With training camp a month and half or so away and Windsor’s rookie camp coming up shortly (end of July?) I figured it was time to see what has been floating around the rumour mill, any thoughts or insights some of the posters may have on the upcoming season as far as trades, players expected to report and any other thoughts that may be out there.
I think we are looking at Greenop, Timmins and MacDermid moving on to TO’s, Florida’s and Boston’s respective systems. I also feel that we will not know about Harry Young until after NJ holds their main camp, I figure right now he is 50/50 to be back. This leaves O’Donnell and Unice as OA’s for next season.
Mitchell and Loktionov are obviously gone as well.
Does Kuhnhackl report. I know it was reported that Rychel did not think he would be reporting this season, more than likely in 2010/11. I am hoping to see him report this season, another potential first rounder in Windsor’s line up this season would not hurt.
Which ones if any of Kenny Ryan, Stephan Johns and Jack Campbell reports this season. I am definitely feeling a bit more optimistic about Kenny Ryan reporting with the draft now over. I think it will depend on what Burke has to say about things in TO. I know Burke has stated publicly that it would be up to the kids who have college commitments but I am sure if he feels that it will help his opinion will carry some weight with these kids. With Campbell and Johns, next year is their draft year and again these two both have first round potential. I think it would help Johns to move on from the USNTDP after his late season issues as well as the chance to play for a potential championship contending team. With Jack Campbell however I think it will come down to playing time. Can he start as a 17 year old in the O or would he be willing to back up Unice for a season? Would playing in a backup role and only getting 15 to 20 starts hurt his draft position and if so I doubt we see him this season.
Which rookies will come into camp with a legitimate chance to make the team? Brassard should make this team, even as deep as it is but is there anyone else with a legitimate shot at it?
What moves do you think are made this season as well? I know it depends on who reports and who doesn’t but based on who people feel will be there I am curious as to who other posters feel will be moved in or out of the roster.
I think Brassard will definately make the team, but probably as a fourth liner to start. I've never seen a first round pick be cut from their team as a 16 year old, so I think he makes it.
I think you pretty much got to the point on everything. As you said, there are still a lot of question marks in regards to some players returning; the Loktionov's, Young's, Timmins', etc.
I know Loktionov will not be returning for sure. I my opinion Timmins will be in the AHL next year. Also I believe your first round picks are guaranteed a spot on your roster so that means Brassard will be on the team, Another player that will being joining the team is Richard Panik. And the spits oA's in my opinion will be Unice, Macdermind and Young. The spits also signed their fourth-round pick Craig Duininck, and Rychel says he will be competing for a roster spot as a 5 d-man
Based on who is expected back or to report at the moment I can see the following line up on opening night
Forwards
Hall – Henrique – Nemisz
Panik – Wellwood (Kuhnhackl if he reports) – Shugg (Ryan if he reports)
O’Donnell (Wellwood if Kuhnhackl reports) - ? (Watson if Kuhnhackl or Ryan reports) – Watson (Shugg if Ryan reports)
Wallace (O’Donnell if Kuhnhackl reports) – Dubois – Brassard
Woodcroft
Defence
Cundari – Ellis
Fowler – Blacker
Young – Duininck (Johns if he reports)
Soucie
Goal
Unice
Gleeson (Campbell if he reports)
I don’t see a lot of moves being made by Windsor. If they can get everyone to report (not counting on it) then they have a few extra bodies to move for draft picks and maybe an OA or another ’90 player at the deadline.
In the end though I think we still won’t see Johns or Campbell until 2010/11 but I think they will finally get Kenny Ryan to report this season. I know Kuhnhackl will take some work from the article in the Windsor Star right after they drafted him but it still sounded like there was a chance he could be here this season. I think he will be in Windsor this season, it can really only help him in his draft year.
I think we also see one more ’93 born player on the roster this season. From what I have read on the various boards Blake Pietilla may be someone with a shot at the team this season.
I don't know about O'donnell this year, for some reason I see him as the odd man out. With McDermaid and Greenop gona I just don't see Connor beating out Walace for a roster spot. Add to that he is a OA as well, which makes me thinking he will be out the door in order for a trade later in the season to bring in a more qualified OA.
On a side note, it sounds like Burke really wants to see Ryan in Windsor this year. This would be a huge boost if it happens. I think he said that his development would be better served in Windsor with the staff they have in place.
The Windsor Spitfires are proud to announce that the team will open its annual training camp on Friday, August 28th, 2009 at the WFCU Centre. Returning players and new prospects will engage in a three-day camp to determine the Spitfires roster for the 2009-2010 season.
The schedule of events for camp is as follows. Fans are encouraged to enter through Gate 2 of the WFCU Centre to attend the practices and games:
*Friday, August 28
Practice - Team Red Game - Team White vs. Team Blue
9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m.
Practice - Team White Game – Team Red vs. Team Blue
3:00 p.m. 4:15 p.m.
Saturday, August 29
Practice – Team Blue Game – Team Red vs. Team White
9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m.
Based on who is expected back or to report at the moment I can see the following line up on opening night
Forwards
Hall – Henrique – Nemisz
Panik – Wellwood (Kuhnhackl if he reports) – Shugg (Ryan if he reports)
O’Donnell (Wellwood if Kuhnhackl reports) - ? (Watson if Kuhnhackl or Ryan reports) – Watson (Shugg if Ryan reports)
Wallace (O’Donnell if Kuhnhackl reports) – Dubois – Brassard
Woodcroft
Defence
Cundari – Ellis
Fowler – Blacker
Young – Duininck (Johns if he reports)
Soucie
Goal
Unice
Gleeson (Campbell if he reports)
I don’t see a lot of moves being made by Windsor. If they can get everyone to report (not counting on it) then they have a few extra bodies to move for draft picks and maybe an OA or another ’90 player at the deadline.
In the end though I think we still won’t see Johns or Campbell until 2010/11 but I think they will finally get Kenny Ryan to report this season. I know Kuhnhackl will take some work from the article in the Windsor Star right after they drafted him but it still sounded like there was a chance he could be here this season. I think he will be in Windsor this season, it can really only help him in his draft year.
I think we also see one more ’93 born player on the roster this season. From what I have read on the various boards Blake Pietilla may be someone with a shot at the team this season.
I think Ryan will be there for sure... what a team
I was checking out Toronto's roster for the Kitchener prospect tournament and Ryan was not listed. That to me is not a good sign of him showing up in Windsor. It is possible he ma be here for training camp but NCAA rules place limitations on what someone can or cannot do. If he were planning on reporting to Windsor he would have dropped his commitment and played for Toronto in that prospect tournament. Does not look food and I for one was figuring he would likely report this year.
I don't think Stephan Johns will be here before nexy season. The trade yesterday makes it a bit more interesting since helps make room in the defensive depth charts but I think that involves the potential of other players such as Luke Turcotte, Craig Duininck and Steve Trojanovic. Some are speculating about D'Orazio from Owen Sound being a possibility but I don't think that is as likely, not impossible but I think that situation would depend more on what happens with Harry Young.
Jack Xampbell is the one that is the least likely to show up. You never hear many rumours about him one way or the other. Definitely an elite goaltending prospect who I feel from what has been stated by so many different posters is capable of coming in and starting as a 17 year old on this team. He would be the biggest prospect Windsor could land this year and when you look at some of the talent they are waiting on that is saying a lot.
Sorry no real news but the rosters should be released today and we will all have our answers at that time.
Training camp is all wrapped up and a few changes have been made.
First a couple of trades. Windsor sends Soucie to Sarnia for a draft pick. Not surprised to see Soucie moved. I liked him but he needs playing time. Time that he will not be able to get in Windsor this year. Hopefully he gets a chance in Sarnia as part of a younger, rebuilding team.
Today Windsor goes back to Sarnia for another pre season deal. Mitch Dunning comes to Windsor after being cut by Sarnia in exchange for a late round draft pick. This deal does not make a lot of sense to me. I though I read on here last season, and maybe I am mistaken but didn\t Sarnia fans have high hopes for this kid at some point last season? Maybe someone can confirm or correct me on this. Does this kid have potential, especially on a team like Windsor? To me this and the Soucie deal could have waited until this point in time and been rolled into one deal.
Some of the biggest news on the training camp front is Steve Gleeson asking for a trade. This makes no sense at all. The kid started off last season as the back up, was sent to JR. B to get some playing time after Windsor aquired Unice for the playoffs. He is not satisfied with the back up role or his chances of getting much playing time in Windsor reportedly, so he now wants a trade to a Toronto area team (he is from the T.O. area) so he can be close to home and his original high school. I think this kid has just blown his career since Rychel is not in a hurry to move him. He wants fair value for him. I doubt he finds a starters job for any of the T.O. teams this either.
As for training camp the 3 Americans that were hoped for, Ryan, Campbell and Johns were all no shows. I think the only one that was really expected or hoped for this year was Ryan. Who knows. maybe school does not work out for him and he still shows or at least reports to T.O.'s main camp and Burke can convince him.
Khuehnhackl was also a no show. While I think there was hope of him reporting this season everyone knew he had already signed a contract in Germany for 1 season so it was unlikely.
With the exhibition season starting this Thursday as well as NHL camps getting ready to open there will be lots of chances for the remaing players to make their mark. Until the NHL camps are complete and all that are being returned are actually returned ( no surprises like Josh Bailey) then we will not be sure just how deep and talented this team will be.
Windsor is starting the season with a fairly inexperienced line up still having a number of players away at NHL camps. The return of Nemisz and Unice will definitely be a big help.
Up front they are in decent shape even with Wellwood, Henrique and Panik still at camp.
On D is where there is going to be some potential issues. Ellis, Blacker, Cundari and Young are still at their respective camps leaving only Fowler out of the top 5 on the ice unless there are some sudden arrivals today. The young kids get to continue showing what they can do now when the games count.
In goal Unice gets to show why he was picked up last season, not only to back up Engelage but to take over as this years starter. He will need to provide a calming and stabilizing influence for the inexperienced D. He will have to be a factor until the entire line up is back.
There will not be a whole lot of difference between tonight's line up and the one we saw during the exhibition games, could be a tough night but I think the adrenalin and excitement of playing for the defending Memoriial Cup champions will get the young kids through it and they can pull out the victory.
Windsor could be in for a tough couple of games to start the season but when everyone has returned i would expect this team to catch fire pretty quickly as they try to continue where they left off last season hoping to repeat as OHL/Memorial Cup champs.
I didn't go the game but see from the box score that the Spits came back after being down 5-2 after 2nd period to tie it and send it into OT and eventual SO where the Whalers won it.
Hall had 5 points +2 and a Hat Trick!
Watson who I believe was the youngest of the Spits last season had 2 goals
Fowler finished with 4 assists.
Unice gave up 4 goals on first 11 shots he faced before getting the hook.
Baldwin wasted no time after arriving in town to get in his first fight of the regular season
I blame the loss on that the game only had one tilt Every time these two teams meet there should be at least two +.
Could be in trouble this season with Unice in net. Isn't he the Blackhawks draft pick that grew up in Ohio. Team going from a huge goalie to a diminutive one.
Well, I'm hoping Passingham can take the TG job from him to be honest. I saw Unice when he was with Kitchener and wasn't that impressed with him. Spits don't need great netminding with their talent, just decent and I like Passingham more because of his size alone will make more saves compared to the small Unice who must rely on speed and instincts.
Anybody know a website where I can watch OHL games for free? Gotta be one out there.
After a tough opening weekend the Spits are starting to see most of their core returning to the line up this coming Thursday
Panik was returned over the weekend as well as it was announced today that Young and Henrique are both being returned ro the Spits as well. The only players not likely to be returned but have not been yet are Ellis and Wellwood. MacDermid, while the fans are hoping he is returned has been sent to Providence by the Bruins for their training camp. He still has not been signed by Providence or Boston. The hope of MacDermid's return may be faint but their is still hope on the part of the Spits fans although I am sure they are all hoping for the best for Lane.
With the return of Harry Young, Windsor now has 4 OA's on their roster (Young, Unice, Baldwin and O'Donnell), they can only dress three for a game. They can carry as many as they like until sometime in November when they have to cut it down to four then they have to cut it down to three by the trade deadline. I believe as of right now the Spits will be looking at keeping Young, Unice and Baldwin with O'Donnell being the odd man out. O'Donnell does bring a bit more to the table than Baldwin in most areas but Baldwin does provide a certain level of toughness that they were missing. O'Donnell would likely be a more valuable trade asset than Baldwin as well. The play in these first two games by Unice could also mean he could be the first one moved if his play does not improve quickly. If by chance MacDermid is returned then the OA situation would likely include Young and MacDermid with either Baldwin, Unice or a new aquisition taking the third spot. Again , it is highly unlikely that MacDermid is returned.
Right now Windsor's biggest concern has to be goaltending. Unice has been pulled in both of Windsor's first two games which is obviously causing come concern. He has allowed 7 goals on 21 shots in slightly more than two periods of play total. This is when Windsor was looking to Unice to provide a stabilizing influence with so much of their D away at camps and he was unable to deliver.
I am sure Windsor is also looking for an experienced, solid D, most likely someone who can come in in a shutdown role. If they are able to find someone to fill that position this would leave any rookies who make the roster (Duininck, Posa or Trojanovic) as the seventh member of their blueline with Windsor likely having the top D in the league. While a nice addition would be helpful I don't think it is a pressing need for them.
Up front Windsor is in solid shape. With most their line up, if not all back in place for this week's games the only real addition they could p[ossibly hope for at this point in time would be the return of MacDermid. There is always room to improve and I am sure management will always be looking at all possible options but right now they are looking to be in very good shape offensively.
Two tough losses to start the season but a lot of hockey to play and no reason for anyone to panic about this team that is finally getting the core of it's roster back.
Every time these two teams meet there should be at least two +.
. Team going from a huge goalie to a diminutive one.
