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

[hockeylegend11]

I love how it all about the points during regular season now. He never tells us about how average Windsor’s D has been which to me is possibly why Windsor failed this year. But you are right. He is excited about leading the conference for 2 years but if it was london that had done this it wouldn’t matter cause they never won the league. But if London won the league title it wouldn’t mean a thing cause we all know it Memorial Cup or it means nothing as Memorial Cup all that matters. He throws out all these numbers that favour Windsor like they mean something. Id rather windsor score 100 less goals if it meant they won the league. I’d rather be a 4 seed and win a title then a 1st and have nothing. Sometimes i get dizzy with all the circles i’m going in trying to figure out what his points are. Last year was a great year for Windsor no doubt. This year was just embarrassing. As simple as that. He will never mention Windsor blowing a 3-1 lead in 17 cause they won a cup.

In the end goals win games ask London,last game they scored 1,last 3 they scored 7 plus an empty netter,and 2 of those 7 were on the PP,so 5 even strength goals in 3 games wins u nothing but 1 game win 2 losses and you are done.
Never claimed Windsor had a great D,but no one can explain if D is so bad why was Costanzo 5th best in average and save percentage this season ,and Onuska with his 4.44 average was 21st,last year in playoffs Medina was 1st at 2.01 with .938 save per centage, Onuska 8th at 2.77.
Should mention this year Brochu was 2.82 less then .025 then Costanzo, save per centage Brochu was .902,Costanzo. 901 and London supposedly better defence.
I will let u ignore completely 68 games over 4,your thinking wont change nor mine
Move on to next year.

 

[Teflon]

Ok everyone this is beating a dead horse! Its history! Your only as good as what your doing today. Can we please not rehash this crap all summer long, AGAIN! Lets talk about how this team looks in sept, how you fix the shortcomings, who looks like a big year is coming. Which players make the team…. No one is changing their opinions. Agree to disagree and move on, PLEASE!

 

[tomschman]

Good to see that this sort of transactional achievement isn't celebrated in London. That's what differentiates it from those 2 back-to-back Memorial Cup banners Windsor displays. Those were EARNED, and I'll be the first to acknowledge those as a genuine, and DESERVED !
Again, just my opinion.

I agree that the Mem Cup format is flawed. It has been since the 1980s. If you want the best 4. team tournament, have the regular seaon champion of the host league host the tournament. If they also win the league, the playoff finalist gets the 4th spot. That, however, would not allow for the dog and pony show that the Mem Cup has become. The Mem Cup is no longer about hockey but it has become about marketing the CHL.

Staying that, if London had won the Cup in 2014, they would have a banner. I also assume that St. John has a banner for 2022.

 

[windsor7]

In the end goals win games ask London,last game they scored 1,last 3 they scored 7 plus an empty netter,and 2 of those 7 were on the PP,so 5 even strength goals in 3 games wins u nothing but 1 game win 2 losses and you are done.
Never claimed Windsor had a great D,but no one can explain if D is so bad why was Costanzo 5th best in average and save percentage this season ,and Onuska with his 4.44 average was 21st,last year in playoffs Medina was 1st at 2.01 with .938 save per centage, Onuska 8th at 2.77.
Should mention this year Brochu was 2.82 less then .025 then Costanzo, save per centage Brochu was .902,Costanzo. 901 and London supposedly better defence.
I will let u ignore completely 68 games over 4,your thinking wont change nor mine
Move on to next year.

Medina again....
Yes the defense was horrible.

 

[TheGremlin]

In the end goals win games ask London,last game they scored 1,last 3 they scored 7 plus an empty netter,and 2 of those 7 were on the PP,so 5 even strength goals in 3 games wins u nothing but 1 game win 2 losses and you are done.
Never claimed Windsor had a great D,but no one can explain if D is so bad why was Costanzo 5th best in average and save percentage this season ,and Onuska with his 4.44 average was 21st,last year in playoffs Medina was 1st at 2.01 with .938 save per centage, Onuska 8th at 2.77.
Should mention this year Brochu was 2.82 less then .025 then Costanzo, save per centage Brochu was .902,Costanzo. 901 and London supposedly better defence.
I will let u ignore completely 68 games over 4,your thinking wont change nor mine
Move on to next year.

So you say goals wins you games? What is your reasoning for the top scoring team to put up 7 goals or what not in 4 games?

I’m going to ignore everything else you said because i’ve explained why the numbers better with one guy over the other so you must just be forgetting that.

 

[dmead]

wash, rinse, repeat. Geez guys don't you ever get tired of this? I might be a fan of another team but I come here to get information on your team, not be an observer of pointless pissing contests.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of your top 5 prospects/ signees? Where are the goals going to come from this season?

Anything but the endless circular arguements... please!

 

[RayzorIsDull]

So you say goals wins you games? What is your reasoning for the top scoring team to put up 7 goals or what not in 4 games?

I’m going to ignore everything else you said because i’ve explained why the numbers better with one guy over the other so you must just be forgetting that.

Move on to next year but still bring up Medina......

 

[OHLTG]

What are the strengths and weaknesses of your top 5 prospects/ signees? Where are the goals going to come from this season?

Some youngsters (in no real order)

- F Nesbitt - 1st rd 2023 - big kid, offensive, leadership, physical. Weakness might be adjusting to the OHL pace.
- D Lavigne - 6th 2023 - another big kid, physical, old school throwback type, no real offence.
- D Manzo - 5th 2023 - appears to be a two-way D, kind of like De Angelis.
- D Hjelholt - 1st U18 2023 - big kid, steady, some offence, physical. Looked good at orientation.
- F Davis - 2022 - smaller kid but offensive and plays with an edge. Saw a glimpse of him last season and he impressed.
- D Woodall - 2022 - smaller D but intelligent and good offensive instincts. Got a couple of games at end of last season.
- G Froggett - 2022 - played well in camp last season but should see more action in 2023-24. Good size, works his tail off, and good head on shoulders/family.

I'd expect Nesbitt, Davis, Woodall, Froggett, and maybe one of Lavigne/Manzo/Hjelholt to make the club next season, with the other two D being in Jr B.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

It is pretty crazy that if in the Western Conference, the Pete’s point totals would’ve put them in 7th place heading into the playoffs.

People can whine about Brochu being out all they want. Injuries happen, and when it happens consistently, you should have instilled a better insurance policy, which should’ve been learned last year.

Knights beat some tough teams to get to the finals, and similarly to Windsor this year struggled to figure out the goalie situation right down to the last week.

I’m excited to see who stays and who goes. Our current roster has big potential, but we have to move some bodies out due to OA, plus our cupboard is empty.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Interesting on Wright, he was one of four first round picks Windsor had rostered from the 2019 Draft.
(1) Wright
(6) Johnston
(16) Harrison
(18) Holmes

While I don’t imagine Wright back here, that 25GP Stipulation could do it.

I look at Johnston vs Wright, and Johnston in 21’-22’ was far more impressive at the OHL level than Wright in 22’-23’.

I don’t expect Wright back but if the option is NHL or OHL, we could probably continue the discussions about “him” coming back this season.

The main difference on Wright vs Johnston, Wright has 20x the hype with Seattle that Johnston did with Dallas.

Had Dallas been a non-contender this year, I would’ve left Johnston in the O and not burned a year of time. However, the Stars decision to keep him, has proved to be worth while

 

[Petes1987]

It is pretty crazy that if in the Western Conference, the Pete’s point totals would’ve put them in 7th place heading into the playoffs.

People can whine about Brochu being out all they want. Injuries happen, and when it happens consistently, you should have instilled a better insurance policy, which should’ve been learned last year.

Knights beat some tough teams to get to the finals, and similarly to Windsor this year struggled to figure out the goalie situation right down to the last week.

I’m excited to see who stays and who goes. Our current roster has big potential, but we have to move some bodies out due to OA, plus our cupboard is empty.

The Petes were a far better team than their regular season record indicated. That was the most perplexing thing with their post deadline record with the talent they added they should have won more games with the players they added. It took them a while to gel as a team.

Part of the turn around was getting the right line combinations and defence pairings but it was also them coming together as a team or as they call it “a brotherhood”. This was a team built for the playoffs. You could see the change in the first round against Sudbury and their four game sweep of them. In the second round against Ottawa they dominated them physically and shutdown their offence for all but a period and a half and had the players to score the goals they needed. Michael Simpson was also a key to their success.

When they played North Bay in the conference final I realized they were a team of destiny as North Bay was likely their toughest competition in the playoffs. In the league final against London I realized the depth of this team when they had to play the series without several key players due to injury and suspension. It was has been said the last few days by a few people that Peterborough were considered to be the best team on paper post-deadline. They never showed it in the regular season but proved it in the playoffs.

 

[OHLTG]

It is pretty crazy that if in the Western Conference, the Pete’s point totals would’ve put them in 7th place heading into the playoffs.

People can whine about Brochu being out all they want. Injuries happen, and when it happens consistently, you should have instilled a better insurance policy, which should’ve been learned last year.

Knights beat some tough teams to get to the finals, and similarly to Windsor this year struggled to figure out the goalie situation right down to the last week.

I’m excited to see who stays and who goes. Our current roster has big potential, but we have to move some bodies out due to OA, plus our cupboard is empty.

Next season reminds me a lot of the last two seasons where they had heavy graduation and no real idea of what the true potential was. Fortunately, we've lucked and players have stepped up. Part of that is the untapped talent while part of that is Savard's systems/culture. The big test now comes with a potential rebuild.

While I don’t imagine Wright back here, that 25GP Stipulation could do it.

This intrigues me. If they go by the book, it's NHL or OHL for him. If they talk about changing it since it was literally one game... could get dicey.

 

[nelli27]

Not much difference 7th or 8th place team beating 1st or 2nd place team,especially when point differences are 18 points or 22 points sweep or no sweep imo,London has now lost back to back years in the playoffs to teams that they had a 18 point difference in the standings regular season to their advantage, Kitchener last year, Peterborough this year and they had home ice advantage both years.
Windsor loses to Hamilton in 7 not 6 like London this year,12 point difference in OA standings Hamilton #1,Windsor #2 in standings, not 5th London and 10th Peterborough .
In the last 2 years since Covid,Windsor has won 3 rounds in the playoffs,1 Conference championship, London the same,both are tied for best playoff records in the Western Conference and championships, regular season over 136 games last 2 seasons both have won division titles but only Windsor has won 2 conference regular season titles London none.
Windsor last 2 seasons have the 2nd best regular season record for the entire league 136 GP-88-35--8-5- 189 points
They have also scored the most goals of any team in the league the last 2 regular seasons-620 goals
Record wise North Bay is #1 for wins and points the last 2 seasons -136GP- 91-35-5-5-192 points
They have scored the 3rd most goals 552
Flint has scored 577 goals for 2nd place regular season last 2 years,while London is 4th with 533 goals and Sarnia is 5th with 532.
Should mention North Bay has won 4 playoff rounds last 2 years but no championships conference or league
Hamilton has the 3rd best regular season record the last years with 178 points,plus 4 playoff round wins all last year,1 conference title and 1 league title.
London has the 4th best regular record with 177 points last 2 seasons,while Ottawa has the 5th best regular record with 172 points,but only 1 playoff round win.
Finally Peterborough has the same playoff round wins 4,1 conference title,1 league championship tied with Hamilton the last years yet are 12th overall regular season wise record last 2 years-144 points.
Despite the playoff disappointment this year for Windsor the last 2 seasons regular and playoffs have brought me more joy then despair overall by a large margin and like everyone else we are all entitled to a viewpoint like it or not.

Lol!

 

[windsor7]

Next season reminds me a lot of the last two seasons where they had heavy graduation and no real idea of what the true potential was. Fortunately, we've lucked and players have stepped up. Part of that is the untapped talent while part of that is Savard's systems/culture. The big test now comes with a potential rebuild.



This intrigues me. If they go by the book, it's NHL or OHL for him. If they talk about changing it since it was literally one game... could get dicey.

Better get grit and some players that no how to play steady defense

 

[hockeylegend11]

Some youngsters (in no real order)

- F Nesbitt - 1st rd 2023 - big kid, offensive, leadership, physical. Weakness might be adjusting to the OHL pace.
- D Lavigne - 6th 2023 - another big kid, physical, old school throwback type, no real offence.
- D Manzo - 5th 2023 - appears to be a two-way D, kind of like De Angelis.
- D Hjelholt - 1st U18 2023 - big kid, steady, some offence, physical. Looked good at orientation.
- F Davis - 2022 - smaller kid but offensive and plays with an edge. Saw a glimpse of him last season and he impressed.
- D Woodall - 2022 - smaller D but intelligent and good offensive instincts. Got a couple of games at end of last season.
- G Froggett - 2022 - played well in camp last season but should see more action in 2023-24. Good size, works his tail off, and good head on shoulders/family.

I'd expect Nesbitt, Davis, Woodall, Froggett, and maybe one of Lavigne/Manzo/Hjelholt to make the club next season, with the other two D being in Jr B.

I would toss in forwards Easton Pace (16) and Jack Dean(17) as strong possibles next season as well as forward Ethan Martin (18) who needs to impress at camp,its make it or break it for him next season.
Also keeping an eye on forwards Kyle Butt(16),Jaksen Ward (17),and Marcus Lagana(16) all drafted this year,though I am thinking at least 2 ofthe 3 make it here next season.
On the D could be interesting if American Dman Evan Sofikitis (17) comes to camp again,had a nice year in the US,small but efficient (gritty) with offensive skills,impressed as a 16 year old last year.
3rd goalie probably will be Tre Altiman(18), who had a nice 1st year in LaSalle this past season.

 

[OHLTG]

I would toss in forwards Easton Pace (16) and Jack Dean(17) as strong possibles next season as well as forward Ethan Martin (18) who needs to impress at camp,its make it or break it for him next season.
Also keeping an eye on forwards Kyle Butt(16),Jaksen Ward (17),and Marcus Lagana(16) all drafted this year,though I am thinking at least 2 ofthe 3 make it here next season.
On the D could be interesting if American Dman Evan Sofikitis (17) comes to camp again,had a nice year in the US,small but efficient (gritty) with offensive skills,impressed as a 16 year old last year.
3rd goalie probably will be Tre Altiman(18), who had a nice 1st year in LaSalle this past season.

I was going to mention Pace but his uncertainty is what kept me from it.

Butt strikes me as a kid that could be a fan favourite. He just has history working against him. Since 2001, they've had one (1) 12th rounder play and that was G Ryan Dickie see six games in the early 2000s.

 

[dmead]

Awesome guys thanks.

Getting a better picture of the Spits for next sesson and after.

 

[Teflon]

More issues for Wright. Hes not getting it done at all and coaches arent impressed. Not sure why hes struggling so badly. I winder if they are pushing hard for points rather than developing his 2 way play hes best at.

 

[Cherrydon]

More issues for Wright. Hes not getting it done at all and coaches arent impressed. Not sure why hes struggling so badly. I winder if they are pushing hard for points rather than developing his 2 way play hes best at.

His 2 way game is his best asset. Slipped in the draft and all the attention about it had to be tough as hell under the microscope. He still was our best player overall in the late stages regular season and the playoffs. He is a Selke player and not a Richard trophy player

 

[OHLTG]

Between being under the microscope and having a seriously busy year, I'm not surprised he's struggling right now. Given he's 19, it's a matter of patience. He needs a summer to develop and figure out his game. Maybe he's in Seattle next season, maybe he's with Windsor. If he returns, I won't be upset. One of the nicest kids you'll meet.

 

[Cherrydon]

He certainly gave his all this past season which shows the class and character he is built with.

 

[windsor7]

Between being under the microscope and having a seriously busy year, I'm not surprised he's struggling right now. Given he's 19, it's a matter of patience. He needs a summer to develop and figure out his game. Maybe he's in Seattle next season, maybe he's with Windsor. If he returns, I won't be upset. One of the nicest kids you'll meet.

Develop?
He's played plenty.

 

[OHLTG]

Develop?
He's played plenty.

Every player develops and trains in the off-season.

 

[windsor7]

Every player develops and trains in the off-season.

Should be ready by now.
Been touted for many years as big deal...

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Next season reminds me a lot of the last two seasons where they had heavy graduation and no real idea of what the true potential was. Fortunately, we've lucked and players have stepped up. Part of that is the untapped talent while part of that is Savard's systems/culture. The big test now comes with a potential rebuild.



This intrigues me. If they go by the book, it's NHL or OHL for him. If they talk about changing it since it was literally one game... could get dicey.

The thing with Wright, is we have never seen such a situation like it before.

There is no precedent to go off of.

All the other ES players in CHL history either made the NHL the season after getting drafted or played 25 games in their D+1 season where this situation has yet to arise.

The closest example would be Rico Fata, but I think that was before they revised the CHL/NHL agreement.