Congrats on Kantor and Dodero signing amateur tryout contracts. Looks good for Wolves.
In respect to the Rumour about Cull, I have been saying it for the longest time. He will be let go.
He has a good winning record, and team did great 2 years ago, and even this year given the lack of experience and talent.
However, his main problems, is that he didnt develop his young stars like other teams and coaches, and gave too much leeway to superstars like Sgarbossa, Leivo and Corrado. Many times these players committed stupid penalties, or quit on the play and left their teammates hanging, and instead of Cull benching them, he had them out on the next shift.
If he were to develop the young talent right away, then guys like Silk, MC, Baptiste, COrbett, etc.... would be farther ahead in their development and ability, and would be considered upper end stars in the OHL, but that is not the case.
TO NOT HAVE ANY DRAFTED KIDS IN THE 94 YEAR, WAS DEFINITELY A DISAPPOINTMENT. THE WAY THEY ALSO DEVELOPED SEFTON WAS NOT A POSITIVE. KID WAS PICKED 5TH OVERALL, AND SEEMS TO BE GOING BACKWARDS.
Many times he would switch line combinations, so that they wouldnt build a cohesiveness with their linemates, and not have their best players on the ice in key times, either showed that he had it his way or nothing, or didnt know what he was doing. Also, the fiasco with naming 5 Assistant Captains and 1 captain, was not professional.
Yeah, cause Cull had nothing to do with developing OHL stars like Leivo who just showed up and were top OHL players. Not all players develop into stars and that's not an entirely an issue with the coaching.
I also wouldn't blame Cull for defenseman not developing, that blame can be placed on Beukeboom.
You can also blame the lack of development on most of those players on the amount of time those players spent on the injured list. Although, I have no idea why you say that Baptiste hasn't developed. He's developed actually quite nicely to this point. He was even voted most underrated player in the eastern conference.
BTW, Kantor signed an entry level deal with the Rangers, not an ATO.
Yeah, cause Cull had nothing to do with developing OHL stars like Leivo who just showed up and were top OHL players. Not all players develop into stars and that's not an entirely an issue with the coaching.
I also wouldn't blame Cull for defenseman not developing, that blame can be placed on Beukeboom.
You can also blame the lack of development on most of those players on the amount of time those players spent on the injured list. Although, I have no idea why you say that Baptiste hasn't developed. He's developed actually quite nicely to this point. He was even voted most underrated player in the eastern conference.
BTW, Kantor signed an entry level deal with the Rangers, not an ATO.
Let's put things in perspective. Leivo was drafted by the Wolves but did not make the team as a 16 year old. He spent that year in Midget in Barrie. He made the team his second year and really did not do a lot until they traded for Sgarbossa. He then was put on Sgarbossa's line and he began to thrive and build immense confidence. Most of why he was drafted came from god's gift (reach and size) because his 30 points in his draft year was nothing spectacular given that he played half the season the top line. He was given exposure and the ability to play with a top end OHL player.
Now, fast forward. Last year in 2011-12 the 16 year old rookies were given very little - some more than others but still little. You go to other teams and watch how they take a 16 year old rookie and play them with top end team talent. Not last year or thise year.
The kids who thrive get to play with top end talent to build league confidence and skill, but people believe that younger kids are crap once they do well with a seasoned player but not when they are moved to a lesser skilled player. Kids on other team get more than 6-8 games to play with older seasoned players to build confidence before demoting them.
Cull has his favorites, spends time and develops who he wants and leaves others on the side line.
I do agree, however, that given ice time that a kid like Sefton was given...PK and PP (30 + minutes every game) he should have devloped further.
Blame assistant coaches but reality is head coach MUST take that responsibility
Now, fast forward. Last year in 2011-12 the 16 year old rookies were given very little - some more than others but still little. You go to other teams and watch how they take a 16 year old rookie and play them with top end team talent. Not last year or thise year.
Matt Schmalz had just under 18 minutes a game of ice time after the trade. Conor Cummins had just over 16 minutes. Thats pretty much in line with most teams ice time for 16 year olds.
Matt Schmalz had just under 18 minutes a game of ice time after the trade. Conor Cummins had just over 16 minutes. Thats pretty much in line with most teams ice time for 16 year olds.
I like Schmalz's game and feel that he played well with Kahun and Kubalik, and hope that they stay as a line next year.
Cummins is a great kid, and has the size and raw potential to be a good player. I just think he needs some proper coaching.
Matt Schmalz had just under 18 minutes a game of ice time after the trade. Conor Cummins had just over 16 minutes. Thats pretty much in line with most teams ice time for 16 year olds.
Not sure how many games you saw but Cummins was not averaging 16 minutes a game. Most games he would see 5-6 shifts in the first then steadily decline and by the third depending on the game situation is time would be down to 3-4 short shifts-some games 1-2 shifts in the third. Actually during the last few games of Play offs Eccles saw mmuch more ice than Cummins.
Not sure how many games you saw but Cummins was not averaging 16 minutes a game. Most games he would see 5-6 shifts in the first then steadily decline and by the third depending on the game situation is time would be down to 3-4 short shifts-some games 1-2 shifts in the third. Actually during the last few games of Play offs Eccles saw mmuch more ice than Cummins.
Tigers is pretty knowledgeable with OHL and its numbers and facts and I would assume that he retrieved those numbers from stats. But, I do agree with you, I dont think Cummins played close to 16 minutes per game. Schmalz started playing alot more in the playoffs, as there line was clicking, but I dont think his avg was close to 18 mins per game.
Not sure how many games you saw but Cummins was not averaging 16 minutes a game. Most games he would see 5-6 shifts in the first then steadily decline and by the third depending on the game situation is time would be down to 3-4 short shifts-some games 1-2 shifts in the third. Actually during the last few games of Play offs Eccles saw mmuch more ice than Cummins.
Did see them a few times, but the numbers come from the team. I don't speculate. Good luck to your son at Wolves camp.
A lot more offensive skill at the back end to compliment the offence upfront.
Good combination of grit and skill.
Top 6 earned their spots this year - Capobianco + Leblanc = offence
A lot more offensive skill at the back end to compliment the offence upfront.
Good combination of grit and skill.
Top 6 earned their spots this year - Capobianco + Leblanc = offence
How about Prong 94 and McFadden 95?
Rumour is that they may be going after an OA dman such as Basso to quarterback the PP
Great deal of young offensive talent the Wolves are missing.
I can see that the above kids have potential, but if they are not dominating at their current level, as the numbers above dont show, then it may be a totally different animal next year in the OHL.
I can see that the above kids have potential, but if they are not dominating at their current level, as the numbers above dont show, then it may be a totally different animal next year in the OHL.
Leblanc top scoring 16 year old defenceman in OJHL
Vilardi point per game player in playoffs in OJHL
Capobianco top 10 pick
Whether you guys like it or not sudbury should blow the team up and bring in new prospects and developed them properly to have a winning team in 2 years, with the roster they have now they'll be at the bottom of the playoff picture....again
Leblanc top scoring 16 year old defenceman in OJHL
Vilardi point per game player in playoffs in OJHL
Capobianco top 10 pick
Whether you guys like it or not sudbury should blow the team up and bring in new prospects and developed them properly to have a winning team in 2 years, with the roster they have now they'll be at the bottom of the playoff picture....again
They are actually positioned pretty well right now. Good 95 and 96 core which some 94's as well as Palazesse. Should be fighting for home ice based on the roster today. Belleville, Barrie and Oshawa will all be less impressive next year.
They are actually positioned pretty well right now. Good 95 and 96 core which some 94's as well as Palazesse. Should be fighting for home ice based on the roster today. Belleville, Barrie and Oshawa will all be less impressive next year.
East is wide open for the taking next year. I can see teams like Sudbury, and Kingston making a serious run at East champions. Sudbury needs some top end scoring and some stay at home dmen. Kingston needs some veteral role players, including experienced dmen and goaltending.
Tonight London sat Sefton, and had 6 top end dmen in their lineup. On Sudbury, Sefton would be the top dman right now. It just shows the gap between the two teams. If Sudbury or Kingston want to compete for OHL championship or Mem Cup next year, there is still alot of work ahead. Maybe 2 years from now is more of a realistic shot then next year.
While yes they were traded away at the deadline. Corrado and Levio have been doing well post OHL season.
Frank Corrado has been recalled by the Vancouver Canucks today. If he plays a game for the Canucks it will be the fifth jersey he's donned this season (Wolves, Team Canada, Rangers, Chicago Wolves, Canucks).
Dallas Eakins has been singing Levio's praises too and there is talk that he may be a regular during their playoff run.
East is wide open for the taking next year. I can see teams like Sudbury, and Kingston making a serious run at East champions. Sudbury needs some top end scoring and some stay at home dmen. Kingston needs some veteral role players, including experienced dmen and goaltending.
Tonight London sat Sefton, and had 6 top end dmen in their lineup. On Sudbury, Sefton would be the top dman right now. It just shows the gap between the two teams. If Sudbury or Kingston want to compete for OHL championship or Mem Cup next year, there is still alot of work ahead. Maybe 2 years from now is more of a realistic shot then next year.
I don't think Sefton would be a top dman anywhere unless like, they have no other dmen. He literally can't skate barely at all, has no acceleration and his top speed is plodding along. His complete level also seems a little down. He does have potential though.
