Windsor Spitfires 2022-23 Off-Season Thread (Part 8)

[OHLTG]

The ugly waters he was forced to navigate through he created himself. He over paid Matthews, Marner, and Nylander and put himself in a deep hole cap wise.

He created his own mess but to be able to weave your way out is pretty impressive. I don't like that their core makes that much but I give a hat tip to the creativity he showed when needed. \

Re Wellwood - his record as a HC speaks for itself. It wouldn't surprise me if he moves up a level.

 

[EvenSteven]

He created his own mess but to be able to weave your way out is pretty impressive. I don't like that their core makes that much but I give a hat tip to the creativity he showed when needed. \

Re Wellwood - his record as a HC speaks for itself. It wouldn't surprise me if he moves up a level.

Dubas inherited a playoff team when he took the GM’s job. He didn’t have to build a playoff team, but he had to take that team and turn it into a playoff winning team. He failed. Those contracts meant he could never sign a true top pairing D and a true #1 goalie.

He did a good job at deadlines adding to the bottom six, but no jam among the top six, a thin D, and questionable goaltending sealed the Leafs post season fate.

Kitchener is looking for a head coach, they could do much worse than Eric Wellwood IMO.

 

[Teflon]

I don’t believe Welly will be back in the O and i think hes pretty safe. Guy can coach.

 

[OHLTG]

Speaking of coaches, there's an article in The Hockey News regarding Savard - he has one more year left on his contract with the Spitfires.

 

[Cherrydon]

I'm sure the Spits and Savard have an out based on if a NHL position comes his way. The contract is more ikely to protect him from going to another OHL team. He'd be great to replace Sheldon Keefe. Same offense first mentality. Not that that wins you cups but makes for an entertaining regular season. Boy that Thachuk sure is a playoff performer and a steal at 9.5 mil. Just saying he is likely the MVP aside from maybe a McDavid. Matthew's talking 13-14 mil to extend not a chance on my team. Give me a Thachuk and save 4-5 mil anyday. Considering he was 3rd in penalty minutes in the league which his 120 plus minutes which is equal to 9-10 games of playing minutes and he still scored 40 goals. The buds should have traded for the other Matthew last year for either Marner or Austin. Blue collar poster boy is what Thachuk brings, the more the other team riles him, the better he plays.

 

[windsor7]

Congratulations to Pete's OHL Champions.
Props to London too for their deep run with not really a goalie.
Was a entertaining series.

 

[Teflon]

Good for the Petes! Well earned.
One has to wonder if this affects how london goalies look in camp.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Good for the Petes! Well earned.
One has to wonder if this affects how london goalies look in camp.

Wouldn't surprise me if London tries to acquire Simpson from Peterborough to play goal next year and be one of their OAs.
The 4 who can come back as of now actually 5 if u include forward named Delmonte,the others being McCue and Ryan Humphreys upfront and MacKinnon and Fedorkow on the backend.
Other then Humphreys who did score 26 last year for Hamilton as a 18 year old, the other 3 or 4 are ok but if a team goes for it they dont belong there.
Humphreys brings an edge and physicality with his game and is a sneaky good player even though he is a pain in the ass to play against.

 

[punch1943]

I'm sure the Spits and Savard have an out based on if a NHL position comes his way. The contract is more ikely to protect him from going to another OHL team. He'd be great to replace Sheldon Keefe. Same offense first mentality. Not that that wins you cups but makes for an entertaining regular season. Boy that Thachuk sure is a playoff performer and a steal at 9.5 mil. Just saying he is likely the MVP aside from maybe a McDavid. Matthew's talking 13-14 mil to extend not a chance on my team. Give me a Thachuk and save 4-5 mil anyday. Considering he was 3rd in penalty minutes in the league which his 120 plus minutes which is equal to 9-10 games of playing minutes and he still scored 40 goals. The buds should have traded for the other Matthew last year for either Marner or Austin. Blue collar poster boy is what Thachuk brings, the more the other team riles him, the better he plays.

As a Spit/Leaf fan for years I’d want no part of Savard as a coach with the Buds. I hope he gets an NHL job but IMHO it will have to be as an assistant NHL coach or as a head coach in the AHL. Not too many make the jump from CHL to head coach in the NHL……Since DUBAS and Matthews have the same agency representing them it seems to me , that could have been part of the problem that Shanahan had. As for replacing Dubas I like Bowman …not sure if he still is interested in GM work.

 

[Purple Phart]

As a Spit/Leaf fan for years I’d want no part of Savard as a coach with the Buds. I hope he gets an NHL job but IMHO it will have to be as an assistant NHL coach or as a head coach in the AHL. Not too many make the jump from CHL to head coach in the NHL……Since DUBAS and Matthews have the same agency representing them it seems to me , that could have been part of the problem that Shanahan had. As for replacing Dubas I like Bowman …not sure if he still is interested in GM work.

Bruce Boudreau might be a candidate for coach of the Leafs. Experienced, past history as a Marlie, and his dismissal by Vancouver shouldn't be a negative consideration. Comparing Savard/Boudreau, I'd opt for Boudreau.

 

[OHL 17]

I haven't slept since The Knights lost!

 

[OHLTG]

Bruce Boudreau might be a candidate for coach of the Leafs. Experienced, past history as a Marlie, and his dismissal by Vancouver shouldn't be a negative consideration. Comparing Savard/Boudreau, I'd opt for Boudreau.

I said that on Friday - "if Keefe goes, I want Boudreau." I'm hoping Savard sticks in Windsor for one more season, too.

 

[Teflon]

So its off season time. Yes im happy london is out lol. Sorry to those fans of that team. Just have a pure dislike thats about 4 decades old. Heres the problem. They are going to be pretty damn good next year and us? Well im not so sure. Guess we see what BB is made of because its pretty clear unless ownership changes hes staying. I hate losing but it’s compounded when its london lol. Starting out like last offseason, dead quiet.
As for the Wright hopes, im not completely clear on his availability. I do know Seattle isnt very pleased to date but a lot can happen over the summer. I dont see any goalie controversy, thank god!! Think we have a pretty solid group upfront. D still the bigger concern along with team toughness. So can BB address both issues and give us a chance next year? Do the guys we have mature the way many of us hope and continue the sharp trend up? Our OA’s look to be a solid group as well. Does he get a couple grit guys without upsetting the mix? Lots to ponder for an interesting year to watch next season.

 

[punch1943]

I haven't slept since The Knights lost!

Try wiping the smile off your face. It did wonders for me. Seriously I was a Petes fan back when the Redmonds were there.Lived 26 miles from the Lift Lock city.

 

[OHLTG]

The Petes have a Windsor connection, too - Konnor Smith.

 

[windsor7]

So its off season time. Yes im happy london is out lol. Sorry to those fans of that team. Just have a pure dislike thats about 4 decades old. Heres the problem. They are going to be pretty damn good next year and us? Well im not so sure. Guess we see what BB is made of because its pretty clear unless ownership changes hes staying. I hate losing but it’s compounded when its london lol. Starting out like last offseason, dead quiet.
As for the Wright hopes, im not completely clear on his availability. I do know Seattle isnt very pleased to date but a lot can happen over the summer. I dont see any goalie controversy, thank god!! Think we have a pretty solid group upfront. D still the bigger concern along with team toughness. So can BB address both issues and give us a chance next year? Do the guys we have mature the way many of us hope and continue the sharp trend up? Our OA’s look to be a solid group as well. Does he get a couple grit guys without upsetting the mix? Lots to ponder for an interesting year to watch next season.

Defense and toughness will need to be addressed along with how they r coached.

 

[OHLTG]

As for the Wright hopes, im not completely clear on his availability. I do know Seattle isnt very pleased to date but a lot can happen over the summer.

He trains as much as he can this summer and then we see what happens come Sept. I fully expected him to be gone but, if there's even a remote chance, it creates an intriguing storyline for Spits fans to watch. Personally, I expect him to make Seattle next season... or find a way to Coachella Valley... but, if Windsor is an option, I won't be upset. He was a good kid and could help this club in a number of ways.

 

[Harley49]

I haven't slept since The Knights lost!

I know exactly how you feel ….. I’ve had a huge smile on face ever since the Spits got totally embarrassed getting knocked out of the first round of the playoffs ( 4 straight) by a 8th seed opponent….enjoy your summer…..Go Knights ……

 

[Slowpace]

I haven't slept since The Knights lost!

I'll take the overachievers vs the underachievers (aka chokers)any day of the week.
2023 WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!!!

 

[hockeylegend11]

I'll take the overachievers vs the underachievers (aka chokers)any day of the week.
2023 WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!!!

You mean London the chokers of the 21/22 playoffs,leading 3-2 going to game 6 with home ice advantage vs Kitchener ,18 point difference in standings between Kitchener and London,with London the 2nd seed vs Kitchener the 7th seed,and you are eliminated and embarrassed.
Fast forward to this year's playoffs the 5th seed overall in the standings London and the 10th seed Peterborough, with London again an 18 point advantage points wise over Peterborough during 68 season game,think 18 point difference isn't to your advantage lol,you go in with home ice advantage, win game 1 then lose 4 of the next 5 games and home you go.
At least when Windsor played Hamilton it was Hamilton #1-107 pts ,12-0 going in the finals, Windsor playing 6 more games going to finals and losing in 7.
And Windsor did finish with 12 less points in the standings finishing 2nd in the season standings.
Perhaps staying in your lane would be best to avoid further embarrassment

 

[ohloutsider]

You mean London the chokers of the 21/22 playoffs,leading 3-2 going to game 6 with home ice advantage vs Kitchener ,18 point difference in standings between Kitchener and London,with London the 2nd seed vs Kitchener the 7th seed,and you are eliminated and embarrassed.
Fast forward to this year's playoffs the 5th seed overall in the standings London and the 10th seed Peterborough, with London again an 18 point advantage points wise over Peterborough during 68 season game,think 18 point difference isn't to your advantage lol,you go in with home ice advantage, win game 1 then lose 4 of the next 5 games and home you go.
At least when Windsor played Hamilton it was Hamilton #1-107 pts ,12-0 going in the finals, Windsor playing 6 more games going to finals and losing in 7.
And Windsor did finish with 12 less points in the standings finishing 2nd in the season standings.
Perhaps staying in your lane would be best to avoid further embarrassment

You just can't resist.

 

[OHLTG]

You mean London the chokers of the 21/22 playoffs,leading 3-2 going to game 6 with home ice advantage vs Kitchener ,18 point difference in standings between Kitchener and London,with London the 2nd seed vs Kitchener the 7th seed,and you are eliminated and embarrassed.
Fast forward to this year's playoffs the 5th seed overall in the standings London and the 10th seed Peterborough, with London again an 18 point advantage points wise over Peterborough during 68 season game,think 18 point difference isn't to your advantage lol,you go in with home ice advantage, win game 1 then lose 4 of the next 5 games and home you go.
At least when Windsor played Hamilton it was Hamilton #1-107 pts ,12-0 going in the finals, Windsor playing 6 more games going to finals and losing in 7.
And Windsor did finish with 12 less points in the standings finishing 2nd in the season standings.
Perhaps staying in your lane would be best to avoid further embarrassment

Sometimes, you just have to chuckle and not take the bait.

 

[TheGremlin]

Sometimes, you just have to chuckle and not take the bait.

He doesn’t know how.

do the last 2 years really matter when championships are supposedly all that matter. Neither team won.
I’d much rather blow a 3-2 series lead then lose 4 straight to an 8th seed tho. That was just embarrassing.

 

[OHLTG]

The last two years were kind of reversed...

2022 - 2 lost to 7, Windsor went to the OHL final and lost
2023 - 1 lost to 8 (same team, strangely), London lost in the OHL final.

They cancel each other out. Onto the 2023-24 we go.

 

[windsor7]

You mean London the chokers of the 21/22 playoffs,leading 3-2 going to game 6 with home ice advantage vs Kitchener ,18 point difference in standings between Kitchener and London,with London the 2nd seed vs Kitchener the 7th seed,and you are eliminated and embarrassed.
Fast forward to this year's playoffs the 5th seed overall in the standings London and the 10th seed Peterborough, with London again an 18 point advantage points wise over Peterborough during 68 season game,think 18 point difference isn't to your advantage lol,you go in with home ice advantage, win game 1 then lose 4 of the next 5 games and home you go.
At least when Windsor played Hamilton it was Hamilton #1-107 pts ,12-0 going in the finals, Windsor playing 6 more games going to finals and losing in 7.
And Windsor did finish with 12 less points in the standings finishing 2nd in the season standings.
Perhaps staying in your lane would be best to avoid further embarrassment

Still this year was a failure in almost all ways.
Getting swept.