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

[Buttsy]

Will Wright ever became a regular NHLer moving forward?

He will but as a 2-3 center putting up 20-30 goals and 60-70 points a season, 2-3 years down the road? He can play the game, Windsor just way overvalued his impact and as such way OVERPAID. I mean look at his WJC he played "well" was a "solid leader" BUT was never a savior. I wouldn't blame the kid because your GM messed up.

 

[Cherrydon]

This team had multiple players moved, acquired and called up from multiple JrB teams this year. The same game plan was defensively ineffective regardless of who was in. I'm pretty sure the players tried their best but going into a gunfight with a knife never works. Savard's NHL aspirations took a hit imo. Although he was hired with Smith and Delmore already in place didnt help. I was not a fan of Smith with Letowski and my opinion hasn't changed. Shane Wright was our best player the past 20 games so so imagine without him how we would have looked? By far our best 2 way player. He is not Connor McDavid nor does he think he is. He is a excellent passer and unselfish that way. He would have scored 50 plus in a full season here.

 

[OHL 17]

What are the chances that Beaudoin finds his way to the Spitfires?

Beaudoin is still very inexperienced...........

 

[Buttsy]

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?

Listening to him speak during interviews OMG I don't think it's in the kid to just "mail it in"? Windsor and perhaps other teams (someone drove the price up) way overestimated his impact. I mean even in Kingston he was very good but really never exceptional? He delivered pretty much the player he has consistently been in my estimation?

 

[spits]

Wright had a good attitude and played hard. Nothing against him but he did nothing in games 2-4. I mean for a 4th overall pick he couldn't dominate or at least carry the team to one victory. No great goals, no coming down the ice and sniping a goaI, nothing. I mean Mitchell Martin looked better than Wright lmao. Compare Wright to someone Wyatt Johnston and it's not even close.

 

[Buttsy]

Wright had a good attitude and played hard. Nothing against him but he did nothing in games 2-4. I mean for a 4th overall pick he couldn't dominate or at least carry the team to one victory. No great goals, no coming down the ice and sniping a goaI, nothing. I mean Mitchell Martin looked better than Wright lmao. Compare Wright to someone Wyatt Johnston and it's not even close.

It's by no means is anyone's fault but in reality the "exceptional status" he received from the OHL and the 4th pick overall set expectations very high. In reality from Wrights OHL career and to this point neither of these achievements seem warranted really? However he is still a good hockey player and he will have a solid NHL career in my opinion anyway.

 

[OMG67]

Listening to him speak during interviews OMG I don't think it's in the kid to just "mail it in"? Windsor and perhaps other teams (someone drove the price up) way overestimated his impact. I mean even in Kingston he was very good but really never exceptional? He delivered pretty much the player he has consistently been in my estimation?

So, what happened? It makes no sense for Windsor to lose to Kitchener let alone in 4 games. I’m not talking about watching the games and breaking them down. I am talking philosophically. It seems to me that there were too many underachievers. Why did they underachieve so much?

Game three there were a couple empty net goals at the end so it was pretty much a one goal game but the other ones weren’t close on the scoreboard. I know goaltending was sub-par but man oh man, there needs to be a reason for such underachieving.

I guess what I am asking is why there was no fight in them. When the playoffs come around the players get hyped up and push harder but it looked like Windsor throttled down, not up. I sense it is because of lack of focus and that is why I was asking about Wright (and other draft picks) and whether they were more focused on their future than now.

Shane Wright with three points in four games and a -6 is a really bad look. Harrison four points and -6. Maggio 2 points and a -9. I can’t figure that out at all. This is so far out in left field.

No disrespect meant to Kitchener either. They played well but Windsor didn’t seem to show up.

 

[spits]

So, what happened? It makes no sense for Windsor to lose to Kitchener let alone in 4 games. I’m not talking about watching the games and breaking them down. I am talking philosophically. It seems to me that there were too many underachievers. Why did they underachieve so much?

Game three there were a couple empty net goals at the end so it was pretty much a one goal game but the other ones weren’t close on the scoreboard. I know goaltending was sub-par but man oh man, there needs to be a reason for such underachieving.

I guess what I am asking is why there was no fight in them. When the playoffs come around the players get hyped up and push harder but it looked like Windsor throttled down, not up. I sense it is because of lack of focus and that is why I was asking about Wright (and other draft picks) and whether they were more focused on their future than now.

Shane Wright with three points in four games and a -6 is a really bad look. Harrison four points and -6. Maggio 2 points and a -9. I can’t figure that out at all. This is so far out in left field.

No disrespect meant to Kitchener either. They played well but Windsor didn’t seem to show up.

Many here are stunned and have no clue what happened. I've talked to a few people already today who want a coaching change. Maggio did nothing, honestly looked like a rookie, he dominated games in the regular season but was basically invisible the whole series. He was invisible in last year's playoffs as well. Kitchener played 4 perfect games but that's no excuse. They couldn't generate any offense, and the coaching made no changes to the breakout, PP, PK, defensive zone coverage, nothing.

 

[Savard18]

Alot to unpack of what you have expressed, some good points,others I disagree with,if anyone is getting fired it would be Savard not Bowler,frankly dont think either will,I think Savard will move on,Bowler stays and new coach comes in,I am predicting Dale Mitchell in Leamington to be the new coach,with assistants to be determined by Bowler and Mitchell.
I agree with you about next year moving forward I am not prepared to blow things up and if u do then move Costanzo not because I want to but because by the time a contender is done,Costanzo will be in his OA year and we saw what happened when Savard kept an OA tender this year,that being said I wouldn't endorse a rebuild this coming year.
Now you mentioned the youth on this club the 06 class 5 signed already with at least 2 more F Jack Dean and G Carter Frogett both signed prior to camp, with a possibility of 2 or 3 more from that draft possibly being signed,which would make 8 up to 10 from 1 draft all done by Bowler and staff,toss in the trades for Costanzo for 4th and Dionicio from Niagara.
I did a look at all the teams in the league prospective returning rosters with goals returning and points returning excluding any new additions.
For comparative purposes Windsor prior to this past season was returning 125 goals from the 305 they scored last year and 309 points, next season 209 goals and 540 points,I am excluding Holmes,Sobolev and Jodoin as the OA's,and keeping Peer,Christopoulos and Maillet as the 3 OAs.
As mentioned I did all 20 teams recognizing some will add other players particularly OAs to beef their roster and frankly only see 2 OA goalies league wide Donoso for Ottawa and Simpson for Peterborough returning to the league and both being dealt to contenders.
Just showing the West for now even though I have the done the East.
Goals projected to return
West
Owen Sound-211 Flint-169
Windsor-209 London-166
Saginaw-200 SSM - 158
Guelph-184 Kitch- 109
Erie- 178 Sarnia- 92

Points including goals and assists
projected to return for the West

Windsor-540
Owen Sd-535
Saginaw-499
Guelph -475
London- 449
SSM- 441
Erie- 428
Kitch- 362
Sarnia- 267
Of those teams in the West I see
Sag,Guelph,SSM and London adding an OA,with Guelph the only team possibly using the last spot on a goalie
Should mention as of now Windsor with its 209 goals and 540 points potentially returning they would rank 2nd in the West for goals ,3rd overall,as Sudbury in the East leads all with 219,and 1st in points in the West with 540,but second overall with Sudbury from the East leading with 593 points potentially return.
Owen Sound is 3rd in the league with total points with 535,while Ottawa is 4th with 501 points.
In the end it for now projects how teams potentially shape up in the future excluding their prospects and the upcoming drafts for all.
My view for Windsor not as bleak as some think and if had told me in late August that Wyatt Johnston at age 19 was going to make the NHL and Zito asking out that Windsor would have had the season they had I would not have agreed, I figured 4th or 5th this year in the conference not 1st,its too bad they played their worst of the season in the playoffs and while I am certainly disappointed I refuse to cast a wide net on everyone.

And as you and Windsor just learned, the best way to assess next year is primarily through ”projected” returning goals. I mean you used that same methodology this year and proved us all wrong with Windsor’s record breaking playoff success this year. Absolutely no reason to re-assess your methodology. You nailed it.

 

[dmead]

So, what happened? It makes no sense for Windsor to lose to Kitchener let alone in 4 games. I’m not talking about watching the games and breaking them down. I am talking philosophically. It seems to me that there were too many underachievers. Why did they underachieve so much?

Game three there were a couple empty net goals at the end so it was pretty much a one goal game but the other ones weren’t close on the scoreboard. I know goaltending was sub-par but man oh man, there needs to be a reason for such underachieving.

I guess what I am asking is why there was no fight in them. When the playoffs come around the players get hyped up and push harder but it looked like Windsor throttled down, not up. I sense it is because of lack of focus and that is why I was asking about Wright (and other draft picks) and whether they were more focused on their future than now.

Shane Wright with three points in four games and a -6 is a really bad look. Harrison four points and -6. Maggio 2 points and a -9. I can’t figure that out at all. This is so far out in left field.

No disrespect meant to Kitchener either. They played well but Windsor didn’t seem to show up.

Crazy. I mentioned in the OS forum that even when the game was out of reach, the Attack never stopped skating. Watching the Windsor series, the Spits never started skating. Cant for the life of me figure out why.

 

[OMG67]

Many here are stunned and have no clue what happened. I've talked to a few people already today who want a coaching change. Maggio did nothing, honestly looked like a rookie, he dominated games in the regular season but was basically invisible the whole series. He was invisible in last year's playoffs as well. Kitchener played 4 perfect games but that's no excuse. They couldn't generate any offense, and the coaching made no changes to the breakout, PP, PK, defensive zone coverage, nothing.

I don’t particularly care about Windsor or Kitchener. I am not biased one way or the other. When things like this happen, I am more just curious to get a stronger sense from the fanbase as to their thoughts. The one good thing about Windsor is their fans. I know there will be a lot of discussion over the next little while. I will be a keen observer, that is for sure.

 

[spits]

Ok so looking at the returning players, the one positive is we have a lot of pieces that can be traded to recoup the picks. We also have one of the best '06 crops in the entire OHL in Greentree, Cristoforo, and Spellacy.

Compared to teams like Sarnia and Kitchener who traded their 06's we're in decent shape. The Spitfires have a lot more returning players. Sarnia has about 3 returning players and none of big value, same as Kitchener who loses Pinello, Arcuri, Moore, Mesar, Hamara, Zhilkin, Valade ,Schmidt etc. Technically, everyone but Maggio, Renwick, Wright, Harrison is a part of the roster. Obviously, you have 6 OAs, so lose three players there.

The first players I would trade as soon as the trade freeze ends is Maillet and Christopoulos, they can retrieve the most value. Look at the return Hamilton got for Hayes and White (Lardis). I could see a similar return for Christopoulos and Dionicio. I would keep Sobolev and Peer.

I see a few posters stating not to trade Dionicio, but unfortunately, he's the one who can mark the biggest return. He played at a 90 point pace since arriving from Niagara. A player like Abraham can be held until December , let him put up points, drive up his value than trade him. The picks can be recouped rather quickly but the only player I see bringing in an '07 in a return is Dionicio. So if played right, it can be a quick rebuild similar to what Hamilton did this season.

 

[Buttsy]

So, what happened?

Million Dollar question one that will be asked lots I'm sure in the Spits head office. I have no reasonable answer as I didn't watch any of the games. However I will say Kitchener rested a lot of players in there last game of the season losing to London to secure 8th spot. The Rangers GM / Coach seems to have saw something he liked in the Spits? Hmm ..... Good Luck or Great Prediction?

 

[hockeylegend11]

And as you and Windsor just learned, the best way to assess next year is primarily through ”projected” returning goals. I mean you used that same methodology this year and proved us all wrong with Windsor’s record breaking playoff success this year. Absolutely no reason to re-assess your methodology. You nailed it.

Savard

And maybe can remind us Spits fans how your team is doing in playoffs this season so far,4th highest scoring team in the league and an OA goalie now a backup and while you are at it please tell us what happened last year up 3-2 conference finals vs Windsor and Flint lumped last 2 games and Windsor wins Conference Championship.
Fast forward to the last draft tell us all how that's worked out for you and you guys picked ahead of Windsor
Your 1st 3 picks had 9G,8A this season combined,Pitre, Aspinall and Gee drafted 18th,33rd and 46th,while Windsor's 3 picks drafted had 38G,65A this season combined and they were drafted 22nd Christoforo, 34th Greentree and Spellacy 62nd, not even close I eagerly await your response lol
For further clarity both teams drafted 2F,1D with their 1st 3 picks.

 

[OHLTG]

I am predicting Dale Mitchell

What about Savard, Mitchell, and ??

With regards to Wright - from the moment he arrived, I always got the impression that he genuinely wanted to be in Windsor. There was no indication of arrogance, distraction, or disingenuous attitude. The injury didn't help because you can't really endear yourself to the fans when you're out of the lineup for the first month. Fans started getting annoyed at that point and it went downhill from there. That said, the guy averaged nearly two points per game with the Spitfires so nobody can argue his production was missing. He just wasn't the flash-and-dash, "go through everyone and highlight reel goal" player that people may have anticipated. Instead, it was more 200-foot, silent sniper who could find the net or a teammate without saying a word.

Do I think he was worth it? That's tough to say. Miedema wasn't producing for Windsor, McCarthy wasn't even on the radar, and they gave up two picks this draft. The rest were down the road. It's painful now but he came as truly advertised.

 

[hockeylegend11]

What about Savard, Mitchell, and ??

If Windsor rebuilds as some want to not me btw I see Savard leaving dont think he wants to be around a rebuild.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

An excellent thread here by Brock Otten:



Although the Spits will NOT be trying to content next season. No matter how good the team is, they’re forced to sell because of the buy this year.

Anyone who says otherwise is just flat out wrong.

 

[OHLTG]

If Windsor rebuilds as some want to not me btw I see Savard leaving dont think he wants to be around a rebuild.

If I'm Savard, I definitely want a rebuild. They're not (likely) going to get past fourth seed but a chance to develop his own team? That seems kind of awesome, especially after back to back reg season conference titles. "I've proven I can work with this... so let's up the ante."

 

[hockeylegend11]

An excellent thread here by Brock Otten:



Although the Spits will NOT be trying to content next season. No matter how good the team is, they’re forced to sell because of the buy this year.

Anyone who says otherwise is just flat out wrong.

I agree with Otten with everything he said including about next season.

 

[windsor7]

Improve the defense a lot or nothing will change for starters...

 

[spits]

Good thread by Brock Otten. States they will be competitive next year and return 7 of their top 10 scorers along with having one of the best '06 groups. Obviously, they will be rebuilding but at least will remain competitive.

 

[ohloutsider]

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.

I think for me Bowler gets a pass for his drafting this past year and for the trades he made last year, moving players out and then players in . Basically a net Zero on draft picks last year but he did make the team better. This year it seems like it is not a Bowler type year, RE some outside influences may have been in play to do a total about face from last year. It makes me wonder who was really controlling the moves this year?

 

[hockeylegend11]

Good thread by Brock Otten. States they will be competitive next year and return 7 of their top 10 scorers along with having one of the best '06 groups. Obviously, they will be rebuilding but at least will remain competitive.

I expect 7 of the O6 draft picks on this team next year
Spellacy,Greentree, Davis,Dean-F
Christoforo, Woodall-D
Froggett-G
Will be interesting to see if Windsor can get Joseph Delaurentis- Cen-USA,9th round pick to camp,also interested to see Dman Evan Sofikitis another USA born back at camp despite lack of size but thick looked good at camp.
2 others to keep an eye on F Caleb Bowler 14th round pick and 11rd pick dman Gage Evans from the Soo big ,father played in the OHL,although thinking both will wind up in La Salle, Evans played 1 game there this year in the playoffs.

 

[OHLTG]

A rebuilding roster might make it easier to bring DeL, Sofikitis, and Evans into the mix. They would have been in tough this season but, if all the cards are in place, there's no reason to not give it a shot.

BTW, for what it's worth, Matt Beaudoin tweeted out a bit ago that he's looking forward to family time and watching from the stands next season.

 

[rve24]

Savard

And maybe can remind us Spits fans how your team is doing in playoffs this season so far,4th highest scoring team in the league and an OA goalie now a backup and while you are at it please tell us what happened last year up 3-2 conference finals vs Windsor and Flint lumped last 2 games and Windsor wins Conference Championship.
Fast forward to the last draft tell us all how that's worked out for you and you guys picked ahead of Windsor
Your 1st 3 picks had 9G,8A this season combined,Pitre, Aspinall and Gee drafted 18th,33rd and 46th,while Windsor's 3 picks drafted had 38G,65A this season combined and they were drafted 22nd Christoforo, 34th Greentree and Spellacy 62nd, not even close I eagerly await your response lol
For further clarity both teams drafted 2F,1D with their 1st 3 picks.

Kinda had a point. And avoided by you as well lol. As did Nelli, without a correlation to future success.......
Sure RGs can be a factor but as Windsors regular season success showed this year it isn't always the case. They did great during the season without being at the top of RGs ( granted I may be wrong with that, just going off memory) If ya need that hope to carry you thru this disappointment I get it. So many factors go into the next seasons success at this level its hard to pin on 1 thing.
GS and OI posted recently about the digs given as well when they had opinions that countered yours, as have T and many others. Oh well, all good. Glad to see you showed up to post after the PO loss. I definitely would not have guessed it a d didn't lol. Nor did almost anyone

My big question if I were a Spits fan was what happened in philosophy from last years build something sustainable n competitive year over year to an all in, use every pick philosophy. Not saying it was wrong but just a question as to why they changed it up after 1 year.

I don't think the Spits turning it over quickly is out of the question at all if done right.

It's been good to see them back revelant the last 2 years and a big factor in the West. Did BB strike gold once or is it sustainable with him in charge. Time will tell. I'm kinda with Teflon on the person at the top needs to own any shortcomings.

Again glad to see Windsor back. West is always fun with KTown/Windsor n London competitive with a couple other teams each year.