Windsor Spitfires 2018-19 Season Thread (Part 6)

[hockeylegend11]

I've said for a while now that the PP is far too rigit and systematic. You can almost see the players trying to go through the plays in their head while skating around. Starikov should have been at the point firing a few times each PP. His shot is a cannon. I truly hope he gets a chance in Des Moines and a team takes a chance on him. So much potential!

The power play has changed and been more successful lately.
In the last 10 games Spits PP is operating at a rate of 26.47%
Going 9-34 in those 10 games in which the Spits are 5-5 and 4-2 in the last 6.
Surely you cant blame the coaching for the nice uptick.
Sometimes though a great power play is not a recipe for team success,for example Kitchener is 3rd in the league on the PP at 26.5% yet they sit 8th in the conference.
Edit- I think the impressive play of play on the from Cuylle,Foudy,the return from injury in the name of Tyler Angle and more points from Nathan Staios,toss Damico,Purboo and Douglas,brighter days ahead.

 

[windsor7]

The power play has changed and been more successful lately.
In the last 10 games Spits PP is operating at a rate of 26.47%
Going 9-34 in those 10 games in which the Spits are 5-5 and 4-2 in the last 6.
Surely you cant blame the coaching for the nice uptick.
Sometimes though a great power play is not a recipe for team success,for example Kitchener is 3rd in the league on the PP at 26.5% yet they sit 8th in the conference.

well they better continue to improve for the rest of the season.

 

[michael freeman]

Rumour is WR will not change coaches even if Spits do not make playoffs this year because of the money team would be on the hook for.

I guess if Spits don’t make playoffs next season same rule applies ?

Wonder why attendance for games continues to decline each year

 

[hockeylegend11]

4 most improved players from last year in my view are forwards Tyler Angle,Daniel D!amico and dmen Grayson Ladd both in point production and overall play.
Angle at this time last after 43 games had 6G,1A,this year after only 33 games he has 13G,18A,contributing both on the PP and PK,they definitely missed him the 10 games he was injured.
D'amico last year at this time in 35 games he had 6G,3A,this year after
42 games played he has 17G,20A,
significant producer,industrious and timely goal scoring player
From the D,Grayson Ladd who was acquired from Kitchener for Logan Brown,last year he played in 27 games at this point in the schedule had 1A, and was a +4 despite not alot of time in Kitchener before being dealt to Windsor, this year in 42 games he has 2G,A15 and is an impressive +15,Struggled a bit early in the year though in the last 30 he has been pretty good.
Finally the 4th guy another dman
Louka Henault, admittedly was not sure how he would fit this year but more then anybody on the back end he has improved vastly from last year.
Last year in 30 games he had 2A and was a -2,this year in 41 games played he has 2G,11A and is a +10,though he can use more strength,I am pretty impressed with his mobility and heads up play.
Should be noted that both Angle and D'amico were 6th round selections, Angle in 2016,and D'amico in 2017.
Henault was a 5th round pick in 2017
Pretty good catches by Rychel and his scouting staff.

 

[windsor7]

4 most improved players from last year in my view are forwards Tyler Angle,Daniel D!amico and dmen Grayson Ladd both in point production and overall play.
Angle at this time last after 43 games had 6G,1A,this year after only 33 games he has 13G,18A,contributing both on the PP and PK,they definitely missed him the 10 games he was injured.
D'amico last year at this time in 35 games he had 6G,3A,this year after
42 games played he has 17G,20A
significant producer,industrious and timely goal scoring player
From the D,Grayson Ladd who was acquired from Kitchener for Logan Brown,last year he played in 27 games at this point in the schedule had 1A, and was a +4 despite not alot of time in Kitchener before being dealt to Windsor, this year in 42 games he has 2G,A15 and is an impressive +15,Struggled a bit early in the year though in the last 30 he has been pretty good.
Finally the 4th guy another dman
Louka Henault, admittedly was not sure how he would fit this year but more then anybody on the back end he has improved vastly from last year.
Last year in 30 games he had 2A and was a -2,this year in 41 games played he has 2G,11A and is a +10,though he can use more strength,I am pretty impressed with his mobility and heads up play.
Should be noted that both Angle and D'amico were 6th round selections, Angle in 2016,and D'amico in 2017.
Henault was a 5th round pick in 2017
Pretty good catches by Rychel and his scouting staff.

what is going on here?

 

[hockeylegend11]

what is going on

What you have a problem with player updates.
Too many nice stories for you handle all at once.
Not everything is negative in Spitsland.

 

[windsor7]

.

 

[windsor7]

or u r trying to justify for something.
haha

 

[michael freeman]

Thanks for the player updates

Will definitely help our 1st round exit again if we make playoffs

Your sheer brilliance of course should allow us to win 1 game in the playoffs

Thanks for missing the big picture that so many have mentioned on this site for months

Bueller....Bueller.....Bueller

 

[OHLTG]

Thanks for the player updates

Will definitely help our 1st round exit again if we make playoffs

Your sheer brilliance of course should allow us to win 1 game in the playoffs

Thanks for missing the big picture that so many have mentioned on this site for months

Bueller....Bueller.....Bueller

So, which team are you a fan of? Just out of curiosity.

 

[hockeylegend11]

So, which team are you a fan of? Just out of curiosity.

Not Windsor

 

[RayzorIsDull]

what is going on here?

Just a way to justify and find it acceptable the team is battling for a 7th/8th seed after being a 6th seed last year and taking steps backwards this year. The bright spots of 17 year olds, the 16 year olds yet it still doesn't amount to a good hockey team. Need to get out of this cycle of playing games from Jan-Mar where there isn't much riding on them.

 

[OHLTG]

The bright spots of 17 year olds, the 16 year olds yet it still doesn't amount to a good hockey team.

Would you rather the team didn't have Foudy, Cuylle, D'Amico, Piiroinen, etc.? It's all good if people want to see success in the playoffs. Nobody would turn that down. But I get the impression that this place goes "meh" towards a youthful team since it means we might not get higher than sixth this season. Yes, the future is uncertain, but it's sure leaning in one direction, and I know that if WR had dealt the young guns for veterans to try to make a run this season, he'd have never heard the end of it from this place.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Would you rather the team didn't have Foudy, Cuylle, D'Amico, Piiroinen, etc.? It's all good if people want to see success in the playoffs. Nobody would turn that down. But I get the impression that this place goes "meh" towards a youthful team since it means we might not get higher than sixth this season. Yes, the future is uncertain, but it's sure leaning in one direction, and I know that if WR had dealt the young guns for veterans to try to make a run this season, he'd have never heard the end of it from this place.

Excellent post.
Spits were trending up when Dipietro was dealt a point or 2 out of 4th
like you said could hold on to him,made moves,sacrifice the future and watch this forum explode.
Short term pain,long term gain.
The last rebuild was a success if a championship was the goal,who says it cant happen again.
If this was a veteran club I would be very concerned but it's not young talent in every area.

 

[windsor7]

Would you rather the team didn't have Foudy, Cuylle, D'Amico, Piiroinen, etc.? It's all good if people want to see success in the playoffs. Nobody would turn that down. But I get the impression that this place goes "meh" towards a youthful team since it means we might not get higher than sixth this season. Yes, the future is uncertain, but it's sure leaning in one direction, and I know that if WR had dealt the young guns for veterans to try to make a run this season, he'd have never heard the end of it from this place.

Never was going to happen.
And maybe we have a full roster??? Lol

 

[windsor7]

Excellent post.
Spits were trending up when Dipietro was dealt a point or 2 out of 4th
like you said could hold on to him,made moves,sacrifice the future and watch this forum explode.
Short term pain,long term gain.
The last rebuild was a success if a championship was the goal,who says it cant happen again.
If this was a veteran club I would be very concerned but it's not young talent in every area.

There always in a rebuild.
Every year.

 

[member 71782]

Certainly some players have shown improvement but as a team they haven't shown improvement even with the addition of young players who bring a lot to the line up.

Last year was the start of a rebuild and they managed to finish sixth. They racked up some points before dealing the vets. After the deadline though the kids got lots of ice time and that provided valuable experience.

This year they returned nearly a full line up with a few kids added who have done extremely well. Combined they have probably added as much to the team as those who were no longer here. Combine that with the expected improvement of a young returning group and what many considered to be solid vets and it should not have been unrealistic for fans to expect improvement. A sixth place finish to match what they did last season should be a given while fifth place should not be unrealistic.

What happened?

DiPietro moved, fine but the experience and improvement should compensate for that while also helping Piiroinen to transition into the starters role.

Five more players moved on, most of which were underachieving. That's where the first problem lies. The lack of progression from a large chunk of the line up hurts. There are still unfortunately a number of players here who haven't progressed as well, many of them vets.

A young team should not minimize expectations of improvement or progression, particularly when they were given every chance to gain experience as well as the improvement expected from individuals from year to year, and yes each will vary.

Yes individuals, at least some have shown improvement but much of the roster has either stagnated or regressed.

If that's not the issue then that leaves another option, team cohesion. It's been mentioned by numerous posters that there's issues within the team. This takes leadership to resolve, from the designated roster leadership, the coaching staff and finally from the management.

The first problem is some have posted the designated player leadership seems to be lacking and with reportedly large divisions on the roster and the leadership being part of it they won't be able to improve things.

The second problem is coaching seems to be firmly behind the team leadership. This makes sense in terms of how some players are being used which creates a further divide and lack of belief/trust by the players in the coaches. Accountability is diminished in favour of seniority receiving the benefit of the doubt. If this is the case, coaching won't resolve the problem.

The third problem is management needs to step in and deal with it but if they are going to stand firmly behind the coaches who are letting the divide grow then team improvement and consistency will continue to deteriorate. When they win all is good and issues get ignored. When one person has a bad game or even a single play the body language can be pretty obvious and the lack of support for each other is clear.

A lot of individual improvement as has been alluded to yet as a team a lot of regression all while adding more talented youth then what was here.

The problem isn't the loss of talent, if DiPietro alone leaving is the problem then none if these players were very good in the first place. The problem that can be seen lies within the room. The lack of interaction between players or how they interact when they need to is pretty clear and that is where team regression while individual progression comes from.

When you see four guys celebrate on the ice and the fifth give a half hearted pat there's issues.

When you see some players come talk to the goaltender after a goal while some just drop their shoulders and turn away there's issues. Same when someone makes a bad play, some will be there while others will turn away.

Lots of problems and no one stepping up to deal with them.

 

[OHLTG]

Certainly some players have shown improvement but as a team they haven't shown improvement even with the addition of young players who bring a lot to the line up.

To me, this is a coaching thing. The youngsters have generally improved, but something is missing with the team as a whole. When you watch games, it feels like the systems are out of whack which probably contributes to the struggles.

The third problem is management needs to step in and deal with it

I get the impression that the deals made at the deadline were a result of this.

 

[4 Bobby ORR]

This year has probably been Rychel’s worst trade deadline. What a fiasco it has been. I thought DiPietro should have been traded last year but he invoked his NTC so I was hoping it would have been before the season started. Maybe Medina would have signed knowing that 2 rookies would be fighting for the starter instead of just trying to make the team (being a US player). If he was never going to sign, then Patton could have been the other goalie pushing Piiroinen. This would have saved the 4th pick that went for Incze. I know, it was a business decision and for DiPietro’s personal records but look where it has left us. This was similar to 2010-11 when Ellis/Kassian did not want to be traded so Rychel‘s hands were tied. DiPietro waived his NTC for this year so that was not the issue. The assets would have been better than what he received at the trade deadline. (Clarke or Quinn could have been in play). Due to Andree play and boost in confidence apparently we got the best deal available.

Cody Morgan for a 2nd & a 4th is a underwhelming but apparently he asked for a trade as some have alluded to. That minimizes a player’s value. Wish him all the best.

Mathew MacDougall for a 4th, 5th & 6th was a good return considering it cost us a 14th & a conditional 4th (anyone know what the conditions are and if he was on a gold package). Hope he finds his groove.

Larionov leaving and the release of Starikov and Kutkevicius has dwindled this line up forcing Rychel to trade for a filler Garagan for a conditional 15th and Campbell off waivers. Would have preferred that went after a 2001 considering the price they went for. Still needed another forward in case of injuries and SUSPENSIONS...

Rychel started off well with Cuylle & Allen but went downhill after that.

After seeing him trade for Vipers' goalie Jackson Bernard means he may not have confidence in our two moving forward.

 

[ohloutsider]

Watched the replay ( taped it) of the Saginaw game. Went through the Douglas hit frame by frame. Looks like both Douglas and Goldowski have their legs stuck out but then you see Douglas dip down trying to hit Goldowski shoulder to chest. Him dropping down causes his leg to be out farther than Goldowski. As a homer does not look like there was intent to be knee on knee but the hit was for sure knee on knee. Goldowski's leg was stuck out as well so I could see it going either way. Goldowski the one getting hurt so you can see why the call went that way. The league could go either way with this one and neither a suspension or a non-suspension would surprise me.

 

[4 Bobby ORR]

What are the chances of signing Vincent DeSanctis?
Vincent DeSanctis at eliteprospects.com

 

[ohloutsider]

Went back and looked at Eliteprospects after the trade window and Windsor is not one of the younger teams now - They are 10th and listed by player experience they are 12th so that excuse is out the door.

Fyi - Barrie is now the youngest and least experienced of all teams.
- Ice dogs the oldest and Guelph the most experienced.

 

[hockeylegend11]

What are the chances of signing Vincent DeSanctis?
Vincent DeSanctis at eliteprospects.com

Slim to none.
Kid is turning 19 in 3 weeks wont be here next year anyway, he is American who would be seeking a 2 year deal education wise,and 15,000 per year minimum to take him on,can guarantee Rychel has no appetite to this.
As well you mention Bernard deal with Erie,strictly a backup move no chance he plays here,he is the backup for La Salle and indicated to Windsor that he would serve a 3rd tender if needed.
This allowed Spits to ship Patton to Guelph,near home where bmhe can be their 3rd tender.
Nothing else to read into here.
Something to add,re Macdougall, his education package was picked up by Erie in the trade.

 

[4 Bobby ORR]

Something to add,re Macdougall, his education package was picked up by Erie in the trade.

Was it a gold package?

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Certainly some players have shown improvement but as a team they haven't shown improvement even with the addition of young players who bring a lot to the line up.

Last year was the start of a rebuild and they managed to finish sixth. They racked up some points before dealing the vets. After the deadline though the kids got lots of ice time and that provided valuable experience.

This year they returned nearly a full line up with a few kids added who have done extremely well. Combined they have probably added as much to the team as those who were no longer here. Combine that with the expected improvement of a young returning group and what many considered to be solid vets and it should not have been unrealistic for fans to expect improvement. A sixth place finish to match what they did last season should be a given while fifth place should not be unrealistic.

What happened?

DiPietro moved, fine but the experience and improvement should compensate for that while also helping Piiroinen to transition into the starters role.

Five more players moved on, most of which were underachieving. That's where the first problem lies. The lack of progression from a large chunk of the line up hurts. There are still unfortunately a number of players here who haven't progressed as well, many of them vets.

A young team should not minimize expectations of improvement or progression, particularly when they were given every chance to gain experience as well as the improvement expected from individuals from year to year, and yes each will vary.

Yes individuals, at least some have shown improvement but much of the roster has either stagnated or regressed.

If that's not the issue then that leaves another option, team cohesion. It's been mentioned by numerous posters that there's issues within the team. This takes leadership to resolve, from the designated roster leadership, the coaching staff and finally from the management.

The first problem is some have posted the designated player leadership seems to be lacking and with reportedly large divisions on the roster and the leadership being part of it they won't be able to improve things.

The second problem is coaching seems to be firmly behind the team leadership. This makes sense in terms of how some players are being used which creates a further divide and lack of belief/trust by the players in the coaches. Accountability is diminished in favour of seniority receiving the benefit of the doubt. If this is the case, coaching won't resolve the problem.

The third problem is management needs to step in and deal with it but if they are going to stand firmly behind the coaches who are letting the divide grow then team improvement and consistency will continue to deteriorate. When they win all is good and issues get ignored. When one person has a bad game or even a single play the body language can be pretty obvious and the lack of support for each other is clear.

A lot of individual improvement as has been alluded to yet as a team a lot of regression all while adding more talented youth then what was here.

The problem isn't the loss of talent, if DiPietro alone leaving is the problem then none if these players were very good in the first place. The problem that can be seen lies within the room. The lack of interaction between players or how they interact when they need to is pretty clear and that is where team regression while individual progression comes from.

When you see four guys celebrate on the ice and the fifth give a half hearted pat there's issues.

When you see some players come talk to the goaltender after a goal while some just drop their shoulders and turn away there's issues. Same when someone makes a bad play, some will be there while others will turn away.

Lots of problems and no one stepping up to deal with them.

Agreed I don't think anyone here really had unrealistic expectations. Maybe the only one was Rychel who went public with his. Unless he was trying to pump the tires on the upcoming season and it was more based upon hope than something tangible he saw.

Agreed, I think some of the frustration comes from that players moved out/released they did not get a single player in those trades to plug into the lineup. They picked Campbell up off waivers and moved a pick for Garagan. It's obvious the attitude from earlier in the year has changed and sneaking into the playoffs is the main goal. Nobody is bothered by Rychel moving out and selling off what he has. What fans might be frustrated with is that this was Rychel's only option because of past seasons and past moves. It's awful when you back yourself into a corner not having any flexibility and having to sell. I think fans would just like to see the ability to make moves for the future bringing in players but still also be capable of putting a real good product on the ice.

That's the hardest part is that you have players developing but it's not morphing into results so there's a lot of opinion of where they fall short. Some players haven't developed as quick as the organization though.

People want to mention how young the team is but they're not close to being the youngest team. The Spits rank 12th in team experience, and 10th in average age of OHL teams.

The biggest thing down the stretch is getting the team to actually believe they're playing for something. Playing for something isn't a 6th/7th/8th seed either. We have seen that movie before and it doesn't end well. It's ironic there was a lot of talk how useful that 6 game series was against Sarnia was last year. Showing what it takes to compete against a high seed and how that experience would have it's impact this year. Well I think we are still waiting for that.

Anything that happens we will need to see next year. Coaching, management, and players all need to look themselves in the mirror and see how they can get better. The problem is that if coaching is a bigger issue what is management going to do about it? Double down on Letowski and get him more talent?? That's what most likely will happen but what happens if the team is still average and not close to contending status? Management going to make the tough decision??

What's ironic is that people wanted to draw the conclusion and make the correlation that moving those players out and winning 3 straight was proof of something. That would be a red herring if there ever was one. You won't really know until you have a much larger sample size.