Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Off-Season Thread

[windsor7]

This season has been chaotic. Doesn't negate that tonight was entertaining. Sorry.

Chaotic?
Been horrible managed from September by Bowler.
What was entertaining about tonight? Sure wasn't the defense! Which was not there at all. Very soft!

 

[OHLTG]

There's nothing entertaining or esthetically pleasing about a team winning 11 out of 34 home games. You do you though.

I said last night was entertaining, not the season... though it had its moments. I get it, people hated this season with a passion. It was one of the most frustrating in a very long time. That doesn't meant I couldn't have enjoyed parts, though. I won't apologize for that.

 

[OHLTG]

Did anyone notice if they actually did anything for fan appreciation?

A few of us commented last night that there was nothing for the event, save for a poster and popcorn, apparently. They also did tax-free at The Crease, which was alright if you wanted that. I said "why not give out t-shirts to random fans in every section? Give out a jersey or five? Right now, it feels like a regular home game."

 

[windsor7]

A few of us commented last night that there was nothing for the event, save for a poster and popcorn, apparently. They also did tax-free at The Crease, which was alright if you wanted that. I said "why not give out t-shirts to random fans in every section? Give out a jersey or five? Right now, it feels like a regular home game."

"cheap".

 

[HockeyPops]

I actually give Bowler a lot of credit. Wait, wait, wait, hear me out first!

First off, he didn't do himself any favours with this interview response to start the season:

BB: We have a lot of talent at every position and we have a great mix of veterans and first and second-year players too. We have size, speed and skill throughout our lineup and we have a lot of depth so when the turnover in our roster happens every season it is not as drastic as it could be. I have been saving it for awhile now that we want to be competitive every season instead of loading up for just one season. We like the makeup of our team and we just have to wait and get everyone healthy and back into our lineup and see how things play out from there.

https://inplaymagazine.com/spitfire-spotlight-interview-gm-bill-bowler/

I am sure that Bowler didn't expect this season to start the way it did. Perhaps he overestimated the roster. Perhaps it was the coaching. Perhaps some of it was just variance and sheer bad luck. But lots of executives make errors along the way. It's how quickly they are able to chart a new course that separates good ones from bad ones.

I would say on that front Bowler has delivered.

Teams that are competitive every season don't need the big sell off; they have lots of depth that steps in for graduates every year. Some teams have decent depth and only need smaller "retools". But teams that don't have that depth have to cut deep.

Bowler was able to chart a completely new course, and cut as deep as anyone this season. That's what was required given the way the season started, but my belief is that there are very few execs who would have been able to bring themselves to cut as deep as Bowler did in this situation. The result could have very well been multiple seasons toiling in mediocrity. And if that had happened Bowler very well should have been a casualty at some point.

However, I don't think Bowler should be on the chopping block for anything that has happened up to this point. He has set the franchise up for success going forward. Judge him on his next head coach hire. Judge him on his upcoming draft. Judge him on the roster transactions he makes. And judge him on the on ice results next season.

I always expected Windsor to have a down season this year after the assets that were shipped out last deadline chasing a championship. It didn't work out last post season; it's hard winning a championship. But Bowler should have learned a lot from that experience, and his moves this year demonstrate that he is not afraid to make the hard choices that are required to win in this league.

I give him a lot of credit.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

I actually give Bowler a lot of credit. Wait, wait, wait, hear me out first!

First off, he didn't do himself any favours with this interview response to start the season:

https://inplaymagazine.com/spitfire-spotlight-interview-gm-bill-bowler/

I am sure that Bowler didn't expect this season to start the way it did. Perhaps he overestimated the roster. Perhaps it was the coaching. Perhaps some of it was just variance and sheer bad luck. But lots of executives make errors along the way. It's how quickly they are able to chart a new course that separates good ones from bad ones.

I would say on that front Bowler has delivered.

Teams that are competitive every season don't need the big sell off; they have lots of depth that steps in for graduates every year. Some teams have decent depth and only need smaller "retools". But teams that don't have that depth have to cut deep.

Bowler was able to chart a completely new course, and cut as deep as anyone this season. That's what was required given the way the season started, but my belief is that there are very few execs who would have been able to bring themselves to cut as deep as Bowler did in this situation. The result could have very well been multiple seasons toiling in mediocrity. And if that had happened Bowler very well should have been a casualty at some point.

However, I don't think Bowler should be on the chopping block for anything that has happened up to this point. He has set the franchise up for success going forward. Judge him on his next head coach hire. Judge him on his upcoming draft. Judge him on the roster transactions he makes. And judge him on the on ice results next season.

I always expected Windsor to have a down season this year after the assets that were shipped out last deadline chasing a championship. It didn't work out last post season; it's hard winning a championship. But Bowler should have learned a lot from that experience, and his moves this year demonstrate that he is not afraid to make the hard choices that are required to win in this league.

I give him a lot of credit.

I think we still need to ask a lot more questions though after what he said.

What he said at the beginning of the year was that GM speak or did he overrated his talent? If it's the latter that's a big concern.

Hiring of a coach is imperative but it can't be overstated that Smith was terrible. We also can't forget the mutiny that happened after the firing.

I'm not that confident in his ability as a GM. This is his 5th draft. His overall draft record is average or spotty at best. You can talk up the 22 draft but what about 20,21??? The 23 draft isn't going to be great because he sold the farm last year. He has whiffed large on the import draft. If he hits on the import pick it's more than likely because he got a top 10 pick. Hear me out though is that to be commended? He's merely doing his job and if it takes a top 10 pick if the Spits want to be better we don't want a top 10 pick often to have sustained success.

Also let's not forget the Newbury hire.

He most likely sticks around but I think people are going over their skis in regards to the 06 class. You can't win big with one good draft. The Spits has their best success built over 3 drafts. This is what Rychel did over 3 straight drafts.

Nemisz
Henrique
Cundari
Wellwood
Hackett
Hall
Ellis
Blacker
Wilson
Yogan
Ryan
Fowler
Watson
Campbell

All NHL draft picks except for Cundari but he signed an NHL deal. Nobody is asking Bowler to do that but he hasn't come remotely close to being a very good drafter.

 

[TheGremlin]

A few of us commented last night that there was nothing for the event, save for a poster and popcorn, apparently. They also did tax-free at The Crease, which was alright if you wanted that. I said "why not give out t-shirts to random fans in every section? Give out a jersey or five? Right now, it feels like a regular home game."

They used to do lots of giveaways and raffles i thought. Or win spits jersey off their back. But you are right. Last night felt like just another home game.

 

[tomschman]

I think Spellacy will be moving up in the draft rankings. He is big, has incredible speed, he can score plus he has a snarl. He slammed an Otter into the boards last night and the kid needed to have the trainer come out to help him up. The Otters didn't even cry for a penalty. He scored his 20th goal last night. If I were an NHL GM, I would be thinking about those tools and what proper coaching could do with them. I expect a huge seaon from Spellacy next year.

 

[OHLTG]

If he hits on the import pick it's more than likely because he got a top 10 pick. Hear me out though is that to be commended? He's merely doing his job and if it takes a top 10 pick if the Spits want to be better we don't want a top 10 pick often to have sustained success.

I get the "a top 10 pick should do well" approach but this brings up an issue. If he fails, people get on him (and rightfully so), but if he does well, should people shrug it off just because it's a top-10 pick? At that point, it's a no-win scenario for him and he's going to hear the jabs regardless. I'm not sure that's right. The upcoming OHL/CHL Drafts are probably the two biggest ones for him to date but, if he does well, there should be optimism and "okay, that was good", no?

 

[windsor7]

They used to do lots of giveaways and raffles i thought. Or win spits jersey off their back. But you are right. Last night felt like just another home game.

With this horrible season it was just another game...

 

[punch1943]

Bottom line…..Tonight vs London, tomorrow vs Saginaw. If the Spits lose tonight in regular or in overtime they will end up in 19th place
and will choose with a 30% chance of picking 1st in the upcoming draft.

 

[OHLTG]

Some thoughts on last night (finally)...

Goals against:

1. Erie PP. Pass comes to the top of the crease, Eichler can't corral his player and it's in the net. This seems to be the PK strategy for Windsor as they always allow a guy right in front of the goal on the PK. I don't blame Eichler; the effort was there.
2. Erie player in the slot. Had Morneau and Cristoforo right on him and still manages to score. I appreciate the stick checking but, in that case, you gotta get physical.
3. SH chance, kept, goes glove side. Everyone has to be better.
4. Misiak sneaks in from the middle of the zone, gets the puck glove side, goes blocker side.
5. Daviault drives around Winegard, goes straight for the net, and tucks it in low glove.
6. Cristoforo with a pass, misses the target, right to Erie. He falls into the boards, Otters come back, and it's in.

- Offensively, Windsor was solid when they had their chances. Greentree, Zhugin, and Abraham with multi-point nights. Abraham's making a solid case for an OA spot next season. Unfortunately, 24 shots isn't going to win on most nights. They're kind of lucky that Erie had a third-stringer in there (I believe?).
- Defensively, top-to-bottom, they have to be better. Cristoforo's passing, Winegard allowing the guy to the net, nobody covering Misiak, the list goes on. This isn't on any single person nor should it be. The team said after that they were far too soft and that's bang on. Allowing 54 shots shouldn't be acceptable.
- Donoso played his best game as a Spitfire. Too bad it waited until now.
- We saw a bit of Michael Lavigne as the 7th D. Nothing really stood out but getting some ice time isn't bad.
- Spellacy is going to score 30-35 next season. You can see the confidence oozing out and he's ready to make that next step.

- You never want to end the home portion of your season with a loss but they made it entertaining, even a bit. Get ready for London tonight and Saginaw tomorrow before draft time hits.

 

[windsor7]

Some thoughts on last night (finally)...

Goals against:

1. Erie PP. Pass comes to the top of the crease, Eichler can't corral his player and it's in the net. This seems to be the PK strategy for Windsor as they always allow a guy right in front of the goal on the PK. I don't blame Eichler; the effort was there.
2. Erie player in the slot. Had Morneau and Cristoforo right on him and still manages to score. I appreciate the stick checking but, in that case, you gotta get physical.
3. SH chance, kept, goes glove side. Everyone has to be better.
4. Misiak sneaks in from the middle of the zone, gets the puck glove side, goes blocker side.
5. Daviault drives around Winegard, goes straight for the net, and tucks it in low glove.
6. Cristoforo with a pass, misses the target, right to Erie. He falls into the boards, Otters come back, and it's in.

- Offensively, Windsor was solid when they had their chances. Greentree, Zhugin, and Abraham with multi-point nights. Abraham's making a solid case for an OA spot next season. Unfortunately, 24 shots isn't going to win on most nights. They're kind of lucky that Erie had a third-stringer in there (I believe?).
- Defensively, top-to-bottom, they have to be better. Cristoforo's passing, Winegard allowing the guy to the net, nobody covering Misiak, the list goes on. This isn't on any single person nor should it be. The team said after that they were far too soft and that's bang on. Allowing 54 shots shouldn't be acceptable.
- Donoso played his best game as a Spitfire. Too bad it waited until now.
- We saw a bit of Michael Lavigne as the 7th D. Nothing really stood out but getting some ice time isn't bad.
- Spellacy is going to score 30-35 next season. You can see the confidence oozing out and he's ready to make that next step.

- You never want to end the home portion of your season with a loss but they made it entertaining, even a bit. Get ready for London tonight and Saginaw tomorrow before draft time hits.

Entertaining?
Soft yes and have been playing that for a long time

 

[RayzorIsDull]

I get the "a top 10 pick should do well" approach but this brings up an issue. If he fails, people get on him (and rightfully so), but if he does well, should people shrug it off just because it's a top-10 pick? At that point, it's a no-win scenario for him and he's going to hear the jabs regardless. I'm not sure that's right. The upcoming OHL/CHL Drafts are probably the two biggest ones for him to date but, if he does well, there should be optimism and "okay, that was good", no?

There's an expectation for the position. He shouldn't need to have a top 10 pick to hit on an import. The fact you're mentioning both drafts are so important tells me what has happened over the past year. Every draft is important but Bowler has made this path on his own.

 

[OHLTG]

There's an expectation for the position. He shouldn't need to have a top 10 pick to hit on an import. The fact you're mentioning both drafts are so important tells me what has happened over the past year. Every draft is important but Bowler has made this path on his own.

But that doesn't answer my question - what does Bowler need to do in the drafts for the critics to say "okay, that was good"? Right now, as you said, if he does well, it's "well, he should have because they were high picks" and kind of shrugged off. If he does poorly, people will be relentless and maybe rightfully so. Neither of those are good reactions. So what needs to be done for the critics to say "Yep, he did well"?

As far as the importance of the drafts - even if they were successful this season, having this many high picks would still have been important for the future.

 

[OHL 17]

Without a new "proper", complete, coaching staff, expect the same or worse result (with a younger team) next season !

There is no excuse for what happened this season !!!!!!!

 

[TheGremlin]

Some thoughts on last night (finally)...

Goals against:

1. Erie PP. Pass comes to the top of the crease, Eichler can't corral his player and it's in the net. This seems to be the PK strategy for Windsor as they always allow a guy right in front of the goal on the PK. I don't blame Eichler; the effort was there.
2. Erie player in the slot. Had Morneau and Cristoforo right on him and still manages to score. I appreciate the stick checking but, in that case, you gotta get physical.
3. SH chance, kept, goes glove side. Everyone has to be better.
4. Misiak sneaks in from the middle of the zone, gets the puck glove side, goes blocker side.
5. Daviault drives around Winegard, goes straight for the net, and tucks it in low glove.
6. Cristoforo with a pass, misses the target, right to Erie. He falls into the boards, Otters come back, and it's in.

- Offensively, Windsor was solid when they had their chances. Greentree, Zhugin, and Abraham with multi-point nights. Abraham's making a solid case for an OA spot next season. Unfortunately, 24 shots isn't going to win on most nights. They're kind of lucky that Erie had a third-stringer in there (I believe?).
- Defensively, top-to-bottom, they have to be better. Cristoforo's passing, Winegard allowing the guy to the net, nobody covering Misiak, the list goes on. This isn't on any single person nor should it be. The team said after that they were far too soft and that's bang on. Allowing 54 shots shouldn't be acceptable.
- Donoso played his best game as a Spitfire. Too bad it waited until now.
- We saw a bit of Michael Lavigne as the 7th D. Nothing really stood out but getting some ice time isn't bad.
- Spellacy is going to score 30-35 next season. You can see the confidence oozing out and he's ready to make that next step.

- You never want to end the home portion of your season with a loss but they made it entertaining, even a bit. Get ready for London tonight and Saginaw tomorrow before draft time hits.

The thing the stood out with Lavigne is it seemed like he actually had decent coaching in LaSalle. He was actually out there taking the body unlike the other 6 guys on D.

 

[windsor7]

The thing the stood out with Lavigne is it seemed like he actually had decent coaching in LaSalle. He was actually out there taking the body unlike the other 6 guys on D.

Actual coaching does wonders..

 

[Cherrydon]

Bowler had a home run in the 2022 draft with the 06's. Last year's draft still TBD. Nesbitt and Manzo likely continue to develop well. Not bad for limited picks. 21 yr major draft bust. Miedema 4th Overall never flourished. Ride moved, O'Flaherty moved and cut loose, Martin ok. 2020 Abraham only one still left, Pitre deal still stings. Not trying to get that started. 2019 Johnston was a home run but that was it. Import Eichler-just ok. Nothing more. Hebek, Baisov busts. Sobolev great but moved when it is a year we needed exactly his style and leadership. So Bowler is riding a low % of draft success if you take away the 22 draft class of 06's really poor history. That's the worry for most fans.

 

[windsor7]

Joey in net

 

[spits]

Bowler had a home run in the 2022 draft with the 06's. Last year's draft still TBD. Nesbitt and Manzo likely continue to develop well. Not bad for limited picks. 21 yr major draft bust. Miedema 4th Overall never flourished. Ride moved, O'Flaherty moved and cut loose, Martin ok. 2020 Abraham only one still left, Pitre deal still stings. Not trying to get that started. 2019 Johnston was a home run but that was it. Import Eichler-just ok. Nothing more. Hebek, Baisov busts. Sobolev great but moved when it is a year we needed exactly his style and leadership. So Bowler is riding a low % of draft success if you take away the 22 draft class of 06's really poor history. That's the worry for most fans.

Regarding the import draft, its hard to bring in a top guy when you have one of the last picks every year in a draft with no Russians. If he doesn't bring in a solid NHL prospect in this year's import draft then yeah, I won't be happy. It's pretty hard to mess up the import draft picking as high as they are this season.

One of the teams drafting ahead of them this year is Val-d'Or. That likely isn't a desired destination for European players.

 

[punch1943]

Joey in net

Needs to start both games. Donoso should be done for the season unless injury or blowout.

---

 

[Cherrydon]

Regarding the import draft, its hard to bring in a top guy when you have one of the last picks every year in a draft with no Russians. If he doesn't bring in a solid NHL prospect in this year's import draft then yeah, I won't be happy. It's pretty hard to mess up the import draft picking as high as they are this season.

One of the teams drafting ahead of them this year is Val-d'Or. That likely isn't a desired destination for European players.

Our worst draft import selection in the the past 12 years was 56th overall Hebek. We should have better results.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Who knows what will amount from the 2007 draft? I’m much more concerned with the 07’s we’ve drafted and the 08s were about the draft than the 04/05. Our 04’s aren’t good, our 05’s are worse. Out of 6 04’s and 5 05’s there’s 3/11 I want to see return. Abraham (04), Joey (05), Eichler (05). Martin as a 4th liner, I’d be fine with. 3rd if he progresses.

This will also be the best picks we’ve had since I started following the spits a decade ago.

It will also be a lot easier to pick up some quality 04/05 born guys than 06/07 guys next year.

Yeah our 04/05 batch is weak. But honestly, they’re affordable to replace with what we have.

I’d be hesitant to spend on 04’s, but bringing in 2 05’s that have OA potential? I’m fine with spending on.

 

[OHLTG]

Bring in an OA D and maybe an OA F if there's an upgrade on Morneau, for a reasonable price. Abraham is your OA F to start.

Our 05s would have been good if we kept them. Miedema/O'FL/Ride >> Struthers/Greenwell/Toms, which is essentially who replaced them this season.