Windsor Spitfires 2018 Offseason Thread

[LeafsFan18]

https://thehockeywriters.com/how-much-did-sanctions-hurt-the-spitfires/

Interesting article I came across from this past May. Not looking to start any argumentative discussion but just putting into perspective how this current rebuild should go a lot smoother then the last 5 years during the sanctions.

Also while on the topic of draft choices... I wouldn’t mind seeing a 5 year cap and allowing teams to deal their first round draft selections. What would everyone think of that rule change?

 

[GBFP]

I think all three leagues should have the same rules if they play each other - which they do in the Memorial Cup. So if WHL can trade first rounders, OHL should as well. Now I'd like the NBA rule where you need to make a first round pick at least once every two years. So you can't trade back-to-back years picks unless you acquired another one previously sorta deal. That would be my "rule" merger compromise with the WHL.

 

[tomschman]

One thing that many of the posters seem to ignore is that you can only trade for what is being offered. Some posters seem to think that the Spits should have gotten several 2nd round pick in 2018. While that would have been nice, they weren't available. In the period between June and the start of the season, 4 2018 2nd round picks were traded. None were traded between the start of the season and Jan 1. From Jan 1 through Jan 10, 4 2018 2nd round picks were traded.

8/1 Mississauga trades Niagara's to Kitchener
8/23 Guelph trades Windsor's to Sudbury
8/24 Owen Sound trades London's to Sudbury
9/20 Sudbury trades London's to Hamilton
1/1 Ottawa trades Sarnia's to Mississauga
1/7 Kitchener trades Saginaw's to Windsor
1/9 Niagara trades Peterborough's to London
1/10 Saginaw trades Kitchener's to Hamilton

The net change per team
Hamilton +2
London +1
Windsor +1
Sudbury +1
Saginaw -1
Niagara -1
Ottawa -1
Owen Sound -1
Guelph -1

It is also interesting that no one traded their own pick.

Here is the analysis of movement of 1st rounder, 2017 from Jan 1 to Jan 10

Hamilton traded Connor McMichael (11) to London
Kingston traded Cody Morgan (12) to Windsor
Kitchener traded Grayson Ladd (13) to Windsor
Sault Ste. Marie traded Hayden Fowler (19) to Erie

The Spits picked up 1 2nd in 2018 and 2 players drafted in the 1st round. Those are the 2 most coveted type of assets in a rebuild. Based on these 2 types of assets, Windsor won the rebuild for this season. It is also possible that all of the players they gave up will not be in the league next year. Luchuck and McEneny are definitely gone. Brown probably has a 1% chance to come back as an OA, while Day probably has a 10% change. Vilardi is 50/50 on whether he will be in the NHL or OHL.

 

[OHLTG]

Would it have been nice to bring in every possible pick we lacked? Yeah. Is that always realistic given our situation? No. Rychel did a great job in bringing back key picks and setting us up well for the future. If we deal DiPietro in the off-season, that's even more youth/picks coming our way.

 

[member 71782]

Agree with having all 3 leagues play by the same rules, drafting, discipline and every other way.

As for rule changes regarding draft picks/trades there's a few rule changes I think could be made that would help calm the craziness of picks being dealt while increasing competitiveness across the league.

Cut down the draft from 15 to 10 rounds, fewer picks should increase the value.

Allow trading of first round picks.

Move the draft back until the Mem Cup is over, 2 weeks later.

Allow trading, players and picks to start one week before the draft up until the end of June, including during the draft. Should cut down on defected players.

When there are defected players the team acquiring them must include a first round pick from one of the next 3 drafts coming up. Any compensation picks should come at the end of the first round after all teams have made their first selection then in order they were chosen the preceding year if there was more than one.

Allow trading of import picks again.

Cut import draft to one round.

allow teams to carry 3 imports.

Remove import tag if an import has played more than two years in the league allowing them to play as an OA and not an OA/import.

A few ideas but yes I agree, 5 year cap on trading futures.

 

[ohloutsider]

Agree with having all 3 leagues play by the same rules, drafting, discipline and every other way.

As for rule changes regarding draft picks/trades there's a few rule changes I think could be made that would help calm the craziness of picks being dealt while increasing competitiveness across the league.

Cut down the draft from 15 to 10 rounds, fewer picks should increase the value.

Allow trading of first round picks.

Move the draft back until the Mem Cup is over, 2 weeks later.

Allow trading, players and picks to start one week before the draft up until the end of June, including during the draft. Should cut down on defected players.

When there are defected players the team acquiring them must include a first round pick from one of the next 3 drafts coming up. Any compensation picks should come at the end of the first round after all teams have made their first selection then in order they were chosen the preceding year if there was more than one.

Allow trading of import picks again.

Cut import draft to one round.

allow teams to carry 3 imports.

Remove import tag if an import has played more than two years in the league allowing them to play as an OA and not an OA/import.

A few ideas but yes I agree, 5 year cap on trading futures.

Some good ideas yes but you really don't want to move the draft any later - gives the US programs more time to recruit kids - if the ohl teams are not in a position to talk to the kids ( not sure who they have until after the draft) they are put into another disadvantage over the US programs. Kids and parents don't want to wait until the middle of June to get a handle on where they want to play\get an education.

 

[member 71782]

No one is arguing that it takes two to consummate a deal, that's obvious.

The question is how did Rychel do at the deadline in terms of the deals he made.

Obviously most of us are not privy to all offers made and the various structures of them and those who are won't be giving out details, rightfully so.

So if the best that Rychel could do was come up short in the near term and just above break even in the long term then how did he really do?

Obviously most people would consider the short term, immediate future the priority.

The next 3 years needs a lot of work still. Some of it taken care of but not all and considering what was moved not in a great way.

Longer term, did very well. Brought things back to even and added extra to boot. Well done.

What is more pressing?

Next year and the following years which should wind up with a run or 5/6 years down the road where yes, assets will be needed but if you can put yourself in a better position early you shouldn't need as much later.

No one said he did a horrible job, got a lot back but was he the top GM at the deadline?

Probably not.

 

[member 71782]

Some good ideas yes but you really don't want to move the draft any later - gives the US programs more time to recruit kids - if the ohl teams are not in a position to talk to the kids ( not sure who they have until after the draft) they are put into another disadvantage over the US programs. Kids and parents don't want to wait until the middle of June to get a handle on where they want to play\get an education.

Teams, just like "advisors" who get kids to verbally commit at 14/15 talk to kids all the time.

How many times have we seen prospects touring around on game night.

It's not like this would push it back to August.

How has moving it up worked for recruiting?

Fewer flyers coming, more Canadians committing to NCAA.

That's not caused by moving it up, that's caused by what is perceived as the better option. Regardless of when it is the better option will win out.

Moving it back makes it a better option for dealing with current, league related issues.

 

[tomschman]

Agree with having all 3 leagues play by the same rules, drafting, discipline and every other way.

As for rule changes regarding draft picks/trades there's a few rule changes I think could be made that would help calm the craziness of picks being dealt while increasing competitiveness across the league.

Cut down the draft from 15 to 10 rounds, fewer picks should increase the value.

Allow trading of first round picks.

Move the draft back until the Mem Cup is over, 2 weeks later.

Allow trading, players and picks to start one week before the draft up until the end of June, including during the draft. Should cut down on defected players.

When there are defected players the team acquiring them must include a first round pick from one of the next 3 drafts coming up. Any compensation picks should come at the end of the first round after all teams have made their first selection then in order they were chosen the preceding year if there was more than one.

Allow trading of import picks again.

Cut import draft to one round.

allow teams to carry 3 imports.

Remove import tag if an import has played more than two years in the league allowing them to play as an OA and not an OA/import.

A few ideas but yes I agree, 5 year cap on trading futures.

The CAHA would not allow 3 imports. They have already banned import goaltenders from the league.

 

[ohloutsider]

Teams, just like "advisors" who get kids to verbally commit at 14/15 talk to kids all the time.

How many times have we seen prospects touring around on game night.

It's not like this would push it back to August.

How has moving it up worked for recruiting?

Fewer flyers coming, more Canadians committing to NCAA.

That's not caused by moving it up, that's caused by what is perceived as the better option. Regardless of when it is the better option will win out.

Moving it back makes it a better option for dealing with current, league related issues.

Yes players tour around almost nightly but the teams cannot formally offer them a deal - Most players tour many arenas so your not convincing me they commit ( even verbally) until they have looked at all options. What changes is the US programs can shove a piece of paper under the parents noses and yes the US programs are a good option for most so the parents who have not see anything formal from any team because they have no idea who is going to draft them so parents are parents and the old bird in the hand thing. You may say that parents and players have an idea where they might go in the OHL but that is only for the first round or maybe part of the second round - leaves a lot of kids and their parents thinking this may be the best offer I ever see so lets sign now.

 

[member 71782]

The CAHA would not allow 3 imports. They have already banned import goaltenders from the league.

Not saying it would happen, just something that would make sense to me.

 

[hockeylegend11]

You will definitely need a new program tomorrow night when Windsor hosts Sarnia at the WFCU
as 4 players will make their home debut and 2 players their team debut.
Cody Morgan(#28),and Zack Shankar (25) are the 2 who will make their home debut,while Grayson Ladd(#3) and Cedric Schiemenz(#48) will make their debuts.
Should be an interesting night now that the trade deadline is over and the newcomers looking to impress the home crowd.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Elite Hockey Prospects have updated things and the Spits are now officially the youngest team in the league with the average age of 17.48
Saginaw is 2nd at 17.56, London-3rd at 17.61, Flint-4th at 17.71 and Sudbury-5th at 17.74.

 

[LeafsFan18]

The trade deadline (12 noon) has come and gone without any further trades from GM Warren Rychel.
So we forge ahead with a young roster of 24 that includes eight rookies and an average age of 16.7. #RiseTogether
- Windsor Spitfires Twitter Account

16.7 according to the Spits?

 

[member 71782]

Yes players tour around almost nightly but the teams cannot formally offer them a deal - Most players tour many arenas so your not convincing me they commit ( even verbally) until they have looked at all options. What changes is the US programs can shove a piece of paper under the parents noses and yes the US programs are a good option for most so the parents who have not see anything formal from any team because they have no idea who is going to draft them so parents are parents and the old bird in the hand thing. You may say that parents and players have an idea where they might go in the OHL but that is only for the first round or maybe part of the second round - leaves a lot of kids and their parents thinking this may be the best offer I ever see so lets sign now.

The timing of the draft doesn't really affect much in terms of kids going to school. It may affect some in terms of where they will report versus other options but moving it back combined with allowing current players to be dealt may help balance things out when teams have the option to move up while others have the chance to pick up other assets when BPA at their selection won't report.

Again, it provides more balance and opportunities for teams that may struggle on draft day ultimately leading to increased competition across the league.

An example

Going into the 2018 draft, using DiPietro and Ottawa as an example only.

Let's say DiPietro would report to Ottawa but in the first round BPA would not, DiPietro to Ottawa for their first round pick would make sense, would get a player to report who otherwise may not and Ottawa gets a player they covet.

If a kid won't report regardless then when the draft is held doesn't matter.

If they will only report to certain teams, again when doesn't matter but having the picks to acquire their rights if they are defected would matter and if those picks aren't available the kid may never report or a team may not get full value.

Being able to expand trading options on draft day by moving it back ensures teams get value by dealing their pick instead of walking away from a kid for nothing because they won't report, especially in the higher rounds.

 

[OHLTG]

I don't know where they got the 16.7-years from. Probably a typo.

 

[ohloutsider]

The timing of the draft doesn't really affect much in terms of kids going to school. It may affect some in terms of where they will report versus other options but moving it back combined with allowing current players to be dealt may help balance things out when teams have the option to move up while others have the chance to pick up other assets when BPA at their selection won't report.

Again, it provides more balance and opportunities for teams that may struggle on draft day ultimately leading to increased competition across the league.

An example

Going into the 2018 draft, using DiPietro and Ottawa as an example only.

Let's say DiPietro would report to Ottawa but in the first round BPA would not, DiPietro to Ottawa for their first round pick would make sense, would get a player to report who otherwise may not and Ottawa gets a player they covet.

If a kid won't report regardless then when the draft is held doesn't matter.

If they will only report to certain teams, again when doesn't matter but having the picks to acquire their rights if they are defected would matter and if those picks aren't available the kid may never report or a team may not get full value.

Being able to expand trading options on draft day by moving it back ensures teams get value by dealing their pick instead of walking away from a kid for nothing because they won't report, especially in the higher rounds.

All ideas are good ideas but it is one of the main reasons the league moved the draft day from May to April - teams wanted a head start on recruiting do to pressure from US programs - teams are the ones that requested this and the league saw the issue and agreed.

 

[OHLTG]

New guys - Douglas, Morgan, Ladd, Shankar and Schiemenz. How neat would it be to have them all in the starting lineup tomorrow? You don't need to have them permanently together but you can change at first face-off.

 

[GensLensBrandon]

/

 

[Eamon5]

Not sure if it posted or not, and I dont want any spits fans to miss it! so just in case, again, here is a break down of the additions and subtractions made by the 3 western conference contenders, including your Windsor Spitfires!

Trade Deadline Wrap-Up: West Contenders

You believe Windsor is one of 3 contenders in the West?

 

[GensLensBrandon]

You believe Windsor is one of 3 contenders in the West?

definitely confused myself with all of the WSR trades- caught myself thinking backwards. No I do not see them as a top-3. Whoops whoops whoops

 

[ohloutsider]

Will be an interesting start to post-deadline hockey - back to back with Sarnia and then Saginaw - Hope Sarnia needs time to gel and we can steal one - we need a least 4 points this weekend and a win over Saginaw to keep the "dream" alive Looking forward to seeing Ladd and Schiemenz in the line up tonight. Liked what I saw from Morgan on the weekend, Shankar not so much but his presence will help. So the back end is very inexperienced - see Corcoran as our #1 D so that says a lot on the experience level. I do believe this team will be in every game just not sure they have the jam to win many.

 

[Teflon]

No one is arguing that it takes two to consummate a deal, that's obvious.

The question is how did Rychel do at the deadline in terms of the deals he made.

Obviously most of us are not privy to all offers made and the various structures of them and those who are won't be giving out details, rightfully so.

So if the best that Rychel could do was come up short in the near term and just above break even in the long term then how did he really do?

Obviously most people would consider the short term, immediate future the priority.

The next 3 years needs a lot of work still. Some of it taken care of but not all and considering what was moved not in a great way.

Longer term, did very well. Brought things back to even and added extra to boot. Well done.

What is more pressing?

Next year and the following years which should wind up with a run or 5/6 years down the road where yes, assets will be needed but if you can put yourself in a better position early you shouldn't need as much later.

No one said he did a horrible job, got a lot back but was he the top GM at the deadline?

Probably not.

I'm not anywhere near a WR sloppy but I gotta disagree. He made the best deals that were out there, would u rather he kept guys instead? He refilled the draft cupboard and then some. Those pics will not only be used by the Spits but will give him some trade flexibility to move some. Not his choice to keep Dipi but you can be sure when he does go next year the team will gain a pile of pics and at least 1 high end player. There was no way to make another run so they had to sell. Everyone in the league knew he was selling. All that said and he still grabbed 2 1st rnd players and a huge number of pics and you don't think he was the best GM??? You need to either do some more research or shake your head. The hounds are still the easy favourite so what did the teams he traded with really accomplish??? Yea a few might compete better but when u move assets like 1st rounders you better be sure your gonna do more than compete!!

 

[Sec108]

Im looking forward to Shankar bringing a physical presence and protect our youngsters esp. now that we have some young 1st rounders. If someone is taking adavtage of them send him out to warn or drop em. He already has a couple suspensions dont know all the rules on how many you can get.But......you wanna put butts back in the seats we need a litttle vince mcmahon type hockey again in Windsor.

 

[OHLTG]

Rychel did exactly what was needed at the deadline - got younger, got his picks back, and kept the team competitive. We wanted the 2018 2nd/3rd, we got it. We wanted 01s, we got 'em. We wanted to stay competitve, we kept DiPietro.

This team is going to be fun to watch. I just hope that the green light is given when required. No more skating away. If players get pushed around, get in there and make a statement. We have the team to do that. In Ottawa, there was a taste and now I want to see that full-time.