Kingston Frontenacs 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[frontsfan67]

Can save the team two player cards and at least two semesters of tuition by not having a couple of temporary OAs at the start of the season.

I thought the off season counted cards? I’m not sure if they do or not but that would make sense

 

[frontsfan67]

Tyler Hopkins needs to play more. The kid is a stud and I've got full confidence he'll be able to step into the top 6 next year in place of Ludwinski.

Can anyone with OnStat tell me how much Velliaris played? I honestly don't think he played more than 5 minutes...

The top 6 really did nothing - goals from McNamara, Hopkins and Heyes - I know the PP was missing Holmes and Schmidt for the point shots but they've gotta be able to adjust.

I agree. Don’t put Hopkins on the first line he’s not ready really for that yet but I’d like to see him on the 2nd or 3rd. He’s getting better and better. Not putting up a billion points but over the last 10 games he’s been one of the best fronts imo in terms of giving effort, good chances etc. needs to work on finishing more in the off season and I’m sure he will do just that. Great game by him today. That’s one of the only positives out of them blowing the 2-1 lead. Very disappointed with the outcome tonight. Lead in shots but couldn’t get the win. 2 of oshawas main guys out just like us but they came away as the better team again. The Tuesday game should be a good one. Hopefully kingston manages to win that one but it’ll be a tough one.

Also been impressed with McNamara since the Saginaw game. I know kingston hasn’t been playing the best since then- but he has given a consistent effort and produced the points so good for him. The rest of the team needs to pick it up

 

[beastintheeast]

next year Hopkins will be your 3rd line center

Miedma Frasca Battaglia
Cavalin McNamara Thibodeau
Poole Hopkins Soto

Your draft needs for next year are defence L and R LW, and forwards. A goalie is a need, but you very rarely draft a goalie who can play a lot of minutes the first year.

Euro Goalie, and then it depends on what is available. If you can get and OHL ready LW then great if not then a defenceman


MY QUESTION

Did you guys screw up at the deadline, not trading Ludwinski and anyone else that people would take? Looking at how you guys are comparing to Oshawa and other teams post-dealine, I am not sure you won't be drafting early in April again.

 

[OHLWiseGuy]

Just my two cents:

They absolutely screwed up by not trading Ludwinski. I don't know how it can be viewed any other way. This team right now is only 4 points up on the 8th place club after being in the hunt for 1st a month ago. Yesterday was Vaccari's first win in a month and they scraped it out. He's only going to be taxed even more down the stretch because the team needs points. They don't have faith in Salajko to get the job done when the pressure is on and Downey will be in playoffs with Stouffville shortly. They also haven't looked anything like the team that we saw over Christmas and into the first week of January. They were minor buyers and I fill it's put a bandaid over issues instead of actually addressing them.

The only saving grace for the Fronts right now? Their schedule may be the most generous one out of them, Peterborough and Barrie. Although, if Barrie or Peterborough start to put it together it could get very interesting.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Just my two cents:

They absolutely screwed up by not trading Ludwinski. I don't know how it can be viewed any other way. This team right now is only 4 points up on the 8th place club after being in the hunt for 1st a month ago. Yesterday was Vaccari's first win in a month and they scraped it out. He's only going to be taxed even more down the stretch because the team needs points. They don't have faith in Salajko to get the job done when the pressure is on and Downey will be in playoffs with Stouffville shortly. They also haven't looked anything like the team that we saw over Christmas and into the first week of January. They were minor buyers and I fill it's put a bandaid over issues instead of actually addressing them.

The only saving grace for the Fronts right now? Their schedule may be the most generous one out of them, Peterborough and Barrie. Although, if Barrie or Peterborough start to put it together it could get very interesting.

They will make the playoffs - They are 7 points up on Peterborough and 10 on Niagara- while anything is possible that's a lot of points to make up. While making the playoffs is one thing -- finishing either 7th or 8th is not ideal. The fronts have not had much luck against any of the top 5-6 teams except maybe the 67s but that was all before the trade deadline.

 

[leafs4life94]

I have to admit I'd be a little scared at where this team would be had we pulled the trigger on a Ludwinski trade. The Schmidt/Holmes suspensions definitely haven't helped but it seems like they just make bad plays at awful times and leave Vaccari completely out to dry - Chromiak yesterday on the 2nd Petes goal is the perfect example. Chromiak whiffs and gives away the puck, Burns makes a great play to come back and break up the breakaway only for Chromiak to be beaten as the second man back and the Petes score.

I've also still been a little disappointed with Dubois - he's been solid on faceoffs (only at 53% with Kingston so not incredible, sunk by two bad games against Oshawa) - but even though he's obviously getting less icetime 3 points in 9 games is kinda underwhelming, especially considering 2 of them were in the 10-0 Niagara win.

Back the positives - stoked that Velliaris got his first goal - very limited minutes again but he didn't look out of place.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Being without 2 OA D has not helped things, Plus Ludwinski's sussy.
Vaccari is what he is and thats an undersized goalie. -He's going to continue to get sniped over the shoulder due to his size and its to late to fix that now.
Burn imo has played 2 very good games if you remove the undisciplined penalties. -The kid has so much potential and continues to waste it away with the foolish penalties he takes.
Uens & Chromiak were horrible yesterday. The amount of mistakes causing Grade A chances were unacceptable. -Uens was throwing the puck into his own slot on multiple occasions turning it over.
I'm not sure what changed for the third period but they played well the first 40 mins.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

I have to admit I'd be a little scared at where this team would be had we pulled the trigger on a Ludwinski trade. The Schmidt/Holmes suspensions definitely haven't helped but it seems like they just make bad plays at awful times and leave Vaccari completely out to dry - Chromiak yesterday on the 2nd Petes goal is the perfect example. Chromiak whiffs and gives away the puck, Burns makes a great play to come back and break up the breakaway only for Chromiak to be beaten as the second man back and the Petes score.

I've also still been a little disappointed with Dubois - he's been solid on faceoffs (only at 53% with Kingston so not incredible, sunk by two bad games against Oshawa) - but even though he's obviously getting less icetime 3 points in 9 games is kinda underwhelming, especially considering 2 of them were in the 10-0 Niagara win.

Back the positives - stoked that Velliaris got his first goal - very limited minutes again but he didn't look out of place.

I don't think in the past 2-3 games the top 2 lines have been effective at all for the entire game(yes Soto got 2 G and A yesterday) but far too many shifts off for most of the 6 guys. The 4th line, when they actually got to play Friday and Sunday probably were the most effective in terms of driving the play, keeping the puck out of the Kingston end. It's been a 10-15 or so games with Miedema and Thibodeau together and I just don't see it working - maybe they simply can't find anyone else for it to work with so they just leave them together. I know there will be people saying "but Thibodeau has all those points..."

Being without 2 OA D has not helped things, Plus Ludwinski's sussy.
Vaccari is what he is and thats an undersized goalie. -He's going to continue to get sniped over the shoulder due to his size and its to late to fix that now.
Burn imo has played 2 very good games if you remove the undisciplined penalties. -The kid has so much potential and continues to waste it away with the foolish penalties he takes.
Uens & Chromiak were horrible yesterday. The amount of mistakes causing Grade A chances were unacceptable. -Uens was throwing the puck into his own slot on multiple occasions turning it over.
I'm not sure what changed for the third period but they played well the first 40 mins.

It will be interesting to see if Cooper has a different approach with Vaccari now that Tyson left for the BSens.
I think Burns is a different player shift in and shift out, and add in his dumb penalties he makes for a very frustrating player to watch. He had some really great plays, especially yesterday afternoon.

 

[ScoutLife4]

I don't think in the past 2-3 games the top 2 lines have been effective at all for the entire game(yes Soto got 2 G and A yesterday) but far too many shifts off for most of the 6 guys. The 4th line, when they actually got to play Friday and Sunday probably were the most effective in terms of driving the play, keeping the puck out of the Kingston end. It's been a 10-15 or so games with Miedema and Thibodeau together and I just don't see it working - maybe they simply can't find anyone else for it to work with so they just leave them together. I know there will be people saying "but Thibodeau has all those points..."


It will be interesting to see if Cooper has a different approach with Vaccari now that Tyson left for the BSens.
I think Burns is a different player shift in and shift out, and add in his dumb penalties he makes for a very frustrating player to watch. He had some really great plays, especially yesterday afternoon.

Ethan Miedema has also regressed ALOT. I'm not sure whats going on there.

 

[frontsfan67]

Ethan Miedema has also regressed ALOT. I'm not sure whats going on there.

I agree if he doesn’t pick it up I wouldn’t be surprised to see him as a guy traded in the off season. Me personally I want them to give him a shot with ludwinski and battaglia- hopefully finds his game there and if he has success keep him there and demote Soto to second line to play with frasca and Dubois. Not because of his play but just to try and even out some lines. Also Soto and frasca I’m sure will be playing with eachother next year as well so wouldn’t be the worst thing to do.

Also just wanted to say Dubois had his best game in a kingston uniform by far yesterday- had so many grade a chances just couldn’t bury one. Hopefully this is his turning point because being one of the older guys on the team and he was a ppg before coming over here- he is expected to put up points and lead- and i haven’t seen much of either so far.

 

[frontsfan67]

I know there will be people saying "but Thibodeau has all those points..."

That’s thibodeaus job lol. As an undersized winger who doesn’t is horrible at defence that is literally his role- to put up points. They can put him anywhere lines 1-3 imo but no matter what line his on his role will stay the same- contribute offensively.

He is an 05 so he will be with us the next 2 years. defence will be one of the things he works on over time I’m sure- same with better passing iq etc. I see him trying to pass all the time but he clearly doesn’t know when to or when not to as I always see his attempted passes turned over to the other team.

 

[ScoutLife4]

That’s thibodeaus job lol. As an undersized winger who doesn’t is horrible at defence that is literally his role- to put up points. They can put him anywhere lines 1-3 imo but no matter what line his on his role will stay the same- contribute offensively.

He is an 05 so he will be with us the next 2 years. defence will be one of the things he works on over time I’m sure- same with better passing iq etc. I see him trying to pass all the time but he clearly doesn’t know when to or when not to as I always see his attempted passes turned over to the other team.

Every time i see a Prospect list with Thibodeau above Battaglia i laugh out load and can only presume these are people that have not watched the 2 of them play hockey.

 

[OMG67]

I have to admit I'd be a little scared at where this team would be had we pulled the trigger on a Ludwinski trade. The Schmidt/Holmes suspensions definitely haven't helped but it seems like they just make bad plays at awful times and leave Vaccari completely out to dry - Chromiak yesterday on the 2nd Petes goal is the perfect example. Chromiak whiffs and gives away the puck, Burns makes a great play to come back and break up the breakaway only for Chromiak to be beaten as the second man back and the Petes score.

I've also still been a little disappointed with Dubois - he's been solid on faceoffs (only at 53% with Kingston so not incredible, sunk by two bad games against Oshawa) - but even though he's obviously getting less icetime 3 points in 9 games is kinda underwhelming, especially considering 2 of them were in the 10-0 Niagara win.

Back the positives - stoked that Velliaris got his first goal - very limited minutes again but he didn't look out of place.

He was getting 30 minutes per game in all situations with Peterborough. When players like him are traded, their role changes a bit. I think his career average is a more likely expectation. His real benefit is on the defensive side so if he is playing a shut down role and scoring at a .5-.6 ppg clip, I think that is a positive. He is below that right now but that is where he should be.

Talk of Kingston missing the playoffs seems odd to me. I think that 7th is most likely right now which isn’t all that bad. They’d play the division winner In round one. That may be better than finishing 6th and playing the 2nd place team from the Central (assuming that is what happens in the final standings).

 

[leafs4life94]

He was getting 30 minutes per game in all situations with Peterborough. When players like him are traded, their role changes a bit. I think his career average is a more likely expectation. His real benefit is on the defensive side so if he is playing a shut down role and scoring at a .5-.6 ppg clip, I think that is a positive. He is below that right now but that is where he should be.

Talk of Kingston missing the playoffs seems odd to me. I think that 7th is most likely right now which isn’t all that bad. They’d play the division winner In round one. That may be better than finishing 6th and playing the 2nd place team from the Central (assuming that is what happens in the final standings).

Yeah I never quite expected him to continue at the PPG pace but I hoped/expected more than what he's shown so far strictly because he's playing with better linemates.

I don't think there's any chance they miss the playoffs because they're doing what they need to by beating the weak teams - but tomorrow it will have been exactly a full month since they've beaten a non-Peterborough/Niagara team which doesn't exactly inspire any confidence.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Yeah I never quite expected him to continue at the PPG pace but I hoped/expected more than what he's shown so far strictly because he's playing with better linemates.

I don't think there's any chance they miss the playoffs because they're doing what they need to by beating the weak teams - but tomorrow it will have been exactly a full month since they've beaten a non-Peterborough/Niagara team which doesn't exactly inspire any confidence.

Dubois is being used for defensive zone faceoffs ALOT because of his high FO %.
I definitely think its affecting his output as they like to have the Battaglia line out for offensive end draws

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

That’s thibodeaus job lol. As an undersized winger who doesn’t is horrible at defence that is literally his role- to put up points. They can put him anywhere lines 1-3 imo but no matter what line his on his role will stay the same- contribute offensively.

He is an 05 so he will be with us the next 2 years. defence will be one of the things he works on over time I’m sure- same with better passing iq etc. I see him trying to pass all the time but he clearly doesn’t know when to or when not to as I always see his attempted passes turned over to the other team.

Yes, I know "that's his job". doesn't mean one has to appreciate that aspect at the expense of the horrible defensive play, constant turnovers, half assed back checks etc....

 

[frontsfan67]

Every time i see a Prospect list with Thibodeau above Battaglia i laugh out load and can only presume these are people that have not watched the 2 of them play hockey.

Battaglia is way better yes absolutely but even he is pretty 1 dimensional. Better defence than thibodeau still- that’s not hard to be better as some of the guys on here could probably walk around thibodeau too.

Also battaglia is a good sized player. If he works on his shot more- speed and defensive positioning he will have one hell of a year next year- and the year after I’d expect him to be top 10 in points for sure and easily top 5 in goals. Has a bright future that kid- can see him making the nhl too. Thibodeau especially with his size and his non existent defence I don’t think has a chance in hell- but I still would be happy for him if he did. Definitely has more stuff to work on though then battaglia.

But I guess what some scouts are probably thinking is that ludwinski is elevating the play of guys who play on his line just like for instance bedard has Tanner Howe last year everyone had him going too 10 and now I don’t know if he is even going first round. Not to compare bedard to ludwinski obviously from a skill standpoint. If you put anyone with ludwinski they’re going to put up the points and gain confidence- which is why I want miedema there because he clearly needs a boost of both.

He was getting 30 minutes per game in all situations with Peterborough. When players like him are traded, their role changes a bit. I think his career average is a more likely expectation. His real benefit is on the defensive side so if he is playing a shut down role and scoring at a .5-.6 ppg clip, I think that is a positive. He is below that right now but that is where he should be.

Talk of Kingston missing the playoffs seems odd to me. I think that 7th is most likely right now which isn’t all that bad. They’d play the division winner In round one. That may be better than finishing 6th and playing the 2nd place team from the Central (assuming that is what happens in the final standings).

I think the fronts would have a way better chance against Ottawa/brantford/Oshawa rather than Mississauga/Sudbury/north bay absolutely

 

[frontsfan67]

Yes, I know "that's his job". doesn't mean one has to appreciate that aspect at the expense of the horrible defensive play, constant turnovers, half assed back checks etc....

Never said you have to appreciate it. I certainly don’t lol. I’m just pointing out the obvious- there’s many guys on the team that have roles- such as Dubois for defence, faceoffs, points and leadership, Heyes for the pk, Poole for the pk and faceoffs. If everyone buys into their roles they have the depth to go far- now if they actually do this is a whole other question. Doubtful if you ask me. Thibodeau seems very about himself a lot of times and obviously wants to be drafted but lots of nights the guys in the draft this year are playing for themselves and that’s battaglia too, if they scrapped that shit and focused on making the right plays to win hockey games they’d be more than a 0.500 team right now.

 

[beastintheeast]

Yeah I never quite expected him to continue at the PPG pace but I hoped/expected more than what he's shown so far strictly because he's playing with better linemates.

I don't think there's any chance they miss the playoffs because they're doing what they need to by beating the weak teams - but tomorrow it will have been exactly a full month since they've beaten a non-Peterborough/Niagara team which doesn't exactly inspire any confidence.

I would not say that Kingston will make the playoffs because they are good. It is more a case of Niagara and the Petes being really bad.

As to having an easy sched I think you are missing a lot of games against teams that are higher in the standings or the west

Really you only have 4 easy games if you can call Niagara easy?

Never said you have to appreciate it. I certainly don’t lol. I’m just pointing out the obvious- there’s many guys on the team that have roles- such as Dubois for defence, faceoffs, points and leadership, Heyes for the pk, Poole for the pk and faceoffs. If everyone buys into their roles they have the depth to go far- now if they actually do this is a whole other question. Doubtful if you ask me. Thibodeau seems very about himself a lot of times and obviously wants to be drafted but lots of nights the guys in the draft this year are playing for themselves and that’s battaglia too, if they scrapped that shit and focused on making the right plays to win hockey games they’d be more than a 0.500 team right now.

Thibodeau is ranked 115 in the league and the best I see is 5th round. He does not have the size to make anyone jump up and say wow. I also think the fact that Mann and his dad seem to have issues is not going to help him.
He is going to get drafted, maybe, and will be invited to camp, but the first one is sent home.

He will probably be your Pinelli who can score goals, but you really do not want him on the ice in a close defensive game.

The question becomes what are they going to do on the off-season.

 

[ktownfan]

Every time i see a Prospect list with Thibodeau above Battaglia i laugh out load and can only presume these are people that have not watched the 2 of them play hockey.

Those aren't neccesarily passes, more times than not he is getting rid of the puck so he doesn't get hit

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Never said you have to appreciate it. I certainly don’t lol. I’m just pointing out the obvious- there’s many guys on the team that have roles- such as Dubois for defence, faceoffs, points and leadership, Heyes for the pk, Poole for the pk and faceoffs. If everyone buys into their roles they have the depth to go far- now if they actually do this is a whole other question. Doubtful if you ask me. Thibodeau seems very about himself a lot of times and obviously wants to be drafted but lots of nights the guys in the draft this year are playing for themselves and that’s battaglia too, if they scrapped that shit and focused on making the right plays to win hockey games they’d be more than a 0.500 team right now.

If you want to get Thibodeau fired up - you should tell him about his central scouting ranking or his stats on NHL24...really makes him mad

 

[OHLWiseGuy]

Want to talk about a player getting a boost from playing with good players? Look at Jordan Frasca during his last year in Kingston. It got him an NHL contract.

 

[beastintheeast]

Want to talk about a player getting a boost from playing with good players? Look at Jordan Frasca during his last year in Kingston. It got him an NHL contract.

You can also look at Logan Morrison. I think it is gong to be interesting to see who makes the Kraken full time him or Wright.

Morrison is 6th in the league in +- and only 3 pts behind.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Want to talk about a player getting a boost from playing with good players? Look at Jordan Frasca during his last year in Kingston. It got him an NHL contract.

People can hate on Wright all they want but he literally got Frasca drafted you are correct.

 

[Truthking]

Just my two cents:

They absolutely screwed up by not trading Ludwinski. I don't know how it can be viewed any other way. This team right now is only 4 points up on the 8th place club after being in the hunt for 1st a month ago. Yesterday was Vaccari's first win in a month and they scraped it out. He's only going to be taxed even more down the stretch because the team needs points. They don't have faith in Salajko to get the job done when the pressure is on and Downey will be in playoffs with Stouffville shortly. They also haven't looked anything like the team that we saw over Christmas and into the first week of January. They were minor buyers and I fill it's put a bandaid over issues instead of actually addressing them.

The only saving grace for the Fronts right now? Their schedule may be the most generous one out of them, Peterborough and Barrie. Although, if Barrie or Peterborough start to put it together it could get very interesting.

The trading for overagers and keeping ludwinski with the way the team has played all year would be grounds for firing the gm on most teams. I just don’t see what they end goal was? At best this team was going to be able to win 1 round, so they mismanaged all these assets to MAYBE win a round. Add in failing to get a backup goalie which resulted in burning out the starter, this was clear to everyone that it needed to be fixed early in the season.