I do think the team is better than last year's year ending team. Overall last year, the team finished 6th, but would have finished 8th, if they had lost their final game to Saginaw. A "stand on his head" performance by Brock Baier (his only win of the year) put them is 6th place. However,the first half of the season, they had Brown, Day, Luchuk, McEneny and Vilardi. If they had kept those players, they probably would have finished top 4. So, compare this team's performance against the 2nd half of the year. It is pretty much Apples to Apples. This team is much better than that team with the exception of goaltending.
Two years ago, the Spits were Mem Cup Champions (don't argue, look it up, they won the Cup). There are only 5 players left from that team: Purboo, Boka, Corcoran, Angle and Playfair. Purboo and Boka were 3rd or 4th liners and Corcoran was playing out of position as a forward on the 4th line. Angle and Playfair were in the pressbox. The team has added no significant veteran presence since that time.
The team is getting better and should be much better next year. The Offense is much better than the 2nd part of last year and much better than the first half of this year. In the beginning of the season, they were struggling to score 2 goals a game. Now 3 to 5 goals a game is common place. If they had kept DiPietro, this team would easily finish 5th. They needed to trade DiPietro because who is satisfied with 5th.
Anyone that has been around hockey knows that Forwards develop the quickest. We are seeing that now. I like the way most of our younger Forwards are developing especially Foudy, Cuylee and D'Amico. Angle has been the team's most improved player. Frasca and McDonald have looked very good at times, but could probably use more consistent icetime.
The defence is always slower to develop. We have an OA defenceman in Allen, a 1999 in Stevenson, 2000 in Corcoran and 2001 Ds in Staios, Henault and Ladd. The 2 oldest Ds are probably the least talented of the 6. Corcoran is drafted and I expect the other 3 to be invited to NHL camps in the next 2 years. Yes, the D has not performed well, but look at the age of the group.
Goaltenders are the slowest to develop. We have a 2001 Starter who is a rookie. He has played well at times and terrible at other times. That is the norm for a 17yo in the OHL (not named DiPietro). If you look at most of the top Goaltenders in the league, they weren't starters at 17, and they also didn't have the pressure of being DiPietro's replacement).
Overall, the team has gathered some very good talent. Hopefully they will develop and additional pieces can be placed around them. I am not predicating that this will be a super team over the next 2 to 3 years, but some very talented pieces are there.
Just as a side note on how teams are doing that played in the 2017 Memorial Cup. In a league (CHL) where 54 of 60 teams make the playoffs. If the season ended today, Erie and Seattle would not be in the playoffs, while St. John would have the last playoff spot in the Q. The Spitfires have done the best job of rebuilding of the 4.
Two years ago, the Spits were Mem Cup Champions (don't argue, look it up, they won the Cup). There are only 5 players left from that team: Purboo, Boka, Corcoran, Angle and Playfair. Purboo and Boka were 3rd or 4th liners and Corcoran was playing out of position as a forward on the 4th line. Angle and Playfair were in the pressbox. The team has added no significant veteran presence since that time.
The team is getting better and should be much better next year. The Offense is much better than the 2nd part of last year and much better than the first half of this year. In the beginning of the season, they were struggling to score 2 goals a game. Now 3 to 5 goals a game is common place. If they had kept DiPietro, this team would easily finish 5th. They needed to trade DiPietro because who is satisfied with 5th.
Anyone that has been around hockey knows that Forwards develop the quickest. We are seeing that now. I like the way most of our younger Forwards are developing especially Foudy, Cuylee and D'Amico. Angle has been the team's most improved player. Frasca and McDonald have looked very good at times, but could probably use more consistent icetime.
The defence is always slower to develop. We have an OA defenceman in Allen, a 1999 in Stevenson, 2000 in Corcoran and 2001 Ds in Staios, Henault and Ladd. The 2 oldest Ds are probably the least talented of the 6. Corcoran is drafted and I expect the other 3 to be invited to NHL camps in the next 2 years. Yes, the D has not performed well, but look at the age of the group.
Goaltenders are the slowest to develop. We have a 2001 Starter who is a rookie. He has played well at times and terrible at other times. That is the norm for a 17yo in the OHL (not named DiPietro). If you look at most of the top Goaltenders in the league, they weren't starters at 17, and they also didn't have the pressure of being DiPietro's replacement).
Overall, the team has gathered some very good talent. Hopefully they will develop and additional pieces can be placed around them. I am not predicating that this will be a super team over the next 2 to 3 years, but some very talented pieces are there.
Just as a side note on how teams are doing that played in the 2017 Memorial Cup. In a league (CHL) where 54 of 60 teams make the playoffs. If the season ended today, Erie and Seattle would not be in the playoffs, while St. John would have the last playoff spot in the Q. The Spitfires have done the best job of rebuilding of the 4.
