SSM Greyhounds 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[EvenSteven]

I'll give my take for the West:

Kitchener: Top 4 defenseman. It's a solid top 3, led by a nice complimentary pair in Andonovski and Brzustewicz, along with always steady Simon Motew. I think the losses of Hamara and Schmidt will be exposed as the season progresses, as Reid and Campbell don't seem ready to take top 4 roles.

Target: Spencer Sova

Soo: Top 6 scoring. Scoring depth from the youngsters has been good, but they are playing too many top 6 minutes, especially with the captain's status in question. D'Intino has proven that he can't be relied on to stay healthy.

Target: Oliver Peer

London: Forward depth: Their top 7 forwards are the best in the league in my opinion. Then you get to the rest, who have a total of just 15 goals. They need an older and better bottom 6 in the playoffs.

Target: Jonathan Melee

Saginaw: Team defense. Despite a dynamic offense, the team is average 5-5, mostly because they are poor defensively. Hache and Forgione are stout defenders, but the remaining defensemen are very poor. Loukus should be sent out for an upgrade.

Target: Connor Punnett

Not all the Rangers need, but as you said, our number one need is a top 4 D

 

[Kingpin794]

I'll give my take for the West:

Kitchener: Top 4 defenseman. It's a solid top 3, led by a nice complimentary pair in Andonovski and Brzustewicz, along with always steady Simon Motew. I think the losses of Hamara and Schmidt will be exposed as the season progresses, as Reid and Campbell don't seem ready to take top 4 roles.

Target: Spencer Sova

Soo: Top 6 scoring. Scoring depth from the youngsters has been good, but they are playing too many top 6 minutes, especially with the captain's status in question. D'Intino has proven that he can't be relied on to stay healthy.

Target: Oliver Peer

London: Forward depth: Their top 7 forwards are the best in the league in my opinion. Then you get to the rest, who have a total of just 15 goals. They need an older and better bottom 6 in the playoffs.

Target: Jonathan Melee

Saginaw: Team defense. Despite a dynamic offense, the team is average 5-5, mostly because they are poor defensively. Hache and Forgione are stout defenders, but the remaining defensemen are very poor. Loukus should be sent out for an upgrade.

Target: Connor Punnett

I was curious about the 5v5 point. So after a quick check, you can see the 5v5 goal differential per game. There is a clear divide between Saginaw and London. No one else has a differential over 0.5 after Saginaw. Kitchener has an absurd number. Nearly a goal and a half. I still expect that to fall a bit. Probably to the 0.9 range by end of year. Which would still be incredible. Sudbury is doing well 5v5. They just need special teams to come around. Missy and Soo are neck and neck around 0.7. Saginaw not too far behind at 0.567. So wouldn't saw we're average 5v5 but yes we could always use some improving.

 

[HockeyPops]

U18 2nd round pick Noah Tegelaar

Beavers’ Tegelaar among CJHL GAA leaders

nojhl.com

 

[DeletedAccountt]

Not all the Rangers need, but as you said, our number one need is a top 4 D

1 top 4 but I think Rangers at best to try to find two dmen and stay away from spending all their assets on a guy like Beck. They don’t need offense in my opinion.

I like Punnett a lot but the only OA I would be comfortable upgrading is Sirizotti now lol



It’s just SO hard to ignore the chemistry we are witnessing firsthand at the WJC…..immediate chemistry.

U18 2nd round pick Noah Tegelaar

Beavers’ Tegelaar among CJHL GAA leaders

nojhl.com

Hounds potentially could have two stellar goalies moving forward and that excites me a lot. When was the last time? Haha

 

[DeletedAccountt]

Never give up

Passed over twice in the NHL Draft, Owen Allard used hard work to make Canada’s National Junior Team for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.

www.hockeycanada.ca

 

[OHLfan200]

Hey, everyone! Hoping you all are having a great holiday! Just wanted to share a new blog post with you all! , "Greyhound Hockey Hub" with this link: Home | Greyhound Hockey Hub

 

[HockeyPops]

Love the blog, keep it going. I am not 100% on London however. Currently 4th in the west by points % with Guelph breathing down their neck. I wouldn't put it past Hunter to do a small retool. With the Mem Cup being hosted by the OHL, you might find more buyers than sellers allowing Hunter to get top dollar. They could position themselves in a better position for a run next season. Next few weeks will be fun!

 

[DWI Dale]

owen allard again!

 

[DeletedAccountt]

Right from the horses mouth!

Raftis ready to make moves - Soo Greyhounds

Hounds, Spirit meet Thursday 7:05 p.m. at Dow Event Center; first game for both clubs following the Christmas break

chl.ca

 

[HockeyPops]

owen allard again!

Nice tip

 

[DeletedAccountt]

Love the blog, keep it going. I am not 100% on London however. Currently 4th in the west by points % with Guelph breathing down their neck. I wouldn't put it past Hunter to do a small retool. With the Mem Cup being hosted by the OHL, you might find more buyers than sellers allowing Hunter to get top dollar. They could position themselves in a better position for a run next season. Next few weeks will be fun!

London could make some noise next year for sure.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they sold a player or two off this deadline as well. It made me wonder if Cowan could be in the mix , but doubtful

 

[DeletedAccountt]

The rumors are cooking up now. Marlies tournament has the people talking.

 

[HockeyPops]

Pure speculation post:

My best guess is that Raftis makes 1 trade this deadline. Beck and Konnor Smith in, and picks plus 2 2006 players out (one forward and one defenseman).

I have weighed a lot of other options (such as an OA upgrade, only bringing in a forward, and bringing in a lesser impact player), but the above scenario seems to make the most sense to me. Whether or not Raftis sees it this way, and whether or not he gets outbid, are questions I don't have an answer for.

 

[DeletedAccountt]

Pure speculation post:

My best guess is that Raftis makes 1 trade this deadline. Beck and Konnor Smith in, and picks plus 2 2006 players out (one forward and one defenseman).

I have weighed a lot of other options (such as an OA upgrade, only bringing in a forward, and bringing in a lesser impact player), but the above scenario seems to make the most sense to me. Whether or not Raftis sees it this way, and whether or not he gets outbid, are questions I don't have an answer for.

I’m with ya

 

[Houndzfan20]

Pure speculation post:

My best guess is that Raftis makes 1 trade this deadline. Beck and Konnor Smith in, and picks plus 2 2006 players out (one forward and one defenseman).

I have weighed a lot of other options (such as an OA upgrade, only bringing in a forward, and bringing in a lesser impact player), but the above scenario seems to make the most sense to me. Whether or not Raftis sees it this way, and whether or not he gets outbid, are questions I don't have an answer for.

I agree. Those 2 should be our targets. One thing I would try tho, is to upgrade one of sirrizotti or Dino wirh peer. I think peer on this team would be unreal.

But I'd be happy with the two you mentioned if that's all we got

 

[Fischhaber]

I agree. Those 2 should be our targets. One thing I would try tho, is to upgrade one of sirrizotti or Dino wirh peer. I think peer on this team would be unreal.

But I'd be happy with the two you mentioned if that's all we got

I agree. I've said before that I think Peer is the most Greyhounds style player in the league that isn't already with the team. He's supremely skilled and is really hard on the puck when he doesn't have it.

 

[Houndzfan20]

I agree. I've said before that I think Peer is the most Greyhounds style player in the league that isn't already with the team. He's supremely skilled and is really hard on the puck when he doesn't have it.

And speed to burn.

 

[DeletedAccountt]

the more I think about it .. could that be how Raftis outbids other teams? Looking to one stop shop with Pete’s and package Beck/Smith or maybe Beck/Smith/X? Gives Pete’s the best return dealing with a package, and other teams involved may not be interested in that type of deal( only interested in Beck, or just the Beck/Smith)

This is also just me spitballing, but, ya never know!

 

[Fischhaber]

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but while Konnor Smith is a good player, he really doesn't fit this team's needs or play style. I think he would have difficulty carving out a role here. I think McCoy is a better fit.

 

[Houndzfan20]

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but while Konnor Smith is a good player, he really doesn't fit this team's needs or play style. I think he would have difficulty carving out a role here. I think McCoy is a better fit.

I don't think Mccoy will be available. I know they said anyone is up for grabs but I think he may be pegged as their next captain.

I think we have enough skill on the back end to move the puck. We need a guy that can punish people, has a 15 ft. Wing span, can skate and is tough. Also has championship experience.

Watching him against the petes last year in Peterborough, he had all the hounds scared.

Personally, I'd like to see him in red and white.

 

[Fischhaber]

I don't think Mccoy will be available. I know they said anyone is up for grabs but I think he may be pegged as their next captain.

I think we have enough skill on the back end to move the puck. We need a guy that can punish people, has a 15 ft. Wing span, can skate and is tough. Also has championship experience.

Watching him against the petes last year in Peterborough, he had all the hounds scared.

Personally, I'd like to see him in red and white.

Those are the good things, for sure. I think they are big assets on a team like Sudbury or Saginaw.

This is a system team that requires system players. We're not like a Guelph or London that have experienced and adaptable coaches, who can integrate different styles.

Guys that are not great skaters or quick decision makers are especially poor fits in our system and always have been. That's the reason they have always eschewed these more one dimensional physical players, despite intense fan desire for them every year.

 

[Fischhaber]

I love Kudryavtsev, but this team misses Karki badly on the PP. It's just not the same without him.

We couldn't take advantage of the ridiculously undisciplined play from Hache, which might hurt us later.

 

[DiggityDawg]

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but while Konnor Smith is a good player, he really doesn't fit this team's needs or play style. I think he would have difficulty carving out a role here. I think McCoy is a better fit.

Konnor Smith is exactly what the soo needs In my opinion. A big physical defenceman that wins battles in the corners and in front on the net. The kind of player forwards dread playing against. He’s also a team leader.

 

[Fischhaber]

You knew that Saginaw would be given an opportunity by the refs and you knew their deadly PP would connect. That's the danger of not finishing this game in the second period when they were on the ropes and the refs gave us some help.

Luckily, we paid a high price for Jack Beck so he could bail out this young team in big moments.

What did Saginaw see in Ethan Hay to pay such a big price? He's been noticeably bad all 3 times I have watched him this year. That will go down as the most puzzling trade of the year.

 

[Houndzfan20]

Hache, good look going after 5'7 cloutier and 16 year old Hayes lolol