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

[windsor7]

Wellwood would be an excellent choice,however sources tell me he could be headed to the Ottawa Senators to be an assistant coach to DJ Smith.
Interestingly Savard rented Wellwoods place while he was here a stone's throw from the WFCU.

Short term rental...

 

[RayzorIsDull]

I want Wellwood. His term is up in NF. Hope he’s on the list.

Wait to see what happens in Ottawa. If the new owner pulls the plug on Dorion and Smith it opens up a lot of things.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Oh, I’m definitely interested,” said Wellwood, who won two Memorial Cups with the Spitfires as a player. “My contract has ended with Newfoundland. I’d love to be home, especially having a little one now.”

Considering this post one would hope Wellwood would be the #1 guy to be considered, with him postponing his NHL coaching aspirations for the time being.
Here's hoping.

 

[OHLTG]

I have all the respect for Smith but, if Wellwood says he wants it, he has to be your guy.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

I have all the respect for Smith but, if Wellwood says he wants it, he has to be your guy.

Well if he wants the job just give it to him.....

 

[Teflon]

Smith is family with Savage. Hes not shown any ability to be HC. What he needs to do is get that experience before asking for this job. Wellwood needs to be up there, but you cant ignore guys with Savards pedigree either. Someone keeps mentioning kevin kerr, that could be a very interesting hire. Definitely would put fans in the seats and provide some damn exciting hockey!

 

[Knownothing]

Kevin has experience but if given the option I’d want Wellwood. Younger and likely more relatable with players.

Out of curiosity, why or how would Kevin put buts in seats and what kind of exciting hockey? If referring to the rough brand of hockey, sadly those days are gone and the league has taken that out of the game.

 

[Section 103]

Whoever they find as their next coach it has to be a coach that wants to make Windsor home. Not a coach that just wants to make Windsor a quick stop. This will be the Spits 4th coach in 7 seasons coming up. Tough to strive to be good year after year when you have to do a head coaching search every couple years. Every coach had their positive traits and negative traits but most of all this next hire has to be a guy that wants to stay a few years due to lack of picks and so many OAs this is going to take a few years.

I really hope Wellwood is the guy. He’s been quoted as being interested. He’s shown with Flint and St John that he knows what he can do. He’s also a Windsor player and the fans would love to have him back.

 

[lazyboy]

I'm on the Wellwood bandwagon

 

[DraftEligibleOHL]

I really hope Wellwood is the guy. He’s been quoted as being interested. He’s shown with Flint and St John that he knows what he can do. He’s also a Windsor player and the fans would love to have him back.

He also mentioned his young family, maybe he's looking for some stability and he's only 33 years old as well.

I think Wellwood is the perfect fit and could give the Spits at least 4-5 seasons before he bolts. Hope it works out for you guys.

 

[tomschman]

Short term rental...

The OHL is a stepping stone to an NHL job. Unless the coach is also an owner, an OHL is not a long term goal for a coach. Sometimes, even when they are owner, they still want the NHL (Boughner). There have been some exceptions but they are not that many.

As for Wellwood, I would love him to be the next Spits coach. His next job should be an AHL head coach or an NHL assistant coach, to round out his resume. He is 33, and no matter what path he takes, I expect him to be an NHL head coach before he is 40.

 

[ohloutsider]

Wellwood is the coach that would put butts in the seats. Everyone you talk to is excited and hoping he is the one. And he will make them a winner so that drives sales as well. Count me in on the Wellwood bandwagon.

 

[windsor7]

Wellwood is the coach that would put butts in the seats. Everyone you talk to is excited and hoping he is the one. And he will make them a winner so that drives sales as well. Count me in on the Wellwood bandwagon.

Absolutely.
And his own assistant coaches too.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Wellwood is the coach that would put butts in the seats. Everyone you talk to is excited and hoping he is the one. And he will make them a winner so that drives sales as well. Count me in on the Wellwood bandwagon.

Would he take a pay cut to be in Windsor? He's up for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms gig in the AHL.

 

[ohloutsider]

Would he take a pay cut to be in Windsor?

Well you would have to ask him but he has already indicated he is interested. Being close to home would likely mean he would certainly consider it. There is value in being closer to family.

 

[OHLTG]

Well you would have to ask him but he has already indicated he is interested. Being close to him would likely mean he would certainly consider it. There is value in being closer to family.

I was just going to say this, too. Money isn't always king when it comes to this situation.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Well you would have to ask him but he has already indicated he is interested. Being close to home would likely mean he would certainly consider it. There is value in being closer to family.

Oh for sure but if the dream is the NHL his family is going to be moving with him regardless. Just saying it would be a short stay regardless.

 

[Teflon]

So we know DJ wants to coach with him at some point. He could be willing to wait and do it in Windsor. Quality coaches arent cheap, lets see how willing ownership is pay for the right guy. Id have no issue with Welly.

 

[ohloutsider]

The fact he has shown public interest to me means he sees this as a good career move and and a even better move for his family for the here and now. Doesn't mean that point of view would not change if an NHL team comes calling. He would not be the first coach at any level that might leave his family home while they work in another city. Happens all the time with them wanting to keep their kids in the same neighborhood and school. None of this means much if Bowler is not seeing him as the best candidate.

I'm more concerned that Bowler will be pushed towards an internal candidate. The Buck Store version so to speak..

 

[Cherrydon]

Echl coaches average the same as OHL coaches roughly 91-100k on average. AHL coaches around 500k if you are good. Some OHL coaches much higher. Wellwood could double his last year's salary going to the Spits. Less than AHL but better than last year.

 

[OHLTG]

He would not be the first coach at any level that might leave his family home while they work in another city.

Savard did this, as far as I know.

 

[Teflon]

I agree outsider. Savages dictate much of bowler’s decisions. A certain asst is family and im sure theres pressure to choose him. That said hes not the right candidate and frankly a major reason family shouldnt be in those positions!! This could be a great decision or a huge mistake. Bowlers slso mentioned very publicly hes looking internally as well. Im concerned!

 

[windsor7]

I agree outsider. Savages dictate much of bowler’s decisions. A certain asst is family and im sure theres pressure to choose him. That said hes not the right candidate and frankly a major reason family shouldnt be in those positions!! This could be a great decision or a huge mistake. Bowlers slso mentioned very publicly hes looking internally as well. Im concerned!

Very true

 

[ohloutsider]

I agree outsider. Savages dictate much of bowler’s decisions. A certain asst is family and im sure theres pressure to choose him. That said hes not the right candidate and frankly a major reason family shouldnt be in those positions!! This could be a great decision or a huge mistake. Bowlers slso mentioned very publicly hes looking internally as well. Im concerned!

You can DM me if you wish but let me know who is related to the savages? I always thought ( maybe I'm wrong) there was a relationship to Bougner but was not aware of a connection to the Savages?

 

[OHLTG]

I don't know if this was what people were thinking about, but Boughner is Dave Matsos' brother-in-law.