added picks big time. It gives you the flexibility you need when you are poised to make a strong push. I feel Kingston is now set up for an ok year this year and an ok year next year. That’s fine if you are simply trying to sell tickets. But if you truly want to hunt for a Championship, you need to commit to the sell and to the buy. You can’t stay in the middle anymore. I know this because I’ve seen Ottawa do it twice (2019 and 2022).

While I agree and understand with what your saying with the 67s pickups, the Fronts equally filled huge holes, specifically, behind the bench and on D, which hasn’t also shown up in the total point amount for the season.

While for sure they are clearly levelling the two years, rather than loading up one year, they are unusually set up to be able to take a run both years since they didn’t go for it as expected two years ago (and trade Ludwinski and Soto). We can argue whether it is better to load up one year like crazy or take two shots with teams not quite as good, it isn’t as if either team will be easily knocked out in the first round. Both years the team will have the chance to go far and barring injures, hot streaks, etc., it may be better to go for it both years rather than put all your eggs in one basket. Time will tell.

 

[OMG67]

While I agree and understand with what your saying with the 67s pickups, the Fronts equally filled huge holes, specifically, behind the bench and on D, which hasn’t also shown up in the total point amount for the season.

While for sure they are clearly levelling the two years, rather than loading up one year, they are unusually set up to be able to take a run both years since they didn’t go for it as expected two years ago (and trade Ludwinski and Soto). We can argue whether it is better to load up one year like crazy or take two shots with teams not quite as good, it isn’t as if either team will be easily knocked out in the first round. Both years the team will have the chance to go far and barring injures, hot streaks, etc., it may be better to go for it both years rather than put all your eggs in one basket. Time will tell.

I think we can look at the conference and feel indifferent about it this year feeling anyone has a chance but I sense it will not stay that way. So many times people tend to use first half rosters and measure up agaisnt them. Then, all of a sudden, one or two teams blow their brains out and the landscape changes dramatically.

 

[frontsfan67]

The Kingston forwards should be wicked next season. Import draft and/or trade deadline they will need D.

100% they’re not picking a forward I agree.

Either a goalie for a very strong 1-2 punch in net

or a top pairing d man to help replace the likes of Schmidt and Holmes

 

[ottsabrefan]

I think we can look at the conference and feel indifferent about it this year feeling anyone has a chance but I sense it will not stay that way. So many times people tend to use first half rosters and measure up agaisnt them. Then, all of a sudden, one or two teams blow their brains out and the landscape changes dramatically.

True, but I’m not sure anyone has blown their brains out yet. The top 4-5 have improved but I think it is still somewhat wide open for any of those top 5 teams. What also may decide it is what teams are built for the playoffs and to wear other teams down…not just simply to rack up points in the regular season.

 

[OMG67]

True, but I’m not sure anyone has blown their brains out yet. The top 4-5 have improved but I think it is still somewhat wide open for any of those top 5 teams. What also may decide it is what teams are built for the playoffs and to wear other teams down…not just simply to rack up points in the regular season.

For the record, I now hate the Fronts….

You’re welcome.

LOL

 

[ottsabrefan]

For the record, I now hate the Fronts….

You’re welcome.

LOL

This may be what we need to break that 50 year old curse!!

 

[OMG67]

This may be what we need to break that 50 year old curse!!

You guys have a curse? Bloody Beast and his witchcraft. Do the Fronts float? If so, maybe they are a witch!

 

[frontsfan67]

You guys have a curse? Bloody Beast and his witchcraft. Do the Fronts float? If so, maybe they are a witch!

Beast definitely set a spell on them

 

[OMG67]

Beast definitely set a spell on them