Sudbury Wolves 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Wolfman Jack]

Brantford has our missing pieces Donovan and Xhekaj as I see it but at a cost. If Branford is in a building mode then youth is their goal. This early cost is high but I believe Chromiak, Chitaroni and Larmand would do it. Would you do this deal no substitutions?

Chitaroni cannot be dealt this year. He’s a second round pick. Only first round picks can be dealt in the window periods. So that deal is never going to happen.

To get Donovan and Xhekaj today we would need to part with Walton or Villeneuve one of those two along with Chromiak and we can toss an overage in Larmand to reduce the additional draft picks that we would need to send as well. So we would need to give like 2 2nds and 2 3rds as well.

WJ

 

[Petes1987]

Brantford has our missing pieces Donovan and Xhekaj as I see it but at a cost. If Branford is in a building mode then youth is their goal. This early cost is high but I believe Chromiak, Chitaroni and Larmand would do it. Would you do this deal no substitutions?

Which Chitaroni? Hudson Chitaroni cannot be traded because he is on 16 years old and not a 1st round draft pick.

 

[billoink]

Chitaroni cannot be dealt this year. He’s a second round pick. Only first round picks can be dealt in the window periods. So that deal is never going to happen.

To get Donovan and Xhekaj today we would need to part with Walton or Villeneuve one of those two along with Chromiak and we can toss an overage in Larmand to reduce the additional draft picks that we would need to send as well. So we would need to give like 2 2nds and 2 3rds as well.

WJ

Thanks for that correction which I overlooked

 

[WeThe North]

We don’t want Xhekaj ! An undisciplined player a distraction common we can do better

 

[billoink]

His stat’s and toughness going forward this year and next should be considered,just my opinion.

 

[OHL4Life]

Brantford has our missing pieces Donovan and Xhekaj as I see it but at a cost. If Branford is in a building mode then youth is their goal. This early cost is high but I believe Chromiak, Chitaroni and Larmand would do it. Would you do this deal no substitutions?

donovan will cost alot more then that. as would xhekaj. think the kyrou trade. very good 17 year old (very well could be a 16 year old) and 5 picks.

chitaroni is not eligible to be drafted, and chromiak is low value (maybe a 3rd) due to import rules.

Chitaroni cannot be dealt this year. He’s a second round pick. Only first round picks can be dealt in the window periods. So that deal is never going to happen.

To get Donovan and Xhekaj today we would need to part with Walton or Villeneuve one of those two along with Chromiak and we can toss an overage in Larmand to reduce the additional draft picks that we would need to send as well. So we would need to give like 2 2nds and 2 3rds as well.

WJ

2 2nds, 2 3rds, walton, maybe. i bet someone like saginaw would give more.

hamilton has to want to move him right now as well, and i dont know why they would want too. they can get just as much if not more in january.

 

[dirty12]

If the Wolves want to win any of the eight games vs North Bay this year they need to find some size and toughness. No response on Arnsby after boarding Musty. Wolves lack an identity and Papineau needs to find a couple of players who can gel this team together. Smith from the Pete’s and Florian X would be two candidates to start with.

I don’t know what to say to that …that might be the smallest Battalion team ever. I was thinking NB could use K.Smith. Guelph kinda need him and Xhekaj.
Those two just might cost a lot more than I would have guesssd going into the season.

The third piece is finding another finisher. Not sure what to make of our second line. To win a championship we need more consistent production from a second unit. Not sure we have the right mix. Lack the size with the skill and overall finish imo.

for now at least, I think Goyette-Delic-Konyen would be a fine 2nd scoring line. Musty & Dvorsky do not need Goyette.

Anyone know what’s up with Pryce? Is he hurt or scratched?

WJ

His stat’s and toughness going forward this year and next should be considered,just my opinion.

You think there is greater odds Xhekaj returns as an OA than play AHL?

 

[djscooter]

Very confused by people who complain about McCallum and Larmands discipline(a valid complaint) but also want to add Xhekaj.


Wish the wolves would be a bit more open on injuries, I've not seen any timelines on Mania, Toure or Musty now. Unsure if Pryce is either hurt, or has fallen out of favor for O'Dell who gets 3 shifts.

 

[Section5Petes]

Very confused by people who complain about McCallum and Larmands discipline(a valid complaint) but also want to add Xhekaj.


Wish the wolves would be a bit more open on injuries, I've not seen any timelines on Mania, Toure or Musty now. Unsure if Pryce is either hurt, or has fallen out of favor for O'Dell who gets 3 shifts.

I wish the league as a whole would be a little bit more transparent with some aspects of every day operation, such as injury, ice time, draft picks and more. Yes we are dealing with minors but it does feel like some changes could be made

 

[Wolfman Jack]

Very confused by people who complain about McCallum and Larmands discipline(a valid complaint) but also want to add Xhekaj.


Wish the wolves would be a bit more open on injuries, I've not seen any timelines on Mania, Toure or Musty now. Unsure if Pryce is either hurt, or has fallen out of favor for O'Dell who gets 3 shifts.

I never complained about McCallum’s game. If it wasn’t for his edgy style we wouldn’t have much push back. Larmand on the other hand just doesn’t do anything for me. Wifi 2 would bring an intimidating presence who will drop the mitts to protect his teammates. As much as I like Coughlan I lm not sure he fights. Lots of lip service but we do need a scrap now and then.

WJ

 

[goalieguy27]

I read a similar comment about the league on another thread, and someone mentioned teams can’t release specifics on player injuries due to HIPPA laws, which is why it’s always listed as “lower body injury” or whatever. I do understand this but timeline updates for return would be nice!

 

[Petes1987]

I read a similar comment about the league on another thread, and someone mentioned teams can’t release specifics on player injuries due to HIPPA laws, which is why it’s always listed as “lower body injury” or whatever. I do understand this but timeline updates for return would be nice!

Teams will often say it is day to day, week to week and if it is really long term month to month or season ending. The reason it is either listed as upper or lower body is to prevent other teams targeting the injured area when they return.

 

[djscooter]

I never complained about McCallum’s game. If it wasn’t for his edgy style we wouldn’t have much push back. Larmand on the other hand just doesn’t do anything for me. Wifi 2 would bring an intimidating presence who will drop the mitts to protect his teammates. As much as I like Coughlan I lm not sure he fights. Lots of lip service but we do need a scrap now and then.

WJ

Players can fight 3 times in a season before being suspended. Is there any value to someone who fights with that? Honestly asking, because I'm not sure.

 

[Wolfman Jack]

Players can fight 3 times in a season before being suspended. Is there any value to someone who fights with that? Honestly asking, because I'm not sure.

Cmon you don’t think the Pilons made a difference even with the three fight rule in effect. Think about it. The Pete’s got pretty far last year because they had team toughness. That’s what it takes to win. Hamilton the year prior had team toughness.
It’s quite easy to see actually how much an impact it can have in the locker room. Imagine how much ice it will open up for guys like Musty, Dvorsky, Mania and Goyette.

WJ

 

[EvenSteven]

Chitaroni cannot be dealt this year. He’s a second round pick. Only first round picks can be dealt in the window periods. So that deal is never going to happen.

To get Donovan and Xhekaj today we would need to part with Walton or Villeneuve one of those two along with Chromiak and we can toss an overage in Larmand to reduce the additional draft picks that we would need to send as well. So we would need to give like 2 2nds and 2 3rds as well.

WJ

As was said, Chromiak is low value right now. And even though Brantford has an open OA spot, I doubt they take a cast off OA in lieu of picks when they don’t have to. They’d take the picks thank you.

 

[Wolfman Jack]

As was said, Chromiak is low value right now. And even though Brantford has an open OA spot, I doubt they take a cast off OA in lieu of picks when they don’t have to. They’d take the picks thank you.

The OA would be a throw in. Otherwise take the 10th round pick who cares!

WJ

 

[EvenSteven]

Players can fight 3 times in a season before being suspended. Is there any value to someone who fights with that? Honestly asking, because I'm not sure.

In this day and age, with these fighting rules, you need 5 or 6 guys who’ll fight two or three times over the course of the season. Not one guy who’ll fight a ton more but can’t because of the rules.

That’s if you want to ice that kind of team. Personally, I’d like to see it.

 

[Petes1987]

In this day and age, with these fighting rules, you need 5 or 6 guys who’ll fight two or three times over the course of the season. Not one guy who’ll fight a ton more but can’t because of the rules.

That’s if you want to ice that kind of team. Personally, I’d like to see it.

The Petes were a very physical team last year as they are again this year. It was not fighting. There were a few fights but it was mostly players playing physical and throwing big hits. Teams like Ottawa could not take the physical play and it threw them off their game. They took penalties but were mostly disinclined in their play. If they took penalties they were mostly able to kill them off. Their physical aspect of the game was a key in their championship win.

 

[EvenSteven]

They took penalties but were mostly disinclined in their play. If they took penalties they were mostly able to kill them off. Their physical aspect of the game was a key in their championship win.

When DeBoer was here in Kitchener, he always had rough and tumble teams. But his teams were always at or near the top of the league on the PK.

Made it ok to play rough.

 

[I Loveallsports]

Weve seen in the league where guys will take the two game suspension if they need too or get caught up. Wolves don't need a fighter. Can he drop the gloves when needed, sure. But, having that presence on the ice can go a long way.

 

[dirty12]

We don’t want Xhekaj ! An undisciplined player a distraction common we can do better

Cmon you don’t think the Pilons made a difference even with the three fight rule in effect. Think about it. The Pete’s got pretty far last year because they had team toughness. That’s what it takes to win. Hamilton the year prior had team toughness.
It’s quite easy to see actually how much an impact it can have in the locker room. Imagine how much ice it will open up for guys like Musty, Dvorsky, Mania and Goyette.

WJ

Most teams would be better with Xhekaj imo. But if looking for an answer to Arnsby, it is O.Beck. Offence, defence, face-offs, winner, and takes opponents out of the play or game with hard hits.
I think O.Beck and Mayer would put the wolves over the top.
Walton or Villeneuve if you have to, Protz, MacCallum, and the picks the Petes want; do it now. Make the Battalion want to sell and Miss dismiss any notion of contending.

 

[I Loveallsports]

Most teams would be better with Xhekaj imo. But if looking for an answer to Arnsby, it is O.Beck. Offence, defence, face-offs, winner, and takes opponents out of the play or game with hard hits.
I think O.Beck and Mayer would put the wolves over the top.
Walton or Villeneuve if you have to, Protz, MacCallum, and the picks the Petes want; do it now. Make the Battalion want to sell and Miss dismiss any notion of contending.

I'll take part.

Out of that group, I'd prefer move Walton and McCallum. Villy , and protz,- ouch. I'd prefer moving Delic ( yea I know) and konyen before protz and villy. I'd make a terrible GM I'm cheap.

 

[djscooter]

Cmon you don’t think the Pilons made a difference even with the three fight rule in effect. Think about it. The Pete’s got pretty far last year because they had team toughness. That’s what it takes to win. Hamilton the year prior had team toughness.
It’s quite easy to see actually how much an impact it can have in the locker room. Imagine how much ice it will open up for guys like Musty, Dvorsky, Mania and Goyette.

WJ

I definitely think the Pilons were effective in their role, without a doubt. We talk team toughness, I guess its depends on your definition of toughness. I don't think its just fighting, its being willing to get into a scrum, grinding the opponent down. I feel like the wolves have a lot of that. Coughlan, McCallum, Yearwood, Pharand, Laramand, Villeneuve Toure, Protz, Anania all bring some to the table. Guys like Musty, Konyen, Delic Collins all throw the body a decent amount as well.

At this point, with even league-average special teams, the Wolves would be among the elite teams in the OHL. That's the problem they need to look to fix, IMO.

 

[Wiserbud]

Pilons were effective not just for toughness, but they motored as well. That makes a difference when you know (and hear) they were coming for you, and they weren't that big.

Coaching the special teams is clearly needed. But I am noticing some 2nd period challenges when the opposition's coach (Ottawa and NB) make adjustments - and they have the long change. I like Ken. But are we able to adjust effectively...? Special teams and adjustments are both coaching matters.

 

[PuckStop75]

I never complained about McCallum’s game. If it wasn’t for his edgy style we wouldn’t have much push back. Larmand on the other hand just doesn’t do anything for me. Wifi 2 would bring an intimidating presence who will drop the mitts to protect his teammates. As much as I like Coughlan I lm not sure he fights. Lots of lip service but we do need a scrap now and then.

WJ

A few teams including Sudbury need more than a 5'11-6ft edgy player, they need the influence of a 6'4 200lbs who can still play the game. Its one thing to stir up shit and something completely different to put an end to it. There are a limited number of players who fit the billing, Xhekaj happens to be one of them.