Saginaw Spirit 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Kingpin794]

Does Saginaw “need” Beck?

Yes. Everyone needs Beck because he’s a really good hockey player. There ya go.

 

[Petes1987]

I think Saginaw can handle all of the required acquisitions with draft picks. I don’t think you need guys like Nelson. I don’t think you really need to part with Young. You are fine down the middle, you have a goalie, and two top D-Men.

I think a winger like Stonehouse in Ottawa that is a complete pest that can score, a solid defensive D-Man with size like Smith in Peterborough, plus a depth centre that can play wing like Gavin Bryant in Niagara could all potentially be had for draft picks. That would round out the roster nicely.

Adding guys like Beck, Nelson, Barlow etc, would be overkill on a roster that is already solid from a foundation perspective. Time to just round out the roster. Maybe adding Barlow would be the guy if you wanted to move Young but I really don’t think it is needed, at all.

I would not say that Konnor Smith could be had for only draft picks. The Petes need to add younger players in addition to draft picks.

 

[Kingpin794]

USA WJC invites came out today. Oke left off. Can understand why they went with an 05 for their third goalie. Sucks for Oke but this is going to motivate him to show them what they missed.

 

[OMG67]

Yes. Everyone needs Beck because he’s a really good hockey player. There ya go.

That’s a very obtuse way of looking at it. There will likely be a lot of very good hockey players available. DiVin is likely available and although his numbers have suffered this year, he is likely one of the best goalies out there. Why not go get him too? How about Nelson if he is available? The best D-Man in the league. He’s the best so obviously you need him.

But, what if you need size and steadiness on the back end? Does that mean you go get Nelson? No.

What does Saginaw NEED? Not jsut look at the best players and suggest it is obvious that that guy is needed because he’s good.

 

[Kingpin794]

That’s a very obtuse way of looking at it. There will likely be a lot of very good hockey players available. DiVin is likely available and although his numbers have suffered this year, he is likely one of the best goalies out there. Why not go get him too? How about Nelson if he is available? The best D-Man in the league. He’s the best so obviously you need him.

But, what if you need size and steadiness on the back end? Does that mean you go get Nelson? No.

What does Saginaw NEED? Not jsut look at the best players and suggest it is obvious that that guy is needed because he’s good.

I was being obtuse because I already went over why adding Beck would meet our needs and yet you keep going "what do we need?".

 

[dirty12]

Does Saginaw “need” Beck?

I really don’t know what Saginaw really needs to be honest.
But I’m pretty sure a 1-2 of Sapovaliv-Beck would not be beat.

For that you can move Haight to the wing; and guessing here, possibly the best top six.
Being 3-4 lines deep is great. Having the best top six is better imo.

I would not say that Konnor Smith could be had for only draft picks. The Petes need to add younger players in addition to draft picks.

Something like a 3rd-4th round ‘06 D plus 5, 6 picks?
That might be too much, and reason NB went out their way to sign a jrB player with a similar skill set

 

[Petes1987]

I really don’t know what Saginaw really needs to be honest.
But I’m pretty sure a 1-2 of Sapovaliv-Beck would not be beat.

For that you can move Haight to the wing; and guessing here, possibly the best top six.
Being 3-4 lines deep is great. Having the best top six is better imo.




Something like a 3rd-4th round ‘06 D plus 5, 6 picks?
That might be too much, and reason NB went out their way to sign a jrB player with a similar skill set

You really under estimate the value Konnor Smith brings to a team. He is a big physical defensive defenceman teams do not want to play against. To compare him to a Jr B player is totally off base.

 

[dirty12]

You really under estimate the value Konnor Smith brings to a team. He is a big physical defensive defenceman teams do not want to play against. To compare him to a Jr B player is totally off base.

Can I compare Smith to Smyth, Smith, and Schmidt? Is his skill-set unique or rare?

 

[frontsfan67]

Can I compare Smith to Smyth, Smith, and Schmidt? Is his skill-set unique or rare?

Schmidt and smith are definitely very comparable. Smyth is not imo. Nowhere near the skill level of the other 2.

You really under estimate the value Konnor Smith brings to a team. He is a big physical defensive defenceman teams do not want to play against. To compare him to a Jr B player is totally off base.

Hate to break it to you Pete’s but not every player you have will get you a stud 06/07 lol. Smith will be picks and conditional picks if he returns next year

 

[OMG67]

I was being obtuse because I already went over why adding Beck would meet our needs and yet you keep going "what do we need?".

You are the authority for the entire fanbase? No one else has any thoughts?

I respect your opinion for sure. But, maybe someone else has one that they want to share?

 

[OMG67]

I really don’t know what Saginaw really needs to be honest.
But I’m pretty sure a 1-2 of Sapovaliv-Beck would not be beat.

For that you can move Haight to the wing; and guessing here, possibly the best top six.
Being 3-4 lines deep is great. Having the best top six is better imo.




Something like a 3rd-4th round ‘06 D plus 5, 6 picks?
That might be too much, and reason NB went out their way to sign a jrB player with a similar skill set

Maybe I am reading it wrong, but are you saying Smith is worth an ‘06 middling D-Man plus 5 or 6 picks? He’s not Arbor Xhekaj. That is probably a little too rich.

If Smyth is available out of Ottawa, I am thinking more like a 3rd and 5th MAX. Different player and impact though but still. I find that assessment on Konnor Smith to be excessive. I’d think more like a 2nd and 3rd plus a deeper pick like around a 5th. And that is not picks in 2024 either. Probably 2025-2026 picks. Maybe add conditional picks for an OA season similar to what they did with Hache last year? Unless you mean adding conditional picks totalling 5-6 picks Based on his return for an OA season?

 

[Kingpin794]

You are the authority for the entire fanbase? No one else has any thoughts?

I respect your opinion for sure. But, maybe someone else has one that they want to share?

I am certainly not. Lord knows i'm wrong every year about plenty.

I just thought your opinion that Beck is a waste of assets and not what we need is a bad opinion so I'm giving you a bit of a hard time.

 

[OMG67]

I am certainly not. Lord knows i'm wrong every year about plenty.

I just thought your opinion that Beck is a waste of assets and not what we need is a bad opinion so I'm giving you a bit of a hard time.

All good. I respect the opinion for sure because I don’t disagree he is a great player. My thought is only that if you need a winger (or two), maybe there is more value in looking at wingers. Or a winger and an impactful D-Man.

Odds are pretty good there will be impactful players at all positions available and some with varying skill sets that may complement the roster better.

I’m not saying Stonehouse is available out of Ottawa but he is a more unique winger that crashes the net, yaps in everyone’s faces, pisses off the opposition, draws penalties, scores 30+ goals and is an undrafted free agent signing for Edmonton which is a rare feat. Maybe looking to add an element like that would be more important depending on whether the team has enough of that type of player.

Maybe it is more of a shut down big body winger or D-Man?

It is easy to simply target the best available player and suggest that’s the guy you need but I am trying to understand what your true needs are. Hockey elements, not specific players. IMO, you are really good down the middle. Any additions down the middle would make a marginal impact. Even moving Haight to the wing is an option but would Haight be a better winger than another player available? Who knows? Maybe.

I think Beck is a waste of assets for Saginaw Because of the roster construction on Saginaw. Would he make the team better? Yes. Without a doubt. Are there other players that could make the team jsut as good at a cheaper price? Maybe. Who would those guys potentially be? Who else interests you for this roster?

It is a discussion forum. Discuss. Don’t just shut it down like the one and only option is “X” player. That’s is far too boring!

 

[Kingpin794]

All good. I respect the opinion for sure because I don’t disagree he is a great player. My thought is only that if you need a winger (or two), maybe there is more value in looking at wingers. Or a winger and an impactful D-Man.

Odds are pretty good there will be impactful players at all positions available and some with varying skill sets that may complement the roster better.

I’m not saying Stonehouse is available out of Ottawa but he is a more unique winger that crashes the net, yaps in everyone’s faces, pisses off the opposition, draws penalties, scores 30+ goals and is an undrafted free agent signing for Edmonton which is a rare feat. Maybe looking to add an element like that would be more important depending on whether the team has enough of that type of player.

Maybe it is more of a shut down big body winger or D-Man?

It is easy to simply target the best available player and suggest that’s the guy you need but I am trying to understand what your true needs are. Hockey elements, not specific players. IMO, you are really good down the middle. Any additions down the middle would make a marginal impact. Even moving Haight to the wing is an option but would Haight be a better winger than another player available? Who knows? Maybe.

I think Beck is a waste of assets for Saginaw Because of the roster construction on Saginaw. Would he make the team better? Yes. Without a doubt. Are there other players that could make the team jsut as good at a cheaper price? Maybe. Who would those guys potentially be? Who else interests you for this roster?

It is a discussion forum. Discuss. Don’t just shut it down like the one and only option is “X” player. That’s is far too boring!

The wings actually available aren't that amazing. Like Gavin Hayes would be a sweet add but no chance that deal happens. Owen Sound isn't moving Barlow this year. Romani would be fantastic but probably not getting moved this year either. Luke Torrance would be a cheaper add that could work out. Sam Alfano might be decent cheaper option too. Xhekaj is solid but don't need someone that takes penalties. Overall it's just a meh crop at wing.

 

[dirty12]

Maybe I am reading it wrong, but are you saying Smith is worth an ‘06 middling D-Man plus 5 or 6 picks? He’s not Arbor Xhekaj. That is probably a little too rich.

If Smyth is available out of Ottawa, I am thinking more like a 3rd and 5th MAX. Different player and impact though but still. I find that assessment on Konnor Smith to be excessive. I’d think more like a 2nd and 3rd plus a deeper pick like around a 5th. And that is not picks in 2024 either. Probably 2025-2026 picks. Maybe add conditional picks for an OA season similar to what they did with Hache last year? Unless you mean adding conditional picks totalling 5-6 picks Based on his return for an OA season?

Not sure how you to that conclusion when I suggested NB may have signed a jrB D because a 3rd or 4th round ‘06 D plus 5, 6 picks might be too much for K.Smith.
(5, 6) picks not (5-6) picks

 

[dirty12]

All good. I respect the opinion for sure because I don’t disagree he is a great player. My thought is only that if you need a winger (or two), maybe there is more value in looking at wingers. Or a winger and an impactful D-Man.

Odds are pretty good there will be impactful players at all positions available and some with varying skill sets that may complement the roster better.

I’m not saying Stonehouse is available out of Ottawa but he is a more unique winger that crashes the net, yaps in everyone’s faces, pisses off the opposition, draws penalties, scores 30+ goals and is an undrafted free agent signing for Edmonton which is a rare feat. Maybe looking to add an element like that would be more important depending on whether the team has enough of that type of player.

Maybe it is more of a shut down big body winger or D-Man?

It is easy to simply target the best available player and suggest that’s the guy you need but I am trying to understand what your true needs are. Hockey elements, not specific players. IMO, you are really good down the middle. Any additions down the middle would make a marginal impact. Even moving Haight to the wing is an option but would Haight be a better winger than another player available? Who knows? Maybe.

I think Beck is a waste of assets for Saginaw Because of the roster construction on Saginaw. Would he make the team better? Yes. Without a doubt. Are there other players that could make the team jsut as good at a cheaper price? Maybe. Who would those guys potentially be? Who else interests you for this roster?

It is a discussion forum. Discuss. Don’t just shut it down like the one and only option is “X” player. That’s is far too boring!

Thing is, two Stonehouse(s) do not equal Beck. Beck impacts every aspect of the OHL game for 21-23 min/game

 

[OMG67]

Not sure how you to that conclusion when I suggested NB may have signed a jrB D because a 3rd or 4th round ‘06 D plus 5, 6 picks might be too much for K.Smith.
(5, 6) picks not (5-6) picks

Phew. OK. That makes sense. That is why I asked. All good now!

The wings actually available aren't that amazing. Like Gavin Hayes would be a sweet add but no chance that deal happens. Owen Sound isn't moving Barlow this year. Romani would be fantastic but probably not getting moved this year either. Luke Torrance would be a cheaper add that could work out. Sam Alfano might be decent cheaper option too. Xhekaj is solid but don't need someone that takes penalties. Overall it's just a meh crop at wing.

I think the thing is we don’t have a sense of who is buying and who is selling. Once we have that more clearly nailed down, we can assess better.

 

[dirty12]

Phew. OK. That makes sense. That is why I asked. All good now!



I think the thing is we don’t have a sense of who is buying and who is selling. Once we have that more clearly nailed down, we can assess better.

I honestly think only sellers matter. If only a few sellers, the few big prizes will go to the host or top contender or London ... If there are many sellers, Flint and Sudbury may be able to make a huge splash.

 

[donjohnson]

If Flint wants to make a splash they need to upgrade goaltending (like getting Dom D)... That's what kept Flint and Windsor out of future rounds of the playoffs... Both of them should have tried to deal for Lennox (especially Windsor)... Lennox was the reason we beat Flint and then had competitive games against sarnia...Hopefully oke learned from that and can do it this year.

Saginaw needs a top 4 defenseman with a blast shot and muscle around the net and a big scorer who can control and skate with the puck... I honestly think that's all we need.

I'm just so interested to see what Kitchener is going to do...if they stand pat, how do they stand up against a Saginaw team (after they add)? The series is 1-1 this year but both were missing players so we won't see a full matchup until Jan 4th

 

[RangerNation]

I'm just so interested to see what Kitchener is going to do...if they stand pat, how do they stand up against a Saginaw team (after they add)? The series is 1-1 this year but both were missing players so we won't see a full matchup until Jan 4th

And depending on what Mackenzie does, we may never get a true clash of the leaders. 4th is awfully close to the trade deadline.

 

[Petes1987]

I honestly think only sellers matter. If only a few sellers, the few big prizes will go to the host or top contender or London ... If there are many sellers, Flint and Sudbury may be able to make a huge splash.

I don’t think London will be acquiring any of the big names. They only have two, 2nds in the next four drafts and both are in the 2026 draft, they don’t have any 16 or 17 year old players drafted in the 1st round that they are willing to trade and they are usually reluctant to trade any of their other good 17 years old players. The days are gone when many top players only wanted to be traded to London. There are now many other teams that they will accept a trade to and these teams are willing to offer more than London does.

 

[OHL4Life]

I would not say that Konnor Smith could be had for only draft picks. The Petes need to add younger players in addition to draft picks.

what did you say about lockhart?

 

[donjohnson]

I keep waiting for us to make up ground on Kitchener but those 4 games in hand are crazy...seems odd to me that at the Christmas break they'll have that many more games than us. I wonder how much say teams have in that? Prior to the season, I think both teams would have chosen that scenario since Saginaw was expected to be a "buyer" and Kitchener a "seller". If that were to prove true, you'd want as many games as possible with your best lineup and for Saginaw at least, I guess that will prove true.

 

[Ward Cornell]

And depending on what Mackenzie does, we may never get a true clash of the leaders. 4th is awfully close to the trade deadline.

Even then it's debatable for a full lineup.
I'm assuming some of the Spirits/Rangers players may still be coming back or resting from the WJHC.

 

[RangerNation]

I keep waiting for us to make up ground on Kitchener but those 4 games in hand are crazy...seems odd to me that at the Christmas break they'll have that many more games than us. I wonder how much say teams have in that? Prior to the season, I think both teams would have chosen that scenario since Saginaw was expected to be a "buyer" and Kitchener a "seller". If that were to prove true, you'd want as many games as possible with your best lineup and for Saginaw at least, I guess that will prove true.

The team was blessed with only two 3in3 weekends but cursed with multiple weekday games. I feel like they are playing every other day lately. Rangers will be up another game by the end of the weekend has they have a game on Sunday and Spirit don't lol. I wish these teams played once last month. That Jan 4th game could potentially be missing Rehkopf, Mesar and Dionicio. Tiss the season!