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

[OHLTG]

Still got to learn to play defense..

So you didn't enjoy the 2022 championship appearance? That defence was sketchy at best (12th or 14th, I believe?) but the team got the job done. Did you prefer Letowski's defence-first systems that got the club into fourth, if they were lucky? Ideally, sure, you have a lethal offence with a stifling defence but, given the results of the last handful of seasons, if I had to pick between more offence than D or more D than offence... I'm taking the offence.

I'm glad there's a Wyatt Johnston waiting for the new coach.

Savard was a damn good coach but it's about Jimmy's and Joe's.

How many of us expected Johnston to go from 30 points in his rookie season to 124? How many of us expected Cuylle to go from 42 points pre-COVID to 43 goals with Savard? How many of us expected Maggio to go from 14 points to 85 points with Savard?

Going into Savard's season, I'd guess that very few of us expected the team to have first-seed success. They were good but, given their history, anything beyond mid-pack was a tough convincing. Which is fair, too. That said, having the "jimmy's and joe's" only works with the right coach. Savard got a ton out of them and the next coach needs to be able to do similar.

 

[windsor7]

So you didn't enjoy the 2022 championship appearance? That defence was sketchy at best (12th or 14th, I believe?) but the team got the job done. Did you prefer Letowski's defence-first systems that got the club into fourth, if they were lucky? Ideally, sure, you have a lethal offence with a stifling defence but, given the results of the last handful of seasons, if I had to pick between more offence than D or more D than offence... I'm taking the offence.


How many of us expected Johnston to go from 30 points in his rookie season to 124? How many of us expected Cuylle to go from 42 points pre-COVID to 43 goals with Savard? How many of us expected Maggio to go from 14 points to 85 points with Savard?

Going into Savard's season, I'd guess that very few of us expected the team to have first-seed success. They were good but, given their history, anything beyond mid-pack was a tough convincing. Which is fair, too. That said, having the "jimmy's and joe's" only works with the right coach. Savard got a ton out of them and the next coach needs to be able to do similar.

Offence is nice.
But u need to play defense which really never happened or stressed to be important on ice.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

So you didn't enjoy the 2022 championship appearance? That defence was sketchy at best (12th or 14th, I believe?) but the team got the job done. Did you prefer Letowski's defence-first systems that got the club into fourth, if they were lucky? Ideally, sure, you have a lethal offence with a stifling defence but, given the results of the last handful of seasons, if I had to pick between more offence than D or more D than offence... I'm taking the offence.


How many of us expected Johnston to go from 30 points in his rookie season to 124? How many of us expected Cuylle to go from 42 points pre-COVID to 43 goals with Savard? How many of us expected Maggio to go from 14 points to 85 points with Savard?

Going into Savard's season, I'd guess that very few of us expected the team to have first-seed success. They were good but, given their history, anything beyond mid-pack was a tough convincing. Which is fair, too. That said, having the "jimmy's and joe's" only works with the right coach. Savard got a ton out of them and the next coach needs to be able to do similar.

You liked Letowski as coach and those teams flopped.

 

[OHL 17]

IMO Letowski has heavily influenced 2 of our assistant coaches. With that said they should not be the Spits head coach, period! As stated before it will set this team back for many years.

 

[Teflon]

Im not asking for a stifling D, hell id be good with just some solid D! The offense is even better if you can clear your own zone, get the first pass up and not have your forwards collapse to cover.
As for head coach, theres many that could do the job. But who has applied. If i had an idea id could list my choices. Personally from the few ive heard. Id hire Kerr and Mitchell as an asst to start.

 

[OHLTG]

Offence is nice.
But u need to play defense which really never happened or stressed to be important on ice.

That doesn't answer the question - did you not enjoy the 2022 run? ll take a great offence with avg defence over an avg offence with better D any day. We've seen both scenarios.

You liked Letowski as coach and those teams flopped.

I wouldn't say I "liked" the systems, esp compared to Savard, but I thought the teams were better than they showed on the ice.

We're kind of in the same spot as 2021; a younger team with potential but needing the right coach to put it all together. Find the right guy and the rest will work itself out.

 

[windsor7]

That doesn't answer the question - did you not enjoy the 2022 run? ll take a great offence with avg defence over an avg offence with better D any day. We've seen both scenarios.


I wouldn't say I "liked" the systems, esp compared to Savard, but I thought the teams were better than they showed on the ice.

We're kind of in the same spot as 2021; a younger team with potential but needing the right coach to put it all together. Find the right guy and the rest will work itself out.

Still need better defense which hasn't been shown in quite awhile

 

[Teflon]

We could do a very informal poll here.
Where do you believe the next head coach should come from?
A) Internal hire
B) External coach with pro experience or HC experience?
Not that BB or Savages will listen but we can hope!

 

[OHLTG]

B for sure but with the sidenote that I'm willing to see what A brings before shaking my head.

 

[OHL 17]

B for sure!

 

[Cherrydon]

BIG CAPITAL B my vote 🗳

 

[RayzorIsDull]

We could do a very informal poll here.
Where do you believe the next head coach should come from?
A) Internal hire
B) External coach with pro experience or HC experience?
Not that BB or Savages will listen but we can hope!

Easily B.

 

[rve24]

You liked Letowski as coach and those teams flopped.

It'll be rainbows n butterflies for a couple posters no matter who is brought on board. Until they aren't in the org and then..............
Freebies lead to..........

 

[OHLTG]

It'll be rainbows n butterflies for a couple posters no matter who is brought on board. Until they aren't in the org and then...............
Freebies lead to..........

I guarantee it's not "rainbows n butterflies" no matter what, at least for me. Wellwood was the only HC option that I was very optimistic about given his resume. Given how many wanted him, too, I'm not likely the only one. With him out of the picture, there are going to be questions, regardless of who enters now. Also... what's this "freebies" thing you're referring to?

 

[windsor7]

It'll be rainbows n butterflies for a couple posters no matter who is brought on board. Until they aren't in the org and then..............
Freebies lead to..........

Absolutely

 

[rve24]

I guarantee it's not "rainbows n butterflies" no matter what, at least for me. Wellwood was the only HC option that I was very optimistic about given his resume. Given how many wanted him, too, I'm not likely the only one. With him out of the picture, there are going to be questions, regardless of who enters now. Also... what's this "freebies" thing you're referring to

 

[windsor7]

I guarantee it's not "rainbows n butterflies" no matter what, at least for me. Wellwood was the only HC option that I was very optimistic about given his resume. Given how many wanted him, too, I'm not likely the only one. With him out of the picture, there are going to be questions, regardless of who enters now. Also... what's this "freebies" thing you're referring to?

Quick to defend....

 

[ohloutsider]

We could do a very informal poll here.
Where do you believe the next head coach should come from?
A) Internal hire
B) External coach with pro experience or HC experience?
Not that BB or Savages will listen but we can hope!

B for sure but it seems like a trap question/poll. There is really only one answer but there are other options. Does not mean they are good options but you never know.

I know you keep mentioning Kerr as an option but his coaching resume does not look that impressive.

Ultimately it falls to a coach that the kids will learn from and respond to. If it works for the players than I really don't care who it is.

 

[rve24]

Ultimately it falls to a coach that the kids will learn from and respond to. If it works for the players than I really don't care who it is.

True!
More n more it's about communication and building trust and positive relationships to get tje most out of individuals and the team. Most every coach has the XnOs covered.

 

[tomschman]

While everyone wanted Wellwood, the Spits job was not a good fit for him. He is young and appears to have NHL ambiitions, which he should have. He already has been a successful OHL coach, so the Spits job was a step backwards. I personnaly thought the next step would be AHL head coach or NHL assistant, but AHL assistant will be another stepping stone to one of those 2 jobs.

As a Spits fan, I am dissapointed, As a Wellwood fan, see made the right choice.

 

[ohloutsider]

While everyone wanted Wellwood, the Spits job was not a good fit for him. He is young and appears to have NHL ambiitions, which he should have. He already has been a successful OHL coach, so the Spits job was a step backwards. I personnaly thought the next step would be AHL head coach or NHL assistant, but AHL assistant will be another stepping stone to one of those 2 jobs.

As a Spits fan, I am dissapointed, As a Wellwood fan, see made the right choice.

I to was on the Wellwood bandwagon but agreed, he chose the better path for himself.

 

[Teflon]

Outsider i dont think its a trap question. Why? Because the name i keep hearing is answer A! Yes there are many coaches who can do the job no question there. Personally id like a guy who knows the area, wants to be here for longer than a couple years, a personal connection always helps. But he must have some HC experience preferably at the pro level but min at the O level. This is a high profile job that demands and quality person.

 

[OHLTG]

But he must have some HC experience preferably at the pro level but min at the O level. This is a high profile job that demands and quality person.

I'd be okay with AC experience. That's what Savard (NHL) and Wellwood (OHL) both had before taking HC jobs in the O.

 

[hockeylegend11]

I'd be okay with AC experience. That's what Savard (NHL) and Wellwood (OHL) both had before taking HC jobs in the O.

Actually since 2005-06 Spits have only had 1 coach who had prior head coaching experience, Trevor Letowski.
Not Bob Boughner,Bob Jones who coached when Boughner went to CBus then came back,Rocky Thompson and Marc Savard.

 

[ohloutsider]

Outsider i dont think its a trap question. Why? Because the name i keep hearing is answer A! Yes there are many coaches who can do the job no question there. Personally id like a guy who knows the area, wants to be here for longer than a couple years, a personal connection always helps. But he must have some HC experience preferably at the pro level but min at the O level. This is a high profile job that demands and quality person.

Spent a lot of time around the HR/interview process and seen many a question that directs you to only one "right " answer. No harm no foul just brought a smile to me.

FYI I'm also having an issue with this site. Keeps booting me out. Maybe that's a sign?!

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