Kingston Frontenacs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[beastintheeast]

Why would they bring in a 4th overager and 2nd OA goalie?
That would make zero sense!

You're owner probably already has him listed on Craigs List for a subway platter.

Fl, Ores will stay at least until the deadline. There are too many OA goalies available right now.

Kingston doesn't need anyone extra what they need is for the playes they have to show up and play to their potential.

Not sure. Pie did not think this would be a cakewalk.

Also, agreethey need to put him with Uens and Burns with WilliamsonThat would give them 3 d pairings that should work

 

[OMG67]

Fl, Ores will stay at least until the deadline. There are too many OA goalies available right now.

Kingston doesn't need anyone extra what they need is for the playes they have to show up and play to their potential.

Not sure. Pie did not think this would be a cakewalk.

Also, agreethey need to put him with Uens and Burns with WilliamsonThat would give them 3 d pairings that should work

Personally, I think the Ice Dogs need to stop moving players and play with what they have. Keeping Flores will give them a solid net presence they need.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Personally, I think the Ice Dogs need to stop moving players and play with what they have. Keeping Flores will give them a solid net presence they need.

Exactly, They can be a middle of the pack team this season if they want to be.
Will Darren allow it or will he take a couple more sacks of cash is the question?

 

[frontsfan67]

0’s across the board for ludwinski today in pre season vs Minnesotas farm club

Played 3rd line mins

 

[leafs4life94]

Hemstrom signs with Bloomington of the ECHL, kinda surprised he didn't return home for good for him finding a spot over here.

Edit: I also saw on Facebook that the Fronts still went to Millhaven even though it supposed to be cancelled. Maybe they had a couple few days of practice? Either way theyve gotta turn it around this weekend..

 

[PuckLucker]

Agreed, I would have thought Hemmy would have stayed in Sweden. ECHL pay is $530 per week for rookies, certainly he can earn more at home but must feel the North American route is the way to go.

This weekend's games won't be much easier than the previous weekend. McIvor in NB already has a shutout this season and played well against the Fronts last year.

 

[frontsfan67]

Agreed, I would have thought Hemmy would have stayed in Sweden. ECHL pay is $530 per week for rookies, certainly he can earn more at home but must feel the North American route is the way to go.

This weekend's games won't be much easier than the previous weekend. McIvor in NB already has a shutout this season and played well against the Fronts last year.

530 American? Wow that’s ridiculous I would’ve thought they’d make make more than that

Yes North bay still has Romani, OVS etc they’re a great team right now still even without Wakely

Ottawa we gotta win. Went 7-0-1 vs them last year I believe. Very important weekend because we will either end up with a 3-2 record or a 1-4 record.

Isn’t going to be fun climbing out of the latter

 

[OMG67]

530 American? Wow that’s ridiculous I would’ve thought they’d make make more than that

Yes North bay still has Romani, OVS etc they’re a great team right now still even without Wakely

Ottawa we gotta win. Went 7-0-1 vs them last year I believe. Very important weekend because we will either end up with a 3-2 record or a 1-4 record.

Isn’t going to be fun climbing out of the latter

That’s the rookie salary when signing an ECHL contract. A lot of players sign two-way AHL deals where they may make more at the ECHL level. It is really tough for the players that only sign ECHL deals.

The other issue for those deals is they are only valid for the season so it is <$600 per week during the season but ZERO for the offseason.

 

[FrontalLobe]

That’s the rookie salary when signing an ECHL contract. A lot of players sign two-way AHL deals where they may make more at the ECHL level. It is really tough for the players that only sign ECHL deals.

The other issue for those deals is they are only valid for the season so it is <$600 per week during the season but ZERO for the offseason.

Another thing to keep in mind though is that most teams have ways to provide free accommodations or very cheap if not free, and many teams have sponsors and/or boosters that own restaurants and let the players eat for free, so not a lot of expenses. And a chance to be seen more by AHL clubs for potential call ups/try outs.

 

[OMG67]

Another thing to keep in mind though is that most teams have ways to provide free accommodations or very cheap if not free, and many teams have sponsors and/or boosters that own restaurants and let the players eat for free, so not a lot of expenses. And a chance to be seen more by AHL clubs for potential call ups/try outs.

100%. I was going to add the accommodations part but I have been separated form the inner workings of the ECHL for around ten years now and I am not 100% familiar with how the perks have evolved since then.

The players typically need to work other jobs in the offseason unlike the AHL guys but they are mostly taken care of similarly to Junior players. It is not dissimilar to the North American Import players in the European leagues. Many of them get accommodations, a vehicle and other perks.

 

[FrontalLobe]

Just posted on Oshawa thread!

 

[OHL4Life]

you guys can’t think you can win this year

 

[frontsfan67]

you guys can’t think you can win this year

oh believe me I don’t think that but I don’t make the moves

Need a lot of work done to be put in a conversation when teams like Oshawa, Brampton, barrie

With players dwindling down it’s now or never for the fronts to make a big push for some players otherwise they should do a light sell

 

[OMG67]

View attachment 912023
Just posted on Oshawa thread!

Man! That is a heavy, heavy, heavy trade package.

 

[zaluty]

When is the 14 day period for Chromiak over?

 

[frontsfan67]

When is the 14 day period for Chromiak over?

I assume the 9th? That would be 14 days after the first drop of the puck this season since Saginaw and Windsor played on September 25th opening day

 

[leafs4life94]

We're only three games and one week into the season so I don't want to go full doom and gloom but it feels like Kingston is going to end up in purgatory again - not good enough to make a push, not bad enough to pick high.

Looking at their draft cupboard, their 2025 picks are actually quite bare (acknowledging they have two 1sts):

I've said before they don't have a hope of competing next year based on who they lose, so then we turn to 26-27 - and so much can change in terms of roster makeup by then who knows where they'll be at. If it looks like they can compete in 26-27, I can't imagine they'll want to be making 3 2nd round picks the year before, those picks will likely be pushed back as assets.

 

[FrontalLobe]

We're only three games and one week into the season so I don't want to go full doom and gloom but it feels like Kingston is going to end up in purgatory again - not good enough to make a push, not bad enough to pick high.

Looking at their draft cupboard, their 2025 picks are actually quite bare (acknowledging they have two 1sts):
View attachment 912044

I've said before they don't have a hope of competing next year based on who they lose, so then we turn to 26-27 - and so much can change in terms of roster makeup by then who knows where they'll be at. If it looks like they can compete in 26-27, I can't imagine they'll want to be making 3 2nd round picks the year before, those picks will likely be pushed back as assets.

Can't really blame you on the full doom and gloom comment bc you are not far off. So disappointing. You can't say this is your all in year and then not prepare for it. Ludwinski should have been moved at the deadline last year and we wasted several picks on OA's last year. Spare me the "but we just flipped the Budnick picks." But we could have kept our picks and not traded for Holmes and Schmidt who were merely rental players - esp Schmidt for a couple months. Make that make sense to me. Yes they were wasted. We weren't winning last year. Can someone remind me what we currently have as the return for moving Shane Wright? Furthermore, I think our scouting staff needs to be revamped in a big way. We seem to be missing every year where other teams picking after us seem to get it. From the 2004 age draft on - it has been a disaster. Just look at the drafts and the players we could have had and missed out on. I don't even see it being better in 26-27 unless willing to sell at the deadline this year and during the summer with our abundance of 05's.

 

[frontsfan67]

Can't really blame you on the full doom and gloom comment bc you are not far off. So disappointing. You can't say this is your all in year and then not prepare for it. Ludwinski should have been moved at the deadline last year and we wasted several picks on OA's last year. Spare me the "but we just flipped the Budnick picks." But we could have kept our picks and not traded for Holmes and Schmidt who were merely rental players - esp Schmidt for a couple months. Make that make sense to me. Yes they were wasted. We weren't winning last year. Can someone remind me what we currently have as the return for moving Shane Wright? Furthermore, I think our scouting staff needs to be revamped in a big way. We seem to be missing every year where other teams picking after us seem to get it. From the 2004 age draft on - it has been a disaster. Just look at the drafts and the players we could have had and missed out on. I don't even see it being better in 26-27 unless willing to sell at the deadline this year and during the summer with our abundance of 05's.

I agree have to either decide to go all in this year or sell. Can’t just stand pat

My opinion-

Trade burns at deadline for a 16 year old if you can get one. If not trade him for a decent 17/18 year old d man that will be on the team next year. Then trade one of Miedema/soto (Miedema is the obvious one to me) for some extra picks and with the rest of them stand pat.

Doing this- Williamson will get more minutes and hopefully continue his development- same with McGowan since someone would have to fill in for the top line after burns leaves- those are the 2 that have impressed me so far.

Trading Miedema for extra picks would help for next year and try and land a 2025 second since we don’t have one right now. Also would push weir/buttar/kelly up the lineup. With whoever it is- extra minutes and playing with better players against other teams top 6 will help their development largely.

Next year they have 2 first rounders to trade if they want (don’t have to trade either, could just trade 1 if need be) and an abundance of picks along with Battaglia, Hopkins having another year of development. OAs to choose from- Soto, vaccari(could upgrade if need be), McGowan, uens.

Highest we finish this year imo is 4th but could finish 5th/6th depending on what we do and a couple other teams. Regardless we’re out in second round. Don’t think we should plan on going for it really just to get 1 more week of hockey and the end of the season

 

[PuckLucker]

Can't really blame you on the full doom and gloom comment bc you are not far off. So disappointing. You can't say this is your all in year and then not prepare for it. Ludwinski should have been moved at the deadline last year and we wasted several picks on OA's last year. Spare me the "but we just flipped the Budnick picks." But we could have kept our picks and not traded for Holmes and Schmidt who were merely rental players - esp Schmidt for a couple months. Make that make sense to me. Yes they were wasted. We weren't winning last year. Can someone remind me what we currently have as the return for moving Shane Wright? Furthermore, I think our scouting staff needs to be revamped in a big way. We seem to be missing every year where other teams picking after us seem to get it. From the 2004 age draft on - it has been a disaster. Just look at the drafts and the players we could have had and missed out on. I don't even see it being better in 26-27 unless willing to sell at the deadline this year and during the summer with our abundance of 05's.

Now we're talking about the elephant in the room.
Ownership, GM, Coaching and Scouting staff are not cutting it.

How does a team go from attempting to host the Memorial Cup, loading up on players from 2005 birth year and then slowly trading players away and striving for .500 hockey?

Last year at the trade deadline the team was in 7th place... Read that again.
We kept our Captain, upgraded 2 defensemen and finished the regular season in 7th place. All that to win 1 playoff game and make 1 goalie play 59 regular season games.

I know it's easy to be an armchair Coach & GM on this site but this organization has to do better.

 

[OMG67]

Now we're talking about the elephant in the room.
Ownership, GM, Coaching and Scouting staff are not cutting it.

How does a team go from attempting to host the Memorial Cup, loading up on players from 2005 birth year and then slowly trading players away and striving for .500 hockey?

Last year at the trade deadline the team was in 7th place... Read that again.
We kept our Captain, upgraded 2 defensemen and finished the regular season in 7th place. All that to win 1 playoff game and make 1 goalie play 59 regular season games.

I know it's easy to be an armchair Coach & GM on this site but this organization has to do better.

You forgot to mention Dubois….

 

[frontsfan67]

You forgot to mention Dubois….

Which actually pushed one of our younger talented players out of the organization too(frasca)

If we go out and get Wakely and who knows who else I’m hoping that doesn’t happen with Hopkins. Younger talented players in their draft years getting reduced minutes doesn’t bode well usually.

 

[Truthking]

Now we're talking about the elephant in the room.
Ownership, GM, Coaching and Scouting staff are not cutting it.

How does a team go from attempting to host the Memorial Cup, loading up on players from 2005 birth year and then slowly trading players away and striving for .500 hockey?

Last year at the trade deadline the team was in 7th place... Read that again.
We kept our Captain, upgraded 2 defensemen and finished the regular season in 7th place. All that to win 1 playoff game and make 1 goalie play 59 regular season games.

I know it's easy to be an armchair Coach & GM on this site but this organization has to do better.

Who gets fired first? Shanahan, cooper or Atkins and Shapiro for the jays.
For a team that was supposed to compete for a title this year and last, it looks like they will have not won a playoff round. Embarrassing.

 

[beastintheeast]

Who gets fired first? Shanahan, cooper or Atkins and Shapiro for the jays.
For a team that was supposed to compete for a title this year and last, it looks like they will have not won a playoff round. Embarrassing.

Battaglia McNamara (OA)Weier
Miedema (OA) Hopkins Soto
Buttar
Kelly
draft

You lose Guindon, Uronen and Pickel Not really a tot of loss

McGowan (OA) Williamson
Vellaris Moore


goal tending

Vaccari (OA)

I think Cooper just like Boyd got caught in the slowness of teams to take a stand in the division last year and had dreams of sneaking into the M Cup.

I know probably not popular but I think the best alternative to this team is to build to be a legitimate host of the 2027 M Cup.

 

[PuckLucker]

Which actually pushed one of our younger talented players out of the organization too(frasca)

If we go out and get Wakely and who knows who else I’m hoping that doesn’t happen with Hopkins. Younger talented players in their draft years getting reduced minutes doesn’t bode well usually.

100%
I'm actually surprised #91 hasn't asked for a trade after last season and very little opportunity as a high 1st round OHL pick.
In the game vs Niagara, I think #22 had 8-10 shifts and #73 barely played - maybe 6 shifts??. I know some regular posters are high on the Head Coach but very soon agents won't send their players to play in Kingston and established players have asked out.
Not a good look.