Sudbury Wolves 2023-2024 Off-Season Thread (Part 2)

[I Loveallsports]

Dario:

“Today, we are making important moves to strengthen our team and position ourselves for a deep run this season,” said Sudbury Wolves Owner & Governor Dario Zulich. “I am fully aligned with and supportive of Rob Papineau’s strategic decisions. Together, we are committed to building a winning program. Our shared goal is clear: to go deep into the playoffs and bring home a championship. The Wolves are united in our pursuit of excellence, and I have every confidence in our team’s potential and direction"

 

[frontsfan67]

Dario:

“Today, we are making important moves to strengthen our team and position ourselves for a deep run this season,” said Sudbury Wolves Owner & Governor Dario Zulich. “I am fully aligned with and supportive of Rob Papineau’s strategic decisions. Together, we are committed to building a winning program. Our shared goal is clear: to go deep into the playoffs and bring home a championship. The Wolves are united in our pursuit of excellence, and I have every confidence in our team’s potential and direction"

Weird to have such a big trade then say you’re going for it

 

[BuffaloSabres72]

Dario:

“Today, we are making important moves to strengthen our team and position ourselves for a deep run this season,” said Sudbury Wolves Owner & Governor Dario Zulich. “I am fully aligned with and supportive of Rob Papineau’s strategic decisions. Together, we are committed to building a winning program. Our shared goal is clear: to go deep into the playoffs and bring home a championship. The Wolves are united in our pursuit of excellence, and I have every confidence in our team’s potential and direction"

I suspect part of this trade was motivated by Papineau feeling he had to do something big to impress Zuulich. Paps job can't be all that secure. I'm surprised he's still around. What job security. Anybody ever heard him interact with Zulich? It's a master class in oiling up your boss.

 

[I Loveallsports]

Weird to have such a big trade then say you’re going for it

If they feel they have a chance they will move some of those picks this season.

 

[djscooter]

Weird to have such a big trade then say you’re going for it

They think the fanbase is stupid.

 

[WE ARE WOLVES]

I suspect part of this trade was motivated by Papineau feeling he had to do something big to impress Zuulich. Paps job can't be all that secure. I'm surprised he's still around. What job security. Anybody ever heard him interact with Zulich? It's a master class in oiling up your boss.

You sound like the worst most negative Billet Mom that could ever happen to any one of these young kids. In whatever capacity you are involved with the team...I hope you are found out...your type are poison for an organization...IMO of course

 

[BuffaloSabres72]

P

You sound like the worst most negative Billet Mom that could ever happen to any one of these young kids. In whatever capacity you are involved with the team...I hope you are found out...your type are poison for an organization...IMO of course

Funny reply. Thanks for the laugh. This organisation is unprofessional and dysfunctional and it starts at the top. I'm fairly certain too that the billet mom's (you mentioned) would agree having witnessed things first hand. Players constantly lied too, favouritism, undisciplined behaviour without consequence, double standards and a meddling GM. The players all know so do the support staff and yes so do the billet mom's. Ask yourself why so many Wolves players including guys wearing letters tried hard for trades out. Ask yourself why players like Beck last season wouldn't come. Ask yourself why certain OHL GM's won't even pick up the phone when the Wolves GM calls. It's not the city or people. Sudbury's great.
It's easy to call me negative. Perhaps you are right. Perhaps I'm frustrated with what was for sure a disappointing season. I have my theories based on what I witnessed. Other than what I've mentioned I don't know how else to explain the result of last season.

 

[DWI Dale]

with so many '04's on last years roster, is it realistic to "go for it" this year?

i'm not trying to sound like a jerk, it just seems like the wolves are going to have very high turnover after this season.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

You can’t be a fan of the Wolves and not be disappointed and frustrated with how last season ended. I’m not aware of where Flint is in their competitive cycle or what the long term plan is for with the Wolves, but I for one am a bit shocked at the return we got on this trade. Two usable players and a ton of high end picks (all be it 2027). Considering we have sooo many 04 players to move off of, this was a great start IMO. We can debate which 04s have more value but considering we still have Vanderburg, Delic, NVV, DeAngelis and McCoy today was a good start to the off season.

 

[Voice from the North]

with so many '04's on last years roster, is it realistic to "go for it" this year?

i'm not trying to sound like a jerk, it just seems like the wolves are going to have very high turnover after this season.

They aren't going for anything, the release is that standard line any team puts out in the spring/summer when they make a trade. As far as the trade goes, its good for the Wolves. Good value with the picks for Collins and Konyen, not sure about the player aspect yet. Mania didn't really have a lot of value after having surgery and a so-so season last year, good with the puck but soft and a liability without it with a bit of an attitude problem as well. Papineau got what he could for him at this time

 

[dirty12]

with so many '04's on last years roster, is it realistic to "go for it" this year?

i'm not trying to sound like a jerk, it just seems like the wolves are going to have very high turnover after this season.

it can be if Musty and OAs DeAngelis, Delic, & McCoy return. The wolves should have an excellent OA first pair on D and a formidable in both size and skill top six
Including two conditional picks in the Hague trade, the wolves now have 7-2nds, 6-3rds, 4-4ths, 6-5ths.

 

[HockeyPops]

No doubt the top end of the wolves lineup will be elite. But what about after the first 8 or 9 players? They have not really developed 06/07s to fill in the bottom half?

 

[billoink]

Hopefully some of those picks can be used to get Leenders before he is gone. Why would Papineau be so foolish to make the statement we have had our eyes on Ewles since he was drafted by Ottawa, 114 games played, 8 goals 20 assists. Just do your job and stop trying to convince the fan base you got the guy you have had your eyes on for two seasons, see how smart I am.

 

[djscooter]

it can be if Musty and OAs DeAngelis, Delic, & McCoy return. The wolves should have an excellent OA first pair on D and a formidable in both size and skill top six
Including two conditional picks in the Hague trade, the wolves now have 7-2nds, 6-3rds, 4-4ths, 6-5ths.

It's all irrelevant if they don't hire a real coach as shown this year.

 

[dirty12]

No doubt the top end of the wolves lineup will be elite. But what about after the first 8 or 9 players? They have not really developed 06/07s to fill in the bottom half?

Still an import draft, depth is the easy part

 

[NorthernBridge7]

If the OHL gets Musty back - whether he plays in Sudbury or not - will be the deal breaker for me for whether the Wolves can go for another run (though can't match last year's team on paper). I expect Musty to be back in the OHL as of right now.

If true that multiple players want out - then not sure this can happen.

 

[billoink]

Papineau finally goes all in, could someone please tell him the Memorial Cup is over

 

[sudburydinnerjacket]

it can be if Musty and OAs DeAngelis, Delic, & McCoy return. The wolves should have an excellent OA first pair on D and a formidable in both size and skill top six
Including two conditional picks in the Hague trade, the wolves now have 7-2nds, 6-3rds, 4-4ths, 6-5ths.

If the rumours are true, none of those players want to be in Sudbury any longer. You can only Bs players, families and agents for so long. GM act has been exposed for all to see.

 

[OMG67]

It really could go either way. The top half of the roster is good depending on where their OA’s land. They have the picks to acquire the depth players. They obviously need to perform and they really need to approach the season in preparation of the playoffs and the type of hockey required as opposed to run and gun but that isnt’ impossible.

OR

This is the first coin to drop and they end up as a seller at the deadline and rake in some nice future assets for graduating players.

 

[dirty12]

It really could go either way. The top half of the roster is good depending on where their OA’s land. They have the picks to acquire the depth players. They obviously need to perform and they really need to approach the season in preparation of the playoffs and the type of hockey required as opposed to run and gun but that isnt’ impossible.

OR

This is the first coin to drop and they end up as a seller at the deadline and rake in some nice future assets for graduating players.

If it is to be a sell, it had better be forced by Musty’s graduation or players wanting out because there is very little chance they can re-tool in time to be competitive in the central 2025-27.

 

[frontsfan67]

If it is to be a sell, it had better be forced by Musty’s graduation or players wanting out because there is very little chance they can re-tool in time to be competitive in the central 2025-27.

When’s the arena gonna be ready?

Doesn’t OHL get m cup back in 2026-2027? Wonder if they’d go for it if they get the arena by then. Apparently Kitchener is already going for it- (obviously Rehkopf will be traded this season and whoever else)

 

[dirty12]

When’s the arena gonna be ready?

Doesn’t OHL get m cup back in 2026-2027? Wonder if they’d go for it if they get the arena by then. Apparently Kitchener is already going for it- (obviously Rehkopf will be traded this season and whoever else)

Kitchener does seem destined to be good then.
How would the wolves get the required ‘07s?

Niagara might be ready to host, one of Barrie or Brampton, … we’ll see what SSM manages to surround Martin, Hayes, and some potentially good ‘06s as OAs

 

[frontsfan67]

Kitchener does seem destined to be good then.
How would the wolves get the required ‘07s?

Niagara might be ready to host, one of Barrie or Brampton, … we’ll see what SSM manages to surround Martin, Hayes, and some potentially good ‘06s as OAs

If they traded musty I’m sure they’d get 1 easily and an 08.

 

[yalbmert25]

This appears to be a pretty strong trade by Papineau all things considered. He moved two OA’s that weren’t going to be here and an offensive minded 19y/o defenceman who I was underwhelmed by this past year. Mania had his moments early on in his OHL career and I really liked his offensive upside but I’m comfortable moving his if they keep McCoy and DeAngelis as their OA D men. He feel down the roster and become expendable. Really wish they would have kept Protz.

To get 2 2s, 2 3s, 2 4s ++ for players you weren’t going to be able to roster is alright by me. Still have to move Van Vliet so there will be more action since they had so many good 04s.

I did like Collins and Konyen. They got caught in a numbers game here. They were staples in this lineup since their draft years and both had great junior careers in the nickel city. Wish them all the best in Flint.

 

[dirty12]

If they traded musty I’m sure they’d get 1 easily and an 08.

Maybe? Depending on the ‘07, that is a lot. I’m not sure the market can support all of the top prized ‘05 forwards discussed as likely available. Musty, Barlow, Rehkopf, Pinelli, plus the unexpected at this time.