Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[windsor7]

These little, offensive, D men are to plentiful here! We need to contain our zone and clear the zone better. Our guys are getting manhandled out front.
Im also concerned with the lack of progress many are displaying. Some things need to be changed. You can’t expect to acquire all the needed pieces in one year.

So far under Bowler being gm he doesn't envision d man that do that. Only focusing on offensive guys.

 

[Cherrydon]

And after the break is no picnic. 6 games in 9 days before the trade deadline. Backup goaltending and taking advantage of the 5 Knights being away at the WJC is paramount

 

[windsor7]

I'd deal Manzo before 24 or 44, only because 24 is a local kid and 44 is much improved over last season and you may actually need him. I appreciate Manzo but, to me, Hicks has a higher ceiling.

Need 44 pinching all the time n not covering forwards??

 

[Cherrydon]

I'd deal Manzo before 24 or 44, only because 24 is a local kid and 44 is much improved over last season and you may actually need him. I appreciate Manzo but, to me, Hicks has a higher ceiling.

It can be also said that Woodall (great community kid by the way) playing 70 plus less career games is gaining faster than Cristoforo is improving.

 

[Teflon]

Listen, those 3 make quite a few mistakes. That combined with a lack of physicality has me moving 2 as well.

 

[tomschman]

I believe that the problem with the D is more of a coaching philosophy than the players themselves. Whatever D men are on the ice, one of them is playing as a 4th forward and the other is playing as a true D. This has been an issue for several years with a complete turnover of D men and coaches.

I don't like Dmen constantly deep in the O zone, but I think different Dmen might have the same result.

 

[thespitslurker]

The news about Belchetz being out that long is concerning. I would prefer if Bowler calls ppl up and not pull the 11/7 crap but I wouldnt be surprised if he does. We'll see I guess. As for the future of this team I think it would be wise to trade guys that ppl mentioned above like Abraham, Outwater, Froggett, Manzo, Eichler and Winegard. I would prefer if they get some decent depth 06 or 05 forwards or even just call some ppl up that they could use. Wouldn't mind if they call up guys like Morgan or Stewart to mend the holes in the bottom 6. My main goal for this team is to make the 2nd round. Anything above that would be a very welcome surprise but I don't want them to pull a kneejerk trade and screws us over in the future (i.e Brett Harrison). I'm okay with either Costanzo or Windbiel Thursday and just let them recoup and have fun for the holidays. But yeah after that, figure out the roster, make some calls and see if we can have a decent trade deadline.

Go Spits Go.

 

[Cherrydon]

I believe that the problem with the D is more of a coaching philosophy than the players themselves. Whatever D men are on the ice, one of them is playing as a 4th forward and the other is playing as a true D. This has been an issue for several years with a complete turnover of D men and coaches.

I don't like Dmen constantly deep in the O zone, but I think different Dmen might have the same result.

Very true and as you say under different coaches, then it becomes a player issue or direction from the top.Bowler? I have no problem pinching when you are behind but when ahead it should not happen.

 

[ohloutsider]

I know some on here won't agree but Christoforo and Woodall aren't going anywhere.
At the half way point in the season Christoforo leads the league in plus/minus at plus 27. Last year he was minus 44. That is a plus 71 improvement. No GM is giving up on a player that has shown that much improvement under new coaching. If you are looking for a needle in a haystack you will always find the needle. Try looking for the unexpected. Most here can't see by past last year and it blinds them.
Woodall is very good in his roll. His play is not hurting this team and who are you bringing in that will be better than him and he is already here at zero costs.
I remember fans that use to yell at Ryan Ellis! Some fans can only see negative. I'm very happy both are here.

 

[punch1943]

IMHO you dance with the girl you brought to the party. If, at the trade deadline, someone is interested in players you don’t want next year then deal for future picks. Next year should be foremost on our minds.

 

[Teflon]

I dont disagree theres a D coaching issue or the fact chris and woody arent moving on. What i do disagree with is its mostly coaching. Our guys are simply not big enough to clear the slot or win puck battles. We also lack a big slap shot from the point. Very noticeable the last few weeks, guys get tossed around, opposition sits in the slot and we have a brutal time gaining possession in our zone. Bigger bodies fix those issues quickly.

 

[ohloutsider]

I dont disagree theres a D coaching issue or the fact chris and woody arent moving on. What i do disagree with is its mostly coaching. Our guys are simply not big enough to clear the slot or win puck battles. We also lack a big slap shot from the point. Very noticeable the last few weeks, guys get tossed around, opposition sits in the slot and we have a brutal time gaining possession in our zone. Bigger bodies fix those issues quickly.

Well my strong speculation is they are shopping for a bigger stronger D but it won't be at the cost of moving Christforo or Woodall. Also speculation is there is a 06 top 6 forward on the radar. I will leave this as speculation. And no I have no names.

 

[Cherrydon]

I know some on here won't agree but Christoforo and Woodall aren't going anywhere.
At the half way point in the season Christoforo leads the league in plus/minus at plus 27. Last year he was minus 44. That is a plus 71 improvement. No GM is giving up on a player that has shown that much improvement under new coaching. If you are looking for a needle in a haystack you will always find the needle. Try looking for the unexpected. Most here can't see by past last year and it blinds them.
Woodall is very good in his roll. His play is not hurting this team and who are you bringing in that will be better than him and he is already here at zero costs.
I remember fans that use to yell at Ryan Ellis! Some fans can only see negative. I'm very happy both are here.

This is not digging at you personally. Looking deep into this. Cristoforo was +15 after only 5 games. +23 after 15 games. He is now +27. Only +4 in his last 16 games. He plays with Mathurin -hummmm wonder why. Woodall is worst on team currently at -6. He was -5 after 15 games and -1 his last 16. He plays with rookie Hicks and Manzo. Basically a rookie as well. Manzo only played 5 games last year. Do you think your D partner and who plays the most minutes behind Greentree and Protas might effect these stats? You suggest they should keep both of them. Cristoforo because he is best +/- and keep Woodall because he has the worst +/- ?? They both lack a hard shot from point. London has more than double goals from their D than us and only the Soo is the only worse team in the Western conference for total goals by their D.

 

[Cherrydon]

Too me it is having too many the same size and style players. If you had say 3 Cale Makar types. They would are be fantastic, but really only room for 1 of those on a team. Don't even mention Ryan Ellis in reference to anyone we have. Ryan Ellis worst season was + 24 and was +52 season. He could throw a hit and cleared the crease and had a terrific hard shot. You have to trade D to change D. Woodall and Cristoforo have trade value. Eichler import and Manzo Winegard are hard to trade. Can't trade Walton or it defeats the purpose of trying to get bigger on the back end. So, suggestions on who should go? Even Parekh has a nasty edge not that I'm suggesting obtaining him

 

[OHLTG]

Also speculation is there is a 06 top 6 forward on the radar. I will leave this as speculation. And no I have no names.

Over the last few weeks, there has been some chatter on Twitter about Storm F Jett Luchanko, an 06, coming to Windsor. I don't know how serious the talks were, whether or not it got off the ground, etc. With the Storm dealing Alriksson today, plus the talk on Twitter, plus this, I'm more comfortable throwing the name out there. My gut says he would cost Nesbitt + multiple picks, which I'm hesitant about.

That being said, I'm still in the "bring me a veteran, physical D" group. An 05 would be ideal but I'm not going to turn down Konnor Smith if that happens, either.

Woodall and Cristoforo have trade value. Eichler import and Manzo Winegard are hard to trade. Can't trade Walton or it defeats the purpose of trying to get bigger on the back end. So, suggestions on who should go? Even Parekh has a nasty edge not that I'm suggesting obtaining him

I think it depends on who's coming in. IF they went after Konnor Smith, you'd likely deal Abraham for him, then deal one of Windsor's current D (such as Winegard) for a pick or something. I still think Manzo would thrive in a better situation; he's done okay so far, just seems quiet and learning as he goes along.

 

[ohloutsider]

Too me it is having too many the same size and style players. If you had say 3 Cale Makar types. They would are be fantastic, but really only room for 1 of those on a team. Don't even mention Ryan Ellis in reference to anyone we have. Ryan Ellis worst season was + 24 and was +52 season. He could throw a hit and cleared the crease and had a terrific hard shot. You have to trade D to change D. Woodall and Cristoforo have trade value. Eichler import and Manzo Winegard are hard to trade. Can't trade Walton or it defeats the purpose of trying to get bigger on the back end. So, suggestions on who should go? Even Parekh has a nasty edge not that I'm suggesting obtaining him

Lol Not comparing anyone on this roster to Ryan Ellis. My comparison is to the fact that fans will boo any player when they make a mistake. It is easy to find players at this level making mistakes. Need to understand that through those mistakes they are learning and getting better. We are seeing that this year and the credit is given to the other player?
There was a post on here Friday pointing out that Christforo had let a player by him and they scored a goal . What was failed to be mentioned was Mathurin was on that side of the ice and he toe picked and fell over leaving Christforo to come across and attempt to cover for him. The whole thing was blamed on Christforo. If you don't like a player it is easy to find fault with them. Last year him along with the entire team had a tough year. We need to move on from that.
Anyway I'll get off my soapbox now and leave this topic alone for a bit. Be safe.

 

[OHLTG]

I know some on here won't agree but Christoforo and Woodall aren't going anywhere.
At the half way point in the season Christoforo leads the league in plus/minus at plus 27. Last year he was minus 44. That is a plus 71 improvement. No GM is giving up on a player that has shown that much improvement under new coaching. If you are looking for a needle in a haystack you will always find the needle. Try looking for the unexpected. Most here can't see by past last year and it blinds them.
Woodall is very good in his roll. His play is not hurting this team and who are you bringing in that will be better than him and he is already here at zero costs.
I remember fans that use to yell at Ryan Ellis! Some fans can only see negative. I'm very happy both are here.

100% agreed. Players are going to make mistakes and, last season, we saw far more than we've been used to. However, those same players should be given credit where due if the improvement is there. I said in the past that Cristoforo maybe needed a change of scenery. Now, I'm content with how he's progressed and I think the team is happy with it, too. He's credited Walters, the systems, his own confidence, and Mathurin for the improvement. I don't see him being moved short of something seriously drastic.

 

[windsor7]

100% agreed. Players are going to make mistakes and, last season, we saw far more than we've been used to. However, those same players should be given credit where due if the improvement is there. I said in the past that Cristoforo maybe needed a change of scenery. Now, I'm content with how he's progressed and I think the team is happy with it, too. He's credited Walters, the systems, his own confidence, and Mathurin for the improvement. I don't see him being moved short of something seriously drastic.

And next week?..

 

[Cherrydon]

Over the last few weeks, there has been some chatter on Twitter about Storm F Jett Luchanko, an 06, coming to Windsor. I don't know how serious the talks were, whether or not it got off the ground, etc. With the Storm dealing Alriksson today, plus the talk on Twitter, plus this, I'm more comfortable throwing the name out there. My gut says he would cost Nesbitt + multiple picks, which I'm hesitant about.

That being said, I'm still in the "bring me a veteran, physical D" group. An 05 would be ideal but I'm not going to turn down Konnor Smith if that happens, either.


I think it depends on who's coming in. IF they went after Konnor Smith, you'd likely deal Abraham for him, then deal one of Windsor's current D (such as Winegard) for a pick or something. I still think Manzo would thrive in a better situation; he's done okay so far, just seems quiet and learning as he goes along.

Problem is trading Abraham for say Smith leaves Manzo or Hicks sitting. Moving Winegard which would be difficult even for 1 pick any round doesn't open a spot for Manzo or Hicks who need to develop.

 

[ohloutsider]

Problem is trading Abraham for say Smith leaves Manzo or Hicks sitting. Moving Winegard which would be difficult even for 1 pick any round doesn't open a spot for Manzo or Hicks who need to develop.

Bringing in any upgrade on defense will have a trickle down effect. That is the unfortunate problem any team has when they are doing well and want to stay in the race. London has no problem sitting rookies and letting the older players do the winning.

 

[ohloutsider]

Bringing in any upgrade on defense will have a trickle down effect. That is the unfortunate problem any team has when they are doing well and want to stay in the race. London has no problem sitting rookies and letting the older players do the winning.

To add to this if they bring in a top 6 forward it might push Beltchz down to the 3rd line. That would likely add to his development and confidence if he wasn't facing top 6 players every game. It is never a bad for rookies to be put into a spot they will succeed at.

 

[Cherrydon]

Cristoforo needs to credit the offense in the first 5 games after the team scored 31 goals to get him jumping out at +15 after those 5 games. Not taking that effort away, just saying it has stabilized into barely a plus player the last 16 games. His first 15 games he was different than last year. I credited him for that. Since that time he is reverting back to his play last year pinching untimely and when we have a lead that were trying to protect. Woodall started slow and is picking it up with rookie partners. One should go and I'd keep Woodall over Cristoforo who should draw a better return.

 

[OHLTG]

Problem is trading Abraham for say Smith leaves Manzo or Hicks sitting. Moving Winegard which would be difficult even for 1 pick any round doesn't open a spot for Manzo or Hicks who need to develop.

You could move Manzo in a deal instead of Winegard, if needed.

 

[windsor7]

You could move Manzo in a deal instead of Winegard, if needed.

That is a sideways deal..

 

[Cherrydon]

You could move Manzo in a deal instead of Winegard, if needed.

Very true but we would need to add a pile of picks with Manzo for a quality player and then you still have 2 less aggressive offensive first D-man. We are going to need those picks to upgrade the OA's and imports with Protas unlikely to be returned. Maybe to a team needing a offensive style D and has an abundance of stay at home physical D. We can't keep all of our roster players and just add. I'm not dealing Nesbitt or any of the 08's, so real trade bait leaves Abraham, Greentree, Spellacy, Morneau. Something has to give. Outwater zero value hurt and little if he wasn't hurt.