Sarnia Sting 2022-23 Season Thread

[OHL4Life]

Well if they are planning to make a run I would assume the cupboard will be very empty when done. I think they should've sold this year while having a few guys to retrieve something in return. If they did they would be set up to make a huge run in 2 years.Not these runs when the cupboard doesn't have the means to aquire all that will be needed for a true run for a memorial cup.

if they moved the 'go for it' year to 2 years from now, the current gm would be let go.

 

[jink1187]

if they moved the 'go for it' year to 2 years from now, the current gm would be let go.

He would be let go for setting the team up for runs every 2-3 years instead of half assed runs every 6? It's the same old same old here in Sarnia!! I realize as being a season ticket holder for years that winning now is huge for the fan base. But in doing so, and not having the assets to make a all in run. They are setting up for a 2nd round exit and no assets to rebuild anything for 2 years. Therfore setting us up for another 5-6 year rebuild. All this can be avoided by selling this year and gaining picks and a couple 06's.

 

[OHL4Life]

He would be let go for setting the team up for runs every 2-3 years instead of half assed runs every 6? It's the same old same old here in Sarnia!! I realize as being a season ticket holder for years that winning now is huge for the fan base. But in doing so, and not having the assets to make a all in run. They are setting up for a 2nd round exit and no assets to rebuild anything for 2 years. Therfore setting us up for another 5-6 year rebuild. All this can be avoided by selling this year and gaining picks and a couple 06's.

i think he sold them that this year was the way to go last year,

 

[jink1187]

i think he sold them that this year was the way to

i think he sold them that this year was the way to go last year,

So the same old same old in Sarnia then? Back to square one next year when you lose players to AHL and the ability to trade them to restock the cupboards. And on to the next 5-6 year rebuild!! It's getting old fast!! Do it right or don't do it at all!! They don't have the assets for an "all in" run this year.

 

[StingUpdates]

Let's go!! Excellent trade Seca!! Traded a guy underperforming severely & only 1 2nd, 1 3rd (+ 2 5ths) for a top 5 goal scorer in the league.

Awesome!!!!

 

[OHLTG]

i think he sold them that this year was the way to go last year,

From what I remember during last year's Windsor/Sarnia series, the talk was that the Sting were primed to do some damage this season. The series was more for experience and they had the developing pieces to push for home ice or better in 2022-23.

 

[Generalsupdates]

From what I remember during last year's Windsor/Sarnia series, the talk was that the Sting were primed to do some damage this season. The series was more for experience and they had the developing pieces to push for home ice or better in 2022-23.

That was under the assumption Gaudreau would be a top 2/3 goalie this year. Which seemed like a very safe assumption. But he’s been in the bottom 5 for starting goalie save %. Assume that will turn around at some point and then Sarnia will be legit

 

[StingUpdates]

He would be let go for setting the team up for runs every 2-3 years instead of half assed runs every 6? It's the same old same old here in Sarnia!! I realize as being a season ticket holder for years that winning now is huge for the fan base. But in doing so, and not having the assets to make a all in run. They are setting up for a 2nd round exit and no assets to rebuild anything for 2 years. Therfore setting us up for another 5-6 year rebuild. All this can be avoided by selling this year and gaining picks and a couple 06's.

I understand your skepticism but this has always been the year to go for it for us. It's the final year for so many including our starting goalie, 2 best D & 3 of our top 4D, 2 best Fs (+ our #1 C). This team isn't set up to be good the next 2 years.

Yeah u could sell Voit/Gaudreau/Burke/Ritchie & get a ton now, but why? We haven't had a legit team since 2017-2018... That's 5 years. We really wanna push it to 6 or 7? If they do it right they go for it now, rebuild the next 2 years then compete again. Especially now that they've signed Fischer who's a very promising 2006 born Dman to go with Martone, Doherty, Campbell, Hall, Chartier, whoever else pans out from the class & the '05 class of MacDonell, Daviault & Wainwright.

The conference is WIDE open & we can absolutely challenge for it when healthy, especially after today. We have the leading goal scorer, leading point getter, a top-5 goal scorer now, Vilmanis is a stud to go with great roll players in MacDonell, Filak, Sikic, Lantz + promising talent in Wainwright, Martone with more than enough assets to add again.

The D when healthy is at the very least solid & were playing really good hockey before getting dismantled. Gaudreau finds consistency & we get healthy & this team will rattle off the wins & have a real shot in this conference.

 

[Ferda11]

We've been talking about 2022/2023 season for 3-4 years. It was identified long ago as the year to push and that has been reinforced by Seca many times.

Blow the whole cupboard up!!!! What do we as Sting fans have to lose? honestly? We've seen shit for 28 years in a row.

Let Seca have his "go for it year", haven't seen it yet.

 

[StingUpdates]

A lot of options now for lines.. Could load it up & run

Pastujov-Burke-Voit... good lord..
Sikic-Lantz-Vilmanis
Filak-MacDonell-Martone
Doucette-Way-Wainwright

or spread it out & go something like

Burke-Lantz-Voit
Pastujov-Sikic-Vilmanis
Filak-MacDonell-Martone
Doucette-Way-Wainwright

I wanna see that top trio so badly but getting Vilmanis someone like Pastujov could make that 2nd line essentially another 1st line with those two.

 

[OMG67]

A lot of options now for lines.. Could load it up & run

Pastujov-Burke-Voit... good lord..
Sikic-Lantz-Vilmanis
Filak-MacDonell-Martone
Doucette-Way-Wainwright

or spread it out & go something like

Burke-Lantz-Voit
Pastujov-Sikic-Vilmanis
Filak-MacDonell-Martone
Doucette-Way-Wainwright

I wanna see that top trio so badly but getting Vilmanis someone like Pastujov could make that 2nd line essentially another 1st line with those two.

I think Sarnia would still need to add more players if they are being serious about a run. There are still going to be a lot of dominos fall behind this trade for many other teams. I think Porter Martone needs to be on the board because of the lack of draft picks.

Regarding draft picks, you are likely getting the picks back eventually for the Moldenhauer trade. If Moldenhauer reports next year, you can trade him and get even more pics back so it isn’t like th cupboards will be bare.

 

[Ferda11]

A lot of options now for lines.. Could load it up & run

Pastujov-Burke-Voit... good lord..
Sikic-Lantz-Vilmanis
Filak-MacDonell-Martone
Doucette-Way-Wainwright

or spread it out & go something like

Burke-Lantz-Voit
Pastujov-Sikic-Vilmanis
Filak-MacDonell-Martone
Doucette-Way-Wainwright

I wanna see that top trio so badly but getting Vilmanis someone like Pastujov could make that 2nd line essentially another 1st line with those two.

I just can't with Sikic. We still need one more guy to fill that last spot in the top 6 to make it legitimate. Give him another shot in the meantime, but i really do not expect much of anything from him. I like him as a bottom 6 depth guy and PK but that's about it.

 

[StingUpdates]

I think Sarnia would still need to add more players if they are being serious about a run. There are still going to be a lot of dominos fall behind this trade for many other teams. I think Porter Martone needs to be on the board because of the lack of draft picks.

Regarding draft picks, you are likely getting the picks back eventually for the Moldenhauer trade. If Moldenhauer reports next year, you can trade him and get even more pics back so it isn’t like th cupboards will be bare.

I think they'll add one more impactful T6 F, probably a C. Someone like Harrison in OSH. They still have three 2nds, 3rd, four 4ths, two 5ths to trade. More than enough. We'll have to see what other teams add because FLT, WSR are definitely gonna add & possibly OS, KIT.

But currently I like how we stack up when healthy. Trade deadline is gonna suck now haha. Never see guys get traded so early & the market isn't over stocked with high-end talent.

I just can't with Sikic. We still need one more guy to fill that last spot in the top 6 to make it legitimate. Give him another shot in the meantime, but i really do not expect much of anything from him. I like him as a bottom 6 depth guy and PK but that's about it.

Yeah I agree. He's a placeholder now. Either gets replaced by a Harrison as the 2C or Lantz gets bumped down to 2C, and Sikic goes to L3 where he'll fit much better as a checker, PK guy who can chip in a bit.

a L3 of him, MacDonell, Filak could be so obnoxious for opposing teams & could form a really solid checking line that can score a bit.

 

[Dougie Daryl Clark]

A lot of options now for lines.. Could load it up & run

Pastujov-Burke-Voit... good lord..
Sikic-Lantz-Vilmanis
Filak-MacDonell-Martone
Doucette-Way-Wainwright

or spread it out & go something like

Burke-Lantz-Voit
Pastujov-Sikic-Vilmanis
Filak-MacDonell-Martone
Doucette-Way-Wainwright

I wanna see that top trio so badly but getting Vilmanis someone like Pastujov could make that 2nd line essentially another 1st line with those two.

This was a solid trade and didn't have to give up heaven and earth. They needed a sniper and got one. Now, your top 6 as listed above is way too soft. Could use someone to dig pucks out of corners and make sure no one takes a run at Voit or Pasta.

 

[StingUpdates]

Still in a bit tough for this weekend with Dillingham, Romeo, Hoover out & Mast might take a bit to get back to 100% but certainly makes it more exciting lol. Hopefully have 6D with Fischer expected to make his debut. Might have him, Young & Campbell all playing vs the best team in the conference.

This was a solid trade and didn't have to give up heaven and earth. They needed a sniper and got one. Now, your top 6 as listed above is way too soft. Could use someone to dig pucks out of corners and make sure no one takes a run at Voit or Pasta.

Burke is good for that stuff, but I do agree it could use some jam. Be interesting to see who they'll target. I'm not sure who's out there who plays that style. Great call on the trade as well!

 

[Ferda11]

Burke is good for that stuff, but I do agree it could use some jam. Be interesting to see who they'll target. I'm not sure who's out there who plays that style. Great call on the trade as well!

Harrison is 6’03 so has some size. I like him as our next target. Definitely a 30+ goal guy and would compliment Vilmanis well on line 2. Really hope we pull the trigger.

 

[StingUpdates]

Be interesting to see what Sarnia does on the PP. U gotta leave Pastujov on his 1T side, but that's where Voit's been playing. Hopefully Ty can transition to the other side well because the prospect of those 2 being on each side with Burke net front is.... disgusting.

His shot is gonna be such a welcomed addition. It has been absolutely maddening watching this team be all over opposing teams but be unable to score.

 

[StingUpdates]

This goes under the radar due to the trade, but what a great signing by the Sting. Very promising, big Dman with NHL bloodlines taken high in the USHL draft.

Our '06 class looks rather promising. Tidy work this week by Seca who I'm becoming a real fan of as GM. Has gotten great returns on trades, Signed some guys that weren't guarantees & made some real solid trades for Sikic, Hoover & absolutely fleeced KGN for Ritchie. Then really did well in the deal today.

 

[robp1219]

A lot of options now for lines.. Could load it up & run

Pastujov-Burke-Voit... good lord..
Sikic-Lantz-Vilmanis
Filak-MacDonell-Martone
Doucette-Way-Wainwright

or spread it out & go something like

Burke-Lantz-Voit
Pastujov-Sikic-Vilmanis
Filak-MacDonell-Martone
Doucette-Way-Wainwright

I wanna see that top trio so badly but getting Vilmanis someone like Pastujov could make that 2nd line essentially another 1st line with those two.

I think we should put Pastujov with Vilmanis to give him help, I still think the sting need to get a centre to push Sikic onto line 3. Be nice if they could land Arcuri, Zhilkin or Harrison. To round out the top 6. I’d like that trade done sooner rather than later. Then if we want to add a depth piece or experienced back up goalie at the deadline we can. I wonder if bringing a guy like Pastujov in and making it known publicly that the sting are going all in it could make some Americans think about coming over. Just a thought, be nice if that happened to avoid a trade.

 

[cupcrazyman2]

Signing those 3 kids makes up for trading those draft picks away.
Fischer was not leaning towards the ohl so that's why teams passed on him.Great flyer pick by Seca.

 

[HkyBeegs3]

Signing those 3 kids makes up for trading those draft picks away.
Fischer was not leaning towards the ohl so that's why teams passed on him.Great flyer pick by Seca.

Is Fischer a potential stud dman?

 

[StingUpdates]

Is Fischer a potential stud dman?

Taken 6th overall in the USHL draft. When they took him Seca said it'll be a work in progress to get him over. Pro upside is what I've read a lot.

6'3, moves well, plays physical & has solid puck skills. Obviously still raw (only 160 pounds lol) but hopefully a pillar for years to come.

 

[jink1187]

I understand your skepticism but this has always been the year to go for it for us. It's the final year for so many including our starting goalie, 2 best D & 3 of our top 4D, 2 best Fs (+ our #1 C). This team isn't set up to be good the next 2 years.

Yeah u could sell Voit/Gaudreau/Burke/Ritchie & get a ton now, but why? We haven't had a legit team since 2017-2018... That's 5 years. We really wanna push it to 6 or 7? If they do it right they go for it now, rebuild the next 2 years then compete again. Especially now that they've signed Fischer who's a very promising 2006 born Dman to go with Martone, Doherty, Campbell, Hall, Chartier, whoever else pans out from the class & the '05 class of MacDonell, Daviault & Wainwright.

The conference is WIDE open & we can absolutely challenge for it when healthy, especially after today. We have the leading goal scorer, leading point getter, a top-5 goal scorer now, Vilmanis is a stud to go with great roll players in MacDonell, Filak, Sikic, Lantz + promising talent in Wainwright, Martone with more than enough assets to add again.

The D when healthy is at the very least solid & were playing really good hockey before getting dismantled. Gaudreau finds consistency & we get healthy & this team will rattle off the wins & have a real shot in this conference.

How do you rebuild for 2 years when you have no trade bait or even picks over the next 2 years. So now your missing 2 years of drafting young players that take 3 years to grow to make a run. So that's another 5-6 years at least before you can ice a competitive team. If you sell now, and get a couple 06's and a boat load of picks, you set yourself up for all out run in a couple years and can remain competitive with still having pics and players for years to come. While making an actual Memorial Cup run. Not a half assed attempt that loses in the second round. By the time we've done everything they can this year, we will have no picks in the 2,3,4 and so on for the next 3-4 years. How do you run a team like that? This is the same problem with the Sting for years and it's getting old. Not sure where you think they are going to dream up players for the run in 2 years.

 

[StingUpdates]

How do you rebuild for 2 years when you have no trade bait or even picks over the next 2 years. So now your missing 2 years of drafting young players that take 3 years to grow to make a run. So that's another 5-6 years at least before you can ice a competitive team. If you sell now, and get a couple 06's and a boat load of picks, you set yourself up for all out run in a couple years and can remain competitive with still having pics and players for years to come. While making an actual Memorial Cup run. Not a half assed attempt that loses in the second round. By the time we've done everything they can this year, we will have no picks in the 2,3,4 and so on for the next 3-4 years. How do you run a team like that? This is the same problem with the Sting for years and it's getting old. Not sure where you think they are going to dream up players for the run in 2 years.

I'd be with you if I had great confidence in the '04 or '05 class. the 2004 class (Sinclair's last draft) was/is a full fledged disaster. Namestnikov 3rd overall = didn't live up. Morden 2nd round = didn't report. McIntyre 3rd round = Didn't develop. Casey 4th round = didn't come. Eveleigh 5th round = didn't develop. Filak, Harper & Grover are the only guys we have left from that draft.

The '05 class (covid year so I cut some slack was crapshoot) has some good players in MacDonell, Daviault, Wainwright, but they didn't get much else. Lalkin in the 2nd sucked, Tierman hasn't shown anything, Perreault going NCAA, Degelas still a work in progress, Thomas NCAA.

I just don't have as much confidence in that group as I do in Voit, Burke, Mast, Gaudreau, Vilmanis, Lantz, Dillingham, Ritchie & now Pastujov.

You're right though that they don't have overly enticing pieces to sell next year to recoup picks. Be Romeo, Sikic, Vilmanis & maybe 19 year olds like Filak & Hoover. They'll get back two 2nds, two 3rds, 4th & 5th from the Moldenhaur trade + we still currently have three 2nds, 3rd, four 4ths, three 5ths. Don't think we'll use all of it so it's not like we have nothing.

For me you go for it now then next year it's all about ice time for Martone, Fischer, Doherty, Campbell, Chartier, Hall, Young along with their 1st rounder in the upcoming draft & whoever else makes the team or surprises while guys like MacDonell, Daviault, Wainwright, Filak, Hoover take that next step as veterans.

Then the following year your fairly competitive as the '06 class is 18, '05 class is 19, Filak hopefully a solid OA & whoever we take this yr is 17. Then that next year (I know im getting so far ahead) if they aren't in the pros, MacDonell, Daviault are stud OAs, Martone is an absolute animal as a 19 yr old (if he's back) & hopefully the other '06s I've mentioned also take good steps & are legitimate impactful players at 19. Then you have a strong core with 9-10-11-12 guys who've been around awhile along with whoever else we draft in the next 2 years in the O draft & import draft & whoever we add via trade in the coming seasons.

Understand your reservations, especially with this team/org. If (and probably when) they choke this April it's gonna make it worse knowing the next few years won't be overly exciting but god damnit it's been to long & this was the time iMO.

Just how I see it. Sorry for the novel haha.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Some thoughts on today's moves:

Sasha Pastujov

Amazing trade by Seca! He didn't have to pay much to get one of the top goal scorers in the league. Pastujov instantly makes our 2nd line and PP better. Burke, Pastujov, Vilmanis, and Voit on PP1 should be a lethal unit. I'm hoping the Sting still make a trade for another center to round out the top 6. My top targets (in this order) would be: Shane Wright (if he comes back), Ryan Winterton, Danny Zhilkin, and Brett Harrison. I would love a good backup for Gaudreau too. Ivanov in the Soo is a great target. Best of luck to Max in Guelph. I think it will good for him to get away from 3rd overall pick expectations. Hopefully he lights it up in Guelph.

Lukas Fischer

Great signing. Another player who they got to choose the O over the NCAA. Fischer was invited to the USNDTP camp in the offseason. 6th overall pick in the USHL draft. Big kid, 6'3" at 16 yrs old. The Sting continue to get good players out of the US. From 2018-2022 they've gotten Jacob Perreault, Ty Voit, Ryan Mast, Nikita Tarasevich, Max Namestnikov, Zach Filak, and Fischer to come over from the US. I really like that the Sting have 6 of their 2022 draft picks signed already. They should all get a chance at consistent playing time next season because the team is likely going to be bad.

Sorry for the long post