London is, once again, a machine. That's not to say they can't be beat, but are you pushing all your chips in this year? Be silly, imo. We should find a solid D-man that can hopefully come back next year, which should be the year for an actual run
Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II
- Thread starter SoupNazi
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ohloutsider
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I don't think there are any Spits fans on here that don't recognize that any move they make this year will be for next year, the go year. But they still need to be competitive this year with a good chance to finish 2nd and gain some playoff experience. You can be greedy and have both. Be safe.
The thing with Saginaw is has turned it over quick. They were in a good position to contend in the 19-20 emptied the cupboards to get Suzuki and Duhart. Saginaw even took Fantilli in round 1 of 2020. There was no year in 20-21 so they weren't able to move someone like Perfetti to recoup picks. They traded Fantilli in Sept of 21 and he never reported so they merely got the compensatory 1st which was used for Parekh. They didn't hit on their 2020 1st round pick, or 2021 for the most part. They are terrific at recruiting now going back to 19 and 20 getting Goldowski/Wilde they hit on import picks. Even this year getting Epperson was big. They will still try and get those 2 USDP guys who aren't committed to school until 26-27.
Willis isn’t that interesting to me. 16 goals in 24 games, 13 of those were in a 5 game stretch. He’s cooled off drastically since. Last two seasons he’s had 15/14 goals in 68/66 games.
I do have to imagine everyone in Saginaw is on the table.
I agree, I felt bad in 19/20 when they were on track for their best franchise season and then had it ripped away. Epperson was a huge get, without him, they’re behind the Soo right now…
I imagine with Lazard going off to WJ, they don’t do much before Christmas.
OHLTG
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Nesbitt to represent Western Conf. at Top Prospects game in Brantford.
ohloutsider
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Beat me to it. I've been impressed with his play this year. Developing well.
OHLTG
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I'll be honest, I was kind of nervous about him last season. He didn't feel like a first-rounder to me. He's really come into his own this season and I'm intrigued to see how far he'll go.
I remember a lot of people thought that about Wyatt Johnston too…
Not linking the two, but Nesbitt was 20th pick, he was selected lower than Abraham (yeah yeah different draft), but I expect him to excel beyond Abraham’s production
How about we grab Alriksson from Guelph for Eichler and a couple of picks and improve the import. Beast the playoffs. Show guys like Greentree and Belts how to use your size in front of the net. Then talk Vancouver into returning him for a OA year. Yes I'd risk an import/oa using 1 spot. Then talk the Caps to return Protas and import issues solved for a run next year. Please Santa 
The defence hasn't been a concern for a few years now.
Or they would of done something about it..
I agree with some of this. Some of this stuff seems to much prognosticating to me and a fools errand. London is a machine but even in 21-22 Knights had 87 points. You know who wasn't making an impact yet? Cowan,Bonk,Dickinson,Barkey etc... Most likely the Spits can make a run next year. That groundwork has to be laid between now and this trade deadline. I think if you're talking about just getting 1 D that's probably not enough now. Eichler won't be back, Winegard gone, Mathurin gone. You still need Hicks/Walton/Manzo to make huge strides.
No doubt Nesbitt definitely improving overall from last year,especially his 1st 14 games of the season where started 9G,6A as the Spits went 11-2-1 to start the year.
He has tailed off since in his last 13 he has 2G,4A.
He is not alone in this stretch offensive wise even though Spits are 8-4-1 in their last 13.
AJ Spellacy only has 2G,5A in his last 13,while Ryan Abraham 3G,6A in his last 13,toss in Gaymes pointless in his last 10 games and Garden is pointless in his last 9.
Thankfully Windsor has had great offense this year as Greentree 10G,7A,Protas,6G12A,Morneau 5G,12A,along with Cole Davis 5G,6A have picked things up offensively with some struggling.
Should say Outwater has not done much lately either only 2G,4A in those 13 games.
Interesting after 27 games played only 3 players have played every game,they are Morneau, Walton and Nesbitt ,though Costanzo and Froggett have suited up for every game too.
In the end can't complain with Windsor being 5--1-1 in their last 7 with 3 important home games coming up back to back this weekend and again on Thursday.
Hopefully those struggling work harder to get back to their abilities.
Agree 2 solid D needed Hicks is going to be a gem but still young for next year. Walton should be good next year problem is Woodall Cristoforo and to a lesser degree Manzo all offensive first players who will never clear the crease. They are who they are. 3 is too many of the same. Mews would be good addition but 1 of 2 need to go.
ohloutsider
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Mews is an ultra offensive defenseman, converted forward. He is just more of the same. Any defenseman brought in has to be a defense first type. The cost would out weigh the gain.
Petrovski from Owen Sound fits the bill perfectly for what the Spits need.
By pigeonholing yourself saying it has to be a defense first type you're not allowing yourself to be flexible. That alone most likely creates a situation where it fails. What's the appeal of Petrovski, 4 years in the league not NHL drafted. Hasn't exactly been playing in big games for a couple years. If he hasn't been developed that well over the past 4 years what makes you believe that Windsor can unlock this player. Isn't one the issues at this point is because Windsor hasn't been doing a good job of developing D? Spits need to be investing in 06's and 07's (which they are low on) to make a run next year.
ohloutsider
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Well 90% of the posts on here are we need a defensive defensemen because most are guys are too offensive first and get caught pinching all the time. And now you are saying we are not open minded and should be ok with more of the same skill set? Which one is it?
Please make a suggestion on who would fit what the Spits need and be available.
I'm not saying you're not being open minded. I'm saying sticking with "has to get a defensive D" is putting yourself in a corner. I think they need to address the D in increasing the talent level across the board.
Cristoforo year 3 not NHL drafted
Eichler year 2 not drafted
Walton year 2 not drafted
Woodall year 2 not drafted
Adding a defensive D that is 4 years in not drafted yet isn't necessarily increasing the talent level. I don't care if Mews is an offensive D. Flat out he's better than Petrovski. A converted forward to D isn't easy if it was everyone would it.
Mews
Passmore not likely because Barrie is contending
Allen probably not because he could be in the AHL
Too many teams in the east that can make a run. Bronson Ride is a non starter didn't pan out in Windsor let's not repeat the same mistakes.
Move Abraham or Davis recoup picks. Move Eichler and get a better import. Address the need in the summer or next year if one of the 3 mentioned aren't moved. Really work with Hicks and Manzo double down their development. If that means moving Woodall or Walton you do it.
ohloutsider
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This for me seems like an odd take, maybe I'm reading it wrong? Blow up the team that is in 2nd place in the conference and skip next year as a go year? Move out 5 or 6 players and what go for it in another 4 or 5 years? Is that what you are suggesting?
I never said to blow it up. I said move Abraham or Davis to recoup picks. It actually makes a lot of sense Abraham is done after this year leverage that especially since people say next year is the year. Moving Eichler to improve the import slot is exactly the definition of improving on the margins since he won't be back next year. Opening up ice time for Hicks and Manzo to develop isn't a terrible idea. I never said to skip next year either. Load up so you can have more picks develop players take USHL Flyers.
ohloutsider
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You also said move Woodall and Walton? Plus Davis? That's 5 players that out of that group only one is an OA that is for sure not coming back next year. I get the Eichler reference but maybe he is in their plans for next year? I can see not being there with him as well but he he still could be? Moving 25% of the team out is also a huge wack on chemistry. Seems pretty drastic if there is any vision of trying to gain experience and hopefully prepare for next year.
For me Walton, Woodall and Davis are not even a consideration to be traded.
Really think Abraham is the only 1 that would make sense.
Now I have heard that the OA market is just not there this year as most contenders are not looking to upgrade. It takes 2 to tango so a lot of fans may be disappointed with what they think should have been done to get picks back in the cupboard. Anyway enough of this for me, be safe.
OHLTG
Registered User
If the plan is to aim for 2025-26 for an OHL Championship run, you don't make moves now that will... a) hurt chemistry... and b) hurt next season. Abraham might be a guy who could be moved, if you're upgrading, but you have to be careful with the younger guys. Davis is likely a key part to next season and it should take a lot to get Bowler to even consider a move.
There's no reason to blow it up, in either direction, but adding a tough defensive d-man seems pretty ideal. Petrovsky would fit that mold and, if you can add a solid 05 or 06 forward in the same deal for a reasonable price, you do it.
There's no reason to blow it up, in either direction, but adding a tough defensive d-man seems pretty ideal. Petrovsky would fit that mold and, if you can add a solid 05 or 06 forward in the same deal for a reasonable price, you do it.
I truly believe that 1 of either Woodall or Cristoforo has to go before next year starts. Cristoforo has 160 OHL games. 0.62 points per game and Woodall has 86 OHL games and has 0.48 points per game. Cristoforo plays with our best defensive D. How will Woodall look with another 74 games experience?? They both play a soft approach. Cristoforo plays more risky. Best shot blocker though on the team. Plays 1st and first line minutes help his totals. Remarkable plus minus improvement this year but alot of it was that great start and high scores. Cristo +4 last 10 Woodall 0 last 10 games. Which one if moved would hurt the locker room more. That one stays imo.
