Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 3)

[LeProspector]

Cristoforo is going to be a very high scoring OHL defender, no doubt. but he has very real defensive flaws in his game, and his size is not ideal for the current NHL. Could he make it? Yes but he is by no means a sure thing.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Guy wasn’t invited to the CHL Prospects game for good reason. Could get an invite though injury but it speaks volumes that NHL personal who select the rosters left him off completely. Ya’know the guys who’s opinion actually counts when it comes to the draft.

Based on his play of late, and if it continues could be included because of injury as u mentioned, he has improved of late no question overall.

 

[LeProspector]

Based on his play of late, and if it continues could be included because of injury as u mentioned, he has improved of late no question overall.

He better hope that all the scouts in the stands that are there to watch Greentree see your improvement. Because I wouldn’t at all be surprsied if many wrote him off during that pitiful stretch of games at the start of the year and may not want another look.

Small defender, not the greatest skater, and questionable defence seem to be the read on him.

 

[OHLTG]

He better hope that all the scouts in the stands that are there to watch Greentree see your improvement. Because I wouldn’t at all be surprsied if many wrote him off during that pitiful stretch of games at the start of the year and may not want another look.

Small defender, not the greatest skater, and questionable defence seem to be the read on him.

There are numerous scouts there every game. He was on the NHL's radar in October and has improved since then. Nobody expects him to be a "sure thing" or guaranteed first-rounder. However, third or fourth round isn't out of the question and, if the last month is any indication, he's trending up.

 

[hockeylegend11]

He better hope that all the scouts in the stands that are there to watch Greentree see your improvement. Because I wouldn’t at all be surprsied if many wrote him off during that pitiful stretch of games at the start of the year and may not want another look.

Small defender, not the greatest skater, and questionable defence seem to be the read on him.

It didn't help that he missed most of training camp and all of the exhibition season due to injury.

 

[LeProspector]

There are numerous scouts there every game. He was on the NHL's radar in October and has improved since then. Nobody expects him to be a "sure thing" or guaranteed first-rounder. However, third or fourth round isn't out of the question and, if the last month is any indication, he's trending up.

Scouts are likey there for Davis/Greentree more than Cristoforo and No, he has not improved since the start of the year. many had him as a fringe first rounder. He has fallen like a rock since theN (aside from Sam Constantino who decided to place him 32nd in his latest rankings for sportsnet, lets you know how much he’s actually seen of Anthony this year).

i think you’re correct with the range though, 3rd-6th is where I’d slate Him to goC which is very disasapointing given expectations coming into the year.

 

[Fischhaber]

You guys think Oliver Peer gets moved in the coming days? Where do you think he falls in value between say, Jack Beck (2+3) and Connor Lockhart (3+5). I was shocked with how little Christopoulos went for.

 

[LeProspector]

You guys think Oliver Peer gets moved in the coming days? Where do you think he falls in value between say, Jack Beck (2+3) and Connor Lockhart (3+5). I was shocked with how little Christopoulos went for.

Windsor would be smart to move on from him. but they probably keep him with how back the returns have been for O/A’s. he’s for sure closer to Beck than Lockhart though.

 

[OHLTG]

Scouts are likey there for Davis/Greentree more than Cristoforo and No, he has not improved since the start of the year. many had him as a fringe first rounder. He has fallen like a rock since theN (aside from Sam Constantino who decided to place him 32nd in his latest rankings for sportsnet, lets you know how much he’s actually seen of Anthony this year).

i think you’re correct with the range though, 3rd-6th is where I’d slate Him to goC which is very disasapointing given expectations coming into the year.

He has improved since the start of the season. Maybe not as much as people would like but it's there, I've seen it every game. I get that expectations were higher but we're a month into the coaching changes. Let's see how the second half goes and go from there.

You guys think Oliver Peer gets moved in the coming days? Where do you think he falls in value between say, Jack Beck (2+3) and Connor Lockhart (3+5). I was shocked with how little Christopoulos went for.

Do I think so? Yes. Do I WANT it? No. He's exactly what the Spitfires need, both on the ice and in the room. One of the classic character kids you'll see and I'd hate to see him be shipped out. That said, if you're going to do the move, 2+3 or 3+player would be preferred.

 

[Teflon]

Rumours have ramped up but ive not heard anything with substance, yet! This team could certainly look different if some if the noise is true. I think theres some info being floated for other reasons tho… guess we’ll see.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Agree with what you have written, Spits with the win are now 7-4 since the coaching change,which I like,but more impressive they are 5-2 on the road since the change, at home 2-2 since the coaching change.

To add to the above Spits after last night's win are now 3-2 vs the East on the road,last year they were 3-7 vs the East on the road and didn't notch the 3rd win till the last game vs the East at Kingston in late February.
Should also mention last year Windsor finished 10-0 at home vs the East.
This season so far however at home Spits are 2-3-1-0 vs the East.

 

[windsor7]

He better hope that all the scouts in the stands that are there to watch Greentree see your improvement. Because I wouldn’t at all be surprsied if many wrote him off during that pitiful stretch of games at the start of the year and may not want another look.

Small defender, not the greatest skater, and questionable defence seem to be the read on him.

Scared to be physical at all..

 

[punch1943]

Rumours have ramped up but ive not heard anything with substance, yet! This team could certainly look different if some if the noise is true. I think theres some info being floated for other reasons tho… guess we’ll see.

Other reasons I’m guessing are as an incentive to play better in hopes of getting dealt and for those who may have indicated they wish to escape.

 

[ohloutsider]

So my take. Cristoforo has improved but no where near what was expected of him. Maybe the bar was set to high? He was actually trying to make some hits last night but size is an issue for him and he hasn't figured out a work around yet. He also had a brutal giveaway in his own end so lots for him to work on. I still see the potential but he needs to see what works for him and then capitalize on that .

Spellacy and Zhugin are turn over machines but somehow get a pass on this thread. Every year one player gets the focus of the complaints and this year it is Cristoforo. Reminds me of the steady comments on Henault. Yet he is playing pro hockey.

I thought Smith had his best game last night. Was hard on the puck and seemed to hang with the play and not the usual quit. Had some nice chances and looked good on the PK.

The future - Spits would make the playoffs if they stayed with the same group but I don't think they will. Unfortunately rebuilding and a high pick will take president over a playoff spot. Peer is what every teams wants so I see him as moved. Others that might surprise is Michelone and Zhugin.
Abraham is also interesting but they can't trade everyone, or can they?

Anyway onward and forward to the next game.

 

[punch1943]

So my take. Cristoforo has improved but no where near what was expected of him. Maybe the bar was set to high? He was actually trying to make some hits last night but size is an issue for him and he hasn't figured out a work around yet. He also had a brutal giveaway in his own end so lots for him to work on. I still see the potential but he needs to see what works for him and then capitalize on that .

Spellacy and Zhugin are turn over machines but somehow get a pass on this thread. Every year one player gets the focus of the complaints and this year it is Cristoforo. Reminds me of the steady comments on Henault. Yet he is playing pro hockey.

I thought Smith had his best game last night. Was hard on the puck and seemed to hang with the play and not the usual quit. Had some nice chances and looked good on the PK.

The future - Spits would make the playoffs if they stayed with the same group but I don't think they will. Unfortunately rebuilding and a high pick will take president over a playoff spot. Peer is what every teams wants so I see him as moved. Others that might surprise is Michelone and Zhugin.
Abraham is also interesting but they can't trade everyone, or can they?

Anyway onward and forward to the next game.

I agree that if the Spits stand pat they could make it into the playoffs but at what price. Next couple of years will be much more important in the long run for this franchise.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Hope everyone had a great Christmas/holiday.

Re Christoforo/06 Group: I think we put way too much stock in him as a 16 year old. He struggled early, no doubt about that, and he's playing better now. Based on how strong he looked coming into the league, I think most just expected a big elevation from Year 1 to Year 2, that we never really got out of him.
IMO Greentree has exceed expectations, Christoforo has fell short. As a Spitfires fan… I don't hate this. It's great to see players develop and move on to the next level, but I watch a lot more OHL than NHL. I think Christoforo has 'something'. I'm not writing him off, he's a smaller defensemen even in today's game, and if he takes an extra year to develop, we could end up with a stud in a few years from now, we thought would be gone.
Spellacy is another one who's been a bit underwhelming, especially on the stat sheet. It's like he hasn't been the same since that injury last year. However, his speed is insane, if the rest of his game could catch up, it could be something to see. I wonder if it's a case of growing into his frame.

I'm torn on Peer. I'd be happy for him to join a contender, but he makes things a lot of fun to watch here and I'd love to hang onto him. I think if the price is right, it's worth a move, but I'd want multiple draft picks above the fifth round. With limited cards, I don't know if any players we'd get back would be worth it. If Peer's moved we'd have an open OA spot, unless we get an OA back. In a Peer trade, I wouldn't want anything that's useless come May, and if there's a player, I'd want a younger one, but I don't know if Peer justifies a pick and a younger player, that could almost immediately slot into our Top 2 Lines. Do Nesbitt/Spellacy/Morneau/Smith/Outwater/Martin deserve 2nd line minutes right now? I'd argue against all 6.

The Only 04's I'd even consider keeping around are Zhugin (As stated, got a good import pick in 23'), and Abraham (Who hasn't reached his potential yet IMO). I see some upside with both, and while not an exceptional OA spot, skilled enough to keep around. Even then, I wouldn't be heartbroken to see either of them moved.

Only issue is we have two productive lines and that's it. Anyone in those Top 6 moved, creates a hole, that makes line 2 easier to shutdown that could drastically impact our offense.

Stand Pat? I see this team under new coaching reaching that 8th seed. Sell Hard? Could go back to being what it was during Smith… Which, I think is almost worst case scenario, because that would kill confidence in these kids who are now starting to see optimism and results half way through the season.

For the sake of wanting to keep those younger guys with potential in our system, and not asking for trades out, I'd go conservative Seller.

We've moved some pieces, got some picks, I'd like more… but I just don't know what would be worth shaking things up now the team is starting to bond.

 

[OHLTG]

We've moved some pieces, got some picks, I'd like more… but I just don't know what would be worth shaking things up now the team is starting to bond.

This is a big thing. From all I've heard, the room is tighter than it's been all season and I'm not sure you want to disrupt that more than needed. That's one reason I'm very hesitant to give up Peer. The kid is a total character, a leader, and someone you could really use in the second half. While he's not the same level on the ice, he reminds me a lot of Maggio off of it. Going "hey, let's send him out for picks" is tough for me.

 

[HockeyPops]

I think Windsor is positioned to rebound quickly and make some noise next year. Playoff experience should absolutely be the goal this year. Sell if you can while still squeaking in, if not it's likely better to ride this current group to the 8th seed.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

OH and the Refs. They get a lot of gripe on here, and I am aware this is a development league for them as well. I've umpired my fair share of baseball games to know, the officiating position isn't a glamorous one, and mix in some penalty calls that are a bit less/black and white, it's tough.

But I've watched that Greentree replay a dozen times. It's even included in the game recap on the OHL Scores. How do you have four officials watching this go down, with NOTHING else happening on the ice (Uh, Penalty Shot, Duh) and come to such a quick conclusion that puck never went in.

The "Ah that was a missed call" or "Come on Ref, that was a hook", is apart of the game, and whoever you're rooting for will often get some bias. Understood. That's Hockey.

But I have not seen an angle (I'd love the overhead, Pretty sure they used 2, live time and a different for the replay), that hasn't shown me that puck went off the back bar. If that thing hit the cross bar, they must be using some new kind of metal, because I've never seen a puck bounce off the cross bar like that before.

 

[OHLTG]

But I have not seen an angle (I'd love the overhead, Pretty sure they used 2, live time and a different for the replay), that hasn't shown me that puck went off the back bar. If that thing hit the cross bar, they must be using some new kind of metal, because I've never seen a puck bounce off the cross bar like that before.

There was a replay posted on Facebook where it looks like it hits the crossbar. I want to be wrong but I haven't seen any replay where it clearly goes in. If someone has that, please post it.

(That said, I'm surprised we haven't seen an overhead shot. That would be decisive.)

 

[DetSpitsFan]

This is a big thing. From all I've heard, the room is tighter than it's been all season and I'm not sure you want to disrupt that more than needed. That's one reason I'm very hesitant to give up Peer. The kid is a total character, a leader, and someone you could really use in the second half. While he's not the same level on the ice, he reminds me a lot of Maggio off of it. Going "hey, let's send him out for picks" is tough for me.

I kind of get that too. I'm not in the room, but from what I see on socials and interviews, he seems genuine and a bit goofy, which can really lighten the mood in a room when you get your teeth kicked in for 20 games. To have him being a driving factor to getting them out of that rut, makes me think his value in that room is way higher than the trade block.

It would be nice to cash-in on a FA Signing, and get something from nothing, but he seems like a character guy, and finishing his OHL career as a Spitfire would be kind of nice. He's also the only OA I see fighting for an AHL spot next year.

 

[OHLTG]

On the Missy broadcast last night, they were talking about how Peer and someone were shooting chirps back and forth between the benches. I said out loud "Peer's probably confusing the hell out of the player and laughing the whole time."

 

[ohloutsider]

Not against Peer staying for all the reasons stated . The issue is he is one of the sought after OA's so the offer maybe too much to turn down. A hard one really but I'm afraid Bowler is not too concerned about what the players bring other than on the ice. exhibit #1 - the DeAngelis trade. Handled extremely poorly!

The goal for me looked like it hit the crossbar from one angle and in on the second one they showed. The fact that they waved it off so quickly tells me that the overhead had a definite not in view.

 

[OHLTG]

The other thing to consider is that Bowler's already traded three fan favourites in DeA, Christo, and Dionicio. Peer's right up there, if not beyond, in popularity. How do you explain that to the fans who booed him after the last deal?

 

[windsor7]

On the Missy broadcast last night, they were talking about how Peer and someone were shooting chirps back and forth between the benches. I said out loud "Peer's probably confusing the hell out of the player and laughing the whole time."

He's too busy drinking pickle juice...

The other thing to consider is that Bowler's already traded three fan favourites in DeA, Christo, and Dionicio. Peer's right up there, if not beyond, in popularity. How do you explain that to the fans who booed him after the last deal?

He deserved the boo's