Kingston Frontenacs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

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Teddy bear toss game and LOTS of empty seats
 
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Teddy bear toss game and LOTS of empty seats
It looks like this almost every game, and then there is a big walk up. Also, the Queens sports management people have a promotion happening for $5 tickets, cheap beer etc. So you will likely see a whack of tickets sold when those people buy or walk up. My guess is that just like almost every game there will be between 3100-3300 at the game.

For all of you are constantly criticizing the crowd size, or the experience at the rink or those that have all these amazing ideas - apply for the job and do what you say needs to be done: GM of Business Ops
 
It looks like this almost every game, and then there is a big walk up. Also, the Queens sports management people have a promotion happening for $5 tickets, cheap beer etc. So you will likely see a whack of tickets sold when those people buy or walk up. My guess is that just like almost every game there will be between 3100-3300 at the game.

For all of you are constantly criticizing the crowd size, or the experience at the rink or those that have all these amazing ideas - apply for the job and do what you say needs to be done: GM of Business Ops
It’s the teddy bear toss. Every other arena does well tickets wise except for Kingston and obviously Brampton. Better have atleast 4000 tonight.

Did I strike a nerve? If I went to school for business I would be the first one to do that. Instead I forwarded it to my buddy. Springer too cheap? How come we keep losing people in the organization?
 
It looks like this almost every game, and then there is a big walk up. Also, the Queens sports management people have a promotion happening for $5 tickets, cheap beer etc. So you will likely see a whack of tickets sold when those people buy or walk up. My guess is that just like almost every game there will be between 3100-3300 at the game.

For all of you are constantly criticizing the crowd size, or the experience at the rink or those that have all these amazing ideas - apply for the job and do what you say needs to be done: GM of Business Ops
You having a bad day man?
 
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This team is so damn frustrating to watch sometimes. I don't know how they fix it but I'm getting sick and tired of losing games by 1 f***ing goal. They only have the 3 Oshawa games where they lost by more than one goal (not including EN goals).

Anxiously waiting news on McGowan, he left after a collision with Eliasson, where he somehow took a penalty for holding the guy that was interfering with him. He briefly came back to serve the penalty after the teddy bear toss but then I didn't see him after that.

Velliaris had awful awareness on the second goal, with the puck in the corner he backed into covering the far post without even looking where the Barrie guy was, and sure enough he was wide open in the slot for the one timer.

If McGowan misses extended time, they'll need to sign another D - Pieniniemi will be gone likely next week so they'll be down to 5, with 2 of them having played mostly quite sheltered minutes this far.

I liked what Mann did with the 4th line guys - rolling them through the top 3 lines one at a time. It lets the young guys get some confidence and experience playing with some older/more skilled players.

Absolutely awful reffing all game, I've never seen two linesmen on the same Blueline where one says no offside while the other one blows it down, McGowans hook was a stick lift and they missed a very blatant helmet removal by Miedema on Tiller - up and down across the board incompetence both ways.

Maybe a deadline acquistion will allow them to flip some of these one goal games in their favour - but those acquisitions will have to outpace the additions of the new teams, or else they'll still fall just short.
 
Chistoforo is west
Brauti leading the team Defence is getting a lot of looks
Kostuch West
Taylor Linemate on team

Also, I'm not sure if it's the way they wanted it, but you should notice that each team other than Sudbury and Oshawa has 2 players on the team.
 
This team is so damn frustrating to watch sometimes. I don't know how they fix it but I'm getting sick and tired of losing games by 1 f***ing goal. They only have the 3 Oshawa games where they lost by more than one goal (not including EN goals).

Anxiously waiting news on McGowan, he left after a collision with Eliasson, where he somehow took a penalty for holding the guy that was interfering with him. He briefly came back to serve the penalty after the teddy bear toss but then I didn't see him after that.

Velliaris had awful awareness on the second goal, with the puck in the corner he backed into covering the far post without even looking where the Barrie guy was, and sure enough he was wide open in the slot for the one timer.

If McGowan misses extended time, they'll need to sign another D - Pieniniemi will be gone likely next week so they'll be down to 5, with 2 of them having played mostly quite sheltered minutes this far.

I liked what Mann did with the 4th line guys - rolling them through the top 3 lines one at a time. It lets the young guys get some confidence and experience playing with some older/more skilled players.

Absolutely awful reffing all game, I've never seen two linesmen on the same Blueline where one says no offside while the other one blows it down, McGowans hook was a stick lift and they missed a very blatant helmet removal by Miedema on Tiller - up and down across the board incompetence both ways.

Maybe a deadline acquistion will allow them to flip some of these one goal games in their favour - but those acquisitions will have to outpace the additions of the new teams, or else they'll still fall just short.
Mif pack teams tend to lose them that way.

I agree that the deadline is going to make life interesting.

Did Uronen not get an invite also?

Look at it this way: the young guys are going to get lots of ice time, and most of the top teams are also losing players.

As to marketing as I have said it is a tough slog. Suggestion might be to give free parking or to give a free beer or such to everyone with a parking stub.

Part of the reason to move the arena there was so that downtown business could benefit. Are any of the businesses promoting or offering anything to fans.
 
Mif pack teams tend to lose them that way.

Did Uronen not get an invite also?
Midpack teams only lose close games? That makes no sense - Barrie has only lost by more than 1 ES goal 3 times, and Oshawa 4 times. If anything it's the opposite - it means they have been in every game, other than the 3 Oshawa games.

As far as I know Finland hasn't announced anything, I'm just talking about their absurd lack of D depth if Pieniniemi is gone for a couple weeks and McGowan is hurt.
 
Couple take aways:

We clearly need a top 4d. Maybe 2 if we want to be really deep. The top 4 of barrie tonight was amazing and we are very clearly outmatched. Burns and pieniniemi probably played literally half of the game or more.

We need a tough guy or two- barrie absolutely manhandled us tonight and it happened vs Oshawa too. London got under our skin but we didn’t even see Ryder Boulton. These are the teams we are chasing and they all have someone the opposing teams don’t want to mess with. McGowan is great but he isn’t much of a tough guy- he throws big hits and can fight whenever he does he never fights. Heyes is just a chihuahua he is all bark and no bite that’s definitely not a tough guy- burns has anger problems but isn’t a tough guy by any means- that’s your top 3 “tough guys”

I would go out and acquire a tough guy who can play top 9 minutes and a d man like Konnor smith on the back end that nobody wants to play against because of defence, checking, toughness, fighting, etc guy has it all. That would be a match made in heaven for the fronts imo

Lalonde is an alright/average goalie but a is nowhere near the Osters, Elliot’s, Hillebrandts, Ivankovic’s, Erlidens, Leenders etc. these are the teams we have to compete with and come playoff time I don’t feel comfortable with Lalonde going against these MUCH better goalies. I know he’s the hometown kid so all the fronts casuals wouldn’t like getting rid of him but a strong guy in net like Jackson Parsons would be amazing for the team.
 
Midpack teams only lose close games? That makes no sense - Barrie has only lost by more than 1 ES goal 3 times, and Oshawa 4 times. If anything it's the opposite - it means they have been in every game, other than the 3 Oshawa games.

As far as I know Finland hasn't announced anything, I'm just talking about their absurd lack of D depth if Pieniniemi is gone for a couple weeks and McGowan is hurt.

Couple take aways:

We clearly need a top 4d. Maybe 2 if we want to be really deep. The top 4 of barrie tonight was amazing and we are very clearly outmatched. Burns and pieniniemi probably played literally half of the game or more.

We need a tough guy or two- barrie absolutely manhandled us tonight and it happened vs Oshawa too. London got under our skin but we didn’t even see Ryder Boulton. These are the teams we are chasing and they all have someone the opposing teams don’t want to mess with. McGowan is great but he isn’t much of a tough guy- he throws big hits and can fight whenever he does he never fights. Heyes is just a chihuahua he is all bark and no bite that’s definitely not a tough guy- burns has anger problems but isn’t a tough guy by any means- that’s your top 3 “tough guys”

I would go out and acquire a tough guy who can play top 9 minutes and a d man like Konnor smith on the back end that nobody wants to play against because of defence, checking, toughness, fighting, etc guy has it all. That would be a match made in heaven for the fronts imo

Lalonde is an alright/average goalie but a is nowhere near the Osters, Elliot’s, Hillebrandts, Ivankovic’s, Erlidens, Leenders etc. these are the teams we have to compete with and come playoff time I don’t feel comfortable with Lalonde going against these MUCH better goalies. I know he’s the hometown kid so all the fronts casuals wouldn’t like getting rid of him but a strong guy in net like Jackson Parsons would be amazing for the team.
I am quoting both as they answser your question

Barrie and Oshawa are far from the pack. They have top-of-the-conference teams that are winners and have the coaching and players to know what is needed and to accomplish it.

Kingston really needs a lot, and although they should be tough down the stretch, I am not sure they will keep up with Oshawa for the top spot in the division.

As FF states, you guys are missing a few pieces. I'm not sure how you get them without doing major surgery or if you can even do it.

losing by 1 goal and winning by one goal is the difference between a top team and a mid-team.


Part of the issue also is that you do not have the leadership that has been in the tough games

It might have been different, but considering the Fronts were down 4-2, it was not a one-goal game. They were down 2 and got one of them back against a really good team.

Having McGowan out hurt a lot. At least with him in the lineup, you can rotate Pienemi Burns and McGowan.

The good side is that they matched Barrie in shots and faceoffs for the game and actually outshot them in the third.

You have 1 good line and went up against the top defensive team in the league take it with a grain of salt

1 goal losses 7
Oshawa
Ottawa (OT) 4-3 (en)
Brantford 3-2 (OT)
Niagara (OT)
London (SO)
Barrie

1 goal wins 5

Peterboroough x2
Ottawa x2
Oshawa

That is not bad
 
I am quoting both as they answser your question

Barrie and Oshawa are far from the pack. They have top-of-the-conference teams that are winners and have the coaching and players to know what is needed and to accomplish it.

Kingston really needs a lot, and although they should be tough down the stretch, I am not sure they will keep up with Oshawa for the top spot in the division.

As FF states, you guys are missing a few pieces. I'm not sure how you get them without doing major surgery or if you can even do it.

losing by 1 goal and winning by one goal is the difference between a top team and a mid-team.


Part of the issue also is that you do not have the leadership that has been in the tough games

It might have been different, but considering the Fronts were down 4-2, it was not a one-goal game. They were down 2 and got one of them back against a really good team.

Having McGowan out hurt a lot. At least with him in the lineup, you can rotate Pienemi Burns and McGowan.

The good side is that they matched Barrie in shots and faceoffs for the game and actually outshot them in the third.

You have 1 good line and went up against the top defensive team in the league take it with a grain of salt

1 goal losses 7
Oshawa
Ottawa (OT) 4-3 (en)
Brantford 3-2 (OT)
Niagara (OT)
London (SO)
Barrie

1 goal wins 5

Peterboroough x2
Ottawa x2
Oshawa

That is not bad
They have a lot of picks.

They don’t have to spend them all but if they want to make the second to even third round- they need to spend a good chunk.

My wish list from Santa (Kory cooper) is as follows: Trent Swick or Konnor Smith OA swap with Heyes and picks, Mitch Young (19y/o top 4 d) trade one of Moore/velliaris with picks, Jackson parsons OA swap with Lalonde and picks

Trent Swick that big body guy who we need and he has lots of skill too. If he’s gone then Konnor smith would be an amazing pick up. Maybe the biggest fish at the deadline though- provides that huge presence, hard hitting, sticking up for teammates and skill.

Complicates things though if ludwinski comes back I’m not sure they go for either and probably just the 3 guys down below- leaving them still without a big presence and a real tough guy to play against

Mitch young that top 4 d who can come back next year as a bonus if/when we sell off next year we can get the picks back in that deal for sure as he will be one of the top OA d if he doesn’t go NCAA. Also good size and can play rough.

Parsons a top 3-5 goalie in the league- with that we will be able to contend with the other top goalies in the east and league. Lalonde is far and away from those guys no offence to him.

Add these guys and I think we at the very least make it to the second round and make it close vs the Oshawa/barrie/london teams we inevitably have to face
 
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They have a lot of picks.

They don’t have to spend them all but if they want to make the second to even third round- they need to spend a good chunk.

My wish list from Santa (Kory cooper) is as follows: Trent Swick or Konnor Smith OA swap with Heyes and picks, Mitch Young (19y/o top 4 d) trade one of Moore/velliaris with picks, Jackson parsons OA swap with Lalonde and picks

Trent Swick that big body guy who we need and he has lots of skill too. If he’s gone then Konnor smith would be an amazing pick up. Maybe the biggest fish at the deadline though- provides that huge presence, hard hitting, sticking up for teammates and skill.

Complicates things though if ludwinski comes back I’m not sure they go for either and probably just the 3 guys down below- leaving them still without a big presence and a real tough guy to play against

Mitch young that top 4 d who can come back next year as a bonus if/when we sell off next year we can get the picks back in that deal for sure as he will be one of the top OA d if he doesn’t go NCAA. Also good size and can play rough.

Parsons a top 3-5 goalie in the league- with that we will be able to contend with the other top goalies in the east and league. Lalonde is far and away from those guys no offence to him.

Add these guys and I think we at the very least make it to the second round and make it close vs the Oshawa/barrie/london teams we inevitably have to face
Seems like some people on the Soo board think a trade only gets done with Hopkins, but I'd wonder if they completely blew their pick stash on a monster deal that had Lalonde, Heyes, one of Velliaris/Moore and then a TON of 2/3/4s for Gibson, Allard, and Schenkel. It'd basically be emptying their pick cupboard but it would definitely be interesting...
 
Seems like some people on the Soo board think a trade only gets done with Hopkins, but I'd wonder if they completely blew their pick stash on a monster deal that had Lalonde, Heyes, one of Velliaris/Moore and then a TON of 2/3/4s for Gibson, Allard, and Schenkel. It'd basically be emptying their pick cupboard but it would definitely be interesting...
Me personally I don’t like that trade AT ALL. Definitely can’t include Hopkins. Not sure if I like that even without Hopkins included- too pricey and nobody comes back next year.

I also don’t think schenkel is among the best goalies in the league. He’s better than Lalonde but I don’t think by much. Allard is good but not what we need. We need a big body and someone who can make the other teams think twice about running over our guys before Allard or ludwinski comes back- it’s been verh clear in the last 3 or 4 games we need a tough guy or big body.

We have other teams guys running over ours the whole game. McGowan is our “tough” guy but how would he fare against Boulton, O’Toole/Rogorowski (or potentially roobroeck too if he gets sent back), Eliasson/Aitcheson (he is a star but he’s a star that can throw hands and hit hard)

Gibson is great but would cost a crap ton. I’d like to get Swick, young and parsons done and I don’t even think they would cost as much, or much more as that crazy deal with the soo- and we would be better off too… AND keep Hopkins
 
Me personally I don’t like that trade AT ALL. Definitely can’t include Hopkins. Not sure if I like that even without Hopkins included- too pricey and nobody comes back next year.

I also don’t think schenkel is among the best goalies in the league. He’s better than Lalonde but I don’t think by much. Allard is good but not what we need. We need a big body and someone who can make the other teams think twice about running over our guys before Allard or ludwinski comes back- it’s been verh clear in the last 3 or 4 games we need a tough guy or big body.

We have other teams guys running over ours the whole game. McGowan is our “tough” guy but how would he fare against Boulton, O’Toole/Rogorowski (or potentially roobroeck too if he gets sent back), Eliasson/Aitcheson (he is a star but he’s a star that can throw hands and hit hard)

Gibson is great but would cost a crap ton. I’d like to get Swick, young and parsons done and I don’t even think they would cost as much, or much more as that crazy deal with the soo- and we would be better off too… AND keep Hopkins

Flint might be the place you want the Frontenacs to go shopping. Collins, Clattenburg, Kostov might be available for a fair offer. I think Kostov might be under appreciated, at least among Firebirds fans.
 
Me personally I don’t like that trade AT ALL. Definitely can’t include Hopkins. Not sure if I like that even without Hopkins included- too pricey and nobody comes back next year.

I also don’t think schenkel is among the best goalies in the league. He’s better than Lalonde but I don’t think by much. Allard is good but not what we need. We need a big body and someone who can make the other teams think twice about running over our guys before Allard or ludwinski comes back- it’s been verh clear in the last 3 or 4 games we need a tough guy or big body.

We have other teams guys running over ours the whole game. McGowan is our “tough” guy but how would he fare against Boulton, O’Toole/Rogorowski (or potentially roobroeck too if he gets sent back), Eliasson/Aitcheson (he is a star but he’s a star that can throw hands and hit hard)

Gibson is great but would cost a crap ton. I’d like to get Swick, young and parsons done and I don’t even think they would cost as much, or much more as that crazy deal with the soo- and we would be better off too… AND keep Hopkins
Oh yeah my trade is without Hopkins - as far as I'm concerned he's close to untradeable.

I have a bad feeling that Cooper won't move on from Lalonde knowing they just traded for him and that he's a local kid.

IMO next year should be a sell off year anyways so I'm less concerned with returnees, since Kingston already has several OA quality 05s.
 
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Me personally I don’t like that trade AT ALL. Definitely can’t include Hopkins. Not sure if I like that even without Hopkins included- too pricey and nobody comes back next year.

I also don’t think schenkel is among the best goalies in the league. He’s better than Lalonde but I don’t think by much. Allard is good but not what we need. We need a big body and someone who can make the other teams think twice about running over our guys before Allard or ludwinski comes back- it’s been verh clear in the last 3 or 4 games we need a tough guy or big body.

We have other teams guys running over ours the whole game. McGowan is our “tough” guy but how would he fare against Boulton, O’Toole/Rogorowski (or potentially roobroeck too if he gets sent back), Eliasson/Aitcheson (he is a star but he’s a star that can throw hands and hit hard)

Gibson is great but would cost a crap ton. I’d like to get Swick, young and parsons done and I don’t even think they would cost as much, or much more as that crazy deal with the soo- and we would be better off too… AND keep Hopkins

How about your bigger forwards that are also a part of your leadership group take a more active approach to using their size? It’s not like your forward group is small. They just play small.

Oh yeah my trade is without Hopkins - as far as I'm concerned he's close to untradeable.

I have a bad feeling that Cooper won't move on from Lalonde knowing they just traded for him and that he's a local kid.

IMO next year should be a sell off year anyways so I'm less concerned with returnees, since Kingston already has several OA quality 05s.

From a sell of perspective, you need tow big players to sell. Battaglia next year and Hopkins the year after. I think Peterborough has proven selling everything all at once is NOT the way to do it.
 
How about your bigger forwards that are also a part of your leadership group take a more active approach to using their size? It’s not like your forward group is small. They just play small.
I guess it depends on what is considered "big". Kingston has a lot of guys that I'd call average size - Miedema is the biggest at 6'4" 212, but other than him they only have one other forward over 6'1", and that's McNamara who doesn't have much weight to him at 183lbs.

I'm not 100% if you're trying to get at a specific player in the leadership group but for forwards it's Heyes, Guindon and Battaglia - Heyes and Guindon are small, and I don't think Kingston wants Battaglia, who's upper average in size, to sacrifice his skill to lay a couple hits. I'd rather he focus on the D side of the game - he got embarrassingly walked by Aitcheson last night on a play that I honestly think I could've played it better.

From a sell of perspective, you need tow big players to sell. Battaglia next year and Hopkins the year after. I think Peterborough has proven selling everything all at once is NOT the way to do it.
They'll also have a couple OAs that should have some value but agreed I don't want them selling both Battaglia and Hopkins next year I less they get some kind of absurd offer they can't turn down.

They'll have so many holes to fill that they'll be in trouble next year anyways.
 
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Flint might be the place you want the Frontenacs to go shopping. Collins, Clattenburg, Kostov might be available for a fair offer. I think Kostov might be under appreciated, at least among Firebirds fans.
Clattenburg and collins would be 2 great pickups. Could probably get a lot better OAs though instead of collins. I don’t have any interest in kostov- not sure why Kingston would trade for him. Isn’t he sort of a softer bigger player just like Miedema?

Clattenburg fills that “dont mess with us or you mess with him” role perfectly and can probably play middle 6. Really good call on him.

Still I’m not sure if flint would want to part with its players after trading for all these guys.
 
I guess it depends on what is considered "big". Kingston has a lot of guys that I'd call average size - Miedema is the biggest at 6'4" 212, but other than him they only have one other forward over 6'1", and that's McNamara who doesn't have much weight to him at 183lbs.
I agree and although they’re “big” they’re soft players that never play with an edge. They’re both 19 and besides the playoff series last year against NB Miedema has always been a pretty soft player. Sure once every few games he lays a nice hit but that is it. McNamara has had a few fights and barks lots at other teams but I don’t think he is a real leader- if he had uens’ leadership and will to defend teammates he would be perfect but he is the complete opposite imo. I don’t think either of these guys change the way that they’ve played their whole junior careers- probably too late for that
I'm not 100% if you're trying to get at a specific player in the leadership group but for forwards it's Heyes, Guindon and Battaglia - Heyes and Guindon are small, and I don't think Kingston wants Battaglia, who's upper average in size, to sacrifice his skill to lay a couple hits. I'd rather he focus on the D side of the game - he got embarrassingly walked by Aitcheson last night on a play that I honestly think I could've played it better.
I agree. Battaglia is horrible on d, he may be our best forward offensively (or Uronen) but when he is on the ice in OT I am shitting bricks.
They'll also have a couple OAs that should have some value but agreed I don't want them selling both Battaglia and Hopkins next year I less they get some kind of absurd offer they can't turn down.
I agree unless a guy like Parker vaughan/porter martone (some guy who is talented and a top 5 pick and on a good team playing reduced minutes) is available they have to keep Hopkins next year. Trade Battaglia though for sure.
 
I guess it depends on what is considered "big". Kingston has a lot of guys that I'd call average size - Miedema is the biggest at 6'4" 212, but other than him they only have one other forward over 6'1", and that's McNamara who doesn't have much weight to him at 183lbs.

I'm not 100% if you're trying to get at a specific player in the leadership group but for forwards it's Heyes, Guindon and Battaglia - Heyes and Guindon are small, and I don't think Kingston wants Battaglia, who's upper average in size, to sacrifice his skill to lay a couple hits. I'd rather he focus on the D side of the game - he got embarrassingly walked by Aitcheson last night on a play that I honestly think I could've played it better.


They'll also have a couple OAs that should have some value but agreed I don't want them selling both Battaglia and Hopkins next year I less they get some kind of absurd offer they can't turn down.

They'll have so many holes to fill that they'll be in trouble next year anyways.

I am talking more specifically about Miedema (who plays small) and Battaglia (who also plays small). Both may use size leverage for offensive opportunities but neither do anything to intimidate the opposition. McNamarra is also another player that I’d highlight.

Players don’t need to go out there looking to fight every shift but they should be out there stirring it up every shift. They don’t. If they aren’t trying to score, they skate around like pillows. A kid like Heyes has more fight in him than Battaglia and Miedema combined and that is a problem. You shouldn’t have to go out and acquire size that plays with size when you already have some size. Even McGowan at 6’0” 190 plays bigger than those forward by a mile.

And, I am sorry but I will disagree about Battaglia. You most certainly want him out there stirring it up. He is 6’1” 202. He is not small. The average size is 5’11” 180. He is well above average sized. Pinelli gets a lot of flack for nailing down an invite to team Canada but he got that invite specifically because he plays big. He goes out there and gets his nose dirty and he’s only 5’9” 170.

You don’t’ necessarily need to add size. Your players that are above average in size need to play like they are bigger and then the rest of the team would follow suit. If 5’11” 180 is average sized for forwards, you have ONE layer that would be considered “undersized” and that’s Pickell who plays a lot bigger than he is. Guindon at 5”10 182 is just about average for forwards. D-Men trend a bit bigger than the forwards overall.
 
I am talking more specifically about Miedema (who plays small) and Battaglia (who also plays small). Both may use size leverage for offensive opportunities but neither do anything to intimidate the opposition. McNamarra is also another player that I’d highlight.

Players don’t need to go out there looking to fight every shift but they should be out there stirring it up every shift. They don’t. If they aren’t trying to score, they skate around like pillows. A kid like Heyes has more fight in him than Battaglia and Miedema combined and that is a problem. You shouldn’t have to go out and acquire size that plays with size when you already have some size. Even McGowan at 6’0” 190 plays bigger than those forward by a mile.

And, I am sorry but I will disagree about Battaglia. You most certainly want him out there stirring it up. He is 6’1” 202. He is not small. The average size is 5’11” 180. He is well above average sized. Pinelli gets a lot of flack for nailing down an invite to team Canada but he got that invite specifically because he plays big. He goes out there and gets his nose dirty and he’s only 5’9” 170.

You don’t’ necessarily need to add size. Your players that are above average in size need to play like they are bigger and then the rest of the team would follow suit. If 5’11” 180 is average sized for forwards, you have ONE layer that would be considered “undersized” and that’s Pickell who plays a lot bigger than he is. Guindon at 5”10 182 is just about average for forwards. D-Men trend a bit bigger than the forwards overall.
Miedema admittedly I got caught up thinking how he was playing early into he year where he was playing the more power forward game that he did in the NB series last year but thinking about it he hasn't played like that in a while.

For Battaglia I guess it depends on the definition of stirring it up - I'd love him to be more physically engaged and throw a couple hits, but honestly I'd rather him focus on the defensive side of the game first - if the physicality comes with that then perfect.

I think a lot of it is my mindset that some players have that grit in them and some don't and it's not something that you can teach, so if someone doesn't naturally have that side of the game in them - good luck flipping that switch.
 
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Miedema admittedly I got caught up thinking how he was playing early into he year where he was playing the more power forward game that he did in the NB series last year but thinking about it he hasn't played like that in a while.

For Battaglia I guess it depends on the definition of stirring it up - I'd love him to be more physically engaged and throw a couple hits, but honestly I'd rather him focus on the defensive side of the game first - if the physicality comes with that then perfect.

I think a lot of it is my mindset that some players have that grit in them and some don't and it's not something that you can teach, so if someone doesn't naturally have that side of the game in them - good luck flipping that switch.

It is about confidence and the right coach to pull it out of the player. It is about teaching the boundaries and the subtle ways to be effective physically without being a wrecking ball.

You know you are going to get it back when you give it so a ot of times it is about being comfortable getting jabbed back. A player like Battaglia doesn’t’ engage because he doesn’t want to get hit in return. He isn’t a good enough player to not play to his size and play meaningful pro hockey. He needs to go through that process of getting hit and wanting to be engaged. He won’t be able to get away with the way he plays at the next level if he doesn’t start to engage physically. Mann needs to gradually get him to incorporate one physical aspect to his game every month and gradually get him comfortable with the physicality.
 
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