Windsor Spitfires 2019-20 Season Thread (Part 2)

[windsor7]

I was thinking the same thing about the faceoffs on the offensvie zone, that happened way too often the exact same way with no adjustments made to correct it. Crapping away the first 30 seconds of every powerplay because we start off chasing the puck back in our own end is putting a big dent in our efficiency. The powerplay still seems to be 5 individuals trying to figure out how to score on their own rather than a unit, although later in the game things were a bit better when they just starting putting the puck at the net. They need to just rifle pucks and chase rebounds because the slow passes around the perimeter don't create better passing or shooting lanes for anybody, they just waste time.

Exactly

 

[member 71782]

Last night, as many have said, they came out flat the first period, especially the first ten minutes. Nice to see them do as they have most of the season and not quit but there's a lot of things that need to change and it's on the coaches to make the changes before this team gets frustrated and really starts to struggle. They look frustrated at times already and it's hurting them so address it before it gets worse.

The lack of chemistry shows and while it's nice to have some creativity everyone simply looking to go straight to the net and run out of room to get a decent shot off or make a play is becoming predictable. Having two defenders simply wait you out until you are five feet off the goal line and leaving you no lanes to make a pass or simply take a low risk shot that you may get on net right into the goaltender is not a scoring threat. When you have no one who can keep up or you can't make a pass there is no one to take advantage of any potential opportunities.

Purboo can't keep up with the kids. He's playing with Foudy and Afanasyev and it's like the team is playing with four men on five. I know Purboo is trying to expand on what he can do but on the top line when you can't keep up Letowskii has to put him in a better situation or Foudy and Afanasyev will never be able to be used to their full potential. Once Purboo goes into the corners he's out of the play and struggling to get back if he turns over the puck. Foudy and Afanasyev either have to cover for him and hope they can come up with the puck or the opposition is heading the other way. He needs to be moved down the line up and someone who can keep up and either play along the boards with some success or be another threat when Foudy has the puck needs to be moved up. Depending on which way they want to go either Maggio or McDonald needs to be moved up.

Angle has become a me first player. It's nice to see him leading in scoring but he can't seem to do much else anymore. There's a time for selfish play and there's a time to recognize when you have team mates who have a better opportunity and right now he only passes the puck when he has no opportunity to shoot or pass. He's playing within 15 feet of the net and nowhere else when he's in the offensive zone. Afanasyev and now Foudy who are shoot first players are left doing all the dirty work and very rarely are in a position to get solid shots off. The two who should be leading the way in scoring are sitting there with a goal apiece and both have had Angle and/or Purboo on their lines or in the case of Cuylle he has had Boka there lately. It was nice to see Cuylle with Maggio, at least the two of them could put together a couple of passes in a row last night. Angle trying to play around too much, trying to put between the leg passes through three or four defenders when he ran out of room was pointless and he couldn't give or receive a pass most of the night in the offensive zone.

Stevenson is slowly coming back down to earth. He started off well the first few games but he's showing again he's a six/seven D. The problem is which other pairing do you break up to move him down the line up? Henault and Ladd are becoming fixtures and have played well since last season. They aren't stars but they are steady, compatible and know each other and they play. Robinson and Rafkin have looked really good most of the time. For a couple of 02s in their first years, first full year for Robinson they are solid, building some nice chemistry and have shown they can both be threats whenever they are on the ice. Stevenson is the odd man out unless they moved on from Corcoran and put Stevenson and Jodoin together as the five/six pairing but since we have yet to see Jodoin in a game I don't think Letowski is ready to add the kid to the mix. Is he ready or not? Who knows since we haven't seen him but with how Letowski has done and continues to do things, veteran presence before the kids we will not know until he finally has to use him. Outside of our regular fourth line, exception being last night Letowski has insisted on vets on every line regardless of whether they fit in with who they are playing with. The fourth line, while seeing somewhat limited minutes has been the most consistent and they never know who is going to be playing since it's been a steady four man rotation until for the most part. So four kids have been more consistent than lines with higher end talent and long term vets added to the mix who, IMO have been weighing them down.

Credit to all the players, regardless of how they are being used. They've shown a willingness to hang in there, not give up but none of them are being used in the best way and we've seen two seasons of this already. If Letowski isn't going to make the changes that he should and only make the changes that fits his vet first ideology then Bowler needs to go out and get vets that can play with the younger half of the roster. Make a choice, deal with the consequences of poor coaching decisions or provide better options for the style of coaching they seem determined to keep around. This is quickly becoming another year of poor use of the talent here, insisting on using players who lack chemistry with each other to the detriment of all the players here and to how the team could perform.

They are 4-3-1-0 with 1-3-1-0 in their last five. They went 3 -1 to start and there were obvious chemistry issues so credit to Letowski, he shook things up. He did a poor job though when he shook them up and they've gone 1-2-1 since then. Time to shake them up again and really shake them up. Look beyond this vet first approach and start putting talent together that actually has complimentary skill sets and can keep up to their line mates.

This team is better than what they're showing and until Letowski matches up skill set instead of rewarding years of service they're never going to reach their potential.

 

[windsor7]

Last night, as many have said, they came out flat the first period, especially the first ten minutes. Nice to see them do as they have most of the season and not quit but there's a lot of things that need to change and it's on the coaches to make the changes before this team gets frustrated and really starts to struggle. They look frustrated at times already and it's hurting them so address it before it gets worse.

The lack of chemistry shows and while it's nice to have some creativity everyone simply looking to go straight to the net and run out of room to get a decent shot off or make a play is becoming predictable. Having two defenders simply wait you out until you are five feet off the goal line and leaving you no lanes to make a pass or simply take a low risk shot that you may get on net right into the goaltender is not a scoring threat. When you have no one who can keep up or you can't make a pass there is no one to take advantage of any potential opportunities.

Purboo can't keep up with the kids. He's playing with Foudy and Afanasyev and it's like the team is playing with four men on five. I know Purboo is trying to expand on what he can do but on the top line when you can't keep up Letowskii has to put him in a better situation or Foudy and Afanasyev will never be able to be used to their full potential. Once Purboo goes into the corners he's out of the play and struggling to get back if he turns over the puck. Foudy and Afanasyev either have to cover for him and hope they can come up with the puck or the opposition is heading the other way. He needs to be moved down the line up and someone who can keep up and either play along the boards with some success or be another threat when Foudy has the puck needs to be moved up. Depending on which way they want to go either Maggio or McDonald needs to be moved up.

Angle has become a me first player. It's nice to see him leading in scoring but he can't seem to do much else anymore. There's a time for selfish play and there's a time to recognize when you have team mates who have a better opportunity and right now he only passes the puck when he has no opportunity to shoot or pass. He's playing within 15 feet of the net and nowhere else when he's in the offensive zone. Afanasyev and now Foudy who are shoot first players are left doing all the dirty work and very rarely are in a position to get solid shots off. The two who should be leading the way in scoring are sitting there with a goal apiece and both have had Angle and/or Purboo on their lines or in the case of Cuylle he has had Boka there lately. It was nice to see Cuylle with Maggio, at least the two of them could put together a couple of passes in a row last night. Angle trying to play around too much, trying to put between the leg passes through three or four defenders when he ran out of room was pointless and he couldn't give or receive a pass most of the night in the offensive zone.

Stevenson is slowly coming back down to earth. He started off well the first few games but he's showing again he's a six/seven D. The problem is which other pairing do you break up to move him down the line up? Henault and Ladd are becoming fixtures and have played well since last season. They aren't stars but they are steady, compatible and know each other and they play. Robinson and Rafkin have looked really good most of the time. For a couple of 02s in their first years, first full year for Robinson they are solid, building some nice chemistry and have shown they can both be threats whenever they are on the ice. Stevenson is the odd man out unless they moved on from Corcoran and put Stevenson and Jodoin together as the five/six pairing but since we have yet to see Jodoin in a game I don't think Letowski is ready to add the kid to the mix. Is he ready or not? Who knows since we haven't seen him but with how Letowski has done and continues to do things, veteran presence before the kids we will not know until he finally has to use him. Outside of our regular fourth line, exception being last night Letowski has insisted on vets on every line regardless of whether they fit in with who they are playing with. The fourth line, while seeing somewhat limited minutes has been the most consistent and they never know who is going to be playing since it's been a steady four man rotation until for the most part. So four kids have been more consistent than lines with higher end talent and long term vets added to the mix who, IMO have been weighing them down.

Credit to all the players, regardless of how they are being used. They've shown a willingness to hang in there, not give up but none of them are being used in the best way and we've seen two seasons of this already. If Letowski isn't going to make the changes that he should and only make the changes that fits his vet first ideology then Bowler needs to go out and get vets that can play with the younger half of the roster. Make a choice, deal with the consequences of poor coaching decisions or provide better options for the style of coaching they seem determined to keep around. This is quickly becoming another year of poor use of the talent here, insisting on using players who lack chemistry with each other to the detriment of all the players here and to how the team could perform.

They are 4-3-1-0 with 1-3-1-0 in their last five. They went 3 -1 to start and there were obvious chemistry issues so credit to Letowski, he shook things up. He did a poor job though when he shook them up and they've gone 1-2-1 since then. Time to shake them up again and really shake them up. Look beyond this vet first approach and start putting talent together that actually has complimentary skill sets and can keep up to their line mates.

This team is better than what they're showing and until Letowski matches up skill set instead of rewarding years of service they're never going to reach their potential.

Very well said.
A lot can be solved if tl wasn't the coach. Unless he really really shakes things up which is unlikely.

 

[Cherrydon]

Another TL beef I have is looking at other teams that are front runners and their rookies ice time. Suni on Oshawa, Pinelli on Kitchener etc play more in one game then Johnston has added up for the season. How are you developing skill playing off your natural position at only 3-4 min a game

 

[ohloutsider]

Last night, as many have said, they came out flat the first period, especially the first ten minutes. Nice to see them do as they have most of the season and not quit but there's a lot of things that need to change and it's on the coaches to make the changes before this team gets frustrated and really starts to struggle. They look frustrated at times already and it's hurting them so address it before it gets worse.

The lack of chemistry shows and while it's nice to have some creativity everyone simply looking to go straight to the net and run out of room to get a decent shot off or make a play is becoming predictable. Having two defenders simply wait you out until you are five feet off the goal line and leaving you no lanes to make a pass or simply take a low risk shot that you may get on net right into the goaltender is not a scoring threat. When you have no one who can keep up or you can't make a pass there is no one to take advantage of any potential opportunities.

Purboo can't keep up with the kids. He's playing with Foudy and Afanasyev and it's like the team is playing with four men on five. I know Purboo is trying to expand on what he can do but on the top line when you can't keep up Letowskii has to put him in a better situation or Foudy and Afanasyev will never be able to be used to their full potential. Once Purboo goes into the corners he's out of the play and struggling to get back if he turns over the puck. Foudy and Afanasyev either have to cover for him and hope they can come up with the puck or the opposition is heading the other way. He needs to be moved down the line up and someone who can keep up and either play along the boards with some success or be another threat when Foudy has the puck needs to be moved up. Depending on which way they want to go either Maggio or McDonald needs to be moved up.

Angle has become a me first player. It's nice to see him leading in scoring but he can't seem to do much else anymore. There's a time for selfish play and there's a time to recognize when you have team mates who have a better opportunity and right now he only passes the puck when he has no opportunity to shoot or pass. He's playing within 15 feet of the net and nowhere else when he's in the offensive zone. Afanasyev and now Foudy who are shoot first players are left doing all the dirty work and very rarely are in a position to get solid shots off. The two who should be leading the way in scoring are sitting there with a goal apiece and both have had Angle and/or Purboo on their lines or in the case of Cuylle he has had Boka there lately. It was nice to see Cuylle with Maggio, at least the two of them could put together a couple of passes in a row last night. Angle trying to play around too much, trying to put between the leg passes through three or four defenders when he ran out of room was pointless and he couldn't give or receive a pass most of the night in the offensive zone.

Stevenson is slowly coming back down to earth. He started off well the first few games but he's showing again he's a six/seven D. The problem is which other pairing do you break up to move him down the line up? Henault and Ladd are becoming fixtures and have played well since last season. They aren't stars but they are steady, compatible and know each other and they play. Robinson and Rafkin have looked really good most of the time. For a couple of 02s in their first years, first full year for Robinson they are solid, building some nice chemistry and have shown they can both be threats whenever they are on the ice. Stevenson is the odd man out unless they moved on from Corcoran and put Stevenson and Jodoin together as the five/six pairing but since we have yet to see Jodoin in a game I don't think Letowski is ready to add the kid to the mix. Is he ready or not? Who knows since we haven't seen him but with how Letowski has done and continues to do things, veteran presence before the kids we will not know until he finally has to use him. Outside of our regular fourth line, exception being last night Letowski has insisted on vets on every line regardless of whether they fit in with who they are playing with. The fourth line, while seeing somewhat limited minutes has been the most consistent and they never know who is going to be playing since it's been a steady four man rotation until for the most part. So four kids have been more consistent than lines with higher end talent and long term vets added to the mix who, IMO have been weighing them down.

Credit to all the players, regardless of how they are being used. They've shown a willingness to hang in there, not give up but none of them are being used in the best way and we've seen two seasons of this already. If Letowski isn't going to make the changes that he should and only make the changes that fits his vet first ideology then Bowler needs to go out and get vets that can play with the younger half of the roster. Make a choice, deal with the consequences of poor coaching decisions or provide better options for the style of coaching they seem determined to keep around. This is quickly becoming another year of poor use of the talent here, insisting on using players who lack chemistry with each other to the detriment of all the players here and to how the team could perform.

They are 4-3-1-0 with 1-3-1-0 in their last five. They went 3 -1 to start and there were obvious chemistry issues so credit to Letowski, he shook things up. He did a poor job though when he shook them up and they've gone 1-2-1 since then. Time to shake them up again and really shake them up. Look beyond this vet first approach and start putting talent together that actually has complimentary skill sets and can keep up to their line mates.

This team is better than what they're showing and until Letowski matches up skill set instead of rewarding years of service they're never going to reach their potential.

Line up last night was a head scratcher for sure. Missing Boka should not be the cause of throwing all 4 lines in a blender. I think it is the first time I have seen Douglas playing on a line with D'Amico. Purboo on the first line as you have pointed out is a bad move.

Last night passes to nobody was the norm - you can't keep reinventing the wheel.

All I can think of is deja vu - we have seen this before and it never went well.

Sarnia tonight and I'm heading to the rink concerned. This team not showing up at the start of the game has to be fixed. Even if they win tonight I'm not walking away convinced all is well.

 

[OHL 17]

Once again the lack of leadership has been exposed. Players selfish, wrong lines, terrible powerplay (2 years now JS), poor penalty kill, rookie sitting for over a month, poor line decisions! I think if this is allowed to continue the team will quit, and not even make the playoffs. Change is desperately needed, but for whatever reason nothing is being done.

 

[member 71782]

The players look frustrated and likely for multiple reasons.

Those expected to score aren't, those who are playmakers don't seem to have compatible finishers to play with or when they do they have a third who doesn't fit.

It's no secret I'm not a fan of a lot of our vets but that doesn't mean they can't or don't have a role or that they can't be productive. As much a the rookies aren't being used well, this year and in the past the vets are being used just as poorly.

Purboo needs to develop his game in other areas, that's a given but he needs to be in a position to do so as well. Using him the way he has, expecting him to bring more while not putting him a situation where he can benefit from playing with players he is compatible with is as much a disservice to him as it is to his current linemates and the rest of the team.

The most consistent line for much of last season was D'Amico/Angle/Purboo. They were the top line and while they certainly are not a true number one line they worked well together. They went cold or at least D'Amico and Purboo went cold while Angle started scoring. It was great to see Angle develop more offense in his game but the cost was two players who lost all their ability to contribute offensively. Letowski shook things up and things were never the same. Angle needs a more balance approach to have a bigger impact. He's opportunistic which is great but he's started looking for his own opportunities while not looking to create when there is a chance for others. He's capable of doing both but last year and this year he's been one extreme or another. He either set up others up, at times not taking the chance when he had the best opportunity to now he's taking the chance regardless of there being an opportunity for himself or not and when he does look to move the puck there is no play to be made. He needs to find the right balance. He's a solid player, still not and never will be a number centre in the league but he is a solid number two who can contribute more when he fully utilizes his linemates as well as understands when to do it alone and when not to. I would like to see those three back together again. D'Amico has had no success with anyone else and if him and Angle can start clicking again like last year but with Angle knowing when to pass and when not to they can work well with Purboo and the familiarity would help Purboo expand his game IMO.

I think McDonald and Cuylle would well together if they can get them a centre who is a solid playmaker. Cuylle is shoot first, that's when he is effective while McDonald can bring what I think many hoped Purboo would. The difference is McDonald is a better skater, has the speed to keep up with better players and is capable of being a bit more creative while also playing along the boards and behind the net with the ability to recover if he loses a battle. Can Johnston and Zito, who I am still fine with rotating for a bit longer but can they fill that role? That's the big question mark IMO. If they can then move them up with Cuylle and McDonal. If any threesome on any night of Maggio/Johnston/Zito and McDonald can be your most consistent, in limited minutes but still getting some challenging minutes most night then I would give Cuylle/Zito or Johnston/McDonald a try for a few games. The vets aren't working out on a line with Cuylle, they're either playing a me first style or you end up with Boka up there who is not a top nine player at this point on this team. He may be on another team but he has never worked well with younger players, his style has been too different from the kids coming up and the younger players have been more offense oriented so he becomes an anchor.

If they went to these two lines, D'Amico/Angle/Purboo and Cuylle/Zito or Johnston/McDonald that would likely give them a strong middle six and if their top line struggles D'Amico/Angle/Purboo are capable of moving up into that top line role as needed. They probably won't be as effective but they can minimize another teams top line as we saw last year.

Put Maggio with Afanasyev and Foudy together for a couple of games and see what you get. Maggio has shown he can keep up but he has also been playing limited minutes with three other rookies or second year McDonald. Let's see how he does with a couple of higher end players. Either him or McDonald would be fine after a few games on this line and no, I don't think either could be considered first line wingers at this point but they don't have a vet. With Afanasyev having a bit of size and skill I think McDonald bringing the extra size and skill would fit better with Cuylle/Zito or Johnston. The expectations on Foudy and Afanasyev are top line roles and Maggio should be able to keep up while Cuylle brings a solid scoring threat to get Zito and Johnston going in bigger roles while we know McDonald, while lacking experience can play in this league.

That leaves Douglas/Playfair/Boka. Playfair and Boka are both fourth line/PK players on this team and while Douglas is capable of more he is developing a PK game and can be effective on the PP where Playfair and Boka should never be. These three taking a reduced role five on five take the bulk of the PK work. They all also have enough experience to move up and down whe nit's needed, play those tough minutes when protecting a lead etc. Douglas should be capable of more but right now he doesn't seem to be fitting anywhere and if they are going to keep him they need a way to get him going. As for the fit Boka and to a lesser extent Playfair are crash and bang type players while Douglas, even with his size doesn't work out well along the boards if he's one on one with someone. In a scrum he's fine, there's enough players to hold him up but when he's one on one he loses more battles than he wins. Boka and Playfair are the opposite, they will win more than they lose but they struggle to finish where we know Douglas can finish if someone can set him up or give him space.

Keeping the roster as is isn't the best use of assets, even making changes. It would be improved IMO but when you have two 19 year olds and an OA on your fourth line you either have to be loaded in the top nine with talent or realize there's a problem with how the pieces fit together. As I've said before, the younger kid are one style of player and the vets are something else with very little crossover between the two older and younger players. It's two completely different teams yet Letowski insists on just putting a vet with years of service with a kid or two and throws all the lines out of whack.

If the lines I laid out were used he would have multiple options to run with on any given night in his top nine in terms of who is playing first/second/third line roles with their respective combinations. With Playfair/Boka/Douglas as a non typical fourth line who could and should play more than a typical fourth line but certainly fewer minutes beyond the PK than the other three he will have a fourth line that could be rolled regularly and depending on who, if anyone is struggling he has someone from that line who could be moved up the line up when required.

Ideally they would upgrade a couple of their vets but not likely being a contending year I wouldn't want to see assets moved for a one and done player. I would rather acclimate the kids to the league in bigger roles while using the vets in more strategic roles. If they want to make a bigger push than go hard after a two year player if they think next year is a contending year or go after an 02 who will be here for three years. They have the assets for the right move and they have the pieces to move to add a few more but if anyone is moved they need to be replaced. If all they do is ride things out then get the chemistry right with who you currently have and stop trying to force a vet into a role where it doesn't benefit them or the kids they are being put with.

 

[ohloutsider]

The players look frustrated and likely for multiple reasons.

Those expected to score aren't, those who are playmakers don't seem to have compatible finishers to play with or when they do they have a third who doesn't fit.

It's no secret I'm not a fan of a lot of our vets but that doesn't mean they can't or don't have a role or that they can't be productive. As much a the rookies aren't being used well, this year and in the past the vets are being used just as poorly.

Purboo needs to develop his game in other areas, that's a given but he needs to be in a position to do so as well. Using him the way he has, expecting him to bring more while not putting him a situation where he can benefit from playing with players he is compatible with is as much a disservice to him as it is to his current linemates and the rest of the team.

The most consistent line for much of last season was D'Amico/Angle/Purboo. They were the top line and while they certainly are not a true number one line they worked well together. They went cold or at least D'Amico and Purboo went cold while Angle started scoring. It was great to see Angle develop more offense in his game but the cost was two players who lost all their ability to contribute offensively. Letowski shook things up and things were never the same. Angle needs a more balance approach to have a bigger impact. He's opportunistic which is great but he's started looking for his own opportunities while not looking to create when there is a chance for others. He's capable of doing both but last year and this year he's been one extreme or another. He either set up others up, at times not taking the chance when he had the best opportunity to now he's taking the chance regardless of there being an opportunity for himself or not and when he does look to move the puck there is no play to be made. He needs to find the right balance. He's a solid player, still not and never will be a number centre in the league but he is a solid number two who can contribute more when he fully utilizes his linemates as well as understands when to do it alone and when not to. I would like to see those three back together again. D'Amico has had no success with anyone else and if him and Angle can start clicking again like last year but with Angle knowing when to pass and when not to they can work well with Purboo and the familiarity would help Purboo expand his game IMO.

I think McDonald and Cuylle would well together if they can get them a centre who is a solid playmaker. Cuylle is shoot first, that's when he is effective while McDonald can bring what I think many hoped Purboo would. The difference is McDonald is a better skater, has the speed to keep up with better players and is capable of being a bit more creative while also playing along the boards and behind the net with the ability to recover if he loses a battle. Can Johnston and Zito, who I am still fine with rotating for a bit longer but can they fill that role? That's the big question mark IMO. If they can then move them up with Cuylle and McDonal. If any threesome on any night of Maggio/Johnston/Zito and McDonald can be your most consistent, in limited minutes but still getting some challenging minutes most night then I would give Cuylle/Zito or Johnston/McDonald a try for a few games. The vets aren't working out on a line with Cuylle, they're either playing a me first style or you end up with Boka up there who is not a top nine player at this point on this team. He may be on another team but he has never worked well with younger players, his style has been too different from the kids coming up and the younger players have been more offense oriented so he becomes an anchor.

If they went to these two lines, D'Amico/Angle/Purboo and Cuylle/Zito or Johnston/McDonald that would likely give them a strong middle six and if their top line struggles D'Amico/Angle/Purboo are capable of moving up into that top line role as needed. They probably won't be as effective but they can minimize another teams top line as we saw last year.

Put Maggio with Afanasyev and Foudy together for a couple of games and see what you get. Maggio has shown he can keep up but he has also been playing limited minutes with three other rookies or second year McDonald. Let's see how he does with a couple of higher end players. Either him or McDonald would be fine after a few games on this line and no, I don't think either could be considered first line wingers at this point but they don't have a vet. With Afanasyev having a bit of size and skill I think McDonald bringing the extra size and skill would fit better with Cuylle/Zito or Johnston. The expectations on Foudy and Afanasyev are top line roles and Maggio should be able to keep up while Cuylle brings a solid scoring threat to get Zito and Johnston going in bigger roles while we know McDonald, while lacking experience can play in this league.

That leaves Douglas/Playfair/Boka. Playfair and Boka are both fourth line/PK players on this team and while Douglas is capable of more he is developing a PK game and can be effective on the PP where Playfair and Boka should never be. These three taking a reduced role five on five take the bulk of the PK work. They all also have enough experience to move up and down whe nit's needed, play those tough minutes when protecting a lead etc. Douglas should be capable of more but right now he doesn't seem to be fitting anywhere and if they are going to keep him they need a way to get him going. As for the fit Boka and to a lesser extent Playfair are crash and bang type players while Douglas, even with his size doesn't work out well along the boards if he's one on one with someone. In a scrum he's fine, there's enough players to hold him up but when he's one on one he loses more battles than he wins. Boka and Playfair are the opposite, they will win more than they lose but they struggle to finish where we know Douglas can finish if someone can set him up or give him space.

Keeping the roster as is isn't the best use of assets, even making changes. It would be improved IMO but when you have two 19 year olds and an OA on your fourth line you either have to be loaded in the top nine with talent or realize there's a problem with how the pieces fit together. As I've said before, the younger kid are one style of player and the vets are something else with very little crossover between the two older and younger players. It's two completely different teams yet Letowski insists on just putting a vet with years of service with a kid or two and throws all the lines out of whack.

If the lines I laid out were used he would have multiple options to run with on any given night in his top nine in terms of who is playing first/second/third line roles with their respective combinations. With Playfair/Boka/Douglas as a non typical fourth line who could and should play more than a typical fourth line but certainly fewer minutes beyond the PK than the other three he will have a fourth line that could be rolled regularly and depending on who, if anyone is struggling he has someone from that line who could be moved up the line up when required.

Ideally they would upgrade a couple of their vets but not likely being a contending year I wouldn't want to see assets moved for a one and done player. I would rather acclimate the kids to the league in bigger roles while using the vets in more strategic roles. If they want to make a bigger push than go hard after a two year player if they think next year is a contending year or go after an 02 who will be here for three years. They have the assets for the right move and they have the pieces to move to add a few more but if anyone is moved they need to be replaced. If all they do is ride things out then get the chemistry right with who you currently have and stop trying to force a vet into a role where it doesn't benefit them or the kids they are being put with.

Not seeing Douglas anywhere outside of the top 6 - he will not and never should be playing 4th line minutes.
I see Foudy - Coylle- D'Amico as the right speed and skill to be playing first line minutes

And why the Hay did my font suddenly change!!!!!!!

 

[windsor7]

Hope for a win tonight or this team is going to question themselves n the coaching more than the have in past

 

[OHLTG]

Can we use this game as another outlier??? Yes the goalie did well for Kitchener but as has been discussed maybe this offense just isn't that potent.

Douglas 2 goals
Purboo 1 goal
D'Amico 2 goals

Can't ask middle 6 guys to be top line guys. Win 3 straight lose 4 of 5 they're doubling down on a group that hasn't played consistent hockey(or sorry they're just consistently inconsistent) for 2 years.

When you get 45 shots on net, credit goes to where it's due and that was Ingham. Clearly, the systems are working; he was making some crazy saves last night and , sometimes, there's only so much you can do.

Tonight's the key - Sarnia's winless and struggling. Come out swinging and see what happens.

 

[member 71782]

Not seeing Douglas anywhere outside of the top 6 - he will not and never should be playing 4th line minutes.
I see Foudy - Coylle- D'Amico as the right speed and skill to be playing first line minutes

And why the Hay did my font suddenly change!!!!!!!

Can't help you with your font.

It's not that I disagree with you about Douglas, he should definitely be capable of playing on the second or third line IMO. He's not a top line player, he's a slight upgrade over Purboo but where does he fit on this roster without it being based on years of service? He's been basically playing a third line role as it is already so he's already dropped from the top six. I don't see D'Amico as a top line player. Middle six, yes but he's not a top line player IMO. They could load up the first line with Cuylle/Foudy/Afanasyev but that would keep Zito/Johnston/Maggio/McDonald on the fourth line which they all are capable of playing a bigger role with more compatible linemates and in a year they likely aren't going for it it is wasted development time the wat they are currently being used.

My thoughts are simply based on them building towards next year or the year after and who will be here in those two years and how are they going to develop them. If they had vets with more complimentary skill sets I could see the value in playing a mix of vets and kids but the current mix it doesn't fit well. If they're not going to deal a few away then drop them down the line up and focus on the kids while still having the vets to rely on when needed.

The way things have been most of the last couple of weeks they've had:

Afanasyev/Foudy/Purboo
Cuylle/Angle/Boka
D'Amico/Playfair/Douglas
Zito/Johnston/Maggio/McDonald

None of those lines look good, none of them have worked and changing them up last night even though they changed them all up which they shouldn't need to because of Boka being out they were more effective while still being less than ideal combinations.

 

[OHLTG]

I wonder what would happen if you put Foudy and Afanasyev with Douglas? You've got size, speed, grit, and, on paper, it's a really solid trio. Heck, I'd even consider Cuylle or D'Amico with them; both give grit and both should score.

 

[member 71782]

I wonder what would happen if you put Foudy and Afanasyev with Douglas? You've got size, speed, grit, and, on paper, it's a really solid trio. Heck, I'd even consider Cuylle or D'Amico with them; both give grit and both should score.

While I think Douglas would be an upgrade over Purboo I still think he is the weak link with those two. I'm sure it will be one of the next combinations Letowski tries.

D'Amico could be better but since last season he hasn't been able to get going with anyone. He was showing a lot of potential his first year and a half and has done almost nothing offensively since then. If they could get him back on track that would be great, they need multiple threats in their top six and right now they don't really have anyone looking like a real threat.

Cuylle would be the logical choice except it becomes a one line team in a lot of ways. You're putting two potential 35+ goal scorers on the same line so if the opposition shuts them down they pretty much shut the team down until they can develop more consistent scoring threats throughout the top nine.

I'm sure we'll see Letowski try multiple options then settle for something middle of the road because one or two players will finally have a good weekend in line with expectations. What we won't likely see is something out of the box for what we've come to expect from him. He'll still want a vet presence on every line regardless of how well it works or don't and that will limit his options.

 

[windsor7]

I wonder what would happen if you put Foudy and Afanasyev with Douglas? You've got size, speed, grit, and, on paper, it's a really solid trio. Heck, I'd even consider Cuylle or D'Amico with them; both give grit and both should score.

Douglas weak link.
Still condition not good.
Doesn't play his size.

 

[member 71782]

When you get 45 shots on net, credit goes to where it's due and that was Ingham. Clearly, the systems are working; he was making some crazy saves last night and , sometimes, there's only so much you can do.

Tonight's the key - Sarnia's winless and struggling. Come out swinging and see what happens.

While Ingham deserves credit I didn't see much in terms of systems last night or any night this season so far. When a lot of shots came from players skating to within five feet of the goal line and throwing the puck at the net because they had no other options that's not a lot of good scoring chances. Ingham made the stops he had to and for the most part was in position to not give up any cheap goals. Windsor did very little to test him a whole lot even with getting 45 or so shots on goal.

Tonight should be a game they shouldn't have questions about. Yes, anyone can win on any given night but if they play solid, responsible defensively and actually threaten a bit offensively then there should be no excuses. Tonight should not be a key game unless they are playing horribly bad. This should be a workman like game where they come to the rink, do what's expected of them and not have any mental lapses. If they can do that then outside of Sarnia playing the game of their season to date there should be no excuses other than not being prepared to a level they are capable of.

That being said we saw how Flint did against them last season so yes, anything is possible especially with that same core back.

 

[OHLTG]

Cuylle would be the logical choice except it becomes a one line team in a lot of ways. You're putting two potential 35+ goal scorers on the same line so if the opposition shuts them down they pretty much shut the team down until they can develop more consistent scoring threats throughout the top nine.

The thing is that Cuylle did best when Foudy was on his line. Maybe that's one of the issues? Put Cuylle/Foudy/Afan together and see what that creates?

 

[member 71782]

The thing is that Cuylle did best when Foudy was on his line. Maybe that's one of the issues? Put Cuylle/Foudy/Afan together and see what that creates?

Last year they had Cuylle/Foudy/Douglas for a while and they did well. They started with them the first game or two this year I thought and it didn't work out so well. That's why I don't see Douglas as a fit anymore, he hasn't kept pace with those two and if Cuylle is moved up I think Cuylle/Foudy/Afanasyev could work well it's down the line up I see limited scoring threats beyond those three that can be lined up together. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing it, just want to see what the rest of the lines would look like.

Another option would be to go back to Cuylle/Foudy/McDonald. They looked good together when they came back after the U17s last year until Letowski split them up, put Douglas with Cuylle and Foudy and banished McDonald to the fourth line. That gives them a chance to put Douglas with Afanasyev and Maggio. He did well getting Cuylle and Foudy up to speed last season, until they outgrew his play this season so maybe lightening strikes twice and he could do the same with those two.

The only issue is further down the line up you leave Johnston and Zito with Boka and Playfair which doesn't do much to help them.

There's options, just not a lot of good ones without making changes.

 

[ohloutsider]

Line juggling will never work or establishing a top line until the Spits find a true "trigger" guy. Thought Cuylle would be that but for the last 2 years it has been a glaring hole for the Spits. They have been trying to fill that from within but I don't see any Spit to be that guy. You would have to think they thought Afanasyev would be that guy but thus far not to be. Don't want to see them waste any picks so we settle for what is I guess.

 

[member 71782]

Line juggling will never work or establishing a top line until the Spits find a true "trigger" guy. Thought Cuylle would be that but for the last 2 years it has been a glaring hole for the Spits. They have been trying to fill that from within but I don't see any Spit to be that guy. You would have to think they thought Afanasyev would be that guy but thus far not to be. Don't want to see them waste any picks so we settle for what is I guess.

If the thought was next year was going to be a big year for them I would have liked to have seen them try to do more when they moved Staois. A package of Staois, D'Amico and likely picks for Kaliyev would have fit that bill. He's almost guaranteed to be back next year, has some work to do in areas and it would have been NHL/OHL only for him. I'm stingy in my thoughts on giving up picks but for someone who can fill the net, fits with the core and improves on our 01s he definitely would have opened up breathing room for Afanasyev to settle in and Cuylle to get going in his draft year.

There's nothing saying that Hamilton would have moved him, more wishful thinking on my part but up front he would have opened up a lot of space for Cuylle and Afanasyev to be solid secondary scoring threats, one on a line with him and one on the second line.

Come the deadline there would have been a chance to make up the picks dealt so they would have been where they were at before the Staois deal but it could have been a huge statement move to and for this team for this year and next. There still would have been work to do but they would definitely have been a step ahead of where they are now.

Again, wishful thinking on my part.

 

[member 71782]

So with Lalonde gone to Flint today I'm thinking Corcoran's value would have to be similar if he were moved this season.

Oct. 12

GUE

Owen Lalonde

FLNT

Michael Bianconi MISS 2 2021 FLNT 2 2022 HAM 2 2024* FLNT 5 2022*

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Bianconi is a 3rd round 02 who didn't put up much offensively for Flint last year in 50 games.

Another 02 plus a couple of 2nds would be nice additions if they look to sell off a few pieces this year.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Game night
Windsor vs Sarnia
Piironen and Langevin are the starters in goal
Boka and Jodoin not dressed for Windsor
For Sarnia,McGregor, Rees ,Reesor,Mack,Dillingham and Berka.

 

[TheGremlin]

When you get 45 shots on net, credit goes to where it's due and that was Ingham. Clearly, the systems are working; he was making some crazy saves last night and , sometimes, there's only so much you can do.

Tonight's the key - Sarnia's winless and struggling. Come out swinging and see what happens.

If you fire 40 shots and the other team has almost as many quality attempts in half the shots then the 40 shots not really matter if they are basic.

 

[Cherrydon]

OK yes great SPITS 6-3 Rafkin scores his 1st OHL goal, returns to the bench and Purboo doesn't congratulate him or acknowledge the fact. I'm done with Purboo. Major plague, time to go. Still in shock how bad that was. Mr Selfish his new nickname. I would trade that attitude of Purboo's for a broken stick.!!###

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Always nice to win which was needed. Unfortunately the way this team plays is pretty much unsustainable for long haul. They got a lot of goals tonight, unfortunately they go out and look soft defensively and give up a lot of as well. Piiroinen has to be better his struggles right now have nothing to do with trying to follow in the footsteps of DiPietro. They have everything to do with him just not looking comfortable.

 

[OHLTG]

The good and the bad from tonight...

Good:

- 8 different goal scorers. There's depth there and it's showing. Add in 13 players with points, too.
- Rafkin continues to impress, Foudy adds to his totals, Douglas gets going. In a game like that, it's tough to argue with anyone getting a +5.
- Props to Robinson and Rafkin for their first OHL goals!
- Consistency - at least two goals per period is a nice balance.
- They're using their speed and there's no quit. The systems look like they're working.
- Chemistry was definitely there. I don't know where Boka fits in when he gets back, but keep everything else relatively the same.

Bad:

- Defence was very loose. That doesn't help anyone.
- Piiroinen made some big saves, but I can see two goals (goals 3 and 5) that he'd want back. One other was tipped, one was bang-bang in front, and the third was a guy walking in and roofing. Defence has to be tighter on those. We can say what we wish about his play but he's looked much improved from last year. The work in front of him needs work.
- Not enough shots on Langevin. Sarnia is strugglin and he looked like he was fighting the puck all night. Pepper him with 40+ shots and let the chips fall where they may. I said this at the rink - "they're playing down to their comeptition." Nothing against Sarnia, but that should have been a 45-30 shot clock. Windsor got slightly lucky that Langevin struggled.

Really, this team is showing it can play whatever style is needed, and I don't see that as a bad thing right now. Can they keep winning games 8-5? Not over the entire season, but I don't think anyone expects that. With that said, if they can win 2-1 AND 8-5, that bodes well for the rest of the season. It shows they can come back, they can play tight, they can play pond. Ideally, you want a 4-2 kind of game; good offence, tight defence, and the like. It's the OHL, though, and that doesn't happen very often (where every game is like that). Take the two points and get ready for Thursday.