Sarnia Sting 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part I

[stingwagoner]

A line juggle isnt coaching. Chemistry is constant, knowing linemates and it takes time not 3 shifts. Moses I'm sorry doesnt deserve 1st line minutes no way
If we had a coach players would play hard every shift go to battle for him. I don't see it, we play slow we don't move puck quick while other team is scrambling on turnovers our D brings puck back to allow good teams to set up their forechecks, we allow teams to pressure us, our 1st pass is U18 quality. Usually the D creates offense with quick ups, stretches on turnovers, 1st pass by our D is worst in league. You would think Lerang being a D would have knowledge to catch teams? we are passive, we are soft and we are worse than last year with more experience, is this Letang's goals and vision for this team because I'm impressed how bad he is making this team look.. skill or not, a team can be coached to compete, to outwork teams, to always be in any game, to play with passion etc besides a few, we have no heart, we don't play for guy beside you in room, we are playing for ourselves.

What if Peterborough beat us? Then is it or staff then?
I think Letang is good guy, his heart is there, his passion for game is there I just honestly don't think his personality demands his players to strive to be more, to go through that wall, to hunger to block shots, finish checks etc his presence and demeanor on bench wouldn't motivate me much to yo to battle for him! That leaves me wondering what besides resume, and his talk does Letang bring to this organization. The Associate coaches could be the issue too PP is embarrassing pk is getting there.
Overhaul is warranted especially when someone made choice to put Simpson on pp yesterday? That is the coaching these boys are getting? Hard to succeed

 

[StingUpdates]

I'm at least glad letang did the media today. As @JAMER said he hasn't been doing it much this year & with where this team is right now if he sent out 2 players I would've been really annoyed by that.

But some of those answers weren't it for me. Tired of him saying "we don't have that star talent" or "we need more from certain guys" like you're the coach. GET IT from those guys. Other teams & coaches are getting it from less talented players than Brown, Kostuch, Karimov, Barr.

Have some accountability. Say my staff & I need to do better. We need to guide these kids in the right direction. We need to get them going for start of games. We need to do extra work to fix the PP. Don't just pin it on them. Even if you feel it's on them put it on yourself & the assistants.

This is a big week for Letang. If this team stinks it up next weekend I think a lot of Sting fans will be thinking how you guys are. Can't miss the playoffs again. No way.

 

[JAMER]

I'm at least glad letang did the media today. As @JAMER said he hasn't been doing it much this year & with where this team is right now if he sent out 2 players I would've been really annoyed by that.

But some of those answers weren't it for me. Tired of him saying "we don't have that star talent" or "we need more from certain guys" like you're the coach. GET IT from those guys. Other teams & coaches are getting it from less talented players than Brown, Kostuch, Karimov, Barr.

Have some accountability. Say my staff & I need to do better. We need to guide these kids in the right direction. We need to get them going for start of games. We need to do extra work to fix the PP. Don't just pin it on them. Even if you feel it's on them put it on yourself & the assistants.

This is a big week for Letang. If this team stinks it up next weekend I think a lot of Sting fans will be thinking how you guys are. Can't miss the playoffs again. No way.

Just finished watching the Letang presser. Pretty disappointed that he put all the blame on the players like wtf. Your the coach of the 2nd youngest team take some responsibility. You have the worst PP and one of the worst PKs it's not all the kids fault. I have a hard time thinking that these guys are going to wanna play for a coach that dumps on them like that. Also we're 1-10 in are last 11 why is Letang not more upset.

 

[StingUpdates]

Not to change subjects but just tweeted this & thought I'd put it here too. This has been something I'm sure ppl have picked up on with me this season lol, but I really do think this league has an issue with the stripes.

That Filak "hook" was absurdly soft today. That Andersen "charge" was a perfect hit. They even had to talk about it because they didn't know what to call it. Just saw a big hit & wanted to call it. They missed a blatant cross check to the face by Young. Filak clean hit and then gets dumped by Andonovski - no call. Minute later Filak does it back - called.

Then the rest of the game guys were giving cheap slashes and punches and they just watched it. Easiest way for a game to get totally out of hand. Not to mention these fricken reviews are getting ridiculous. Games are taking nearly 3 hours..

It ain't just our games either. Been watching a lot of the league this yr and I've been dumbfounded all season by calls made & missed. Really ruining the product IMO.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1858306212262998483

 

[davewheeler]

I'm at least glad letang did the media today. As @JAMER said he hasn't been doing it much this year & with where this team is right now if he sent out 2 players I would've been really annoyed by that.

But some of those answers weren't it for me. Tired of him saying "we don't have that star talent" or "we need more from certain guys" like you're the coach. GET IT from those guys. Other teams & coaches are getting it from less talented players than Brown, Kostuch, Karimov, Barr.

Have some accountability. Say my staff & I need to do better. We need to guide these kids in the right direction. We need to get them going for start of games. We need to do extra work to fix the PP. Don't just pin it on them. Even if you feel it's on them put it on yourself & the assistants.

This is a big week for Letang. If this team stinks it up next weekend I think a lot of Sting fans will be thinking how you guys are. Can't miss the playoffs again. No way.

lol my last post about Letang but he also had those interview vibes during the world jrs ... I forget his exact quote but it was something like the team got lucky bounces last year and didnt this year... which isnt bad but still imo not the right thing to say. I honestly feel like Letang would learn a lot if he came on this forum and read some posts.... makes me think no one in the organization is speaking to him about stuff. Imagine being Seca and making trades for Kostuch and drafting Karimov all to see them buried in the lineup... If im Letang I start tinkering with 4 forwards on the power play.. its bizarre he tinkers with the lineup 247 but doesnt touch the on ice strategy what-so-ever.

 

[StingUpdates]

Delete

 

[stingwagoner]

Does anyone know the responsibility of Jefferey? Just from this year to last he is running special teams and maybe last year Letang had haley on that which was actually better than this year let's start with jeffery pp has to get 1-2goals a game if getting that many chances. Imagine if we did, the confidence we would have that Carrie's over to 5/5. DS needs to atleast bring in a strict Special teams specialist with a tonne of experience and start with a associate coach change not too drastic but needed. And finally Bring in an experienced D coach been saying it all last year it's going to hurt us and guess what is totally is.
Bodin needs a tonne of coaching, hurt has regressed, young needs coaching and I think bridgewater and barr 1000% would benefit from a very experienced sound D coach. This is the OHL there should be coaches that would love the opportunity other than local guys.
Hoping there is some changes before Christmas so we can make the playoffs

 

[Fastpace]

Just finished watching the Letang presser. Pretty disappointed that he put all the blame on the players like wtf. Your the coach of the 2nd youngest team take some responsibility. You have the worst PP and one of the worst PKs it's not all the kids fault. I have a hard time thinking that these guys are going to wanna play for a coach that dumps on them like that. Also we're 1-10 in are last 11 why is Letang not more upset.

I just think this 2nd youngest team have experienced their best learning lesson by playing 3 top teams and in three days, and the coach did not need to say much, there are things they need to learn on their own. We can't expect young players playing like old players game by turning on a switch, I do feel the frustration and how the patience is running thin, thought. With patience, what other teams are doing to them today, you will see the Sting do it right back at them in a year's or two's time, Cheers ! IMHO

 

[davewheeler]

I just think this 2nd youngest team have experienced their best learning lesson by playing 3 top teams and in three days, and the coach did not need to say much, there are things they need to learn on their own. We can't expect young players playing like old players game by turning on a switch, I do feel the frustration and how the patience is running thin, thought. With patience, what other teams are doing to them today, you will see the Sting do it right back at them in a year's or two's time, Cheers ! IMHO

Everyone in here expected The Buzz to lose quite a few games this year and are ok with that for the most part .... But its how they are losing these games - examples have been posted - and the semi-regression of many players on the team thats sounding the alarm bells. This team next year still isn't good unless many players take the next step which hasn't happened so far this year.

 

[Fastpace]

Everyone in here expected The Buzz to lose quite a few games this year and are ok with that for the most part .... But its how they are losing these games - examples have been posted - and the semi-regression of many players on the team thats sounding the alarm bells. This team next year still isn't good unless many players take the next step which hasn't happened so far this year.

They will, take the extra steps, give them some time. The development of young teams and players has never been possible without a period of trial and error.

 

[stingwagoner]

We are still waiting for Letang to take his next step in growing and becoming that coach he hopefully still has inside. 4th year I'm not seeing any growth its same old. Still have fingers crossed he will take responsibility for not growing as a coach and recognizing players strengths and push his players to want more. All in his hands ans looks like he doesn't kmow what else to do. Let's address PP and now PK and then finding line combos that can work with.

 

[StingUpdates]

Kapageridis commits to Vermont. Not surprising. Still doesn't mean he can't play here next year or maybe the yr after depending what season he committed for. There were 4or5 kids today who signed in the CHL including one in Erie.

This is shaping up to be a terrible trade deadline lol. There was a bunch of deals including some heavy hitters before the season even started & now top teams are getting "free" additions.

Unfortunately for the Sting not really sure they'll have anyone teams will want. Filak/Doucette/Surzycia aren't elite OAs. Wainwright, Young would obviously get a ton of interest if available, but not sure that's likely. Maybe a team will want Franceschetti or Moses just as a 4th line grinder? Wouldn't get any significant back in that kind of deal though.

One issue with getting a Kosiba or Beamish over is our top-9 Fs are pretty locked. Not saying they are an elite top-9 but would not move any of Brown, Kostuch, Karimov, Doucette, Filak, Wainwright, Di Iorio, Edwards to the 4th line & they just gave up a 4th for Johnston so I doubt he'd be put on line 4 & they won't just get rid of him after spending a decent asset. So unless they view either as a legit T6 upgrade might not see us do anything with them.

 

[stingwagoner]

Johnston, moses forsure on table

 

[davewheeler]

Kapageridis commits to Vermont. Not surprising. Still doesn't mean he can't play here next year or maybe the yr after depending what season he committed for. There were 4or5 kids today who signed in the CHL including one in Erie.

This is shaping up to be a terrible trade deadline lol. There was a bunch of deals including some heavy hitters before the season even started & now top teams are getting "free" additions.

Unfortunately for the Sting not really sure they'll have anyone teams will want. Filak/Doucette/Surzycia aren't elite OAs. Wainwright, Young would obviously get a ton of interest if available, but not sure that's likely. Maybe a team will want Franceschetti or Moses just as a 4th line grinder? Wouldn't get any significant back in that kind of deal though.

One issue with getting a Kosiba or Beamish over is our top-9 Fs are pretty locked. Not saying they are an elite top-9 but would not move any of Brown, Kostuch, Karimov, Doucette, Filak, Wainwright, Di Iorio, Edwards to the 4th line & they just gave up a 4th for Johnston so I doubt he'd be put on line 4 & they won't just get rid of him after spending a decent asset. So unless they view either as a legit T6 upgrade might not see us do anything with them.

Just my opinion but if it meant getting Kosiba I would not hesitate to trade or send Filak and Doucette to the bottom line lol. Karimov is basically already on the 4th line.

 

[StingUpdates]

Just my opinion but if it meant getting Kosiba I would not hesitate to trade or send Filak and Doucette to the bottom line lol. Karimov is basically already on the 4th line.

Yah it's tough. I totally see that point. Long term you'd rather have the kid then not because u don't wanna upset someone's feelings.

But same time they are all OHL T9 Fs & Filak, Doucette been T6 back 2 back seasons.

Realistically Johnston should be the one moved for it. But could they get similar value to what they just paid?

 

[stingwagoner]

We need an identity that's forsure. Kitchener is best coached team in league, showed yesterday don't have to have team full of studs to really play great hockey especially as a team. We just don't don't have that guidance or atleast staff doesn't demand it.
Next 3 week are huge for this team and could make or break the direction this team can go

 

[davewheeler]

We need an identity that's forsure. Kitchener is best coached team in league, showed yesterday don't have to have team full of studs to really play great hockey especially as a team. We just don't don't have that guidance or atleast staff doesn't demand it.
Next 3 week are huge for this team and could make or break the direction this team can go

Buzz have a decent chunk of winnable games in that stretch ... OTT x2, Flint. x2,PTBO, O.S.. you gotta get those games because if they dont they follow that with KIT, LDN, SAG, LDN, LDN, which is prolly 5L's in a row. Buzz are already 1-9 in their last 10 so dropping the ball vs this lighter schedule coming up would be a disaster.

 

[StingUpdates]

Buzz have a decent chunk of winnable games in that stretch ... OTT x2, Flint. x2,PTBO, O.S.. you gotta get those games because if they dont they follow that with KIT, LDN, SAG, LDN, LDN, which is prolly 5L's in a row. Buzz are already 1-9 in their last 10 so dropping the ball vs this lighter schedule coming up would be a disaster.

The 2nd half is very favorable. Ton of home games. Not many busy stretches. A lot of games vs non elite teams.

It's why I remained positive for the most part thru the road trip. Just this past weekend was very troubling.

I'm approaching Friday vs Ottawa as a must win frankly. Barrie is elite. Tough to beat them Sunday. This can't become a massive losing streak. Team is dying for confidence. Need to get back on track or else this could go off the rails.

 

[stingwagoner]

Well I'd say 1st off stop putting lines in blender.and leave things be

1st Brown wainwright karimov really liked them together in oshawa and mississauga our best line by far haven't seen it since. We need more out of them and wainwright usually bring alot more out of his linemates.

2nd Di iorio filak(wing) doucette
Great mix of support for a 16 year old good line it's time we develop him and stip forcing him to carry a line just isn't fair to his development. Let's be smarter here and support him.

3rd Edward's kostuch franchesschetti (strong hard worker like jj will open ice to help get the other 2 the puck-jj won't try to do himself like moses or johnston do, we need puck on stick of kostuch and Edwards.

4th moses Johnston- need way more effort from these 2 IMO and need to play with linemates rotate a filak and wainwright with them even a doucette.still gives them opportunities to get into offense and still decent D line IF Johnston plays with linemates that is.

Going forward we need consistency pp goals and a will to kill on pk and geit out the next 5 gamesget things back going bighest games of year are next weekend could make or break things.

 

[JAMER]

Been seeing some guys coming over to CHL from BCHL. Wonder if the Sting could sign either. Liam Beamish still 17 has 8pts in 20g in BCHL. Or maybe Easton Walos still 15 has 0pts in 17g also plays on same team as Beamish. I would have no problem moving someone if it means we could get one or both of them.

 

[StingUpdates]

I'd be good with those lines, but have little hope Letang would.

Gotta say I think we all knew it was gonna hurt losing Fischer, but man oh man it has killed them. Also, I know these numbers aren't completely fair considering his injury came at literally the worst time with injuries, U17s, Wainwright sspd & murderers row of games, but it's wild just how much worse they've been everywhere without him.

Record
With: 5-2-4
Without: 2-10-0

Goals For
With: 36 (3.27 a game)
Without: 26 (2.1 a game)

Goals against
With: 41 (3.5 a game)
Without: 56 (4.6 a game)

PP%
With: 12% (still horrific)
Without: 7%... (good. fricken. God.)

PK%
With: 5PPGA - 85% & only averaged 3 penalties a game
Without: 16PPGA -72% & averaging 5 penalties a game... They've only had one game without allowing a PPG (Brampton)..

Shots against:
With: 4 games with more than 35 shots. 2 of them (both SAG) above 40.
Without: 7 games with more than 35 shots. 6 of them 40+.

To say they've missed him would be an understatement. In literally every facet of the game. Especially in areas that aren't scored. Breaking up passes, killing cycles, bringing the puck up, good outlet passes. All areas this team has been horrid at since he left which has led to extended shifts in our own end, more penalties, more breakdowns etc.

Fingers crossed he's back this weekend & his shoulder issue was a 1 & done thing & not another Dillingham where it keeps coming back because clearly this team cant handle not having him.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Well I'd say 1st off stop putting lines in blender.and leave things be

1st Brown wainwright karimov really liked them together in oshawa and mississauga our best line by far haven't seen it since. We need more out of them and wainwright usually bring alot more out of his linemates.

2nd Di iorio filak(wing) doucette
Great mix of support for a 16 year old good line it's time we develop him and stip forcing him to carry a line just isn't fair to his development. Let's be smarter here and support him.

3rd Edward's kostuch franchesschetti (strong hard worker like jj will open ice to help get the other 2 the puck-jj won't try to do himself like moses or johnston do, we need puck on stick of kostuch and Edwards.

4th moses Johnston- need way more effort from these 2 IMO and need to play with linemates rotate a filak and wainwright with them even a doucette.still gives them opportunities to get into offense and still decent D line IF Johnston plays with linemates that is.

Going forward we need consistency pp goals and a will to kill on pk and geit out the next 5 gamesget things back going bighest games of year are next weekend could make or break things.

I like these lines although I doubt we see Johnston move out of the top nine because of what they gave up for him. If he did stay in the top 9, I'd go back to the veteran line of Johnston-Filak-Doucette that also played well together in Oshawa and Brampton. Then Di Iorio-Edwards-Kostuch could be your third line. It would get them some easier matchups and finally give Kostuch some skilled players to play with. Franceschetti and Moses would be a crash and bang fourth line that hopefully Chamberlain or Hall can eventually come back to centre. Like you said the most important thing is to put together lines and then leave them together for a few weeks at least.

I'd like to see some adjustments to the PP units too. Move Doucette back up to PP1 with Brown, Di Iorio, Edwards, and Young. That unit had the most success of anyone this year on the northern road trip. PP2 should be Barr, Filak, Karimov, Kostuch, and Wainwright. Good mix of vets and young guys

 

[StingUpdates]

Been seeing some guys coming over to CHL from BCHL. Wonder if the Sting could sign either. Liam Beamish still 17 has 8pts in 20g in BCHL. Or maybe Easton Walos still 15 has 0pts in 17g also plays on same team as Beamish. I would have no problem moving someone if it means we could get one or both of them.

Walos is most interesting. Supposed to be a very, very skilled player. We took his brother a few years ago and he didn't show but Seca said he had good discussions with the family at the time then this year with Easton.

Being 16 makes it more intriguing because he'd be here for multiple seasons.

OHL4Life mentioned today on twitter that some teams are staying away because these teams are asking for 10-15-20K to release their player. Who knows if that's the case with us, but you see the reasoning & as I mentioned yesterday they do have a lot of Fs.

Definitely hoping we can get somebody if not during the season after it