Kingston Frontenacs 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[frontsfan67]

If I’m being honest about the potential Ludwinski trade. Would be happier with a Joey Willis/ or Aiden young trade for ludwinski. Even if they get less picks. However they don’t have as many picks from the Holmes/ Chromiak trades this year so from an organizational standpoint would make more sense to replenish that. Also McNamara would be here for this year and 2 more where Willis would potentially be gone after next year, and Young they could be keeping for a bigger trade later in the year (Nelson/Divinctiis)

 

[ottsabrefan]

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

You mentioned that it was him for Ludwinski. How would anyone know what you are thinking or your intelligence level?

Regardless, this would be trading quantity for quality. The Fronts may be interested in draft picks but they don’t need to add more depth pieces at the loss of star players. You are pitching a 3rd year forward with 15 TOTAL career goals as the main piece of the trade. And while I understand it was what you heard, that seems like a horrible trade for the Fronts.

I could see a more reasonable trade being for Outwater, as both players seem to need a change of scenery.

 

[Handcuffhockey]

There is no way the team trades Ludwinski right now when they are trying to catch up in points with a new head coach. Rumours spread like wildfire. One person mentions Ludwinski name and the next think you know it’s the gospel. If Kingston were to trade him, it will come at the trade deadline when the teams who are going pay the highest price Come to deal. Job #1 right now is make the playoffs. I do agree that Outwater could be the odd man out once Frasca and Hemstrom come back in. Giving him good minutes right now on the 2nd line where he can produce will help increase his trade value if the Fronts are looking to move him. But then again we might just be spreading another rumour.

 

[beastintheeast]

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.

Have you looked at his stats? He is a train wreck look at the team that you are building in Kingston and tell me he fits in the future more than a 3rd line center.

Ludwinski will if he keeps developing under Mann be a commodity for a lot of teams. He is not a McNamara and a couple of picks he is of higher value.

IF Sag is looking to get rid of him then I can see them trading him for maybe Donoso or part of a package.

If Kory makes a deal like that he needs to be fired. As I have stated depending on what Mann can do with this team it is possible if all the pieces start to fit and gell that you guys could be in the hunt for a top 4 playoff team.

Looking at the east

Mississauga
Petes
Ottawa
Sudbury with the worst PP

The Petes and 67's are the enigmas. Are they going to make retool trades or play it out?

So really a top 4 is not ut of the picture.

 

[StormWatcher]

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.

It's been a bad week for Guelph. I feel like they found out Poitras was sticking and all of a sudden lines are in a blender and the focus has been missing. A reframe, like you said, would be to note that they were winning without him - keep doing what you were doing.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

There is no way the team trades Ludwinski right now when they are trying to catch up in points with a new head coach. Rumours spread like wildfire. One person mentions Ludwinski name and the next think you know it’s the gospel. If Kingston were to trade him, it will come at the trade deadline when the teams who are going pay the highest price Come to deal. Job #1 right now is make the playoffs. I do agree that Outwater could be the odd man out once Frasca and Hemstrom come back in. Giving him good minutes right now on the 2nd line where he can produce will help increase his trade value if the Fronts are looking to move him. But then again we might just be spreading another rumour.

I agree with you. If anyone gets traded from the "C" depth Outwater may give you a decent return, especially if he keeps playing like he has the past 3 games or so. I also think a decision on Callans will need to be made. He barely touched the ice in the game that he got suspended at the end in, and I don't think he played most of the 2nd or the 3rd on Saturday night. Its one thing for Weir and Cavallin on his line to sit like that but for an OA player to not be playing it's a waste of limited OA spots, when you could get a solid OA goalie or D. I think the goalie is key at this point. Vaccari has played 14 games and Salajko 1 game - either let JJ play and either succeed or fail, or get an OA that can give Mason a break on 3 in 3 or 3 in 4 stretches. They play 5 games in 10 days coming up (Thur, Fri, Sunday, Wednesday, Friday) - if Mason gets hurt all the warm and fuzzies they've built will disappear

 

[ottsabrefan]

I agree with you. If anyone gets traded from the "C" depth Outwater may give you a decent return, especially if he keeps playing like he has the past 3 games or so. I also think a decision on Callans will need to be made. He barely touched the ice in the game that he got suspended at the end in, and I don't think he played most of the 2nd or the 3rd on Saturday night. Its one thing for Weir and Cavallin on his line to sit like that but for an OA player to not be playing it's a waste of limited OA spots, when you could get a solid OA goalie or D. I think the goalie is key at this point. Vaccari has played 14 games and Salajko 1 game - either let JJ play and either succeed or fail, or get an OA that can give Mason a break on 3 in 3 or 3 in 4 stretches. They play 5 games in 10 days coming up (Thur, Fri, Sunday, Wednesday, Friday) - if Mason gets hurt all the warm and fuzzies they've built will disappear

Anyone know where Downey is? Is he waiting in the wings for the backup spot if JJ fails and is sent down or was he released?

Regarding Callens, as long as he wishes to remain with the team, there may not be an issue with keeping him until a stronger OA is available for trade. I could even see us keeping him until the deadline.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Anyone know where Downey is? Is he waiting in the wings for the backup spot if JJ fails and is sent down or was he released?

Regarding Callens, as long as he wishes to remain with the team, there may not be an issue with keeping him until a stronger OA is available for trade. I could even see us keeping him until the deadline.

Downey is playing with Stouffville of the OJHL - doing well as well 5 GP, 1.61GAA 940s%.

 

[Zigg]

I don't agree with keeping a player who plays on the 4th line and is in his overage year. Let him go now and give him a chance to catch on in a league lower than the OHL before all spots are filled. His spot on 4th line should go to a 17 year-old who will learn and grow from the limited ice time. No overager should be kept if their value is only to keep a spot on the bench warm.

 

[beastintheeast]

I agree with you. If anyone gets traded from the "C" depth Outwater may give you a decent return, especially if he keeps playing like he has the past 3 games or so. I also think a decision on Callans will need to be made. He barely touched the ice in the game that he got suspended at the end in, and I don't think he played most of the 2nd or the 3rd on Saturday night. Its one thing for Weir and Cavallin on his line to sit like that but for an OA player to not be playing it's a waste of limited OA spots, when you could get a solid OA goalie or D. I think the goalie is key at this point. Vaccari has played 14 games and Salajko 1 game - either let JJ play and either succeed or fail, or get an OA that can give Mason a break on 3 in 3 or 3 in 4 stretches. They play 5 games in 10 days coming up (Thur, Fri, Sunday, Wednesday, Friday) - if Mason gets hurt all the warm and fuzzies they've built will disappear

I think Kory made a lot of promises to Dad JJ and they are going to see if Mann can make anything out of him. He will be given a chance but it is going to be interesting.

Remember he really has not been given a chance to play.
You might see him against Sarnia this weekend

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

I think Kory made a lot of promises to Dad JJ and they are going to see if Mann can make anything out of him. He will be given a chance but it is going to be interesting.

Remember he really has not been given a chance to play.
You might see him against Sarnia this weekend

From what I understand JJ walked away from a USHL spot and likely NCAA consideration for this - it would be a shame if he's not given the chance (if he is up to it that is)

 

[leafs4life94]

I agree with you. If anyone gets traded from the "C" depth Outwater may give you a decent return, especially if he keeps playing like he has the past 3 games or so. I also think a decision on Callans will need to be made. He barely touched the ice in the game that he got suspended at the end in, and I don't think he played most of the 2nd or the 3rd on Saturday night. Its one thing for Weir and Cavallin on his line to sit like that but for an OA player to not be playing it's a waste of limited OA spots, when you could get a solid OA goalie or D. I think the goalie is key at this point. Vaccari has played 14 games and Salajko 1 game - either let JJ play and either succeed or fail, or get an OA that can give Mason a break on 3 in 3 or 3 in 4 stretches. They play 5 games in 10 days coming up (Thur, Fri, Sunday, Wednesday, Friday) - if Mason gets hurt all the warm and fuzzies they've built will disappear

If you go a day further it's 6 in 10 (they play the 18th as well) - with how busy Vaccari's been I'd hope he gets 2 games off in that stretch and give Salajko a chance rather than being thrown to the wolves like he was against London. I'd probably go Sarnia and Brantford - give the kid an environment to succeed.

 

[frontsfan67]

Have you looked at his stats? He is a train wreck look at the team that you are building in Kingston and tell me he fits in the future more than a 3rd line center.

Ludwinski will if he keeps developing under Mann be a commodity for a lot of teams. He is not a McNamara and a couple of picks he is of higher value.

IF Sag is looking to get rid of him then I can see them trading him for maybe Donoso or part of a package.

If Kory makes a deal like that he needs to be fired. As I have stated depending on what Mann can do with this team it is possible if all the pieces start to fit and gell that you guys could be in the hunt for a top 4 playoff team.

Looking at the east

Mississauga
Petes
Ottawa
Sudbury with the worst PP

The Petes and 67's are the enigmas. Are they going to make retool trades or play it out?

So really a top 4 is not ut of the picture.

I agree it’s not the best trade which is why in the post below I said about Young and Willis being better fits than McNamara. However if they did they McNamara they’d get a TON of picks for Ludwinski and that’s something they need to improve on for this year and next year.

Imo Sudbury has injuries right now and a struggling power play and they’re not the best at the pk either. When they take care of that stuff they’re the front runner from the east.

Ottawa I don’t see them doing much, maybe adding a top 6 forward but the Pete’s are obviously going to sell sell sell it is now evident with the Lockhart trade. They’ll probably trade way more than Simpson and Beck for the year now. They’ll probably trade anyone worth value and then look like Mississauga after trading their top guys last year.

I think Kory made a lot of promises to Dad JJ and they are going to see if Mann can make anything out of him. He will be given a chance but it is going to be interesting.

Remember he really has not been given a chance to play.
You might see him against Sarnia this weekend

I agree that’s what I said in an earlier post. Will likely be sarnia here for a big Remembrance Day game against probably the worst team of the 3 we play this weekend.

 

[OHL4Life]

From what I understand JJ walked away from a USHL spot and likely NCAA consideration for this - it would be a shame if he's not given the chance (if he is up to it that is)

hes only played once and it was against london in london? why not play him a few times in better situations, dont throw the kid under the bus in an environment that he has never experienced. im not sure that hes great, but they havent even given the kid an opportunity.

 

[ktownfan]

hes only played once and it was against london in london? why not play him a few times in better situations, dont throw the kid under the bus in an environment that he has never experienced. im not sure that hes great, but they havent even given the kid an opportunity.

I agree, Caputi threw him to the wolves in London. Ridiculous, give him a few games to evaluate him.

 

[Handcuffhockey]

Well, if we are being TOTALLY honest, the vast majority of goals that JJ let in vs. London were very very weak goals by OHL standards. The only agreement I had about feeding him to the wolves was not pulling him early. It could have gone the opposite way as well, his first game playing in front of 10K fans he could have been lights out but because it’s London there is a suggestion it wasn’t fair to him. Kingston actually kept the shots against way down but everything was going in from every angle, he did come up with a couple of great saves but isn’t that expected of any goalie? If you are a player on Kingston you just don’t have the confidence that your tender can come through when you see weak goals being scored with limited shots.

I feel bad for the kid, the games I’ve been to I watch him in warm up and everything seems to go in. I mean everything! I did hear that Downey didn’t want to be traded to a team where he would be a back up, explains why he is choosing to play in another league.

What happens if JJ goes in against a very weak team and the same story transpires. Does Kingston pull the plug? I don’t wish that on any kid, just think he’s over his head a bit and he needs more playing time right now than acting as a back up that doesn’t play. Hopefully I‘m wrong and he can prove himself.

 

[OHL4Life]

Well, if we are being TOTALLY honest, the vast majority of goals that JJ let in vs. London were very very weak goals by OHL standards. The only agreement I had about feeding him to the wolves was not pulling him early. It could have gone the opposite way as well, his first game playing in front of 10K fans he could have been lights out but because it’s London there is a suggestion it wasn’t fair to him. Kingston actually kept the shots against way down but everything was going in from every angle, he did come up with a couple of great saves but isn’t that expected of any goalie? If you are a player on Kingston you just don’t have the confidence that your tender can come through when you see weak goals being scored with limited shots.

I feel bad for the kid, the games I’ve been to I watch him in warm up and everything seems to go in. I mean everything! I did hear that Downey didn’t want to be traded to a team where he would be a back up, explains why he is choosing to play in another league.

What happens if JJ goes in against a very weak team and the same story transpires. Does Kingston pull the plug? I don’t wish that on any kid, just think he’s over his head a bit and he needs more playing time right now than acting as a back up that doesn’t play. Hopefully I‘m wrong and he can prove himself.

Why would any smart coach think starting a rookie in London against a hot nights team, when they play Niagara around the same time, the worst team in the league, is a good idea is clueless. of course goals where bad, London is a hard rink to play in, even for vets. set the kid up for success not failure

Well, if we are being TOTALLY honest, the vast majority of goals that JJ let in vs. London were very very weak goals by OHL standards. The only agreement I had about feeding him to the wolves was not pulling him early. It could have gone the opposite way as well, his first game playing in front of 10K fans he could have been lights out but because it’s London there is a suggestion it wasn’t fair to him. Kingston actually kept the shots against way down but everything was going in from every angle, he did come up with a couple of great saves but isn’t that expected of any goalie? If you are a player on Kingston you just don’t have the confidence that your tender can come through when you see weak goals being scored with limited shots.

I feel bad for the kid, the games I’ve been to I watch him in warm up and everything seems to go in. I mean everything! I did hear that Downey didn’t want to be traded to a team where he would be a back up, explains why he is choosing to play in another league.

What happens if JJ goes in against a very weak team and the same story transpires. Does Kingston pull the plug? I don’t wish that on any kid, just think he’s over his head a bit and he needs more playing time right now than acting as a back up that doesn’t play. Hopefully I‘m wrong and he can prove himself.

You need to give the kid 5/10 games.

 

[beastintheeast]

Well, if we are being TOTALLY honest, the vast majority of goals that JJ let in vs. London were very very weak goals by OHL standards. The only agreement I had about feeding him to the wolves was not pulling him early. It could have gone the opposite way as well, his first game playing in front of 10K fans he could have been lights out but because it’s London there is a suggestion it wasn’t fair to him. Kingston actually kept the shots against way down but everything was going in from every angle, he did come up with a couple of great saves but isn’t that expected of any goalie? If you are a player on Kingston you just don’t have the confidence that your tender can come through when you see weak goals being scored with limited shots.

I feel bad for the kid, the games I’ve been to I watch him in warm up and everything seems to go in. I mean everything! I did hear that Downey didn’t want to be traded to a team where he would be a back up, explains why he is choosing to play in another league.

What happens if JJ goes in against a very weak team and the same story transpires. Does Kingston pull the plug? I don’t wish that on any kid, just think he’s over his head a bit and he needs more playing time right now than acting as a back up that doesn’t play. Hopefully I‘m wrong and he can prove himself.

Rookie goalies should get games against lower-tier teams. You do not take a player and throw him in a game against the top team in the league for the first game.

JJ was put in the position that his coach was on shakjy ground, the team was not playing, and then added the London team and told that he was going in because they thought they would lose anyway.

 

[ottsabrefan]

I think Caputi wanted to guarantee the Niagara game (though it didn’t work anyways!). Tough start for sure in London but as others said, the Fronts played well. That loss was on him.

But, I’m sure they still have a pretty good idea of what they have in JJ seeing him in practice for over two months now as well as in preseason. Cooper was a goalie after all. I hope I’m wrong but I think there was a reason Cooper made a trade for another goalie.

 

[frontsfan67]

Well, if we are being TOTALLY honest, the vast majority of goals that JJ let in vs. London were very very weak goals by OHL standards. The only agreement I had about feeding him to the wolves was not pulling him early. It could have gone the opposite way as well, his first game playing in front of 10K fans he could have been lights out but because it’s London there is a suggestion it wasn’t fair to him. Kingston actually kept the shots against way down but everything was going in from every angle, he did come up with a couple of great saves but isn’t that expected of any goalie? If you are a player on Kingston you just don’t have the confidence that your tender can come through when you see weak goals being scored with limited shots.

I feel bad for the kid, the games I’ve been to I watch him in warm up and everything seems to go in. I mean everything! I did hear that Downey didn’t want to be traded to a team where he would be a back up, explains why he is choosing to play in another league.

What happens if JJ goes in against a very weak team and the same story transpires. Does Kingston pull the plug? I don’t wish that on any kid, just think he’s over his head a bit and he needs more playing time right now than acting as a back up that doesn’t play. Hopefully I‘m wrong and he can prove himself.

I agree. Was the worst goaltending performance I can remember and he was kept in for all 8 goals. Kingston outshot London that game but 9 shots I believe and still lost 8-1

 

[frontsfan67]

Tyler Hopkins today recorded 2 assists against the USA to help hand them their first loss in the U17’s. He’s up to 3P in 4 games. Been watching highlights he’s on for the powerplay and penalty kill as well. Really hoping he takes off when he comes back here. He’s been robbed a few times including probably the save of the tournament against Czechia.

I don’t really know what happens now they’ve played 4 games. I assume they go to playoffs now? Or is there more of a round robin?

 

[frontsfan67]

Fronts are raising Bernie Nicholls #16 jersey to the rafters against Brantford on Nov 18

Imo should’ve done been long ago but better late then never lol. Wonder when they’ll do guys like Sam Bennett and Jason Robertson. Prob another 5 years?

 

[HockeyPops]

Don't they wait for the player to retire from professional hockey first?

 

[leafs4life94]

Don't they wait for the player to retire from professional hockey first?

Kingston has so far but doesn't mean much, I know John Tavares has his retired but he might be the exception not the rule, Oshawa retired his when JT was only 24.

There was a post from a while back but I seem to remember some other active players from other OHL teams having theirs retired

 

[frontsfan67]

Kingston has so far but doesn't mean much, I know John Tavares has his retired but he might be the exception not the rule, Oshawa retired his when JT was only 24.

There was a post from a while back but I seem to remember some other active players from other OHL teams having theirs retired

Yes I don’t understand why kingston can’t just be like the rest of the ohl and do it when they’re playing. Would draw more attention- a current nhler having a jersey retirement then 20 years down the road. Nicholls has been retired since 99’ very surprised they didn’t do it sooner