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

[spits]

Unless you have source info, I think this is irresponsible to post and try to place blame on one person for issues. As someone who does have source info (but not to Wright), Wright did not do this or anything else to divide locker room. In fact, he did some things that were super nice like helping rookies w equipment unpacking and players said he was quiet but nice guy. If anything there may have been dynamics between older players but no one

Having said that I do know locker room never same after all the trades and giving up so many future draft picks. Why that is, even the players don’t fully know why. I do know that locker room wasn’t as cohesive/fun after trades because team was really bonded in a way I haven’t seen a lot in my many years. It was across age groups. 05s had developed really good relationships with older players especially after such a long run last season. 06s were getting acclimated. The build versus buy and always have a strong team mentality BB preached was something guys could get behind for their own development. Obviously older guys aren’t going to care about rookies or future draft picks or others being traded if they can win, but while fans were all excited, there was noise in locker about who was traded and what was left for future. Whether that had any impact is anyone’s guess.

My guess: yes to some extent. That’s I guess why I believe in strategy of build versus buy and development. Plug some holes but don’t decimate an entire year of very young talent (1st 2nd and 4th round picks just a year ago) and then trade away all your picks for next couple of years. 06s are great but already impacted by injuries and they are not ready to help carry team next year. So that can hurt them. Example: Greentree stats great but it will be interesting to see how he does once he doesn’t have a 1st line of NHL draft choices to carry him. How will Spallacy due after months of injuries? How will Cristoforo do when he doesn’t have as many strong forwards keeping it in O zone?

When 05s got moved to weaker teams in Kingston and Niagara all were impacted. Miedema got moved and his stats suffered big time. Ride and O’Flaherty got hosed because even though savard didn’t play early season stats showed real promise based on what I saw. Idk if the three of them would have been good or not but they were all huge guys and ride and O’Flaherty were physical, which Windsor desperately needs. All well respected guys. So why trade that all away in Jan and leave no 05s for future? Why not trade for D or a goalie instead? Offense was NOT Winsdsor’s issue since day 1. And Miedema was 4th round pick in entire draft. If he didn’t perform then I also place blame on coaching. It’s not often draft lines up that you get a 4th pick.

From what I’ve seen Savard isn’t about development at all and that isn’t the right leadership for an OHL league. Seems to overplay his top players just to pad his stats and wins to move on to next best thing. Just watch games this and last year where we were winning by many goals and he’d continue to rotate top lines to point of being ridiculous. Recruiting will suffer as guys talk. If I was an 07 or 08, I’d think hard about going to a team that just traded away its entire 2nd year group to get knocked out in first round. Clearly no loyalty, something wrong with coaching or mgt etc. or whatever conclusion is drawn, it won’t be positive. So if they have options, they might decide to pass on Windsor. That sucks for Windsor and fans.



But as we all know, hockey is a business. If they treat it like such, Windsor will regroup, make some coaching changes or otherwise and will recruit in another group of kids to play. One thing we know is there is always another player they can recruit or call up. May be a tough few years perhaps.

I don't think players are going to start refusing to report to Windsor because of the fact they went all-in. That doesn't make any sense. That means every year the teams who go all-in are going to have trouble having players report? Bowler kept the 06's, Sarnia and Kitchener did not keep their 06's. With that logic you would have to say Sarnia and Kitchener are going to have trouble getting players to report now considering they traded everything on this season.

Trading Ride and O'Flaherty was a great trade, you have Castle and Dionicio back this year. Dionicio likely has two years remaining in the OHL. He's one of the most exciting players in the league and if traded will net a huge return.

 

[Sal Iaccuzzo]

It's funny how it is referred to as a league championship on this blog and by the majority of paying fand and not winning the J Ross Robertson cup. Proves my point

Oh yeah. I’m sure if we all started calling it the J Ross Robertson Cup you’d change your mind.

 

[Savard18]

It's funny how it is referred to as a league championship on this blog and by the majority of paying fand and not winning the J Ross Robertson cup. Proves my point

Tell me this. What would bother you more? Getting swept out of the playoffs by London or losing in the Memorial Cup to Chicoutimi or Red Deer?

 

[Cherrydon]

Incorrect. I had the pleasure of working with a few players from the Knights 2005 team who said otherwise. League Championship was primary focus. Memorial Cup was a bonus.

Also if Windsor had less memorial cup wins than London you would be tooting a different horn. If the Spits won 10 league championships ( J Ross Robertson cups for those who don't knowing the name" in a row but did not win a Memorial cup during that stretch. You'd be reminding us Spits fans at every chance

 

[tomschman]

In my opinion they need to change the Memorial Cup format. They need to get rid of the round robin portion and instead have a format to start in which the host league champion plays the lower seed champion and the higher seed champion plays yet host non champion in a best of three series. The winners of those would play a best three series to determine the Memorial Cup Champion.

I liked the format of the Memorial Cup prior to 1970. It was a series of best of 7s amongst the various league champions. If the CHL could carve out a 4th league, it would be workable but would add 3 weeks to the season.


The Memorial Cup Tournament brings a week-plus focus on the CHL. They include a banquet to present POY, etc. on the scheduled off day. This is why the CHL prefers the current format.

 

[Cherrydon]

Tell me this. What would bother you more? Getting swept out of the playoffs by London or losing in the Memorial Cup to Chicoutimi or Red Deer?

Losing the memorial cup. 1988 final loss 7-6 to Medicine Hat was the worst loss in Spits history imo.

 

[Petes1987]

Losing the memorial cup. 1988 final loss 7-6 to Medicine Hat was the worst loss in Spits history imo.

What happened to Windsor in 1988 is a case in point of why the Memorial Cup is not indicative of a true championship. In the post season that year the Compuware Spitfires were 12-0 in the OHL playoffs and 3-0 in the round robin portion of the Memorial Cup. They lost the final game to Medicine Hat and as a result the Memorial Cup. The 2010 Windsor Spitfires were 3-0 in the round robin and won the final game. That was a true Memorial Cup Championship team.

 

[Otto]

Also if Windsor had less memorial cup wins than London you would be tooting a different horn. If the Spits won 10 league championships ( J Ross Robertson cups for those who don't knowing the name" in a row but did not win a Memorial cup during that stretch. You'd be reminding us Spits fans at every chance

I'm not "tooting" any horn. As I said, I had the pleasure of working with players of all different skill levels from the 2005 team. They have told me the exact opposite of what you are saying. I have no reason to believe otherwise and probably speaks to the focus the London management team puts towards their players.

These are not my feelings, because I didn't play at this level. This isn't a Windsor thing.

 

[hockeylegend11]

I don't think players are going to start refusing to report to Windsor because of the fact they went all-in. That doesn't make any sense. That means every year the teams who go all-in are going to have trouble having players report? Bowler kept the 06's, Sarnia and Kitchener did not keep their 06's. With that logic you would have to say Sarnia and Kitchener are going to have trouble getting players to report now considering they traded everything on this season.

Trading Ride and O'Flaherty was a great,u are trade, you have Castle and Dionicio back this year. Dionicio likely has two years remaining in the OHL. He's one of the most exciting players in the league and if traded will net a huge return.

Agree with most everything you said,though I will correct you on Rangers and their 2006 draft picks,both picks weren't traded as neither reported ,u were correct re Sarnia,the Rangers get a comp 1st round pick Hage who didn't report.
Meant to add I agree that Windsor wont have any trouble having any picks reporting this year and beyond,if anything because of the absence of picks this draft Windsor can talk to many players and point out to some that many teams have multiple picks in the early rounds, refuse to report,and Windsor will pick u in the 6th round because we have no picks 2-5 included,but 2 in the 6th,and said player has better chance to make team,might work with US born players too,pass on some teams work with Windsor, I know I would if I were a young player.
There is nothing wrong telling a player you have a better chance here then somewhere else.

 

[tomschman]

Losing the memorial cup. 1988 final loss 7-6 to Medicine Hat was the worst loss in Spits history imo.

The Spits had a 3-0 lead halfway through the 1st but it was tied at 3 at the EO1. Medicine Hat scored the winner with about 3 minutes to go. The Spits had won 38 of the previous 39 games prior to the final. I'm still not over it.

 

[Cherrydon]

The Spits had a 3-0 lead halfway through the 1st but it was tied at 3 at the EO1. Medicine Hat scored the winner with about 3 minutes to go. The Spits had won 38 of the previous 39 games prior to the final. I'm still not over it.

Absolutely . Me neither. A perfect example to close but no cigar.

 

[OHLTG]

Tell me this. What would bother you more? Getting swept out of the playoffs by London or losing in the Memorial Cup to Chicoutimi or Red Deer?

It depends on where the Spitfires are in the standings.

One thing re Wright - from my experience, I saw/heard zero indication that he was anything but great in the room. He came across as professional, a solid teammate, and eager to be a part of the journey with this club. I won't deny it... I kind of expected issues. However, if there were any, I sure didn't hear/see anything.

 

[BobHockey]

You are still a league champion if you lose in the Memorial Cup. It’s not like losing in the conference finals of the NHL. People definitely remember who wins the league every year even though it is disappointing to lose in the Memorial Cup.

What’s forgettable to me is when the host wins the Memorial Cup. Sure you won the games but you also lost in your own league playoffs.

sometimes in the first round!

 

[rve24]

It's funny how it is referred to as a league championship on this blog and by the majority of paying fand and not winning the J Ross Robertson cup. Proves my point

It's funny how it is referred to as a league championship on this blog and by the majority of paying fand and not winning the J Ross Robertson cup. Proves my point

Who cares what ya call the trophy really? And yes I do know the names of the trophies in alot of leagues but more important is the accomplishment IMO. People remember Memorial Cup cause of the mega profile n advertising of a national broadcast, not because of trie meaning. Those fans aren't intimately tied to the league. They tune in cause it's on SN.
" Welcome to the Mastercard Memorial Cup" or "Mem Cup"....thatckadtcone bugs me lol.
As much as people will remember a Cup win many others will also remember teams that won that Cup without being competitive in their own league POs. Losing in rd 1 is also remembered by every Spits fan and many others that follow the O.
Across the country it's distant memory and most ockey fans couldn't name the last 5/4 or even 3 Memorial Cup winners. I think that question would be a good test. Without looking it up can you name more of the last 5 OHL champs or last 5 Memorial Cup winners? If ya got more Memorial Cup winners correct awesome. I don't know what the results would be but I know where I'd lay my $ in a bet. I'll ask around at the Bud for fun Thirs/Fri.

 

[rve24]

Also if Windsor had less memorial cup wins than London you would be tooting a different horn. If the Spits won 10 league championships ( J Ross Robertson cups for those who don't knowing the name" in a row but did not win a Memorial cup during that stretch. You'd be reminding us Spits fans at every chance

Incorrect. Sorry to answer for Otto but I Know it's incorrect

For myself, I'd tip my cap and say that was the most dominant team run ever in the OHL and most impressive thing I ever saw in any league I follow. ( to young to have seen the Celtics great run.)
Hyperbole and assumptions don't help an argument.
Heck I tipped my cap last year , this year and the host year as did many other Knights fans. 3 of those 3 were not even league champs.
The criteria of Memorial Cup or failure is odd to me.

 

[ohloutsider]

I just pulled up to the WFCU center. Awful quiet here. Isn't there a game tonight? Oh Crap it wasn't a dream! As a fan it still hurts! Can't imagine what the team is going through.

 

[Savard18]

Agree with most everything you said,though I will correct you on Rangers and their 2006 draft picks,both picks weren't traded as neither reported ,u were correct re Sarnia,the Rangers get a comp 1st round pick Hage who didn't report.
Meant to add I agree that Windsor wont have any trouble having any picks reporting this year and beyond,if anything because of the absence of picks this draft Windsor can talk to many players and point out to some that many teams have multiple picks in the early rounds, refuse to report,and Windsor will pick u in the 6th round because we have no picks 2-5 included,but 2 in the 6th,and said player has better chance to make team,might work with US born players too,pass on some teams work with Windsor, I know I would if I were a young player.
There is nothing wrong telling a player you have a better chance here than somewhere else.

Thanks for the correction but I will correct you on the Rangers. They only had one 1st round pick in 2022. Michael Hage and they DID trade him. To Sudbury.

 

[Cherrydon]

Who cares what ya call the trophy really? And yes I do know the names of the trophies in alot of leagues but more important is the accomplishment IMO. People remember Memorial Cup cause of the mega profile n advertising of a national broadcast, not because of trie meaning. Those fans aren't intimately tied to the league. They tune in cause it's on SN.
" Welcome to the Mastercard Memorial Cup" or "Mem Cup"....thatckadtcone bugs me lol.
As much as people will remember a Cup win many others will also remember teams that won that Cup without being competitive in their own league POs. Losing in rd 1 is also remembered by every Spits fan and many others that follow the O.
Across the country it's distant memory and most ockey fans couldn't name the last 5/4 or even 3 Memorial Cup winners. I think that question would be a good test. Without looking it up can you name more of the last 5 OHL champs or last 5 Memorial Cup winners? If ya got more Memorial Cup winners correct awesome. I don't know what the results would be but I know where I'd lay my $ in a bet. I'll ask around at the Bud for fun Thirs/Fri.

The point being if the league champ Cup was that important on the fans priority list, it would be well known by them. You do that at game 1 and be content woth league championships.

 

[spits]

I just pulled up to the WFCU center. Awful quiet here. Isn't there a game tonight? Oh Crap it wasn't a dream! As a fan it still hurts! Can't imagine what the team is going through.

I am still pretty stunned lol. Not only to be swept, but how they weren't even competitive in the series. IMO, that's the worst playoff series in team history. I want changes made to the coaching staff. Watching some of the Storm Sting game last night. Guelph doesn't have the skill the Spitfires had but I noticed they were rarely caught out of position and made the simple plays to get the puck out of the zone. Need some of that playing style here. Enough of the pond hockey. Knowing how ownership likes to get involved, I assume they are exploring all options.

 

[rve24]

The point being if the league champ Cup was that important on the fans priority list, it would be well known by them. You do that at game 1 and be content woth league championships.

Nah, I disagree most casual fans don't know the names of most trophies but remember who won the accolades. Ie. NHL trophy names. Every knows the MVP but do all know the name of the trophy?
That was my point, JMO but casual fan's remember the accomplishment not the trophy name. Just my experience.
I was just suggesting lets see if your assumprions on what fans remember was based on anything. Sorry.
Off the top of your head without looking it up can you name more OHL champs or more Memorial Cup champs from the last 5 years?

I just pulled up to the WFCU center. Awful quiet here. Isn't there a game tonight? Oh Crap it wasn't a dream! As a fan it still hurts! Can't imagine what the team is going through.

Most will carry that for a while. It's tough of them for sure and unfortunately part of the game. But it is sad to think about for sure. Still hear from players when ya bump into them in everyday life about asingle game, tourney or PO losses. Sucks.

 

[OHLTG]

I just pulled up to the WFCU center. Awful quiet here. Isn't there a game tonight? Oh Crap it wasn't a dream! As a fan it still hurts! Can't imagine what the team is going through.

A buddy and I were talking about this last night. I can accept the loss, despite the sting. My biggest frustration is that, at the last game, nobody anticipated losing in four. I walked into the building expecting to be there tonight for Game 5. Every convo had the series going at least five, if not seven. There were times where I sat there and soaked it all in, juuuuuust in case, but I had no mental prep for "oh, it's done. Okay, see you in Sept."

 

[Spits1963]

A buddy and I were talking about this last night. I can accept the loss, despite the sting. My biggest frustration is that, at the last game, nobody anticipated losing in four. I walked into the building expecting to be there tonight for Game 5. Every convo had the series going at least five, if not seven. There were times where I sat there and soaked it all in, juuuuuust in case, but I had no mental prep for "oh, it's done. Okay, see you in Sept."

Between the second and third period of game two our group who meets between every period in the bar literally shook hands and said have a good summer, see you in September. It was that bad it was obvious this was over.
And please don’t intend I was jumping off the bandwagon. I’ve been watching the Spits for 50 years and I knew this was over.

 

[rve24]

I wasn't moving the goalposts. You and I as fans have opinions whethera leaguechampionshipis moe importantthan a memorialcup. The player's when asked every single season loud and clear their goal is the memorial cup. Shake your head if you think you have heard different. Maybe being a Knights fan, your Knights are content to win league championships but as a Spits fan, our teams are adimemt the Memorial cup is the ultimate prize.

I still bet more fans across this league remember more OHL champs than Memorial Cup champs
I get it, it's your measuring stick. Doesn't mean it everyone else's.

 

[Cherrydon]

Agree. It is my opinion Memorial cups are more important. That is only bolstered by many Spits fans and Spits players I've talked with through the years , maybe expectations for other teams is not the same. I respect that but don't believe that is the end goal for most fans or players

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Losing the memorial cup. 1988 final loss 7-6 to Medicine Hat was the worst loss in Spits history imo.

I get it from one perspective but what gets lost in the shuffle was as if Windsor lost to a bunch of no talent scrubs. Medicine Hat was extremely talented.