Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 4)

[tomschman]

I don't understand why Donoso is playing the majority of the games. This team is going nowhere and he is an OA. While I understand that Costanzo is not playing well, he could be back next year. As of now, goal is a huge question mark for next year. Froggett has been great in B, but that is not the O. They need to ride Costanzo to make a determination on him. A goalie coach might come in handy also.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

I am not sure it matters to this point. I am sure he will get his 8-10 games and split with Donoso. I think the biggest thing is getting his mind right for next year. He hasn't exactly had a great introduction to the OHL with a poor Niagara team and this year with Windsor. Him playing most of the games getting shelled isn't going to help him next year.

 

[HockeyPops]

Wassilyn watch continues.

There are a few really good options at the top. Maybe it's the Valentini vigil?

 

[windsor7]

I don't understand why Donoso is playing the majority of the games. This team is going nowhere and he is an OA. While I understand that Costanzo is not playing well, he could be back next year. As of now, goal is a huge question mark for next year. Froggett has been great in B, but that is not the O. They need to ride Costanzo to make a determination on him. A goalie coach might come in handy also.

Especially when donoso has only 1 win here..

 

[ohloutsider]

Greentree had 2 assists.
Could of had a hatrick too if any luck that game
The roster fillers and their is at least a few, that's on Bowler..

Never meant that he played bad, just off/harder for him now that he is the opposition's focus.

 

[ohloutsider]

I would agree with a lot of this. The stuff we see from Abraham on a night to night basis shouldn't be tolerated. Greentree was ok but like you said they can dedicate most of the attention to him. This is probably one of my bigger concerns going into next year. You just can't go to the hockey store and find 3-4 top 6 forwards. Greentree is a great player with a lot of potential but his supporting cast before the deadline was quite productive as well. It would really help if someone like Spellacy had a very good final 20 games. After that 5 point performance he has 1 point in his last 8 games.

Bowler needs to have an absolute lights out offseason if he's even given that chance. I say that because if the team struggles and a player like Greentree continues to tear it up you may have to think about moving him in order to avoid what happened with Johnston. Johnston would have stuck around because the team was good but in a different situation you would have to ask those questions about Greentree.

If Bowler does his job they will bring in 3 or 4 top end talents but 3 of them will be 16 and 1 will be an import adjusting to the league. Not so sure that the 06 group will be the focus for another run. But hopefully they can get somehow make it work.

 

[Teflon]

So we need multiple forwards as well as multiple D men…. And you folks still trust BB to get it done???
Goalie coach? He had one, last year, a very good one, kicked him to the curb, my info says they tried to get back together but couldnt work it out again due to BB.
Spoke with 2 players at my place recently, both have a serious dislike for BB. Not sure how many more dominoes need to fall before everyone sees what hes all about!

 

[windsor7]

So we need multiple forwards as well as multiple D men…. And you folks still trust BB to get it done???
Goalie coach? He had one, last year, a very good one, kicked him to the curb, my info says they tried to get back together but couldnt work it out again due to BB.
Spoke with 2 players at my place recently, both have a serious dislike for BB. Not sure how many more dominoes need to fall before everyone sees what hes all about!

Need a whole new coaching staff on this team.

 

[TheGremlin]

I’m in agreement with some. They need to clean house. Get rid of gm and coaching staff. Let the new GM bring in the guy he wants. Soon as season is over for spits bowler needs to be gone and new GM in place before the draft.

 

[punch1943]

Timing is everything. No point in trying to figure out what the Spits are going to do next season right now. Who knows who the owners will be or who they’ll want as GM. Evola will do the drafting if Bowler is replaced. Split the goaltending unless someone gets injured. Keep Frogett away from this mess. Only bring in a warm body if needed….keep young-uns away from this team if you can. If you are forced to call someone in let it be an older guy.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

DJ Smith taking gig as assistant coach with the Kings.

 

[windsor7]

DJ Smith taking gig as assistant coach with the Kings.

Congratulations to him. Gets to stay in the big game.

 

[Cherrydon]

This team is almost doomed to falter next year. Our 04 & 05's arguably are not quality veterans. Keep or trade Abraham. Keep Outwater best plus/ minus forward and Winegard. He has size and improved. Other than those mentioned they need a house cleaning double duty
Morneau works hard but does he deserve an OA spot? I'd rid both imports. Zhugin is a horrible defensive liability and erratic game to game and Eichler?? Could pick a second import or trade for one to go with the high first round import draft pick. Only 1- 07 in the lineup so next year even with a fantastic draft, still all will be young and inexperienced. Can Froggett play at a high level? TBD. Costanzo needs to kick it gear or we need at least one experienced goalie to replace JC. Too many big holes to expect much at this point unless our 04 05 born players are gutted. Would if Greentree doesn't return? Doom city. Erie and Niagara had top 4 picks 2 drafts in a row and not making much headway yet. Young players take time to develop and other than Greentree who's going to teach them the right way?

 

[spits]

Bowler is not getting fired guys. 8 players have been traded from last year's team, all 19 and 20 year olds, how do you expect the team to win games this season with 8 players shipped out? If he messes up the offseason and draft then yeah, but not at this point.

The team is building around a solid core of 06's, Spellacy, Greentree, Cristoforo, Davis, Woodall, Walton, etc. At least four of those games will be drafted by an NHL team this summer.

The organization is gonna bring in a pretty high NHL draft pick in the import draft at 3rd overall and some picks will likely be used to bring in a solid OA or two. Losing sucks but tanking for high draft picks is how you improve. Next year's team could easily have 5-6 NHL drafted players.

Look at the rosters of most of the teams in the conference, a majority are losing a ton of players. I think Saginaw has about 10 guys graduating the league. Windsor will make the playoffs next year, if anything because there is just too many teams in the conference that will be having a huge sale of players to recoup picks for Windsor not to make it. There will be a ton of sellers and not many buyers, so you can probably acquire players for reasonably cheap.

 

[tomschman]

If they are going to make a GM change, it needs to be done very shortly. The draft is in 2 months and a long term GM should be in charge. This is a pivotal draft for the team because of their draft position. The team needs someone that can take this from now to completion.

 

[OHLTG]

I don't see them trading Eichler. He's improved since the coaching changes and has show that, if he keeps his cool, he's got real potential. A young guy who can defend well, protect teammates, and wants to be here? What's the guarantee that we find that in the next draft?

This off-season is the key for Bowler. He'll have top picks in every draft and could bring in a handful of top quality youngsters. It might be rough for another season but, if he does well this summer, he can't be written off.

 

[Cherrydon]

I don't see them trading Eichler. He's improved since the coaching changes and has show that, if he keeps his cool, he's got real potential. A young guy who can defend well, protect teammates, and wants to be here? What's the guarantee that we find that in the next draft?

This off-season is the key for Bowler. He'll have top picks in every draft and could bring in a handful of top quality youngsters. It might be rough for another season but, if he does well this summer, he can't be written off.

I agree about Eichler likely stays, unless some team wants to purge a better 05 import. Picking a 2nd import at like position 63-66 or better depending on how many teams pass on the draft won't likely get you better than Eichler anyways. I think Bowler will be given the opportunity to rebuild this team into a contender before his fate is sealed. Been with the Savages going back to Lasalle. That is why Smith was given the chance at HC. Loyalty rewards. Cant blame Bowler for hiring Smith if his hands were tied from ownership. Either way BB pulled the noose quickly on Smith which was a positive. With the horrible start, easily blamed mostly on coaching since the interim coaches have a better record. After the massive fire sale. Cupboard is now full. Of course any ownership change could throw everything into the wind at that point. This current roster will be at least 40 % different come October.

 

[ohloutsider]

Bowler is not getting fired guys. 8 players have been traded from last year's team, all 19 and 20 year olds, how do you expect the team to win games this season with 8 players shipped out? If he messes up the offseason and draft then yeah, but not at this point.

The team is building around a solid core of 06's, Spellacy, Greentree, Cristoforo, Davis, Woodall, Walton, etc. At least four of those games will be drafted by an NHL team this summer.

The organization is gonna bring in a pretty high NHL draft pick in the import draft at 3rd overall and some picks will likely be used to bring in a solid OA or two. Losing sucks but tanking for high draft picks is how you improve. Next year's team could easily have 5-6 NHL drafted players.

Look at the rosters of most of the teams in the conference, a majority are losing a ton of players. I think Saginaw has about 10 guys graduating the league. Windsor will make the playoffs next year, if anything because there is just too many teams in the conference that will be having a huge sale of players to recoup picks for Windsor not to make it. There will be a ton of sellers and not many buyers, so you can probably acquire players for reasonably cheap.

Well I hope you are right but even the core of 06's will still be too young and the skill behind them will be even younger. I think they will make the playoffs for the things you suggested but not thinking they will be contenders that fast .

If they are going to make a GM change, it needs to be done very shortly. The draft is in 2 months and a long term GM should be in charge. This is a pivotal draft for the team because of their draft position. The team needs someone that can take this from now to completion.

I don't see Bowler moving and actually too close to the draft as the u16 season is winding down and no time for any GM to be ready for a draft other than the one here now.

 

[OHL 17]

I agree, the draft is extremely important this year (especially considering where The Spits will draft). I sure hope that small defencemen are not a continued trend, especially when The NHL is going the other way. Even more important, there must be a coaching staff in place that can factor into the team's development and success.

Bowler has been a rambler gambler in trading away his 8 best players this season. Let's see if his plan comes to fruition!

 

[ohloutsider]

Eichler gets 2 games for second fight in the same stoppage. Back on the 10th.

 

[hockeylegend11]

I agree, the draft is extremely important this year (especially considering where The Spits will draft). I sure hope that small defencemen are not a continued trend, especially when The NHL is going the other way. Even more important, there must be a coaching staff in place that can factor into the team's development and success.

Bowler has been a rambler gambler in trading away his 8 best players this season. Let's see if his plan comes to fruition!

Agree,upcoming draft very important moving forward,especially considering Windsor has 7 picks in the 1st 4 rounds,unlike last year after going for it,1 pick a 1st round in the 1st,then not a pick till the 95th one in the 5th,where they selected Dman Adrian Manzo whom I expect to crack the top 6 next year on this team.
Even more intriguing 4 of those picks will be quite high,1st round ours,2nd round Niagara's and Peterborough, 4th round Niagara's,1 pick in the 3rd,and 2 others in the 4th round.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Eichler gets 2 games for second fight in the same stoppage. Back on the 10th.

He has missed only 2 games this season and that was earlier a 2 game suspension for his actions at the Soo a couple of months or so ago.
His absence means Windsor will probably bring up a forward,as they still have 6D available ,and rostering 11 forwards with Zito gone and Outwater done for the season.
Wouldn't surprise me if Windsor brings up Winger Kyler Morgan from Strathroy,played one game earlier, didn't look out of place in it,has 8 games to give,could see him play all 3 even when Eichler returns Saturday vs Owen Sound,sit out a different Dman.
He has played well lately in B,6 points in his last 2 games,2G,4A,has decent size and plays with some jam.
LaSalle playing Wed and Saturday, and Windsor playing Thursday, Friday and Saturday makes it interesting shuffling bodies especially considering the no 4 games in a row rule.

 

[punch1943]

Agree,upcoming draft very important moving forward,especially considering Windsor has 7 picks in the 1st 4 rounds,unlike last year after going for it,1 pick a 1st round in the 1st,then not a pick till the 95th one in the 5th,where they selected Dman Adrian Manzo whom I expect to crack the top 6 next year on this season.
Even more intriguing 4 of those picks will be quite high,1st round ours,2nd round Niagara's and Peterborough, 4th round Niagara's,1 pick in the 3rd,and 2 others in the 4th round.

It’s great having all those picks….but..you have to expect we will spend a couple to bring in a couple O/A vets to build up our experience. Hopefully the picks we spend will be 4/5th rounders.

 

[windsor7]

Eichler gets 2 games for second fight in the same stoppage. Back on the 10th.

Pretty standard suspension.

 

[Cherrydon]

What's the opinion on the NCAA coaches voting to see if they will allow CHL players to play NCAA hockey? I guess the Name, image , likeness (NIL) rule allows players to profit makes the difference in thier philosophy. Friedman says it will happen at some point. That could boost CHL especially American players to play CHL for a couple of years then transfer to a ncaa school to complete their career or schooling. The NHL transfer agreement would change for sure. Could save OHL teams from paying some out an education agreement if player chose a NCAA school for a scholarship for schooling. This would kill the Canadian University Hockey quality of players.