Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 4)

[ohloutsider]

I agree about Abraham being an OA guy next year for sure.
His penchant for taking bad penalties needs to be mostly eliminated otherwise one of my favorite players since he has been here.
Spits are now 2-1-0-1 in their last 4 games,their play during most of the 3 in 3 games on the weekend against teams that didn't was pretty impressive, stuck with things despite some adversity in a couple of them
Spits are also 3-4-0-1 in their last 8,3-3-0-1 without Zito and 12-13-2-2 in the 29 games since the coaching changes,should mention of the 29 games,3 more played on the road.
Improved play from Morneau and Smith,especially Smith,Morneau 8 points in his last 7,Smith 8 points in his last 8,certainly those 2 plus Spellacy have helped in the scoring instead of Greentree, Abraham and Davis doing it all.
Gotta find someone to work with Zhugin,that's where I think both Zito and Outwater could have done something here,but with both gone for the year,a little thin,Nesbitt is improving, Martin a bit better then earlier,Spits and other teams have till Thursday to sign free agents wonder if Spits will act in this department.
I know the D gets criticized so here are there plus/ minus numbers for the last 4 and 8 games respectively.
Eichler- (0) and (+1),Christoforo-(0) and (+1),
Woodall-(-2) and (0),Toure-(+2) and (+2),
Walton-(0) and (0),Toms-(0) and (0),
Winegard-(0),and (+1).
Last 8 games Spits have scored 32 goals and allowed 32 goals plus 1 shootout goal against
Scoring wise as a group in the last 4 games Spits have outscored the opposition 6-2 in 1st periods,been outscored 10-3 in 2nd periods and have outscored teams in 3rd periods 7-4
Scoring wise in the last 8 games,they have outscored teams 10-7 in 1st periods,
they have been outscored 17-9 in 2nd periods and in 3rd periods they have outscored teams 13-10.
Clean up the 2nd period disparity and they will be fine,,it's been an issue all season,one of the better 1st period teams,but also 1 of the worst 2nd period teams.

They can't sign any free agents, their out of cards.

 

[hockeylegend11]

They can't sign any free agents, their out of cards.

Actually they can,just can't play more then 9 games,until said players jr b teams season is over,then it doesn't matter.

 

[ohloutsider]

Actually they can,just can't play more then 9 games,until said players jr b teams season is over,then it doesn't matter.

Well that's a different direction than I thought you were going with this. Not sure how many unsigned JrB players that are out there that would help improve this roster? Seems like a big reach?

 

[Cherrydon]

I would pair Christoforo with Toure,and Eichler with Woodall,leaving Winegard with Walton, with 4 rookies out of the 6 best pairings I can think of, Toms hasn't earned my trust to be in top 6,despite his 3rd year in the league.

Agree with those pairings with Tom's as the extra 7th D

 

[hockeylegend11]

Well that's a different direction than I thought you were going with this. Not sure how many unsigned JrB players that are out there that would help improve this roster? Seems like a big reach?

Actually there are a couple that I would be interested in ,both forwards both 05 born,both with previous OHL experience.

 

[ohloutsider]

Actually there are a couple that I would be interested in ,both forwards both 05 born,both with previous OHL experience.

Spits have no cards. If they have played in the O previously they would have to be brought in on an A card? Don't think they can be dropped back to a B card for the 9 game option?

 

[HockeyPops]

Spits have no cards. If they have played in the O previously they would have to be brought in on an A card? Don't think they can be dropped back to a B card for the 9 game option?

There wouldn't be too many 2005s that played in the O on an A card last year but are playing Jr B this year. Ethan Montroy would be one. I can't think of many more. It's more likely these players were on a B card last year.

But yes, anyone on an A card last year would have to go on an A card immediately this year.

 

[ohloutsider]

There wouldn't be too many 2005s that played in the O on an A card last year but are playing Jr B this year. Ethan Montroy would be one. I can't think of many more. It's more likely these players were on a B card last year.

But yes, anyone on an A card last year would have to go on an A card immediately this year.

Chris O'Flaherty

 

[punch1943]

Well that's a different direction than I thought you were going with this. Not sure how many unsigned JrB players that are out there that would help improve this roster? Seems like a big reach?

A big reach would be the Spits making the playoffs.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Its a reason why BB should be gone. This D has been largely ignored for years now. You cant fix it in 1 off season. Compounded by the lack of solid D coaching your in a bad place. We wont even bring up the lack of physicality back there!! Goalies are a tough call, but you had a premier goalie coach on staff and you cut him loose! Again on BB.

A great example of that is if you look at Michelone in Ottawa 7-0-1 2.79 gaa .903 sv%. A new team committed to D, not giving up a lot of shots and even a goalie who prior didn't have a lot of success is now finding it.

 

[Cherrydon]

Absolutely. Leaving goalies to hang out to dry out with horrible coverage and non physicality by some is going to burn the goalies regardless of who they are. As Michelone numbers have improved coming back Donoso Gaa is up 1.2 gaa and save % dropped 30 points. I'm tired oh hearing Cristoforo is not a physical player. Then move him up front or out the door. I'm over it. I don't care he was +4 1 game when the Spits blew out a team whe 7 of 10 games he is a minus. Score 2 points and let in 3 against is not successful.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Absolutely. Leaving goalies to hang out to dry out with horrible coverage and non physicality by some is going to burn the goalies regardless of who they are. As Michelone numbers have improved coming back Donoso Gaa is up 1.2 gaa and save % dropped 30 points. I'm tired oh hearing Cristoforo is not a physical player. Then move him up front or out the door. I'm over it. I don't care he was +4 1 game when the Spits blew out a team whe 7 of 10 games he is a minus. Score 2 points and let in 3 against is not successful.

Yeah the +- is a garbage stat and narrative. They're the 19th team in the OHL. The second worst goal differential in the league and we are putting lipstick on a pig. This is how fans enable management and organizations.

 

[Cherrydon]

I do compare +/- for players on the same team. That is fair. When Wingard is -13 with 2 points and someone is -21 and has 31 points there is a clear message of who is more responsible defensively lol the teams failure this year is clearly goals against.

 

[Cherrydon]

Until this team hires a coach who takes defense seriously we will struggle to draw goalies or expect them to excel. This has been a problem since 2018-2019. Last goalie to be under 3.0 gaa Mikey. 9 goalies used since and best to come to 3.00 gaa was Joey last year at 3.03 GAA. None under since DiPietro

 

[ohloutsider]

I do compare +/- for players on the same team. That is fair. When Wingard is -13 with 2 points and someone is -21 and has 31 points there is a clear message of who is more responsible defensively lol the teams failure this year is clearly goals against.

Not really a fair comparison if you don't take TOI into account. Neither are have good numbers but can't really say one is better when he only gets 3 or 4 shifts a game.

 

[OHLTG]

Not really a fair comparison if you don't take TOI into account. Neither are have good numbers but can't really say one is better when he only gets 3 or 4 shifts a game.

It's also a matter of who they're facing. If a guy is getting third-pairing minutes, he's not going up against the stars on the other team (for the most part).

 

[Cherrydon]

Not really a fair comparison if you don't take TOI into account. Neither are have good numbers but can't really say one is better when he only gets 3 or 4 shifts a game.

Winegard gets more than 3-4 shifts a game. Regular 5-6 pairing since trade deadline. That is my point. Winegard is very inexperienced compared to 74 but plays way better in his end. I am not saying he is the next all star. You'd have to blind not to see who gives zero, and I mean zero physical effort to protect his goalie or clear the crease. Is that acceptable in this league? Must be for the Spits. Coaching and Bowler tolerates it so it must be ok. I am wrong.

It's also a matter of who they're facing. If a guy is getting third-pairing minutes, he's not going up against the stars on the other team (for the most part).

Yes, but playing behind our best forwards and 1.5 minutes 1st line of the PP also bolsters the points. I could pass to Greentree and have 25 assists even at my age.

 

[ohloutsider]

Winegard gets more than 3-4 shifts a game. Regular 5-6 pairing since trade deadline. That is my point. Winegard is very inexperienced compared to 74 but plays way better in his end. I am not saying he is the next all star. You'd have to blind not to see who gives zero, and I mean zero physical effort to protect his goalie or clear the crease. Is that acceptable in this league? Must be for the Spits. Coaching and Bowler tolerates it so it must be ok. I am wrong.


Yes, but playing behind our best forwards and 1.5 minutes 1st line of the PP also bolsters the points. I could pass to Greentree and have 25 assists even at my age.

Your not watching the same Winegard I am, lol . I'm not going to be shocked if he doesn't make the team next year . Let's just leave this to the professional scouts to decide which one is better and which one gets drafted and what round.

If I'm seeing a defenseman that is not hitting, terrible with the puck in his own end and no offensive skills that would be #28. There has been no development there at all and I thought he looking promising coming in but it doesn't look that way. He more than any other Spit needs a real good coach to get him through that.

Anyway frustrating year for players and fans. Not what we thought would happen.

 

[spits]

Winegard won't be on the team next season. He earned my respect after the fight with Hay due to the Davis incident, nothing against him, but you're either going to have an import pick or one of the 2nd round picks playing defense next year, taking his spot

Nathan Staios had 29 points and a -30 rating in his second year in the OHL, and ended up as one of the best offensive d men.

Cristoforo already has better numbers playing on the worst defensive team. He is going to be drafted and probably one of the better offensive d-men in the O.

 

[windsor7]

Winegard won't be on the team next season. He earned my respect after the fight with Hay due to the Davis incident, nothing against him, but you're either going to have an import pick or one of the 2nd round picks playing defense next year, taking his spot

Nathan Staios had 29 points and a -30 rating in his second year in the OHL, and ended up as one of the best offensive d men.

Cristoforo already has better numbers playing on the worst defensive team. He is going to be drafted and probably one of the better offensive d-men in the O.

Is he actually going to play physical and actual defense?
Would help Windsor..

 

[Cherrydon]

Winegard won't be on the team next season. He earned my respect after the fight with Hay due to the Davis incident, nothing against him, but you're either going to have an import pick or one of the 2nd round picks playing defense next year, taking his spot

Nathan Staios had 29 points and a -30 rating in his second year in the OHL, and ended up as one of the best offensive d men.

Cristoforo already has better numbers playing on the worst defensive team. He is going to be drafted and probably one of the better offensive d-men in the O.

Agree Winegard won't be here. Staios was a -20 with the bulldogs. Worst D on the team. Next worst D as -9 that year. 41 points-20 is why he is still playing ECHL.

 

[Teflon]

You cant limit or park 74, that admits a bad draft pick and BB wont allow it. Theres more wrong with this D than the players! Everything is magnified because of the time the Spits play in their own zone. This group has been coached terribly, mishandled, and allowed to get away with shit others around the league dont. Until you fix the D coaches spot the players shouldnt be judged.

 

[Cherrydon]

London has zero D that are a minus. 2 over 50 points already. Yes. You can play responsible defense and be a offensive defenseman. Is that why they are a 1st place team?

You cant limit or park 74, that admits a bad draft pick and BB wont allow it. Theres more wrong with this D than the players! Everything is magnified because of the time the Spits play in their own zone. This group has been coached terribly, mishandled, and allowed to get away with shit others around the league dont. Until you fix the D coaches spot the players shouldnt be judged.

I agree. I'm hard on certain players because others defend them for horrible play. Agree if coaching made a philosophical approach to defend at all costs abd discipline those who don't, we wouldn't have this discussion.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Winegard won't be on the team next season. He earned my respect after the fight with Hay due to the Davis incident, nothing against him, but you're either going to have an import pick or one of the 2nd round picks playing defense next year, taking his spot

Nathan Staios had 29 points and a -30 rating in his second year in the OHL, and ended up as one of the best offensive d men.

Cristoforo already has better numbers playing on the worst defensive team. He is going to be drafted and probably one of the better offensive d-men in the O.

I wish I could be that certain. Winegard will be 19. Toms shouldn't return, Toure is gone. Manzo should be in the top 6 and another player but I can still see Winegard being a 7th D. Bowler is extremely loyal.

In regards to Staios that was his OA year. I sure hope we don't have to wait 2 plus years to see that type of play.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

You cant limit or park 74, that admits a bad draft pick and BB wont allow it. Theres more wrong with this D than the players! Everything is magnified because of the time the Spits play in their own zone. This group has been coached terribly, mishandled, and allowed to get away with shit others around the league dont. Until you fix the D coaches spot the players shouldnt be judged.

Agreed. Bowler did bare minimum this year. All the trades only brought in 2 players that have eligibility next year Walton and Outwater. Just banking on recouping picks is terrible asset management.