Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[Cherrydon]

They're fine. Both are 06s and can still slide with signed ELCs. It's OAs that don't slide if they have an ELC contract.

Thank you. Yes, I just read a different source that ELC rule exceptions that if the 19 yr old turns 20 between Sept 16 and Dec 31 of that season, they are ineligible to slide. So Bonk and Allen won't be slide eligible next season with January b-days.

 

[windsor7]

That's the biggest issue I've heard for about a month now, outside of here. Be patient because this is London's year and good luck in knocking them off.

More than a month..

 

[Fischhaber]

This year feels like 21/22 with next year set up for 22/23.

21/22: The, “Oh this is going better than we thought”. Early season pickups of Maillet and Christopoulos that didn’t really feel much different than picking up Thomas Johnston.
We moved Ladd & McDonald at the deadline mainly for picks and Currie, while grabbing that tough D Man in Perrott and goalie depth with Onuska for a 6th and conditional 4th.

22/23: We were the team to beat and went all in, acquiring Holmes, Harrison, Wright, and Dionicio. (And Aiden Castle but let’s forget about it). Sending out any valued 05’s, O Flaherty, Ride, Meidema…

I still think if we bought in Xhekaj in 21/22 it would’ve made the difference. Would’ve cost an extra second, fourth and a player than Perrott, but. Hindsight’s 20/20.

I just wonder if Bowlers looking at this year the same way as that less stretch and going, well rather than a slight buy, while we’re here… we should go for it.

The problem is, I don’t even know if there’s enough top D men in the league we could acquire that match up against London’s Dickinson/Bonk/Allen/Wooley.
I like our D group, but even wearing Spits colored glasses, it’s clear Mathurin/Christoforo/Woodall/Walton aren’t a match. And NHL teams view that the same.

We’re looking at 12 NHL Drafted players vs 3.

Tough to go all in when that’s your competition above you. And going out and grabbing a 1-2 D man, and another 2 elite forwards (which would cost everything we have), doesn’t put you in that much better of a spot you’re in right now.

Either way, it’ll be a fun deadline. The Eastern is wide open, the Western is the London show, with Kitchener/Windsor/Erie on the outside with a chance of “let’s pull off an upset”.

Merry Christmas! Let’s get this trade freeze over with lol

Gibson would be considered by some to be better than any of London's defensemen. That includes team Canada's management. He would cost more than Allen though.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Greentree just as likely to move on then for your same reasoning as he already signed this year and ELC slid 1 year Spellacy hasn't signed yet but both will be 19 as of Sept 15/25 so neither will be slide eligible next year regarding their NHL ELC's

I mean, I don’t want to say it, but Dickinson/Bonk/Allen all stand out at their position more than Greentree/Spellacy, unfortunately.

But it’s often A lot easier to replace the forwards, but that’s typically junior hockey.

I could see Dickinson back, but Bonk and Allen returning for OA years, chances are slim. If anyone in Guelph or London thought that Cam Allen would return, there would have been some conditionals in that deal.

Sure, we’re lacking a tough D now and in the future, but we’ve got a lot of intimidation up front. Maybe they’re not always standing around the crease, but they’re on the ice if something needs to happen.

Also with that forever sought after “big, strong, tough, d man” You’re almost always going to want him to be 18/19/20. They’re often moved around. You either have him when you’re not going for it, or you’re buying him when you are. Seems like the case every year with the 2/3 guys that often fit that bill.