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

[beastintheeast]

But we can all remember the Leafs last Stanley Cup win…

Considering that most people here were not even alive then LOL

 

[Spits1963]

Considering that most people here were not even alive then LOL

I was in diapers for their last one, I may be in diapers for their next one. Lol

 

[ohloutsider]

I was in diapers for their last one, I may be in diapers for their next one. Lol

OMG! That is funny! Spit my coffee out!!!! Need a good chuckle after this past week.

 

[bobber]

Considering that most people here were not even alive then LOL

Not sure about that. One poster accused me of being Gordie Howe's peewee coach. Hint at my age. I wore elm bark shin pads as a kid and did see Rocket Richard play hockey live on the tube.

 

[Ward Cornell]

But we can all remember the Leafs last Stanley Cup win…

No...you don't remember it...you do remember reading about it though.

Not sure about that. One poster accused me of being Gordie Howe's peewee coach. Hint at my age. I wore elm bark shin pads as a kid and did see Rocket Richard play hockey live on the tube.

I've heard about that guy.

 

[Newbie Observer]

Its the OHL Championship because its a longer and harder series to win. 7 game series usually, four rounds. Mem Cup is one week, 4 games.

 

[bobber]

No...you don't remember it...you do remember reading about it though.


I've heard about that guy.

I think I am wearing out your old jokes!

 

[bobber]

Spit fans. I read an article the other day regarding the top point scorers in OHL history. Bowler was 3rd with 250 GP , 149 Goals , 318 assists for 467 points. Savard was 7th. 238 GP, 132 Goals , 281 Assists for 413 points. Savard had 273 PIM. Like father like son. Found that interesting because of the total GF the Spits accomplished this year. Wonder if they trend towards offensive players when the draft comes up going by their past history?

 

[Cherrydon]

Spit fans. I read an article the other day regarding the top point scorers in OHL history. Bowler was 3rd with 250 GP , 149 Goals , 318 assists for 467 points. Savard was 7th. 238 GP, 132 Goals , 281 Assists for 413 points. Savard had 273 PIM. Like father like son. Found that interesting because of the total GF the Spits accomplished this year. Wonder if they trend towards offensive players when the draft comes up going by their past history?

Well I'd agree they would target offense over defensive players based on their game structure under Savard. I don't mean they won't pick defenseman but will likely trend to more offensive minded defenseman. Is Savard returning needs to be answered first I believe, and if Bowler wants to take this team to a more balanced 2 way hockey team based on this year's playoff results. Something must change to show Bowler is in charge or not.

 

[Purple Phart]

I think I am wearing out your old jokes!

Really old guys can remember when HARASS was 2 words

 

[bobber]

Really old guys can remember when HARASS was 2 words

Old guys remember?

 

[dmead]

Some of us are old enough to remember when dirt was still rock.

 

[OHLTG]

Not even sure how to respond to this lol.

It was more "memories can be weird" than anything haha

But we can all remember the Leafs last Stanley Cup win…

I'm a Leafs fan; get reminded of it every month lol (sometimes daily this time of year)

Wonder if they trend towards offensive players when the draft comes up going by their past history?

Not necessarily. Bowler and Savard like character guys who "play the right way." That's been a theme for a while. You're not likely to see a pure defensive d-man, unless they have size, but they don't target pure offensive d-men, either.

If we're aging ourselves.... I wasn't alive for disco but dialup was a whole lot of fun.

 

[bobber]

It was more "memories can be weird" than anything haha


I'm a Leafs fan; get reminded of it every month lol (sometimes daily this time of year)


Not necessarily. Bowler and Savard like character guys who "play the right way." That's been a theme for a while. You're not likely to see a pure defensive d-man, unless they have size, but they don't target pure offensive d-men, either.

If we're aging ourselves.... I wasn't alive for disco but dialup was a whole lot of fun.

Thanks for responding OHLTG. I don't think you can underestimate having character on a hockey team. I believe the Hamilton GM said this is what they look for in players. Works for them. Windsor does draft some talented players that put up huge numbers.

 

[Savard18]

Very true, the USNTDP draws like 400 people a game lol

It blows my mind. I mean I get the NTDP kids graduate quicker and most guys aren’t stepping right into the Pro’s and the playoffs might lack the drama of the O but I was just down to watch USA beat Sweden for the Gold and half the place was half full and it was half AAA kids and their parents from across the country who were there for a tournament. I don’t get it. Hell, the arena is even way better now too.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Wishing everyone in Windsor a great summer. In a few weeks all teams are back to square one where "hopes spring eternal" and this season is in the rear view mirror.

 

[beastintheeast]

Not sure about that. One poster accused me of being Gordie Howe's peewee coach. Hint at my age. I wore elm bark shin pads as a kid and did see Rocket Richard play hockey live on the tube.

That's why I said most I remember it also yes there are a few of us people from the orig 6 that are still around

 

[ecraigs]

Its the OHL Championship because its a longer and harder series to win. 7 game series usually, four rounds. Mem Cup is one week, 4 games.

The Memorial Cup is a TV event. Winning one game guarantees you at least a tie-breaker, but usually the semi. The host team gets in based on their money offer a year or more earlier, because TV doesn't like a double round-robin and empty arenas (the host fans won't show up for other teams.) I like the "earn your way in" idea, but I know why the TV bosses want the host team.

I like to go as my Spring vacation, to see new places, and to check up with old friends. We've been to 21 Cups and may go back in 2024, although the exchange rate and escalating ticket prices could kill that idea.

 

[tomschman]

It blows my mind. I mean I get the NTDP kids graduate quicker and most guys aren’t stepping right into the Pro’s and the playoffs might lack the drama of the O but I was just down to watch USA beat Sweden for the Gold and half the place was half full and it was half AAA kids and their parents from across the country who were there for a tournament. I don’t get it. Hell, the arena is even way better now too.

Detroit is like Toronto. They don't support anything that they consider " minor league."

 

[Savard18]

Detroit is like Toronto. They don't support anything that they consider " minor league."

I’d consider Plymouth far from Detroit.

 

[spits]

Article in the Star describes how the team will be very competitive next year due to the returning players. What they don't mention is half of those players will need to be traded to recoup picks lol. Doesn't appear there is going to be any sort of coaching change or anything which is disappointing. Kitchener fired their coach with 1 month remaining in the regular season and managed to out-coach Savard. Should be an interesting offseason.

 

[OHLTG]

Bowler has stated numerous times that he wants a competitive club every season. That doesn't necessarily mean a championship run but it could mean he doesn't want a "gut it all" full rebuild, either. I can see him figuring out the OAs in the summer for picks, and then going into camp with a "wait-and-see" approach. That has worked out well the last two seasons.

As for the coaches - the team isn't exactly known for emotional decisions. They're not going to fire their entire staff right now (or at all). Bowler's calculated and crafty. If something happens, it'll be during the summer. Why rush anything?

 

[ohloutsider]

Coaches poll - DeAngelis 3rd best defensive defensemen in the Western Conference.
Soblev 3rd best hitting defensemen in the Western Conference.

 

[windsor7]

Article in the Star describes how the team will be very competitive next year due to the returning players. What they don't mention is half of those players will need to be traded to recoup picks lol. Doesn't appear there is going to be any sort of coaching change or anything which is disappointing. Kitchener fired their coach with 1 month remaining in the regular season and managed to out-coach Savard. Should be an interesting offseason.

Everything status quo..

Bowler has stated numerous times that he wants a competitive club every season. That doesn't necessarily mean a championship run but it could mean he doesn't want a "gut it all" full rebuild, either. I can see him figuring out the OAs in the summer for picks, and then going into camp with a "wait-and-see" approach. That has worked out well the last two seasons.

As for the coaches - the team isn't exactly known for emotional decisions. They're not going to fire their entire staff right now (or at all). Bowler's calculated and crafty. If something happens, it'll be during the summer. Why rush anything?

Rip it off like a bandaid.
Sooner the change the better..

 

[TheGremlin]

I’d rather be Hamilton where they can rebuild with a couple down years then being London where you always at the top but don’t win it all. I’m only basing this off the years since Spits mem cup in 17. During that time Hamilton has won 2 OHL championships.