Sudbury Wolves 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 2)

[Wolfman Jack]

Make a few moves Papineau. Get creative. Change of scenery type moves. Might be some lateral moves, not full in buy mode or sell mode, but add a few new faces to the mix and it could do wonders. I would target Zhigalov in net and one of the Fronts OA Dmen in a blockbuster trade. Ranger, a few good picks, and maybe Derbidge/Bishop. Then sell Holmes to the highest bidder. Get some good picks back. Larmand dealt for a pick or two. Dump D.Robinson for a pick somewhere or release. Then deal for A.Hayes for Assadourian and picks. Would change the complexion of the team. A team that could and should make the playoffs with an upgrade in net with Zhigalov. Upgrade on the backend over Robinson, and adding a top goal scorer in A.Hayes. Put Toure back on defence. Do something Papineau get creative

Papineau is gun shy on making moves throughout the season. His pattern is wait to the deadline. Committed to his players he drafted. Committed to guys he took chances on aka Robinson, Ranger... He won't do a thing earth shattering. He has no choice but to plan for next season as much as I hate to say that. But that's reality. Its all in next year with Goyette, Musty, Delic, Konyen, Pharand, Villeneuve, Walton, Chromiak, Collins, Mania, and add in a 3 overage players and another number 1 pick. That's where he needs to make plans for. Find a quality 18 year old or two at the deadline that will be our 19 year old guys next year to play with the above mentioned guys. It all starts at the deadline for next year. Then lets pray we get an import that will bolster the line up next year.

WJ

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

You're not wrong!!! Our forwards were rolling but why all the D think they can jump up on the offence all the time. If this team had some solid Defence and goaltending we would be in 2nd place! Toure needs to play defence or trade him.

Derek Mac spin on this one is going to be the same. We deserved better...we controlled the play... we were short players.... I will wait for the end of game interview. Should be the same video just a different suit.

Some D and the goaltending is really hurting this team from making ground.

WJ

Three goals from 2 on 1 rushes, 3PP goals for Barrie…doesn’t help our chances of winning. Excellent DFence wins games and Championships. We beat ourselves tonight. We prioritize protecting our house with all 5 players and our skill will take care of the offence. Every loss we have had in the past 3-4 weeks we have out shot the other team. Still early and time for improvement. Speaking of improvements, I see it in our PP. Far from perfect but better puck movement.

 

[Wolfman Jack]

Three goals from 2 on 1 rushes, 3PP goals for Barrie…doesn’t help our chances of winning. Excellent DFence wins games and Championships. We beat ourselves tonight. We prioritize protecting our house with all 5 players and our skill will take care of the offence. Every loss we have had in the past 3-4 weeks we have out shot the other team. Still early and time for improvement. Speaking of improvements, I see it in our PP. Far from perfect but better puck movement.

Not disputing that one bit. Musty has improved tremendously, Villeneuve is starting to show signs of why he was taken so high. He's gotten better in two weeks. Delic returning from injury is a blessing as he gives us options. I hope they use him more on the PP soon. McCallum is playing hard, DeGrazia had his wheels going. Pharand is a solid player. The signs are there. Mania is emerging. Chromiak is getting there. But our older guys on the back end have been hurting us. If its not Holmes getting caught its Anania if its not him its Robinson if its not him its Collins. Its crazy that our vet guys there are making the biggest mistakes. Ranger never had a defence in front of him that was weak. With Mississauga they had a big, solid stay at home defence core. Of course it was easy for him to play well. No second chances, not as many two on ones etc... I don't blame him entirely. He never been in this position before. It really tells you how good a goalie we had in Weeks last year. But now that he has his chance he needs to steal some games for us. Not sure if he has that in him with the type of d-core we presently have. Might be a very nice team player on and off the ice but reality is he isn't a great goalie. He's decent. And when you have a decent starter you need a decent back up with experience as well.

WJ

 

[dirty12]

The wolves have to lead the league in games played without a full lineup, it was the same thing last year. Unbelivable

Do you mean less than 22 each game. If games missed by significant players, that was the Petes or Colts last year, maybe Sting this year

 

[dirty12]

Not disputing that one bit. Musty has improved tremendously, Villeneuve is starting to show signs of why he was taken so high. He's gotten better in two weeks. Delic returning from injury is a blessing as he gives us options. I hope they use him more on the PP soon. McCallum is playing hard, DeGrazia had his wheels going. Pharand is a solid player. The signs are there. Mania is emerging. Chromiak is getting there. But our older guys on the back end have been hurting us. If its not Holmes getting caught its Anania if its not him its Robinson if its not him its Collins. Its crazy that our vet guys there are making the biggest mistakes. Ranger never had a defence in front of him that was weak. With Mississauga they had a big, solid stay at home defence core. Of course it was easy for him to play well. No second chances, not as many two on ones etc... I don't blame him entirely. He never been in this position before. It really tells you how good a goalie we had in Weeks last year. But now that he has his chance he needs to steal some games for us. Not sure if he has that in him with the type of d-core we presently have. Might be a very nice team player on and off the ice but reality is he isn't a great goalie. He's decent. And when you have a decent starter you need a decent back up with experience as well.

WJ

Yeah. For the wolves to win games consistently this season, the wolves need a couple of D to push Holmes, Toure, and Robinson down or off of the depth chart.

 

[cub]

 

[djscooter]

Do you mean less than 22 each game. If games missed by significant players, that was the Petes or Colts last year, maybe Sting this year

I mean games with less then 12 forward and 6 d-men dressed

 

[billoink]

Yeah. For the wolves to win games consistently this season, the wolves need a couple of D to push Holmes, Toure, and Robinson down or off of the depth chart.

McCallum continues to show his worth game in and out. The hardest worker hands down, quarterbacks the Pp and first team pk and still gets little recognition on this board. What do others think?

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

McCallum continues to show his worth game in and out. The hardest worker hands down, quarterbacks the Pp and first team pk and still gets little recognition on this board. What do others think?

I would say the last 5 weeks have been the best hockey he has played since becoming a Wolf. I would keep as an OA for next year.

 

[Wolfman Jack]

McCallum continues to show his worth game in and out. The hardest worker hands down, quarterbacks the Pp and first team pk and still gets little recognition on this board. What do others think?

Don’t jinx it billioink!

WJ

 

[djscooter]

McCallum continues to show his worth game in and out. The hardest worker hands down, quarterbacks the Pp and first team pk and still gets little recognition on this board. What do others think?

McCallum has played great the last month and a half or so. I think they should still look to move him at the deadline. He's placed himself as a player who will have a lot of value because of the style he plays. Good opportunity for the wolves to recoup more of their draft picks.

If they keep him though, I hope he keeps up this level of play, he's a great piece of depth outside of the first line.

 

[OHL4Life]

Papineau is gun shy on making moves throughout the season. His pattern is wait to the deadline. Committed to his players he drafted. Committed to guys he took chances on aka Robinson, Ranger... He won't do a thing earth shattering. He has no choice but to plan for next season as much as I hate to say that. But that's reality. Its all in next year with Goyette, Musty, Delic, Konyen, Pharand, Villeneuve, Walton, Chromiak, Collins, Mania, and add in a 3 overage players and another number 1 pick. That's where he needs to make plans for. Find a quality 18 year old or two at the deadline that will be our 19 year old guys next year to play with the above mentioned guys. It all starts at the deadline for next year. Then lets pray we get an import that will bolster the line up next year.

WJ

he has tried but has unrealistic expectations on returns for his guys. he views a depth guy as worth what a very, very good established player would be worth.

 

[djscooter]

Has there been any word as to Goyette's injury? Because I'll be honest, if it's long term, any talk about improving the team is pointless. Musty and Goyette are the team currently.

 

[Pucks Deep]

McCallum continues to show his worth game in and out. The hardest worker hands down, quarterbacks the Pp and first team pk and still gets little recognition on this board. What do others think?

Coulndnt agree more but also agree with don’t jink it WJ lol. Let’s just be happy that he is playing the way we hoped he would. Good on the kid for stepping up! This is why they drafted him so high

 

[WE ARE WOLVES]

Just a little outside the box thinking...Not sure how long Goyette is out (hopefully next game). The two most notable differences in Musty's game from last season has been his play-making ability, he is seeing the ice so well right now, and his defensive game. I find he's reading and reacting to the play well and getting back quickly.
A shift to Center might actually prove a plus for the team and his draft stock...

Or...If its not broken don't fix it

 

[billoink]

Musty has a nhl shot and has to use it more, seems too content to dish off the puck in the shooting lanes. He is playing the best hockey of his career don’t get me wrong. Goalies will see this pattern and adjust accordingl. What do others think?

 

[djscooter]

Musty has a nhl shot and has to use it more, seems too content to dish off the puck in the shooting lanes. He is playing the best hockey of his career don’t get me wrong. Goalies will see this pattern and adjust accordingl. What do others think?

He's 9th in the OHL in shots on net, I think he's shooting plenty. In fact his game got a lot better when he started passing more. His passing and vision are among the best on the team, he's taking advantage of that. I think he's a smarter passer than he is shooter.

 

[WE ARE WOLVES]

Musty has a nhl shot and has to use it more, seems too content to dish off the puck in the shooting lanes. He is playing the best hockey of his career don’t get me wrong. Goalies will see this pattern and adjust accordingl. What do others think?

I agree with this whole heartedly...I think this pass first mentality has taken over since the coaching change and it has been a huge stepping stone...But as goalies adjust to what has now become a pass first game from him...he will need to take more shots. With that said...He leads the team by a fairly good margin on SOGs. As his game grows Pass vs. Shoot will be unpredictable for opposing D's and Goailies...

 

[billoink]

He's 9th in the OHL in shots on net, I think he's shooting plenty. In fact his game got a lot better when he started passing more. His passing and vision are among the best on the team, he's taking advantage of that. I think he's a smarter passer than he is shooter.

All I am suggesting is yes his SOG are high but most accumulated from the beginning of the season where he would shoot from anywhere. One game he had ten shots on net. Just don’t be too predictable mix it up a little not always looking for Goyette.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

He's 9th in the OHL in shots on net, I think he's shooting plenty. In fact his game got a lot better when he started passing more. His passing and vision are among the best on the team, he's taking advantage of that. I think he's a smarter passer than he is shooter.

But man, his shot is heavy and accurate. He has amazing hand/stick skills.

 

[djscooter]

All I am suggesting is yes his SOG are high but most accumulated from the beginning of the season where he would shoot from anywhere. One game he had ten shots on net. Just don’t be too predictable mix it up a little not always looking for Goyette.

He's averaging 4.2 shots on net per game

His last five games - 5,5,4,7,7, an average of 5.6. It may feel like he's shooting less, but the stats say otherwise.

 

[thefeebster]

I believe what they're trying to do is move someone other than Toure and giving other teams a good look at the remaining D.

Only thing that make sense from what we're seeing how they're handling him.

He and Mania are two most mobile they have on the back-end.

Just an avid OHL viewer here, who just caught up on Wolves games to Dec 10. What in the heck is the coaching staff thinking? This is a terrible experiment that needs to end. They've effectively neutered one of their best assets on the backend.

Your theory is really all that makes sense. I hope a trade happens soon, for Toure's development sake.

 

[cub]

Just an avid OHL viewer here, who just caught up on Wolves games to Dec 10. What in the heck is the coaching staff thinking? This is a terrible experiment that needs to end. They've effectively neutered one of their best assets on the backend.

Your theory is really all that makes sense. I hope a trade happens soon, for Toure's development sake.

I don't get it either.

 

[billoink]

Maybe too many coaches behind the bench, confusion among what roles and input each has. Do we need that many? any thoughts?

 

[howlman]

It's a beautiful thing to see Musty #5 and Goyette #8 - both in the top 10 among OHL point leaders. The emergence of Musty has been incredible. He's taken his game to another level. It's night and day difference from how he played last season. I would also say just his poise in general with the puck is leaps and bounds better then last season.