Sudbury Wolves 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[agillarda]

This is a game today to gauge where we stand going forward and what direction the team should go. I think Niagara is the team in the east to beat.

As much as Brampton may struggle for the next 2 weeks or so. Brampton has the goaltending, a solid defence and some top weapons up front. With their assets they will be getting whichever players they want. They have 8x 2nds and 5x 3rds just to start.

That doesn't include Oshawa or Barrie. You can argue top 4 for Niagara. I would liken their season this year to Brampton last year. HOT start but finished middle of the pack.

 

[dirty12]

There may be some options for Niagara, I'd lean more on the 18 year old side for players as opposed to one and done players.

I was just looking at the draft pick database and I hear you with what Brampton has in picks currently they could make some more big moves this year and off-season.

Barrie if they want to get better though will have to be smart with their limited assets we have seen it hinder them already with the 3 way trade.

Hopefully Sudbury can turn Musty, the OAs, Plus Villy and Walton next year in to a deep asset pool. Walton if he keeps this up could bring a Rhekof style deal next year.

Barrie and Brampton (at this time), are loaded with '06s.
I thought Barrie faired a bit better in the Bertucci trade than Brampton and Oshawa did in their big trades. I question the return for Flint, and their logic for getting involved in a trade with two teams from the same division that know each other's roster better than Flint would.

 

[agillarda]

Barrie and Brampton (at this time), are loaded with '06s.
I thought Barrie faired a bit better in the Bertucci trade than Brampton and Oshawa did in their big trades. I question the return for Flint, and their logic for getting involved in a trade with two teams from the same division that know each other's roster better than Flint would.

Oh I don't think anyone knows what is up with Flint, last year and this year selling and buying at the same time.

 

[dirty12]

This is a game today to gauge where we stand going forward and what direction the team should go. I think Niagara is the team in the east to beat.

Niagara is deep and has some real talents, but I think a bit young and a bit small to be serious contenders.

 

[djscooter]

This is a game today to gauge where we stand going forward and what direction the team should go. I think Niagara is the team in the east to beat.

East is really bad if the ice dogs are the team to beat. I think Barrie, Oshawa and Brampton end up at the top post deadline

 

[dirty12]

East is really bad if the ice dogs are the team to beat. I think Barrie, Oshawa and Brampton end up at the top post deadline

I think Kingston will be a serious threat for the 2 seed

 

[djscooter]

I think Kingston will be a serious threat for the 2 seed

Embarrassingly I forgot they existed for a moment. 100% agree with you though.

 

[djscooter]

Wolves play in their own end the last few weeks has not been good, feels like a few steps backwards.

 

[NorthernBridge7]

I wonder if there's a scenario where the Wolves do a buy or soft-buy next season.

With how well the Wolves have performed under this coaching staff you'd have to think that they likely are better next season than this one. 2nd half of the season will give better indication.

The Wolves have played most of the season without Musty so their record reflects mostly their play without him. He will turn into assets or young players (Challenger?) in a month. The Wolves came into this season with a stocked cupboard in draft capital and this will grow even more once Musty and 1 or 2 OAs are dealt.

If Krawchuk continues to play well, he's an OA. Pharand is an OA if he isn't signed. Coughlan is worthy of an OA spot but I think they should go out and get a good OA defenceman.

Walton (19) Villeneuve (19) Pharand (OA)
Chitaroni (18) Chovan (18, IMP) Henderson (18)
Clayton (18) Dean (17) Challenger* (17)

O'Dell (19) Trade (OA)
Jackson (18) Blonda (17)
Bruce (19)

Krawchuk (OA)
Marshall (19)

I could see this roster being a ~3 or 4 seed team in the conference next year. If the team is in a position like this I could see a scenario where they opt to hold onto Villy & Walton. Still a long ways away.

 

[agillarda]

Wolves play in their own end the last few weeks has not been good, feels like a few steps backwards.

Players are getting worn down I think. I swear until the back half of the 5 on 3 they just played the top two lines. I swore I saw villy one shift then Walton and back again. Same as we see at the end of the games 2 lines.

 

[I Loveallsports]

Slow start again. The dogs were in Sudbury yesterday. Last game Friday. Not getting much from Molnar, Gigi. Although Krawchuk has been good, seems a little tired and has played alot of hockey. Perhaps look for a backup goalie that can play more games.

 

[djscooter]

Losing faith in Coach Barney's ability to have a team play disciplined hockey...

 

[agillarda]

I wonder if there's a scenario where the Wolves do a buy or soft-buy next season.

With how well the Wolves have performed under this coaching staff you'd have to think that they likely are better next season than this one. 2nd half of the season will give better indication.

The Wolves have played most of the season without Musty so their record reflects mostly their play without him. He will turn into assets or young players (Challenger?) in a month. The Wolves came into this season with a stocked cupboard in draft capital and this will grow even more once Musty and 1 or 2 OAs are dealt.

If Krawchuk continues to play well, he's an OA. Pharand is an OA if he isn't signed. Coughlan is worthy of an OA spot but I think they should go out and get a good OA defenceman.

Walton (19) Villeneuve (19) Pharand (OA)
Chitaroni (18) Chovan (18, IMP) Henderson (18)
Clayton (18) Dean (17) Challenger* (17)

O'Dell (19) Trade (OA)
Jackson (18) Blonda (17)
Bruce (19)

Krawchuk (OA)
Marshall (19)

I could see this roster being a ~3 or 4 seed team in the conference next year. If the team is in a position like this I could see a scenario where they opt to hold onto Villy & Walton. Still a long ways away.

Depends how next season goes but I don't know how smart it would be to lose Walton and Villy for nothing with no second and 1 3rd in the 2026 draft for high end picks. Would need a kings ransom for Musty to avoid a weak 2027 and 2028 season when we open the new arena.

 

[dirty12]

Depends how next season goes but I don't know how smart it would be to lose Walton and Villy for nothing with no second and 1 3rd in the 2026 draft for high end picks. Would need a kings ransom for Musty to avoid a weak 2027 and 2028 season when we open the new arena.

Wolves get ‘26 - 2,4 picks returned unless Hague reports. The Wolves have a lot of picks.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

I think Kingston will be a serious threat for the 2 seed

Kingston a paper tiger for me. There's about 5 to 6 teams I take in the East over them.

 

[cub]

look like a tire bunch this week, Christmas break coming up will do team some good.

 

[dirty12]

Kingston a paper tiger for me. There's about 5 to 6 teams I take in the East over them.

Did not seem good today.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Losing faith in Coach Barney's ability to have a team play disciplined hockey...

Don’t mistake undisciplined hockey with physical/finishing your checks hockey. Players are holding the opposition accountable for dirty play. Sometimes this passionate play crosses the line, mix in a little immaturity and we do take some bad penalties.
However, please don’t change the style of play for this team.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

With one more home game before the holiday break, it might be a good time to discuss (what we the fans think) about the team should do leading up to the upcoming trade deadline Jan.10 2025.
Thoughts?
I for one would like to see us sell to teams that are going for it, capitalize on our talent not returning next season and use those assets to build for the future. However, I can also see opportunities to perhaps to do a soft buy looking for players on teams that are in a total rebuild and need the draft capital. Our GM has a promising young core and an excellent coaching staff to lead the way…

 

[agillarda]

Sell Musty and the OAs we can, bring in hopefully a 08 and 06/07 plus picks in all. Maybe find some additional 06/07s as experienced guys for next season.

 

[billoink]

I would make trades before the deadline not like last year when the high talent was gone early and our GM was lost in the woods. I wood think only 3 teams at best would be looking at Musty. Other teams will be selling for sure and the bar may be low the closer they get to the deadline

 

[agillarda]

With Brampton making their trade today and dropping an import do we grab him if Jan Chovan doesn't report? He is an 06.