Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Off-Season Thread

[HockeyPops]

Pareto Principle. In a nutshell it's similar to the idea of low hanging fruit. 20% of the problems cause 80% of the issues.

 

[OHLTG]

Random thing - the Spitfires have played in two (2) Leap Day games since 1999. They're 2-0; one at home, one on the road.

 

[ohloutsider]

Random thing - the Spitfires have played in two (2) Leap Day games since 1999. They're 2-0; one at home, one on the road.

And now you jinxed it! Although losing is not the worst thing.

 

[OHLTG]

Donoso in goal.

 

[windsor7]

Matin joins the usual scratches Zito n outwater
Can't take any dumb penalties tonight

 

[windsor7]

Bowler behind bench

 

[Cherrydon]

Newberry gone for the season. Suspension from Hockey Canada. BOWLER for the rest of the season behind the bench?

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Newberry gone for the season. Suspension from Hockey Canada. BOWLER for the rest of the season behind the bench?

Newbury won't be back at all imo. Guessing the Spits didn't vet the hiring process.

 

[windsor7]

I am guessing Newbury won't be back at all. Guessing the Spits didn't vet the hiring process.

Should just get rid of them all when season is done.
Start fresh.

 

[Cherrydon]

Bowler will not make any comment. Ask Hockey Canada? Anyone know what happened in Newberry's past ? Bowler hired him with or without the knowledge of pending discipline. Shaky ground, wonder why someone mid-season wants to join a bottom feeder club at the time. Now have the answer. Thin ice, take any job offered??

 

[windsor7]

Bowler will not make any comment. Ask Hockey Canada? Anyone know what happened in Newberry's past ? Bowler hired him with or without the knowledge of pending discipline. Shaky ground, wonder why someone mid-season wants to join a bottom feeder club at the time. Now have the answer. Thin ice, take any job offered??

Bad hiring..

 

[Cherrydon]

Bad hiring..

Absolutely . This is a as bad a hire as Smith. There is no way in the hockey circles Bowler was not aware of pending discipline for his past.

 

[windsor7]

Absolutely . This is a as bad a hire as Smith. There is no way in the hockey circles Bowler was not aware of pending discipline for his past.

Maybe u turn a blind eye for friends...
Doesn't work well for running a business though sometimes..

 

[OHLTG]

I want to know what Bowler knew and when. If he knew before hiring, it shouldn't have happened.

 

[ohloutsider]

Absolutely . This is a as bad a hire as Smith. There is no way in the hockey circles Bowler was not aware of pending discipline for his past.

Yes, not a good look especially not wanting to answer the why's when asked.

 

[Cherrydon]

I want to know what Bowler knew and when. If he knew before hiring, it shouldn't have happened.

Agree. The hush hush to why he was suspended is definitely concerning and Bowler stating he will not comment on it tells me he liklely new better and hired him anyways.

 

[ohloutsider]

Agree. The hush hush to why he was suspended is definitely concerning and Bowler stating he will not comment on it tells me he liklely new better and hired him anyways.

I will argue some things for Bowler but no way you can defend this.

 

[OHLTG]

Agree. The hush hush to why he was suspended is definitely concerning and Bowler stating he will not comment on it tells me he liklely new better and hired him anyways.

Where did he say no comment? (I haven't seen, that's all)

 

[Cherrydon]

I thought the "keeping things quiet for Hockey Canada " was over after the WJC debacle. Think of the types of things they would keep quiet about and none are good. Hazing? abuse of a player? Hopefully someone sheds light on the topic. I've defended Bowler over Smith thinking his hands were internally tied but this hiring was not internal.

Where did he say no comment? (I haven't seen, that's all)

The broadcast tonight said Bowler said he will not comment about it and to ask Hockey Canada about it. I didn't go to tonight's game.

 

[ohloutsider]

Where did he say no comment? (I haven't seen, that's all)

Chris the p by p guy said there would be no comments from Bowler and he said contact hockey Canada if you wish more info, so Nick laughed and said did he give you the phone number? There was a smerk in there.

 

[Cherrydon]

Chris the p by p guy said there would be no comments from Bowler and he said contact hockey Canada if you wish more info, so Nick laughed and said did he give you the phone number? There was a smerk in there.

Exactly. Nothing to smirk about though.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

I want to know what Bowler knew and when. If he knew before hiring, it shouldn't have happened.

I am supposed to get the missing 20 minutes of Watergate. After that I will contact Hockey Canada about this.

 

[ohloutsider]

Exactly. Nothing to smirk about though.

I think the smirk was directed at Bowler.

 

[Cherrydon]

I think the smirk was directed at Bowler.

Than it is warranted. No pun intended lol

 

[DetSpitsFan]

The 05s are Outwater, Costanzo, Martin, Winegard, Eichler, Greenwell. That's not a strong group and those are your 19 year olds in 24-25. I would be hard pressed to commit to any of those for an OA year.

Joey will be. Teams are always willing to move OA's though, I'm not worried about the other two spots a year+ out.

04 Group:
Smith, Morneau, Zhugin, Abraham, Toms, Struthers. Most we can have is 3, I'd like less from that.

I think Abraham has solidified his spot. It seems clear Toms and Struthers get cut loose, if we had more bodies/cards, I don't know if they'd even be playing now. Smith may weasel his way into a spot, but I don't like it. Has he ever worn the A even? Personally I'd fill Morneau in that spot over Smith. He has 3 more points, in 2 more games, and has a better +/- by 2 than Smith. Morneau I could see being a leader as well. Sure, maybe he doesn't have all the tools for the next level but it seems that he's putting forth the effort to get the most out of what he's got. Smith isn't that rough and tough forward we thought we were getting so the "Protect the young guys" storyline doesn't work. I think Eichler is more likely to play an OA year in Windsor than Zhugin is, just with the way the years line up. Zhugin just doesn't fit, Eichler has been suitable on D, where we all acknowledge we need the help.

Greentree, Davis, Spellacy, Abraham, Nesbitt, (sigh) Probably Smith, Morneau? We don't have an 03' forward now and Zhugin already isn't in the Top 6. Offseason acquisitions? Another rookie that earns a few extra minutes? Outwater returning (not saying much - but a body that's all but guaranteed back).
Is Zhugin worthy of an import spot? Yes. Is Zhugin worthy of an OA spot? Maybe. Both? On a team that will be in year 2 of a 3/4 year rebuild? I don't think so.

My guess at OA's:
Abraham - Bad year sell at deadline, good year keep
Smith - Good year sell and upgrade, bad year, he sticks around
Morneau - Can't imagine trade value is much I think he finishes here if he gets the slot to begin with