Windsor Spitfires 2022-23 Off-Season Thread (Part 7)

[TheGremlin]

Savard needs to be dismissed simple as that. Just look at his comments after game 3. He thought they played good. He never changed a thing regarding strategies, d-zone coverage etc. How about bringing in Leamington Flyers HC Dale Mitchell. He has that team unbeatable. A former player and might bring some real coaching to the organization.

This here was a fan base killer. Fans were starting to fill the building with regularity, and you get swept. We have zero, yes, ZERO , 2nd's 3rd's and 1 4th round pick in the next four years. Gonna have to trade Maillet, Cristopolous, Peer, Dionicio, and more to get those picks back.

I was in Leamington to watch their game tonight and they looked pretty good. Since he took over they have been one of the higher scoring teams and better defensive teams in the western conference and took him to the finals last year and won the western conference championship this year. At least his teams will play defence.

 

[spits]

I was in Leamington to watch their game tonight and they looked pretty good. Since he took over they have been one of the higher scoring teams and better defensive teams in the western conference and took him to the finals last year and won the western conference championship this year. At least his teams will play defence.

Yep I used to watch the Flyers quite often. Haven't seen them live this year but follow the scores and from what I hear they are incredible. You know Mitchell is looking to climb the ladder quickly, I would give him an interview if I were the Spits' brass.

The players didn't show up this series and Savard couldn't get them motivated. Who would have thought after that big road win in London two weeks ago to secure the conference, the last home game of the season would be just one week later where they were literally booed off the ice.

 

[Travis Bickle 77]

Wasn't all on Wright, but he did literally nothing in games 2-4. Completely invisible. The same can be said for the entire team though. Maggio was invisible as well. What the heck happened to Maggio? Harrison was a bust. All those picks traded for literally nothing. The team wasn't even close to being competitive. Outscored 20-8 or something in the series. That right there was the worst display of hockey in franchise history. Hopefully, ownership cleans house, get rid of the entire coaching staff.

Oh.... don't worry I agree with you!! I could literally write a book on everything that went wrong this season. I literally had great concern in training camp. The best comparison I can think of....of the 2022-2023 Spitfires would probably be the 1998-1999 New York Rangers. Look at the New York Rangers roster that season.....also look at the Salaries paid that season. They had great expectations.......played an offensive game.... defense shit the bed.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Savard needs to be dismissed simple as that. Just look at his comments after game 3. He thought they played good. He never changed a thing regarding strategies, d-zone coverage etc. How about bringing in Leamington Flyers HC Dale Mitchell. He has that team unbeatable. A former player and might bring some real coaching to the organization.

This here was a fan base killer. Fans were starting to fill the building with regularity, and you get swept. We have zero, yes, ZERO , 2nd's 3rd's and 1 4th round pick in the next four years. Gonna have to trade Maillet, Cristopolous, Peer, Dionicio, and more to get those picks back.

I don’t disagree. If birth year isn’t 2006, your expendable… WITH the exception of Costanzo.

Let’s face it, 95% of OHL goalies that are good play that OA year. A build around Spellacy, Greentree, and Christoforo is possible during Costanzo’s OA year.

We literally don’t have any other 05s, forget them til the time comes and grab some proven OAs then.

Anything that’s an 03’ worth value around the league should be shopped for any sort of return. Unfortunately OA slots will fill before we find a spot for all of them.

04s unfortunately are movable. I like the guys we got, but no chance we have the assets now to build while they’re still here.

05s are gone.

We have some great 06s

And well, we’ll have 1 shot and getting a good 07, maybe a mediocre one as well given our selections.

But even then, if Windsor finishes first and gets swept last year… Do Spellacy, Greentree and Christoforo visit during that playoff game and go, “oh yeah, this is where we want to be”?

Not that we have many draft picks to use… but still.

 

[OHLTG]

I've had a chance to step back, breathe, and come at this in a new light.

Re Savard - I'm not on the "fire him" train. He's done wonders for the roster. I WOULD look at replacing Delmore or Smith, though. There's accountability to be had but it's not the HC.

Re who to trade - I keep Dionicio and Costanzo, but just about anyone else (not 06s) can be had for the right price. I think Dionicio is going to be a seriously valuable commodity for us and Costanzo is the future. Him and someone like Carter Frogett... we're in good hands.

Re OAs - I feel horrible for Maggio, Renwick, and Onuska. Maggio gave his heart and soul to this organization and you could see he really wanted this. He's a class act, too, which adds to the sting. Renwick and Onuska weren't in the spotlight, so to speak, but were well-liked and professional. For all three, losing on the road can't be fun. I'd have rather them lost on Saturday so they could say goodbye to the fans.

Re fans - it's going to be tough to win back 6,000+, but I can see 4-4,500 a night. Having three-straight home games where fall flat, including getting booed in the playoffs, is rough. Heck, at my one job, I've been asked numerous times in the last two weeks "what the heck happened to the Spitfires??" People aren't happy and many of the promos they did this season simply won't cut it.

A couple of lean seasons are coming. I'm just glad last season was so much fun, and even most of this season. It takes the sting away, even if it's just a bit. I'm kind of intrigued by how the next several months will go. We're likely to see a vastly different team... and the start of a new era.

 

[Agent 53]

Traded
6 - 2nds
5 - 3rds
3 -4ths
2* - 5ths
4* - 6ths

05 - 1st, 2nd, and 4th.

All of that to get swept by an 8 seed.

GM of the Year!!!!!

 

[three dog night]

Where did the offence go.

 

[ohloutsider]

Well hindsight is easy but I did post early in December that the Spits should stand pat or do a soft sell. I also posted that they should move Maggio to gain picks so they could build around the strong 06 group. I suggested the core was not deep enough to make a run. I was booed off the stage and told by the hockey experts it was a silly idea.

Once it was clear we were buying for a run I bought in but still had private doubts.

Now I know I wasn't that far off on the right move but even I didn't see this mess for what it is. Going to take some to digest this but if this hockey staff is returned I'm going to be disappointed.

Now I have to start cheering for Sarnia Yuuuuup!

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I also was quite vocal that this team wasn’t as good as their record indicated before the deadline. Even got called out for being “pessimistic“ at the time.

I also said Kitchener was a real tough draw in the first round for this squad, and I expected Kitchener to win in the end but not in the fashion they did. Many Kitchener fans even laughed at that opinion.

The Spits may have lost, but at least I was correct with how I assessed this team this year.

 

[ip4982s]

Exactly!! Seen it many times post trade deadline...like many others. But....you just know Shane Wright is going to take the brunt from this. Everybody is gonna need a finger to point at....and because Shane Wright is Shane Wright....he will be the first to point at. Savard is 2nd......don't know what will happen with his situation.....but I know one thing!! We live in a soft easily offended society that coddles anyone 0-25 years old.....so unfortunately blame on the players themselves might not be implicated or God forbid even mentioned as a major factor. No drive, no fired up presence....but let's not mention that as the main factor. God forbid

I've had a chance to step back, breathe, and come at this in a new light.

Re Savard - I'm not on the "fire him" train. He's done wonders for the roster. I WOULD look at replacing Delmore or Smith, though. There's accountability to be had but it's not the HC.

Re who to trade - I keep Dionicio and Costanzo, but just about anyone else (not 06s) can be had for the right price. I think Dionicio is going to be a seriously valuable commodity for us and Costanzo is the future. Him and someone like Carter Frogett... we're in good hands.

Re OAs - I feel horrible for Maggio, Renwick, and Onuska. Maggio gave his heart and soul to this organization and you could see he really wanted this. He's a class act, too, which adds to the sting. Renwick and Onuska weren't in the spotlight, so to speak, but were well-liked and professional. For all three, losing on the road can't be fun. I'd have rather them lost on Saturday so they could say goodbye to the fans.

Re fans - it's going to be tough to win back 6,000+, but I can see 4-4,500 a night. Having three-straight home games where fall flat, including getting booed in the playoffs, is rough. Heck, at my one job, I've been asked numerous times in the last two weeks "what the heck happened to the Spitfires??" People aren't happy and many of the promos they did this season simply won't cut it.

A couple of lean seasons are coming. I'm just glad last season was so much fun, and even most of this season. It takes the sting away, even if it's just a bit. I'm kind of intrigued by how the next several months will go. We're likely to see a vastly different team... and the start of a new era.

So fire a fall guy or two (Delmore or Smith) but keep the top person who orchestrated this whole plan that failed and couldn’t even motivate his players enough for a single win in round 1? There is something more than players just playing. Team chemistry and trust matters. Head coaches matter. I hate fall guys. If head guy doesn’t go, I will have zero respect for Windsor trying to pin it on other fall guys.

Totally agree on Maggio, Renwick and Onuska. They’ve given us a lot of great hockey to cheer for and while it’s super upsetting to lose like this, hats off to them. Has to be horrible way for Maggio to end his Windsor career.

It will be interesting.

I've had a chance to step back, breathe, and come at this in a new light.

Re Savard - I'm not on the "fire him" train. He's done wonders for the roster. I WOULD look at replacing Delmore or Smith, though. There's accountability to be had but it's not the HC.

Re who to trade - I keep Dionicio and Costanzo, but just about anyone else (not 06s) can be had for the right price. I think Dionicio is going to be a seriously valuable commodity for us and Costanzo is the future. Him and someone like Carter Frogett... we're in good hands.

Re OAs - I feel horrible for Maggio, Renwick, and Onuska. Maggio gave his heart and soul to this organization and you could see he really wanted this. He's a class act, too, which adds to the sting. Renwick and Onuska weren't in the spotlight, so to speak, but were well-liked and professional. For all three, losing on the road can't be fun. I'd have rather them lost on Saturday so they could say goodbye to the fans.

Re fans - it's going to be tough to win back 6,000+, but I can see 4-4,500 a night. Having three-straight home games where fall flat, including getting booed in the playoffs, is rough. Heck, at my one job, I've been asked numerous times in the last two weeks "what the heck happened to the Spitfires??" People aren't happy and many of the promos they did this season simply won't cut it.

A couple of lean seasons are coming. I'm just glad last season was so much fun, and even most of this season. It takes the sting away, even if it's just a bit. I'm kind of intrigued by how the next several months will go. We're likely to see a vastly different team... and the start of a new era.

I don’t disagree. If birth year isn’t 2006, your expendable… WITH the exception of Costanzo.

Let’s face it, 95% of OHL goalies that are good play that OA year. A build around Spellacy, Greentree, and Christoforo is possible during Costanzo’s OA year.

We literally don’t have any other 05s, forget them til the time comes and grab some proven OAs then.

Anything that’s an 03’ worth value around the league should be shopped for any sort of return. Unfortunately OA slots will fill before we find a spot for all of them.

04s unfortunately are movable. I like the guys we got, but no chance we have the assets now to build while they’re still here.

05s are gone.

We have some great 06s

And well, we’ll have 1 shot and getting a good 07, maybe a mediocre one as well given our selections.

But even then, if Windsor finishes first and gets swept last year… Do Spellacy, Greentree and Christoforo visit during that playoff game and go, “oh yeah, this is where we want to be”?

Not that we have many draft picks to use… but still.

That’s a good question about the 06s. Why would they?

 

[windsor7]

Oh.... don't worry I agree with you!! I could literally write a book on everything that went wrong this season. I literally had great concern in training camp. The best comparison I can think of....of the 2022-2023 Spitfires would probably be the 1998-1999 New York Rangers. Look at the New York Rangers roster that season.....also look at the Salaries paid that season. They had great expectations.......played an offensive game.... defense shit the bed.

There was no defense from game 1 and it showed every game

Traded
6 - 2nds
5 - 3rds
3 -4ths
2* - 5ths
4* - 6ths

05 - 1st, 2nd, and 4th.

All of that to get swept by an 8 seed.

GM of the Year!!!!!

Bowler didn't get job done.

 

[ohloutsider]

There was no defense from game 1 and it showed every game


Bowler didn't get job done.

I have to agree on Bowler, he misread the room or he allowed Marc to talk him into more offense.

Overall Bowler has been good so I give him a pass but in this particular trade deadline he gaffed a bit.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Traded
6 - 2nds
5 - 3rds
3 -4ths
2* - 5ths
4* - 6ths

05 - 1st, 2nd, and 4th.

All of that to get swept by an 8 seed.

GM of the Year!!!!!

Well, we looked good on paper

 

[hullsy47]

Oh.... don't worry I agree with you!! I could literally write a book on everything that went wrong this season. I literally had great concern in training camp. The best comparison I can think of....of the 2022-2023 Spitfires would probably be the 1998-1999 New York Rangers. Look at the New York Rangers roster that season.....also look at the Salaries paid that season. They had great expectations.......played an offensive game.... defense shit the bed.

Wright pulled a mathew barzal

 

[ip4982s]

These facts are hard to argue with. Savard and Bowler own this. Cost us this year and now a gift that keeps on coming.

 

[mag1600]

I just wonder of the Spits' brass could turn the clock back and NEVER signed Wright. What did Wright actually do for the Spits since the trade. One of the worst trades in recent memory.

PS

Will Wright ever became a regular NHLer moving forward?

 

[Ferda11]

As a long time Sting fan with PTSD from past playoff performances, I certainly can sympathize with y’all. Gotta be a pretty tough pill to swallow. But hey, at least y’all have a few mem cups to ease the pain. We got a 2004 west division champs banner so yah…..

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Just the Deadline Moves-

18 Draft Picks in the First 6 Rounds Gone, only a 14th Rd pick at the deadline coming back.
Plus two additional conditionals on Wright moving out, also in the first 6 rounds.

As mentioned, we also traded away our entire crop of 05s we drafted and got to report. 1st (Meidema), 2nd (Ride) and 4th (O Flaherty) leaving us with one acquired 05, Joey Costanzo.

What we got -
Shane Wright: Gone

Brett Harrison: Gone

Jacob Holmes: Not a Top 4 D Man (Dionicio, DeAngelis, Christoforo, Sobolev)

Aidan Castle: Not a Top 9 F
(Christopoulos, Maillet, Abraham, Spellacy, Greentree, Smith, Morneau, Peer, Davis)
*And Yes, Davis has passed Castle on depth. Compare their Ice Time in a Do or Die Game*

And Dionicio… Well. He’s good at least.

Doesn’t include the 3 OAs that have now graduated.

I guess Castle will fit that Top 9 soon, as we have to move 3 of our 6, 03’s.
Peer, Christopoulos, Maillet, Sobolev, Jodoin, Holmes.

My picks given our current state? Hold Peer, Jodoin, Sobolev.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

I just wonder of the Spits' brass could turn the clock back and NEVER signed Wright. What did Wright actually do for the Spits since the trade. One of the worst trades in recent memory.

PS

Will Wright ever became a regular NHLer moving forward?

Honestly, the Wright trade wasn’t nearly as bad as we paid for Harrison and Holmes.

Wright 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 6th (*5th, *6th), Meidema
15G/22A 20 Games +8
1G/2A 4 Games -6

Harrison 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 4th
18G/18A 30 Games Even
1G/3A 4 Games -6

Holmes 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th
2G/10A 35 Games Played +12
0G/0A 4 Games -6

Both Harrison and Holmes were averaging more points per game on their old teams, that were selling. Only Holmes had a better +/- in Windsor regular season, +12 instead of -9.

The problem with Wright is he missed what 7? 8? games in the regular season too.

But I guess Harrison missed about half a dozen himself.

Grab a bigger D man with a higher +/-, a top 5 ranked NHL prospect, a point a game+ Forward, a World Junior D Man and a former 1st round puck, that could benefit from a change of scenery from the 20th team in the OHL to the 2nd.

I don’t blame Bowler personally. When you’re first in the conference, bringing in 3 Forwards and 2 D Men, sounds great.

Fast Forward 3 Months and our 06, Woodall is more defensively responsible than the expensive 03 “Defensively Responsible guy”. Lol

 

[mattommy98]

As a totally neutral fan (from Niagara ) I beleive it was the third goal last night , should have at least been reviewed as dionicio was checked from behind looked pretty bad I was at the game right by the glass , I’ve liked him since Niagara got him and glad he found a good team to showcase his skills ( unlike my team ) hey guys heads up I was talking tk my gf after making it to the finals last year you finished first and put up the best fight you could , at least you can make the playoffs , cheers , Costanzo will be a star for you as well , castle , forget about it idk I just don’t see it . Try talking to Niagara gm about Kevin he , I’ll be heartbroken but that gm is an idiot and prob would as he thinks he can go on a run lol

 

[DeletedAccountt]

Sorry everyone! Hound fan here who had Windsor going all the way!

Honestly, the Wright trade wasn’t nearly as bad as we paid for Harrison and Holmes.

Wright 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 6th (*5th, *6th), Meidema
15G/22A 20 Games +8
1G/2A 4 Games -6

Harrison 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 4th
18G/18A 30 Games Even
1G/3A 4 Games -6

Holmes 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th
2G/10A 35 Games Played +12
0G/0A 4 Games -6

Both Harrison and Holmes were averaging more points per game on their old teams, that were selling. Only Holmes had a better +/- in Windsor regular season, +12 instead of -9.

The problem with Wright is he missed what 7? 8? games in the regular season too.

But I guess Harrison missed about half a dozen himself.

Grab a bigger D man with a higher +/-, a top 5 ranked NHL prospect, a point a game+ Forward, a World Junior D Man and a former 1st round puck, that could benefit from a change of scenery from the 20th team in the OHL to the 2nd.

I don’t blame Bowler personally. When you’re first in the conference, bringing in 3 Forwards and 2 D Men, sounds great.

Fast Forward 3 Months and our 06, Woodall is more defensively responsible than the expensive 03 “Defensively Responsible guy”. Lol

You overpaid for Holmes 100%. Horrible Dman.

 

[OMG67]

Serious question. When the discussions surrounding Shane wright were ongoing, one of the things I highlighted about Wright was I felt he likely didn’t want to return to the OHL. I was thinking maybe he’d not be as committed as someone like Logan Morrison who was unsigned. I thought maybe Wright wouldn’t mind losing early because he ends up back in Seattle or the AHL playoffs where he’d likely prefer to be.

After this playoff, does anyone think that logic has any merit? Or, did Wright play well and the team around him just didn’t show up? Or was Kitchener just that good?

 

[ohloutsider]

Just the Deadline Moves-

18 Draft Picks in the First 6 Rounds Gone, only a 14th Rd pick at the deadline coming back.
Plus two additional conditionals on Wright moving out, also in the first 6 rounds.

As mentioned, we also traded away our entire crop of 05s we drafted and got to report. 1st (Meidema), 2nd (Ride) and 4th (O Flaherty) leaving us with one acquired 05, Joey Costanzo.

What we got -
Shane Wright: Gone

Brett Harrison: Gone

Jacob Holmes: Not a Top 4 D Man (Dionicio, DeAngelis, Christoforo, Sobolev)

Aidan Castle: Not a Top 9 F
(Christopoulos, Maillet, Abraham, Spellacy, Greentree, Smith, Morneau, Peer, Davis)
*And Yes, Davis has passed Castle on depth. Compare their Ice Time in a Do or Die Game*

And Dionicio… Well. He’s good at least.

Doesn’t include the 3 OAs that have now graduated.

I guess Castle will fit that Top 9 soon, as we have to move 3 of our 6, 03’s.
Peer, Christopoulos, Maillet, Sobolev, Jodoin, Holmes.

My picks given our current state? Hold Peer, Jodoin, Sobolev.

I'm not sure they will keep Soblev as he would be a OA/import. He is good but likely not good enough to hold both spots .

Serious question. When the discussions surrounding Shane wright were ongoing, one of the things I highlighted about Wright was I felt he likely didn’t want to return to the OHL. I was thinking maybe he’d not be as committed as someone like Logan Morrison who was unsigned. I thought maybe Wright wouldn’t mind losing early because he ends up back in Seattle or the AHL playoffs where he’d likely prefer to be.

After this playoff, does anyone think that logic has any merit? Or, did Wright play well and the team around him just didn’t show up? Or was Kitchener just that good?

Wright played good not great. Kitchener was the biggest reason, better game plan and executed by their players. and lastly Spits as a whole did not respond to Kitchener's intensity.

 

[zaluty]

Remember Wright had 37 points in 20 games during the season so it does not appear he floated then. As for the playoffs some one who watched the series would be who should comment on that

 

[Teflon]

Well this might get long lol. So how anyone gives BB a pass is beyond me. This is mostly on him. He reads the room, knows the players, is supposed to understand strengths and weaknesses. We can rip on players but they play to their capabilities thats it. If the wrong group is assembled this is what happens! Team needed D and has sine BB took over, in fact needed some hard nosed, big D. That was not addressed. Team is not only small but soft physically and mentally. Thats all on BB. BUT, this is the guy who has his hands on all of the savages hockey operations, hes will be very tough to replace! Lets go to the coaching staff, im still not ready to fire Savard, remember he was told heres your assistants deal with them. I dont know enough about where his control lies to just dump him. Both assistants? Gone no question! BUT, one is related to savage, the other tight with BB. So again savages have tough decisions to make. Strength and conditioning coach? Gone too! Way to many injuries this year, those easily attributed to that person. The Savages own this team, they did what was asked im assuming and let BB build at will. Outcome? Utter failure! Now do they have the motivation to do what’s necessary or do they go part way or is it status quo???
Some can say what about last year? Last year was coming off covid, it was wide open and truly couldve been anyones year. Spits got it done but was it due to the circumstances??? Yes BB made some great trades few werent as good, but he didn’t address the glaring issues, he completely misjudged this teams playoff hockey mindset. Cant be overlooked!
So if im calling the shots, im firing Bowler, both assistants and the S/C coach. The new GM decides on Savard.
This team still has lots of talent, with the proper additions they wont be as bad as many think im not selling off the farm! Take a look at the young crop they look to be very good. Hell your youngest guys played better than most veterans!
Thats it for now most of ya are probably asleep with my thoughts lol.