Kingston Frontenacs 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[leafs4life94]

You obviuosly have an issue wityh him. I'll let you do that. Many 40 save nights that would have been losses if not for him

I've been a heavy Vaccari defender since his rookie year but this simply is not true this year.

The most saves he has in a win this year is 33 saves. Even if we want to look at SV% - let's look at the 7 games he's played this year with over a 0.920 save%

Game	Final Score	Date	Min	SH	SAV	GA	SO	GAA	SAV%	W	L
KGN @ OTT	5-1 Win	2023-11-15​	60:00:00​	28​	27​	1​	0​	1​	0.964​	1​	0​
OTT @ KGN	5-2 Win	2023-10-08​	60:00:00​	35​	33​	2​	0​	2​	0.943​	1​	0​
BAR @ KGN	4-2 Win	2023-11-03​	60:00:00​	34​	32​	2​	0​	2​	0.941​	1​	0​
OSH @ KGN	4-2 Win	2023-09-29​	60:00:00​	32​	30​	2​	0​	2​	0.938​	1​	0​
PBO @ KGN	9-1 Win	2023-12-28​	60:00:00​	15​	14​	1​	0​	1​	0.933​	1​	0​
OSH @ KGN	3-1 Loss	2024-01-12​	58:40:00​	29​	27​	2​	0​	2.05​	0.931​	0​	1​
KGN @ PBO	3-2 Win	2023-12-14​	59:29:00​	27​	25​	2​	0​	2.02​	0.926​	1​	0​

6-1 record.

The 9-1 Peterborough game I think I could've played net and they would've won - no game stealing here.

I have a hard time saying a goalie steals a game when the offense puts up 5+ so that takes out the two Ottawa games.

The 3-2 PBO win - 27 shots doesn't constitute a stolen game.

The other Barrie and Oshawa wins you could maybe say he stole - but I'm honestly not sure 32 and 34 shots is enough to truly steal a game.

I really liked Vaccari and he seems like a great kid but the results show he hasn't been that amazing this year.

Last year had two true stolen games - 44/45 against PBO and 41/42 against Flint. There's still tons of time but everyone progresses differently and it doesn't look like he's taken a step this year, and teams seem to be targeting the top corner.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Vaccari's 40 save nights this season:
October 1 loss to Oshawa. 40 saves, 4 goals allowed.

That's it. He's 0-1 in 40 save nights

Some people want to paint this picture that kingston's D is so bad and Vaccari is keeping them in games. -I don't feel like he's facing an outrageous amount of shots when you compare to some other goalies like Ryerson Leenders.
And over and over again we talk about how Vaccari lets in 2 of the first 3-4 shots.

 

[frontsfan67]

may not be so much running up the score as giving lines more ice time to get used to each other.

They may have tried different lines yesterday

Yeah there are weekends that the schedule sucks but don't forget there used to be weekends that you got to play a sunday game against a team that had done the old eastern swing

Petes Thursday
67 friday
bulls sat
Kingston sunday afternoon

So you have to feel for those teams. These guys know the weekend is going to be a killer so the coach should have them somewhat prepared.

BUT is does suck.

Yeah exactly. 6 games in 9 days and you play the best team at the end of it- and to top it off guys like Romani are still playing in the third period.

 

[frontsfan67]

Some people want to paint this picture that kingston's D is so bad and Vaccari is keeping them in games. -I don't feel like he's facing an outrageous amount of shots when you compare to some other goalies like Ryerson Leenders.
And over and over again we talk about how Vaccari lets in 2 of the first 3-4 shots.

View attachment 818418

It’s not about the amount of shots, it’s about the amount of quality shots. And guys like uens, Chromiak, Holmes has done this, and so has even burns- they have turned the puck over inside the defensive zone making a pass in front of the net and the opposing players have an easy goal. That’s happened atleast a dozen times this year between those 4 maybe more(mostly uens)

And then guys like uens and Chromiak are too small and not physical enough to knock bigger guys off the puck. And they’ve been playing uens top line minutes for a lot of the year with burns and it’s like watching dumb and dumber out there.

Vaccari has not been good though plain and simple. He has looked pretty fatigued since about the second week of the season. He plays almost every game and on days he’s supposed to be resting like Saturday against barrie- he gets put in the third period so he can’t even rest a full game because our backups are so bad lol.

I’ve said it multiple times but if I’m Kingston the #1 thing I’m doing in the off season is getting a good import goalie that’ll report for a 1a, 1b situation like last year with zhigalov #2 thing I’m doing is getting rid of uens and finding a good OA d right shot d man

 

[ScoutLife4]

It’s not about the amount of shots, it’s about the amount of quality shots. And guys like uens, Chromiak, Holmes has done this, and so has even burns- they have turned the puck over inside the defensive zone making a pass in front of the net and the opposing players have an easy goal. That’s happened atleast a dozen times this year between those 4 maybe more(mostly uens)

And then guys like uens and Chromiak are too small and not physical enough to knock bigger guys off the puck. And they’ve been playing uens top line minutes for a lot of the year with burns and it’s like watching dumb and dumber out there.

Vaccari has not been good though plain and simple. He has looked pretty fatigued since about the second week of the season. He plays almost every game and on days he’s supposed to be resting like Saturday against barrie- he gets put in the third period so he can’t even rest a full game because our backups are so bad lol.

I’ve said it multiple times but if I’m Kingston the #1 thing I’m doing in the off season is getting a good import goalie that’ll report for a 1a, 1b situation like last year with zhigalov #2 thing I’m doing is getting rid of uens and finding a good OA d right shot d man

We are pretty much on the same page with this team I don’t disagree with anything you said.

 

[beastintheeast]

It’s been that way for quite some years. 3in3 is difficult to get away from for school schedules and whether we like it or not, owners wallets as mid week games don’t have the same attendance. Sudbury has played 4 three in threes already and have 2 more to go. 1 win and an overtime loss in London to show for the four they have already played.

The challenge is the long road trips. We have been playing 3 -n 3 as long as I can remember.

At one point, it was Cornwall, Kingston, Ottawa.

Then it became Kingston Hellville and Ottawa

It is easy to schedule weekday games with some teams Kingston Ottawa Peterborough

The GTA is easy to schedule and also

The challenge is the road games.

The idea in the beginning, and I think that playing weekend games is easier on school work and education. It is also more financially beneficial for teams.

There really is no way to get around it, BUT if you are thinking life is rough for OHL players, take a look at the travel schedule of a WHL team.

If they were to cut down on games, then they would be looking at extending the schedule, and I am not sure that is feasible either.

Every player and coach goes into the season knowing what the schedule is going to be like. They know that fitness and planning is going to be huge for players. Also, while we may think it is rough on our team, we have to remember that every team goes through it. Some more than others

 

[beastintheeast]

It’s not about the amount of shots, it’s about the amount of quality shots. And guys like uens, Chromiak, Holmes has done this, and so has even burns- they have turned the puck over inside the defensive zone making a pass in front of the net and the opposing players have an easy goal. That’s happened atleast a dozen times this year between those 4 maybe more(mostly uens)

And then guys like uens and Chromiak are too small and not physical enough to knock bigger guys off the puck. And they’ve been playing uens top line minutes for a lot of the year with burns and it’s like watching dumb and dumber out there.

Vaccari has not been good though plain and simple. He has looked pretty fatigued since about the second week of the season. He plays almost every game and on days he’s supposed to be resting like Saturday against barrie- he gets put in the third period so he can’t even rest a full game because our backups are so bad lol.

I’ve said it multiple times but if I’m Kingston the #1 thing I’m doing in the off season is getting a good import goalie that’ll report for a 1a, 1b situation like last year with zhigalov #2 thing I’m doing is getting rid of uens and finding a good OA d right shot d man

The challenge is not so much the goalie, although he is important, it is with the defence in front of him. If the defence can keep the players in front of the net busy and clear the rebounds, letting only shots from the perimeter, then the goalie is not that bad.
To me, the challenge that this team had was going into the year without a proven NUMBER 1 goalie and no backup.

The pressure on Vaccari must have been huge in his mind. He knew that he had to be sharp every game and every minute, as there was no one that he could turn to for help or a night off.

Kingston has a lot of holes to fill, but in the draft this year, I think the first 2 rounds should be defence. 3rd should be a goalie that has a track record of winning in minor and then forwards.

I find it funny that people are complaining about Chromiak. I can remember everyone saying he was exactly what they needed for this year and next year. The question becomes, do you keep Chromiak or let him go and try your luck drafting 2 players this year? BTW, looking at his stats, he is not an offensive player. It might be better if he was left to work on his defense, BUT size will hurt him.

Your defence next year should look something like

Burns Williamson
MCGowanChromiak
Vellairias Draft pick
Draft pick Moore
Uens (although I might try him at forward)

in Goal I would definitleyh look at Lukas Paddock he is not doing bad in the EOJHL or with the Sens

I would also stay FAR AWAY from drafted players in the Euro draft. You need players that are definitely going to come, not maybe.

 

[beastintheeast]

yeah exactly. 6 games in 9 day

LOL every team goes through these schedules It is part of the OHL life. Coaches are supposed to be able to figure things out and GM/s are supposed to make sure you have the players.

Consider the difference is you had 2 goalies you could switch in and out. Or you could play if you had a defence that the second pairing could be trusted.

The challenge is that Kingston is very thin on skill where it counts. You really do not have a top defensive pairing, and if you do, what is the 2nd and 3rd pairing?

The challenge in these long weekends is that you have the players on the 3rd and 4th line that you can give the ice time too in games.

looking at the 6 games

02 at home
o3 day off
04 at home
05 day off
06 oshawa there and back same day sleep in their own beds by 1130
7- day off
08 day off
9 at home
10 Barrie in hotel bed probably in NB
11 North Bay

I don't know, but that schedule does not seem all that bad to me. They had a 2 game road trip.

You have a lot worse weekends coming up in March

 

[frontsfan67]

Kingston has a lot of holes to fill, but in the draft this year, I think the first 2 rounds should be defence. 3rd should be a goalie that has a track record of winning in minor and then forwards.

I agree they should go defence with the first round pick and their first second rounder. But that 2nd, second round pick I wouldn’t be mad if they picked the best goalie in the draft. Not sure who it would be but I’d be fine with a project goalie. Keep them in the ojhl next year while we are in win now and they jump aboard the year following as a hotshot 17year old

I find it funny that people are complaining about Chromiak. I can remember everyone saying he was exactly what they needed for this year and next year. The question becomes, do you keep Chromiak or let him go and try your luck drafting 2 players this year? BTW, looking at his stats, he is not an offensive player. It might be better if he was left to work on his defense, BUT size will hurt him.

He is a good offensive d man but needs to work on his defensive ability LOTS. Which I am sure whoever drafts him this year will have as the main priority so in other words that shouldn’t be a problem for next year(and I assume offensive ability will be worked on too) I expect him to come in a completely different player next year if given playing time.

Right now he is on second pairing but they’ve had him as a 3rd pairing d man with McGowan for most of the year- that’s not something that should happen to someone that you gave up multiple good picks for imo.

Friendly reminder he also had a 5 point game which was the first in like 20 years for a kingston d man so the potential is clearly there.

Your defence next year should look something like

Burns Williamson
MCGowanChromiak
Vellairias Draft pick
Draft pick Moore
Uens (although I might try him at forward)

I’m hoping they trade for an OA right shot d man in the off-season/early in the season to pair with burns or one of chromiak/Williamson whoever plays on that second line then first round draft pick as 7th d man or another year to develop and come back swinging like Oliver bonk.

I would be shocked for Moore to make it out of training camp. He will prob ask for a trade if he doesn’t make it- (maybe to peteborough as he played aaa there?)

Uens I think he will either be traded or used very sparingly on the 4th line but imo that would be a waste of a roster spot and I don’t see that happening

in Goal I would definitleyh look at Lukas Paddock he is not doing bad in the EOJHL or with the Sens

I would also stay FAR AWAY from drafted players in the Euro draft. You need players that are definitely going to come, not maybe.

 

[frontsfan67]

The challenge is that Kingston is very thin on skill where it counts. You really do not have a top defensive pairing, and if you do, what is the 2nd and 3rd pairing?

2nd and 3rd pairing is shit right now plain and simple. I’d like them to try burns and Schmidt as that would be a really good first d line but I understand why they split them up- they’re both the 2 most reliable d men on the team by far(when burns is not taking stupid penalties) and to even the lines out they play burns on the first and Schmidt on the second for the most part.

Also Holmes used to be pretty reliable but since he had his surgery or whatever his injury was in December he has not looked like the same player at all so they went from 3 good d men to 2 (in other words good thing they traded for Schmidt way back when lol)

The challenge in these long weekends is that you have the players on the 3rd and 4th line that you can give the ice time too in games

 

[beastintheeast]

I agree they should go defence with the first round pick and their first second rounder. But that 2nd, second round pick I wouldn’t be mad if they picked the best goalie in the draft. Not sure who it would be but I’d be fine with a project goalie. Keep them in the ojhl next year while we are in win now and they jump aboard the year following as a hotshot 17year old

He is a good offensive d man but needs to work on his defensive ability LOTS. Which I am sure whoever drafts him this year will have as the main priority so in other words that shouldn’t be a problem for next year(and I assume offensive ability will be worked on too) I expect him to come in a completely different player next year if given playing time.

Right now he is on second pairing but they’ve had him as a 3rd pairing d man with McGowan for most of the year- that’s not something that should happen to someone that you gave up multiple good picks for imo.

Friendly reminder he also had a 5 point game which was the first in like 20 years for a kingston d man so the potential is clearly there.

I’m hoping they trade for an OA right shot d man in the off-season/early in the season to pair with burns or one of chromiak/Williamson whoever plays on that second line then first round draft pick as 7th d man or another year to develop and come back swinging like Oliver bonk.

I would be shocked for Moore to make it out of training camp. He will prob ask for a trade if he doesn’t make it- (maybe to peteborough as he played aaa there?)

Uens I think he will either be traded or used very sparingly on the 4th line but imo that would be a waste of a roster spot and I don’t see that happening

You really need to look at Chromiak's stats. He had 15 goals in 19-20 and has never had 18 goals total up until this year. Not sure you can call him an offensive defenceman. Also, looking at the draft list, Chromiak is not ranked, so he will not be drafted. Not sure with his si\ze if he would get an invite to a rookie camp or any training.

Looking at this team I agree that you could use an OA D but I think that it will not happen right away.

Moore seems to be doing well and has a bit of size. I think that if he comes to camp, he will provide more than UENS.

 

[frontsfan67]

You really need to look at Chromiak's stats. He had 15 goals in 19-20 and has never had 18 goals total up until this year. Not sure you can call him an offensive defenceman. Also, looking at the draft list, Chromiak is not ranked, so he will not be drafted. Not sure with his si\ze if he would get an invite to a rookie camp or any training.

Looking at this team I agree that you could use an OA D but I think that it will not happen right away.

Moore seems to be doing well and has a bit of size. I think that if he comes to camp, he will provide more than UENS.

He isn’t a goal scorer more of a passer

I agree a trade probably won’t happen right away but it would be nice if one could. Absolutely I’ll take a fire hydrant over uens. Not sure if Moore plays regular minutes though or over velliaris. And he definitely won’t be on team by end of year- I predict a trade.

 

[beastintheeast]

He isn’t a goal scorer more of a passer

I agree a trade probably won’t happen right away but it would be nice if one could. Absolutely I’ll take a fire hydrant over uens. Not sure if Moore plays regular minutes though or over velliaris. And he definitely won’t be on team by end of year- I predict a trade.

If you say so, but stats do not show him as an offensive threat,. He had 15 assists in Sudbury and will probably only have that this year.

Sorry for a 2nd-year player not seeing the stats to make me feel good. If a big young 17-year-old D
is avail I would take a flier on him over Chroniak

Moore might be the 7th D but if you are building he might be the piece you need. Not going to know if he is even going to come to camp in the fall. Just looking at what they have avail and he seems to be a possible piece.

 

[OMG67]

If you say so, but stats do not show him as an offensive threat,. He had 15 assists in Sudbury and will probably only have that this year.

Sorry for a 2nd-year player not seeing the stats to make me feel good. If a big young 17-year-old D
is avail I would take a flier on him over Chroniak

Moore might be the 7th D but if you are building he might be the piece you need. Not going to know if he is even going to come to camp in the fall. Just looking at what they have avail and he seems to be a possible piece.

Guys, Kingston needs to continue working on team defence. Goals agaisnt isn’t just a goalie/defenseman issue. Chromiak is a decent defenseman. He doesn’t need to score.He only needs to contribute positively to the defense corps.

Hemstrom is done after this season. It is highly unlikely the Fronts will pick an Import player in round 2 of the draft that could replace Chromiak. If next season is a go for it year, they won’t want to be towing along two rookie Imports. They will get a rather high pick in round one so that should net them a decent player but likely a 17 year old, maybe an 18 year old if they are lucky. But, replacing both is not ideal.

If Chromiak isn’t a good fit, trading for a different Import in a swap would be more realistic.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

2nd and 3rd pairing is shit right now plain and simple. I’d like them to try burns and Schmidt as that would be a really good first d line but I understand why they split them up- they’re both the 2 most reliable d men on the team by far(when burns is not taking stupid penalties) and to even the lines out they play burns on the first and Schmidt on the second for the most part.

Also Holmes used to be pretty reliable but since he had his surgery or whatever his injury was in December he has not looked like the same player at all so they went from 3 good d men to 2 (in other words good thing they traded for Schmidt way back when lol)

Schmidt and Burns have been a pairing for past 4 games (since the Oshawa game when Schmidt returned from suspension)

 

[frontsfan67]

Schmidt and Burns have been a pairing for past 4 games (since the Oshawa game when Schmidt returned from suspension)

Yes.

Before the 4 games they weren’t. And the way Mann changes things up here sometimes it probably won’t stay like that as lines 2/3 are liabilities

 

[leafs4life94]

If I'm the Fronts I hope a Merilainen type situation falls into their laps - an NHL drafted goalie comes over because the NHL team wants him to get used to the North American game/keep a closer eye on him.

 

[190 is almost 206]

If I'm the Fronts I hope a Merilainen type situation falls into their laps - an NHL drafted goalie comes over because the NHL team wants him to get used to the North American game/keep a closer eye on him.

As long as said goaltender doesn’t turn out like Vondras in Sudbury.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Looks like the same lineup that got hammered in North Bay going in tonight vs 67's

 

[frontsfan67]

Looks like the same lineup that got hammered in North Bay going in tonight vs 67's

Good first period.

Dubois 7Pts in last 5 games I’m glad he finally woke up. That first line needs to this game. Second line has a goal, third line 2 goals. Need one for the 1st and 4th lol

 

[frontsfan67]

Ludwinski with a beautiful goal. Guy is so fast. Now just waiting on the 4th line. C’mon Hopkins!

 

[frontsfan67]

Good win by kingston today. 0 powerplays the whole game. Ottawa got 4(surprise surprise) 3 in the last 6 minutes

McGowan had his best game of the season.

Fronts sweep Ottawa at home 4-0 on the year. 6-0-1 overall this year against Ottawa.

Man would I like to play the 67’s in the playoffs. Likely won’t be happening though.

Onto Friday against the Pete’s!

4 games this week if you could the one they play on Monday. I believe they can go 3/4. Would be nice for 4/4 but Mississauga has had our number this year.

 

[OMG67]

Good win by kingston today. 0 powerplays the whole game. Ottawa got 4(surprise surprise) 3 in the last 6 minutes

McGowan had his best game of the season.

Fronts sweep Ottawa at home 4-0 on the year. 6-0-1 overall this year against Ottawa.

Man would I like to play the 67’s in the playoffs. Likely won’t be happening though.

Onto Friday against the Pete’s!

4 games this week if you could the one they play on Monday. I believe they can go 3/4. Would be nice for 4/4 but Mississauga has had our number this year.

I think you can almost pencil that matchup in for round one. I still have Ottawa winning the division and Kingston finishing 7th. You may get what you ask for.

Oshawa and Brantford stumbling a bit lately. Maybe those teams are starting to come back to reality?

 

[ScoutLife4]

Ottawa is probably realistically the third best team in the division.
If you can’t even figure out a way to beat Kingston you are in trouble.

 

[ScoutLife4]

I just seen the McGowan / Barlas Scrap.
That McGowan kid can chuck em