SSM Greyhounds 2021-2022 Season Thread (Part 3)

[EON]

Continued from: SSM Greyhounds 2021-22 Season Thread (Part 2)

Prospects post: SSM Greyhounds 2021-2022 Season Thread (Part 3)

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[93MemCup]

Taking stock after this weekend’s poor efforts also has me realistic about the likelihood of us advancing past a second round as lukewarm at best . Thinking that we are graduating Kerins,Kartye, O’Rourke, Calisti, Thompson , MacKay is sobering ! That 1/3 of our lineup we are turning over. Sure, it creates lots of opportunities for draft picks waiting in the wings, but one might think we will be absorbing some long nights next season. I feel by not finding a quality goaltender we have squandered the talents of our graduating class

 

[mag1600]

Totally agree with the above post!
Tucker has been very inconsistent, very weak on the glove side and not all his teammates get along with him.

 

[mag1600]

Losing to Saginaw at this point in the season is very disappointing. Playing with little emotion is not going to get this team far in the playoffs. Will be lucky to make it pass round 1.

 

[DWI Dale]

If you want a different approach, you need to get rid of Lukenda. He seems quite pleased with the successful winning record. Raftis is just executing the plan.

I don't want to get rid of Lukenda or Raftis. I just want a cup and I'm realistic about what that takes...

...a deep squad of skaters with a strong vet core of neckbeards, a few rookies punching above their weight class, goaltending that can steal a game once in a while and some puck luck.

 

[Riverfront]

raftis is one of the best general managers in the league. Look at his teams overall record from
the time he took over as general manager. It speaks for itself.

 

[NorthernLights]

No need to target the higher-ups such as Lukenda and Raftis. This club is extremely competitive more often than not year-in and year-out. There may be a little confidence issue in the locker room, but that can sort itself out in the final stages of the regular season.

Attached is a tracker I've been maintaining throughout the year. Highlighted (red box) are the team's stats for March.

 

[DWI Dale]

No need to target the higher-ups such as Lukenda and Raftis. This club is extremely competitive more often than not year-in and year-out. There may be a little confidence issue in the locker room, but that can sort itself out in the final stages of the regular season.

Attached is a tracker I've been maintaining throughout the year. Highlighted (red box) are the team's stats for March.

thanks for sharing NL.

 

[DWI Dale]

raftis is one of the best general managers in the league. Look at his teams overall record from
the time he took over as general manager. It speaks for itself.

Raftis is a good general manager in that he has drafted quality skaters outside of the early rounds. I don't think anybody disputes that.


However it is not unfair to point out that his first few years were players drafted by Kyle Dubas.

It's not unfair to point out that he has yet to draft a bonafide starting goaltender since he got here.

And it's not unfair to point out that he has missed opportunities to restock our cupboards in years where we were not a favourite to win a cup.

 

[nelli27]

Who drafts better than the Soo and Guelph? [insert Mel Lastman quote here].

 

[HockeyPops]

The question is, did Lukenda and Raftis want to restock?

 

[HockeyPops]

Who drafts better than the Soo and Guelph? [insert Mel Lastman quote here].

Hamilton is pretty good too in recent years.

 

[DWI Dale]

The question is, did Lukenda and Raftis want to restock?

It seems that Lukenda prefers playoff revenue every year to chasing a cup every 2 or 3 years. And if that's the case then this is the "good not great" mentality I disagree with. And in support of my argument all I need to do is point out the results in 2018-2019, and this year so far.

Hamilton drafts well, but also knew they had to recoup picks after their championship in 2018. This allowed them to trade for the best player available this year at the trade deadline (McTavish) just like they did in 2018 with Robert Thomas. That's what championship winning teams do.

 

[DWI Dale]

Who drafts better than the Soo and Guelph? [insert Mel Lastman quote here].

you know what would prove his GM superiority? building a team that makes it past the 2nd round for starters.

 

[HockeyPops]

you know what would prove his GM superiority? building a team that makes it past the 2nd round for starters.

2017-2018

 

[DWI Dale]

2017-2018

Kyle Dubas drafted that core. Raftis gets credit for getting the 2nd best player available at the deadline (Raddysh), but that cup run was Kyle Dubas' last gift to SSM and Raftis inherited a turnkey contender.

 

[HockeyPops]

Raftis doesn't get any credit for Frost, Hayton, Villalta, Sandin, Sambrook, N. Carroll or bringing over Howdeshell?

BS. He built that team.

 

[NorthernLights]

thanks for sharing NL.

My pleasure. It's been an interesting season. Here's hoping for a strong finish by this group.

 

[DWI Dale]

Raftis doesn't get any credit for Frost, Hayton, Villalta, Sandin, Sambrook, N. Carroll or bringing over Howdeshell?

BS. He built that team.

call "BS" all you like lol. i give him credit for what he's done, but not the 19 year old core that he inherited.

we are now into the Raftis era - win or lose this is 100% his team now, but it wasn't in 2018.

 

[DWI Dale]

p.s. Howdeshell was selected by the soo greyhounds in the 10th round 2014 OHL entry draft

 

[Gouin Street]

That loss to Saginaw now has me wondering about losing home ice advantage in round 1 to Owen Sound.

 

[HoundFan]

I do agree that the Hounds model has changed in the past few years. Appears they want to be a good team every year as opposed to let’s make a run (great team) then build again for another run 4 years down the road. The refusal to trade away top end players at the deadline supports my thoughts.

As a business model for making revenue it’s certainly the safer way to go. No peaks and valley’s in revenue generation, only consist revenues every year. Do owners own teams to make money consistently, you bet they do. What business owner or entrepreneur doesn’t? No one likes to loose cash in lean/poor seasons. Just food for thought.

 

[DWI Dale]

I do agree that the Hounds model has changed in the past few years. Appears they want to be a good team every year as opposed to let’s make a run (great team) then build again for another run 4 years down the road. The refusal to trade away top end players at the deadline supports my thoughts.

As a business model for making revenue it’s certainly the safer way to go. No peaks and valley’s in revenue generation, only consist revenues every year. Do owners own teams to make money consistently, you bet they do. What business owner or entrepreneur doesn’t? No one likes to loose cash in lean/poor seasons. Just food for thought.

I can appreciate the financial reasoning, but at some point in the near future I suspect I won't be the only one asking if ownership and management is doing all they can to deliver a championship to its loyal fanbase. given the turnover we will face this year, I suspect this may happen as soon as next season.

It's been 30 years of lean times with the exception of a few "blips" like 2018, 2015, and 2008. so it's not unreasonable to be dissatisfied with the status quo of relying heavily on 5 or 6 players to carry the team then bowing out in the early rounds.

 

[HoundFan]

I can appreciate the financial reasoning, but at some point in the near future I suspect I won't be the only one asking if ownership and management is doing all they can to deliver a championship to its loyal fanbase. given the turnover we will face this year, I suspect this may happen as soon as next season.

It's been 30 years of lean times with the exception of a few "blips" like 2018, 2015, and 2008. so it's not unreasonable to be dissatisfied with the status quo of relying heavily on 5 or 6 players to carry the team then bowing out in the early rounds.

I certainly agree with you. I don’t think the big moves (trades both in and out) are being made. Minor adjustments here and there To stay competitive. Reference the Boudreau/Holmes trade of this year. In my opinion no need for it. Thompson is a hell of a Dman, we just don’t have the horses to make a long run. Would be better to keep Boudreau/Holmes for next year. Holmes was very underrated when here, again in my opinion. Boudreau needed more opportunity to showcase his worth. Loved his on ice style and work habits. Thompson alone won’t get us to the promise land.

 

[HockeyPops]

Disagree with the Boudreau and Holmes take. That was a way to add this year, while subtracting in a non contending year (next year). How can you be critical of that, yet in the same breath criticize for not selling in down years?

 

[dirty12]

I don’t think the gain made this season from Thompson minus Boudreau + Holmes was worth giving up next two seasons of those two and a ‘22-2nd.