Kingston Frontenacs 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[beastintheeast]

His Dad was an Ottawa 67. He is working the back channels to help his old team….

When did he play in Ottawa looking at hockeydb closest I find is one in Smith Falls.

A lot of players, when they don't make it in sports, tend to put their dreams on their kids. A coach like Mann, just starting in the OHL, does not have the gravitas to tell Dad to shut up.

 

[leafs4life94]

Battaglia is the 4th ranked RW in the OHL this draft. Overall he is ranked 56. That is not nearly high enough to be playing in the prospect's game. The only way he would make it is if the game was in Ontario and someone get hurt at the last minute. He is just plain not that good expect him to go in the 4th round at best.

Normally I'd just ignore something like this but this is delusional.

A) There are two teams worth of rosters so the 4th RW from the OHL should make one of the rosters.

B) He's the 13th ranked winger total - assuming each team brings 8 wingers that 16 wingers total - which means he'd be there

C) His overall ranking while it is 56, it's 26th for CHL forwards. Considering there's 2 teams, thats 24 on the rosters and with the dearth of wingers it's a reasonable expectation he'd make the game.

I know there's a connection to Kingston but sometimes I wonder how often you actually watch the games...

 

[leafs4life94]

I’d argue that Jake Oster had an excellent game. Specifically, with that glove save on the 2-on-1 late in the game and also with the breakaway save. Oster has had some disasters this year but over the past month he’s been incredible and was definitely the best player on the ice tonight.

As for Thibodeau, I was watching him specifically tonight - - although it’s much more difficult to do so when watching on television as opposed to being at the game - - and what stood out to me was how easily he gets bodied off the puck. Someone mentioned this earlier in the thread today so I wanted to see for myself. And it’s understandable because Thibodeau is so tiny and little. Owen Griffin is the same way for Oshawa - - he just gets tossed aside by opponents. Both need to desperately add some weight and strength in the off season. Lockhart is the same height as Thibodeau but WAY sturdier on his skates and not easily dislodged off the puck.

Regarding Sennecke, he’s really cooled off the past month since the brain trust decided they were going to stick Griffin on his line. It’s like having a kid from bantam trying to play on a top line in the OHL. He’s flat out not ready to be playing at this level and his utter lack of production - - ONE (1) pathetic assist for the season - - despite all the time he’s had on the top two lines and power play is proof of that.

But you can see the pro level game that Sennecke has even when he’s not putting up points. His skating is so smooth, definitely at an NHL level already. Stick handling is also very good, although he’s been getting a bit too cute with that lately. Biggest thing for me though is how he’s not afraid to forecheck and grind along the boards. You don’t see that often with guys that have such high finesse skills.

Yeah that's fair - I wouldn't say Oster was consistently tested with John quality chances but he made a couple solid saves on some high quality scoring chances, specifically thinking the Hemstrom partial break in the third.

As for Thibodeau, that's been his problem since day one. He's still listed at 144lbs which is absurd - there was one play where he was trying to lean on Roobroeck and it was comical how useless it was.

I've said since he started to show the skill that if he even had a Lockhart type build of 5'9" 165lbs he'd be a locked and loaded mid-round pick because of the insane skill he has, but that's a massive "what if" and he doesn't have the frame that makes you think he can put on the weight.

 

[Donnie740]

I'd need to see replays but I thought a few of the penalties were weak on both ends - and not likely by coincidence, I think every penalty was called by Senuk - it really seems like this level is too much.

I’ve always believed that a team needs to play well enough and not allow the refs to be in a position to decide the game. So I’m not one to complain about refereeing.

Two of the nine penalties tonight were for shooting the puck over the glass. One from each team. Pretty tough to argue against those.

 

[leafs4life94]

I’ve always believed that a team needs to play well enough and not allow the refs to be in a position to decide the game. So I’m not one to complain about refereeing.

Two of the nine penalties tonight were for shooting the puck over the glass. One from each team. Pretty tough to argue against those.

Agreed I didn't mean it to be that the refs cost them game - more a general comment on the game, Kingston didn't play well enough to say they deserved a win tonight.

 

[OMG67]

When did he play in Ottawa looking at hockeydb closest I find is one in Smith Falls.

A lot of players, when they don't make it in sports, tend to put their dreams on their kids. A coach like Mann, just starting in the OHL, does not have the gravitas to tell Dad to shut up.

Is his Dad not Jeff Salajko?

 

[leafs4life94]

Is his Dad not Jeff Salajko?

This one I've actually gotta lean towards the Beast side of things lol - I looked after the first comment and I could've sworn the only Ottawa area on HockeyDB was the Smith Falls Bears - but I now see the 3 years he played in Ottawa, so I have absolutely no idea what I was looking at before...

 

[ScoutLife4]

Battaglia is the 4th ranked RW in the OHL this draft. Overall he is ranked 56. That is not nearly high enough to be playing in the prospect's game. The only way he would make it is if the game was in Ontario and someone get hurt at the last minute. He is just plain not that good expect him to go in the 4th round at best.

Frasca and Battablia should be playing together on the same line now so that next year they are ready to step up.

As to Slajko. He might not have been pulled but I can assure you that it is on his mind when you look at the workload he is getting as well as the importance of games.

By you’re logic why is Ethan Procyszyn playing in the prospects game over Battaglia?

 

[Donnie740]

I've said since he started to show the skill that if he even had a Lockhart type build of 5'9" 165lbs he'd be a locked and loaded mid-round pick because of the insane skill he has, but that's a massive "what if" and he doesn't have the frame that makes you think he can put on the weight.

The other big difference between them is that Lockhart plays with an edge. Thibodeau just isn’t wired that way.

Think of other small undersized guys - - Theo Fleury and Dougie Gilmour - - who’ve been successful at the pro level. They didn’t just play with an edge, they were nasty.

 

[ScoutLife4]

I wonder if Beast realizes the 59th best North American skater is playing in the prospects game over the 56th best “that’s nearly not good enough”

 

[leafs4life94]

I wonder if Beast realizes the 59th best North American skater is playing in the prospects game over the 56th best “that’s nearly not good enough”

Can't forget Walton at #63.....

 

[Donnie740]

I wonder if Beast realizes the 59th best North American skater is playing in the prospects game over the 56th best “that’s nearly not good enough”

Can't forget Walton at #63.....

Rule #1 of sports message boards: never let facts get in the way of a good narrative.

 

[beastintheeast]

Normally I'd just ignore something like this but this is delusional.

A) There are two teams worth of rosters so the 4th RW from the OHL should make one of the rosters.

B) He's the 13th ranked winger total - assuming each team brings 8 wingers that 16 wingers total - which means he'd be there

C) His overall ranking while it is 56, it's 26th for CHL forwards. Considering there's 2 teams, thats 24 on the rosters and with the dearth of wingers it's a reasonable expectation he'd make the game.

I know there's a connection to Kingston but sometimes I wonder how often you actually watch the games...

There were only 40 players selected for the camp.

40 players & coaches revealed for 2024 Top Prospects Game - LHJMQ

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce the 40 players (see complete list of players along with coaching staff below) who will compete in the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at the Avenir Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Selected by the NHL’s...

chl.ca

4 goalies, 12 defenceman leaves 24 forwards or 8 lines ; therefore, there are only 8 RW selected at most but not necessarily.

All the forwards selected were either an A or a B in CSB, meaning they were rated 1st to 3rd round selection.

The top 8 RW in the CHL as rated by CSB are

Liam Greentree OHL
maxin Masse QHL
Ryder Richie WHL
Beckett Senecke OHL
Yarik Parascak WHL
Carson Welsch WHL

If it is any consolation, Battaglia was a C grade.

What the GMs decided was to just invite the A-B-rated players. There are only 4 C rated players 2 are goalies
1 is Brunkie who is rated below Bats but he is a defenceman
and the other is a Euro Center that tilts the scales at 6'3 207 lbs

It does not take someone sitting in the stands to understand what the Prospects game is/ What it takes is a person who can read and research the team and how it was chosen.

Also, remember this is not a hockey game as much as it is a camp for GMs and head scouts to evaluate the top 40 players in the CHL.

 

[beastintheeast]

Is his Dad not Jeff Salajko?

No, they are talking about Thibodeau.

 

[Donnie740]

There were only 40 players selected for the camp.

40 players & coaches revealed for 2024 Top Prospects Game - LHJMQ

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce the 40 players (see complete list of players along with coaching staff below) who will compete in the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at the Avenir Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Selected by the NHL’s...

chl.ca

4 goalies, 12 defenceman leaves 24 forwards or 8 lines ; therefore, there are only 8 RW selected at most but not necessarily.

All the forwards selected were either an A or a B in CSB, meaning they were rated 1st to 3rd round selection.

The top 8 RW in the CHL as rated by CSB are

Liam Greentree OHL
maxin Masse QHL
Ryder Richie WHL
Beckett Senecke OHL
Yarik Parascak WHL
Carson Welsch WHL

If it is any consolation, Battaglia was a C grade.

What the GMs decided was to just invite the A-B-rated players. There are only 4 C rated players 2 are goalies
1 is Brunkie who is rated below Bats but he is a defenceman
and the other is a Euro Center that tilts the scales at 6'3 207 lbs

It does not take someone sitting in the stands to understand what the Prospects game is/ What it takes is a person who can read and research the team and how it was chosen.

Also, remember this is not a hockey game as much as it is a camp for GMs and head scouts to evaluate the top 40 players in the CHL.

You didn’t mention how you rationalize Kieron Walton playing in the prospects game.

He’s the #63 overall NA prospect, and the #23 ranked centre.

I don’t know, do they need that many centremen for the game?

 

[beastintheeast]

By you’re logic why is Ethan Procyszyn playing in the prospects game over Battaglia?

He was listed as a B rated player by CSB

I wonder if Beast realizes the 59th best North American skater is playing in the prospects game over the 56th best “that’s nearly not good enough”

See above the rating they used was based on the fall or October rating.

Can't forget Walton at #63.....

Walton, I have to think something about a 6'6, 211 lb center would have something to do with it.

Again these guys are chosen by who the teams want to see. There are going to be anomalies. The interesting thing is if you look at the CHL list, Walton is shown as a B listing, although I am not sure when he was.

It seems

You didn’t mention how you rationalize Kieron Walton playing in the prospects game.

He’s the #63 overall NA prospect, and the #23 ranked centre.

I don’t know, do they need that many centremen for the game?

See my just posted first it seems that it is just A B rated players. As to whether they are centers or not is to a point immaterial as there are many CHL centers that end up on the wing in the NHL.

As to Walton and the Fin, my assumption is just the old wives' tale, like good sex size matters. 6'6" over 200 is going to get people's attention.

 

[frontsfan67]

Battaglia is the 4th ranked RW in the OHL this draft. Overall he is ranked 56. That is not nearly high enough to be playing in the prospect's game. The only way he would make it is if the game was in Ontario and someone get hurt at the last minute. He is just plain not that good expect him to go in the 4th round at best.

Frasca and Battablia should be playing together on the same line now so that next year they are ready to step up.

As to Slajko. He might not have been pulled but I can assure you that it is on his mind when you look at the workload he is getting as well as the importance of games.

Beast I get what you’re saying about frasca and battaglia and I sorta agree.

However battaglia keeps getting better and better playing with ludwinski and soto, and frasca is back producing near a point a game while being pretty good defensively. So they’re doing well even though they’re not with eachother so no real reason to change.

Once the games start piling on I expect frasca to be better- he’s kind of on and off right now like one game he will be good but then the next he will be invisible(similar to miedema) but this is great for their development right now.

Fully expect these 2 to lead the charge next year hopefully with miedema, Soto, thibodeau and Hopkins. They’re going to score a lot of goals

You didn’t mention how you rationalize Kieron Walton playing in the prospects game.

He’s the #63 overall NA prospect, and the #23 ranked centre.

I don’t know, do they need that many centremen for the game?

I agree. He is good but I don’t see him being there if he isn’t 6’5 or 6’6

 

[Donnie740]

As to Walton and the Fin, my assumption is just the old wives' tale, like good sex size matters. 6'6" over 200 is going to get people's attention.

That reminds me of two former Generals that the NHL size queen GMs drafted way too high:

The Big Rig Hunter Smith 6’7” in the 2nd round
Big Michael McCarron 6’6” in the 1st round

They were fantastic OHL players and played a large part in Oshawa’s 2015 Memorial Cup championship, but neither did much in the NHL because they just couldn’t keep up with the skating.

 

[I Loveallsports]

What's the take on Holmes so far this year.

 

[beastintheeast]

That reminds me of two former Generals that the NHL size queen GMs drafted way too high:

The Big Rig Hunter Smith 6’7” in the 2nd round
Big Michael McCarron 6’6” in the 1st round

They were fantastic OHL players and played a large part in Oshawa’s 2015 Memorial Cup championship, but neither did much in the NHL because they just couldn’t keep up with the skating.

I think that is why scouts are going to want both of these guys in the prospects game. They may look good against OHL WHL talent on shifts but can they skate and bang with t he future stars.

 

[ktownfan]

I've said it for 3 years, Thibideau is selfish, small, and can skate. He was a Caputi fave and this resulted in ice time. I can assure you thaty his teammates will feel the same way. Kid is a turnover machine, and it's hard to stay on the puck when you are 145 and weak

 

[GoFronts]

What's the take on Holmes so far this year.

Personally, he's been pretty good. Had a hot start to the year but his injury that he missed some time with around Christmas hurt his game, still hasn't fully returned to form. He makes some weird decisions in his own zone sometimes that lead to turnovers. On the flip side of that when he's on, he's on. Has a bomb from the point and pretty good offensive IQ, plus he's clearly a big leader on the team, can eat a lot of minutes and the rest of the team seems to love having him there.

I've said it for 3 years, Thibideau is selfish, small, and can skate. He was a Caputi fave and this resulted in ice time. I can assure you thaty his teammates will feel the same way. Kid is a turnover machine, and it's hard to stay on the puck when you are 145 and weak

Couldn't agree more. He's so selfish it's a detriment to the team. Whatever the case is, whether it's his dad in his ear or if it's his own thinking; his decision making is hurting this team big time. He continues to put himself ahead of the team and you can't go far when there's players like that on your squad. I know he puts up points, but I would love to see him gone from the team in the offseason. He hasn't bought in to Mann's way of coaching at all and it'll hurt the team in the long run if he continues to put himself first.

 

[ottsabrefan]

Personally, he's been pretty good. Had a hot start to the year but his injury that he missed some time with around Christmas hurt his game, still hasn't fully returned to form. He makes some weird decisions in his own zone sometimes that lead to turnovers. On the flip side of that when he's on, he's on. Has a bomb from the point and pretty good offensive IQ, plus he's clearly a big leader on the team, can eat a lot of minutes and the rest of the team seems to love having him there.


Couldn't agree more. He's so selfish it's a detriment to the team. Whatever the case is, whether it's his dad in his ear or if it's his own thinking; his decision making is hurting this team big time. He continues to put himself ahead of the team and you can't go far when there's players like that on your squad. I know he puts up points, but I would love to see him gone from the team in the offseason. He hasn't bought in to Mann's way of coaching at all and it'll hurt the team in the long run if he continues to put himself first.

Thibodeau might get the ice time now but if he keeps playing this way come playoffs, I expect he’ll be seeing spot duty as I can’t see Mann putting up with it.

 

[ScoutLife4]

He was listed as a B rated player by CSB

See above the rating they used was based on the fall or October rating.

Walton, I have to think something about a 6'6, 211 lb center would have something to do with it.

Again these guys are chosen by who the teams want to see. There are going to be anomalies. The interesting thing is if you look at the CHL list, Walton is shown as a B listing, although I am not sure when he was.

It seems


See my just posted first it seems that it is just A B rated players. As to whether they are centers or not is to a point immaterial as there are many CHL centers that end up on the wing in the NHL.

As to Walton and the Fin, my assumption is just the old wives' tale, like good sex size matters. 6'6" over 200 is going to get people's attention.

So the logic is using an older ranking for the selections? -Yea that doesn't make much sense.
Why overlook the kid that is progressing faster then some of the others?

I actually found out that some of these players knew in October they were attending.
Part of the issue is the selections were made in the first couple weeks of the season. (It was just announced finally this week)
Jacob is already 6'1 205lbs. So i wouldn't think it a size issue considering he's winger that's known for his size and using his body to control the puck so well.
This prospect game is a bit of a joke anyway so i don't hold a lot of merit into it. -It's equivalent to an all star game. -Kid's wont be out there playing playoff hockey it just gives scouts and front offices a chance to talk to all the kids in one place before the draft.

 

[beastintheeast]

So the logic is using an older ranking for the selections? -Yea that doesn't make much sense.
Why overlook the kid that is progressing faster then some of the others?

I actually found out that some of these players knew in October they were attending.
Part of the issue is the selections were made in the first couple weeks of the season. (It was just announced finally this week)
Jacob is already 6'1 205lbs. So i wouldn't think it a size issue considering he's winger that's known for his size and using his body to control the puck so well.
This prospect game is a bit of a joke anyway so i don't hold a lot of merit into it. -It's equivalent to an all star game. -Kid's wont be out there playing playoff hockey it just gives scouts and front offices a chance to talk to all the kids in one place before the draft.

They have to use something and the ranking in the fall is the best thing they have. Is it perfect no but then again what is.

You also hit the nail on the head Battaglia shows them what he has eveery game the scouts see him and know what he has.

I would not say the game is a joke that is demeaning to all involved. I am not sure what happens npow but there used to be interviews and on ice competition much like an all star game.

The kids do put out there best effort because a bad game here can lower a teams interest or a really good game can raise. emember that when the draft day arrives every contact that the players have had comes into focus.