Sudbury Wolves 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[dirty12]

Hurt. Beck hit him in the corner and he couldn't stand up, just shuffled to the bench.

I woke up this morning thinking i might have got Delic mixed up with Konyen. One of them took the brunt of it, but I am now thinking might have been Konyen? Anyone else remember?

Not sure of the hit you are referring to, is it Konyen ducking a hit from Beck at the end boards? Konyen struggled to get off, not skating to the bench.

 

[Wolfie]

Bad bench management. Who is the forward coach oh my goodness. That was the worst drawn up plan. In addition that line was out for over three minutes. Pharand who worked the boards well last night was not on the ice. We were not heavy enough. This team has so many glaring issues. No excuses for the bench management to allow a line to play for over 3 minutes of the game. Delic, Walton, Coughlan, Pharand no where to be found. McCallum was put in situations tonight and didn’t deserve to. Was lazy most of the night. What are these coaches watching?

WJ

Agreed, having a one line out for the final 3 minutes is beyond bad bench management. The players were completely gassed and were not a threat.

 

[HockeyPops]

The worst part is trying to dump and chase with players who are dead tired on the ice. Who thought the Wolves were going to win even one of those races to the puck?

 

[billoink]

It is at a point why even get yourself all worked up and frustrated when the organization sees no need to act, the owner walks around shaking hands with a smile on his face like a butcher’s dog.

 

[I Loveallsports]

Need to be patient. Trades will happen and mostly the deadline. Still have lots of time to gel after the deadline for the playoffs. Just be steady until then

 

[howlman]

Need to be patient. Trades will happen and mostly the deadline. Still have lots of time to gel after the deadline for the playoffs. Just be steady until then

And coaching? Is Kenny the guy to lead this team to the promised land

 

[dirty12]

The worst part is trying to dump and chase with players who are dead tired on the ice. Who thought the Wolves were going to win even one of those races to the puck?

The Petes went to passive trap up two goals. They are well practised at trapping by now, carrying the puck through the neutral zone and into Petes territory seems less practical than dump and pressure.

 

[I Loveallsports]

And coaching? Is Kenny the guy to lead this team to the promised land

I've been back and forth in my head about that one. It is what it is for now. How much blame should he actually consume is the question. I hear " were so skilled ' but at times it doesn't seem that way. I'm guessing they will add pieces in hopes that gets them over the top.

 

[190 is almost 206]

Let me ask you, popcorn and beer the best in the OHL too? seating? Am I missing anything...

Team

 

[djscooter]

How long do we keep saying "there's plenty of time"? Honest question. With Dvorsky being a lock for the WJC, Vondras(if he ever recovers from the flu) being a possibility as well. December is not going to be pretty.

 

[Lycanthrope]

Not sure of the hit you are referring to, is it Konyen ducking a hit from Beck at the end boards? Konyen struggled to get off, not skating to the bench.

Konyen played after that. Not sure if Delic finished the game but bigger concern is missing Anania and Mania.

How long do we keep saying "there's plenty of time"? Honest question. With Dvorsky being a lock for the WJC, Vondras(if he ever recovers from the flu) being a possibility as well. December is not going to be pretty.

The time is now period! We need to win to secure the best possible playoff position.

 

[Lycanthrope]

I've been back and forth in my head about that one. It is what it is for now. How much blame should he actually consume is the question. I hear " were so skilled ' but at times it doesn't seem that way. I'm guessing they will add pieces in hopes that gets them over the top.

I’m kind of surprised to hear that coming from you with your hockey experience. I think it should be abundantly clear that the skill is there. All the concerns being voiced relate to coaching and the ability to get the most out of your players and get them to buy in as a team. I know McKenzie’s been around a long time, but we need to remember business is business.

 

[djscooter]

I’m kind of surprised to hear that coming from you with your hockey experience. I think it should be abundantly clear that the skill is there. All the concerns being voiced relate to coaching and the ability to get the most out of your players and get them to buy in as a team. I know McKenzie’s been around a long time, but we need to remember business is business.

I also don't think anyone is calling for Ken to be fired, just moved back to his AGM position and a real, modern coach be brought in.

 

[Lycanthrope]

How long do we keep saying "there's plenty of time"? Honest question. With Dvorsky being a lock for the WJC, Vondras(if he ever recovers from the flu) being a possibility as well. December is not going to be pretty.

I sure Hope we‘re not saying wait till next year early this spring

It is at a point why even get yourself all worked up and frustrated when the organization sees no need to act, the owner walks around shaking hands with a smile on his face like a butcher’s dog.

Because we are so passionate about hockey and desperately deserve a winner.

 

[howlman]

How long do we keep saying "there's plenty of time"? Honest question. With Dvorsky being a lock for the WJC, Vondras(if he ever recovers from the flu) being a possibility as well. December is not going to be pretty.

Possibly Musty with USA as well.

 

[Lycanthrope]

I also don't think anyone is calling for Ken to be fired, just moved back to his AGM position and a real, modern coach be brought in.

Question is who’d even be available.

Possibly Musty with USA as well.

Other teams will lose players too, though maybe not as many. Anyway, I don’t think they’re all a lock by any means at this point.

 

[djscooter]

Possibly Musty with USA as well.

I thought about including him, I think as a player, he's one of their top 12, but their bias against players out of the OHL will likely leave him on the outside. Goyette has an outside shot as well, but I don't think he's good enough to play in Canada's top 6, and he's too one dimensional to play in the bottom 6, Canada loves their 6'3" power forwards/grinders in those roles.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

I also don't think anyone is calling for Ken to be fired, just moved back to his AGM position and a real, modern coach be brought in.

Walters, ex-Owen Sound coach? Proven winner.

 

[djscooter]

It's honestly incredible the wolves still have the fanbase they do. Making it out of the 2nd round 3 times since 1971 by my math. Not an expert but that does not sound very good.

 

[Lycanthrope]

Walters, ex-Owen Sound coach? Proven winner.

Tough too. Might be what they need.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Please find and watch Steve Valliquette (from the New York Rangers) interview on Kyper and Bourne on Sportsnet. He has stats that state: every Stanley Cup Champion from past 5 years won when they made the biggest improvement in defending 5 on 5. Limiting the other teams chances going the other way from rushes up ice that go poorly and all 3 forwards get caught up ice. His stats show that when a team buys into defending as a priority they win…
All past cup winners made massive improvements in this area and then win the Stanley Cup. Great interview and it clearly address that our current style of play is not conducive to winning on a Consistent basis. We clearly have No commitment to the defensive side of the puck in any of the three zones. It is so clear and obvious which is why we as passionate fans get soooooo frustrated.
Watch the interview and feel free to comment.

 

[cub]

Please find and watch Steve Valliquette (from the New York Rangers) interview on Kyper and Bourne on Sportsnet. He has stats that state: every Stanley Cup Champion from past 5 years won when they made the biggest improvement in defending 5 on 5. Limiting the other teams chances going the other way from rushes up ice that go poorly and all 3 forwards get caught up ice. His stats show that when a team buys into defending as a priority they win…
All past cup winners made massive improvements in this area and then win the Stanley Cup. Great interview and it clearly address that our current style of play is not conducive to winning on a Consistent basis. We clearly have No commitment to the defensive side of the puck in any of the three zones. It is so clear and obvious which is why we as passionate fans get soooooo frustrated.
Watch the interview and feel free to comment.

you need to fact check on defensive play, just making general comments. Wolves are one of the leaders in 5 vs 5 play, and limiting opponents shots. 10 th in league in goals against. Special Teams, the PP last, and PK 16th are they're downfall.

Eastern Conference shows alot of parity at the moment. Wolves are 4 points from first in conference, and 3 points from first place Missy in division. We had a good weekend and hope Wolves keep building on it.

 

[Wiserbud]

We are very skilled - individually.

To win, it takes the better team, not necessarily the most skilled.

Last year, we saw what DMac did with this group - in short order. I believe if he was still HC this forum would read quite differently. (Or if Trent Cull was at the helm.) I like Ken, he should stay as Asst. GM, but I think/concur we need a different HC.

 

[Lycanthrope]

The Petes went to passive trap up two goals. They are well practised at trapping by now, carrying the puck through the neutral zone and into Petes territory seems less practical than dump and pressure.

Agree they had a tough time getting in the zone with possession. Coaching perhaps

 

[Lycanthrope]

We are very skilled - individually.

To win, it takes the better team, not necessarily the most skilled.

Last year, we saw what DMac did with this group - in short order. I believe if he was still HC this forum would read quite differently. (Or if Trent Cull was at the helm.) I like Ken, he should stay as Asst. GM, but I think/concur we need a different HC.

One thing that sure has improved though is the discipline. It really disappointed me that DMac wasn’t able to instill discipline. I harped on it all year and I’m not sure you saw all the games but it really hurt them all season and specifically in the playoffs. The glaring lack of discipline as much as anything else cost them any chance at winning the series. Never saw a team be more self destructive and help beat themselves. To me this wasn’t talked about enough. The Wolves took themselves out of several games last season.