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Post by tiboomer on Oct 13, 2008 7:03:19 GMT -5
The firing of Edwards was the negative news, the return of Combs and the trade for Skillet the good news, and the Spirit are on a four game winning streak.
At the beginning of the year, most of what I heard and read about this team was negative. Pasquale wasn't the greatest goalie, the team had no scoring, none of the top draft picks signed, etc. When the season started and attendance was down, the panic increased.
Pasquale is looking very solid in goal. Pleckatis, Sanderson, and Murovich are showing some scoring ability. Maybe not to the degree that Combs and McDonough had last year-but they are turning on the lamp. The defense is playing well. The addition of Combs and Skellett appear to have given this team a great boost. Now, I know that four game winning streaks can cloud judgments, but is it possible, that this team is actually better than some of us thought at the beginning of the season?
Saginaw is not unique to this. Look at what Sarnia fans are saying about their team. No scoring, weak goal tending, attendance dropping enough that some fans wonder if there will be a Sting team in a couple years. Sound familiar?
I am not thinking this team is going to win it all. I didn't think everything was perfect in Spirit land before all the changes took place. However, I have found it best not to judge teams until after they have played some games (e.g. 2008 Tigers).
Let's hope this team continues to improve. I am sure there will be a few more player moves. Attendance will increase. Wonderful fall days like Sunday do not help with that. As the weather gets colder more people will start going to the games. The economy is going to affect every sports team in the US and Canada this year.
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Post by donjohnson on Oct 13, 2008 7:27:19 GMT -5
your optimism didn't even include Jordan Szwarz who continues to impress me as a 17-year old game in, and game out.
Also, how did you get a thumbs up next to your post? It is because you used the word optimism and the board suddenly reacted to it with an atta-boy thumbs up?
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Post by newguy on Oct 13, 2008 8:05:01 GMT -5
It's very possible that the team is going to be a bit better than I thought. But again, Edwards being here clouded everyone's judgement who was leaping to the logical conclusions that he was a dark cloud, preventing trades exactly like the Skellett trade from happening.
It is still a shame there are no 92's here, imagine this team with a talented youngster like Austin Watson from Windsor, or John Carlson from London. Yes, I still would argue we can't get players like those to come to our program yet, because we aren't a "winning program", but this notion that was floated by the Edwards "talking points" crowd that somehow these players like Parker and Saad will be "just as good" when they miraculously show up next summer is one that anyone with any experience in this league would howl at, because there is still a transition period no matter what.
The two rookies who've done this before in Saginaw were Priamo and Chappell, and both had their "growing pains" moments as 17 year old rookies. But neither could have really made the team better the year before. Saad and Parker could have, judging from their hype. But again, I do think the Spirit owners challenged Edwards to start "getting American players" much as they tried with great failure to do that in 2002.
The division looks awfully weak, I will say that. And that's a nice change which may benefit Saginaw. Windsor's going to run away with the division and possibly win it by 20 points. They've only played TWO home games so far. Saginaw has played five, so even being four points back is a bit deceiving. But obviously from playing them -- Plymouth and Sarnia have some real issues. It's still hard to believe a team with Jeremy Smith in net and Chris Terry up front won't end up finishing ahead of us, or at least, very close. After all, yesterday's game could have gone either way.
But if you're asking - do I think it's more of a possibility we make the playoffs, sure it is. I wasn't counting on Combs being back and Skellett being added. The bigger issue is now the next move. Keeping Combs is a silly thing to do if you don't think this team can compete and possibly win TWO rounds in the playoffs. They made this mistake last year when there were very strong marketplaces for Ryan Daniels and Ryan McDonough. Not to mention the botched trade to Belleville for Mursak and Williams.
Yes, Pasquale came back, but so should a lot more have.
Please, do yourselves a favor - these owners are easy to talk to. Ask them yourselves if the Belleville trade was completely mishandled. You'll get the same answer I got.
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Post by donjohnson on Oct 13, 2008 10:29:01 GMT -5
Keeping Combs is a silly thing to do if you don't think this team can compete and possibly win TWO rounds in the playoffs. They made this mistake last year when there were very strong marketplaces for Ryan Daniels and Ryan McDonough. Not to mention the botched trade to Belleville for Mursak and Williams. newguy, i agree that they should trade Combs eventually and that the trades weren't the best last year but sheesh, you've made this same argument about 5 times...that's what a lot people are getting sick of on here. I love reading your posts when they're original and informative but reading the same thing over and over is just a drag to me. |
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Post by newguy on Oct 13, 2008 11:32:17 GMT -5
Then skip that part. I've got a lot of respect for your view and your posts, but if I think something you say is silly or ridiculous, I ignore it.
I don't complain to the moderator (I know you don't either), and I don't complain that this board isn't what it used to be. If anything it's better than it was 3 months ago because we're all talking hockey during the season, and we're able to talk about some wins!
It's rare to see an environment on the internet or otherwise, where more people seem to say: "Hey I don't like this guy's opinion. Make him stop!". But that seems to be a culture that has changed, and full credit to SGF and others for finally saying enough's enough, as long as nobody's getting personally pounded on or attacked (which I was plenty of times and didn't complain or cry), then everyone's entitled to their opinions. This board is more vibrant and I bet the moderator would agree has had more hits and visits in the last six weeks since the "stop going negative and cheer for the team no matter what" lobby group stopped the whine & cheese festival.
It's so funny the same people whining and complaining to SGF, are also the ones who were sending nasty and borderline-threatening notes to me with plenty of name-calling. So they're babies when it works for them, and bullies when it works for them as well. Amazing how that happens.
As for being repetitive, I don't think I am. Why not? Combs wasn't a factor a week ago because he wasn't here. So there wasn't that chip to play with at the table. Now there is, and my point as well on Pasquale, is that although he's been good, more should have been returned in the deal.
And how can a post about last year's trades be repetitive if I don't mention Asselin and his family getting screwed around and lied to...oops... ;D
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Post by borderfan8 on Oct 13, 2008 14:29:03 GMT -5
Not sure if this is the right thread to ask the question...But now that we are post Edwards - will Watson now go after those 08 Draft picks - at least third and fourth rounders (Fitze, Braun, and Flemington). Anyone know where they are and how they are doing?
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Post by kivpit on Oct 13, 2008 14:38:30 GMT -5
Not sure if this is the right thread to ask the question...But now that we are post Edwards - will Watson now go after those 08 Draft picks - at least third and fourth rounders (Fitze, Braun, and Flemington). Anyone know where they are and how they are doing? Fitze is already signed but playing for the Linsday Muskies of the OPJHL |
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Post by tiboomer on Oct 14, 2008 6:53:44 GMT -5
DJ - No slight intended toward Jordan. He is providing a physical presence and some scoring. Walch is showing that he belongs here. The only players that haven't really impressed me are Jarusek and Svoboda. Maybe they just need more time to get adjusted to Saginaw.
I'd also like to point out that, contrary to what some posters believe, Watson does have a system. It is very basic, but it is also the blueprint for building winning teams. Watch how the Spirit operate in the offensive zone. 80% of the scoring chances are started by winning the boards. Dump the puck in deep, gain control of it, and look for passes to the points or an open winger at the post. In order for this system to work, the players must skate hard. In previous years, the team would dump the puck and lose control of it. Not this team. That is why Watson skates the players so hard. For those that don't beleive this, watch a Wings game. For all the talent they have, they are at their best when they are working the puck around the boards and trying to hit open players coming down the slot. I have never seen a team like the Wings that generated so many scoring chances for minutes at time. I have seen flashes of this with the Spirit. Lets hope it continues.
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Post by hockeyczar on Oct 14, 2008 20:15:07 GMT -5
With regards to Braun and Flemington, we had a great chance to bring these two kids into the fold and promote from within to bring some internal stability to there D for the next 3 years. We easily could have sacrificed some existing dead weight to make room for these two.
With Edwards now gone, we will see if they get brought into the mix. Braun never did play in any exhibition games, and I hear he is currently playing Provincial JR A in Oakville, near Toronto. I have heard he is being highly recruited by top NCAA programs. Flemington is playing JR B. right now, but he has already has already played an OHL exhibition game, so his college eligibility is done
I think they should have kept the 3 NHL boys who were at camps and made room for those 2 1992 draft picks.
But my opinion doesn't matter: then again, neither did the opinion of Don Edwards
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Post by eaglei12 on Oct 14, 2008 20:33:22 GMT -5
Well we now have Tront and J. McDonough waiting trades. Do we get players or picks for these guys? Who else would you trade to allow soom room?
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Post by hockeymaestro on Oct 14, 2008 20:55:19 GMT -5
Why make a trade to make room. How about just an outright release. Why did we sign an 8th round 1991 player in Trecapelli. He was playing JR B in Guelph last year and was signed just before the Spirit camp. Why pass over Flemigton and Braun for this years roster until we saw what they could do in camp.
Rumour has it they both looked good in camp, especially the grit Braun showed.
Was he a victim of the Edwards/Watson feud?
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Post by jrp0629 on Oct 15, 2008 6:29:33 GMT -5
Well we now have Tront and J. McDonough waiting trades. Do we get players or picks for these guys? Who else would you trade to allow soom room? Any idea why Tront is wanting a trade, and whats going on with the Jason McDonough trade? |
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Post by borderfan8 on Oct 15, 2008 9:25:00 GMT -5
Agreed Hockeymaestro re: Trecapelli - Signed in the beginning of July without going to camp. I certianly think this was one of the issues Goslin and Garber had - and led to the demise of Edwards
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Post by biggdaddy on Oct 15, 2008 13:28:18 GMT -5
It's called panic. Edwards had no 16 year olds reporting, so he signs one.
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Post by tiboomer on Oct 15, 2008 14:45:41 GMT -5
I can't see getting anything of real value for Tront (6-8th round pick, maybe). JD might bring a 4th rounder. Getting a player that would improve this squad in return for either of them, no. Tracepelli, I think the kid has played alright. But I can understand the agruement to cut him to add Braun and/or Flemington. For the long-term heal of the team, it is probably the right thing to do. On the other hand-what if Tracepelli turns out to be one of those rare hidden gems?
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