Kingston Frontenacs 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[leafs4life94]

I’d like to know the record of the team when they have all the key pieces in the lineup like Holmes Schmidt ludwinski burns etc. I’m sure their win percentage is a lot higher than with them out. They just need to stay out of trouble with suspensions and stay healthy and they have the team to make a push, they have the coach to make a push- no reason why they can’t. It’s just all about if they actually put it together when they need to the most.

Great game tonight though as Kitchener has more points and wins than anyone in our conference

I'd be curious to see a Rangers fans perspective but it felt like a disappointing game from their big guns. The most I noticed Brzustewicz was when Miedema beat him on the wall for the temporary GWG, Swick (who I could see being an elite OA next year) taking 11 PIMs plus a 10 min misconduct, and really not much from Sale/Mesar.

Rehkopf looked like a monster - that kids got a future for sure.

Back to the Fronts - I'm honestly not sure how many games they've played with the current lineup - they have solid depth but sometimes it feels like their depth scoring doesn't belong as depth scoring.

Same way there's guys at the pro level that are top 6 or bust, I feel like guys like Thibodeau and Miedema are in that boat. I'm not sure if I've seen enough from them on the defensive end to be confident imin them as a 3rd line, but that's with the depth they have that's where they may end up.

 

[beastintheeast]

Wright had injuries and a Covid year and isn’t far off averaging a ppg in the ahl at 20(turned 20 in January) he still has a bright career ahead of him he just needs to stay healthy. I’d expect him to jump to the pros next year.

Also it’s not Kingstons fault for if players take the pedal off the metal once they graduate on from their hockey club lol. However they do then is solely on the player and hockey club they move on to.

I believe you’re 100% right with Mann. Although there’s been some injuries and suspensions to key players they have been performing at a 0.500 clip all season long which is completely unacceptable. They have a really good team on paper- good depth, just can’t seem to put it all together or something.

Maybe the reason why ludwinski wasn’t traded at the deadline is because of how peteborough was last year where everyone thought they’d be atleast a top 2 team in the east and I believe they fell to 4th or 5th? Then look at what happened with them. Good coaching, good goaltending and players buying in and they win a championship.

Wright had a year off from COVID by his own choice. He could have done what a few others did and gone to either the states or to Europe and played. No, The fronts would not have had a great say in the matter as long as his contract stated that if the OHL came back, he could leave the team.

I am tired of listening to people moaning and blaming COVID. There were other players drafted the same year that are doing quite well. It has to be remembered that Wright was supposed to be the number 1 choice.

As to his performance, if we are saying he is doing a great job, then by your plan, Morrison should be on the Kraken next year also.

It is definitely up to the team and coach for the development of their players. That is why they play in the CHL. Good coaches have the ability to get through toplayers and develop their skills further. Look at London, North Bay, Killer, Templeton, Tourigny.

They took kids that were great players an made them better.

Tell me that the fact tht he was going to come back and play for Caputi did not factor in Wrights and teh Kraken decison on what to do.

 

[beastintheeast]

Good win tonight. Vaccari did well as did the rest of the team

 

[Krangers08]

I'd be curious to see a Rangers fans perspective but it felt like a disappointing game from their big guns. The most I noticed Brzustewicz was when Miedema beat him on the wall for the temporary GWG, Swick (who I could see being an elite OA next year) taking 11 PIMs plus a 10 min misconduct, and really not much from Sale/Mesar.

that’s been the story since the end of Wjs and more noticeable the last 10 games. Young guys seem to have hit that post Christmas wall as well.
Maybe you guys can splurge some of those picks for swick this summer

 

[bobber]

I'd be curious to see a Rangers fans perspective but it felt like a disappointing game from their big guns. The most I noticed Brzustewicz was when Miedema beat him on the wall for the temporary GWG, Swick (who I could see being an elite OA next year) taking 11 PIMs plus a 10 min misconduct, and really not much from Sale/Mesar.

Rehkopf looked like a monster - that kids got a future for sure.

Back to the Fronts - I'm honestly not sure how many games they've played with the current lineup - they have solid depth but sometimes it feels like their depth scoring doesn't belong as depth scoring.

Same way there's guys at the pro level that are top 6 or bust, I feel like guys like Thibodeau and Miedema are in that boat. I'm not sure if I've seen enough from them on the defensive end to be confident imin them as a 3rd line, but that's with the depth they have that's where they may end up.

Brzustewicz and his young brother Henry just lost their father recently. Can't be too hard on him. Parsons should have handled a couple of the shots that got past him. Kingston played a better game than the Rangers in this contest. Really impressed with some of the players on this roster. Solid looking group.

 

[ktownfan]

Big win for us. Guys played hard and are good to take advantage of a Kitchener team that is freefalling. Something has happened to them. I think the 2 beatings by London has killed their confidence.

 

[frontsfan67]

I'd be curious to see a Rangers fans perspective but it felt like a disappointing game from their big guns. The most I noticed Brzustewicz was when Miedema beat him on the wall for the temporary GWG, Swick (who I could see being an elite OA next year) taking 11 PIMs plus a 10 min misconduct, and really not much from Sale/Mesar.

Rehkopf looked like a monster - that kids got a future for sure.

Back to the Fronts - I'm honestly not sure how many games they've played with the current lineup - they have solid depth but sometimes it feels like their depth scoring doesn't belong as depth scoring.

Same way there's guys at the pro level that are top 6 or bust, I feel like guys like Thibodeau and Miedema are in that boat. I'm not sure if I've seen enough from them on the defensive end to be confident imin them as a 3rd line, but that's with the depth they have that's where they may end up.

The way I see depth scoring is- on any given night are you going to have to rely heavily on your first line? We have 4 lines who can score, some nights our 3rd/4th lines are better than our 1st/2nd and vice versa, to me that is incredible depth. There is no real superstars like a Connor McDavid that can do it all obviously but they have a lot of good players.

Yes I agree their numbers on the year aren't the best but they have been playing better over the last 5 games. Generated 2 goals last night. To me this is very reminiscent of Peterborough last year where they underperform in the regular season. Make some trades for some good players but everyone is sharing the wealth (scoring). For instance Brennan Othmann last year only had 43 pts in 40 games for the Pete's and the year before with flint he put up 50 goals-97 pts in 66 games. Owen Beck last year with them only had 25 pts in 30 games. Stillman only had 48pts in 59 games. Dubois had the 10th most points on the team there last year, this year with the Pete's he was first in team scoring- since coming over he has struggled but is still playing between lines 1-3. Bottom line as far as forwards go- I feel we are as deep as anyone in the east for that. Might be lacking in our top 6 for d men and may not have the strongest goalie in the east but we clearly have some talent. Just hopefully they put it together for the playoffs and Vaccari gets hot.

 

[frontsfan67]

Wright had a year off from COVID by his own choice. He could have done what a few others did and gone to either the states or to Europe and played. No, The fronts would not have had a great say in the matter as long as his contract stated that if the OHL came back, he could leave the team.

I am tired of listening to people moaning and blaming COVID. There were other players drafted the same year that are doing quite well. It has to be remembered that Wright was supposed to be the number 1 choice.

As to his performance, if we are saying he is doing a great job, then by your plan, Morrison should be on the Kraken next year also.

It is definitely up to the team and coach for the development of their players. That is why they play in the CHL. Good coaches have the ability to get through toplayers and develop their skills further. Look at London, North Bay, Killer, Templeton, Tourigny.

They took kids that were great players an made them better.

Tell me that the fact tht he was going to come back and play for Caputi did not factor in Wrights and teh Kraken decison on what to do.

Covid directly affected players and scouts. Obviously Wright should've gone somewhere else but there was hope they would still play a season. Quick reminder- only Jr Hockey league in the world that didn't play. You don't think that affects your development or head???

There will always be people doing well that point is irrelevant lol 224 players get drafted every year I'd certainly hope some would be "doing quite well"

Morrison is 2 full years older than wright and Wright is still better. 0 chance undrafted Morrison gets that shot over Wright- picked 4th overall in the draft.

Good players go to good coaches and guess what? if you get lots of good players going to the organization, more people will work out. London constantly gets every good free agent outside the ohl and all of their picks committing to them. Kingston struggles with that because the second they get a good coach they screw us and move on. Big part of it likely is our cheap owner Springer not paying people properly so the first opportunity they get to jump ship they take it.

Wright clearly didn't want to be coming back to the OHL period lol would've been the same way if he was traded to London to play for Dale Hunter or traded to Ottawa with Cameron. He was the projected 1 pick for a few years and has always dreamt of playing in the NHL- why the hell would he want to come back to junior? Obviously Caputi was a crap coach compared to those 2 but no way in hell did Wright want to come back to the ohl. Especially already missing a crucial year of development as being the only league in the world to not play.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Seattle did not want Wright to return to Kingston.
I was also told Wright was advised not to go to Europe during the covid season due to the risk involved and him being the projected number 1 pick at the time.

 

[leafs4life94]

Downey starting in Barrie, looks like Williamson in for Chromiak which is interesting unless he's banged up/sick

 

[beastintheeast]

Seattle did not want Wright to return to Kingston.
I was also told Wright was advised not to go to Europe during the covid season due to the risk involved and him being the projected number 1 pick at the time.

Why did they not want him to go back is the question. I will guarantee that if he was gong back to almost any other OHL team he would have been sent back.

As to being a number 1 pick yeah and how did that work out.

The challenge he had was that he lost a year of development. Then, I played on a team that had no clue how to develop their talent and improve their players.

NHL teams could care less about when a person was drafted and more about what that player can provide to the team.

The question now is not so much he was drafted in the first round. It is more about who on the AHL team is going to fit in and provide the best to the NHL team. Granted, it should be Wright, but there is no guarantee. If Morrison provides more of what they need, that will make the difference.

 

[frontsfan67]

Why did they not want him to go back is the question. I will guarantee that if he was gong back to almost any other OHL team he would have been sent back.

As to being a number 1 pick yeah and how did that work out.

The challenge he had was that he lost a year of development. Then, I played on a team that had no clue how to develop their talent and improve their players.

NHL teams could care less about when a person was drafted and more about what that player can provide to the team.

The question now is not so much he was drafted in the first round. It is more about who on the AHL team is going to fit in and provide the best to the NHL team. Granted, it should be Wright, but there is no guarantee. If Morrison provides more of what they need, that will make the difference.

1st overall pick didn’t work out but he’s a 19 year old doing well in the ahl while we all sit at home watching lol. I think the kid will be just fine. Also got the exception to join the ahl a year early and averaged close to 2ppg last year as a 2 way centre. Morrison will likely become a lifelong ahler. Or at best make the nhl as a third/fourth liner in 2 or 3 years. Nothing against the guy he’s pretty good but Seattle has a good prospect pool and guys like wright, firkus, goyette, sale for starters are going to get a better opportunity with Seattle rather than Morrison.

 

[dirty12]

Why did they not want him to go back is the question. I will guarantee that if he was gong back to almost any other OHL team he would have been sent back.

As to being a number 1 pick yeah and how did that work out.

The challenge he had was that he lost a year of development. Then, I played on a team that had no clue how to develop their talent and improve their players.

NHL teams could care less about when a person was drafted and more about what that player can provide to the team.

The question now is not so much he was drafted in the first round. It is more about who on the AHL team is going to fit in and provide the best to the NHL team. Granted, it should be Wright, but there is no guarantee. If Morrison provides more of what they need, that will make the difference.

There is a fair chance that Morrison can carve out a pro career similar to M.Scarbossa. Scarbossa (31) is earning $775K NHL / $525K AHL.

 

[beastintheeast]

Looking at the standings and the way the Fronts are playing it is looking more and more like they are only going to be fighting with Barrie for the 7th playoff spot.

Is making the playoffs enough to keep you guys happy or is Cooper in trouble?

 

[ScoutLife4]

Why did they not want him to go back is the question. I will guarantee that if he was gong back to almost any other OHL team he would have been sent back.

As to being a number 1 pick yeah and how did that work out.

The challenge he had was that he lost a year of development. Then, I played on a team that had no clue how to develop their talent and improve their players.

NHL teams could care less about when a person was drafted and more about what that player can provide to the team.

The question now is not so much he was drafted in the first round. It is more about who on the AHL team is going to fit in and provide the best to the NHL team. Granted, it should be Wright, but there is no guarantee. If Morrison provides more of what they need, that will make the difference.

I believe I mentioned this already.
NHL teams did not feel comfortable having their prospects develop under Caputi towards the end of his tenure.
I heard this from multiple organizations.
I doubt Coops job is on the line to be honest as they have some good pieces in place for next season, brought in a pro coach and have lots of draft picks.
I would suspect he is definitely here next season based on that.
I don’t think anyone really expected Kingston to be a playoff contender this season? At least I didn’t….

 

[Handcuffhockey]

I remember last year the boards going crazy with Peterborough, losing a lot of games they should have won. When play offs came around they were able to go on a streak. Not saying there is a comparison to talent but when this team gets all lines going I think they can play against most of the high ranking teams and you never know what can happen.

Mann has had to try and get certain players going by tinkering with lines. First it was MacNamara, then Dubois. I think adding Hemstrom in to that line they have had some real good games lately. Miedema has really struggled with consistency and Thibideau isn’t the easiest player to play with since he wants to shoot from anywhere. Frasca has looked real slow to me lately, and Mann has been moving him around trying to light that fire, I thought he had his best game for movement yesterday as he was finally skating.

First line can be very good but have given up a lot of goals up lately. It may be the one knock on Battaglia, he really hangs on to the puck trying to get himself into a shooting position and ends up turning so many over instead of making a pass to the open outlet. This is the problem with some players trying to push their draft positioning up by having to score, you start playing as an individual. I’m not knocking Battaglia, I just think he’s a player who could be lights out if he just moved the puck quicker to his line mates, I’m sure he will get it back because both Soto and Ludwinski try to play the right way. Last year I was hard on Battaglia because he was so soft, you can play soft when you are putting up the points, he’s just got to be stronger in his own end.

We’ve mostly transitioned from bad giveaway passes from our d (most of the time)in our own end to no look half ice passes coming off the boards from the wingers, rather than just getting the puck out of our zone we are trying to be too fancy. Hopkins, Battaglia, McNammara and Miedema all made this mistake yesterday and some multiple times. At least one goal against was do to this type of mistake.

Lots of teaching still required, but I really see the team going in the right direction, even at the expense of not getting the two points.

 

[frontsfan67]

Looking at the standings and the way the Fronts are playing it is looking more and more like they are only going to be fighting with Barrie for the 7th playoff spot.

Is making the playoffs enough to keep you guys happy or is Cooper in trouble?

Not coopers fault he puts together the team and the team looks very good on paper. Personally I’d blame the coach/players but that’s not a popular one with some people on here lol

Coopers brought in McNamara, Schmidt, Holmes, Chromiak, Dubois this year and they’re all good pieces with the team. Yes he brought in Mann too but he’d have to be crazy not to try a former ahl head coach as the coach of a junior team.

Give the team some more time I did the math and That was their 5th game in 8 days and they completely outplayed barrie start to finish- Barrie’s goalie (and goal posts lol) played out of his mind and Downey showed us why he hasn’t played many ohl games this year. 3 goals in the span of 3 mins. 4 goals in 5 mins if you count the end of the first period there. Luckily vaccari stopped all 15 shots in relief.

Today against north bay a short turn around and the 6th game in 9 days against one of if not the best team in the east. No need to sound the alarm when they lose this one too- just hopefully it won’t be a shellacking

 

[frontsfan67]

I remember last year the boards going crazy with Peterborough, losing a lot of games they should have won. When play offs came around they were able to go on a streak. Not saying there is a comparison to talent but when this team gets all lines going I think they can play against most of the high ranking teams and you never know what can happen.

Mann has had to try and get certain players going by tinkering with lines. First it was MacNamara, then Dubois. I think adding Hemstrom in to that line they have had some real good games lately. Miedema has really struggled with consistency and Thibideau isn’t the easiest player to play with since he wants to shoot from anywhere. Frasca has looked real slow to me lately, and Mann has been moving him around trying to light that fire, I thought he had his best game for movement yesterday as he was finally skating.

First line can be very good but have given up a lot of goals up lately. It may be the one knock on Battaglia, he really hangs on to the puck trying to get himself into a shooting position and ends up turning so many over instead of making a pass to the open outlet. This is the problem with some players trying to push their draft positioning up by having to score, you start playing as an individual. I’m not knocking Battaglia, I just think he’s a player who could be lights out if he just moved the puck quicker to his line mates, I’m sure he will get it back because both Soto and Ludwinski try to play the right way. Last year I was hard on Battaglia because he was so soft, you can play soft when you are putting up the points, he’s just got to be stronger in his own end.

We’ve mostly transitioned from bad giveaway passes from our d (most of the time)in our own end to no look half ice passes coming off the boards from the wingers, rather than just getting the puck out of our zone we are trying to be too fancy. Hopkins, Battaglia, McNammara and Miedema all made this mistake yesterday and some multiple times. At least one goal against was do to this type of mistake.

Lots of teaching still required, but I really see the team going in the right direction, even at the expense of not getting the two points.

Exactly. If you take out the last 2 mins of the first period where barrie scored their first goal, along with the first 3 min of the second where barrie scored their 2nd/3rd/4th goal kingston played them the whole game. Their goalie Ben West played AMAZING. Kept them in the game start to finish. Especially after the first- should’ve been 4-0 kingston if not for 2 posts and 2 incredible saves by him.

This game against north bay won’t be a fun one to watch. 6th game in 9 days- 4th this week and the end of a 3 in 3 against north bay a team who we have struggled against lately and they loaded up at the deadline. I hope I’m wrong here but I don’t think this will be close.

And of course if everything I said just now becomes true everyone on here STILL will press the panic button (stirred up by Ottawa fan Beast)

 

[frontsfan67]

Well this game is going about as good as I thought it would go

 

[frontsfan67]

Well this game is going about as good as I thought it would go

9-0 is bad didn’t think they’d lose that badly- I thought like 6-2 or 7-2. Turned it off after the second couldn’t watch anymore. From what I’ve heard north bay ran up the score a bit- still playing top players in the third etc. gotta love that.

Vaccari 6g on 21 shots and Salajko 3 goals on 7 shots.

Imo they really gotta go with an import next year whether it’s to replace vaccari or to atleast have a reliable goalie beside him.

 

[Handcuffhockey]

Well this game is going about as good as I thought it would go

Personally I would have bet the same outcome. Horrible OHL scheduling. Not saying this because of the loss, more so that it could be easily predicted. North Bay sitting at home with a couple of days rest. Kingston most likely getting into town after 1am coming from Barrie and having to play early afternoon on a 3and3. Easy 2 points for NB.

Once the first goal went in after a clear high stick to burns face and they were down 1-0 you could see the legs look like cement.

 

[hardclimate]

Interesting that the radio play-by-play guy kept saying DiVincentiis all game today - it was McIvor.

 

[dirty12]

9-0 is bad didn’t think they’d lose that badly- I thought like 6-2 or 7-2. Turned it off after the second couldn’t watch anymore. From what I’ve heard north bay ran up the score a bit- still playing top players in the third etc. gotta love that.

Vaccari 6g on 21 shots and Salajko 3 goals on 7 shots.

Imo they really gotta go with an import next year whether it’s to replace vaccari or to atleast have a reliable goalie beside him.

The 6th & 7th D (7 & 8 if Nelson was in the lineup) got PP time and shifts in the final few minutes to preserve the shut-out.

 

[OMG67]

There is a fair chance that Morrison can carve out a pro career similar to M.Scarbossa. Scarbossa (31) is earning $775K NHL / $525K AHL.

That’s sort of how I see it as well. If Morrison can make himself a good leader in the AHL, he will get paid for quite a few years. He’ll get his $500k over 3 years and then he will likely get solid comp as a 2-way guy around $200k at the AHL level.

Even if he doesn’t stay with Seattle and moves to a new team as a free agent, if he produces, he’ll get paid. Look at a kid like Scott Sabourin. He is a tougher guy that provides solid leadership at the AHL level. Once he had proven to be that leader type, he gets paid 350-400k per year at the AHL level.

If you can make that kind of $$$ in US$, after taxes you are clearing about that same amount in CDN$.

He’s also the type of guy who’d likely make a pretty good coach after he is done. I think he will end up having a really solid hockey career. He won’t be hurting for anything provided he remains healthy.

 

[OMG67]

I remember last year the boards going crazy with Peterborough, losing a lot of games they should have won. When play offs came around they were able to go on a streak. Not saying there is a comparison to talent but when this team gets all lines going I think they can play against most of the high ranking teams and you never know what can happen.

Mann has had to try and get certain players going by tinkering with lines. First it was MacNamara, then Dubois. I think adding Hemstrom in to that line they have had some real good games lately. Miedema has really struggled with consistency and Thibideau isn’t the easiest player to play with since he wants to shoot from anywhere. Frasca has looked real slow to me lately, and Mann has been moving him around trying to light that fire, I thought he had his best game for movement yesterday as he was finally skating.

First line can be very good but have given up a lot of goals up lately. It may be the one knock on Battaglia, he really hangs on to the puck trying to get himself into a shooting position and ends up turning so many over instead of making a pass to the open outlet. This is the problem with some players trying to push their draft positioning up by having to score, you start playing as an individual. I’m not knocking Battaglia, I just think he’s a player who could be lights out if he just moved the puck quicker to his line mates, I’m sure he will get it back because both Soto and Ludwinski try to play the right way. Last year I was hard on Battaglia because he was so soft, you can play soft when you are putting up the points, he’s just got to be stronger in his own end.

We’ve mostly transitioned from bad giveaway passes from our d (most of the time)in our own end to no look half ice passes coming off the boards from the wingers, rather than just getting the puck out of our zone we are trying to be too fancy. Hopkins, Battaglia, McNammara and Miedema all made this mistake yesterday and some multiple times. At least one goal against was do to this type of mistake.

Lots of teaching still required, but I really see the team going in the right direction, even at the expense of not getting the two points.

You really do need to be careful when using The Petes as a comparison. The Petes underachieved through the regular season. They were the preseason favourites in the conference. They added a few key pieces at the deadline. Yet, they still underachieved.

Kingston is not in the same situation at all. They were not the preseason favourites. They did not add major assets at the deadline.

Suggesting that the Petes doing it last year means any team can do it this year isn’t realistic. No team in the Eastern Conference this year is anywhere near as talented as the Petes were. Pretty much every team is sort of underwhelming and have significant gaps this year. I’d rather see an argument based on that. Any team is beatable if we are being honest. There are clear favourites and underdogs but not nearly to the same degree as a typical season.