Saginaw Spirit 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[donjohnson]

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!

And Sapovaliv (Czech)...guessing the travel schedule will keep all WJC players out for that entire weekend of games.

 

[dirty12]

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

Sapovaliv was the reason Saginaw beat Flint.

 

[Kingpin794]

Sapovaliv was the reason Saginaw beat Flint.

Lennox and him both

 

[donjohnson]

Sapovaliv was the reason Saginaw beat Flint.

There were lots of factors but if we didn't have Lennox, what Sapovaliv did wouldn't have mattered. Nothing against Oke but he wasn't ready to win a 7-game series last year like Lennox was. Dent also had a terrible strategy of allowing his players to play undisciplined hockey and the Spirit barely held their own against that physical play and it led to a lot of penalties on Flint.

Needless to say, that was some of the most fun, yet stressful, hockey that I've ever seen short of the Wings runs in the 90's.

 

[dirty12]

Lennox was good, under apprecuated since rookie season imo. Sapovaliv was outstanding, the best player in the series defensively and offensively.

 

[OMG67]

There were lots of factors but if we didn't have Lennox, what Sapovaliv did wouldn't have mattered. Nothing against Oke but he wasn't ready to win a 7-game series last year like Lennox was. Dent also had a terrible strategy of allowing his players to play undisciplined hockey and the Spirit barely held their own against that physical play and it led to a lot of penalties on Flint.

Needless to say, that was some of the most fun, yet stressful, hockey that I've ever seen short of the Wings runs in the 90's.

The back and forth swings in that series were fantastic. That was probably the most fun series to watch as a non-fan of either team in a very long time.

 

[TcNorth]

Wow! Fantastic win tonight.

 

[Kingpin794]

Wow! Fantastic win tonight.

meh. It's flint. Will say it's nice to get a W after our worst single period of hockey the night before.

 

[Fischhaber]

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

I can't see why Kitchener would stand pat, as they are seemingly the best team in the OHL by quite a bit. The East is really week and Saginaw and the Soo have similar rosters with similar styles. The former with much better defense and the latter with better goaltending.

 

[Petes1987]

I can't see why Kitchener would stand pat, as they are seemingly the best team in the OHL by quite a bit. The East is really weak and Saginaw and the Soo have similar rosters with similar styles. The former with much better defense and the latter with better goaltending.

Kitchener does not have the assets to make any more than one trade for a good player and likely none of the big names. They only have one, 2nd and two, 3rds over the next four drafts. They do have several good young players they could trade.

 

[Fischhaber]

Kitchener does not have the assets to make any more than one trade for a good player and likely none of the big names. They only have one, 2nd and two, 3rds over the next four drafts. They do have several good young players they could trade.

The Soo isn't exactly flush with picks and neither is Saginaw after inexplicably using a lot of assets on Ethan Hay. Who do you see getting the big fish like Beck and Hayes? Maybe a team from the East hopes they can make it to the finals and get a free pass.

 

[Petes1987]

The Soo isn't exactly flush with picks and neither is Saginaw after inexplicably using a lot of assets on Ethan Hay. Who do you see getting the big fish like Beck and Hayes? Maybe a team from the East hopes they can make it to the finals and get a free pass.

I think Sault Ste Marie could be in on Owen Beck. Two of their 2nds are for 2024. So I could see them trading a young player plus one of 2024 2nds, their 2027 2nd and a 3rd to the Petes for Owen Beck. They could make a similar deal for Gavin Hayes. I see Sudbury trying to get one of them for a young player plus draft picks. Beck cannot be traded to Mississauga because of the 13 month rule. Saginaw I think have an enough draft picks to make a deal for Owen Beck. The issue might be having a 17 year old forward the Petes would want.

 

[dirty12]

The Soo isn't exactly flush with picks and neither is Saginaw after inexplicably using a lot of assets on Ethan Hay. Who do you see getting the big fish like Beck and Hayes? Maybe a team from the East hopes they can make it to the finals and get a free pass.

I think Sault Ste Marie could be in on Owen Beck. Two of their 2nds are for 2024. So I could see them trading a young player plus one of 2024 2nds, their 2027 2nd and a 3rd to the Petes for Owen Beck. They could make a similar deal for Gavin Hayes. I see Sudbury trying to get one of them for a young player plus draft picks. Beck cannot be traded to Mississauga because of the 13 month rule. Saginaw I think have an enough draft picks to make a deal for Owen Beck. The issue might be having a 17 year old forward the Petes would want.

Flint if they choose could keep Hayes, acquire Beck & McCoy, and another D.

 

[Kingpin794]

The Soo isn't exactly flush with picks and neither is Saginaw after inexplicably using a lot of assets on Ethan Hay. Who do you see getting the big fish like Beck and Hayes? Maybe a team from the East hopes they can make it to the finals and get a free pass.

That’s inaccurate. The only contenders that could out bid us are Sudbury, Missy, or Guelph

 

[bcspragu]

meh. It's flint. Will say it's nice to get a W after our worst single period of hockey the night before.

Parekh with a 4 point night as well. He’s an absolute thorn in the side of flint every time the two teams play.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

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!

Looks like the LA Dodgers like getting the best asset available, no matter the cost. I’m sure they will find a spot for SO…

 

[Fischhaber]

That’s inaccurate. The only contenders that could out bid us are Sudbury, Missy, or Guelph

The team has a slightly below average number of picks, but is in a decent position in that regard. That especially true compared to other contenders, as you pointed out.

The reason I used the word 'asset' is that Saginaw has a non-existent 06 class to deal from, while the other team's have some pretty significant pieces like O'Reilly and Virgilio that may appeal to teams more than pick based packages. I think that’s why your GM made some early strikes. I expect teams like the Petes will want players given their position in the standings.

It's going to be a really interesting deadline to follow, as always. I expect a lot of teams to add.

 

[Kingpin794]

The team has a slightly below average number of picks, but is in a decent position in that regard. That especially true compared to other contenders, as you pointed out.

The reason I used the word 'asset' is that Saginaw has a non-existent 06 class to deal from, while the other team's have some pretty significant pieces like O'Reilly and Virgilio that may appeal to teams more than pick based packages. I think that’s why your GM made some early strikes. I expect teams like the Petes will want players given their position in the standings.

It's going to be a really interesting deadline to follow, as always. I expect a lot of teams to add.

Again, neither of the bolded statements are accurate.

 

[OMG67]

Looks like the LA Dodgers like getting the best asset available, no matter the cost. I’m sure they will find a spot for SO…

Are you getting Beck for 10 years? And are you acquiring him for cash?

 

[Kingpin794]

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Are you getting Beck for 10 years? And are you acquiring him for cash?

Bad example, different world. But if the best player is available get him

 

[TcNorth]

Anytime you can win on the road in this league by four goals is pretty impressive in my book.

 

[OMG67]

Bad example, different world. But if the best player is available get him

you are right. It was a bad example. There is a big difference between trading assets that are limited for a player for a half a season vs buying a player for 10 seasons using what is virtually unlimited assets (Dodgers have virtually unlimited cash). The Dodgers buying Ohtani with cash doesn’t limit their ability to add additional players in virtually any way. BUT, if the Dodgers had to trade over half of their draft picks they have plus one or two of their top prospects, the discussion would hav been very different.

You cannot compare Free Agency in Pro sports to a Junior Hockey deadline.

If you want to also suggest maybe it is the same, then look at the position/s Ohtani fills. First, the Dodgers don’t have a full starting rotation and they do not have a full time DH. So, hypothetically speaking, they fill open positions that aren’t filled. If Big Pappy were signed in LA for the next three years, where would he play? Saginaw has three very good centres and don’t need a centre. If they can acquire a winger that has the same impact at half the price then why would they pay twice the amount for a centre only to move a current centre tot he wing which reduces the impact of that player? It makes no sense at all.

 

[Fischhaber]

Again, neither of the bolded statements are accurate.

Please excuse my mistake on the draft picks. My bookmark sent me to a pick database that was not updated. You are correct, Saginaw still has a couple of extra picks.

As for the 06 class, there's nothing there unless you are somehow trading Parekh. Liam Storch and Josh Glavin are not garnering anything of value in a trade at this time. You are unquestionably wrong on that statement, so we'll call it even.

Good luck the rest of the season and enjoy the deadline.

 

[Kingpin794]

Please excuse my mistake on the draft picks. My bookmark sent me to a pick database that was not updated. You are correct, Saginaw still has a couple of extra picks.

As for the 06 class, there's nothing there unless you are somehow trading Parekh. Liam Storch and Josh Glavin are not garnering anything of value in a trade at this time. You are unquestionably wrong on that statement, so we'll call it even.

Good luck the rest of the season and enjoy the deadline.

I'd bet good money he's used in a deal for a player.