Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 4)

[RayzorIsDull]

I am one who has been critical on 74 for one reason. Show me the same effort defensively as the effort he shows to pinch and jump in the play offensively and my criticism would change. Stays out on offensive rushes when should be changing with the opportunity after a long shift. Some of that is obviously not ernforced by the coaching staff. Like any kid staying out late with no reprocussions, boundaries get pushed. Appears non committed to anyone on the team or goalie but himself. Around the defensive net, feet usually standing still, slight stick sweep as to not try to be involved at all costs. Definitely has glimpses of good talent and hockey smarts. Loved his rookie season last year and not sure why this year is a seemingly steady regression. Take Woodall, same size but will give his best to physically engage defensively and has stepped up trying to protect his teammates even when he knows he will take the brunt. That is a team player. If you could only keep 1 of those 2 players, whom woukd yiu keep?

That's the biggest issue. Zero accountability with this team. Ass meets bench, bench retains ass. Ass transmits signal to brain, brain transmits signal to body. Body gets ass off bench and plays better.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Where have I ignored anything to this point? Every one of us is well aware of how bad they were in the first 21 games. We should also be aware of how they've improved since then (9-6-2-2 or something). If we're looking at the bad start, would it not be fair to look at the improvement since then?

None of us know what's going to happen with Torres next season so "if he's not your coach that also tells you something" can't really apply right now, right? So far, he's done well with the club, as their record under him indicates. Is it good enough to keep him in the position long-term? TBD. Right now, we take the good with the bad, which is only logical to me.


Anyone who stays out longer than they should needs to be disciplined accordingly. To me, that's not limited to Cristoforo or any one player.

At times, yes, he looks like he's in no-mans land but, having watched the rest of the team, he's not alone in that, which tells me it's a systems thing. He's also not going to run anyone into the boards, which has drawn clear criticism on here, but he's good with the stick, blocks shots (I doubt many on here would do that), and chips in with plenty of points. While he has plenty of developing to do, there are real positives in his game that rarely get mentioned. (but, if he makes a single mistake, watch out... 5 pages just on that). I think part of the issue is fans want a tough, gritty defence and he's not that kind of player. If you take him for what he is, and not what people want him to be, then he's fine and will continue to develop.

I don't think you get it. From listening to Bowler yesterday Torres isn't going to be your head coach next year. Put it this way if he's not back Greentree Spellacy etc.. will be on their 4th coach. Nesbitt will be on his 3rd. This is how organizations get bad reputations. Players want to feel safe and insulated from outside noise and BS. A merry-go-round of coaches is Rioloesque.

 

[OHLTG]

I don't think you get it. From listening to Bowler yesterday Torres isn't going to be your head coach next year. Put it this way if he's not back Greentree Spellacy etc.. will be on their 4th coach. Nesbitt will be on his 3rd. This is how organizations get bad reputations. Players want to feel safe and insulated from outside noise and BS. A merry-go-round of coaches is Rioloesque.

Who are we to decide who has a bad rep, though? Would you rather they have kept Smith for the rest of the season and even next season? That only gives them two coaches in two seasons. Or would you prefer they hired a permanent guy in November, despite the talent pool being vastly smaller than it would be next summer? There are numerous other ways the team could have gone but I'm not sure they're all that much better. Right now, Torres is the coach, and the team has done much better (over .500) since he took over. That's a good thing... right?

 

[windsor7]

You can look at this season in two ways... the entire thing as one unit, where they've won 13 of 39... OR... in two separate parts, pre-coaching changes and post-coaching changes. If you want to look at it as the entire sum, no matter what, then you do that. I'm going to look at it as the two parts because those changes were massive for the organization and a lot has changed since then. Have their been speedbumps and hiccups along the way since then? Absolutely, and nobody is going to argue that. Has there also been far more positive signs and some room for optimism? Absolutely and I'll argue that all day long. It all depends on how you want to view this, though.

Loaded excuse...

 

[Knownothing]

I'm more surprised that nobody got Greentree in the first round in 2022. The kid is a beast and, without even looking at the draft stats, I'd imagine a few teams (at least) would rather have taken him. That's not a knock on Cristoforo in the slight, either. He's a vastly different player. Some will appreciate what he brings. Others will knock on him every chance they get. That's the way this has always gone here.

There are many knocks on 74 and all are justified. Just can’t see him being drafted unless late round flyer.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Just curious about Outwater -- is he hurt/scratched? I've noticed that the past couple of games he's not been dressed for whatever reason?

 

[ohloutsider]

There are many knocks on 74 and all are justified. Just can’t see him being drafted unless late round flyer.

I still see a team taking him in the late rounds because there is potential there. The right organization and a better fit for him might get him jump started again. I see him going somewhere between 5-7 round.

I agree that what we see is what we get. TDL has passed so this is the team. Intern coach will stay until the off season. Bowler will go into hiding. They will win some but mainly lose some. Likely missing the second season.
I've resolved myself to 29 games of who knows what will happen. This team is broken in many ways but there is nothing I can do to fix it but hope for change in the off season. Im along for the ride. Looking forward to the draft lottery and a few more wins before that happens.

Wassilyn watch continues.

Just curious about Outwater -- is he hurt/scratched? I've noticed that the past couple of games he's not been dressed for whatever reason?

Hurt

 

[windsor7]

Just curious about Outwater -- is he hurt/scratched? I've noticed that the past couple of games he's not been dressed for whatever reason?

Very under preforming.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Very under preforming.

Yes - but he did in North Bay, and again in Kingston.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

“I get it, they’re a good team, they stacked up, but that’s no excuse,” Cristoforo said. “If they beat us by skill, we’ll take it, but not showing effort, that’s on us and we have to be better.”

Don't tell on yourself and others #74. Pretty much admitting not showing effort so much for a new coach.

 

[OHL 17]

Skill has a major bearing on how well the Spits play........it will be awhile from being a solid team!

 

[OHLTG]

Just curious about Outwater -- is he hurt/scratched? I've noticed that the past couple of games he's not been dressed for whatever reason?

He was injured a couple of weeks ago during a game in Erie. It looked like his shoulder but I can't confirm that. Hopefully it's nothing that keeps him out long-term.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Skill has a major bearing on how well the Spits play........it will be awhile from being a solid team!

Would tend to agree. There are certain narratives that get put out there especially at the deadline. For instance today it was about the young Spitfires. Yes they are young as far as experience 17th in the league but their average age is middle of the pack.

3 03s
6 04s
6 05s
4 06s
1 07

They're going to have to clear the deck of some of those 05s because some of them are young in experience but not in age and not productive players. Some of the 04s are not productive either. This is going to take some time. Yes if some of the 07s are ready to go and they get a bit of impact from 08s but that's not going to make up for 05s and 04s.

 

[mag1600]

As a 19 year, I see that Connor Toms has been a healthy scratch different times this season. I don't understand why the Spits traded with the Soo Greyhounds for him.

 

[OHLTG]

As a 19 year, I see that Connor Toms has been a healthy scratch different times this season. I don't understand why the Spits traded with the Soo Greyhounds for him.

At the time, the Spits had a very inexperienced defence; something like four guys having a combined 10 OHL games heading into the season. Toms brought that experience and it only cost Bowler a 10th or a 12th, something like that. Low risk, potentially solid reward. It just hasn't played out the way they had hoped.

 

[hockeylegend11]

At the time, the Spits had a very inexperienced defence; something like four guys having a combined 10 OHL games heading into the season. Toms brought that experience and it only cost Bowler a 10th or a 12th, something like that. Low risk, potentially solid reward. It just hasn't played out the way they had hoped.

Toms was acquired for a 12th round pick in 2025 from the Hounds,he originally was a 3rd round pick by the Hounds in OHl draft as you mentioned low risk trade with potential high rewards.

 

[windsor7]

Toms was acquired for a 12th round pick in 2025 from the Hounds,he originally was a 3rd round pick by the Hounds in OHl draft as you mentioned low risk trade with potential high rewards.

Only a reward if he actually plays...

 

[Cherrydon]

“I get it, they’re a good team, they stacked up, but that’s no excuse,” Cristoforo said. “If they beat us by skill, we’ll take it, but not showing effort, that’s on us and we have to be better.”

Don't tell on yourself and others #74. Pretty much admitting not showing effort so much for a new coach.

His line " just a lapse of focus" " we are a young team, we kind of lose focus for a minute ot two and good teams like that will show you the right way" Where is " we " when he coughed up that shortie? You want my respect than say "I" had a lapse of focus and take some ownership instead of spreading it as the whole team.
Yes, team needs to play 60 minutes. Duh. But some players do. Defensively the trade deadline only Mancini moved and brought in Toure who is as good as Mancini and has 6 goals. Yes, we lost some scoring punch with Peer moved, but Zito has been as good as Maillet so far. Scoring goals has not been the issue, it is preventing them.

 

[ohloutsider]

You can see how bad the defense is when you bring in a quality goalie and he has allowed an average of 6 a game. Joey does not look so bad now.

 

[nelli27]

A young, rebuilding team is going to have some tough nights. The question to keep in mind is: What do you think of your young players/prospects? Do you think they have a high ceiling? Or, are you not impressed with what you have? I have no clue.

 

[spits]

I personally like what I've seen from obviously Greentree, but I also really like Cole Davis who will be draft and Carson Woodall is probably their most reliable defenseman Spellacy is showing improvement and will be drafted. Eichler is hit or miss but is improving.

Cristoforo appears to have regressed. I think he can be like Nathan Staios. He was a -30 in his second season and a -20 in his 3rd season in the league and he ended up being one of the better defensemen in the OHL. Patience is required for Cristoforo. It's taking him a while to get the Savard pond hockey out of his mind.

Nesbitt doesn't play enough to get a good read, but he looks decent.

It's a rebuild season, if you take away the Jarrod Smith ERA, the squad is slightly above .500. Yes Bowler made a mistake hiring him but that's done with. Sarnia, Barrie, Peterborough were all good teams last year and are rebuilding. You might have 5-6 players drafted this year, add in maybe an acquisition and a drafted player in the import draft and there could be 5-8 NHL draft picks on the team next season.

Not to mention you have the chance to add someone like Wassilyn and have 3 of the top 24 picks in the OHL draft. The rest of this season is going to suck no doubt, but after every loss people will be on here complaining.

 

[ohloutsider]

A young, rebuilding team is going to have some tough nights. The question to keep in mind is: What do you think of your young players/prospects? Do you think they have a high ceiling? Or, are you not impressed with what you have? I have no clue.

Younger players have been fine but they are being put into roles that are not ready for yet and some may never be any better than 5-6 D or third line players. Greentree, Davis, Spellacy will all be 1 st and second line players but other than Greentree not yet. Problem is at this point I don't see a future star on D and every competitive team needs at least 1 stud on the back end . I think they put too many eggs in the Christforo basket and pushed him too fast. Not sure he will ever be that guy. As others have stated we have too many not really caliber OHL players on the roster and the above mentioned players are too young to carry them. I think it will take a least a couple of years to upgrade the roster. They call it a rebuild for a reason I guess.
Wassilyn watch continues.

 

[Cherrydon]

I personally like what I've seen from obviously Greentree, but I also really like Cole Davis who will be draft and Carson Woodall is probably their most reliable defenseman Spellacy is showing improvement and will be drafted. Eichler is hit or miss but is improving.

Cristoforo appears to have regressed. I think he can be like Nathan Staios. He was a -30 in his second season and a -20 in his 3rd season in the league and he ended up being one of the better defensemen in the OHL. Patience is required for Cristoforo. It's taking him a while to get the Savard pond hockey out of his mind.

Nesbitt doesn't play enough to get a good read, but he looks decent.

It's a rebuild season, if you take away the Jarrod Smith ERA, the squad is slightly above .500. Yes Bowler made a mistake hiring him but that's done with. Sarnia, Barrie, Peterborough were all good teams last year and are rebuilding. You might have 5-6 players drafted this year, add in maybe an acquisition and a drafted player in the import draft and there could be 5-8 NHL draft picks on the team next season.

Not to mention you have the chance to add someone like Wassilyn and have 3 of the top 24 picks in the OHL draft. The rest of this season is going to suck no doubt, but after every loss people will be on here complaining.

Agree Staios's last year with Hamilton was very good but he was also on a great championship team. I think the obvious Greentree us a gem now and will be. I think Spellacy and Eicher have high ceilings for them and expect both will be drafted. Eichler maybe next year if not taken late this year. Davis has very good potential when he doesn't get flustered with the other teams antics. I don't see him drafted this year and Cristoforo well maybe a "flyer" type pick but has regressed from a A rating to 102 in just North America in just 3-4 months. Maybrle a change of scenery would do him well especially with Woodall and Walton are our best potential young D currently projecting forward next year or two. Nesbitt has been way more engaged physically and offensively recently. Typical for a good tall lanky 16 yr old after the holiday break. Coming along. Outwater is really good on the defensive side of the puck. Only a -3 after 17 games on this team is excellent. Everyone expects more offensively from him but that may come if playing top 6 minutes.
Goalies COSTANZO shows promise at times but gets frustrated with the lack of help out front. Not surprised. No goalie can be left hung out often and still excel especially mentally. Donoso has seen the wrath of playing behind this team. Froggett has great potential but playing on current team I'm sure his confidence would be tested early and often.
.

 

[OHLTG]

I'm echoing what's been said above.

Spellacy has the speed and size to be really good but his hands need to catch up. He has motivation and seems to love what he's doing. So, if he can get consistent production, and keep developing, I see him as a solid player next season and beyond.

Cristoforo is an offensive dman who was rushed last season and put into a position he wasn't necessarily ready for. Now, he's solid in the offensive zone but a work-in-progress defensively. He's going to improve but the question is how much? If you go in expecting a stick-checking, shot-blocking offensive d-man, you'll be okay. If you expect any physicality, sorry. That's just the way he is.

Davis is continuously building on his game. He's not big but plays like it and adds the offence to make a name for himself. How high is his ceiling? TBD. He's riding a bit of a consistency rollercoaster but the potential is there for him to be a very productive OHLer.

Woodall... similar to Davis, continuously growing and developing. Smaller guy but hits well, puts up some offence, and thinks the game. I can see him getting his name called in June and figuring out a way into the pros.

Eichler (should include him) - started slowly, took a while to transition, but he's trending up. Not a big kid but strong and loves the physical game. More of a defensive dman but with a hint of offence if needed. If he can harness the emotions and not cross the line, he's a valuable piece.

Nesbitt is our only full-time 07; good size, competitor, hungry to grow, but needs more ice to really bring his game along. He's been getting tastes of the top six but mostly third and fourth line so far. I like what he brings, just need to see it regularly.

That's the 06s/07s. They've got Lavigne/Manzo as 07s in Jr B and both looked reasonable in their small sample sizes so far. They're going to need to play in the O next season, though. They've also got 06 Froggett as their goaltending prospect. He's been pretty solid in Jr B and showed well in his 80 or so OHL minutes so far. Again, needs playing time and I'd imagine him and Costanzo take over next season.

 

[Cherrydon]

Honestly any thoughts moving Cristoforo to to a winger? Seriously, he does have good passing ability when not pressured, good hockey smarts and does have excellent shot blocking. Shot is weak but good hands could be effective on rebounds and in tight quarters. Imagine him as a forward on the PK blocking shots on the point? I just think his lack of physicality dooms him as a defenseman in this league or higher. He'd be better than some of our 04s 05s I'm thinking.