Teflon
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- Jan 6, 2018
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Torres is NOT head coach material!! You now need a name and a solid resume. After what just happened you dont have the luxury to higher someone you hope gets it done!
Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)
- Thread starter nelli27
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Honestly NHL assistant coaches make 200k-400k OHL Head coaches range 100k-200k. Who with a big name is going to come down a level to coach an OHL team. Someone fired because they are not any good? The OHL is a stepping stone for upcoming coaches. I ain't saying Torres can or cannot do the job but we have a former Junior B HC assisting a former AHL assistant coach and this team has turned it around with less talent since the start with exits of Dionicio and Christopoulis. Reality is we have a rebuilding team with an ownership group invested in a NHL team currently . I don't believe the wallet will suddenly open or Smith wouldn't have been hired. Savard came in with 0 experience but because he had a good NHL career he was going to be a good coach? He did well. Who is to say Torres can't be really effective? Financially he is already paid for the season. I don't see much happening the rest of the year. What is going on with Wellwood? Not returning to the Marlies nor A-coached one game this year. His leave must be serious enough that the Marlies replaced him. Hope all is going to work out for him. Loved him as a player here.
OHLTG
Registered User
Out of curiosity - who are the bigger names that might be available?
I'm not going to write off any names just because they haven't been a HC elsewhere. If we did that, you wouldn't have had Boughner, Thompson, or Savard.
I'm not going to write off any names just because they haven't been a HC elsewhere. If we did that, you wouldn't have had Boughner, Thompson, or Savard.
ohloutsider
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Personally don't see any movement on a head coach until the summer. But they will and have to hire at least 1 ( maybe 2) assistant. Can't see Bowler wanting to ride the buses until March.
Having posted you know something will happen soon.
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Having posted you know something will happen soon.
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OHLTG
Registered User
Personally don't see any movement on a head coach until the summer. But they will and have to hire at least 1 ( maybe 2) assistant. Can't see Bowler wanting to ride the buses until March.
Having posted you know something will happen soon.
Per Windsor Star - head coach first, then assistants.
"Bowler admits the club is still exploring options and, until the head coaching post is filled, there are also no plans to replace Delmore or Leighton at this point, either.
“(Being on the bench) has allowed me to get close to the team and we’ll take our time and be thorough and, in time, make the best move for the team not just for this year, but in the future,” Bowler said. “A lot of people have reached out wanting to be part of this organization, but, until will fill the head coaching position, it’s premature to fill out the other roles. We’re actively looking, but we have to be patient.”"
Good point regarding the 3 names you mentioned, Boughner as coach 2 Mem Cup wins,Thompson 1 Mem Cup win,Savard 2-1st place finishes,a Conference championship.
Torres did mention that he would be interested in the head coaching job full time,and unlike most is getting an audition for that coveted job as we speak and while it's obviously early,the returns so far are good.
ohloutsider
Registered User
Well I guess we will see. Hard time of year to find an unemployed quality head coach. That clip almost makes you nervous. I know he is not saying it but I can see this being rushed.
I like to give people a chance but Bowler is not winning my confidence at this point.
OHLTG
Registered User
The weird thing is that I can see why no HC experience would give people hesitation given that was Smith's position. However, general history is on Windsor's side for that, along with a few other examples (Eric Wellwood, DJ Smith, Paul McFarland) that did well in the same boat. There are no guarantees in this game but you can't brush someone aside just because they've only been an assistant elsewhere.
If the club can continue to win with Torres in charge, I think he becomes a viable option. We've seen five games which is a very small sample size, but it's been (probably) their best stretch this season.
With regards to the candidate pool - When Bowler announced Smith/Torres stuff, he said he was going to dip into the pool of candidates from the summer, but he also knew that said pool would be smaller given it's November.
Penny pinching..
There wasn't much of a list before.
That is just wishing there was..
Teflon
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- Jan 6, 2018
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Ok i wont get into much but Torres doesnt have many fans in the hockey world as far as HC material. Skills guy? For sure but not HC. Im also not hooked on an nhl guy but, asst’s wanting to be HC need experience. Also theres lots of ahl echl coaches out there im sure interested. Whats up with Welly? Dont know but id call him for sure! The comment from BB saying he’d dip into the pile from the summer i find amusing, there was no pool!! Smith was the hire, end of story. Pool for asst’s? Maybe, but that dried up when Smith was announced. I don’t expect anyone to just believe my comments and thats cool. But ive had chats with multiple insiders, players, families etc. BB is not well liked in hockey circles, that includes his own. I stand by my info/sources and that leads me to believe this wont be an easy process.
Folks have no trouble reminding us of past indiscretions but yet no one mentions BB’s own mistakes when he was a player! So yes i have issues with the guy running this ship, issues on many levels. Imho he too needs to be removed from his position!
Folks have no trouble reminding us of past indiscretions but yet no one mentions BB’s own mistakes when he was a player! So yes i have issues with the guy running this ship, issues on many levels. Imho he too needs to be removed from his position!
OHLTG
Registered User
The only thing that has been said about him is "medical leave" for "an indefinite amount of time."
Hopefully he’s okay. Wonder if it’s just a situation that made him want to be closer to home?
If so maybe this is a temporary fix that could lead to something long term if the fit works. Wishful thinking.
The Torres stretch has DEFINITELY been the best stretch this season. However, tha not saying much. Torres is one win away from tying Jerrod Smith in all time wins s a Windsor HC, 5 games into his tenure.
Honestly, going from a shot at a top 4
pick to a 5-8 pick sounds far less appealing.
A 8 vs 1 reverse matchup with Kitchener could be a lot of fun even if we lose - just for the shot at revenge. I don’t expect it.. but that’s really the only potential series that peaks my interest.
I’ll take a top 4 pick and missing the playoffs if the alternative is the Knights lol
pick to a 5-8 pick sounds far less appealing.
A 8 vs 1 reverse matchup with Kitchener could be a lot of fun even if we lose - just for the shot at revenge. I don’t expect it.. but that’s really the only potential series that peaks my interest.
I’ll take a top 4 pick and missing the playoffs if the alternative is the Knights lol
Honestly, going from a shot at a top 4
pick to a 5-8 pick sounds far less appealing.
A 8 vs 1 reverse matchup with Kitchener could be a lot of fun even if we lose - just for the shot at revenge. I don’t expect it.. but that’s really the only potential series that peaks my interest.
pick to a 5-8 pick sounds far less appealing.
A 8 vs 1 reverse matchup with Kitchener could be a lot of fun even if we lose - just for the shot at revenge. I don’t expect it.. but that’s really the only potential series that peaks my interest.
ohloutsider
Registered User
No need to repeat yourself. Ignored you the first time, just kidding of course. LOL.
That would make a lot of sense about Torres. I mean he was still out there and available in August. That's not an indictment on him but other than Windsor there weren't many other HC openings available.
In regards to Bowler he was director of player development/Head Coach and GM over a 3 year span. Two of those years he presided over were some of the worst seasons the Maroons saw in over a decade.
We don't need to delve into his past but I know and most know what you're referring to.
It doesn't matter to me if Bowler sticks around the frustrating part is we know people love to use the word "cyclical" but as we have seen here what he did last year has been extremely detrimental for the present and the future.
I understand why Bowler is on the bench but also due to how he managed the roster and he doesn't have much flexibility. Abraham/Castle have cratered their value, you could trade them I guess but you won't get much for them. Colton Smith as well. So regardless of Bowler being on the bench he has to figure out the roster, needs to have a clear vision and clean this mess up.
The playoffs are still an extreme long shot. Every team in the west has played more than 25 games, 29 for Kitchener. Right now the Spits are 11 points out (Erie .500). If they continued to play .500 hockey the Spits would have to get 54 points in their next 42 games. The Spits would have to play .642 hockey in order to achieve that. There are 3 teams playing .660 hockey or above Kitchener/Saginaw/Soo. .642 hockey is extremely unlikely I think your top 4 pick is safe.
Top 4 would ne nice. Our last top 4 was Miedema at 4th. Johnston was 6th overall, Villardi at 2nd overall. Ho-sang was a 5th overall. 50/50 boom or bust. Obviously Johnston and Villardi are not the busts
ohloutsider
Registered User
Big home stand starts tonight. Windsor playing 3 games in 4 days against teams that are all closer to them in the standings. All 3 games you would hope will be close. Huge test for the new coaching direction with a full week of practice behind them. If there is ever going to be a chance to claw their way back into a playoff spot this weekend is it. To even have a realistic shot they need 5 to 6 points out of this home stand. Now is this going to happen? Likely not but one needs to have some hope to stay engaged.
Biggest concern is goaltending. Need both goalies dialed in and team D to at least give them a shot.
Hoping for some entertaining hockey.
Prediction for tonight- Spits win 5-4 in OT
Biggest concern is goaltending. Need both goalies dialed in and team D to at least give them a shot.
Hoping for some entertaining hockey.
Prediction for tonight- Spits win 5-4 in OT
Taylor Hall was a 2nd overall, great success there,Erie took Ryan O'Reilly 1st overall,major reason Hall refused to go there if drafted by them.
Agree goaltending has been an issue though not lately,last 3 games on the road,excluding empty netters only 5 goals against,3 against Michelone in 2 games,both wins,2 against Costanzo a loss at Barrie last week.
I imagine Michelone gets the start vs the Colts tonight especially coming off his shutout win at Guelph last Friday.
Other changes I might make though not punishment related for poor play would be Struthers in for Martin upfront, perhaps Castle in for Morneau upfront too,both Martin and Morneau on the 4th line currently, interchangeable imo,Struthers only player who hasn't played at least 1 game under the new coaching,besides Castle and Struthers have played only in the East before this year so there is some familiarity there.
Now if Christoforo is ready then I might dress 7D,no game tomorrow so no worries about using 11 forwards,7D setup,if that's the case wouldn't use Castle then.
One game at a time my motto,continue playing like most of the past 2 weeks in all areas things should be fine.
OHLTG
Registered User
Four game home stand, including next Thurs, is a great chance to see what they can do. It's such an odd schedule - five road, four home, three road leading into NYE.
As for the lineup - I don't see anything changing. If it's not broke, don't fix it.
As for the lineup - I don't see anything changing. If it's not broke, don't fix it.
A big name coach that might be available soon is DJ Smith. The Senators are last in their division.
OHLTG
Registered User
I was thinking about that the other day but they just hired Martin to help Smith out so I'd guess that management wants to see how that works over a period of time.
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