Sarnia Sting 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part I

[davewheeler]

Just read the article of last night's game. Seca talks about how we just gotta keep digging in. We've already dug so deep we can't get out of the hole. I noticed he never mentioned the coaches. He also mentions Young should be back next week.

reminds me of the Trudeau government saying were rolling up our sleeves. Pathetic. Seca doesn't wanna admit he built a crap team. No accountability whatsoever. It seems like Karimov is the whipping boy.

 

[howler2]

I think it is a sin to load up your team for one single large kick at the big "M" can. Sending out your talented young players who are 16 and 17 years old and bring in older players who are 19 or 20 years old for one playoff run. The following 2 seasons, you lose your 19-20 year old and no longer have future young 16 & 17 year-old stars in sights. Is it any wonder this team is thin today? IMHO

Totally agree, but now we have what I believe is the making of a pretty good team for the future and end up with a sub par coaching staff . Looking back at our disastrous kick at the can and guess what we were out coached and lost everything ! He was even outcoached in the World jr's . The hard core fans have been hanging in there but this is going to end in disaster . We have had enough !

 

[Fastpace]

Totally agree, but now we have what I believe is the making of a pretty good team for the future and end up with a sub par coaching staff . Looking back at our disastrous kick at the can and guess what we were coached and lost everything ! He was even outcoached in the World jr's . The hard core fans have been hanging in there but this is going to end in disaster . We have had enough !

Patience, should be in order, they are young, and they still have a lot of trials and errors to experience before they become consistently much better as a mature team

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Probably the last time I'll fully touch on it the rest of this weekend as we are beating a dead horse x20000, but maybe this team just sucks. Way more than we anticipated. Barr hasn't looked good. Brown hasn't. Hurt is solid, but definitely having some lower lows than last year. Kostuch has come around after slow start..Karimov isn't as good as hyped up.

But it isn't THIS bad. We literally saw them playing pretty solid hockey the first few weeks. One of the only teams to beat Windsor. Played a great game vs Saginaw that they choked. Played a great game vs Oshawa that they also choked. Played a great game @ Brampton. Played awesome up north vs NB/SBY & decent vs SSM. Outplayed NIA both meetings..

They look like a team who's quit on the coach. I'm not sure how else to view it. They rarely start on time. Worst special teams in the league. Don't even play physical like they were early on. Don't block shots like they were early on. Remember when they were fighting like every game if not multiple times? Completely gone. They look so flat.

Whatever they do work on in practice does not show whatsoever. They actually look more disorganized/disjointed by the week! They just played a team with 3 (!!!) wins and I came away saying wow we look more out sorts)disjointed then them!

I do not think Letang is an awful coach. It's why I was a supporter of him even while others weren't big fans (clearly u guys were right lol). I liked how our D were developing under him. Ritchie, Mast, Dillingham all took huge strides under him. Kyrou in a few months went from utter disaster defensively to super reliable. Last yr Hurt and Barr looked great as rookies. Fischer took a step.

But he's never been a strong coach for offense/creativity & it got exposed vs LDN when he had a super team & they couldn't score & ever since it's like he has gone to another level of conservative. This team for 2 seasons takes ZERO risks & plays with 0 creativity. When's the last time on the PP we saw a bloody seem pass from wing2wing? When's the last time we saw a tic tac toe goal on the PP? When's the last time we saw a set play not even for a goal just in general?

They play not to lose. That is not how this roster should play. It should be an uptempo, in your face, aggressive team. They have elite speed. They have guys with legit skill (Wainwright Karimov Kostuch Di Iorio Edwards Brown Doucette Fischer Young Bridgewater) & yet it's never used.. they actually look scared to use it!

He isn't developing the Fs with his stingy style & even the D aren't developing & offensive guys like Barr/Bridgewater have been reduced to stay at home types as when do u ever see them joining the rush???

He is a fine coach, but he isn't the coach for this roster of players & it's pretty obvious. I hear the "well who would you hire", I don't know. Some have made some suggestions. Maybe Legwand can be interim. Maybe Jordan Hill. Strathroy coach. This can't continue. It's just killing these kids confidence & soon enough kids will want out.

The biggest thing that I'm worried about is the regression or stagnation of the three promising rookies from last year.

Brown: 0.41 PPG last season ----> 0.31 PPG this season

Barr: 0.26 PPG last season ----> 0.19 PPG this season

Kostuch: 0.41 PPG in Sarnia last season ----> 0.41 PPG this season

Karimov was supposed to be the fourth part of this young core and he's constantly sitting on the fourth line despite putting up nearly a 0.50 PPG. You can't be a coach in a development league if you can't develop your key young players.

The other issue is that the team has no identity anymore. In the deep playoff run and in the first 10 games of the last two seasons their identity was frustrating the other team by playing great team defence. They wanted to be a pain in the behind to play against. The players either don't believe that's a winning formula or are not able to do that consistently. So if you're Letang you should see that you need to adjust your play style but he hasn't.

I don't think we can let Seca completely off the hook either. He's traded Campbell, Daviault, Martone, MacDonell, and Namestnikov who have all turned out to be good/great OHLers. His picks in rounds 1-3 in his first three years (2020-2022) are hurting the team. His picks in those years were: Namestnikov, Morden, McIntyre, MacDonell, Lalkin, Daviault, Martone, Doherty, and Campbell.

He traded seven of those nine players before they played two seasons in the league. Morden never came over and Lalkin played one season before the team let him go. Those are supposed to be the players that are your veteran leaders this season. This looks like a team that is missing that veteran leadership.

They need to go in another direction with the coach but Seca only has one more coach to hire before the blame starts to fall on him imo

 

[stingwagoner]

It's not like martone and macdonnell would change the make up of this team much martone would be demanding a trade as he would be playing 2nd pp and 3rd line or new line every game. So dont think they threw future away I think uts more Letangs coaching ir development. Of 07s is hurting the team they are regressing from mental screwing as play different line all the time regardless of how play. It's actually ruined Brown in my opinion. Should have played all year with wainwright just like last year and he would have 10 goals by now. That's coaching.may e Seca is the problem if thinks its players.

 

[StingUpdates]

The biggest thing that I'm worried about is the regression or stagnation of the three promising rookies from last year.

Brown: 0.41 PPG last season ----> 0.31 PPG this season

Barr: 0.26 PPG last season ----> 0.19 PPG this season

Kostuch: 0.41 PPG in Sarnia last season ----> 0.41 PPG this season

Karimov was supposed to be the fourth part of this young core and he's constantly sitting on the fourth line despite putting up nearly a 0.50 PPG. You can't be a coach in a development league if you can't develop your key young players.

The other issue is that the team has no identity anymore. In the deep playoff run and in the first 10 games of the last two seasons their identity was frustrating the other team by playing great team defence. They wanted to be a pain in the behind to play against. The players either don't believe that's a winning formula or are not able to do that consistently. So if you're Letang you should see that you need to adjust your play style but he hasn't.

I don't think we can let Seca completely off the hook either. He's traded Campbell, Daviault, Martone, MacDonell, and Namestnikov who have all turned out to be good/great OHLers. His picks in rounds 1-3 in his first three years (2020-2022) are hurting the team. His picks in those years were: Namestnikov, Morden, McIntyre, MacDonell, Lalkin, Daviault, Martone, Doherty, and Campbell.

He traded seven of those nine players before they played two seasons in the league. Morden never came over and Lalkin played one season before the team let him go. Those are supposed to be the players that are your veteran leaders this season. This looks like a team that is missing that veteran leadership.

They need to go in another direction with the coach but Seca only has one more coach to hire before the blame starts to fall on him imo

I don't think he took Morden/Namestnikov/McIntyre. Could be wrong on that, but think that was Sinclair.

But point still stands no doubt. If you have to trade 4 premium young talents, one being rather exceptional in one season is your team good enough to win to begin with? I thought the answer was yes with Gaudreau/Voit/Burke/Mast/Ritchie/Dillingham/Romeo/Vilmanis/Lantz as the core. But they certainly weren't blowing peoples doors off before all the moves & I still think it was the right move to go for it.

Namestnikov wasn't showing much. MacDonell is good not great. Daviault didn't take the step we wanted. Those 3 made sense. Martone on the other hand, clearly was a massive blunder as he may go 1st overall in the NHL Draft & you should NEVER trade talents that significant. Never.

I was thrilled with how quick I thought he turned it around, but evidently he didn't lol. we are actually going backwards. I don't think he's done a great job filling out the lineup. Moses & Franceschetti add some jam, sure, but both are 19 & bring absolutely no offence. Why is Hall still here? He's never impressed & is 18 now. Why did they hold onto Sim for so long? Why did Chamberlain make this team out of camp & stay? These moves have made it so L4 brings absolutely nothing to the table. Add in Letang throws Kostuch or Karimov down there & they get sucked into the void of offence.

That covid draft definitely sucked. MacDonell was a fine 1st. Lalkin total bust. Daviault is solid now at 19. missed on every other pick than wainwright who's the only one that's been on your team last yr & this yr. I cut some slack with covid, but it's still bad & it sets you back.

Following draft funny enough you'd say we did good right? Martone maybe best player from draft. Doherty is at least a decent OHLer. Campbell took time, but is playing well, Omeri is a fine depth D, O'Toole made the league & Fischer is a stud.

Obviously dealt Martone at 16. But they dealt Doherty & I don't fully disagree with it, but he's certainly better than Chamberlain/Luecke/Sim/JJ/Moses. They chose Barr/Omeri/Hurt over Campbell. That isn't aging great! Hell OSH moved O'Toole to F & he's being there Franceschetti except he's fighting & being a presence.

I still don't disagree with moving Doherty but he'd be a clear upgrade to our B6 that isn't scoring. Campbell would probably be our 3rd maybe 4th best D.

Definitely blame to go around. I feel most lies on the coaching, but Seca gets a lot too.

 

[HkyBeegs3]

Another 4 years of HOT GARBAGE. But hey sting fans, don't worry it'll be another 12 years before we make it to the conference finals. This Franchise is cursed

It's not like martone and macdonnell would change the make up of this team much martone would be demanding a trade as he would be playing 2nd pp and 3rd line or new line every game. So dont think they threw future away I think uts more Letangs coaching ir development. Of 07s is hurting the team they are regressing from mental screwing as play different line all the time regardless of how play. It's actually ruined Brown in my opinion. Should have played all year with wainwright just like last year and he would have 10 goals by now. That's coaching.may e Seca is the problem if thinks its players.

are you high? they would most definetly change the makeup of this team. How would they not?

 

[DarkRedxJ]

I don't think he took Morden/Namestnikov/McIntyre. Could be wrong on that, but think that was Sinclair.

But point still stands no doubt. If you have to trade 4 premium young talents, one being rather exceptional in one season is your team good enough to win to begin with? I thought the answer was yes with Gaudreau/Voit/Burke/Mast/Ritchie/Dillingham/Romeo/Vilmanis/Lantz as the core. But they certainly weren't blowing peoples doors off before all the moves & I still think it was the right move to go for it.

Namestnikov wasn't showing much. MacDonell is good not great. Daviault didn't take the step we wanted. Those 3 made sense. Martone on the other hand, clearly was a massive blunder as he may go 1st overall in the NHL Draft & you should NEVER trade talents that significant. Never.

I was thrilled with how quick I thought he turned it around, but evidently he didn't lol. we are actually going backwards. I don't think he's done a great job filling out the lineup. Moses & Franceschetti add some jam, sure, but both are 19 & bring absolutely no offence. Why is Hall still here? He's never impressed & is 18 now. Why did they hold onto Sim for so long? Why did Chamberlain make this team out of camp & stay? These moves have made it so L4 brings absolutely nothing to the table. Add in Letang throws Kostuch or Karimov down there & they get sucked into the void of offence.

That covid draft definitely sucked. MacDonell was a fine 1st. Lalkin total bust. Daviault is solid now at 19. missed on every other pick than wainwright who's the only one that's been on your team last yr & this yr. I cut some slack with covid, but it's still bad & it sets you back.

Following draft funny enough you'd say we did good right? Martone maybe best player from draft. Doherty is at least a decent OHLer. Campbell took time, but is playing well, Omeri is a fine depth D, O'Toole made the league & Fischer is a stud.

Obviously dealt Martone at 16. But they dealt Doherty & I don't fully disagree with it, but he's certainly better than Chamberlain/Luecke/Sim/JJ/Moses. They chose Barr/Omeri/Hurt over Campbell. That isn't aging great! Hell OSH moved O'Toole to F & he's being there Franceschetti except he's fighting & being a presence.

I still don't disagree with moving Doherty but he'd be a clear upgrade to our B6 that isn't scoring. Campbell would probably be our 3rd maybe 4th best D.

Definitely blame to go around. I feel most lies on the coaching, but Seca gets a lot too.

It was Sinclair that drafted Morden,Namestnikov and McIntyre.

 

[davewheeler]

Another 4 years of HOT GARBAGE. But hey sting fans, don't worry it'll be another 12 years before we make it to the conference finals. This Franchise is cursed


are you high? they would most definetly change the makeup of this team. How would they not?

I think he was being sarcastic.

 

[NBBFan]

Lines all over the place again. Lol. Just nuts.

 

[stingwagoner]

I think he was being sarcastic.

Obviously, would is my point

 

[SarniaStingFan]

I don't think he took Morden/Namestnikov/McIntyre. Could be wrong on that, but think that was Sinclair.

But point still stands no doubt. If you have to trade 4 premium young talents, one being rather exceptional in one season is your team good enough to win to begin with? I thought the answer was yes with Gaudreau/Voit/Burke/Mast/Ritchie/Dillingham/Romeo/Vilmanis/Lantz as the core. But they certainly weren't blowing peoples doors off before all the moves & I still think it was the right move to go for it.

Namestnikov wasn't showing much. MacDonell is good not great. Daviault didn't take the step we wanted. Those 3 made sense. Martone on the other hand, clearly was a massive blunder as he may go 1st overall in the NHL Draft & you should NEVER trade talents that significant. Never.

I was thrilled with how quick I thought he turned it around, but evidently he didn't lol. we are actually going backwards. I don't think he's done a great job filling out the lineup. Moses & Franceschetti add some jam, sure, but both are 19 & bring absolutely no offence. Why is Hall still here? He's never impressed & is 18 now. Why did they hold onto Sim for so long? Why did Chamberlain make this team out of camp & stay? These moves have made it so L4 brings absolutely nothing to the table. Add in Letang throws Kostuch or Karimov down there & they get sucked into the void of offence.

That covid draft definitely sucked. MacDonell was a fine 1st. Lalkin total bust. Daviault is solid now at 19. missed on every other pick than wainwright who's the only one that's been on your team last yr & this yr. I cut some slack with covid, but it's still bad & it sets you back.

Following draft funny enough you'd say we did good right? Martone maybe best player from draft. Doherty is at least a decent OHLer. Campbell took time, but is playing well, Omeri is a fine depth D, O'Toole made the league & Fischer is a stud.

Obviously dealt Martone at 16. But they dealt Doherty & I don't fully disagree with it, but he's certainly better than Chamberlain/Luecke/Sim/JJ/Moses. They chose Barr/Omeri/Hurt over Campbell. That isn't aging great! Hell OSH moved O'Toole to F & he's being there Franceschetti except he's fighting & being a presence.

I still don't disagree with moving Doherty but he'd be a clear upgrade to our B6 that isn't scoring. Campbell would probably be our 3rd maybe 4th best D.

Definitely blame to go around. I feel most lies on the coaching, but Seca gets a lot too.

My mistake on 2020, that was Sinclair drafting as you and @JAMER pointed out.

I'm very torn about whether going for it in 2022 was the right move. He gave up a potential no. 1 overall pick in the NHL and a guy who's a very good OHL player in MacDonnell. I don't really have a problem with dealing Namestnikov or Davaiult.

Seca could gave sold off instead and likely gotten another elite 2006 born player by trading Voit and boatloads of picks. Say that player is Beaudoin from Barrie or Mews from Ottawa, could this team be a contender this season instead? The picks give you a great chance at finding more impact players. Ultimately, we can't go back in time and find out which is the better option. The route that they went did provide us with a lot of joy that season so I can't complain too much.

Roster compisition is not great. I think it's mainly hurt by those three years (2020 not being Seca's fault). We have one player on our roster who's a top five round pick by Sarnia from 2020-2022. That's Carson Hall who as you said hasn't been very good. Whether it's not drafting the right players or trading guys away too early that falls on the GM.

That forced him to rely on late round picks, U18 picks, or FA's like Doucette, Filak, Wainwright, Surzycia, and Young to be the veteran core of this team which isn't a winning formula despite how well all of them have developed over time.

I don't think Seca is a bad GM. I think some of those moves and drafts were due to inexperience. This year looks to be a step in the right direction by drafting Di Iorio and Edwards. I'm hoping that continues. If those same mistakes continue to happen in the next 1-2 years his seat will be getting hot

 

[DarkRedxJ]

Lines all over the place again. Lol. Just nuts.

Don't really mind tonight's lines. Only difference i would make would be swaping Wainwright and Beamish.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Here are the lines for anyone who hasn't seen them:

Brown-Beamish-Filak
Doucette-Edwards-Karimov
Kostuch-Wainwright-Johnston
Franceschetti-Hall-Moses

Hurt-Bodin
O'Brien-Omeri
Bridgewater-Barr

Surzycia

I don't have massive issues with this. Good to see Karimov and Kostuch in the top 9. Only changes I would want to see are Wainwright being higher up in the lineup and Hurt-Bodin not being paired together

 

[StingUpdates]

Another 4 years of HOT GARBAGE. But hey sting fans, don't worry it'll be another 12 years before we make it to the conference finals. This Franchise is cursed


are you high? they would most definetly change the makeup of this team. How would they not?

If we are lucky. Took 30 to get to the conference finals once lol.

Here are the lines for anyone who hasn't seen them:

Brown-Beamish-Filak
Doucette-Edwards-Karimov
Kostuch-Wainwright-Johnston
Franceschetti-Hall-Moses

Hurt-Bodin
O'Brien-Omeri
Bridgewater-Barr

Surzycia

I don't have massive issues with this. Good to see Karimov and Kostuch in the top 9. Only changes I would want to see are Wainwright being higher up in the lineup and Hurt-Bodin not being paired together

Back into the blender lol. This is what they should've been yesterday except flip Karimov and Kostuch and role with them.

Thought we might see Maillet

 

[stingwagoner]

Famous blender

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Not so fun fact:

The Sting haven't won in Ottawa since November 18, 2007. Sarnia's goal scorers in that victory were Matt Martin (x2) and Steven Stamkos

 

[DarkRedxJ]

An awful start 4min PP only get 1 shot and almost give up a shorthanded goal.

 

[DarkRedxJ]

Surzycia is the only reason this game is score less.

 

[StingUpdates]

Hopefully Kostuch is ok. That looked pretty scary. Karimov our most dangerous F. Shocker. Surzycia was unreal.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

I thought the effort level was higher that period. Saw a few blocked shots and some hits. Liked the physicality of the fourth line on the first shift of the game that ended up drawing the PP. Beamish was good that period. Nice stick lift on the PK, had a few good chances in tight, and nearly set up Filak for a tap-in on a nice three-way passing. I hope that Kostuch is alright after that scary high stick. Have to tighten up defensively in the second

 

[stingwagoner]

.finally brown gets rewarded for his hard work. He has been the hardest working forward that's forsure.
Beamish 1st point.

Finally Brown....

 

[StingUpdates]

Browns celebration said it all..huge scream of relief. Beamish picks up 1st OHL point too. That lines been really good.

 

[StingUpdates]

Played a pretty solid period after Brown scored.. unfortunately their PP is the worst anyone's ever seen.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

They completely took over after the Brown goal. Outshot Ottawa 16-2 and were controlling the game. Then a bad too many men penalty and immediately get scored on. That was one I'd really Surzycia to have.

First line looks really good tonight. Beamish continues to impress me. Good block, got his first point, and then another good play with his stick on the PK to deflect the puck out of the zone. Huge goal for Brown. He could see and hear how relieved he was. Liking the physicality and effort level.

They may not win this game but this is 10x better than I've seen them play in the last month