Kingston Frontenacs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[OMG67]

I guess it depends on how other all-in teams approach next year - Barrie has Beaudoin, Patterson and Aitcheson as an '06 core but will need to recoup assets. Oshawa will largely depend on Sennecke but will have Danford as well as a couple good OAs in Buckley and Sandhu - although goaltending might be an issue since Gravelle hasn't really impressed, but again will also need to recoup assets. Brampton has Martone, assuming he's back, but also has Ivankovic who can be an X-Factor.

I'd put Kingston's likely OAs up against anyone in the league (off the top of my head without looking around) but beyond that it could be dicey.

Hopefully they hit on both of their '09 firsts, the '08s impress with more ice-time/responsibility and Betts continues to be as advertised - then maybe they can be competitive in 2 years.

That’s why it is so grey for them.

 

[frontsfan67]

They aren’t going to mild sell. So the question really is whether a 15% increase in their chances of getting out of round 2 is worth blowing their brains out.

I don’t know how you get that number lol but picking up 3 or 4 players would make them serious contenders

I like blowing the brains out over just staying the same and knowing you’re out inevitably in round 2

 

[OMG67]

I don’t know how you get that number lol but picking up 3 or 4 players would make them serious contenders

I like blowing the brains out over just staying the same and knowing you’re out inevitably in round 2

3 or 4 players? That’s ambitious.

 

[dirty12]

3 or 4 players? That’s ambitious.

Barrie and Brampton have added four each already.
Brampton should still add an OA D to replace Leskovar and right shot versions of Aliriksson & LeFebvre, and maybe a goalie.

 

[Tarantula]

Barrie and Brampton have added four each already.
Brampton should still add an OA D to replace Leskovar and right shot versions of Aliriksson & LeFebvre, and maybe a goalie.

Sorry to hijack the thread but is Leskovar out for the season?

 

[zaluty]

3/4 week injury time table right from the get go. Was speaking with Tmann through text yesterday and I asked about him. Some stuff shaking up in Kingston should learn about it in the next few days

This was posted by AGranderson, if true it sounds big.

 

[dirty12]

Sorry to hijack the thread but is Leskovar out for the season?

Idk. I do think he is replaceable and should have been replaced when known his injury was more than day to day. He could have been kept as 4th OA too.

 

[frontsfan67]

3 or 4 players? That’s ambitious.

Not 3 or 4 team Canada players where you need a 16 year old FRP.

They have a lot of picks to burn also weir, Velliaris, Moore. They’re not the most valuable but a guy like Velliaris will be a big breakout player probably next year- has good defence and skating but 0 puck skills whatsoever and low IQ, if he works on these 2 things I can see him being a star in this league at 19/20

3/4 week injury time table right from the get go. Was speaking with Tmann through text yesterday and I asked about him. Some stuff shaking up in Kingston should learn about it in the next few days

This was posted by AGranderson, if true it sounds big.

Have been interested in certain players for a while now but nothing done as of yet obviously

They need 3 or 4 players. Can’t be a 1 or 2 deadline that won’t be good enough. If they use all their picks I couldn’t care less- just don’t be slightly better than average. Don’t settle for a second round exit.

 

[leafs4life94]

Have been interested in certain players for a while now but nothing done as of yet obviously

They need 3 or 4 players. Can’t be a 1 or 2 deadline that won’t be good enough. If they use all their picks I couldn’t care less- just don’t be slightly better than average. Don’t settle for a second round exit.

My only concern is where do all these new players slot in? Depth is already a strong suit.

1) Top 4 RD tonoush Velliaris/Moore out
2) OA upgrade to move Heyes out
3) Top 9 forward to push Pickell or McNamara down to the 4th
4) Goalie upgrade (OA or not).

I'm almost of the opposite mind, they need 2 high end players (one F one D) to match the high end players of Barrie and Oshawa - Kingston doesn't have anyone at the level of Ritchie/Sennecke or Wakely/Beaudoin.

If they can do that while also adding a 3rd line upgrade on Pickell/McNamara their third line of Pickell or McNamara/Uronen/upgrade is just as good if not better than any third line in the league except London.

 

[OMG67]

My only concern is where do all these new players slot in? Depth is already a strong suit.

1) Top 4 RD tonoush Velliaris/Moore out
2) OA upgrade to move Heyes out
3) Top 9 forward to push Pickell or McNamara down to the 4th
4) Goalie upgrade (OA or not).

I'm almost of the opposite mind, they need 2 high end players (one F one D) to match the high end players of Barrie and Oshawa - Kingston doesn't have anyone at the level of Ritchie/Sennecke or Wakely/Beaudoin.

If they can do that while also adding a 3rd line upgrade on Pickell/McNamara their third line of Pickell or McNamara/Uronen/upgrade is just as good if not better than any third line in the league except London.

I 100% agree with this. In a perfect World, Kingston would acquire Bowen, Gibson, and Allard. Release Lalonde.

I don’t think they can get Gibson without the ‘08 or a high ceiling ‘07. Trading Hopkins makes no sense. It would end up being a marginal upgrade. I’m not sure Andonovski is available. Are there any other attainable first pairing D-Men?

This is where a player like Mayich comes into play but I don’t think Boyd will move him unless the return was dumb. Something like Velliaris plus a 2nd and 3rd? Why would Kingston do that?

Could Kingston pull off a OVS/Romani deal? North Bay is weak on picks and just hit on Ryder Cali. I think they’d do a picks based deal for those two if the deal were right. You’d still need the D-Man but that is a big jolt to the offence. If you did that, it makes Heyes expendable and allows you to add the OA D-Man along with OVS. It could work. Add Bowen, release Lalonde and it all works. Maybe doable with minimal player movement and using only picks. In comes Romani, OVS, Mayich and Bowen. Out goes Heyes, Lalonde, Velliaris and a bunch of picks.

 

[leafs4life94]

I 100% agree with this. In a perfect World, Kingston would acquire Bowen, Gibson, and Allard. Release Lalonde.

I don’t think they can get Gibson without the ‘08 or a high ceiling ‘07. Trading Hopkins makes no sense. It would end up being a marginal upgrade. I’m not sure Andonovski is available. Are there any other attainable first pairing D-Men?

This is where a player like Mayich comes into play but I don’t think Boyd will move him unless the return was dumb. Something like Velliaris plus a 2nd and 3rd? Why would Kingston do that?

Could Kingston pull off a OVS/Romani deal? North Bay is weak on picks and just hit on Ryder Cali. I think they’d do a picks based deal for those two if the deal were right. You’d still need the D-Man but that is a big jolt to the offence. If you did that, it makes Heyes expendable and allows you to add the OA D-Man along with OVS. It could work. Add Bowen, release Lalonde and it all works. Maybe doable with minimal player movement and using only picks. In comes Romani, OVS, Mayich and Bowen. Out goes Heyes, Lalonde, Velliaris and a bunch of picks.

That's one I hadn't considered, but especially since by the sounds of it Barrie has moved on to Pinelli, if NB is looking to trade OVS and Romani as a package, I'm not sure who else all would be in on that.

I don't see Windsor or Kitchener spending that much with how young they are, London has made their big add in Allen, and I think Brantford may wait until next year to push all in. The big competition would be Brampton because they have an expendable OA in Lefebvre and the picks to get it done, and they're in the same spot as Kingston without an '08 first, although I do seem to remember hearing they're linked to Konnor Smith.

 

[frontsfan67]

I 100% agree with this. In a perfect World, Kingston would acquire Bowen, Gibson, and Allard. Release Lalonde.

I don’t think they can get Gibson without the ‘08 or a high ceiling ‘07. Trading Hopkins makes no sense. It would end up being a marginal upgrade. I’m not sure Andonovski is available. Are there any other attainable first pairing D-Men?

McCoy/Deangelis apparently. Someone said they may be available

Could Kingston pull off a OVS/Romani deal? North Bay is weak on picks and just hit on Ryder Cali. I think they’d do a picks based deal for those two if the deal were right. You’d still need the D-Man but that is a big jolt to the offence. If you did that, it makes Heyes expendable and allows you to add the OA D-Man along with OVS. It could work. Add Bowen, release Lalonde and it all works. Maybe doable with minimal player movement and using only picks. In comes Romani, OVS, Mayich and Bowen. Out goes Heyes, Lalonde, Velliaris and a bunch of picks.

OVS and Romani would be a GREAT move. If only for picks then this is what I’m talking about. Use whatever is needed to get them.

OVS is one of the most underrated and under appreciated stars in the league and is a jack of all trades player. Would be able to play top 6 on any team in the OHL.

Romani just scored 58 goals last year. Been slow producing this year but has been injured and also north bay has been struggling. I’d 100% expect him to break out of his “slump” with kingston. Look at Jason Robertsons final year in the OHL. Good numbers with Kingston. GREAT with Niagara. The difference of 2 teams.

then get Gillespie on Guelph if made available or target Bowen on the Pete’s. Draft picks and a young player such as weir could get this done.

I would then target McCoy and dangle Velliaris and remaining picks. I’m sure they’d take that.

With this you get a bonafide star in Romani, a great top 6 guy in Owen Van Steensel, a good top 4 RHD with McCoy and an upgrade in net with Gillespie/Bowen

 

[leafs4life94]

I think this is one of the very few times where there's an agreement on what would be a good idea lol

I'd have to wonder what a primarily picks trade for OVS/Romani would cost. 3 2s, 3 3s, a a couple 4s, Heyes and maybe Weir or one of the '07 D?

 

[GoFronts]

Since we're talking about it, here's SOME players that have been in rumours. How legit these rumours are definitely varies, but here they are nonetheless.

FWD
Luchanko, Musty, Allard, Clattenburg, Paquette, Romani, Van Steensel, Foster

DEF
Gibson, Ride, Young, Petrovski, Mania, Andonovski

G
Bowen, Parsons, Schenkel

The Fronts do need 3-4 players. One or two defensemen, an upgrade in net over Lalonde, and a gamebreaker to match Oshawa/Barrie. It's a huge ask.

As mentioned on here before, the Fronts also need to ship out McNamara. It's addition by subtraction at this point as he doesn't fit the room. I do think there will be additions of some of the names above, but in this day and age players have to want to come here. What happens?? I wish I knew. Going to be very interesting to see these things play out.

 

[leafs4life94]

Since we're talking about it, here's SOME players that have been in rumours. How legit these rumours are definitely varies, but here they are nonetheless.

FWD
Luchanko, Musty, Allard, Clattenburg, Paquette, Romani, Van Steensel, Foster

DEF
Gibson, Ride, Young, Petrovski, Mania, Andonovski

G
Bowen, Parsons, Schenkel

The Fronts do need 3-4 players. One or two defensemen, an upgrade in net over Lalonde, and a gamebreaker to match Oshawa/Barrie. It's a huge ask.

As mentioned on here before, the Fronts also need to ship out McNamara. It's addition by subtraction at this point as he doesn't fit the room. I do think there will be additions of some of the names above, but in this day and age players have to want to come here. What happens?? I wish I knew. Going to be very interesting to see these things play out.

The thing with McNamara is what is his value? There is a little bit of skill there but by the sounds of it there's an attitude problem from both Saginaw and Kingston, so will teams be willing to take him on?

They're lower on my wishlist but Ride did play minor with Soto, and Schenkel with Guindon so maybe that helps convince if those two are targets?

 

[GoFronts]

The thing with McNamara is what is his value? There is a little bit of skill there but by the sounds of it there's an attitude problem from both Saginaw and Kingston, so will teams be willing to take him on?

They're lower on my wishlist but Ride did play minor with Soto, and Schenkel with Guindon so maybe that helps convince if those two are targets?

Yeah, McNamara is a tough sell. He just can't be here after the deadline, I feel like it'll hurt more than help if he's here after Jan 10th. I feel like the ideal scenario would be a swap for a Paquette or a Foster but just use picks to offset it. Could potentially just sell the other team that hey it's only half a season and then you can just tell him he won't be here as an OA? Incredibly tough situation to navigate.

Ride would be nice just because of his size and ability in his own zone, something the Fronts desperately need. Beyond Burns and Pieniniemi there are a lot of inconsistencies. McGowan and Williamson are good, but inconsistent and neither are a good 3D for a contending team. If the Fronts could get Ride, Van Steensel and Romani in one big move that would be great, not sure how realistic that is though.

Schenkel would be an amazing upgrade but I feel like Bowen would be the way to go because it would be cheaper, but obviously riskier. His numbers are there to back it up that he's just playing in front of a bad team, but Schenkel definitely feels safer.

Also, I feel like it's worth noting how loved Heyes is in the room. Obviously I'm all for upgrading the team and the players should 110% feel the same way, but I've heard that he's insanely valuable in the room. In terms of on ice yes he's not the greatest OA and could be upgraded, but it COULD be a negative.

 

[leafs4life94]

Yeah, McNamara is a tough sell. He just can't be here after the deadline, I feel like it'll hurt more than help if he's here after Jan 10th. I feel like the ideal scenario would be a swap for a Paquette or a Foster but just use picks to offset it. Could potentially just sell the other team that hey it's only half a season and then you can just tell him he won't be here as an OA? Incredibly tough situation to navigate.

Ride would be nice just because of his size and ability in his own zone, something the Fronts desperately need. Beyond Burns and Pieniniemi there are a lot of inconsistencies. McGowan and Williamson are good, but inconsistent and neither are a good 3D for a contending team. If the Fronts could get Ride, Van Steensel and Romani in one big move that would be great, not sure how realistic that is though.

Schenkel would be an amazing upgrade but I feel like Bowen would be the way to go because it would be cheaper, but obviously riskier. His numbers are there to back it up that he's just playing in front of a bad team, but Schenkel definitely feels safer.

Also, I feel like it's worth noting how loved Heyes is in the room. Obviously I'm all for upgrading the team and the players should 110% feel the same way, but I've heard that he's insanely valuable in the room. In terms of on ice yes he's not the greatest OA and could be upgraded, but it COULD be a negative.

Ride, OVS and Romani for almost every single pick Kingston has, then acquire Bowen for a couple remaining picks maybe plus an 07, then they keep Heyes as a 3rd OA and Bowen/Vaccari in net.

This GM stuff is easy, I'm not sure why I'm not hired yet haha

 

[GoFronts]

Ride, OVS and Romani for almost every single pick Kingston has, then acquire Bowen for a couple remaining picks maybe plus an 07, then they keep Heyes as a 3rd OA and Bowen/Vaccari in net.

This GM stuff is easy, I'm not sure why I'm not hired yet haha

Miedema-Guindon-Romani
Battaglia-Hopkins-Soto
Van Steensel-Paquette (McNamara swap?) - Uronen
Pickell-Buttar-Heyes
Extras: Clark, Dervin (when he's available)

Burns-Ride
Pieniniemi-Williamson
McGowan-Uens
Extras: Moore or Velliaris, Mondoux

Bowen
Vaccari
Betts

Infinitely better. Depth, powerplay weapons, penalty kill specialists, all around just a way better roster. It's depressing that it feels like a pipe dream lol

 

[OMG67]

I think Bowen makes way too much sense for Kingston. He is better than Lalonde and frees up an OA spot. Cost? Maybe a 2nd and 5th? That seems to be the going rate for a middling starter.

I’m not sure OVS and Romani is the answer. The top priority is the defence so that needs to be resolved first and THEN figure out what you have left. I am also not sold on removing Heyes but if the upgrade is critical and significant enough then it is what it is.

 

[frontsfan67]

I think Bowen makes way too much sense for Kingston. He is better than Lalonde and frees up an OA spot. Cost? Maybe a 2nd and 5th? That seems to be the going rate for a middling starter.

I’m not sure OVS and Romani is the answer. The top priority is the defence so that needs to be resolved first and THEN figure out what you have left. I am also not sold on removing Heyes but if the upgrade is critical and significant enough then it is what it is.

I hope that Cooper pulls the plug on the Lalonde experience. Not confident he will though.

 

[zaluty]

If Cooper chooses friendship over what is best for the team, he should resign or be fired.

 

[frontsfan67]

If Cooper chooses friendship over what is best for the team, he should resign or be fired.

I agree. We will never win a championship without making those hard decisions

 

[PuckLucker]

If Cooper chooses friendship over what is best for the team, he should resign or be fired.

Now you're starting to peel back some layers and reveal some items I've had beef with since last year.

Troy Mann hired Oct. 27th, 2023
#29 acquired on Nov. 16th, 2023 (Two 3rds, 4th)
I've already posted about the family connection.

Now people are starting to ask about the GM's connection to #79.
@zaluty brings up a great point, is this franchise more about personal connections vs what's best for the team?

 

[PuckLucker]

Romani just scored 58 goals last year. Been slow producing this year but has been injured and also north bay has been struggling. I’d 100% expect him to break out of his “slump” with kingston. Look at Jason Robertsons final year in the OHL. Good numbers with Kingston. GREAT with Niagara. The difference of 2 teams.

Been slow producing? Slump?
Isn't 5 pts in 6 games decent? Romani hasn't played since #2 on Erie broke his clavicle Oct. 11

 

[zaluty]

Now you're starting to peel back some layers and reveal some items I've had beef with since last year.

Troy Mann hired Oct. 27th, 2023
#29 acquired on Nov. 16th, 2023 (Two 3rds, 4th)
I've already posted about the family connection.

Now people are starting to ask about the GM's connection to #79.
@zaluty brings up a great point, is this franchise more about personal connections vs what's best for the team?

I have no issue with a coach asking for a certain player because they know the family, player, etc. Happens all the time. Now once the player gets here, how does he perform? Can the coach unlock what he thinks the player has or does the player show the same traits as when he was playing on another team? Again the GM has to make that determination and tell the coach it isn't working and I am going to move him if the opportunity arises. What is best for the team should be Cooper's only concern and if it bruises a couple of people so be it. Winning cures all not being a buddy.