Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part III

[StingUpdates]

As cool as getting Nesbitt would be with him being a Sarnia kid & a very promising player I don't see a fit. He's a centre & Sarnia has Di Iorio & Edwards as hopefully high end Cs going forward & Beamish who came over from the BCHL is one of the leagues best face-off men & just under point per game.

Adding a 4th would create a logjam they've been trying to figure it all year with Wainwright being a good face-off guy, too. Seca (our GM) also said last week he doesn't see us making any substantial trades + @OHL4Life mentioned on the buyers/sellers thread Sarnia isn't shopping Young/Fischer.

 

[Cherrydon]

Don't care what your offering, it should be no to trading Nesbitt. Big part of next season and is already improved drastically this year, does a little bit of everything and thats the kind of players and people you win championships with.

We aren't getting past London this year, also few strong team's out east and I don't want to trade big pieces that will be here for next seasons run just to win one or two playoff series this year, all the chips and pieces are aligning to take an even stronger run next year.

Make some smaller trades to shore up some areas and potentially move other players lower down the depth chart or some draft picks is fine and then see where the cards fall come this years playoffs. This team is doing better then most anticipated forsure but theres no Need to jump the gun, Please play it smart Bowler.

Go Spits Go.

I'm not advocating trading Nesbitt either but next year we will need 2 quality OA'S and 2 quality Imports to be better than this year. BB picked Protas knowing it was a likely a 1 and done. 2022 was the only year we went past round 1 in like a dozen years. Sounds like the offense laden Leafs. A tweek is not going to win multiple series. 1 hot goalie with our current defense and we will be packing. Defense, hot goalie wins playoffs. Why is London so heavily favored? Top 5 D better thsn most and 2 really good imports and 2 good goalies. We cover them on offense hands down. Protas easily beats 1 import but Eichler not do much. That's where the comparison ends. Don't forget our best defensive D went down again with an injury.

 

[OHLTG]

I don't think a deadline has made me quite as "I have no idea what's going to happen" as this one... at least not since before COVID.

 

[rve24]

I don't think a deadline has made me quite as "I have no idea what's going to happen" as this one... at least not since before COVID.

I think I read this every year on here before and/or after deadline.

 

[windsor7]

I think I read this every year on here before and/or after deadline.

Very true..

 

[All the Answers]

This year's Spitfire team is an enigma. They only have 3 players that have been drafted (not including Mathurin whose rights have expired). They had no players in the WJC. They will probably only have 1 player drafted this year. They don't play well for major parts of many games (as is documented on this board). But all they do is win. I don't know exactly how they do it. Team Chemistry? Coaching?

The team has an above average OA group. They have only 1 solid 2005 in Costanzo. The other 2005s are fillers. They have an excellent 06 class but are very shallow in the 2007 class. The 08s are solid, but because of their age don't make a substantial impact (other than Belchez).

I think most of us thought this team would be a 5th to 8th seed. They do benefit from a very weak division. which they lead by 22 points and will most certainly be seeded 2nd.

All in all, this team seems to be a case of 1+1 = 3. The whole is much more than the sum of the parts. IMO, any trades should be to strength next year. Two years ago, Bowler brought in several big names at the trade deadline, and it seemed to hurt the team. Hopefully that won't happen again.

This with different names is Kitchener with the change that our 07s and 08s are very deep, with a very weak/limited quantity of 06s. 4 drafted players.

Strong OA class, sub Ando for Joey as the 05. Expected to be fighting for a playoff seed. Great coaching. 1+1=3

 

[Bourne]

Maybe I’m dumb, but I think Nesbitt for Fischer straight up would be pretty close to getting it done.

Nesbitt projects as a first/second round pick this year, Fischer was a second round pick.

Sarina gets an extra year with Nesbitt who is an ‘07 vs Fischer who is an ‘06. Both players are integral parts to their teams at the moment.

Just blabbering here.

Some years ago the Spits had to trade Austin Watson along with 2 2nd round picks to get Zack Kassian. I know they say you can't argue with results but I didn't like that trade and I think the Spits would have won regardless. (If they could have traded Ellis and more so Kassian the following season it may have changed my mind a bit on that trade but i believe there was some refusals in being traded at the time.) Is this trade seen as similar? Maybe not because Fischer is a d-man but I know all the same, even straight up I don't like it. If Spellacy is the player in question that has asked for a trade, I'd rather Spellacy + than Nesbitt straight up. It seems that Fischer isn't available anyways so this is probably all moot.

I, like yourself, just blabbering here.

 

[OHLTG]

IF Fischer was available, Spellacy and him as the main points of a package is interesting.

 

[Cherrydon]

IF Fischer was available, Spellacy and him as the main points of a package is interesting.

Young is a better target being a non-drafted, offensively good and hits. Price maybe a little cheaper . Although Fischer is liklely back next year still a risk he coukd make it.i wouldn't say no to Fischer anyday.

 

[BoogieB]

I too think London is beatable. I really don’t think I’d pay much to increase those odds…

I mean think of it this way. You don’t have to beat London in a 7 game series for them to face Kitchener. Earlier I thought it would be a reach to expect to beat them in points for first, but here we are… couple games more, but same number of points.

Theres so many directions this could go, and so many names floating in and out, I really have no idea what to think.

If I was here last season, returned expecting to finish 4th or 5th and now we’re making a run, I wouldn’t want to be moved.

I’m excited but have no clue what’s going to happen. I’m still wanting an 05’ returning defensemen. We have 3 goalies that can fight for crease time and an 08’ that may wiggle into a start or two and create more pressure on the others. We debatably have the best current offense in the league.

There’s no one I really hate on this team or want gone from an on ice perspective.

I do however like The idea of Eichler, Winegard, Manzo, outwater? (Can he be moved injured?) and a couple picks out. Young or Fischer In and an upgraded import 06 or younger that will return.

Off chance Protas is back, the import we acquired can go out for picks if we like our options at the import draft.
Christoforo, Young/Fischer, Woodall, Walton, Hicks, add one more defensemen and it’s a returning D core with a year more of experience.
Lose Abraham, maybe Protas up front, but Nesbitt and Belchetz will have increased production next year, I guarantee it.

I don’t want to blow next year for this year, based on how well we’ve done with what we have. Who else in the West is buying? Easterns conference has their eyes wide with no one up top. It’s London over here… with Kitchener and Windsor on their tail.


Assuming Mews. He would be a great addition, just don’t think we can afford it.

We do have an amazing team coming back next year, I would not be too anxious to break that up. Plus look at where we are this year alone, no one expected this group to be anywhere near where they are. I concur , I would maybe try and upgrade a couple D men, but only for picks and not my core guys that will have a shot next year as well.

 

[OHLTG]

Young is a better target being a non-drafted, offensively good and hits. Price maybe a little cheaper . Although Fischer is liklely back next year still a risk he coukd make it.i wouldn't say no to Fischer anyday.

If it's Young, we send someone else. Spellacy will take a lot, and rightfully so.

 

[Cherrydon]

We do have an amazing team coming back next year, I would not be too anxious to break that up. Plus look at where we are this year alone, no one expected this group to be anywhere near where they are. I concur , I would maybe try and upgrade a couple D men, but only for picks and not my core guys that will have a shot next year as well.

Agree except we need to move roster D to bring in replacements. Sitting guys like Manzo or Hicks to make room makes no sense in their development. They are both A cards so scratch or play territory.

 

[Cherrydon]

If it's Young, we send someone else. Spellacy will take a lot, and rightfully so.

Plus Young would reduce 1 OA desperately needed next year. 2 birds with 1 stone.

 

[OHLTG]

Agree except we need to move roster D to bring in replacements. Sitting guys like Manzo or Hicks to make room makes no sense in their development. They are both A cards so scratch or play territory.

If you're getting more experience on D, a guy like Manzo seems ideal to put in the package. He gets time on a young blueline while Windsor gets the experience.

Something like... Young for Manzo + 4th or 5th. That doesn't break the bank, gets both teams what they need, and works for Windsor next season, too. Don't get me wrong, Manzo's growing on me, but...

 

[Cherrydon]

If you're getting more experience on D, a guy like Manzo seems ideal to put in the package. He gets time on a young blueline while Windsor gets the experience.

Something like... Young for Manzo + 4th or 5th. That doesn't break the bank, gets both teams what they need, and works for Windsor next season, too. Don't get me wrong, Manzo's growing on me, but...

Yep. Nothing against Manzo, good kid, just he kinda projects similar play style as Woodall and Cristoforo. Just numbers game.

 

[hockeylegend11]

If you're getting more experience on D, a guy like Manzo seems ideal to put in the package. He gets time on a young blueline while Windsor gets the experience.

Something like... Young for Manzo + 4th or 5th. That doesn't break the bank, gets both teams what they need, and works for Windsor next season, too. Don't get me wrong, Manzo's growing on me, but...

Sarnia will want more re draft picks for Young and so would I
I would offer Manzo,a 2nd from this years draft we have 2 and both aren't ours a 4th next year don't have one this year,and it might get done.
To add 1 of the 2nds we have this year is Soo's, so I offer that one plus a 3rd which happens to be Guelph's,in return we get Young,plus a 4th which happens to be North Bay's owned by Sarnia,which means in the end Windsor has our 1st,a 2nd Kitchener 's and the 4th from Sarnia which is NBays.Give and take by both sides could make it work

 

[OHLTG]

Sarnia will want more re draft picks for Young and so would I
I would offer Manzo,a 2nd from this years draft we have 2 and both aren't ours a 4th next year don't have one this year,and it might get done.

I'd go 2nd this year and a 4th in 27.

 

[hockeylegend11]

I'd go 2nd this year and a 4th in 27.

Re read my post I changed it might be more palatable to Sarnia.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Yep. Nothing against Manzo, good kid, just he kinda projects similar play style as Woodall and Cristoforo. Just numbers game.

An 05 D that’s going to be better now and next year, but gone the following. For one that’s improving well, should be better next year, and a key player the following two.

Seems like a reasonable deal with some mid round picks going to Sarnia in the process.

Young can play the Top 2 minutes if Mathurins out for a while, but I see him kinda fitting in a #3 spot on our current D. I haven’t heard anything about Sarnia wanting to make a deal but they have a lot of 07’s, I’d guess they’re shooting for a go in 26-27. Young will have aged out by then, and it would give em an extra pick or two to move later.

Somewhat wishful thinking I guess, as it would be nice to land Young, but it also sounds fair, doable, and makes sense for both clubs.

 

[OHLTG]

Re read my post I changed it might be more palatable to Sarnia.

I'm just throwing ideas out there.

 

[Teflon]

Ok so sounds like most agree, we need a D man, optimally 2. Theres lots of names folks say no way we cant trade him…. So who do we trade for the type of player we need then??
I must reiterate, im not listing any names, just the info im hearing. Please don’t assume who those players might be.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Assuming trade is correct between the Sault and Oshawa, for Gibson and Brady Smith a forward goes to the Sault,it means they now have 2 forwards named Brady Smith.
Isn't that illegal lol?

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Surprised how little talk is going on about anything in the Western Conference.

I don’t hear Windsor, London or Kitchener being involved in any serious talks right now.

 

[OHLTG]

Saginaw might be unloading...

 

[windsor7]

Saginaw might be unloading...

That would help Windsor out. They r tired of hay I'm sure.