Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Off-Season Thread (Part 2)

[windsor7]

Starting with players not returning or making the club aside from the OAs obvious ones I mean,Struthers,Toms and Zhugin for sure,Smith more then likely,Winegard unless he improves his skating and Greenwell good possibility they both could be moved on.
Pertaining to additions,starting with goaltending I see Costanzo and Froggett as the 2,though Costanzo needs to have a bounce back year otherwise I see him moved.
Altiman turns 19 at the start of the year,don't see him on Windsor's radar,too small at 5'9" which might be generous re his height, and Jake Windbiel and Michael Newlove in the mix can see all 4 seeing action with Newlove playing B in La Salle and Windbiel playing in the US because he can't play B in Ontario unless he was 18 or older, and both of them would compete against Froggett next season.
On the D,I see Manzo making the squad at 17,hopefully they pick a Euro dman in the upcoming draft and with the 3rd selection overall better get a good one and I prefer a dman to be the 3rd OA on this year's team,a Mancini like dman works great for me.
As for Lavigne and Hjelholt I see them being 8,9 or 10 on the list if a Euro and an OA fill the spots beside Christoforo, Eichler, Walton and Woodall,plus Manzo.
Youngsters such as Carter Hart,and American Drake Gram both 16 year olds could challenge and make things interesting
Upfront my lines would be
Abraham-Greentree-Belchetz
Morneau-Spellacy-Davis
Nesbitt-Gaymes-Outwater
Martin-Gardner-Gignac

Lemieiux-Butt,Brocklehurst, Morin,Greenwell
Morgan would battle for 2 spots,ages for those guys are 16,17,16,17,19,19
Now the last 2 spots on the 1st 12 forwards listed would be impacted should Windsor take a Euro forward and they bring in an OA forward,I am against doing both,prefer help on the backend and I like the potential upfront regardless.

Still need a actual coaching staff that knows what they r doing..

 

[OHLTG]

If the choice is between Lemieux, Brocklehurst, Greenwell, or Morgan for two spots... you go Lemieux and Brock without thinking twice. Otherwise, we're kind of in the same spot as this past season.

Still need a actual coaching staff that knows what they r doing..

Coaches will be sorted out in due time. Unless you'd rather have them rush it?

 

[windsor7]

If the choice is between Lemieux, Brocklehurst, Greenwell, or Morgan for two spots... you go Lemieux and Brock without thinking twice. Otherwise, we're kind of in the same spot as this past season.



Coaches will be sorted out in due time. Unless you'd rather have them rush it?

Cheapest shouldn't be a issue hopefully...

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Davis-Abraham-Greentree

Morneau-Spellacy-Belchetz

JC Lemieux-Nesbitt-Outwater

x-Martin-x



Greenwell/Garden/Brocklehurst/Gaymes/O/A coming in/the import pick for the final 2/3 spots?



#3 overall Import? - Cristoforo

Woodall-Walton

Manzo/Winegard - Eichler

Hicks as extra D?



Lot of shit still up in the air. Would be nice to get an O/A on defence but only have so many spots. Guys like Winegard and Greenwell are expendable to be honest and I won’t be surprised to see if they’re not brought back. Outwater is another question mark.



Costanzo

Froggert

Newlove

Putting it all in proper format. You get a better idea of how huge the hill is to climb back to being a top tier team. Every team will tout their top 08s and be in the lineup. Morneau wasn't that great last year and possibly holding an OA slot with either him or Outwater being top 6. Their OAs this year most likely won't be as good as last year. This is a long rebuild.

 

[hockeylegend11]

If the choice is between Lemieux, Brocklehurst, Greenwell, or Morgan for two spots... you go Lemieux and Brock without thinking twice. Otherwise, we're kind of in the same spot as this past season.



Coaches will be sorted out in due time. Unless you'd rather have them rush it?

Remember if Windsor aside from Belchetz, keeps 2nd rounder Carter Hart,2nd rounder JC Lemieiux, they can only roster 1 more 16 year old,so if Ethan Gardner signs and plays here, that means that Brocklehurst would have to play in Jr B,can sign here but not rostered,same goes for any of the other 16 year olds drafted,can only roster 4,but sign as many as u want.
Could see up to 5 or 6 of them if they show well,Belchetz, Lemieux, Carter,Garden, Brocklehurst,Gram and Windbiel,totalling 1G,2D,4F.
Things might get interesting and personally I hope it does lol.

 

[OHLTG]

Oh, I'm aware, just stating that I'd rather have two youngsters in the depth positions rather than two veterans who shouldn't really be in the OHL.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Oh, I'm aware, just stating that I'd rather have two youngsters in the depth positions rather than two veterans who shouldn't really be in the OHL.

I agree would rather have younger players as depth players to fill roster spots for the most part.
Just like to add that 17 year old winger Julian Gignac continues his fine play with Lakeshore Canadiens as he scored the winning goal in the 3rd period,with Lakeshore winning 3-2 to take a 2-1 lead in the Schmalz Cup.
He also took 1st star honours in the game.

 

[tomschman]

Remember if Windsor aside from Belchetz, keeps 2nd rounder Carter Hart,2nd rounder JC Lemieiux, they can only roster 1 more 16 year old,so if Ethan Gardner signs and plays here, that means that Brocklehurst would have to play in Jr B,can sign here but not rostered,same goes for any of the other 16 year olds drafted,can only roster 4,but sign as many as u want.
Could see up to 5 or 6 of them if they show well,Belchetz, Lemieux, Carter,Garden, Brocklehurst,Gram and Windbiel,totalling 1G,2D,4F.
Things might get interesting and personally I hope it does lol.

HL,

Please clarify a rule.

Bowler stated that they can roster the 4 16yos. He stated the first 2 drafted and 2 wildcards.

The Spits drafted 2 2nd rounders. Is the rule as Bowler stated or is it 1st and 2nd round picks. That would give the Spits only 1 wildcard.

Thanks.

 

[OHLTG]

The way I interpreted that comment was the first two picks, then two wildcards, which would mean Belchetz and Lemieux, then two wildcards.

 

[HockeyPops]

Yes, it's the first two picks. For Ottawa it's their 2 first rounders.

 

[ktownfan]

If the choice is between Lemieux, Brocklehurst, Greenwell, or Morgan for two spots... you go Lemieux and Brock without thinking twice. Otherwise, we're kind of in the same spot as this past season.



Coaches will be sorted out in due time. Unless you'd rather have them rush it?

rumour down this way is Greg Walters making his return to the OHL in Windsor

 

[Knownothing]

Suspensions have to be a highlight on a coach’s resume to get consideration in Windsor.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

rumour down this way is Greg Walters making his return to the OHL in Windsor

Not sure what to think. Walters did good work in Oshawa. 19-20 interruption but they weren't close to Ottawa that year.

He had Owen Sound and they played well against Windsor but otherwise middling results. We don't have to go deep into him being suspended. Needless to say others would shy away but with this and Newbury it's interesting Bowler will take huge risks in that but it doesn't seem he has much of a plan. I can imagine prospects would want transparency in regards to suspension though.

 

[windsor7]

Not sure what to think. Walters did good work in Oshawa. 19-20 interruption but they weren't close to Ottawa that year.

He had Owen Sound and they played well against Windsor but otherwise middling results. We don't have to go deep into him being suspended. Needless to say others would shy away but with this and Newbury it's interesting Bowler will take huge risks in that but it doesn't seem he has much of a plan. I can imagine prospects would want transparency in regards to suspension though.

I'm guessing Bowler will talk about it.
Lots of communication..
Lol

 

[OHLTG]

rumour down this way is Greg Walters making his return to the OHL in Windsor

I've heard the name pop up a few times in conversation, even dating back to during the season. I'm not sold on the situation because of the suspension. This feels like one of those things where I want to see it play out before making judgement.

I'm guessing Bowler will talk about it.
Lots of communication..
Lol

Just because Bowler is tight-lipped with the public on internal matters doesn't mean he's tight-lipped with the organization. We're so used to Rychel talking about darn never everything that anything less is scrutinized/criticized.

 

[windsor7]

I've heard the name pop up a few times in conversation, even dating back to during the season. I'm not sold on the situation because of the suspension. This feels like one of those things where I want to see it play out before making judgement.



Just because Bowler is tight-lipped with the public on internal matters doesn't mean he's tight-lipped with the organization. We're so used to Rychel talking about darn never everything that anything less is scrutinized/criticized.

Just speaking at all...

 

[Cherrydon]

Walters still has to apply in writing after his suspension ends in June to Branch to be reinstated. It is not that he is automatically eligible to return to the league. Still like to know what/happened. Some say only verbal abuse but 6 month suspension usually means more than a verbal insult.

 

[Stellar29]

Walters still has to apply in writing after his suspension ends in June to Branch to be reinstated. It is not that he is automatically eligible to return to the league. Still like to know what/happened. Some say only verbal abuse but 6 month suspension usually means more than a verbal insult.

Here's a clip from the media release when the suspension dropped:

“Based on the results of a league investigation, it is the position of the league that Mr. Walters failed to maintain an environment where all individuals are treated with respect and are free from bullying, harassment or abuse. Throughout this inappropriate verbal altercation, Mr. Walters also demonstrated a clear lack of commitment to the safety of his players, taking a position that compromises the integrity of the league and our game as a whole,” the league’s statement said.

"Lack of commitment to the safety of his players" would be the part that worries me. I believe the "verbal altercation" was with the trainer about a player's availability after receiving a head shot in a game against the Soo early in the season.

 

[Cherrydon]

Here's a clip from the media release when the suspension dropped:

“Based on the results of a league investigation, it is the position of the league that Mr. Walters failed to maintain an environment where all individuals are treated with respect and are free from bullying, harassment or abuse. Throughout this inappropriate verbal altercation, Mr. Walters also demonstrated a clear lack of commitment to the safety of his players, taking a position that compromises the integrity of the league and our game as a whole,” the league’s statement said.

"Lack of commitment to the safety of his players" would be the part that worries me. I believe the "verbal altercation" was with the trainer about a player's availability after receiving a head shot in a game against the Soo early in the season.

Thank you for the much better insight. Honestly hoping Walter's is not the next HC. He may be able to keep his mouth shut now, but deep down, it came from the soul. SPITS need to move on from his buddy Newberry as well. Torres is fine as a player developer, but we need a better look to this team. Restore the respect and class this franchise deserves.

 

[OHLTG]

You have to take head shots/injuries seriously. At that point, it's not about the game but the player's well-being over the long haul. Maybe it was a temporary horrific lapse in judgement, maybe it was how Walters actually is, I don't know. However, after what Windsor went through this season behind the bench, bringing in a guy who's just coming off suspension for that is bad PR at best.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Thank you for the much better insight. Honestly hoping Walter's is not the next HC. He may be able to keep his mouth shut now, but deep down, it came from the soul. SPITS need to move on from his buddy Newberry as well. Torres is fine as a player developer, but we need a better look to this team. Restore the respect and class this franchise deserves.

He shouldn't even be sniffing a HC job. I am sure there's some bleeding heart out there that wants to give a 53 year old coach a 2nd chance. This isn't like he's a young dude and made a mistake. A smart person goes deeper in this because like with most things this isn't his first mistake. It's the first time he got caught.

 

[Teflon]

Theres many coaches out there that fit the bill here. Zero need to bring in a guy like that!

 

[OHLTG]

For whatever it's worth, I'm hearing GW's name pop up outside of here, too. Smoke, fire...

 

[windsor7]

For whatever it's worth, I'm hearing GW's name pop up outside of here, too. Smoke, fire...

Bowler will say very little afterwards. Normal..

 

[RayzorIsDull]

For whatever it's worth, I'm hearing GW's name pop up outside of here, too. Smoke, fire...

That would be great news let him be someone else's problem. After the Smith and Newbury hire there isn't a reason Walters should sniff this job.