Kingston Frontenacs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[OMG67]

Idk, Karmiris is Romani waiting to happen imo. It’s too bad for them and Kingston that Barrie got Wakely. A start might be Allard C or Swick LW for Martone, then have Zidlicky & Rehkopf as wingers for Karmiris.
Like Kingston, it’s a bit late for reconfiguring. Moving Misa and MacDonell at this point …?

It is too early to panic. Again, they have Martone, MacDonnell, and KArmiris out of the lineup up front. That is a lot of firepower. Then add in Leskovar and Dagusica on defence and you have to admit that is a lot to overcome. Ivankovic with the suspension as well hurt.

I’m sure they will find their stride but I think we can see they are missing drive during adversity.

 

[dirty12]

It is too early to panic. Again, they have Martone, MacDonnell, and KArmiris out of the lineup up front. That is a lot of firepower. Then add in Leskovar and Dagusica on defence and you have to admit that is a lot to overcome. Ivankovic with the suspension as well hurt.

I’m sure they will find their stride but I think we can see they are missing drive during adversity.

No time to panic or make excuses. The steelheads chose not to take Sztuska. Martone missed one game where the steelheads were shellacked.
Niagara has been missing half of its’ top six for a couple of weeks, and Flores had the same suspension as Ivankovic.

 

[frontsfan67]

When the full lineup is in place, they are pretty good. Ivankovic is great. He was stoning Ottawa the day previous.

They have too many key players out of the lineup to really judge the team. Martone on suspension for his hit on MArrelli the day previous. Leskovar is a big loss for them. He is that back end General that makes opposing teams think twice about getting fancy. Of course MacDonnell is also a loss as is Karmiris. Dagusica is a bit of a loss as well on the back end. That is way too much out of the lineup, even for a strong team. Then factor in an open OA slot on top of all that.

The thing about Brampton is they are still relatively young. They lack true leadership and experience. Richmond needs to add two really strong leaders to that dressing room to assist Leskovar. Those guys don’t need to be elite. I have pointed to the type of leadership Spearing brought to the Petes during their run. HE was out of th lineup a good portion of the season and they seemed rudderless. He returns and provides stability. That is what the steelheads lack.

As of right now, Barrie is the clear front-runner with Oshawa potentially the 2nd team because they are top heavy and top heavy usually wins in the playoffs when healthy. But, Brampton is right there. The right savvy moves and they are in good shape. They have the draft picks to acquire the types of players they need.

Called this before the season started lol. Barrie and London in the finals is how I see things playing out.

 

[OMG67]

No time to panic or make excuses. The steelheads chose not to take Sztuska. Martone missed one game where the steelheads were shellacked.
Niagara has been missing half of its’ top six for a couple of weeks, and Flores had the same suspension as Ivankovic.

In fairness, Dagusica and Leskovar have played a combined total of 7 games this year. That does hurt the back end, especially when Leskovar is considered their leader in many respects. MacDonell and Karmiris have missed the last 6-8 games each.

I agree that all teams go through it but saying that requires a full season of analysis so all teams have gone through their rough patches. When we are only looking at a couple weeks under the microscope, we can point to injuries and short rosters etc as a meaningful reason why there has been some underachieving.

That all said, I think we agree there are more reasons than just that. But, because of those “other” reasons, these current reasons are even more difficult to overcome.

Maybe you can compare Wasslyn and Assadourian to Karmiris and MacDonell but I would suggest the latter two are more impactful players overall. And Niagara has not had any D-Men out anywhere near the level and impact of Brampton. It is probably a little disingenuous to compare the two. That said, with Niagara’s young lineup, they may be more impacted by the loss of players so it may even out in some respects but the back end is where Brampton is struggling. Leskovar is a main component that really has hurt them quite a lot.

Called this before the season started lol. Barrie and London in the finals is how I see things playing out.

Don’t get too far ahead of yourself. If Oshawa can make a couple savvy moves, they are the front runner IMO. They have the top end talent and in the playoffs, the top end talent usually wins.

 

[dirty12]

In fairness, Dagusica and Leskovar have played a combined total of 7 games this year. That does hurt the back end, especially when Leskovar is considered their leader in many respects. MacDonell and Karmiris have missed the last 6-8 games each.

I agree that all teams go through it but saying that requires a full season of analysis so all teams have gone through their rough patches. When we are only looking at a couple weeks under the microscope, we can point to injuries and short rosters etc as a meaningful reason why there has been some underachieving.

That all said, I think we agree there are more reasons than just that. But, because of those “other” reasons, these current reasons are even more difficult to overcome.

Maybe you can compare Wasslyn and Assadourian to Karmiris and MacDonell but I would suggest the latter two are more impactful players overall. And Niagara has not had any D-Men out anywhere near the level and impact of Brampton. It is probably a little disingenuous to compare the two. That said, with Niagara’s young lineup, they may be more impacted by the loss of players so it may even out in some respects but the back end is where Brampton is struggling. Leskovar is a main component that really has hurt them quite a lot.


Don’t get too far ahead of yourself. If Oshawa can make a couple savvy moves, they are the front runner IMO. They have the top end talent and in the playoffs, the top end talent usually wins.

I said it when I saw the lines for game 1 of the season; MacDonnell, Misa with Rehkopf and Martone as the true top line will be about as successful as Musty-Dvorak-Goyette.

 

[zaluty]

Is Kingston looking to trade now or waiting for the deadline? They could use another dman to eat up some minutes

 

[frontsfan67]

Is Kingston looking to trade now or waiting for the deadline? They could use another dman to eat up some minutes

I think it would be smart waiting until the deadline personally but not sure if they do this. You have more options this way and see more hockey played before making any moves you may regret.

 

[leafs4life94]

Looking through some rosters for potential D targets and one named that popped out as someone that could be a nice bottom 4 addition is Grayden Strohack from Peterborough - big guy, plays physical - but I'm not sure Peterborough would be willing to move him.

What if they managed to convince Cole Hutson to leave BU? That'd be an amazing free asset.

For a player they could get that's more on the realistic side - assuming my understanding is right that HC may allow BCHL exceptions to play this year - would be Andoni Fimis. Based on PIMs doesn't seem overly physical, but getting a 0.5PPG RD for free would be massive. He's not committed until 26-27 so he could play this year and next in Kingston before heading to U of Vermont.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Looking through some rosters for potential D targets and one named that popped out as someone that could be a nice bottom 4 addition is Grayden Strohack from Peterborough - big guy, plays physical - but I'm not sure Peterborough would be willing to move him.

What if they managed to convince Cole Hutson to leave BU? That'd be an amazing free asset.

For a player they could get that's more on the realistic side - assuming my understanding is right that HC may allow BCHL exceptions to play this year - would be Andoni Fimis. Based on PIMs doesn't seem overly physical, but getting a 0.5PPG RD for free would be massive. He's not committed until 26-27 so he could play this year and next in Kingston before heading to U of Vermont.

Could you imagine being the guy trying to convince him to leave BU to go to Peterborough? lmao

 

[leafs4life94]

Could you imagine being the guy trying to convince him to leave BU to go to Peterborough? lmao

Think about how incredible of a success story he could be - 15th round, undersized defenseman steps into the OHL and makes an impact. Movie producers would be lining up for miles to get the movie rights to that.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Think about how incredible of a success story he could be - 15th round, undersized defenseman steps into the OHL and makes an impact. Movie producers would be lining up for miles to get the movie rights to that.

I think you would have to drug the kid to get that decision signed off on.

 

[zaluty]

Could you imagine being the guy trying to convince him to leave BU to go to Peterborough? lmao

He was a 15th round pick of Kingston not Peterborough

 

[ScoutLife4]

He was a 15th round pick of Kingston not Peterborough

I don’t know why I typed Peterborough but I know that!
There is zero chance he comes to play in Kingston from BU.

 

[zaluty]

I don’t know why I typed Peterborough but I know that!
There is zero chance he comes to play in Kingston from BU.

But one can dream lol. Kingston drafted both brothers.

 

[leafs4life94]

But one can dream lol. Kingston drafted both brothers.

If we're going wild why not - convince Montreal to send Lane back to the OHL for his OA year.

WE'RE DREAMING BIG HERE PEOPLE!!!

 

[leafs4life94]

School day game #2 this year - Soto draws back in for Weir and Moore stays in for Velliaris - I think that's three in a row that Moore's played. Not that it makes much of a difference with how sparsely they play, but I'm getting the feeling that they're more comfortable with Moore.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Moore is definitely more reliable in their own end then Velliaris is.
Soto being back is good for the team against a Ottawa team that skates well.
Would like to see Kingston be a little more psychical in this school day game then they were in last weeks in kingston.

 

[leafs4life94]

There's still a little over a month until the players leave for the WJC but I'll be curious to see how they manage Pieniniemi's absence with him playing for Finland - unless they essentially run 4D they'll have to more minutes to either Moore or Velliaris.

Then if Burns gets a camp invite they could be quite short on the back-end for a handful of games.

 

[ScoutLife4]

There's still a little over a month until the players leave for the WJC but I'll be curious to see how they manage Pieniniemi's absence with him playing for Finland - unless they essentially run 4D they'll have to more minutes to either Moore or Velliaris.

Then if Burns gets a camp invite they could be quite short on the back-end for a handful of games.

I don't think you have to worry about Burns going.
You will also see other east seems with the same problem especially teams like Oshawa and Brampton.

 

[leafs4life94]

I don't think you have to worry about Burns going.
You will also see other east seems with the same problem especially teams like Oshawa and Brampton.

Agreed on Burns - he was at the summer camp so at least at one point he was on the radar but I'm not sure he's still on it.

Kingston gets lucky again with Oshawa - they play them twice over the WJC where they'll be without Ritchie, possibly Sennecke, maybe Marrelli? Then I have no idea if their two imports will make it.

 

[frontsfan67]

Glad it’s not just me that feels more comfortable with Moore in the back end.

Velliaris has been a disappointment this year imo. Should hopefully break out next year. He just looks pretty awkward out there right now.

Should get Pieniniemi back by about Jan 3/4/5 as I don’t see Finland doing anything in the WJC this year.

We play Oshawa Jan 3, barrie Jan 4 and north bay Jan 9 before the Canada guys come back probably. Players that COULD be out are Sennecke/Ritchie/Barlow for OSH, Aitcheson, Hillebrandt and Beaudoin for Barrie, Romani for North Bay.

I think the only ones of all these guys that make it however is Sennecke and Ritchie for Oshawa and then probably Hillebrandt for the Colts

 

[frontsfan67]

Gotta win today- have to split the school day games. Hopefully Ottawa is distracted by the screaming kids there and Kingston can capitalize just as Ottawa did back last Wednesday.

Owen Sound on Friday. We should definitely blow them out but Carter George is one of the best goalies in the league and I’m sure he will lessen the blow for them.

Oshawa Sunday. Hopefully they can play as well as they did on last friday which was probably their best game of the season. Can potentially go 3/3 this week but I think this is the game they lose unfortunately. 2/3 is pretty good too though.

 

[leafs4life94]

Oshawa Sunday. Hopefully they can play as well as they did on last friday which was probably their best game of the season. Can potentially go 3/3 this week but I think this is the game they lose unfortunately. 2/3 is pretty good too though.

Weird scheduling - Kingston only plays Oshawa once after the WJC, but they play another 4 times until Jan 3

 

[FrontalLobe]

Glad it’s not just me that feels more comfortable with Moore in the back end.

Velliaris has been a disappointment this year imo. Should hopefully break out next year. He just looks pretty awkward out there right now.

Should get Pieniniemi back by about Jan 3/4/5 as I don’t see Finland doing anything in the WJC this year.

We play Oshawa Jan 3, barrie Jan 4 and north bay Jan 9 before the Canada guys come back probably. Players that COULD be out are Sennecke/Ritchie/Barlow for OSH, Aitcheson, Hillebrandt and Beaudoin for Barrie, Romani for North Bay.

I think the only ones of all these guys that make it however is Sennecke and Ritchie for Oshawa and then probably Hillebrandt for the Colts

I agree with the Moore thing as well but it could be all relative. What I mean is that I've noticed when Moore is in the line up they basically run with 5 D and spot shift Moore here and there in positions to succeed and depending on the score of the game. Typically not more then two shifts per period. When Vellaris is in they tend to use all six to start and go with three pairings until there is like 3 mins or less left in periods of close games or until he throws a bad giveaway up and gets benched immediately. I think it's evident that we need another D but now I'm not as convinced that he needs to be a top tier guy with how well the main 5 have been playing. Yes it would be great but I would rather just add a reliable guy and try to get another big gun up front. Just need a 6th that they can trust to play and eat some minutes if some of our D are in penalty trouble, tired, have an injury, sick, etc. It's obvious they dont have a lot of trust in two above and I'm not sure Vellaris will ever pan into an every day OHL'er.

 

[frontsfan67]

Weird scheduling - Kingston only plays Oshawa once after the WJC, but they play another 4 times until Jan 3

Wow whoever did that sure was smart LOL. 7 times in the first half of a season. Wow. That’s 20 percent of their games from the first half of the season against 1 team.

I agree with the Moore thing as well but it could be all relative. What I mean is that I've noticed when Moore is in the line up they basically run with 5 D and spot shift Moore here and there in positions to succeed and depending on the score of the game. Typically not more then two shifts per period. When Vellaris is in they tend to use all six to start and go with three pairings until there is like 3 mins or less left in periods of close games or until he throws a bad giveaway up and gets benched immediately. I think it's evident that we need another D but now I'm not as convinced that he needs to be a top tier guy with how well the main 5 have been playing. Yes it would be great but I would rather just add a reliable guy and try to get another big gun up front. Just need a 6th that they can trust to play and eat some minutes if some of our D are in penalty trouble, tired, have an injury, sick, etc. It's obvious they dont have a lot of trust in two above and I'm not sure Vellaris will ever pan into an every day OHL'er.

Oh for sure. I’d like a good top 4 guy that could be back next year like a Bronson Ride then that obviously pushes guys like McGowan, uens and Williamson down