I think it was poor choice of wording. There are a few names in there that aren't AHL eligable. If they were sent to Grand Rapids, the press release would say "Assigned to Grand Rapids". Not every player has a junior Club. I'm sure Ferarro plays NCAA does he not?
I agree. Are people suggesting that Petr Mrazek will not be in Ottawa? He has to be.
I'm also certain that it means back to junior clubs. Unless Johnston turned into a totally different player the last couple weeks, I don't think Detroit would send him to their farm team. Not trying to knock him, I just think a year back in the OHL will do him some good.
I wonder what happened with Wallace. Did he realize at the Ottawa camp that he doesn't have a pro future? Did he want to play defense here and we didn't have a spot for him? Something off-ice? A pure hockey decision from Jones and coaching staff? Did he accept a pro gig in one of the lesser leagues? This all seemed to happen quickly, after Wallace's camp with the Senators.
Wallace was probably the best fighter of the three, but Clouthier has some size to him at 6'4" 220lbs, but he wasn't even a regular with the Front's last season. Spits traded an 8th rounder in 2013 for Andrew.
I wonder what happened with Wallace. Did he realize at the Ottawa camp that he doesn't have a pro future? Did he want to play defense here and we didn't have a spot for him? Something off-ice? A pure hockey decision from Jones and coaching staff? This all seemed to happen quickly, after Wallace's camp with the Senators.
Wallace was probably the best fighter of the three, but Clouthier has some size to him at 6'4" 220lbs, but he wasn't even a regular with the Front's last season.
The whole situation has gone from "makes sense" to "intriguing" to "um, ok?" to "wtf?" in a matter of a couple days. The next couple of days should be interesting as I haven't been this curious about a player in a long time (knowing Wallace doesn't help that).
It really is a curious move to see them grab another tough OA forward. I think we can all agree that they will try to find a home for Passingham once Campbell comes back from NHL camp, so the question becomes which of Tarini, Wallace, Johnston and Clouthier will be the odd man out. As I've said before, I don't see Wallace being the odd man out because he's already proven to be an effective forechecker and willing pugilist for the Spitfires, as well as a leader on the team. I can't see them bringing in Clouthier and Tarini to sit in the stands, so that probably points to Johnston being on the way out.
If I had to guess what's happening, I'd think it was something like this: Khochlachev showed up to camp and played well enough to establish himself as the number one pivot. Kuhnhackl also showed enough to convince management that he's capable of playing at center on one of the top two lines. Their performance makes Johnston a bit more expendable, and Rychel probably figures that OA toughness will help the team more than an OA 3rd line center with a history of injury problems. Since Johnston is probably the player most likely to bring us a decent return in trade, I think we'll see him sent to a contending club for a young player or draft picks who can help us next season.
Edit: Scratch that, I guess Wallace is out?!??! I'm crushed to be honest with you, I love what Wallace brings to the team. Damn, I hope its nothing greasy.
Sounds like Kassian has been very impressive in the Sabres camp. Here's Ruff commenting on today's training camp scrimmage and his comments on Kassian start around the 54 second mark;
^And Ruff is a hard guy to impress. Kassian is going to have a monster year for us. I think the trading for Tarini and Gauthier was done in order to take the police man job away from him. I think Bougner and WR did him a bit of a disservice last year talking him up to be Bobby Probert, and he came here looking to fight. Of course we also had the scorers and needed his intimidating presence as a fighter to open up room for our guys.
Kassian doesn't need to hear Probert comparisons from his GM to go looking for a fight. The guy clearly enjoys that aspect of the game, and he's good at it. Now he's playing in a market that appreciates that style and he gives the fans what they want more often than not. Don't they have to sign him before he plays in the preseason games? I could be wrong.
Kassian doesn't need to hear Probert comparisons from his GM to go looking for a fight. The guy clearly enjoys that aspect of the game, and he's good at it. Now he's playing in a market that appreciates that style and he gives the fans what they want more often than not. Don't they have to sign him before he plays in the preseason games? I could be wrong.
Kassian is a tough kid who can fight with the heavies, but he's too talented to be the policeman. He needs to be more of the Cam Neely mold where everybody knows he can fight, and if you piss him off enough he'll kick your ass, but more of a scoring power forward.
He needs to play more in control. Leave the regular fisticuffs, the pre-planned stuff and the amping the crowd stuff to Tarini and Clouthier.
Another day and another 4th liner added to the team, just what we need more of. I don't know what Rychel is up to, but I don't think I like it. If Wallace is gone, then that is too bad. I'd much rather have him on the team than stiffs like Tarini and Clouthier. At least Wallace has some ability and isn't a liability on the ice(at forward anyways). Tarini gets cut from one of the worst teams in the league and Clouthier couldn't make the Fronts(not exactly a great hockey team). Man, outside of the top 4(Kassian, Khokalachev, Khunhackl and Ryan), this team is going to be pretty weak at forward.
Another day and another 4th liner added to the team, just what we need more of. I don't know what Rychel is up to, but I don't think I like it. If Wallace is gone, then that is too bad. I'd much rather have him on the team than stiffs like Tarini and Clouthier. At least Wallace has some ability and isn't a liability on the ice(at forward anyways). Tarini gets cut from one of the worst teams in the league and Clouthier couldn't make the Fronts(not exactly a great hockey team). Man, outside of the top 4(Kassian, Khokalachev, Khunhackl and Ryan), this team is going to be pretty weak at forward.
You sound surprised by this. We all knew this year was going to be rough offensively. While those top 4 will have to be relied on, we have a young core of very good players that will use this season to develop. Vail, Locke, Whaley and Seguin will all greatly improve with lots of playing time.
As far as the team goes, if there was ever a management group that I trust, it's this one. Sit back, enjoy watching the youth develop, and let's see what happens.
It is definitely getting interesting/confusing as far as the aquisition of OAs. I certainly felt Windsor would stay out of the OA market until after NHL training camps were done. If they were looking to aquire toughness then I figured they would pay the price for someone younger who would be around for a couple of seasons, an investment in the future so to speak although I believe I said in another thread those players may be hard to come by.
Tarini (free asset wise) and Clouthier (8th rnd in 13) come fairly cheap so it may have been the better option in the end especially if, as it is starting to appear a more involved rebuild then many had expected will take place.
I think what we will see is vets kept to start the season and as the kids grow and gain confidence then the vets will start being moved so that when the deadline has passed this line up will be even younger then what we are starting the season with. The kids will get the chance to finish off the season, hopefully with a playoff spot locked up already so they gain that post season experience.
Letting Wallace go is certainly a downgrade as far as fighting is concerned with these new guys.I cannot speak to the hockey side as I haven't seen any of these guys in action. As far as Wallace is concerned they will miss him in the dressing room and him as a defenceman was not the answer. They have to get more forwards in the next few months young or old. Hopefully, the defence is set if Fowler and Ellis return. Kassian will return in due course. Passingham and Johnston will return something ok in trade.
Sounds like Wallace wanted some extra perks, Timmins and Mitchell probably got something extra, but then both were not expected back. Mitchell could have went to the ECHL and made some money. Maybe Wallace wanted a better education package, something he didn't get as an 11th round pick.
A crummy way to end his tenure here. Both Adam and WR seem to be handling it terribly. WR trashing Wally in the paper is bushleague but seems to be SOP for Rychel when any player dares to cross the great and powerful Spits GM.
Clouthier left Kingston last season and we have to give up an 8th rounder for him? Did he pay hockey elsewhere?
I find it interesting that Wallace, according to Rychel, wanted to play Junior C rather then with the Spitfires.
You'd think after all the players in the past who recieved exposure as OAs while being on the Spitfires would be a perk in itself for Wallace.
A strange situation indeed because I thought Wallace would love the idea of coming back. Love his style of game. Not an overly big forward, but a tough SOB.
Wallace through his agent Brian Mac must have asked for too much otherwise I believe Windsor ownership would have accommodated him. You show up and negotiate at the same time not stay at home. Probably a few errors on both sides. He may get what he wants somewhere else who knows. I personally would have liked to see him stay unless these new guys make us forget with some good effort night in night out.
I find it interesting that Wallace, according to Rychel, wanted to play Junior C rather then with the Spitfires.
You'd think after all the players in the past who recieved exposure as OAs while being on the Spitfires would be a perk in itself for Wallace.
Unforunate the way it's played out.
That's typical Rychel smearing that he does whenever a player crosses him. And then Rychel states "I'm not going to trade or release him", so he's essentially ending his junior career. And the best part of this is Clouthier left Kingston last year mid-way though the season and now he's WR's answer to the Wallace problem.
Whenever a player doesn't believe the Windsor Spitfires are the end all/be all Warren Rychel acts like a jilted teenage crush. I suspect it will get worse this season with Boughner not around.
The fact that it's in the paper again with the typical Rychel quotes is my problem. Why not just say "The Windsor Spitfires and Adam Wallace decided to go their separate ways. We thank Adam for the years he played here and wish him well in whatever he plans to do next".
Maybe the reporter was told to get as many details as possible to liven the story up a bit. Then, if one side is willing to talk, the other defends...and bam, you have a big story (he-said/he-said, too).
I don't know what Rychel is up to, but I don't think I like it. If Wallace is gone, then that is too bad. I'd much rather have him on the team than stiffs like Tarini and Clouthier. At least Wallace has some ability and isn't a liability on the ice(at forward anyways). Tarini gets cut from one of the worst teams in the league and Clouthier couldn't make the Fronts(not exactly a great hockey team). Man, outside of the top 4(Kassian, Khokalachev, Khunhackl and Ryan), this team is going to be pretty weak at forward.
