Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[DetSpitsFan]

Protas, Spellacy, Greentree, Nesbitt, Morneau, Davis, Belchetz, Lemieux are in my Top 9 for the second half. I was fine keeping Outwater in there and moving Abraham, but if Outwater is in fact out, I’m more on board with keeping Abraham.

I like Garden and his speed, but he plays his size right now, he’ll improve.
Martins gritty, plays tough, relatively smart as well. Lower ceiling on offensive output.
Gaymes, plays dumb more often than not but seems to settle down with a few more minutes. Seems he has the skill when needed as shown early, but welcoming to mix it up. I really like his versatility to play a few different styles, but he’s not a top line guy, obviously. Plus not being a giant, he can put more into his hits and is less likely to accidentally clip a head

Maybe not mixed together, but that rounds out our forward group, and for this year, I don’t hate it.

Wouldn’t mind one more depth forward with potential, ideally an 07/08 to put out more of a skilled bottom line and to allow Martin and Gaymes to protect teammates and not hold back so much from their game.

Back to the preseason talks of, “Wish we could dress more of our 08’s”. Seems even sillier to say sitting at #1 in the West Division by 8 games, halfway through the season lol

 

[spitsfan28]

I know the trade freeze is on until the 29th but has anyone heard anymore details/information on what the Spits plans are/who they could be targeting?

 

[ohloutsider]

At some point you need to separate feeling's for a home grown player with ties to the team because his father played here. I love the kid and he has improved but next year you can't have a 3-4 th liner take a OA spot. We have younger better skill potential kids in Garden, Lemieux and Brockelkhurst next year to develop. Throw in returning players Belchetz, Nesbitt, Greentree, Spellacy possibly Protas or another import, that's 8 players filling top 9.we know

At some point you need to separate feeling's for a home grown player with ties to the team because his father played here. I love the kid and he has improved but next year you can't have a 3-4 th liner take a OA spot. We have younger better skill potential kids in Garden, Lemieux and Brockelkhurst next year to develop. Throw in returning players Belchetz, Nesbitt, Greentree, Spellacy possibly Protas or another import, that's 8 players filling top 9.

Sorry for the double quote, big thumbs.

We know Bowler will make a hockey decision over a " family " decision. He released Colton Smith over obvious connections to the team. He will likely release Martin as well but until something better comes along ( and it will) Martin is your guy.

Now with so many more options Martin may chose to move on next year anyway so there's that. Also would he be a player that might get tucked into a deal this year? Hockey is full of surprises on and off the ice. Be safe.

 

[ohloutsider]

I know the trade freeze is on until the 29th but has anyone heard anymore details/information on what the Spits plans are/who they could be targeting?

Looks like they missed out on Konner Smith so I'm assuming Bowler will be shopping for a strong gritty D . Just not sure who?

 

[Cherrydon]

Bowler let Smith go but was it Smith that wanted to go or untradeable due to something else like attitude? He scored 48 goals in 170 games. He was a 1/2 point per game average Martin has 11 career goals in 90 plus games. Similar styles Math says all else aside Smith should have stayed over Martin head to head decision.

 

[ohloutsider]

Bowler let Smith go but was it Smith that wanted to go or untradeable due to something else like attitude? He scored 48 goals in 170 games. He was a 1/2 point per game average Martin has 11 career goals in 90 plus games. Similar styles Math says all else aside Smith should have stayed over Martin head to head decision.

Smith wanted to play for the Spits. Smith was not in competition with Martin for a spot. Smith was 4th man out against Abraham, Mathurin and Morneau.
Martin is not here to score goals . He plays his role very well, except for the odd untimely penalties. Just not sure who do you want to take his role if he is not here? Spits need somebody in the line up to step in if required and not really be missed on the ledger if he is out the odd game.
London has Bolton on a team stacked in their mind, to go all the way. Martin is a better player. All teams need a Martin.

 

[frontsfan67]

44 has a ton of work to do..

Everybody in the league has a ton of work to do. He has made HUGE strides since last season.

He is is set to have career highs in goals, assists, points, plus minus (is also second in the league for that.)

Do you expect him to be the second coming of bobby orr? What’s the deal with the guy?