Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Off-Season Thread

[windsor7]

I hate defending Bowler but you make so easy.
Zito walked away, can't blame that on Bowler but you'll try.
Toure is out from a suspension ( his fault not Bowlers) and now out for the rest of the year with an injury, again Bowler did not inflict the injury.
Got Donoso off waivers for free, so how can that be a bad decision?

This team is in a terrible rebuilding mess. One of Bowlers true mistakes was over selling. You need to keep enough skill around to stay competitive and shelter some of the younger guys. Toure was doing that but did not end well. And of course you need a qualify coach to guide that group. Bowler failed miserably at that one. Bowler will still be around I'm sure but if he does not put a proper head coach in place with quality assistances and they flounder next year he may be the one looking for a job.

How the coaching situation is handled in the off season is far more important than what happens in the draft. If you want proof of that look at the mess in Sudbury. Top level skill all around ( except maybe goalies) and a coach that has made a disaster of it all.

I'm actually looking forward to the end of this season. Last year's playoffs and this years regular season have been something I would never wish on any teams fanbase, what a mess. Not sure it can get any worse, feel for the players. Be safe.

What he brought in for players sure didn't help much

 

[OHL4Life]

I hate defending Bowler but you make so easy.
Zito walked away, can't blame that on Bowler but you'll try.
Toure is out from a suspension ( his fault not Bowlers) and now out for the rest of the year with an injury, again Bowler did not inflict the injury.
Got Donoso off waivers for free, so how can that be a bad decision?

This team is in a terrible rebuilding mess. One of Bowlers true mistakes was over selling. You need to keep enough skill around to stay competitive and shelter some of the younger guys. Toure was doing that but did not end well. And of course you need a qualify coach to guide that group. Bowler failed miserably at that one. Bowler will still be around I'm sure but if he does not put a proper head coach in place with quality assistances and they flounder next year he may be the one looking for a job.

How the coaching situation is handled in the off season is far more important than what happens in the draft. If you want proof of that look at the mess in Sudbury. Top level skill all around ( except maybe goalies) and a coach that has made a disaster of it all.

I'm actually looking forward to the end of this season. Last year's playoffs and this years regular season have been something I would never wish on any teams fanbase, what a mess. Not sure it can get any worse, feel for the players. Be safe.

they need to really, really look ta who is coaching, i dont think they have the head coach now, torres is a decent assistant

 

[windsor7]

they need to really, really look ta who is coaching, i dont think they have the head coach now, torres is a decent assistant

all should be gone the next day after season ends.
Need to hire the right people.
Don't go cheap..

 

[OHL4Life]

all should be gone the next day after season ends.
Need to hire the right people.
Don't go cheap..

i wouldnt hire newbury but thats me. torres is fine.

 

[tomschman]

They need to hire a coach sooner rather than later. Don't wait until August. Then have the head coach select is assistants.

 

[OHL4Life]

They need to hire a coach sooner rather than later. Don't wait until August. Then have the head coach select is assistants.

they can wait until june. may have some ahl guys that want to be head guys.

 

[Teflon]

Torres is a skills guy nothing more. Personally dont think he belongs behind the bench. That said im sure whoever gets hired will bring coaches with him. No more of this crap of BB dictating!
The D…. Ive been preaching this was coming, you cant ignore a position so badly and not have it implode. Usually got chastised for that opinion, but here we are. Not sure its even fixable in 1 season. Next year will be interesting, the new coaches will need some willing players and a proper D scheme to fix the back end.
Now as for BB. Imho hes made to many critical errors, hes not a pleasant person and he is disliked by much of the personnel on and around the team as well as in hockey circles. That kind of guy could put ownership in a terrible predicament. Id cut ties at season end.

 

[OHL4Life]

Torres is a skills guy nothing more. Personally dont think he belongs behind the bench. That said im sure whoever gets hired will bring coaches with him. No more of this crap of BB dictating!
The D…. Ive been preaching this was coming, you cant ignore a position so badly and not have it implode. Usually got chastised for that opinion, but here we are. Not sure its even fixable in 1 season. Next year will be interesting, the new coaches will need some willing players and a proper D scheme to fix the back end.
Now as for BB. Imho hes made to many critical errors, hes not a pleasant person and he is disliked by much of the personnel on and around the team as well as in hockey circles. That kind of guy could put ownership in a terrible predicament. Id cut ties at season end.

not sure your wrong on torres, he was calling teams for two years and no one jumped before windsor did. im sure hes fine if hes your third ast.

 

[ohloutsider]

Does anyone have the date for the draft lottery? I know the draft is April 12th and 13th but I can't find anything on the lottery?

 

[windsor7]

Torres is a skills guy nothing more. Personally dont think he belongs behind the bench. That said im sure whoever gets hired will bring coaches with him. No more of this crap of BB dictating!
The D…. Ive been preaching this was coming, you cant ignore a position so badly and not have it implode. Usually got chastised for that opinion, but here we are. Not sure its even fixable in 1 season. Next year will be interesting, the new coaches will need some willing players and a proper D scheme to fix the back end.
Now as for BB. Imho hes made to many critical errors, hes not a pleasant person and he is disliked by much of the personnel on and around the team as well as in hockey circles. That kind of guy could put ownership in a terrible predicament. Id cut ties at season end.

No family discounts...

 

[Teflon]

not sure your wrong on torres, he was calling teams for two years and no one jumped before windsor did. im sure hes fine if hes your third ast.

Your third asst is typically your D coach, are you sure you want him coaching your D or your forwards for that matter? I just dont think he has the mind to be an in game coach.

 

[ohloutsider]

Your third asst is typically your D coach, are you sure you want him coaching your D or your forwards for that matter? I just dont think he has the mind to be an in game coach.

There literally are no systems in place at either end. As a head coach you would at least think he is focused on one end or the other with his systems? I would not be upset if he doesn't return.

 

[OHL4Life]

Your third asst is typically your D coach, are you sure you want him coaching your D or your forwards for that matter? I just dont think he has the mind to be an in game coach.

if you hire a good d coach hes your second coach. forward coaches dont do much in game, head coaches manage the forwards anyways.

 

[nelli27]

You guys know this kid?
Brayden Kane (Windsor Jr. Spitfires), played one game with Lasalle Jr. B, one point. 15 yrs old.

 

[HockeyPops]

I still think it's wild that Windsor has played 38 different players this season. Even Erie who had a different goalie every game (8 total) only played 31.

 

[OHLTG]

I'm actually looking forward to the end of this season. Last year's playoffs and this years regular season have been something I would never wish on any teams fanbase, what a mess. Not sure it can get any worse, feel for the players. Be safe.

I'm looking forward to the next month; the final game at home, getting the season done with, and then figuring out the draft. It's been a mess of a season but the focus has shifted to 2024-25 and, if they play their cards right, there can be improvement. I don't remember the last time they had this many high picks and it's going to be make-or-break for Bowler.

 

[windsor7]

I'm looking forward to the next month; the final game at home, getting the season done with, and then figuring out the draft. It's been a mess of a season but the focus has shifted to 2024-25 and, if they play their cards right, there can be improvement. I don't remember the last time they had this many high picks and it's going to be make-or-break for Bowler.

He will still probably get a free pass by some..

 

[Cherrydon]

Does anyone have the date for the draft lottery? I know the draft is April 12th and 13th but I can't find anything on the lottery?

Last year it was announced Mar 23 that the draft lottery was March 29th. Although season ended on the 26th last year. Season over the 24th this year. Should hear something this week or next Monday at the latest I think.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

I hate defending Bowler but you make so easy.
Zito walked away, can't blame that on Bowler but you'll try.
Toure is out from a suspension ( his fault not Bowlers) and now out for the rest of the year with an injury, again Bowler did not inflict the injury.
Got Donoso off waivers for free, so how can that be a bad decision?

This team is in a terrible rebuilding mess. One of Bowlers true mistakes was over selling. You need to keep enough skill around to stay competitive and shelter some of the younger guys. Toure was doing that but did not end well. And of course you need a qualify coach to guide that group. Bowler failed miserably at that one. Bowler will still be around I'm sure but if he does not put a proper head coach in place with quality assistances and they flounder next year he may be the one looking for a job.

How the coaching situation is handled in the off season is far more important than what happens in the draft. If you want proof of that look at the mess in Sudbury. Top level skill all around ( except maybe goalies) and a coach that has made a disaster of it all.

I'm actually looking forward to the end of this season. Last year's playoffs and this years regular season have been something I would never wish on any teams fanbase, what a mess. Not sure it can get any worse, feel for the players. Be safe.

Why was Zito a good acquisition though? I think we can both agree Bowler was going to nostalgic route. He hadn't played a single meaningful game since March of 2023. NB had to make a decision. I have a hard time believing Bowler would have just found another guy who hadn't played an OHL game for 10 months if he didn't have a Windsor connection. Seems he likes to take the easy way out eg.. hiring Smith.

I just would like some logic and reasoning why Bowler should be back. Yes they have draft picks but that may take 2+ years to where they can be real good. Overall when you look at 04s 05s 06s 07s. This roster is clearly lacking talent. For stretches of often playing 6-7 players that are borderline OHL caliber.

I think everything needs to improve from management, coaching, drafting, player recruiting and development. Yes nailing on a coach is important but if the coach is going to be trotting out Morneau/Greenwell/Martin/Winegard/Struthers/Smith for 50 games each I don't know what you expect him to do.

 

[Section 103]

You guys know this kid?
Brayden Kane (Windsor Jr. Spitfires), played one game with Lasalle Jr. B, one point. 15 yrs old.

I know of him, but haven't seen him play. I heard he looked good in LaSalle as a young call up. Didn't embarrass himself and showed well.

 

[Cherrydon]

I ran a draft lottery simulation 10 times with the weighted odds with the Spits finishing in 19th place . The Spitfires have a 80% chance of landing 1 or 2. 3rd pick twice 20% and 4th pick once at 10%. Remember the league runs it only once and hopefully we ain't #4. Import position drops 3 with every spot dropped in the Ohl draft starting at 3 overall best possible position based on the CHL import draft league order this year.

 

[Teflon]

I dont think Zito was a poor pickup. It gained us a couple picks i believe. The problem is why he left. My info, yes he walked, only after BB not following thru on promises and a verbal confrontation with Torres regarding coaching, systems… hes a very passionate player and he was very annoyed at the lack of actual coaching going on. Not what he had envisioned for his final few months in the O! His ability, age, work ethic all could have helped the team imho. This was not all on the player by any means.

 

[ohloutsider]

Why was Zito a good acquisition though? I think we can both agree Bowler was going to nostalgic route. He hadn't played a single meaningful game since March of 2023. NB had to make a decision. I have a hard time believing Bowler would have just found another guy who hadn't played an OHL game for 10 months if he didn't have a Windsor connection. Seems he likes to take the easy way out eg.. hiring Smith.

I just would like some logic and reasoning why Bowler should be back. Yes they have draft picks but that may take 2+ years to where they can be real good. Overall when you look at 04s 05s 06s 07s. This roster is clearly lacking talent. For stretches of often playing 6-7 players that are borderline OHL caliber.

I think everything needs to improve from management, coaching, drafting, player recruiting and development. Yes nailing on a coach is important but if the coach is going to be trotting out Morneau/Greenwell/Martin/Winegard/Struthers/Smith for 50 games each I don't know what you expect him to do.

Zito played 5 games and had 6 points. Better than a point a game. Bowler would have no idea he would bail after 5 games. It wasn't an easy trade being that it involved 3 teams. Your hindsight glasses in full focus for this one.

Bowler staying on is not necessarily my choice but his long history with the ownership group will give him a longer lease. That is why I think he stays. But he certainly will have to improve and quickly if they decide to keep him into the future.

The biggest part as stated earlier is trying to backfil roster spots with JrB players and no real coach to at least setup a system that they can work with. You will see a larger than normal turn over this year and, fingers crossed, a quality coach to make it better. It can't be much worse.

If Bowler hires a quality coach it will make his own job easier and safer. That's a problem that only he can solve. Be safe.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

 

[hockeylegend11]

I dont think Zito was a poor pickup. It gained us a couple picks i believe. The problem is why he left. My info, yes he walked, only after BB not following thru on promises and a verbal confrontation with Torres regarding coaching, systems… hes a very passionate player and he was very annoyed at the lack of actual coaching going on. Not what he had envisioned for his final few months in the O! His ability, age, work ethic all could have helped the team imho. This was not all on the player by any means.

Except regarding Zito,it appears he has trouble getting along with head coaches,Savard, Niagara, North Bay and then back at Windsor.
There is no doubt he could have help the team but 4 team movements in 2 years is not a good look and he deserves more then a pass imo.