SSM Greyhounds 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part I

[DWI Dale]

Don’t think that closes the gap between us and London/barrie/oshawa.

Totally rational. Although if you don't think you can close the gap on those teams, doesn't it make sense to sell veterans to build around hopkins? I get the sense Kingston fans are half in, half out, and from what I've seen that mentality doesn't work out well in the short-term or the long-term.

We've watched this episode on re-run for the past 6 years in the Soo. We have a decent team most years, we wonder if they'll be buyers or sellers, then they do something in between that doesn't build a contender in the present, or build towards a future contender. I'd suggest it will be very difficult to be a contender this year, AND build a contender around Hopkins, and the team should choose one.. But like I said, we've been living that sort of reality in the Soo since 2018

 

[leafs4life94]

Totally rational. Although if you don't think you can close the gap on those teams, doesn't it make sense to sell veterans to build around hopkins? I get the sense Kingston fans are half in, half out, and from what I've seen that mentality doesn't work out well in the short-term or the long-term.

We've watched this episode on re-run for the past 6 years in the Soo. We have a decent team most years, we wonder if they'll be buyers or sellers, then they do something in between that doesn't build a contender in the present, or build towards a future contender. I'd suggest it will be very difficult to be a contender this year, AND build a contender around Hopkins, and the team should choose one.. But like I said, we've been living that sort of reality in the Soo since 2018

Kingston is too built around the '05 age group to forgo this year - they have 9 daily '05s plus an '05 back-up goalie. They absolutely were half-in half-out last year, spending picks to upgrade an OA and by not trading Ludwinski when they were never a true contender, and if they had a Ludwinski's worth of picks they'd have been able to outbid pretty much everyone with picks this year.

Kingston doesn't have the luxury of building around Hopkins because the rest of the '07 class hasn't really shown anything, and we don't have an '08 first, so if anything a rebuild likely will end ups being centered on their two '09 firsts (wow 2009 born - damn I feel old). I still think Hopkins contributes too much now to move and if they do move him I will not be happy - unless the results prove me wrong.

 

[frontsfan67]

Totally rational. Although if you don't think you can close the gap on those teams, doesn't it make sense to sell veterans to build around hopkins? I get the sense Kingston fans are half in, half out, and from what I've seen that mentality doesn't work out well in the short-term or the long-term.

We've watched this episode on re-run for the past 6 years in the Soo. We have a decent team most years, we wonder if they'll be buyers or sellers, then they do something in between that doesn't build a contender in the present, or build towards a future contender. I'd suggest it will be very difficult to be a contender this year, AND build a contender around Hopkins, and the team should choose one.. But like I said, we've been living that sort of reality in the Soo since 2018

Personally I know we have a pretty good team but it’s not a great team. I’d like to tear down and start new building around the 2 firsts we get next year + the inevitable 1st 08 or 09 we get when we trade Battaglia.

However I’ve heard from a billion people that’s not what is happening so I’m trying to figure out the best way to build competitive team with the assets we have and what our needs are. Some are on board with that and some think the opposite we should put all our chips in. Reality is there is a lot of uncertainly and I don’t doubt in my mind we could win a round at this point but I don’t think we go beyond 2 without addressing goaltending and getting a good d man that can play top 2-4

Anyways less about the fronts and more about the greyhounds- not trying to high jack your board. But Gibson is a great player- really hope Oshawa doesn’t get him but reality is they’re probably the front runners for him asset wise if we don’t dispose of Hopkins.

 

[JoeSchmo]

Andrew Gibson has made team Canada

Personally I know we have a pretty good team but it’s not a great team. I’d like to tear down and start new building around the 2 firsts we get next year + the inevitable 1st 08 or 09 we get when we trade Battaglia.

However I’ve heard from a billion people that’s not what is happening so I’m trying to figure out the best way to build competitive team with the assets we have and what our needs are. Some are on board with that and some think the opposite we should put all our chips in. Reality is there is a lot of uncertainly and I don’t doubt in my mind we could win a round at this point but I don’t think we go beyond 2 without addressing goaltending and getting a good d man that can play top 2-4

Anyways less about the fronts and more about the greyhounds- not trying to high jack your board. But Gibson is a great player- really hope Oshawa doesn’t get him but reality is they’re probably the front runners for him asset wise if we don’t dispose of Hopkins.

Kingston has been trying to build a contender since the season started

 

[frontsfan67]

Kingston has been trying to build a contender since the season started

Yes I got told in I believe March or April that was the plan all along and since then I’ve heard it 5-10 times.

Because of all the 05’s it only makes sense

 

[DWI Dale]

Congrats Gibby.

Its the most wonderful time of the year.

 

[Fischhaber]

Andrew Gibson has made team Canada



Kingston has been trying to build a contender since the season started

Unsurprising, but still great news for him.

Gibson is the type of guy that almost makes you feel like you have a guaranteed win at home in the playoffs. If not for the officiating last year, that probably would have been the case.

You just drape him all over a team's best line and they almost never even get a scoring chance, let alone score a goal. I think whoever gets him will be my pick to win the cup (Hopefully not London!). I think that's why I'm pushing for a likeable team in Kingston, but there's only 1 way and I respect the opinion of fans who think that can't happen.

I'm excited to watch him in the Juniors. Good luck to him!

 

[Fischhaber]

A sure goal stolen from us when the ref blew the whistle too early there. Very unfortunate.

Shaky start from Miller, but we're getting our chances. Charron looks great again.

 

[Fischhaber]

Hopefully that Andrew goal opens the floodgates and for Andrew himself. We've dominated the scoring chances, but got weird bounces, sensational saves, and bad calls. It's been strange to watch.

Chase Reid had a bad defensive miscue, but one thing is for sure. He's already an NHL calibre skater. Wow.

Miller needs to be pulled. A really embarrassing effort from him in a game where the guys are playing really hard.

 

[JoeSchmo]

Yeah Chase Reid looks miles ahead in development compared to the rest of our D. He doesn’t play like a 16 year old. Every single first pass he makes is perfect.

 

[HockeyPops]

Our 2007 core is looking really good, but we need assets to continue to build around it. With the new NCAA rule, I think contending will start to require even stronger cores than we were traditionally used to.

Don't F this up, Raftis.

 

[Fischhaber]

Our 2007 core is looking really good, but we need assets to continue to build around it. With the new NCAA rule, I think contending will start to require even stronger cores than we were traditionally used to.

Don't F this up, Raftis.

There's no reason to believe that we're going to 'f*** up' anything this season. I showed above that our front office has a strong track record of getting good returns in sell moves.

We had a championship caliber team last year and the league stated that we lost because of an officiating mistake. We knew this was a selling year from the start. I don't get the unnecessary negativity.

 

[nelli27]

There's no reason to believe that we're going to 'f*** up' anything this season. I showed above that our front office has a strong track record of getting good returns in sell moves.

We had a championship caliber team last year and the league stated that we lost because of an officiating mistake. We knew this was a selling year from the start. I don't get the unnecessary negativity.

Would you mind if this 'outsider' chimes in? I'm with you Fischie on this one. I don't think there's any real reason for concern. The Hounds' organization does everything well...scout/draft, coach, systems, develop, win games.
Not that it means much, I guess, but it's earned my respect.
There have been countless times in recent years that I've looked up some top point producing players on your roster wondering where in the hell did that guy come from, only to discover that he was a mid-round OHL pick who managed to flourish in the O. And, these players were not flyer picks... just good drafting. Then, there's your systems which encourage fast, skilled players with offensive contributions from the d-core (joining the rush; pinching responsibly). Need a good coach to implement them.
Finally, just look at your winning percentage over the last 5-10 years.
As for the future, and the new rules, I don't know if that will impact the Soo negatively; at this point, I have no reason to think so.
Again, just some thoughts from an outsider.

Go Brodie!

 

[HockeyPops]

There is ample reason for concern. Every time we have been in position for a big fish sell, we have instead added to the roster.

Every.

Time.

What if Raftis gets an unbelievable deal trading Chase Reid and a couple picks for Zayne Parekh? A good trade is not necessarily a good move!

 

[Fischhaber]

There is ample reason for concern. Every time we have been in position for a big fish sell, we have instead added to the roster.

Every.

Time.

What if Raftis gets an unbelievable deal trading Chase Reid and a couple picks for Zayne Parekh? A good trade is not necessarily a good move!

The year you most often reference, 21-22, was a lot different than this. We won 39 games, had a pair of 40 goal scorers, and the league's best defense by far. I agree that there was some logic to selling, but most could see that we were a legitimate title contender with some better goaltending.

This year, we're 14-16, not competing with the top teams, and showing clear signs that we're building around the 07 group. Your concerns are unfounded.

 

[dirty12]

The year you most often reference, 21-22, was a lot different than this. We won 39 games, had a pair of 40 goal scorers, and the league's best defense by far. I agree that there was some logic to selling, but most could see that we were a legitimate title contender with some better goaltending.

This year, we're 14-16, not competing with the top teams, and showing clear signs that we're building around the 07 group. Your concerns are unfounded.

Hamilton may have had the best defence in '22, maybe by far.

 

[Fischhaber]

Something negative and wildly incorrect to be said about the Hounds? Don't worry, here comes dirty12!

 

[DWI Dale]

We also missed a great opportunity to sell in 2018-2019.

2019 sell = better team in 22?
or a 2022 sell = better team in 24?

Or concerns are entirely valid in spite of Fischy's gaslighting and historical revisionism. Raftis hasn't overseen a rebuild, we're not even sure he knows how.

I do think a rebuild is coming, and we're all more than willing to give credit to the GM if he nets us a few strong 16 or 17 year old players and some high picks.