Saginaw Spirit 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)
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Ya…I forgot about them. They are in the mix for sure. Kitchener imo is a step behind all 3 in D depth.
only really works if each team has an unbiased rating system lol. everyone always sees their players differently. like Reid. A+? at 16? kid is good, but maybe at 18 or 19 but right now?
donjohnson
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- Jan 29, 2013
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Plus there's different styles and systems that they play in. For example, Saginaw may have the most gifted offensive defensemen (Parekh, Dionocio, Donovan) but they are lacking in "shut-down" defensemen. In another system, that could be a bad thing but in Lazary's system, he wants them active so it fits us well. Very tough to rank from team to team and there's a lot of great defensemen out there.
Kingpin794
Smart A** In A Jersey
Yeah I would never say we have the best D. Still think that’s London or the Soo. I think we have a defense that’s works for us.
Best offensive d yes. Best d no. I would put our centers up against anyone in the league though and honestly I don’t think it’s that close
The rating says rating is based on age not ohl talent. Reid is a top 3 16 year old dman in the OHL. That warrants a A+ rating.
I was just trying to gauge what age your D are and what a general rating would be for that age level. Just trying to see the depth Saginaw has to what a lot see (myself incuded) as a D depth issue in Kitchener. I’m sure someone can give a rough idea on a players age rating?
perfect response. In the Soo, we have a great mix of D that are offensive (Karki, Kirill), defensive (Kirill, Gibson, Carlisle), and a good crop of 17 year olds. None of them are the best at anything, but in the system taht the Hounds play, they all excel because you don't have to be the best to look good in that system.
idk if that made sense or not but it did to me haha.
shortened version, great post donjohnson.
Kingpin794
Smart A** In A Jersey
Will probably be a few games before lines are settled but 4 very balanced set of lines for tonight
Kingpin794
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The strategy seems to be short shifts and suffocate the opponent with that lineup. One or two lines can have an off night but that would be really hard to shut down 4 lines like that. That really is how Lazary wants things too. Everyone a possibility to be a threat. Would rather have 10 50-60 pt guys than 3 80+ pt guys. See how it works this week.
Safe to say Beck is enjoying Saginaw so far. 6 points tonight with time left in the 3rd
McConnell-Barker, Allard, and Frasca are pretty good.
I'm not sure who you are counting as the 3 centers on the Spirit, but if Hay is one of them then there's a debate to be had. He's been absolutely lit up defensively every game I have seen him. He's just not good in his own end at all. Beck is definitely the best though.
LDN
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- Sep 29, 2017
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Hay is the 4th center. Haight, Beck, and Sapovaliv centered the top 3 lines tonight
Kingpin794
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Sounds like good news. Stretcher was probably more precautionary. Hope it only minor.
Those guys ranked for me are:
1. Beck (best defensively + faceoffs)
2. Allard (second best defensively)
3. Sapovaliv (strong all around)
4. McConnell-Barker ( same as above)
5. Frasca (biggest player, faceoff specialist)
6. Haight (poorest defensively of the group)
I give the edge to the Spirit due to the Beck addition and McConnell-Barker's injury concerns, but it's very close. I really like Sapovaliv's game, which was the deciding thing for me.
It is not close. Beck and Sapovaliv are arguably the best two 2-way centres in the league.
Allard is a top ten OHL centre I believe, quite possibly the best LW option for Canada WJC team than any other centre.
Kingpin794
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HockeyPops
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- Aug 20, 2018
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