Sudbury Wolves 2022-23 Off-Season Thread (Part 4)

[djscooter]

Unrelated, but what are people's thoughts on Chromiak this season? He was really hyped up as being a potential 1st round NHL pick in 2024. I like his future on this team but if he were born 2 months earlier I don't think he would be drafted in the upcoming June draft. My expectations for him were pretty high when he came here and I thought he would solidify himself in our top 4. He lacks speed & strength like many younger players in this league, and appears to do everything good, but has no abilities that stand out.

I thought he looked quite good when given ice time, his vision is among the best on the entire wolves D-Core. I think he'll take a pretty major jump forward next year, both in ability and responsibility. Excited for his future with the Wolves as I think his potential is through the roof.

I think between him and Mania, the wolves are set for puck movers on the back end. Add in one of Anania/Toure, along with Collins and further development from Bruce/Walton as well as any additions. I think they have the makings of a pretty underrated group, despite what most folks here will say.

 

[I Loveallsports]

Rest up, work on some things and get ready to face Stillman and company!

 

[Section5Petes]

 

[NorthernBridge7]

Very happy with a 5th place finish & the chance to have a competitive playoff series against PBO. Most of the season it was looking like a likely 7th or 8th finish. It will be good experience for next year to have a competitive series rather than getting blown away by OTT/NB/BAR in round 1.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Unrelated, but what are people's thoughts on Chromiak this season? He was really hyped up as being a potential 1st round NHL pick in 2024. I like his future on this team but if he were born 2 months earlier I don't think he would be drafted in the upcoming June draft. My expectations for him were pretty high when he came here and I thought he would solidify himself in our top 4. He lacks speed & strength like many younger players in this league, and appears to do everything good, but has no abilities that stand out.

Development comes with opportunity! He will be special..

 

[djscooter]

I think a series against the Petes will come down to the Wolves ability to play physical agitating hockey while also staying out of the box. Between Stillman, Othmann, Gauvreau, Mayer, Smith, and a few others, the Petes definitely have a lot of emotional players the wolves could aim to pull off their game.

Larmand and Toure will find their way back into the lineup, I'd hope they start Larmand on the 4th line because the other lines have been going quite well since his departure.

 

[NorthernBridge7]

I thought he looked quite good when given ice time, his vision is among the best on the entire wolves D-Core. I think he'll take a pretty major jump forward next year, both in ability and responsibility. Excited for his future with the Wolves as I think his potential is through the roof.

I think between him and Mania, the wolves are set for puck movers on the back end. Add in one of Anania/Toure, along with Collins and further development from Bruce/Walton as well as any additions. I think they have the makings of a pretty underrated group, despite what most folks here will say.

Even though my post felt mostly negative about him, I do think he will be an important piece for this team moving forward. I also have a suspicion that he could be one of those players that takes a large step forward next season for us.

 

[I Loveallsports]

A quick look at the matchups

Pete's look to have the edge in goaltending

Defensemen - I think we'll be okay there

Scoring. Pete's have the edge there

Again, I think it will come down special teams

Wolves PK and PP need to be good

 

[NorthernBridge7]

Wolves went 3-1 against PBO this season

 

[Wolfman Jack]

Congratulations to the Sudbury Wolves for grinding out the last few weeks to secure 5th in the conference considering all the adversity with injuries and suspensions. My vision for this team coming into the season was a 4th place finish considering the amazing talent they had coming into the season. My desire early was for the Wolves to improve the overagers, sign the imports and none of those were done. Losing Derbidge for nothing and then the team getting into injury trouble early on and having a hard time closing out games resulted in Dunc being fired. A vital part of the season was to bring in DMac as head coach. It immediately brought a different play to the team. Structure, and accountability. Wolves didn’t make major moves but they did get some draft capital by dealing Holmes and Assadourian. But sometimes the smallest moves are your biggest ones. Yearwood and Coughlan were critical to the new coach’s style and finding a line combination to grind out wins. And that they did the second half despite all the penalties majors and injuries. I really think with a full line up this team can compete. The test begins Thursday! Proud of them.

WJ

 

[Sleemans99]

Even though my post felt mostly negative about him, I do think he will be an important piece for this team moving forward. I also have a suspicion that he could be one of those players that takes a large step forward next season for us.

I like him overall. I think he has good instincts and can move the puck. Although improved his skating needs to get better. Instead of moving to engage a forward he tends to reaching getvout over his toes and is not balanced and square. A summer of work on that alone would lead to a big jump.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

I thought he looked quite good when given ice time, his vision is among the best on the entire wolves D-Core. I think he'll take a pretty major jump forward next year, both in ability and responsibility. Excited for his future with the Wolves as I think his potential is through the roof.

I think between him and Mania, the wolves are set for puck movers on the back end. Add in one of Anania/Toure, along with Collins and further development from Bruce/Walton as well as any additions. I think they have the makings of a pretty underrated group, despite what most folks here will say.

PROTZ is a name to watch for next season!

 

[djscooter]

PROTZ is a name to watch for next season!

I forgot about him, but I'm a fan of his as well. Will be a good battle for the few final defensive spots on the team at the start of the year.

 

[WeThe North]

I'm concerned that Brassard may be our starter in Game 1 of playoffs. He has started 2/3 this weekend & they chose to play him in an important game this afternoon. Even considering that Brassard may have the hot-hand as of recent, I don't trust his body of work to be starting over Krawchuk in Game 1.

Concerned ? Last two weeks Brassard clearly took the elm. Looking sharp for playoffs .

 

[Wolfman Jack]

PROTZ is a name to watch for next season!

Good problem to have is too many young dmen. One or two will be dealt to make room for a solid 19 year old.

WJ

 

[I Loveallsports]

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Concerned ? Last two weeks Brassard clearly took the elm. Looking sharp for playoffs .

At his point we have accomplished our main goal for the year, making the playoffs. Finishing 5th is a tribute to the players and coaches and has given us the best possible chance to steal a series. Regardless if you like Chucky or Brass, we don’t finish 5th without both of them. Bressard improved drastically and Chucky hardly ever played when Ranger was here. So for Chucky to step up the way he did isa credit to him. We never talk about them but our goalie coaches did some amazing work with these kids!!
Playoffs here we come.

 

[I Loveallsports]

 

[WeThe North]

At his point we have accomplished our main goal for the year, making the playoffs. Finishing 5th is a tribute to the players and coaches and has given us the best possible chance to steal a series. Regardless if you like Chucky or Brass, we don’t finish 5th without both of them. Bressard improved drastically and Chucky hardly ever played when Ranger was here. So for Chucky to step up the way he did isa credit to him. We never talk about them but our goalie coaches did some amazing work with these kids!!
Playoffs here we come.

I agree but we have an OA in net who found his game at the right time when Chucky was starting to have tougher times. It’s just smart to start with Brassard.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

I agree but we have an OA in net who found his game at the right time when Chucky was starting to have tougher times. It’s just to start with Brassard.

In a year in which we sold and still managed to finish 5th, you go with the hot hand. I can see Brassard, but Chucky can use the experience. Brass has been better on the Road and Chucky real good at home. I’ll predict whoever starts in net won’t be the goalie in net when the series ends.

 

[Lycanthrope]

Anyone want to start predictions? There are so many intangibles that it’s kinda hard but as mentioned the Wolves are going to have to find a way to stay disciplined, make their special teams work and get clutch goaltending. As simple as 123 right….. I like our chances in our home barn but obviously we have to steal one there. I feel like the Pete’s haven’t reached their potential and I sure hope they don’t for the next few games.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Anyone want to start predictions? There are so many intangibles that it’s kinda hard but as mentioned the Wolves are going to have to find a way to stay disciplined, make their special teams work and get clutch goaltending. As simple as 123….. I like our chances in our home barn but obviously so we have to steal one there. I feel like the Pete’s haven’t reached their potential and I sure hope they don’t for the next few games.

You can add to play solid D and limit our carefree turnovers!

 

[Lycanthrope]

You can add to play solid D and limit our carefree turnovers!

Ya might have been easier to say play well in all aspects eh

 

[WeThe North]

Wolves in 6

 

[Lycanthrope]

I agree but we have an OA in net who found his game at the right time when Chucky was starting to have tougher times. It’s just smart to start with Brassard.

It seems to me that with Brassard you need to be able to clear the rebounds from the crease because he sometimes struggles with mobility and getting back into position after making a big save.

Wolves in 6

As the Beach Boys said “Wouldn‘t it be nice” and an absolute disaster for the Petes. ALL the pressure is on them.