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

[Lycanthrope]

Main takeaways from tonight

1. That may be the softest penalty shot call I've ever seen
2. Spears are no longer penalties in the OHL I guess
3. The no call on the slewfoot against Larmand in the wolves end near the end of the game was absolutely wild
4. Maybe give Krawchuk the start tomorrow? Nothing much to play for a t this point and it would be nice to get him some playoff experience.


The Series has definitely not gone as expected, everyone expected the defense to be the wolves problem when in reality they've gotten a single goal outside of the first line through 3 games.

Atleast we just have one more of these before we can move on to next season. Cheers to all the wolves fans who made it out tonight. Petes just the better team at the end of the day. Could be worse, wolve could be Windsor, giving up a roster worth of assets to go out in the first.

Please God not one more of these kind of games. Almost left and wouldn’t have come if I’d known. Easily one of the worst playoff games I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen more than a few.
As far as Mackenzie let him have that pro contract. All season he kept doing the same things without success. Isn’t that the definition of insanity? Worse powerplay I’ve ever seen. Why not try Toure, Mania, hell any defence man but no, genius has to keep watching short handed breakaways and goals. Not sure how anyone thought we had a chance with that powerplay. Not to mention Brassard being more Brassard like. The Wolves would’ve had to capitalize while he was playing over his head.
I can accept losing to the Petes but I really wish they’d have played hard and smart and not had such a hand in helping beat themselves. We’ve seen them play good hockey. Hell the two games in Peterborough were miles better than this.

Good on the Petes. They should be winning this series. They look like they’re focused on making this a new season and are intent on realizing their potential. They have the older, deeper team and it showed big time. They smelled blood, wouldn’t let the Wolves get anything going and blocked an insane amount of shots. That’s paying the price to win. I was worried that they would start to put it together and it looks like they have. It will be interested watching them going forward. Hopefully the Wolves empty the tank tomorrow. The fans that will be there deserve it.

I think Derrick broke the Wolves spirit with that McCallum crap last game. Terrible coaching decision.
I would rather watch them go out in a blaze of penalties than the p***yfoot/afraid to hit anything nonsense that I witnessed tonight.
I won't even get in to the choice of starting goaltender for the series.
We were done before it even started unless we were somehow able to outscore that deficiency.
But who knows,
Maybe Chucky can rattle off four straight wins starting tomorrow if he gets the chance.

Right. That’s quite possibly played a part and it was something that I said tonight to a friend of mine. The Wolves did indeed look like they quit a little bit of times with nowhere near enough urgency or fight. Shades of when the team quit on Templeton when McKenzie himself was playing in the playoffs against St Mikes.

 

[armchaircoaches]

Please God not one more of these kind of games. Almost left and wouldn’t have come if I’d known. Easily one of the worst playoff games I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen more than a few.
As far as Mackenzie let him have that pro contract. All season he kept doing gothe same things without success. Isn’t that the definition of insanity? Worse powerplay I’ve ever seen. Why not try Tourre, Mania, hell any defencemen but no, genius has to keep watching short handed breakaways and goals. Not sure how anyone thought we had a chance with that powerplay. Not to mention Brassard being more Brassard like. The Wolves would’ve had to capitalize while he was playing over his head.
I can accept losing to the Petes but I really wish they’d have played hard and smart and not had such a hand in helping beat themselves. We’ve seen them play good hockey. Hell the two games in Peterborough were miles better than this.

Good on the Petes. They should be winning this series. They look like they’re focused on making this a new season and are intent on realizing their potential. They have the older, deeper team and it showed big time. They smelled blood, wouldn’t let the Wolves get anything going and blocked an insane amount of shots. That’s paying the price to win. I was worried that they would start to put it together and it looks like they have. It will be interested watching them going forward. Hopefully the Wolves empty the tank tomorrow. The fans that will be there deserve it.


Right. That’s quite possibly played a part and it was something that I said tonight to a friend of mine. The Wolves did indeed look like they quit a little bit of times with nowhere near enough urgency or fight. . Shades of when the team quit on Templeton when McKenzie himself was playing in the playoffs against St Mikes.

Exactly do really think mccallum can play his game now , always worrying about the greif he will get from DM

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Very Intelligent road win last night for Pete’s against the Wolves.
Avon did a great job forechecking our PP breakout. Knowing our PP is not working and one dimensional they overplayed to top of the umbrella interrupting our too numerous cross zone passes and forced both Goyette and Musty resulting in break away a 2 on 1 and many turn overs.
First period (other than PP) was decent.
Second period we slipped down the undisciplined rabbit hole once again and the Pete’s knew it and took every opportunity to prompt and suck in our players to do dumb stuff. It worked, we couldn’t stop taking penalties and from that moment the game changed and we were done.
We gotta learn that every goal we score doesn’t have to be on an empty net after five cross ice passes. Playoff hockey is old school, pucks on net=rebounds! Pad passes, net drives and SHOTS!!!
Personally, as a fan I’d like to see pass-shot-rebound, shot=goal; instead of 5 passes, turnover =no shots.
Simple unselfish team hockey.
Loved Delic tonight, when Walton was out he looked good as well.
Roll lines tomorrow, start Chucky, keep it simple (north/south), shoot, work your asses off, play smart, play disciplined, play for your teammates and play for your die hard fans!! We are proud of the teams progress this year but don’t try to be someone you are not in the playoffs.

Go Wolves Go!! Never too late boys!

 

[Lycanthrope]

Interesting chosen words from the coach..

Very.

 

[Pucks Deep]

So you have proved your point DM. Toure being the latest victim of sitting due to dumb penalties. I just wonder about the timing of all this. We finally make playoffs and I know this team takes way too many stupid penalties. But how are these kids supposed to play a more aggressive, offensive game, which would create goals and chances? They are scared to make the mistakes because they will sit. I think they all are griping their sticks to tight and it certainly is showing. Wolves have no life to their game right now. But ya you sure have a nice culture and bar set for the boys going forward. Buy in or get out. Who cares about winning hockey games.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

So you have proved your point DM. Toure being the latest victim of sitting due to dumb penalties. I just wonder about the timing of all this. We finally make playoffs and I know this team takes way too many stupid penalties. But how are these kids supposed to play a more aggressive, offensive game, which would create goals and chances? They are scared to make the mistakes because they will sit. I think they all are griping their sticks to tight and it certainly is showing. Wolves have no life to their game right now. But ya you sure have a nice culture and bar set for the boys going forward. Buy in or get out. Who cares about winning hockey games.

You are confusing good aggressive Hockey with stupidity. His penalty was what he did after the initial hit. It is defined in the dictionary as: Undisciplined!!!!

 

[BostonOz]

So you have proved your point DM. Toure being the latest victim of sitting due to dumb penalties. I just wonder about the timing of all this. We finally make playoffs and I know this team takes way too many stupid penalties. But how are these kids supposed to play a more aggressive, offensive game, which would create goals and chances? They are scared to make the mistakes because they will sit. I think they all are griping their sticks to tight and it certainly is showing. Wolves have no life to their game right now. But ya you sure have a nice culture and bar set for the boys going forward. Buy in or get out. Who cares about winning hockey games.

This is a bad take. They should not be scared to make a mistake or they will sit. DM is not benching for a bad pass or giving up the puck. If that were the case we would not have seen Goyette all night. He was terrible. DM is benching for dumb penalties that hurt the team like tripping the goalie on a PK and punching a player in the head when that player is sitting on his ass. These two examples did not create an “offensive game that created goals and scoring chances”

What I am most frustrated with, like most is our PP. How are we not trying something new? Everyone can see that having Musty and Goyette as the high D-man on the point is not working. They are turnover kings.

The fact of the matter is Peterborough is the better, more well rounded team. We rely on our offence which has been underwhelming to say the least. Add in our top defencemen out and a goalie that was passed on by every team in the Q and you don’t really have a recipe for success. Brassard is definitely NOT the reason we are losing, he has made some good saves but you also just have to shoot on his blocker and you score. Some tweaks needed for next year. Time to think about the draft.

 

[billoink]

Nice take Boston Oz see you are back from OHL CUP. Know you can’t reveal your list but any truth that the Wolves are rumoured to be close to a slam dunk American player first pick? Did you enjoy your stint state side? Many rinks I presume.

 

[Pucks Deep]

This is a bad take. They should not be scared to make a mistake or they will sit. DM is not benching for a bad pass or giving up the puck. If that were the case we would not have seen Goyette all night. He was terrible. DM is benching for dumb penalties that hurt the team like tripping the goalie on a PK and punching a player in the head when that player is sitting on his ass. These two examples did not create an “offensive game that created goals and scoring chances”

What I am most frustrated with, like most is our PP. How are we not trying something new? Everyone can see that having Musty and Goyette as the high D-man on the point is not working. They are turnover kings.

The fact of the matter is Peterborough is the better, more well rounded team. We rely on our offence which has been underwhelming to say the least. Add in our top defencemen out and a goalie that was passed on by every team in the Q and you don’t really have a recipe for success. Brassard is definitely NOT the reason we are losing, he has made some good saves but you also just have to shoot on his blocker and you score. Some tweaks needed for next year. Time to think about the draft.

Hey fair play to you, I just think the room and lineup has been deflated by all this. No argument on the PP. You think the staff would have made some changes on the single high forward up top. Petes are thriving on PK turnovers. I think the Wolves have a chance 5 on 5 against the Petes. But no doubt they are the better, deeper team with a better Goalie. They just play smarter and wait for Sudbury to take themselves out of the game

 

[BostonOz]

Hey fair play to you, I just think the room and lineup has been deflated by all this. No argument on the PP. You think the staff would have made some changes on the single high forward up top. Petes are thriving on PK turnovers. I think the Wolves have a chance 5 on 5 against the Petes. But no doubt they are the better, deeper team with a better Goalie. They just play smarter and wait for Sudbury to take themselves out of the game

They definitely seemed deflated. It has been a distraction for sure it seems. Is the distraction the actual benching? Or is it frustration from the constant dumb penalties and PP turnovers. Seems the team has lost confidence in each other.

Nice take Boston Oz see you are back from OHL CUP. Know you can’t reveal your list but any truth that the Wolves are rumoured to be close to a slam dunk American player first pick? Did you enjoy your stint state side? Many rinks I presume.

There was some great hockey. As of right now it is just a rumour. Some sleepers / dark horses in the draft this year in my opinion.

 

[Section5Petes]

Nice take Boston Oz see you are back from OHL CUP. Know you can’t reveal your list but any truth that the Wolves are rumoured to be close to a slam dunk American player first pick? Did you enjoy your stint state side? Many rinks I presume.

Henry Brzustewicz?

 

[AKADonovan]

So you have proved your point DM. Toure being the latest victim of sitting due to dumb penalties. I just wonder about the timing of all this. We finally make playoffs and I know this team takes way too many stupid penalties. But how are these kids supposed to play a more aggressive, offensive game, which would create goals and chances? They are scared to make the mistakes because they will sit. I think they all are griping their sticks to tight and it certainly is showing. Wolves have no life to their game right now. But ya you sure have a nice culture and bar set for the boys going forward. Buy in or get out. Who cares about winning hockey games.

So sad but so true.
And we all get cheated just a little bit.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

So sad but so true.
And we all get cheated just a little bit.

To be successful in Life and in sports, one has to be held accountable for their actions. If fans feel cheated, imagine how teammates feel?

 

[Wolfman Jack]

As I said missing Collins, ineffective PP, penalties would be the demise of this team’s chances of winning vs the Pete’s.

One thing has been made clear watching the Pete’s. Experience matters, size matters, depth scoring lines matters, discipline matters and solid goaltending.

For all the rumours about how the Pete’s were struggling prior to the playoffs and that locker room issues existed. They have proven to all and judging by the way they are playing that they have worked out everything and have bought win for the playoffs.

Papineau will need to find at least 2 high end scoring forwards next year as well a very effective power play dman and strong stay at home defender who can eliminate second chances and defend the front of the net from the hash marks in. Oh and an experienced goaltender.

WJ

 

[djscooter]

It's hilarious how people were kicking and screaming for accountability all year, and now that players are facing someone, the response from the majority of you is "BUT NOT LIKE THAT"

If McCallum and Toure never got benched, this series is still 0-3. Forcing some accountability will build well towards next season.

 

[Petesfan8]

Maybe you should have. Blame it on some old school fellas with some killer herb….Naw I was just getting started. Things got pretty wild from there. Met some pretty wild and weird female…kinda nuts but hey had a great time….just had about ten too many. Might keep things a little more on the QT if I go back when the series resumes all tied up on Friday

What did you think of Chase Stillman when he played for the Wolves and why did he want out? I thought that the Petes overpaid big time . The last few months he has worked hard but sure doesn't have the soft hands. I could never see him being drafted into the NHL in the first round.

 

[Section5Petes]

As I said missing Collins, ineffective PP, penalties would be the demise of this team’s chances of winning vs the Pete’s.

One thing has been made clear watching the Pete’s. Experience matters, size matters, depth scoring lines matters, discipline matters and solid goaltending.

For all the rumours about how the Pete’s were struggling prior to the playoffs and that locker room issues existed. They have proven to all and judging by the way they are playing that they have worked out everything and have bought win for the playoffs.

Papineau will need to find at least 2 high end scoring forwards next year as well a very effective power play dman and strong stay at home defender who can eliminate second chances and defend the front of the net from the hash marks in. Oh and an experienced goaltender.

WJ

Owen Beck+Michael Simpson and Ty Nelson

 

[Bra Wavers]

Owen Beck+Michael Simpson and Ty Nelson

Slow down now Section5Petes.....IMO, Simpson will be going to his hometown London Knights in the off-season.
However I'm fine with a bidding war for the #1ish OHL goalie, especially if it results in an overpayment.
Sorry Sudbury fans.......I'll let myself out.
Your team has deserved a better fate, but with a few tweaks/additions you will definitely be in the mix next year.

 

[I Loveallsports]

What did you think of Chase Stillman when he played for the Wolves and why did he want out? I thought that the Petes overpaid big time . The last few months he has worked hard but sure doesn't have the soft hands. I could never see him being drafted into the NHL in the first round.

He even said it himself that he heard people saying it was a reach by jersey.

 

[djscooter]

Slow down now Section5Petes.....IMO, Simpson will be going to his hometown London Knights in the off-season.
However I'm fine with a bidding war for the #1ish OHL goalie, especially if it results in an overpayment.
Sorry Sudbury fans.......I'll let myself out.
Your team has deserved a better fate, but with a few tweaks/additions you will definitely be in the mix next year.

Simpson is an OA goalie. prices only go so high on overage goaltenders.

 

[CanadienColt]

Very disappointed in the way we played. Is it just me, or did the game seem extremely sloppy. We've had many players that haven't stepped up. DM continues to essentially go with 2 lines that play 80% of the game.

I would like to see K .Walton get more ice time. It saddens me to say this, but in one game, he has more points than McCallum, Villeneuve, Pharand, Yearwood and Coughlin combined. By the way, these guys are also a combined -9. Yikes!

We need to mix up the lines a bit. We keep doing the same thing over and over again, especially on the powerplay, and expecting different results.

Loved DM's post game comments. This next game should be regarded a tryout for many.

 

[I Loveallsports]

Mentioned prior to series that special teams and goaltending would play a factor. Good teams have both.

We can talk benching or not benching but simply put the wolves are just not good enough.

Never would of thought gens, Hamilton and sauga would of had better success these playoffs but you don't play games on paper

DM has gotten the most out of his players and I think they have very little left in the tank.

We will see what tonight brings but a quick peek into next season. To me whoever the GM is next season has alot of work to do if the wolves are going for it as some may think

Wolves have alot of shopping to do and I'm not sure the have the resources to do it.

Goaltending will cost and probably more than the 4th they gave up for Ranger. Need help on the backend that will cost and of course topping up the forward lines

I think you need more than two strong forwards to boost this lineup along with Musty and Goyette and I'm not confident there will be enough growth that's needed with the other returnees for this supposed run

What about upgrading the o/a slots. It's needed and will cost.

Alot of heavy lifting ahead. Not an easy fix IMO.

 

[Voice from the North]

What did you think of Chase Stillman when he played for the Wolves and why did he want out? I thought that the Petes overpaid big time . The last few months he has worked hard but sure doesn't have the soft hands. I could never see him being drafted into the NHL in the first round.

He was a hard worker here and contributed on offense but took a lot of selfish penalties and at the same time was asked to do more than he was capable of. His wanting out was a mutual decision by him and the team. Neither side were happy with each other, they weren't going to contend with him and he wasn't good in the room at the time. With the Pete's he playing a role that's more suited to him and not his draft status. He'll play NHL games but was drafted too high and is a bottom six NHL player if he makes it full time.

 

[howlman]

Here are the big moves the Petes made this season for their "all in" run:

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]Jan 7[/TD]
[TD]MISS[/TD]
[TD]Owen Beck[/TD]
[TD][/TD]

[TD]PBO[/TD]
[TD]Jack Van Volsen
Justin DeZoete
PBO 2 2025
ER 2 2025
PBO 3 2025
PBO 4 2026[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]Jan 7[/TD]
[TD]HAM[/TD]
[TD]Avery Hayes (OA)
Gavin White (OA)[/TD]
[TD][/TD]

[TD]PBO[/TD]
[TD]Nick Lardis
Sahil Panwar (OA)
FLNT 3 2023
PBO 6 2026*[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]Nov 12[/TD]
[TD]FLNT[/TD]
[TD]Brennan Othmann[/TD]
[TD][/TD]

[TD]PBO[/TD]
[TD]Artem Guryev
PBO 3 2023
HAM 2 2024
PBO 3 2026[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]Oct 3[/TD]
[TD]FLNT[/TD]
[TD]Sahil Panwar (OA)[/TD]
[TD][/TD]

[TD]PBO[/TD]
[TD]PBO 5 2023
SOO 6 2024
PBO 4 2025[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]Aug 8[/TD]
[TD]ER[/TD]
[TD]Connor Lockhart[/TD]
[TD][/TD]

[TD]PBO[/TD]
[TD]Sam Alfano
HAM 3 2025
PBO 2 2026[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Gives Wolves fans an idea of what it takes to be a serious buyer and to go "all in".

 

[Voice from the North]

Mentioned prior to series that special teams and goaltending would play a factor. Good teams have both.

We can talk benching or not benching but simply put the wolves are just not good enough.

Never would of thought gens, and sauga would of had better success these playoffs but you don't play games on paper

DM has gotten the most out of his players and I think they have very little left in the tank.

We will see what tonight brings but a quick peek into next season. To me whoever the GM is next season has alot of work to do if the wolves are going for it as some may think

Wolves have alot of shopping to do and I'm not sure the have the resources to do it.

Goaltending will cost and probably more than the 4th they gave up for Ranger. Need help on the backend that will cost and of course topping up the forward lines

I think you need more than two strong forwards to boost this lineup along with Musty and Goyette and I'm not confident there will be enough growth that's needed with the other returnees for this supposed run

What about upgrading the o/a slots. It's needed and will cost.

Alot of heavy lifting ahead. Not an easy fix IMO.

The Wolves are tired from having to play the last few weeks of the season and the playoffs shorthanded. The Pete's are a strong opponent but the Wolves are shooting themselves in the foot every game with the undisciplined dumb penalties and that doesn't help a team that already is close to running on empty. Having our PP being terrible all year adds to the issues. We'll see how many players respond to DM's speech from last night

As far as next year goes, I agree with most of the above but I'll wait for the season to be officially over and the draft to happen before making any predictions