Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part III

[Cherrydon]

Again next year could be possibly better, but look at having our horrible 05 crop and poor import draft selection position. Need 2 good imports, 2 OA'S mminimum. None of that improves our D unless those holes are filled with OA D and Import D. Too costly I am sure that BB has already had conversations with the Caps. If he knows Protas is a goner, does he make the moves now to improve this year. 26-27 should be a good year with our great 08 crop with a Windbeil/Newlove tandem. 08's will be in their 3rd year and with any remaining 06s as OA'S

 

[windsor7]

They're on pace this season for 113 points, which would be their highest total since 120 points in 04/05. They've had three seasons since 2011-12 with fewer than 90 points. Getting 90 is expected of them, but 100+ has been a rarity. You remove the grads from this season and there's a better chance (still not *great*) of taking them in seven next season. I want to see Windsor get 2-3 rounds like everyone else, but I'm also fully willing to admit that London is going to dominate this season more than they have in the past.

If giving up already.
Why play?
Anything can happen in playoffs

 

[hockeylegend11]

After last night's win over Flint,coming into today Spits have the league's best record in the past 10 games plus broken up with the Christmas break at 8-1-0-1.

Interesting stat Windsor after 36 games played only, team in the league despite a 10th place status on the PP not to have allowed a short handed goal against.

 

[windsor7]

After last night's win over Flint,coming into today Spits have the league's best record in the past 10 games plus broken up with the Christmas break at 8-1-0-1.

Interesting stat Windsor after 36 games played only, team in the league despite a 10th place status on the PP not to have allowed a short handed goal against.

And they will need to keep that pace rest of the season..

 

[hockeylegend11]

While the PP has struggled lately wouldn't know it by their record and goals scored lately,their PK is just fine,have allowed 20 goals against all season while the other team is on the PP,including 2 last night,they have also scored 6 shorties happy they are now at 4th best in that department.

 

[Cherrydon]

I'd say they should coast to first in Western division and let London worry about first in conference. I am not saying lay back or don't give 100%. Being a division leader should put us as #2 seed in conference. No London until 3rd round should both our teams get there. If all current seeds in current standings advance we would see Kitchener round 2 and Sarnia round 1. Erie may slide now that Schaefer is out for a while.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

IF some “big name” wants out, I can’t think it would be anyone else but Spellacy.

Nesbitt’s in a draft year and doing well IMO. I wouldn’t give him a change of scenery as it could hurt, and less playoffs = less scouts eyes on him, which normally doesn’t help.

Davis’s production has been great the last couple weeks.

Greentree didn’t want to go last year. The way he’s sticking up for his teammates now, I don’t think there’s a chance he wants to go.

Cant imagine anyone wants Protas moved. He’s hitting similar minutes if not exceeding Greentree lately. High production, seems to be doing as good if not better than anyone could’ve hoped for first year of North American hockey.

Spellacy, as mentioned, not a top scorer. I don’t mind where he’s at, but I’m a Spits first fan. His speed is unmatched, great hustle, could be more physical, but he stays out of the box by not. I’ve always felt his hands need to catch up to his feet, and that hasn’t really improved. He’s played with a lot of guys over the few seasons, and his best on-ice chemistry was his 2-3 games with Pasquale Zito.

I’d love him to stay, but if he’s the guy we’re talking about moving out, imagine the return would be good as an 06’ that’s drafted and although I think he has a high ceiling and one day in the O could be “The Guy”, he’s not there yet.

And I hate to say it, but I’d imagine his numbers are replaceable. Charlie Pacquette is a year older, from Windsor, and almost identical production, if there’s more than smoke to that rumor.

 

[hockeylegend11]

IF some “big name” wants out, I can’t think it would be anyone else but Spellacy.

Nesbitt’s in a draft year and doing well IMO. I wouldn’t give him a change of scenery as it could hurt, and less playoffs = less scouts eyes on him, which normally doesn’t help.

Davis’s production has been great the last couple weeks.

Greentree didn’t want to go last year. The way he’s sticking up for his teammates now, I don’t think there’s a chance he wants to go.

Cant imagine anyone wants Protas moved. He’s hitting similar minutes if not exceeding Greentree lately. High production, seems to be doing as good if not better than anyone could’ve hoped for first year of North American hockey.

Spellacy, as mentioned, not a top scorer. I don’t mind where he’s at, but I’m a Spits first fan. His speed is unmatched, great hustle, could be more physical, but he stays out of the box by not. I’ve always felt his hands need to catch up to his feet, and that hasn’t really improved. He’s played with a lot of guys over the few seasons, and his best on-ice chemistry was his 2-3 games with Pasquale Zito.

I’d love him to stay, but if he’s the guy we’re talking about moving out, imagine the return would be good as an 06’ that’s drafted and although I think he has a high ceiling and one day in the O could be “The Guy”, he’s not there yet.

And I hate to say it, but I’d imagine his numbers are replaceable. Charlie Pacquette is a year older, from Windsor, and almost identical production, if there’s more than smoke to that rumor.

Small correction on Protas, actually 2nd year in North America, played last year in Des Moines of the USHL had 14G,37A in 61 games there as a 17 year old,has surpassed those numbers in 15 less games with Windsor.
Great selection by Washington and Windsor

 

[DetSpitsFan]

It’s London’s year. I agree, take the west division and see where it goes.

Now, a conference win would be huge. We’d have the possibility to only have to see London or Kitchener… not both, to get to the finals. However, that feels unrealistic. And we haven’t really “struggled” vs Kitchener this year. Parsons is a tough goalie to crack, but he’s the only thing about Kitchener that worries me head to head.

I’d rather be in Windsors spot than London’s. Down the stretch if we get out of contention for the conference, we have the ability to sit anyone that’s slightly banged up, and head to the first round healthy, get back up goalies experience, 08’s tons of ice time, etc.

I felt better the year we went to the finals from game 1 of the playoffs vs Kitchener.

There’s something about it being that team with a target on your back and all these high expectations vs. being the team that’s trying to knock off THE TEAM that year.

If we remain close enough to London, try to take over 1st, but with London’s success without their lack of WJ guys, I have to imagine, it’s going to be hard to gain any ground.

That being said. We’ve got 32 games left. If we can maintain our current lead on Saginaw and flint thru the weekend… either of those teams will have to gain 10 games on us before the end of the regular season.

Which is insanely difficult. Meaning if we go 15-15, an even 500 down those last 30 games, Flint or Saginaw would need to go 25-5… with games against eachother, London, Windsor and Kitchener… I just don’t see it possible.

Our current win percentage is .722, with a point in 80.6% of games.

Even if we move out pieces to build for next year (which I’m thinking is less and less the case), I think we go .500 in the last 30 games.

Small correction on Protas, actually 2nd year in North America, played last year in Des Moines of the USHL had 14G,37A in 61 games there as a 17 year old,has surpassed those numbers in 15 less games with Windsor.
Great selection by Washington and Windsor

Thank you! Forgot he did USHL, I always think of imports coming over for the CHL, being totally new to the country. I’m curious how much that’s helped him just acclimate to the culture/language barrier.

Couldn’t imagine the points he’d have in the USHL this season lol

 

[Cherrydon]

Imo Spellacy projects to be a NHL 3rd-4th line checking forward with being a PK specialist. Maybe high end 15-20 goals per season. He has a good shot but drowns not playing 1st line minute's and noone who can keep up to him. Maybe he should be paired with Protas full time Greentree piled up the points without Protas last year. Spellacy has never been highlighted on a regular basis on the 1st unit or 1st line. Not saying he should but he wasn't sent back here to learn how to skate.

 

[windsor7]

Small correction on Protas, actually 2nd year in North America, played last year in Des Moines of the USHL had 14G,37A in 61 games there as a 17 year old,has surpassed those numbers in 15 less games with Windsor.
Great selection by Washington and Windsor

Protas is Windsor best player.
That draft is a crap shoot. Goes 1 way or another.
Windsor benefited this time after tanking by Bowler previous season..

 

[Teflon]

Ok, so yes a spit asking out, not Abe. But theres a player out there that has asked to come here in an unrelated possible deal. Theres some chatter, but again BB is nearly impossible to nail down. Much of it isnt what id call super reliable, hell like i said hes floated some of his own rumors just to see what gets back to him. Its really quiet across the league from what im hearing.

 

[OHLTG]

Ok, so yes a spit asking out, not Abe. But theres a player out there that has asked to come here in an unrelated possible deal.

Curious - say the two players were traded for each other, would the value be one-for-one or what do you imagine a possible trade of player for player might look like? (ie. Player A for Player B, or Player A +++ for Player B +, kind of thing)

I did laugh at the idea that Bowler sends out his own rumours to see what happens. That's pretty darn clever. "Guys, say I'm talking to (team). I'm not but I want to see how far that might go."

 

[OHLTG]

Brampton just traded 2+3+cond. 5 to Guelph for G Gillespie.

 

[Cherrydon]

If a good player has a no trade clause and wants to pick his new team. The cost is usually lower for the acquiring team or no deal may occur. If deals go through I expect a minimum of 3 roster players moved. Bowler seems to be in good favor with almost all the managers. None that i know of dislike the possibility of trading with him. Even inter-division. History with Saggy and Flint. His stealthy approach publicly is respected.

 

[windsor7]

Brampton just traded 2+3+cond. 5 to Guelph for G Gillespie.

Guelph near bottom of league.
This shouldn't be shocking

 

[three dog night]

Brampton just traded 2+3+cond. 5 to Guelph for G Gillespie.Who is out

 

[ohloutsider]

Yes Bowler is wheeling and dealing which is what a GM should be doing this time of year. He doesn't say much but there seems to be tons of rumors out there, so somebody is hearing something I guess. At the end of deadline there will be some jaw droppers and some that fall into what we thought would happen. I'm sure Bowler won't disappoint with both.

 

[LeProspector]

Since no one else wants to actually say it: Move out Spellacy since he’s asking out, get an haul for him. He wants a more prominent offensive role and he’s not happy with what he has here.

Try to gauge interest on Costanzo if that’s what Gillespie went for, one can argue Costanzo is on par with him.

 

[OHLTG]

If that's the case with Spellacy, I can understand it. Him and Abraham have been mixed into it all, if you will, instead of being at the forefront like Greentree, Davis, Protas, Belchetz, etc. He's a good kid with a ton of speed and offensive potential so, if something is there, I hope there's a legit return.

As for Costanzo - he stays unless there's a darn good reason to move him.

 

[Cherrydon]

No reason to move Costanzo. No fire sale here. Acquisition is the plan everyone bitches about the Wright trade but don't forget they were 1st place in the West and were swept round 1 due to
Onuska suspect horrible GAA that year, rookie Costanzo and really poor defense structure under Savard. Outscored 20-7 that series that wasn't Wrights fault. Spend on D and then spend on D again.

 

[OHLTG]

everyone bitches about the Wright trade but don't forget they were 1st place in the West and were swept round 1 due to
Onuska suspect horrible GAA that year, rookie Costanzo and really poor defense structure under Savard. Outscored 20-7 that series that wasn't Wrights fault.

Wright had 37 points or something in 20 games and he missed time, from what I understand, because of Seattle. The playoffs were a giant team effort, including credit to the Rangers. Every time I see/hear "Wright was a bad move", I just don't get it.

 

[windsor7]

Wright had 37 points or something in 20 games and he missed time, from what I understand, because of Seattle. The playoffs were a giant team effort, including credit to the Rangers. Every time I see/hear "Wright was a bad move", I just don't get it.

Was a wrong move. However u don't see Bowler doing much wrong.
U have to play defense.
Windsor didn't.

 

[OHLTG]

Hmmm... thinking out loud here.

IF it's Spellacy that wants out for a more prominent offensive role, could he be used as a chip in a Musty or Luchanko deal?

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Since no one else wants to actually say it: Move out Spellacy since he’s asking out, get an haul for him. He wants a more prominent offensive role and he’s not happy with what he has here.

Try to gauge interest on Costanzo if that’s what Gillespie went for, one can argue Costanzo is on par with him.

The issue is that it's tough to get on the better end of a Spellacy deal. In Jan of 2023 Bowler didn't win a single deal. Spellacy has more upside than 66% of the forwards. Sure if it comes to that you deal him but Outwater is out long term. Still relying on younger players. Unless you're getting top tier in return this isn't good.