SSM Greyhounds 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[DWI Dale]

gotta be happy with a split against the hottest team in the OHL.

this is likely no big surprise but I'm still of the opinion that our "NEEDS" list is greater than what our draft cupboards/prospect pool can support if we don't want to be in this position again in 2-3 years. if this team makes the conference finals I will gladly admit I was wrong.

BUT if they flop out in the 1st or 2nd round again and empty the cupboards doing it then I will not be kind to management or the brown-nosed fans who think we're contenders every year.

 

[HockeyPops]

Is Martin on the table? Because from where I sit, we need to add more than Saginaw does from this point forward. Adding less than Saginaw does will not get it done.

 

[scotty171]

gotta be happy with a split against the hottest team in the OHL.

this is likely no big surprise but I'm still of the opinion that our "NEEDS" list is greater than what our draft cupboards can support. if this team makes the conference finals I will gladly admit I was wrong.

if they flop out in the 1st or 2nd round again next year will be another long year of "I Told You So's" for the homers.

The thing is though, who is really that much better than them? They just split with the spirit and have played well.

Other teams are in a similar situation pick wise as well. If they are willing to move out players they can overcome the lack of picks available. Next years team isn't a go for it year either and we both know selling isn't going to happen. I'd rather them take a run at it then stand pat but that's just my opinion.

 

[scotty171]

Is Martin on the table? Because from where I sit, we need to add more than Saginaw does from this point forward. Adding less than Saginaw does will not get it done.

No, not Martin. Anyone else, sure.

 

[DWI Dale]

No, not Martin. Anyone else, sure.

I'd include Hayes as well. Sadly I don't see how we address our shortcomings and hold onto our top prospects. In the "Land of Magic Beans" some of our fans live in that might work, but realistically speaking we need to wipe out the cupboards to contend and that will cost us a 4 year cycle of bad hockey.


For a championship I think it's totally worth it having a few years of bad hockey but it would be nice to see up go into a contending season with a proper war chest for once.

 

[scotty171]

Hayes can't be moved this year anyways as he is only 16 years old and not a first round pick.

I still think they can sell off next year and gain a lot of picks back if they decide to. With the way Mignossa, Clouthier, Allard, Gibson are playing, they will all have large value next deadline or sooner.

 

[DWI Dale]

ahhh yes, weird rule I always forget about.

we can sell off, but will we? we're almost 10 years into Raftis' tenure and he's never rebuilt so I have very little faith in that happening. and it will surely result in us being a bottom feeder again next year.

But in "Magic Bean Land" we can be perennial contenders without the boom/bust cycle of junior hockey.

 

[DWI Dale]

All that said, I'd rather go all in this year and trade martin/hayes down the line than continue being a 2nd round and out franchise.

 

[scotty171]

ahhh yes, weird rule I always forget about.

we can sell off, but will we? we're almost 10 years into Raftis' tenure and he's never rebuilt so I have very little faith in his ability/willingness to do so.

In "Magic Bean Land" we can be perennial contenders without the boom/bust cycle of junior hockey.

Has he ever truly been all in either?

All that said, I'd rather go all in this year and trade martin/hayes down the line than continue being a 2nd round and out franchise.

That is where I am at currently as well. I think window wise, this year is a go for it year. Next year sell for 2 years of Martin/Hayes hopefully.

 

[DWI Dale]

Has he ever truly been all in either?

2015 and 2018 were all in playoffs no?

 

[scotty171]

2015 and 2018 were all in playoffs no?

2018 they added Raddysh and Sambrook. Hamilton showed them how you really go all in that season. 2015 yah I guess more so. Seems like a long time ago now doesn't it?

 

[DWI Dale]

2018 they added Raddysh and Sambrook. Hamilton showed them how you really go all in that season. 2015 yah I guess more so. Seems like a long time ago now doesn't it?

5 years of early exits and missing the playoffs makes it feel long hahaha

Hamilton also showed how you rebuild and win another a few years later.

 

[scotty171]

5 years of early exits and missing the playoffs makes it feel long hahaha

Hamilton also showed how you rebuild and win another a few years later.

What is it going to take this year in your opinion. Whats the shopping list?

 

[DeletedAccountt]

I don’t think Martin is on the table.

Hounds have added one player in Jack Beck meanwhile Saginaw has added 3 or 4 new guys already. Our team is essentially untouched yet and we are in this position, we have beat Saginaw twice.

 

[DWI Dale]

What is it going to take this year in your opinion. Whats the shopping list?

Good question... An elite forward, and another top 4D seems like the bare minimum.

Considering he's a 19yo, Fantino is a non-factor most nights so you could argue another veteran forward should be added.

So that's 3 players without opening the debate about goaltending.

Saginaw has added 3 or 4 new guys already.

That's the benefit of stockpiling draft picks before you intend to make a run. They aren't done yet either.

 

[DWI Dale]

interesting test tonight. after a few high stakes, high pressure games against saggy, it will be interesting to see if the hounds bounce back or have a let down game. barrie is a "should-win" game for a hungry, focused hounds team.

 

[DeletedAccountt]

What a goal by the captain

https://x.com/ohlhockey/status/1731324912462139460?s=46

 

[HockeyPops]

Landon Miller with a 6-1 record and .891 save percent and 3.02 GAA. Maybe Raftis doesn't touch the tandem.

 

[DWI Dale]

Landon Miller with a 6-1 record and .891 save percent and 3.02 GAA. Maybe Raftis doesn't touch the tandem.

Personally I'm of the belief that it is this tandem or bust. If management thought so high of Miller that we used a 2nd round pick on him, they damn well better have faith in his ability to back up our starter. And IMO we shouldn't need to be spending assets on acquiring a starting goalie in a contending year. This will take away from any clout we have at acquiring some elite talent at the deadline.

 

[Sakic fan]

What a goal by the captain

https://x.com/ohlhockey/status/1731324912462139460?s=46

Beauty goal and nice to see our Captain regaining his form, looking like the player who can take over shifts again!!

 

[Fischhaber]

Landon Miller with a 6-1 record and .891 save percent and 3.02 GAA. Maybe Raftis doesn't touch the tandem.

He's definitely doing what you would expect from a really high pick in his second year. Nice to see.

 

[DWI Dale]

goaltending has definitely been much better in recent weeks. it's been discussed at great length by our posters that if a goalie can get save percentage up around .900 or .910 and a GAA under 3 you're in good shape.

 

[HockeyPops]

Miller last month:
4 games
240 mins
9 goals against
111 shots against
2.25 GAA
.919 SV%

Schenkel last month:
9 games
535m52s
31 goals against
258 shots against
3.47 GAA
.880 SV%

 

[DWI Dale]

feels like Charlie has been a lot steadier over the last 2 weeks. hopefully he's trending in that direction!

 

[SSMHoundsFan]

feels like Charlie has been a lot steadier over the last 2 weeks. hopefully he's trending in that direction!

I guess both Charlie and Landon's play going into the Christmas break will determine if we revisit the goalie situation come trade deadline. The way I see it, if we trade for a goalie, it won't be simply straight up for one, it'd be a package deal involving a d-man or a forward including a goalie coming our way, we don't have the assets to make separate deals...if Dom from NB is the target, than Nelson or Romani I think are coming our way too