Sarnia Sting 2022-23 Season Thread

[JAMER]

Sarnia Sting

sarniasting.com

So we made a move but it doesn't help us with any of are current issues

 

[Ferda11]

So we made a move but it doesn't help us with any of are current issues

It's a depth add. A type of player you add that benefits your team defensively. Big time bonus about the faceoffs., a stat many over look the importance of. I do not mind this trade at all. Brings much need size and hopefully grit to the bottom 6. This should work out well for all involved.

This is just the beginning. You do not bring in a 19 year old for your bottom 6 if you aren't planning on making a run.

 

[ktownfan]

Was Mcintyre not used much, seems to have size. Way is a good defensive forward as a19 yr old

 

[Ferda11]

Was Mcintyre not used much, seems to have size. Way is a good defensive forward as a19 yr old

He has size, but it's not utilized in any way. I think most of us viewed him as a future power forward that would be capable of scoring at least 20-25 goals. His biggest knock has always been his skating. He can, and likely will still be an effective player in this league at some point if under the right guidance. Clearly Sarnia cannot wait any longer for Ryder and rightfully so, this is our year to go all in, everyone will need to be effective. Just chalking this one up as another high Sarnia draft pick gone to waste. Not even mad about them anymore

 

[Generalsupdates]

It's a depth add. A type of player you add that benefits your team defensively. Big time bonus about the faceoffs, a stat many over look the importance of. I do not mind this trade at all. Brings much need size and hopefully grit to the bottom 6. This should work out well for all involved.

This is just the beginning. You do not bring in a 19 year old for your bottom 6 if you aren't planning on making a run.

He's 37.5% on draws this year (taken the 3rd most) so the Gens moved him to the wing the last couple games. He's a reliable PK guy though

 

[SpaceMan81]

I just like Wainwright's speed. He's one of if not the fastest skater on the team. Maybe that would help keep the D honest & give Voit or Vilmanis a little more space.

Sikic is best served on line 3. He works hard, his skating is solid for a bigger guy, he's good along the boards but he has an average shot & is an average passer. Be better on a checking line than a scoring line. Also is much better on the wing than C.

Filak has been a bit disappointing tbh. I wasn't expecting big numbers, but I find myself not noticing him much at all so far. Last year once he got going he really got going let's hope for the same this yr.

Namestnikov I was really being patient with but I'm just about done with him. He tries to win the game every shift. Low% passes, stupid dekes, easily frustrated. As some mentioned a trade would be best for the player & team.

I completely agree though. They are playing fine. Outplayed OS, MISS, FLT in the last week just didn't get the results. Said before their opening 15-20 games were gonna be tough. They almost only play pre season favorites. Make it out still in the race & we are set up nicely the back half of the year.

I think that Filak has been ok. Certainly not dominating but is good on the PP as a passwer and decent at 5 on 5. He is like a lot of the other guys where they look better playing up in the lineup and lost on the 4th line.

If you put MacDonell on the 4th line you wouldn't be complaining about his offence because he would be getting 7 shifts a game and zero scoring chances. You would just call him another draft bust! Lol

I understand that everyone seems to be high on Wainwright but he has not done much since moving up to the 3rd line. To say he should be in the top 6 is a bit of a stretch as I don't know who he would replace. I believe that Vilmanis has been very average and Linpar-Lantz hasn't been far off of that if you take PP points off his total. With the amount of ice they are getting, their stats are not great. However, it is a transition coming over from Europe so they might need some time.

The only guy who looks to be playing good in the top 6 is Voit, which was predictable. His vision and skill are off the charts.

Max and Sikic have been flat out terrible. High expectations for both and it just hasn't paid off with results. They have to be better for this team to go anywhere.

 

[SpaceMan81]

He has size, but it's not utilized in any way. I think most of us viewed him as a future power forward that would be capable of scoring at least 20-25 goals. His biggest knock has always been his skating. He can, and likely will still be an effective player in this league at some point if under the right guidance. Clearly Sarnia cannot wait any longer for Ryder and rightfully so, this is our year to go all in, everyone will need to be effective. Just chalking this one up as another high Sarnia draft pick gone to waste. Not even mad about them anymore

It's too bad I won't be able to beat the drum for McIntyre any more. I never understood him getting buried on the 4th line since the beginning of last year. I thought Filak, Angus and him were great in the preseason and the first 2 games of the year. Then pooof, that line gets blown up and somehow MacDonell moves to line 1 and Martone, who did nothing on the 4th line gets promoted.

I don't think Letang liked the kid's game for whatever reason and wouldn't give him a chance. I think that if Oshawa puts McIntyre in front of the next on the PP, he could score 15 PP goals on tips and rebounds. But Way is a veteran who gives some depth and I'm sure the coaches will trust him more so it's not a bad deal for the Sting at all.

Now if McIntyre scores 25 goals playing with Callum Ritchie, then Letang and Seca should be looking for a new job!

 

[StingUpdates]

Had a feeling when McIntyre was sat he may be dealt soon. Had such high hopes for him coming out of the draft but it never clicked. He tries to be physical but doesn't know how to properly. He doesn't have bad hands by any means so you'd think he'd be a great puck protector, good down low but even there it's hit or miss at best. Then as Ferda said, his skating is just mediocre & with no above average traits it leads to a lot of nothing. Fantastic kid from all accounts. Hope it clicks in OSH.

Not much to be excited about with Way, but this team definitely needed more experience at the bottom of their lineup. I do wish they maybe targeted someone with some offensive ability, but guys who can play with energy, kill penalties, be physical are quite valuable come the playoffs so hopefully he can do that as the 4C.

It also may move Sikic back to wing which should help him, because he just doesn't look right at centre. Interesting to note in the press release Seca said "We've been looking to add more character players with both identity & experience." Certainly sounds like a guy who's been calling around the league. They might be even more aggressive, active than I thought.

 

[StingUpdates]

I think that Filak has been ok. Certainly not dominating but is good on the PP as a passwer and decent at 5 on 5. He is like a lot of the other guys where they look better playing up in the lineup and lost on the 4th line.

If you put MacDonell on the 4th line you wouldn't be complaining about his offence because he would be getting 7 shifts a game and zero scoring chances. You would just call him another draft bust! Lol

I understand that everyone seems to be high on Wainwright but he has not done much since moving up to the 3rd line. To say he should be in the top 6 is a bit of a stretch as I don't know who he would replace. I believe that Vilmanis has been very average and Linpar-Lantz hasn't been far off of that if you take PP points off his total. With the amount of ice they are getting, their stats are not great. However, it is a transition coming over from Europe so they might need some time.

The only guy who looks to be playing good in the top 6 is Voit, which was predictable. His vision and skill are off the charts.

Max and Sikic have been flat out terrible. High expectations for both and it just hasn't paid off with results. They have to be better for this team to go anywhere.

Mainly valid points. I just wanna see Filak do more than just be solid if that makes sense haha. Wainwright has definitely had a quiet couple games. Isn't getting to the net. Has been a bit to perimeter. I'm still liking Lantz game. He's getting chances consistently (as he should with 96 lol) but Vilmanis does gotta pick it up. He has the skills to dominate. But hasn't been.

I do think he needs a natural C. Sikic isn't a good centre. He isn't a facilitator. Vilmanis needs someone who can find him in those dangerous areas & neither Burke or Sikic do that. Was hoping Max would be that but as well know he sure as heck hasn't been. As for Sikic I like some stuff he's doing but he doesn't look right in the middle. move him back to wing & when they add some upper-tier Fs probably to line 3 which is where he'll be best suited & will be a valuable player to us.

 

[JAMER]

Had a feeling when McIntyre was sat he may be dealt soon. Had such high hopes for him coming out of the draft but it never clicked. He tries to be physical but doesn't know how to properly. He doesn't have bad hands by any means so you'd think he'd be a great puck protector, good down low but even there it's hit or miss at best. Then as Ferda said, his skating is just mediocre & with no above average traits it leads to a lot of nothing. Fantastic kid from all accounts. Hope it clicks in OSH.

Not much to be excited about with Way, but this team definitely needed more experience at the bottom of their lineup. I do wish they maybe targeted someone with some offensive ability, but guys who can play with energy, kill penalties, be physical are quite valuable come the playoffs so hopefully he can do that as the 4C.

It also may move Sikic back to wing which should help him, because he just doesn't look right at centre. Interesting to note in the press release Seca said "We've been looking to add more character players with both identity & experience." Certainly sounds like a guy who's been calling around the league. They might be even more aggressive, active than I thought.

I hope they make a move to help the offense before the WJ camps start because well probably be losing voit,Gaudreau,Vilmanis and maybe Lantz if he keeps playing the way he is

 

[StingUpdates]

I hope they make a move to help the offense before the WJ camps start because well probably be losing voit,Gaudreau,Vilmanis and maybe Lantz if he keeps playing the way he is

Be nice. As gens said though teams tend to wait to trade legit T6 forwards. Create a bidding war & drive up the price a bit.

I think Seca is gonna be very aggressive. All the moves he's made already are all toward playoffs. Stocking picks to add a premier player (or two), adding depth D, adding better depth down the middle. I think they are gonna go all-in just from the way he's spoken really since the end of last season.

I fully believe they'll be adding a goalie. Unless Surzcyia has been amazing in practice & comes in vs NIA & whoever else & plays well I see them adding a stable backup. Your season cant go to waste because u didn't add insurance at the biggest spot in the sport.

I like that they've added the grit, tenacity & depth with Hoover & Way. You need these type of guys at the bottom of your lineup. Especially if we play OS, FLT, WSR. They may add one more type of F like that depending on how they view Doucette in the long haul/come playoff time. But I hope (and I think they do) realize the need for some high-end talent. This team would be real dangerous with some more fire power. See if Seca can add it.

 

[OHL4Life]

Had a feeling when McIntyre was sat he may be dealt soon. Had such high hopes for him coming out of the draft but it never clicked. He tries to be physical but doesn't know how to properly. He doesn't have bad hands by any means so you'd think he'd be a great puck protector, good down low but even there it's hit or miss at best. Then as Ferda said, his skating is just mediocre & with no above average traits it leads to a lot of nothing. Fantastic kid from all accounts. Hope it clicks in OSH.

Not much to be excited about with Way, but this team definitely needed more experience at the bottom of their lineup. I do wish they maybe targeted someone with some offensive ability, but guys who can play with energy, kill penalties, be physical are quite valuable come the playoffs so hopefully he can do that as the 4C.

It also may move Sikic back to wing which should help him, because he just doesn't look right at centre. Interesting to note in the press release Seca said "We've been looking to add more character players with both identity & experience." Certainly sounds like a guy who's been calling around the league. They might be even more aggressive, active than I thought.

that was my last year actively scouting the ohl draft, i have to be honest i never got mcintyre. central had him as a mid round pick. i know the online guys all said he was a stud, but they say everyone is a stud. hes big and has decent hands in around the net but his speed was average for u16. his skating just never got better. he was never truly hard to play against either. hes kind of like odonnell.

way is somewhat similar, mcintyre has more skill, but im not sure there is a winner or loser in this one.

 

[SpaceMan81]

that was my last year actively scouting the ohl draft, i have to be honest i never got mcintyre. central had him as a mid round pick. i know the online guys all said he was a stud, but they say everyone is a stud. hes big and has decent hands in around the net but his speed was average for u16. his skating just never got better. he was never truly hard to play against either. hes kind of like odonnell.

way is somewhat similar, mcintyre has more skill, but im not sure there is a winner or loser in this one.

I don't disagree but I watched a lot of minor midget that year and he was a stud on a very average team. He played centre and was on the ice in every situation and took all the key faceoffs. Being asked to chip the puck out of your end in the OHL as a rookie winger isn't going to showcase much.

Only other thing I will say is that I don't get everyone's obsession with speed. We can all agree that a 5'7 to 5'9 160 pound player is going to be faster and quicker than a player over 6 feet 215 pounds. You know who was amazing in the NHL playoffs last year? Nick Paul went from a scrub in Ottawa to a 2nd/3rd line on a cup contender. PK, PP, lots of ice, and he is not fast. Neither is Jeff Carter, Ryan Getzlaf and a bunch of other big centres. I am not comparing McIntyre to those guys, my point is that big strong centres are very successful without being fast. Speed isn't everything.

 

[Generalsupdates]

way is somewhat similar, mcintyre has more skill, but im not sure there is a winner or loser in this one.

Sarnia wins this year. Gens win next year. Which makes sense since Sarnia is going for it this season and gens are rebuilding towards next year and 2 years from now

I don't disagree but I watched a lot of minor midget that year and he was a stud on a very average team. He played centre and was on the ice in every situation and took all the key faceoffs. Being asked to chip the puck out of your end in the OHL as a rookie winger isn't going to showcase much.

Only other thing I will say is that I don't get everyone's obsession with speed. We can all agree that a 5'7 to 5'9 160 pound player is going to be faster and quicker than a player over 6 feet 215 pounds. You know who was amazing in the NHL playoffs last year? Nick Paul went from a scrub in Ottawa to a 2nd/3rd line on a cup contender. PK, PP, lots of ice, and he is not fast. Neither is Jeff Carter, Ryan Getzlaf and a bunch of other big centres. I am not comparing McIntyre to those guys, my point is that big strong centres are very successful without being fast. Speed isn't everything.

Agree with this. In the NHL speed is everything. In the OHL it’s definitely not.

 

[OHL4Life]

I don't disagree but I watched a lot of minor midget that year and he was a stud on a very average team. He played centre and was on the ice in every situation and took all the key faceoffs. Being asked to chip the puck out of your end in the OHL as a rookie winger isn't going to showcase much.

Only other thing I will say is that I don't get everyone's obsession with speed. We can all agree that a 5'7 to 5'9 160 pound player is going to be faster and quicker than a player over 6 feet 215 pounds. You know who was amazing in the NHL playoffs last year? Nick Paul went from a scrub in Ottawa to a 2nd/3rd line on a cup contender. PK, PP, lots of ice, and he is not fast. Neither is Jeff Carter, Ryan Getzlaf and a bunch of other big centres. I am not comparing McIntyre to those guys, my point is that big strong centres are very successful without being fast. Speed isn't everything.

its interesting that both him and petrou both really didnt develop. i am hard on bigger guys, same as i was hard on cooper way back when he was in waterloo. bigger guys flame out way too often, you see more peters, odonnells and macintyres then you do pierceys.

best part is well see in a year.

 

[StingUpdates]

I don't disagree but I watched a lot of minor midget that year and he was a stud on a very average team. He played centre and was on the ice in every situation and took all the key faceoffs. Being asked to chip the puck out of your end in the OHL as a rookie winger isn't going to showcase much.

Only other thing I will say is that I don't get everyone's obsession with speed. We can all agree that a 5'7 to 5'9 160 pound player is going to be faster and quicker than a player over 6 feet 215 pounds. You know who was amazing in the NHL playoffs last year? Nick Paul went from a scrub in Ottawa to a 2nd/3rd line on a cup contender. PK, PP, lots of ice, and he is not fast. Neither is Jeff Carter, Ryan Getzlaf and a bunch of other big centres. I am not comparing McIntyre to those guys, my point is that big strong centres are very successful without being fast. Speed isn't everything.

If you lack speed you need to think the game well. Slow the game down to your speed. McIntyre struggles with that & he just doesn't use his size effectively. He should be dominant along the boards & in front of the net & he just hasn't been.

Seca saying they wanted Way for identity I think speaks to that. He knows he's a B6 guy & plays that role. McIntyre seems to go thru moods of thinking he's a skill guy or thinking he's a crasher & banger. I had really hoped he'd work out & maybe it will in OSH but it wasn't here. Fantastic kid & teammate.

that was my last year actively scouting the ohl draft, i have to be honest i never got mcintyre. central had him as a mid round pick. i know the online guys all said he was a stud, but they say everyone is a stud. hes big and has decent hands in around the net but his speed was average for u16. his skating just never got better. he was never truly hard to play against either. hes kind of like odonnell.

way is somewhat similar, mcintyre has more skill, but im not sure there is a winner or loser in this one.

I see that. Can see why some would be enamoured with his size but he doesn't bring a ton else. I know he didn't play big minutes but he had 53 shots in 70 games. Just never seemed to find open areas or get clean shots off from meaningful areas.

Don't imagine covid helped like a lot of kids. Big guy like that needs to be in the gym/on the ice working on his skating.

 

[HkyBeegs3]

t pick gone

This is not the year to be

He has size, but it's not utilized in any way. I think most of us viewed him as a future power forward that would be capable of scoring at least 20-25 goals. His biggest knock has always been his skating. He can, and likely will still be an effective player in this league at some point if under the right guidance. Clearly Sarnia cannot wait any longer for Ryder and rightfully so, this is our year to go all in, everyone will need to be effective. Just chalking this one up as another high Sarnia draft pick gone to waste. Not even mad about them anymore

Am I the only one on here that just doesn't see this as being our year, we don't have the pieces to compete for an ohl title let alone one round of a playoff series. I just feel that if we try and go all in this year we will be setting ourselves up for another 3-4 years of dissapointment. I think our "core pieces" simply aren't good enough. Too many question marks. I'm pretty tired of having mediocre teams and this team screams mediocrity. Just my opinion. Don't kill me lol

 

[StingUpdates]

This is not the year to be

Am I the only one on here that just doesn't see this as being our year, we don't have the pieces to compete for an ohl title let alone one round of a playoff series. I just feel that if we try and go all in this year we will be setting ourselves up for another 3-4 years of dissapointment. I think our "core pieces" simply aren't good enough. Too many question marks. I'm pretty tired of having mediocre teams and this team screams mediocrity. Just my opinion. Don't kill me lol

I respectfully disagree. But they have 2 months to show what they are before the deadline. If they go .500 or below then trade Voit, Gaudreau, Mast for a fortune if they are looking good add to a roster that's pretty deep & has a strong defence + good goalie.

Unfortunately, going all-in ends up with crappy following years. If for once we made a run at it then u can stomach it. But they always blow it in RD1 which makes the following years that much worse.

 

[StingUpdates]

Dillingham started skating again recently. Probably means he isn't close but also means he isn't far off. Be a nice boost once he returns.

Hoover will be eligible to play after the game vs Flint. Also be nice as MacDonald & Campbell have struggled a bit.

 

[SpaceMan81]

If you lack speed you need to think the game well. Slow the game down to your speed. McIntyre struggles with that & he just doesn't use his size effectively. He should be dominant along the boards & in front of the net & he just hasn't been.

Seca saying they wanted Way for identity I think speaks to that. He knows he's a B6 guy & plays that role. McIntyre seems to go thru moods of thinking he's a skill guy or thinking he's a crasher & banger. I had really hoped he'd work out & maybe it will in OSH but it wasn't here. Fantastic kid & teammate.


I see that. Can see why some would be enamoured with his size but he doesn't bring a ton else. I know he didn't play big minutes but he had 53 shots in 70 games. Just never seemed to find open areas or get clean shots off from meaningful areas.

Don't imagine covid helped like a lot of kids. Big guy like that needs to be in the gym/on the ice working on his skating.

I don't disagree with you at all and respect your opinion.... Every sees players differently.
Do you know how many goals the 4th line scored last year while playing together? I don't know, but my guess is less than five. So how does anyone show skill when your roll is basically to not get scored on and play 7 mins a game? Look at Doucette this year. I think he is a good player but literally does nothing out there. Sikic was obviously a dud in Guelph but found his footing in Sarnia after his trade. Could happen for McIntyre on a team with lower talent up front is all I'm saying. And I'm not saying he will be a stud but I think big guys who play hard and defend their teammates are good for the playoffs.

 

[StingUpdates]

I don't disagree with you at all and respect your opinion.... Every sees players differently.
Do you know how many goals the 4th line scored last year while playing together? I don't know, but my guess is less than five. So how does anyone show skill when your roll is basically to not get scored on and play 7 mins a game? Look at Doucette this year. I think he is a good player but literally does nothing out there. Sikic was obviously a dud in Guelph but found his footing in Sarnia after his trade. Could happen for McIntyre on a team with lower talent up front is all I'm saying. And I'm not saying he will be a stud but I think big guys who play hard and defend their teammates are good for the playoffs.

For sure. Definitely tough playing limited minutes, especially coming off the non season. So not only was he trying to learn what OHL hockey is about he was also still trying to get in proper shape, improve, etc.

He definitely never seemed to be a favorite of Letang for whatever reason. Couldn't question his work ethic.

 

[StingUpdates]

Seca on the trade:

“Guys that are willing to pay the price in the key areas in key parts of games, and leadership and experience,” Seca said. “We’ve been looking throughout for some 18- or 19-year-old forwards and we’ll continue to look, but he checks that box for a good two-way defensive player who’s strong on his stick and kills penalties and wins key draws.

“He’s excited,” Seca said. “That’s a good thing. He knows that this is a club that should challenge in some capacity in the Western Conference and he wants to be a part of a team that’s hopefully going to win. … We think he’s a piece to the puzzle.”

Like @Buzzy Jones said the other day it sure seems like Seca wanted to add some jam. Definitely seems like they wanna do some tinkering before big name hunting. I'll honestly be surprised if Namestnikov isn't traded. He isn't a Letang/Seca (Sinclair's final draft ~ pre Letang) player at all. Isn't gonna be T6 & doesn't play a B6 style.

 

[Ferda11]

This is not the year to be

Am I the only one on here that just doesn't see this as being our year, we don't have the pieces to compete for an ohl title let alone one round of a playoff series. I just feel that if we try and go all in this year we will be setting ourselves up for another 3-4 years of dissapointment. I think our "core pieces" simply aren't good enough. Too many question marks. I'm pretty tired of having mediocre teams and this team screams mediocrity. Just my opinion. Don't kill me lol

It has to be our year. There really is not much of a choice. You either go all in or you sell off Voit, Gaudreau, Mast etc. as StingUpdates mentioned. Clearly all comments made by Seca and Letang indicate that they plan to make some noise this year. So as a long time struggling sting fan, they better pull out all the cards if that's what they plan to do.

Am I saying they have what it takes currently? no, absolutely not. I mentioned the current team likely won't make it past the 2nd round as is. It's also really freaking early on in the season. There are teams over performing and under performing. Happens every year. No team is labeled a true contender until after the trade deadline. Things can change real quick.

Although I remain very pessimistic, strictly based off history, I do believe this team is on the right path. Just need to make some adjustments and get games in. Time will 100% tell and 8 games into the season is not enough time to tell much of anything as far as team demographic and where they are heading. We have only exactly what you said at the end of your post, our opinions lol. Even those will change as the season progresses.

 

[honeydripper]

It has to be our year. There really is not much of a choice. You either go all in or you sell off Voit, Gaudreau, Mast etc. as StingUpdates mentioned. Clearly all comments made by Seca and Letang indicate that they plan to make some noise this year. So as a long time struggling sting fan, they better pull out all the cards if that's what they plan to do.

Am I saying they have what it takes currently? no, absolutely not. I mentioned the current team likely won't make it past the 2nd round as is. It's also really freaking early on in the season. There are teams over performing and under performing. Happens every year. No team is labeled a true contender until after the trade deadline. Things can change real quick.

Although I remain very pessimistic, strictly based off history, I do believe this team is on the right path. Just need to make some adjustments and get games in. Time will 100% tell and 8 games into the season is not enough time to tell much of anything as far as team demographic and where they are heading. We have only exactly what you said at the end of your post, our opinions lol. Even those will change as the season progresses.

Great post.
It's so early, everybody relax. Let's watch some teenagers play hockey for a couple months, really cheer them on so they know what fan support sounds like. Let's hope Seca can pull off the trades that half of the other fan bases want to happen for their teams as well. There's only so many aces out there this year. Why are we talking about burning the whole thing to the ground after a few losses.... 8 games in. I like our team, we were never going to win 60 games.

 

[Savard18]

its interesting that both him and petrou both really didnt develop. i am hard on bigger guys, same as i was hard on cooper way back when he was in waterloo. bigger guys flame out way too often, you see more peters, odonnells and macintyres then you do pierceys.

best part is well see in a year.

When you say Peters are you talking about Alex Peters?