Sarnia Sting 2023-2024 Off-Season Thread (Part 1)

[StingUpdates]

Yeah this season will be very interesting.... Do they try and add and be somewhat competitive or do they trade a guy like Fischer who would get a boat load in return.... Me, personally.... I'd like the second option.... Trade Fischer for possibly another 1st round pick player and some picks.... then be really stacked for the next few years. Patience is key.

I think trading Fischer is likely a 2025-2026 move. He's 18 & gonna be their best Dman by a considerable margin. Let him have a dominant year (hopefully) then next year he's one of the league's premiere Dmen. But you'd get more doing it at 18 & if Barr Hurt Bridgewater takes good steps with Young, Bodin then definitely could think about it.

I think this year might just be a set in stone year outside maybe dealing Filak or Doucette if they are having good OA years. At least from a subtraction standpoint outside one of their extra D/F in camp.

Definitely think they are gonna try to add an '07 or a good '06 who'd be a good OA option in 2026-2027 but only if it's affordable (ie not multiple 2nds or 3rds)

 

[davewheeler]

I think trading Fischer is likely a 2025-2026 move. He's 18 & gonna be their best Dman by a considerable margin. Let him have a dominant year (hopefully) then next year he's one of the league's premiere Dmen. But you'd get more doing it at 18 & if Barr Hurt Bridgewater takes good steps with Young, Bodin then definitely could think about it.

I think this year might just be a set in stone year outside maybe dealing Filak or Doucette if they are having good OA years. At least from a subtraction standpoint outside one of their extra D/F in camp.

Definitely think they are gonna try to add an '07 or a good '06 who'd be a good OA option in 2026-2027 but only if it's affordable (ie not multiple 2nds or 3rds)

Good call .... I personally think Sarnia will be contending in 25-26 so maybe we should just keep him. Obviously we will know more once we get into the season this year.

 

[StingUpdates]

Good call .... I personally think Sarnia will be contending in 25-26 so maybe we should just keep him. Obviously we will know more once we get into the season this year.

They'll have an incredibly hard decision to make. 2025-2026 the roster looks like

OAs: Wainwright, Young, Moses (if they went for it they'd upgrade Moses). So that's 2 really quality OAs & i think they could be two of the better OAs.

19s: Fischer, Doherty, Bodin, Lominac? Hall? Omeri? Chartier.

While Fischer should be a terrific 19 yr old there is no sure thing after him. Obviously we are hoping Doherty can be a good player as he has the tools. Bodin they think could be a really solid Dman. lominac i doubt is even on this year's team let alone next. Hall totally TBD. Omeri likely odd man out. Chartier still TBD.

18s. Brown, Kostuch, Karimov, Barr, Hurt, Bridgewater, Luecke, Sim, Andersen.

Hope would be this will be a really strong group led by the first four listed who all have legit top of the lineup upside. Gotta see what the other 4 truly are at this level this season.

17s. Di Iorio, Gaughan. After that TBD, but they are hopeful about Simpson, Chamberlain, Garret & Neusteter.

Di Iorio year 2 should be a productive player. Gaughan we have no clue same with the rest.

Then whoever they take next April as 16 year olds.

Part 1 of 2:

 

[StingUpdates]

You compare that to what the 2026-2027 roster would be:

OAs: Doherty, Chartier. My guess Fischer goes pro at 20. If he doesn't it means he isn't as good a Dman as we hope.

- Hope is Doherty would be a solid OA, but we have no clue if that's a likely outcome till we see him this season, same with Chartier.

19s. Brown, Kostuch, Karimov, Barr, Hurt, Bridgewater, Luecke, Sim, Andersen.

-If all goes well development wise this group right here is why i think 26-27 is the yr. That could potentially be 4 really quality 19 year olds & hopefully 1or2 of the other 4 (or if any other kids emerge from last year's class) can become solid OHLers.

18s. Di Iorio, Gaughan. Hopefully Simpson, Chamberlain, Neusteter, Garret but TBD.

- Another big reason i view 26-27 is it would be Di Iorio' 3rd season. Hopefully coming off being drafted & ready to become a legit upper tier player in the league (not saying top 5-10-15) & you hope Gaughan, Simpson, Chamberlain, Neusteter, Garret are good/solid players.

17s, Whoever they take in 2025 draft.

16s. whoever they take in 2026 draft.

 

[StingUpdates]

I see both sides because roster one, has better OAs by a substantial amount, Fischer we hope is among the top D in the league at 19. Doherty if he pans out will be a really solid 19 yr old. Bodin could be a beast in year 2. Chartier TBD. Be year 3 for our '07s ( which is what year it was for Barkey, Bonk, Cowan this past season) & Di IOrio you'd hope is still an above average 17 yr old.

Why I lean 2026-2027 is because i have really high hopes for our '07 group & that would be year 4. They could be dominant players (Brown, Kostuch, Barr, Hurt, Karimov specifically), & i'm hopeful that Bridgewater, Luecke will be good players, but i can't say i'm extremely confident about it until we see them in a few months. Di Iorio will be 18 & in year 3 coming off an NHL camp (if he develops well) & should be a big, big player.

the perfect compromise? Why not both years? London does it all the time (they are right now!) Oshawa is coming off a finals & should be elite again. Windsor went to the finals then were the #1 seed. I'm not saying we are as talented as those teams right now or that we even will be, just saying maybe for once we try for back 2 back big years instead of 1 followed by multiple awful ones!

Be double the heartbreak & disappointment!

 

[frontsfan67]

Yeah this season will be very interesting.... Do they try and add and be somewhat competitive or do they trade a guy like Fischer who would get a boat load in return.... Me, personally.... I'd like the second option.... Trade Fischer for possibly another 1st round pick player and some picks.... then be really stacked for the next few years. Patience is key.

I agree if they do it this year they maximize the value. Will for sure get a top 08, maybe a good 07 too and then picks.

Where as if they do it next year they’ll get a top 09 and some picks but not as many. 2 years is more valuable than 1.

 

[stingwagoner]

Yeah this season will be very interesting.... Do they try and add and be somewhat competitive or do they trade a guy like Fischer who would get a boat load in return.... Me, personally.... I'd like the second option.... Trade Fischer for possibly another 1st round pick player and some picks.... then be really stacked for the next few years. Patience is key.

I see both sides because roster one, has better OAs by a substantial amount, Fischer we hope is among the top D in the league at 19. Doherty if he pans out will be a really solid 19 yr old. Bodin could be a beast in year 2. Chartier TBD. Be year 3 for our '07s ( which is what year it was for Barkey, Bonk, Cowan this past season) & Di IOrio you'd hope is still an above average 17 yr old.

Why I lean 2026-2027 is because i have really high hopes for our '07 group & that would be year 4. They could be dominant players (Brown, Kostuch, Barr, Hurt, Karimov specifically), & i'm hopeful that Bridgewater, Luecke will be good players, but i can't say i'm extremely confident about it until we see them in a few months. Di Iorio will be 18 & in year 3 coming off an NHL camp (if he develops well) & should be a big, big player.

the perfect compromise? Why not both years? London does it all the time (they are right now!) Oshawa is coming off a finals & should be elite again. Windsor went to the finals then were the #1 seed. I'm not saying we are as talented as those teams right now or that we even will be, just saying maybe for once we try for back 2 back big years instead of 1 followed by multiple awful ones!

Be double the heartbreak & disappointment!

I see both sides because roster one, has better OAs by a substantial amount, Fischer we hope is among the top D in the league at 19. Doherty if he pans out will be a really solid 19 yr old. Bodin could be a beast in year 2. Chartier TBD. Be year 3 for our '07s ( which is what year it was for Barkey, Bonk, Cowan this past season) & Di IOrio you'd hope is still an above average 17 yr old.

Why I lean 2026-2027 is because i have really high hopes for our '07 group & that would be year 4. They could be dominant players (Brown, Kostuch, Barr, Hurt, Karimov specifically), & i'm hopeful that Bridgewater, Luecke will be good players, but i can't say i'm extremely confident about it until we see them in a few months. Di Iorio will be 18 & in year 3 coming off an NHL camp (if he develops well) & should be a big, big player.

the perfect compromise? Why not both years? London does it all the time (they are right now!) Oshawa is coming off a finals & should be elite again. Windsor went to the finals then were the #1 seed. I'm not saying we are as talented as those teams right now or that we even will be, just saying maybe for once we try for back 2 back big years instead of 1 followed by multiple awful ones!

Be double the heartbreak & disappointment!

Rather see young get traded this year for as much as can get fischer going to be a beast when we go for run will need him top 4 D.
Think youngs value this year will be highest it ever will especially after going to NHL camp. Minimal impact on D IMO if he goes and get top 6 impact 06 would be ideal.
Omeri can play youngs minutes

 

[Savard18]

I agree if they do it this year they maximize the value. Will for sure get a top 08, maybe a good 07 too and then picks.

Where as if they do it next year they’ll get a top 09 and some picks but not as many. 2 years is more valuable than 1.

I like Fischer. I have since some of his first games in the league. He might be able to pull picks and an ‘08 but he’s not gonna garner picks, an ‘08 and a high quality ‘07 too. I don’t think Sarnia is quite as deep or good as some Sting fans think they are. With Fischer? They’re gonna win some games and see the playoffs. Without him? I think I’d much rather have him be the man for Sarina’s D this year, develop and be their leader. Guide them in the playoffs and still get a ton next year. The Sting are trending up, have some pieces, have some picks. I’d build on that as much as they can this year and open up a 2 year window. Am I wrong in remembering Seca pretty much went all in twice but both were one and done attempts followed by a rebuild the next year?

 

[StingUpdates]

I like Fischer. I have since some of his first games in the league. He might be able to pull picks and an ‘08 but he’s not gonna garner picks, an ‘08 and a high quality ‘07 too. I don’t think Sarnia is quite as deep or good as some Sting fans think they are. With Fischer? They’re gonna win some games and see the playoffs. Without him? I think I’d much rather have him be the man for Sarina’s D this year, develop and be their leader. Guide them in the playoffs and still get a ton next year. The Sting are trending up, have some pieces, have some picks. I’d build on that as much as they can this year and open up a 2 year window. Am I wrong in remembering Seca pretty much went all in twice but both were one and done attempts followed by a rebuild the next year?

Seca has only been the GM for 4 years. Year 1 was covid with no games. Year 2 we were young & pushed top seeded Windsor to 6 games. Year 3 was losing to London in round 3. Year 4 this past season.

Seca was rather open & honest after last year saying he sorta forced it to be a go for it year. With no real run in quite some time, covid stuff (I'd imagine maybe a push from ownership too). Built one helluva team that should've went to the finals (ya I'm salty still lmao) imo. Still at least has gotten the arena to be packed every game since & that's been awesome to see & great for the organization. He said he won't be doing it that hard (trading four players + a lot of picks) again. Obviously time will tell with that part haha.

Was incredibly pleased with his work this past season via draft then in trades.

I don't think we (most of us) think Sarnia will be all that good this year. I think we have a really nice group of young players & a couple nice vets, but more so than anything I think the conference is gonna be really weak after LDN/ER & probably FLT with their early signals of going for it.

Totally agree on Fischer.

 

[frontsfan67]

I like Fischer. I have since some of his first games in the league. He might be able to pull picks and an ‘08 but he’s not gonna garner picks, an ‘08 and a high quality ‘07 too.

Maybe not the 07 but definitely an 08 and picks.

Maybe it was just because sarnia was a bottom team this year so he stood out but in the games I watched- in my opinion Fischer is very underrated. On a better team he would be a big star. Not on the level of a Dickinson or a Parekh but I could see him being a tier below them on a better team.

Sarnia will be better this year- but they still won’t get a top 4 seed I see them somewhere between 6-8 this year and a first round exit. Still very young though so no problem with that. they have a bright future but simply put- it’s just not their year yet.

The year they should have circled in my opinion is 2026-2027. That should be (if all goes according to plan) their year.
This year is a building year- the year after (2025/2026) they should be competing for a top 4 spot I assume- maybe win a round but then Fischer won’t be back as an OA.


So if they do not trade Fischer at Christmas time this year(2024/2025) I assume they will next Christmas to load up for 2026/2027. Oddly enough that is when the OHL has the m cup back here I believe.

 

[stingwagoner]

Maybe not the 07 but definitely an 08 and picks.

Maybe it was just because sarnia was a bottom team this year so he stood out but in the games I watched- in my opinion Fischer is very underrated. On a better team he would be a big star. Not on the level of a Dickinson or a Parekh but I could see him being a tier below them on a better team.

Sarnia will be better this year- but they still won’t get a top 4 seed I see them somewhere between 6-8 this year and a first round exit. Still very young though so no problem with that. they have a bright future but simply put- it’s just not their year yet.

The year they should have circled in my opinion is 2026-2027. That should be (if all goes according to plan) their year.
This year is a building year- the year after (2025/2026) they should be competing for a top 4 spot I assume- maybe win a round but then Fischer won’t be back as an OA.


So if they do not trade Fischer at Christmas time this year(2024/2025) I assume they will next Christmas to load up for 2026/2027. Oddly enough that is when the OHL has the m cup back here I believe.

I think your trading wrong player and wrong timeline.
Young would be best player to trade and will go this year (going to NHL camp raised his value in off season) filak should be dealt for peices for next few years. 2 players I think can easily be replaced for what they do for this team. Both overrated by letang and staff and will make team more mediocre that better with how much they will play IMO.
Fischer stays to make a run next year.
That's my belief

 

[OHL4Life]

Maybe not the 07 but definitely an 08 and picks.

Maybe it was just because sarnia was a bottom team this year so he stood out but in the games I watched- in my opinion Fischer is very underrated. On a better team he would be a big star. Not on the level of a Dickinson or a Parekh but I could see him being a tier below them on a better team.

Sarnia will be better this year- but they still won’t get a top 4 seed I see them somewhere between 6-8 this year and a first round exit. Still very young though so no problem with that. they have a bright future but simply put- it’s just not their year yet.

The year they should have circled in my opinion is 2026-2027. That should be (if all goes according to plan) their year.
This year is a building year- the year after (2025/2026) they should be competing for a top 4 spot I assume- maybe win a round but then Fischer won’t be back as an OA.


So if they do not trade Fischer at Christmas time this year(2024/2025) I assume they will next Christmas to load up for 2026/2027. Oddly enough that is when the OHL has the m cup back here I believe.

they could be like windsor, nice young roster with some guys that probably are filling spots, but without a guy that can stop the puck they could fall hard in the standings. they need an upgrade in that spot, sztuska for the right price would make sense.

 

[stingwagoner]

they could be like windsor, nice young roster with some guys that probably are filling spots, but without a guy that can stop the puck they could fall hard in the standings. they need an upgrade in that spot, sztuska for the right price would make sense.

they could be like windsor, nice young roster with some guys that probably are filling spots, but without a guy that can stop the puck they could fall hard in the standings. they need an upgrade in that spot, sztuska for the right price would make sense.

Sztuska hardly upgrade for an OA.
Improved D experienced D will show Surzycia value and chartier needs to come out as clear starter by christmas.
Which will happen or DS will bring in a goalie

 

[OHL4Life]

Sztuska hardly upgrade for an OA.
Improved D experienced D will show Surzycia value and chartier needs to come out as clear starter by christmas.
Which will happen or DS will bring in a goalie

about .25 percent better in save percentage on an equally bad team, and the eye test suggests its not even close. you can get him for cheap im sure as well.

 

[stingwagoner]

Way younger D core last season.
Look at Surzycia numbers in 22-23

 

[Savard18]

Maybe not the 07 but definitely an 08 and picks.

Maybe it was just because sarnia was a bottom team this year so he stood out but in the games I watched- in my opinion Fischer is very underrated. On a better team he would be a big star. Not on the level of a Dickinson or a Parekh but I could see him being a tier below them on a better team.

Sarnia will be better this year- but they still won’t get a top 4 seed I see them somewhere between 6-8 this year and a first round exit. Still very young though so no problem with that. they have a bright future but simply put- it’s just not their year yet.

The year they should have circled in my opinion is 2026-2027. That should be (if all goes according to plan) their year.
This year is a building year- the year after (2025/2026) they should be competing for a top 4 spot I assume- maybe win a round but then Fischer won’t be back as an OA.


So if they do not trade Fischer at Christmas time this year(2024/2025) I assume they will next Christmas to load up for 2026/2027. Oddly enough that is when the OHL has the m cup back here I believe.

Agree with all of this. Fischer is underrated. I remember watching him early in his OHL career thinking “f%#*. It’s gonna suck to play against him when he’s 19.” A lot of pressure on him last year and it’s gonna pay dividends for the Sting going forward.

 

[TonyB]

about .25 percent better in save percentage on an equally bad team, and the eye test suggests its not even close. you can get him for cheap im sure as well.

Stuszka is the beneficiary of a very generous goal judge in Peterborough. Advanced stats do not rank him very high.

 

[StingUpdates]

I can't say I've ever been as high on Surzycia as others (not that anyone has ever said he's elite), but I'd view Stuzska as an upgrade. Now I can't say I watched PBO a ton but I know he remained consistent even with a truly horrific team in front of him the 2nd half.

0.910 last yr on a great team. Surzycia last yr on a great team had a 0.879. this yr on a brutal team Stuzska had an impressive 0.905. the only goalies who did better? OHL goalie of the yr Jacob Oster, Carter George (potential team Canada G), Ryerson Leenders (potential team Canada G) & Jack Ivankovic (arguably best 16 yr old G in Canada). Meanwhile Surzycia on a bad team had a 0.875.

Surzycia was awesome at the start of the year. Really helped us get out well, but in the 2nd half he was really bad for the most part. Obviously doesn't all go on him, but there were more than a few nights we said on here he wasn't his best.

I would absolutely trade for Stuzska if it's cheap. No way would I wanna part with a 2nd or 3rd. An Omeri + 6th/7th would be perfect, but PBO might laugh us off the phone who knows haha.

I'd be fine going into the yr to see what happens as well. Surzycia did show improvement from 18 to 19 even with worse stats. So maybe he can take another step & if Chartier takes a step then we wouldn't need an OA who'd play 40+ games. My guess would be this route for about 20 games. If it's costing them they go get an OA.

 

[stingwagoner]

I can't say I've ever been as high on Surzycia as others (not that anyone has ever said he's elite), but I'd view Stuzska as an upgrade. Now I can't say I watched PBO a ton but I know he remained consistent even with a truly horrific team in front of him the 2nd half.

0.910 last yr on a great team. Surzycia last yr on a great team had a 0.879. this yr on a brutal team Stuzska had an impressive 0.905. the only goalies who did better? OHL goalie of the yr Jacob Oster, Carter George (potential team Canada G), Ryerson Leenders (potential team Canada G) & Jack Ivankovic (arguably best 16 yr old G in Canada). Meanwhile Surzycia on a bad team had a 0.875.

Surzycia was awesome at the start of the year. Really helped us get out well, but in the 2nd half he was really bad for the most part. Obviously doesn't all go on him, but there were more than a few nights we said on here he wasn't his best.

I would absolutely trade for Stuzska if it's cheap. No way would I wanna part with a 2nd or 3rd. An Omeri + 6th/7th would be perfect, but PBO might laugh us off the phone who knows haha.

I'd be fine going into the yr to see what happens as well. Surzycia did show improvement from 18 to 19 even with worse stats. So maybe he can take another step & if Chartier takes a step then we wouldn't need an OA who'd play 40+ games. My guess would be this route for about 20 games. If it's costing them they go get an OA.

As an overage Goalie dont see the value sorry think surzyvia and sztuska are similar, I agree surzyvia had a very tough mid season and his confidence was hurt but I do think he came bavk and regrouped last 3-4 weeks of the year.
I dont think we trade for a OA goalie that is for 1 year think its giving things away when can use those picks and players to upgrade an OA on forward.
Or stay with Surzycia see how chartier comes out and then work to chartier being starter by christmas.
That's all I'm saying Surzycia a steady 25 game starting goalie. Chartier I'm hoping takes reat with boat load of confidence.

 

[Jason M]

I can't say I've ever been as high on Surzycia as others (not that anyone has ever said he's elite), but I'd view Stuzska as an upgrade. Now I can't say I watched PBO a ton but I know he remained consistent even with a truly horrific team in front of him the 2nd half.

0.910 last yr on a great team. Surzycia last yr on a great team had a 0.879. this yr on a brutal team Stuzska had an impressive 0.905. the only goalies who did better? OHL goalie of the yr Jacob Oster, Carter George (potential team Canada G), Ryerson Leenders (potential team Canada G) & Jack Ivankovic (arguably best 16 yr old G in Canada). Meanwhile Surzycia on a bad team had a 0.875.

Surzycia was awesome at the start of the year. Really helped us get out well, but in the 2nd half he was really bad for the most part. Obviously doesn't all go on him, but there were more than a few nights we said on here he wasn't his best.

I would absolutely trade for Stuzska if it's cheap. No way would I wanna part with a 2nd or 3rd. An Omeri + 6th/7th would be perfect, but PBO might laugh us off the phone who knows haha.

I'd be fine going into the yr to see what happens as well. Surzycia did show improvement from 18 to 19 even with worse stats. So maybe he can take another step & if Chartier takes a step then we wouldn't need an OA who'd play 40+ games. My guess would be this route for about 20 games. If it's costing them they go get an OA.

We also still need to see what we have in Maillet. I'd move Surzycia maybe after camp and run Maillet and Chartier. And if they don't pan out pickup a goalie maybe before Christmas break.

 

[StingUpdates]

We also still need to see what we have in Maillet. I'd move Surzycia maybe after camp and run Maillet and Chartier. And if they don't pan out pickup a goalie maybe before Christmas break.

Yah total wildcard there. Definitely excited/nervous to see him haha. Be huge if he could be a legitimate OHL goalie even if it's as a backup.

End of the day it all likely falls on Chartier. If he doesn't look improved they'll need to find a goalie moving forward for not just the upcoming season. Hopefully he's having a good summer & working on some things.

 

[Jason M]

Sting announce coaching staff for the upcoming season. No real changes but Kaden Fulcher named assistant goalie coach.

 

[StingUpdates]

Sting announce coaching staff for the upcoming season. No real changes but Kaden Fulcher named assistant goalie coach.

I like the Fulcher hire. He clearly must be very into being a goalie coach to retire at 25 when he's shown he's an ECHL level goalie with AHL experience & 1 game of NHL experience! Haha. He's started his own goalie school much like Palazzese did. Should do him good to learn from Palazzese for a year or two & keep expanding his own goalie school & ability to teach. Saw him at rookie camp working with the goalies a lot.

He could also be a nice teacher for Chartier. As both hit a big growth spurt at 15/16 & looked rather awkward at times when entering the league. But by 19/20 he became a really solid OHL goalie winning a championship w/Hamilton.

Also said they hired former Sting Matt Hogan who's been working with Windsor for 10 years as well as being a minor hockey coach which could help with some connections/more knowledge on some players. Windsor has been a pretty solid drafting team (at least at F lol), so nabbing him I don't mind. Even if his role was minimal for them (no clue if it was.)

 

[davewheeler]

Sting announce coaching staff for the upcoming season. No real changes but Kaden Fulcher named assistant goalie coach.

Speaking of the coaching staff.... I noticed Jordan Hill working with the Sting players on the buzz instagram page.

 

[StingUpdates]

Speaking of the coaching staff.... I noticed Jordan Hill working with the Sting players on the buzz instagram page.

I noticed that too. His bio is player skills/development for Adam Oates academy (or whatever it's called). I do like how many local/former Sting guys are now working in these type of roles. Nice little bit of extra info or extra work for our players.