Kingston Frontenacs 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Handcuffhockey]

Wrong. There are contingency plans in drafts when the player you choose has already been picked. These guys don’t go into a draft without having a list of next best for their team. Barlow was available when Miedema was gone, Kingston scouting staff had Barlow as their pick, McFarland decided on Soto at the last minute, that was your timeout.

 

[ktownfan]

Thibideau continues to frustrate me. Scores a beautiful goal because Miedema makes a beautiful play to get the puck over on a two on one. On the exact same play only with Thibideau with the puck and Miedema wide open, Thibideau takes a bad angle shot. I said before Ludwinki won’t like him on the same line, well he was moved last night to play with Miedema, same turn overs, same selfish shots.

On another note, much better passing game from the team, every line played well. Chromiak great first pass defencemen, Vaccari played well again. Battaglia, Ludswinki and Soto had some chemistry. Savard, Poole and Heyes, great forecheck game, Cavelin with a couple of good chances. Face offs were excellent, both Poole and Outwater over 70%, and Ludwinski at 50%.

Couple guys on d need to play better, Holmes needs to play with a bit more heart around his net, Burns has to move the puck quicker before he gets in trouble.

Beast is correct, Mann is not sitting on the sidelines, he’s managing the game before it even starts With input between periods.

As for the Barlow comments, I have heard from a very reliable source that the Kingston scouts had Barlow as the pick and at the last minute McFarland went rogue and made his own pick with Soto which gave Owen Sound Barlow. McFarland did more damage to this team than anyone realizes. He accepted both the head coach and GM position only to walk away weeks before the season starts with a team built to make a run. That forces Kingston to promote Caputi at the last minute when he wasn’t ready as a head coach and we know how the playoffs turned out. Series lost because of coaching.

McFarland only draft was suspect, takes several small players that changes the culture of the team. No offence to them but 145 pound players have a hard time in this league, he took Soto instead of Barlow, Brooks who’s not playing etc. Gets his brother on the bench who coaches the d, with no experience teaching defencemen as he was a skilled forward…..thank god the McFarland era is over.

Mcfarland drew the ire of many GMs that draft as it is common for the guys with the first 10 picks to disclose to each other who they were taking. He kept the Soto pick under wraps. Also was in love with Brooks

 

[dirty12]

Wrong. There are contingency plans in drafts when the player you choose has already been picked. These guys don’t go into a draft without having a list of next best for their team. Barlow was available when Miedema was gone, Kingston scouting staff had Barlow as their pick, McFarland decided on Soto at the last minute, that was your timeout.

Wrong.
If there was a contingency plan, there would not be a need for a time-out; unless, a call was made to know a particular player would report.

 

[frontsfan67]

FF you foerget one thing. The coach still runs the practices and sets the lineup and the lines. The only thing he does not do is sit behind the bench or go into the dressing room during the game.

Time will tell whether there are any issues. The attitude is shown more in practice than in a game.

Let's see what happens the player I am watching is Thibideaux if daddy is still telling him what to do.

Yes he does all that stuff except the most important thing which is actually coaching in games.

Thibodeau is leading the fronts in points this year and has really taken off over the last 2 years. As I said prior to the year I see him as a 30 goal scorer this year. Some people disagreed with me on this for whatever reason but anyways he’s leading the team in goals and points right now so I guess my prediction wasn’t that bad.

If thibodeau continues to do well and gets minutes and all that I don’t see why he would ever ask out lol. Not like he’s rotting on the 4th line he’s playing top line minutes and performing well under those minutes.

 

[frontsfan67]

Thibideau continues to frustrate me. Scores a beautiful goal because Miedema makes a beautiful play to get the puck over on a two on one. On the exact same play only with Thibideau with the puck and Miedema wide open, Thibideau takes a bad angle shot. I said before Ludwinki won’t like him on the same line, well he was moved last night to play with Miedema, same turn overs, same selfish shots.

On another note, much better passing game from the team, every line played well. Chromiak great first pass defencemen, Vaccari played well again. Battaglia, Ludswinki and Soto had some chemistry. Savard, Poole and Heyes, great forecheck game, Cavelin with a couple of good chances. Face offs were excellent, both Poole and Outwater over 70%, and Ludwinski at 50%.

Couple guys on d need to play better, Holmes needs to play with a bit more heart around his net, Burns has to move the puck quicker before he gets in trouble.

Beast is correct, Mann is not sitting on the sidelines, he’s managing the game before it even starts With input between periods.

As for the Barlow comments, I have heard from a very reliable source that the Kingston scouts had Barlow as the pick and at the last minute McFarland went rogue and made his own pick with Soto which gave Owen Sound Barlow. McFarland did more damage to this team than anyone realizes. He accepted both the head coach and GM position only to walk away weeks before the season starts with a team built to make a run. That forces Kingston to promote Caputi at the last minute when he wasn’t ready as a head coach and we know how the playoffs turned out. Series lost because of coaching.

McFarland only draft was suspect, takes several small players that changes the culture of the team. No offence to them but 145 pound players have a hard time in this league, he took Soto instead of Barlow, Brooks who’s not playing etc. Gets his brother on the bench who coaches the d, with no experience teaching defencemen as he was a skilled forward…..thank god the McFarland era is over.

Great read. Had no idea about that. It did seem like they went way off the board their first 2 picks and I always wondered about that. Soto is a great player and could be here all 5 years as a player. Barlow is a way better player obviously but Owen sound will lose him after this year.

Soto is immensely skilled I find but he just needs to find consistency if he does that he’s a 90+ point guy imo.

Brooks no offence to him but was a massive bust. Especially considering people who went after him.

 

[frontsfan67]

Will be interesting to see if cooper is on the bench tonight.

 

[zaluty]

Will be interesting to see if cooper is on the bench tonight.

I would think not. Mann is back so unless he wants a third on the bench.

Last night I saw some offensive systems starting to take hold. Battaglia was much stronger on the puck and drove to the net hard. Defensively still a work in progress. Do not like it when Uens and Holmes are on at the same time. I believe in 2-3 weeks this team will look a lot different than the team Caputi led.

 

[frontsfan67]

what a damn game that was. Looked like a completely different team from a couple of weeks ago against Guelph.

Ludwinski had a great game. He’s been amazing the last couple of games. Took some time from the start of the year but man does he look good. Outwater had his best game of the year so far I believe. Chromiak is going to be one nice add to the team.

Uens was a turnover factory tonight so sorry to the people that like him. He did make a nice play with about 2 mins left in the game but I counted 6 turnovers tonight and 3 real bad ones let alone in the first period. If you can’t see he had a horrible game I don’t know what to tell you.

The way this team has performed lately is exactly what everyone expected from the start of the year. We didn’t even have hemstrom and frasca tonight and we did that to a really good team in Guelph. They still have Allen and poitras out but this Guelph team has performed well this year. That by all means is a good team and we outplayed them 80% of the game

 

[beastintheeast]

It was a good game but against a weak Guelph team. Guelph just seems to be a mess (and yes, I listened to the game.)
Next weekend will be a better gauge. The fact that Thibodeax is playing well tells me that he is probably listening to Mann.

I am also sure that the NHL teams that have drafted players have let it be known that the players need to pay attention.

 

[frontsfan67]

It was a good game but against a weak Guelph team. Guelph just seems to be a mess (and yes, I listened to the game.)
Next weekend will be a better gauge. The fact that Thibodeax is playing well tells me that he is probably listening to Mann.

I am also sure that the NHL teams that have drafted players have let it be known that the players need to pay attention.

Beast, Guelph prior to the game was 9-5 on the season lol that’s really good. They beat the fronts 6-2 2 weeks ago that was Caputis last game as head coach.

Thibodeau is playing amazing. Lots of people don’t like him here as he’s a little bit selfish at times but the stats speak for themselves. He’s played well this year. Mann every time he can do this has the clipboard out for the players drawing up plays. Never saw Caputi do that at all. Very impressed.

Also results speak for themselves. Since Caputi got fired they’re 4-1, losing their only game to Mississauga in a third period choke. It’s evident that Mann has been a huge factor in the teams success already 2 weeks in.

Also ludwinski since Mann has taken over has really took off (the last 5 games) very impressed with him. If they do end up ever trading him around WJC time I’m sure it’ll be for a BIG package. Guy can do it all.

Also! Has anyone heard about Hemstroms injury? I wonder how bad it is and what injury it is.

T- roughly 2 weeks until Frasca was originally scheduled to be back. I’m hoping he doesn’t have many struggles coming back into the lineup as it is his draft year.

 

[beastintheeast]

Beast, Guelph prior to the game was 9-5 on the season lol that’s really good. They beat the fronts 6-2 2 weeks ago that was Caputis last game as head coach.

Thibodeau is playing amazing. Lots of people don’t like him here as he’s a little bit selfish at times but the stats speak for themselves. He’s played well this year. Mann every time he can do this has the clipboard out for the players drawing up plays. Never saw Caputi do that at all. Very impressed.

Also results speak for themselves. Since Caputi got fired they’re 4-1, losing their only game to Mississauga in a third period choke. It’s evident that Mann has been a huge factor in the teams success already 2 weeks in.

Also ludwinski since Mann has taken over, has really took off (the last 5 games) very impressed with him. If they do end up ever trading him around WJC time I’m sure it’ll be for a BIG package. Guy can do it all.

Also! Has anyone heard about Hemstrom's injury? I wonder how bad it is and what injury it is.

T- roughly 2 weeks until Frasca was originally scheduled to be back. I’m hoping he doesn’t have many struggles coming back into the lineup as it is his draft year.

LOL beaing the Fronts under Caputi is not saying much lol

I have no doubt that Mann is making a difference. You do not coach in the AHL if you are braindead.

Thibodeau will learn to play as a team player under Mann because he knows that selfish players do not go far in the Pro's. He is going to learn to work with his linemates or may see the bench for extended periods of time LOL

As to players getting traded that is going to be decided as they near the deadline Cooper and Mann see where they are and other teams make offers.

I noticed that Slajko was the back up is the other guy hurt or what is the story.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

LOL beaing the Fronts under Caputi is not saying much lol

I have no doubt that Mann is making a difference. You do not coach in the AHL if you are braindead.

Thibodeau will learn to play as a team player under Mann because he knows that selfish players do not go far in the Pro's. He is going to learn to work with his linemates or may see the bench for extended periods of time LOL

As to players getting traded that is going to be decided as they near the deadline Cooper and Mann see where they are and other teams make offers.

I noticed that Slajko was the back up is the other guy hurt or what is the story.

Downey backed up one game in Guelph - but isn't travelling with the team. JJ has been back up for all other games (except the one he played)

 

[frontsfan67]

LOL beaing the Fronts under Caputi is not saying much lol

I have no doubt that Mann is making a difference. You do not coach in the AHL if you are braindead.

Thibodeau will learn to play as a team player under Mann because he knows that selfish players do not go far in the Pro's. He is going to learn to work with his linemates or may see the bench for extended periods of time LOL

As to players getting traded that is going to be decided as they near the deadline Cooper and Mann see where they are and other teams make offers.

I noticed that Slajko was the back up is the other guy hurt or what is the story.

I agree about the Caputi one but they still beat 8 other teams along with us.

Yes that’s right about thibodeau. I think he’s been getting better with it compared to the start of the year.

I agree I see no trades unless it’s very minor ones until around middle of December to the deadline. I think if they do make any big trades it’ll be ludwinski on the way out for a good 05/06 who will be here next year along with picks.

Honestly I have no idea what they’re doing with salajko. I think they maybe picked up Downey just as added insurance incase god forbid someone gets injured. Haven’t heard a thing about Downey since he played the 1 game for us. He looked a lot more confident than salajko imo but he is older. Salajko with a few more weeks under his belt practicing- I’m sure he will start one of the 3 games for this upcoming week. I would assume it would be sarnia since they don’t have the best goaltending so it would be more evenly matched.

 

[bcspragu]

I agree I see no trades unless it’s very minor ones until around middle of December to the deadline. I think if they do make any big trades it’ll be ludwinski on the way out for a good 05/06 who will be here next year along with picks.

Saginaw scratched Luke McNamara both games they played this weekend and the rumor going around the rink was he was Kingston bound for Ludwinski. So maybe a deal might come sooner rather than later

 

[dirty12]

Saginaw scratched Luke McNamara both games they played this weekend and the rumor going around the rink was he was Kingston bound for Ludwinski. So maybe a deal might come sooner rather than later

Four 1sts may as well be (all)-in with the ‘05s.

 

[beastintheeast]

Saginaw scratched Luke McNamara both games they played this weekend and the rumor going around the rink was he was Kingston bound for Ludwinski. So maybe a deal might come sooner rather than later

That is not a rumour that is either someone smoking some wild stuff , dreaming or wishing.

Ludwinski will not be traded until neat the deadline and Mann is not going to give a drafted center for a reclamation project. McNamara would be 3rd /4th line center.

I am sure there will be teams offering more than that if Ludwinski improves.

No one is just going to give Saginaw their best players to be nice.

If Kingston decides that they have a chance with Sudbury and Missisauga then therye are gong ot keep him.

The big thing about the East this year is that while everyone is talking about Sudbury it has the worst PP and the PK is 6th in the conf.
Ottawa Mississauga the Petes have better stats
Kingston if Mann gets their act together is not that far off.

So any of these teams could be contenders.

Petes and 67's may decide to rebuild and restock the cupboards but then again if they get their act together and Mississauga slides anything is possible.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Saginaw scratched Luke McNamara both games they played this weekend and the rumor going around the rink was he was Kingston bound for Ludwinski. So maybe a deal might come sooner rather than later

Scratches could be for a number of reasons - sickness, curfew or other team rule violation, or getting other guys to play. If you look at Kingston in a couple weeks you may see some guys who have yet to be scratched in Kingston being scratched - may have nothing to do with trades. By the end of November the Fronts will have the following guys who normally play C - if all healthy - 6/7 Centres alone.

1. FRASCA
2. LUDWINSKI
3. OUTWATER
4. POOLE
5. HOPKINS
6. CAVALLIN
7. Sometimes Hemstrom

The only "obvious" scratch on the winger side would be Callans at this point. If Callans and Cavallin are the forwards that are healthy scratches when Hopkins returns and Hemstrom is healthy OR Frasca returns one guy other than 93/37 will be scratched - -that could lead to a trade at that point - which once again would be close to the deadline.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Honest question. Do you watch fronts games or do you just comment? Hemstrom when healthy has been one of the best fronts this year. Good 2 way game, PPG, Works hard every game, PK, PP. that’s not a 3/4th line player lol that’s a top line/top 2 line player.


I agree. However last year he was much more noticeable probably due to his draft year. This year in particular he hasn’t had anywhere near the drive he had last year.

No, I never ever watch the games, I know nothing about hockey and I am simply here to make dumb comments and use "lol" after my sentences.

 

[frontsfan67]

Saginaw scratched Luke McNamara both games they played this weekend and the rumor going around the rink was he was Kingston bound for Ludwinski. So maybe a deal might come sooner rather than later

Ludwinskis been playing games and has looked really good in those games. If that was true I would expect him to sit out. Realistically McNamara is an 05 and would be a good second or third liner this year along with lots of picks but it’s hard to believe- if they sit ludwinski I’ll start to believe it.

 

[frontsfan67]

No, I never ever watch the games, I know nothing about hockey and I am simply here to make dumb comments and use "lol" after my sentences.

Well if you were watching I’m sure you’d see the same as I do. And a point a game winger with good defence is pretty valuable. Even plays centre at times, can go up and down the lineup- very important piece.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Ludwinskis been playing games and has looked really good in those games. If that was true I would expect him to sit out. Realistically McNamara is an 05 and would be a good second or third liner this year along with lots of picks but it’s hard to believe- if they sit ludwinski I’ll start to believe it.

I agree - he definitely looks far more engaged and is hopping out there. It could be consistent line mates that has helped a bit too.

Well if you were watching I’m sure you’d see the same as I do. And a point a game winger with good defence is pretty valuable. Even plays centre at times, can go up and down the lineup- very important piece.

I don't disagree that he's an important piece -and don't think he should be scratched - with the depth of talented forwards you need to find places and roles for everyone. His hardworking nature and skating makes him well suited to take on a role in the bottom 6 and then focus additonal time on the PK or PP

 

[ottsabrefan]

Saginaw scratched Luke McNamara both games they played this weekend and the rumor going around the rink was he was Kingston bound for Ludwinski. So maybe a deal might come sooner rather than later

This is the second fan base with rumours of low ball offer for our number 1 center in a couple of weeks…just because we have one 19 year old in our top 9 doesn’t mean we need to trade him. And not sure why we would trade him for a player with zero goals on the season.

And also maybe I’m spiteful, but I’m not interested in helping Saginaw improve this year since they got the Mem Cup over us. They can go elsewhere to figure their shit out.

 

[frontsfan67]

This is the second fan base with rumours of low ball offer for our number 1 center in a couple of weeks…just because we have one 19 year old in our top 9 doesn’t mean we need to trade him. And not sure why we would trade him for a player with zero goals on the season.

And also maybe I’m spiteful, but I’m not interested in helping Saginaw improve this year since they got the Mem Cup over us. They can go elsewhere to figure their shit out.

I agree unless they offer something that is hard to pass up or it leads to us acquiring a guy like parekh next year I don’t see it happening. Personally I see London getting ludwinski as much as I would hate for that to happen. We would prob get someone like O’Rielly, a prospect and lots of picks or one of their other young guys. Don’t think London would say no to that either as they have the rights to guys like will Moore who’s lighting up the u17 right now and James hagens who will challenge Misa for the first pick in 2025

Super off topic but wonder what the fronts will do with the import draft this year. Will they try and get pieniniemi to commit next year if he doesn’t this year? Will they get a 16/17 year old? Or will they go for the best player available to replace hemstrom? I like hemstrom a lot but you have to be like top 5 in the league for an ohl team to let you come back as an overager for 1 and taking up an import spot for 2.

 

[bcspragu]

This is the second fan base with rumours of low ball offer for our number 1 center in a couple of weeks…just because we have one 19 year old in our top 9 doesn’t mean we need to trade him. And not sure why we would trade him for a player with zero goals on the season.

And also maybe I’m spiteful, but I’m not interested in helping Saginaw improve this year since they got the Mem Cup over us. They can go elsewhere to figure their shit out.

I mean you’d have to be dumb to assume it would be McNamara for him straight up. Clearly would be be some additional pieces going to to Kingston along with Luke. For what it’s worth, was told to me by 2 separate folks (one who tangentially works with the club) and then got home and was messaged by someone from a completely separate club with the same information asking me if it was true. So unless 3 random people with no connection made up the same story there’s at least smoke there

 

[frontsfan67]

I mean you’d have to be dumb to assume it would be McNamara for him straight up. Clearly would be be some additional pieces going to to Kingston along with Luke. For what it’s worth, was told to me by 2 separate folks (one who tangentially works with the club) and then got home and was messaged by someone from a completely separate club with the same information asking me if it was true. So unless 3 random people with no connection made up the same story there’s at least smoke there

Thanks for filling us in. We appreciate that. Wouldn’t be the worst player to get. What’s McNamaras game like? I see he’s 6’3