Kingston Frontenacs 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[frontsfan67]

If he was available before the year started why didn’t they just hire him then?

Good question. I think they wanted to see how Caputi would do with a much better roster this year on paper than last year. Then injuries happened and it was hard to tell how good the team really was. So they probably had to wait a little bit to see how they performed with them mostly healthy. I don’t know if that’s correct or not but would make sense cause you can’t judge how a team will do when a lot of the better players are sidelined

 

[beastintheeast]

I hope you’re right. Cause if it is true imo this is worse than Caputi. don’t need your own coach doing shit like that would be bad enough a scout doing it let alone the head coach.

Also I heard that McFarland quit. Mann took away the powerplay from him. Don’t know how true it is as there isn’t an announcement but I heard that from someone.


Yeah I agree. Just wanted to ask you guys your opinion on it as I don’t follow AHL hockey.

The Sens Man story is pretty well covered in this article.

Senators: Everything We Know About Troy Mann's Firing So Far - The Hockey Writers Senators Management Latest News, Analysis & More

Troy Mann was fired as Belleville's head coach, and here is everything we know about what may or may not have happened to issue a firing.

thehockeywriters.com

Mann should bring one other thing to this team than coaching the players. I think you re going to see him making a change in the asst coaches.

He may start to instill some responsibility in them to do their jobs.

We know that this is a good team now the question is will they play for him and they are smart that is a non-starter.

Should be an interesting weekend.

Again I only hope that he dopes a good job not a great job. Coaches that do a great job do not seem to last long in Kingston.

If I am Kory and Springer I am looking to hire a top assistant coach that can be developed into ha head coach.

Someone in the pros is going o take aflier on Mann if the Fronts do well.

 

[frontsfan67]

The Sens Man story is pretty well covered in this article.

Senators: Everything We Know About Troy Mann's Firing So Far - The Hockey Writers Senators Management Latest News, Analysis & More

Troy Mann was fired as Belleville's head coach, and here is everything we know about what may or may not have happened to issue a firing.

thehockeywriters.com

Mann should bring one other thing to this team than coaching the players. I think you re going to see him making a change in the asst coaches.

He may start to instill some responsibility in them to do their jobs.

We know that this is a good team now the question is will they play for him and they are smart that is a non-starter.

Should be an interesting weekend.

Again I only hope that he dopes a good job not a great job. Coaches that do a great job do not seem to last long in Kingston.

If I am Kory and Springer I am looking to hire a top assistant coach that can be developed into ha head coach.

Someone in the pros is going o take aflier on Mann if the Fronts do well.

If the fronts go from like last in the division to first by the end of the year that looks really good on the coach.

I agree the good ones never stay unfortunately.

Wish we had Dave Cameron lmao I imagine the team wouldn’t be going through these troubles.

If we’re going to do really good I hope atleast that means east finals+ lmao not first in the conference then swept like Windsor last year.

I don’t understand why they never release information like how many years the guys signed for etc

 

[frontsfan67]

Wow. Just read the article. That’s very interesting thanks for sharing that beast.

What a shit show that seems like. I’m surprised more hasn’t come out about that yet. Seems like a big story.

 

[ottsabrefan]

The Sens Man story is pretty well covered in this article.

Senators: Everything We Know About Troy Mann's Firing So Far - The Hockey Writers Senators Management Latest News, Analysis & More

Troy Mann was fired as Belleville's head coach, and here is everything we know about what may or may not have happened to issue a firing.

thehockeywriters.com

Mann should bring one other thing to this team than coaching the players. I think you re going to see him making a change in the asst coaches.

He may start to instill some responsibility in them to do their jobs.

We know that this is a good team now the question is will they play for him and they are smart that is a non-starter.

Should be an interesting weekend.

Again I only hope that he dopes a good job not a great job. Coaches that do a great job do not seem to last long in Kingston.

If I am Kory and Springer I am looking to hire a top assistant coach that can be developed into ha head coach.

Someone in the pros is going o take aflier on Mann if the Fronts do well.

If he gets nabbed by an NHL team because the Fronts win an OHL title in the next two years that’s alright by me!

 

[beastintheeast]

If he gets nabbed by an NHL team because the Fronts win an OHL title in the next two years that’s alright by me!

LOL

Supertramp had a hit song that explained you

DREAMER

There is a lot more to an OHL title than the coaching.

You do not have the parts yet to do this in 2 years.

The team needs to build ot only the on-ice product but also a coaching system that they can build on.

You need to draft Defencemen that are top 4 forward lines that are self-replacing.

YOu need coaching that if the head coach gets a job, one of the assistants is able to take over.

That could be the biggest difference for this team, not just the on-ice product.

Wow. Just read the article. That’s very interesting thanks for sharing that beast.

What a shit show that seems like. I’m surprised more hasn’t come out about that yet. Seems like a big story.

I think it was kept quiet because it was not int he interest of anyone to push it and there is no substantion. The NHL team he was talking to is not going to what to talk about it and Ottawa just wants to get it over with.

 

[frontsfan67]

LOL

Supertramp had a hit song that explained you

DREAMER

There is a lot more to an OHL title than the coaching.

You do not have the parts yet to do this in 2 years.

The team needs to build ot only the on-ice product but also a coaching system that they can build on.

You need to draft Defencemen that are top 4 forward lines that are self-replacing.

YOu need coaching that if the head coach gets a job, one of the assistants is able to take over.

That could be the biggest difference for this team, not just the on-ice product.

I think it was kept quiet because it was not int he interest of anyone to push it and there is no substantion. The NHL team he was talking to is not going to what to talk about it and Ottawa just wants to get it over with.

Hey every year a team wins it’s never the team that people thought would win. Nobody thought before the playoffs the Pete’s would win the ohl lol. Ya never know. Just need some luck to match the skill.

Yeah you’re probably right. If it was an nhl coach though it would be a big thing though but it’s only ahl I guess. If he was doing good enough to replace dj smith who won a m cup title with the gens in 2015 then I’d say we’re getting one hell of a coach.

I do think it’s interesting though that he hasn’t coached jr yet so we will see. would probably be different from ahl. Ahl all the players are professionals they’ll listen to the coaches and all that. Jr some play for university to be paid off of and some play to advance to higher levels such as the nhl so you’ll get half that’ll be great listeners and half that probably won’t be as good at that.

 

[beastintheeast]

Hey every year a team wins it’s never the team that people thought would win. Nobody thought before the playoffs the Pete’s would win the ohl lol. Ya never know. Just need some luck to match the skill.

Yeah you’re probably right. If it was an nhl coach though it would be a big thing though but it’s only ahl I guess. If he was doing good enough to replace dj smith who won a m cup title with the gens in 2015 then I’d say we’re getting one hell of a coach.

I do think it’s interesting though that he hasn’t coached jr yet so we will see. would probably be different from ahl. Ahl all the players are professionals they’ll listen to the coaches and all that. Jr some play for university to be paid off of and some play to advance to higher levels such as the NHL so you’ll get half that’ll be great listeners and half that probably won’t be as good at that.

This is where Kory and Troy need to work together. Mann has a lot of street cred. He knows what players need to do to get to the next level. For a lot of them that is important. for the players that just want to get the university then he is not going to worry so much as most of them will be 3rd line and are tradeable.

The idea in Ottawa used to be that the goal was to make them better men and citizens. It is about the work ethic and playing for a team.

It is not gong to happen over night there are going to have to be a lot of changes. Frankly, the people that may have the hardest time are the assistants as more is going to be expected and they may have to be responsible for their actions. Mann is not gong to cover for anyone.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

This is where Kory and Troy need to work together. Mann has a lot of street cred. He knows what players need to do to get to the next level. For a lot of them that is important. for the players that just want to get the university then he is not going to worry so much as most of them will be 3rd line and are tradeable.

The idea in Ottawa used to be that the goal was to make them better men and citizens. It is about the work ethic and playing for a team.

It is not gong to happen over night there are going to have to be a lot of changes. Frankly, the people that may have the hardest time are the assistants as more is going to be expected and they may have to be responsible for their actions. Mann is not gong to cover for anyone.

From what I hear it will only be one assistant - Longo - as I've heard McFarland quit yesterday.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Looks like 3 fronts are on this>B - Frasca and Thibodeau and C - Battaglia PLUS W SOTO (missed on earlier post)

Celebrini, Eiserman earn A rating from NHL Central Scouting | NHL.com

Forwards lead way on preliminary players to watch list for 2024 Draft

www.nhl.com

 

[ottsabrefan]

From what I hear it will only be one assistant - Longo - as I've heard McFarland quit yesterday.

One assistant staying on you mean? I’m assuming they will replace the one that left.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

One assistant staying on you mean? I’m assuming they will replace the one that left.

Longo is staying on, McFarland quit- so they I woudl assume will replace him with a Mann suggestion

 

[zaluty]

With Mann being hired and his track record of developing players. Does this possibly open the door for Gavin McCarthy or has that ship sailed?

 

[leafs4life94]

With Mann being hired and his track record of developing players. Does this possibly open the door for Gavin McCarthy or has that ship sailed?

I'm guessing it's sailed - he's playing in games at a top 10 school in BU, while also playing with his brother. The only hope they'd have is that Buffalo sees something that they don't like at BU while also seeing something they like in Kingston - hopefully Miedema gives positive feedback to Buffalo.

 

[frontsfan67]

With Mann being hired and his track record of developing players. Does this possibly open the door for Gavin McCarthy or has that ship sailed?

I think it’s definitely sailed. Is playing with Macklin Celebrini and his brother this year and next year will be with cole eiserman. Only way I see him coming is if he starts getting 0 ice time

 

[ottsabrefan]

LOL

Supertramp had a hit song that explained you

DREAMER

There is a lot more to an OHL title than the coaching.

You do not have the parts yet to do this in 2 years.

The team needs to build ot only the on-ice product but also a coaching system that they can build on.

You need to draft Defencemen that are top 4 forward lines that are self-replacing.

YOu need coaching that if the head coach gets a job, one of the assistants is able to take over.

That could be the biggest difference for this team, not just the on-ice product.

I think it was kept quiet because it was not int he interest of anyone to push it and there is no substantion. The NHL team he was talking to is not going to what to talk about it and Ottawa just wants to get it over with.

In terms of winning a title within the next two years, based on Fronts history I would agree it is unlikely. That being said, the biggest weakness has now been addressed.

IMO, they will have as good of a chance as any moving forward over the next two years assuming the new coach puts those things in place you mentioned.

They have the players and assets, we’ll see how it plays out.

 

[beastintheeast]

I'm guessing it's sailed - he's playing in games at a top 10 school in BU, while also playing with his brother. The only hope they'd have is that Buffalo sees something that they don't like at BU while also seeing something they like in Kingston - hopefully Miedema gives positive feedback to Buffalo.

Buffalo is not going to be interested in moving him to the OHL because then they have to sign him. As long as he is playing NCAA hockey he does not have to be signed.

 

[beastintheeast]

In terms of winning a title within the next two years, based on Fronts history I would agree it is unlikely. That being said, the biggest weakness has now been addressed.

IMO, they will have as good of a chance as any moving forward over the next two years assuming the new coach puts those things in place you mentioned.

They have the players and assets, we’ll see how it plays out.

The big questions are

How long will Mnn stay?

Will the team hire assistant coaches who buy Mann's system and are able to stay with it?

Can Kory get the right draft picks to fill the need not just this year but 5 years from now?

Looking at the consistent winners, they are able to plan for the future and look not at just this year or next but 3-5 years down the line.

They built a system and a team that has all the right parts in the right positions and then at the draft they fill the holes created by graduations.

Kingston's past history has been to draft players that they can trade so that they can build at the deadline.

I think Kory is breaking that habit but time will tell.

Kingston fans to me should not be looking at a championship in 2-3 yers but in a team that every year provides entertaining and competitive hockey.

 

[Truthking]

The big questions are

How long will Mnn stay?

Will the team hire assistant coaches who buy Mann's system and are able to stay with it?

Can Kory get the right draft picks to fill the need not just this year but 5 years from now?

Looking at the consistent winners, they are able to plan for the future and look not at just this year or next but 3-5 years down the line.

They built a system and a team that has all the right parts in the right positions and then at the draft they fill the holes created by graduations.

Kingston's past history has been to draft players that they can trade so that they can build at the deadline.

I think Kory is breaking that habit but time will tell.

Kingston fans to me should not be looking at a championship in 2-3 yers but in a team that every year provides entertaining and competitive hockey.

You talk like making a junior hockey team that is good every year is easy. Outside of London no other team is able to do that. Some have more success than others, but all have down years. I don’t see this team as winning this year or next year. You talk like you have the secret recipe for success in junior hockey because you were the mascot for kilrea 30 years ago.
Let the new coach come in and put his stamp on the team and see what happens.

 

[beastintheeast]

You talk like making a junior hockey team that is good every year is easy. Outside of London no other team is able to do that. Some have more success than others, but all have down years. I don’t see this team has winning this year or next year. You talk like you have the secret recipe for success in junior hockey because you were the mascot for kilrea 30 years ago.
Let the new coach come in and put his stamp on the team and see what happens.

I agree that the coach has to put his stamp on things, BUT the problem in Kingston is that it is a yo yo effect. Coch comes in does a good job gets an offer and then is gone. A new coach comes in and has a different idea or no idea at all and changes things.

London is not the only team look at the 67's under Boyd. Look at Oshawa, Barrie and a lot of the teams. No they are not the stop team every year but also are not at the bottom and rebuilding every 3 years.

My thoughts are not based on my time in Ottawa, although, to be honest, you can not argue with Killers' success. My opinion is based on following Junior hockey since the '70s. Looking at Kingston teams that were competitive and those that were not. I looked at the rest of the OHL and asked a simple question.

Why can Kington not ice a team, that is competitive every year?

Why do they seem to either be the worst team or near the bottom every 3 years?

Why do they go through so many coaches?

Why do they have trouble getting fans to attend?

Then I look at Ottawa and what makes them different?

This has been a question a lot of die-hard fans have asked and wondered about.

 

[dirty12]

Beast:
Ottawa (Boyd was handed an embarrassment of riches to start with), Oshawa, Barrie, NB (4 conference finals in 9 seasons), SSM (Dubas had an embarrassment of riches) have all been at the bottom of the standings (more than one time); they are not like London.
Kingston has 3-1sts born 2005, I think 7 selected by round 4. The Fronts should expect to be a good team this season and contend next season.
End of story.

 

[Truthking]

I agree that the coach has to put his stamp on things, BUT the problem in Kingston is that it is a yo yo effect. Coch comes in does a good job gets an offer and then is gone. A new coach comes in and has a different idea or no idea at all and changes things.

London is not the only team look at the 67's under Boyd. Look at Oshawa, Barrie and a lot of the teams. No they are not the stop team every year but also are not at the bottom and rebuilding every 3 years.

My thoughts are not based on my time in Ottawa, although, to be honest, you can not argue with Killers' success. My opinion is based on following Junior hockey since the '70s. Looking at Kingston teams that were competitive and those that were not. I looked at the rest of the OHL and asked a simple question.

Why can Kington not ice a team, that is competitive every year?

Why do they seem to either be the worst team or near the bottom every 3 years?

Why do they go through so many coaches?

Why do they have trouble getting fans to attend?

Then I look at Ottawa and what makes them different?

This has been a question a lot of die-hard fans have asked and wondered about.

You babble on about how great Ottawa is nonstop. And how kilrea did it back in the day.
Ottawa has had their share of bad years, you can argue that Kingston’s better years have not been good enough. But don’t act like kingston is the only team that goes through cycles.

 

[beastintheeast]

You babble on about how great Ottawa is nonstop. And how kilrea did it back in the day.
Ottawa has had their share of bad years, you can argue that Kingston’s better years have not been good enough. But don’t act like kingston is the only team that goes through cycles.

They aren't. I never said they were. What i said is that the good teams that cycle and still make the playoffs

Killer is gone and retired James Boyd is there now.

This is more about the old idea that Kingston had of let's go for it this year and we know we will be crappy for 2 years.

This is about teams that take a look at their draft and plan how they are going to build their team around a coaching style and draft players looking at what is the team going to look like this year next year and the year after so that it is competitive those years.

Look at Oshawa, look at Kitchener, look at the other teams that every year seem to be in the hunt for the playoffs.

When was the last time North Bay stunk the joint out?

Who is next year's star defence pairing?
Who is it the year after?

What is the goalie's succession plan?

Is there a team philosophy of what this team is supposed to stand for and a way of playing that can be used to hire a coach and have continuity?

 

[Truthking]

They aren't. I never said they were. What i said is that the good teams that cycle and still make the playoffs

Killer is gone and retired James Boyd is there now.

This is more about the old idea that Kingston had of let's go for it this year and we know we will be crappy for 2 years.

This is about teams that take a look at their draft and plan how they are going to build their team around a coaching style and draft players looking at what is the team going to look like this year next year and the year after so that it is competitive those years.

Look at Oshawa, look at Kitchener, look at the other teams that every year seem to be in the hunt for the playoffs.

When was the last time North Bay stunk the joint out?

Who is next year's star defence pairing?
Who is it the year after?

What is the goalie's succession plan?

Is there a team philosophy of what this team is supposed to stand for and a way of playing that can be used to hire a coach and have continuity?

The part about still making the playoffs is a flawed argument. Making the playoffs and losing in the 1st round really doesn’t mean a whole lot. In fact Kingston was famous for doing that with Mav. They’d move heaven and earth for a playoff spot. One thing that I will say about Kingston is lately when they see they have no chance to win, they totally abandon ship. There has been a few years where they could’ve and would’ve made the playoffs had they held on to their top players, but they moved them all and easily missed the playoffs. The part about having a long standing coach is tough, I don’t know if you can blame them for getting coaches who do a great job and move up the ladder. They could get a guy that is happy to be a career coach in the ohl, but that isn’t easy to find.

 

[Truthking]

They aren't. I never said they were. What i said is that the good teams that cycle and still make the playoffs

Killer is gone and retired James Boyd is there now.

This is more about the old idea that Kingston had of let's go for it this year and we know we will be crappy for 2 years.

This is about teams that take a look at their draft and plan how they are going to build their team around a coaching style and draft players looking at what is the team going to look like this year next year and the year after so that it is competitive those years.

Look at Oshawa, look at Kitchener, look at the other teams that every year seem to be in the hunt for the playoffs.

When was the last time North Bay stunk the joint out?

Who is next year's star defence pairing?
Who is it the year after?

What is the goalie's succession plan?

Is there a team philosophy of what this team is supposed to stand for and a way of playing that can be used to hire a coach and have continuity?

Looking back, in the last decade they’ve been under .500 3 times. One was the year they bottomed out and got Wright, one was Wright’s rookie year when they were an extremely young team and one was last year when they more then likely would’ve finished above .500 had they not decided to sell all of their vets. They’ve actually since gilmour left been competitive most years, they’ve had some playoff rounds where they lost to arguably teams that they should’ve beaten. But for the most part they have iced competitive teams. The more I think about it, the more I realize you have little to no clue what you’re even talking about.