Sudbury Wolves 2024-25 Season Thread, Part III

[Wolfman Jack]

I truly believe some of the players are lagging at this point of the year because they played way too many minutes in the first half. The injuries/suspensions/hold outs/rookie fourth line with low minutes is really catching up to the top two lines now. You can see the slow foot speed, lack of attention to detail, lack of focus its caught up. We needed some depth earlier in the year.

WJ

 

[djscooter]

Atleast they seem to show up against the teams that should be easy points this year.

This is aging like milk, oh well.

 

[Wolfman Jack]

Lowest point of the year!!! Pharand outmuscled by 170lb Therion cutting to the net. Take him down do whatever but don't let him take a shot. This team is done.

WJ

 

[Wolfie]

Ok here we go ..I couldn't agree more.

Krawchuk makes me nervous when pucks come his way. No swagger or something that makes you think "he's got this". You never know that you're getting with him from game to game. I dont trust him. Absolutely his play on those two deflated the team. He's not a clear # 1 in this league. Can't blame him overall , RP gave him the grease and this team continues to have goalie issues. It's been years since had we had a very good goaltender, and we know who that was.

RP fail

Now the D. Our 1 and 2 D might be #1 on this team but hardly a top 1 and 2 paring in in the league. They D played decent last night but when the Mews trade was rumoured I wasnt for it. Wolves needed a couple of lock down dmen that played tough in their own end, clear the net and move pucks. Mews as everyone knows doesn't play good D. RP talked about his offense dynamics for this team which is not what this team needed. Poor choice to get that type of player when you had other needs.
Roberts- works hard but gets beat outside sonetimes. Hes ok. Like last season , wolves give up 2 second round picks for average players. Let's not forget Protz too. That one really sored me. You had good value at that pick and you trade him away. That's highway robbery by the Bulldogs in back to back years. Inexcusable. Why did RP allow this to happen, again.

RP fail

Forwards - I would of liked if they added another scoring forward. I assume he couldn't and went with a signee. I'm not sure if the return of Musty has hurt the team. I think wolves peaked early and now other teams have settled in, got healthy, made trades etc. I would give Coughlan more ice. But egos come into play here. Will they drop Molnar from line one and or drop pharhand from line 2? Sometimes I feel Walton doesn't deserve 2nd line minutes. I'd be curious to see how many goals he has 5 on 5 vs the pp. Molnar has not been a good fit for this team.


Overall I've tried to back RP in his scouting and trades made but I can't anymore. He's had good 1st round pics over the years due to the wolves having poor seasons. Outside of that not so much. Musty, Villeneuve, Byfield being those 1st Rd picks.

Currently, Only Blonda is a RP pick on the backend. All others via trade. None of his draft picks of goaltending has worked out. Few others picked before Gaulton are doing well in the league.

My fear is he's got Dario wrapped around his finger as he trusts RP with his hockey team to a fault. I guess things could change if the wolves get bounced Early and Dario feels enough is enough. RP seems too comfortable in his seat.

I could be eating crow in a few weeks but that's ok if they win, we all win. But, I have my doubts. Let's see if it's the same team that played well against London shows up in the Bay tomorrow afternoon.

Not sure what Coughlan is doing wrong to not be given more ice time at this point. His play seems much more consistent than some others in the top six.

 

[billoink]

Commentator mentioned KMac is senior adviser with the Wolves, what is that, have never seen him at a game all year.

 

[zoomieking]

I truly believe some of the players are lagging at this point of the year because they played way too many minutes in the first half. The injuries/suspensions/hold outs/rookie fourth line with low minutes is really catching up to the top two lines now. You can see the slow foot speed, lack of attention to detail, lack of focus its caught up. We needed some depth earlier in the year.

WJ

I truly believe some of the players are lagging at this point of the year because they played way too many minutes in the first half. The injuries/suspensions/hold outs/rookie fourth line with low minutes is really catching up to the top two lines now. You can see the slow foot speed, lack of attention to detail, lack of focus its caught up. We needed some depth earlier in the year.

WJ

I’ve been saying this for a couple of months now. Playing the top two lines constantly you’re going to gas them out before the playoffs even start and worse risk injury. In the playoffs you need to play your fourth line because it’s a grind and if they’re getting limited amount of minutes they won’t have the confidence when that time comes. Switching up the lines constantly doesn’t help either because then players don’t build chemistry. Or they do have chemistry but then it’s gets switched up. Hoping they get out of this funk sooner than later

 

[agillarda]

Commentator mentioned KMac is senior adviser with the Wolves, what is that, have never seen him at a game all year.

More so advisors to Management, like Cliff Fletcher for the leafs. You won't see them they work behind the scenes

Not sure what Coughlan is doing wrong to not be given more ice time at this point. His play seems much more consistent than some others in the top six.

Gotta Musty in top 6 at first with Molnar, Villy will get top six then you had the Walton line the was on fire.

He had confidence before Musty came back the first time because they gave him the spot, since I think he's lost it because of little faith in him.

 

[djscooter]

2nd worst team in the OHL in the last 10 games. Deadline working out great.

 

[agillarda]

I’ve been saying this for a couple of months now. Playing the top two lines constantly you’re going to gas them out before the playoffs even start and worse risk injury. In the playoffs you need to play your fourth line because it’s a grind and if they’re getting limited amount of minutes they won’t have the confidence when that time comes. Switching up the lines constantly doesn’t help either because then players don’t build chemistry. Or they do have chemistry but then it’s gets switched up. Hoping they get out of this funk sooner than later

I noticed it too, watched games with the first 5 minutes and last 5 minutes the same 10 players rolled over shift after shift.

 

[billoink]

Team seems very ordinary since the Gms decision at the deadline to keep all the OAs, keep Musty, and to go with present goaltending. Somewhat similar to last year at this time going with Vondras and Vandenberg.

 

[billoink]

Papineau must have kept last years play book, and convinced Dario that it is the holy grail.

 

[Wolfman Jack]

Im concerned how much we are struggling to move the puck out of our defensive zone quickly with nice outlet passes. Seems like pucks get intercepted, we bobble it in our feet, pass to stationary players at the line to only have it tuned over. I hate to say it but Jackson was our best skater and puck moving dman.

The lines made no sense to me today.

Keep Musty with Villy and Molnar.

Walton Delic Pharand as much as they have disappeared I would move Coughlan up and Pharand down. But Walton with Mustj is just weird combo. They don’t mesh.

WJ

 

[jamo27]

Papineau must have kept last years play book, and convinced Papineau that it is the holy grail.

Last years playbook was absolute malpractice. Applying it to a middling team this season is mind blowing.

Get used to bad teams and an empty barn for the next few years. “Sudbury Wolves Hockey”….

 

[zoomieking]

I noticed it too, watched games with the first 5 minutes and last 5 minutes the same 10 players rolled over shift after shift.

I know they’re trying to win games, but it’s not smart hockey. How are players supposed to develop and build confidence if they’re not getting ice time? The worst is when they have a 3-4 goal lead and they’re still playing the top two lines. That’s the time to give your top lines some rest

 

[cub]

I know they’re trying to win games, but it’s not smart hockey. How are players supposed to develop and build confidence if they’re not getting ice time? The worst is when they have a 3-4 goal lead and they’re still playing the top two lines. That’s the time to give your top lines some rest

I think you are over exaggerating your point, I watch every game, mostlyl 3 lines are played regularly and fourth line sub in shifts. They were tied and down a goal, and all three lines were on, don't make up something that is not the case. if there is PP obviously they will go out with their first and second units.

 

[djscooter]

Much like getting rid of Ken MacKenzie one year too late, hopfully they can rid themselves of Papineau as well. Most delusional GM in the OHL.

 

[Wolfman Jack]

Not looking good since the deadline. I know we have lots of hockey still but this was to be a turning point game today.

If things don’t change by end of season and we still see a team not battle and make some sort of playoff appearance then you may have to look at new direction. You have to start looking at and assessing all the drafting, scouting, trades and signings and what successes we have gotten from it. Then decide if a decision needs to be made. Something has to change and it can’t always be the coaches or players. In this industry everybody has a best before date.

WJ

 

[Habs0101]

Commentator mentioned KMac is senior adviser with the Wolves, what is that, have never seen him at a game all year.

2nd worst team in the OHL in the last 10 games. Deadline working out great.

Prediction for playoffs and beyond:
-1st round exit regardless of who they play
- Musty will basically play through the motions and can’t leave town fast enough
-Krawchuck will be burnt out and we’ll be lucky he doesn’t get hurt with no credible backup
- Mews gone to NCAA
- Pharand continues soft play moving on to Canadian university
- Barney gets a AHL offer

 

[dirty12]

Prediction for playoffs and beyond:
-1st round exit regardless of who they play
- Musty will basically play through the motions and can’t leave town fast enough
-Krawchuck will be burnt out and we’ll be lucky he doesn’t get hurt with no credible backup
- Mews gone to NCAA
- Pharand continues soft play moving on to Canadian university
- Barney gets a AHL offer

Everything that can go wrong, does; yet the coach gets an AHL offer?

 

[Whoppy52]

Commentator mentioned KMac is senior adviser with the Wolves, what is that, have never seen him at a game all year.

Saw him at 2 games. Senior adviser?? After last year's demise...they want him around as a senior advisor??

 

[zoomieking]

I think you are over exaggerating your point, I watch every game, mostlyl 3 lines are played regularly and fourth line sub in shifts. They were tied and down a goal, and all three lines were on, don't make up something that is not the case. if there is PP obviously they will go out with their first and second units.

Yes the third line gets shifts as well, and of course if there’s a pp the top two lines are out there and should be, but they over play their top two lines and that’s a fact. Fourth line should get at least 10 minutes a game. We need depth, especially in the playoffs

 

[agillarda]

Saw him at 2 games. Senior adviser?? After last year's demise...they want him around as a senior advisor??

3 years ago he was Assistant GM, When the let Duncanson go they made him Interm until they Hired Derek Mackenzie. When Derek left before last season they made him Head Coach as well. Probably had another year on his contract so instead of firing him they moved him to a less hands on role

 

[cub]

Yes the third line gets shifts as well, and of course if there’s a pp the top two lines are out there and should be, but they over play their top two lines and that’s a fact. Fourth line should get at least 10 minutes a game. We need depth, especially in the playoffs

you never been on the board much, to come and push your falsehood, you must be family member to someone on the fourth line. Obviously you have not watched the team all season, everyone has a role on the team, how many coaches would play rookies on their PK?

The issue we have been down most games recently, our fourth line has a role, but it is not a line is going to score you many goals, take a look at stats on this roster. if the team is up they will get more time, if team is down, they will see less time.

 

[djscooter]

Saw him at 2 games. Senior adviser?? After last year's demise...they want him around as a senior advisor??

Maybe they mean that he's advising the club on senior's issues?

 

[agillarda]

you never been on the board much, to come and push your falsehood, you must be family member to someone on the fourth line. Obviously you have not watched the team all season, everyone has a role on the team, how many coaches would play rookies on their PK?

The issue we have been down most games recently, our fourth line has a role, but it is not a line is going to score you many goals, take a look at stats on this roster. if the team is up they will get more time, if team is down, they will see less time.

Myself I am a season ticket holder, when I can't be there i watch on TV. I have watched in the last 5 minutes being up Waltons line out, they come off and Villys line goes out, when they come off its Waltons line right back out there. First 5 minutes and same goes for the defence was McCoy and DeAngelis then it would be O'Dell ans Ewels. It ain't false and yes I site close enough to the bench that I can see it. The line comes off and doesn't even sit down, they are ready to bounce right back over the boards.

Yes we have played Henderson, Clayton, Dean, Doucet for a time on the PK and it was great, I get Clayton is out but to be missing him and the pk completely flip and then taking Dean out another part of the PK. I have seen Musty ok the PK and I don't think that's a road we should be going down.