OHL 2016 season preview

The Western Conference looks to continue its domination after an uncharacteristic slip up by the conference in 2014-15. The Knights got them back on track last year and the lead a group of teams looking to continue the trend. The Steelheads are the runaway favourites in the east and have the assets to add the depth needed to challenge in the East. It will be an interesting year once again.

Before my season preview here are some links to a few others from around the league

OHL Prospects Blog Eastern Conference and Western Conference

Neate Sager of Sportsnet with his Western Conference Preview and Eastern Conference

Josh Brown from the Waterloo Region Record with his Eastern Conference Preview

Matt and DJ from Icedogs this week have their East Division and Central Division previews up
Tony Saxon of GuelphToday.com has his Western Conference Preview

Must OHL twitter Follows

I have a list of those I feel are most follow that are more connected to specific teams but here is a list that I find more leagiue wide

@BrockOtten the man behind OHLprospectsblog is arguably the best OHL blog on the internet. If you are reading this and have never been to his I just dont know what to say

@Naitsayger writer for Sportsnet does great work in putting junior hockey out there amidst all the noise of professional sports on their site. 

@DominicTiano writes about NHL draft eligible players in the OHL for ohlwriters.me

@msconduct Kathryn Jean is one of the best out there. You can follow her for her vines and OHL highlights but it is here insight that separates her from everyone else.

@Thescoutdotca If you are interested in the OHL draft this is the account to follow and the website to subscribe to. Elite coverage with everything you need to know about the top minor midgets about to enter the league.

@rossyyoungblood Director of Scouting for thescout.ca offers great insight not just with minor midget players but with those currently in the league
@OHLfanboys the best OHL podcast around is another great follow along with their hosts @SteveMclean888 and Brian @toast84 (their interview of rob faulds last year was fantastic!)

Western Conference

The Western Conference is pretty interesting to me as it is clearly broken up into 3 groups.

You have London, Windsor, Sarnia, Kitchener and Sault Ste Marie who all have what it takes to win the conference. They all have depth through their lineups and the high end talent needed to push a team over the top.

Next you have Owen Sound, Saginaw, Erie and Guelph who will be battling for the last 3 playoff spots. All 4 are at different stages of the jr hockey development cycle but on paper are not quite there to compete for home ice.

Finally you have Flint. From the water crisis to the ownership crisis they have an uphill battle. With arguably the best coaching hire of the off season there is reason for hope for this team. They will be hard pressed to push for 9^th this year but there is reason for hope.

1^st London Knights

The reigning OHL and Memorial cup champions will have plenty of roster turnover. Still they could return Marner, Tkatuck and Juolevi or they could all play in the NHL. Still the Knights have made some astute trades this off season and have enviable depth throughout their lineup. Top to bottom you would find many with as much talent as this team

Bold prediction.

Mitch Marner returns for his final season in London. How many junior aged players have played a full season under Mike Babcock? With Auston Matthews slated to have a roster spot I have a hard time seeing a 2^nd jr eligible player suiting up all year for the Leafs especially with the likes of Nylander, Kapanen and Brown ready to play full seasons.

Tradeable Draft assets

Over the next 5 seasons the London Knights have 6 2nds and 7 3rds which is the most among Western Conference contenders.

2^nd Windsor Spitfires

IMO among the 5 contenders in the West I feel the Spits have the most question marks. That said I feel that with the team hosting the Memorial Cup this year they will be more willing to Spend all assets needed to challenge for the West title and win the Memorial Cup on home ice.

Bold Prediction

I don't feel this is that bold but Michael DiPietro will win OHL goalie of the year this season.

Tradeable Draft Assets

4 2nds and 4 3rds over the next 5 seasons. Significantly less then London but more than the other 3 west contenders.

Must Twitter Follows

@WinstarParker Sports writer for the Windsor Star who brings years of experience covering the Spits.

3^rd Sarnia Sting

I really like the look of Sarnia. If their big guns come back they have the high end talent to compete with London. There are some questions in net but people forget that even before the Graham trade was that Fazio helped lead the team to the 3^rd fewest goals against before the OHL trade deadline.

Bold Prediction

Travis Konecney will be back for his 19 year old season. Chychrun will enjoy his healthiest season in the OHL and Ruzicka will cement his spot as a top 10 pick for the upcoming NHL entry draft.

Tradeable Draft Assets

Sarnia has 3 2nds and 4 3rds over the next 5 seasons. If Konecny makes the NHL and does not return to the OHL this year they will get some conditional picks returned to them from Ottawa.

@Stingupdates A very good “update” twitter account that offers all you need to know about the Sting.

4^th Kitchener Rangers

No team has more depth between the pipes then Kitchener. Opilka and Carty are top 10 goalies in the league and if he had a starters job to shine and play everyday I feel that Luke Richardson would be in the top 10 discussion by the end of the season. While Kitchener did graduate lots of offense last season they still have Adam Mascherin and 2015 1^st round pick Greg Miereles who played last year in the CCHL.

Bold Prediction

Miereles will win Rookie of the year and Adam Mascherin will top 100 points this season.

Tradeable Draft Assets

The Rangers have 4 2nds and 3 3rds over the next 5 drafts

Must Twitter Follows

@BrownRecord The best OHL report without a doubt. His blog is fantastic with great insight into the team and the league.

5^th Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds

One of the youngest teams in the OHL last season the Hounds just kept getting better and better. Led by their first 4 draft picks from 2013 in Blake Speers, Colton White, Zach Senyshyn and Hayden Verbeek. The hounds also had 3 players on their roster from the 2014 draft picked by NHL teams this past June to add to their depth. With goalie Joseph Raaymakers ready to take the reins between the pipes the Hounds will be ready to push Windsor and Sarnia for the West division title.

Bold Prediction

Zach Senysyhn becomes the 1^st hound in more then 20 years to hit the 50 goal mark and Bobby MacIntyre continues the trend of recent Hounds players who earn FA NHL contracts.

Tradeable Draft Assets

The hounds have 2 2nds which is 2^nd fewest in the Western Conference and 4 3rds over the next 5 seasons.

Must Twitter Follows

@Bradcoccimigilio Heads the sports department at sootoday.com runs a live blog during Hounds games. Great hockey mind and an even better writer.

6^th Owen Sound Attack

The Attack aren't really good enough to compete for home ice (although with Michael McNiven in net anything is possible) but are too good to sell of assets. They have some really intriguing '99 and '00 assets so their main goal this year will be developing those so they can position themselves for 17-18 and '18-19.

Bold Prediction

After years of losing Matt Schmaltz will finally tap into the talent that made him an 1^st round OHL draft pick. Look for 25+ goals and 50 + points.

Tradeable Draft Assets

9 2nds and 4 3rds

7^th Saginaw Spirit

The Spirit really disappointed last season. Some of their players who were expected to take the next step took a step back. They have a solid top pair on the blue line in Niemelainen and Middleton. Cormier has the talent to be one of the top goalies in the league. The main question is can their forward group put it all together. It seemed last season they were less then the whole of their parts. If they can develop some synergy then we could see the beginning of something special.

Bold Prediction

After a disappointing sophomore season Tye Felhaber takes the next step and becomes a point per game player and the offensive leader of the Spirit.

Tradeable Draft Assets

7 2nds and 6 3rds over the next 5 drafts.

8^th Erie Otters

It will be interesting to see the Otters this year with no Connor McDavid or Dylan Strome. Debrincat will have to carry the offensive load but there is some help as Vania Lodnia should be the next great Otter. With a trade for Troy Timpano the Otters answered their goalie question with Williams graduating but can Timpano find the promise he showed in minor midget?

Bold Prediction

No McDavid, No Strome, No Problem for Debrincat. Debrincat will have his 3^rd straight 50 goal season and pass Robbie Schremp as the 2^nd highest scoring US born player in OHL history even without his 2 previous set up men. Also Debrincat will be traded as Erie starts recouping some draft picks.

Tradeable Draft Assets

0 2^nd round picks 2 3^rd round picks

Must Twitter Follows

@goErieHockey Victor Fernandes writes for the Erie Times-News and has a great blog on the Otters on Goerie.com

9^th Guelph Storm

After finishing last a year ago the Storm will still face a battle to make the playoffs but have intriguing options throughout the lineup with the likes of Giavani Smith, Ryan Merkley and Nate Schnarr. If some of the teams ahead of them start to sell at the deadline the young storm who should get better as the year goes on could sneak in and steal a playoff spot.

Bold Prediction

Ryan Merkley will top the point total Ryan Murphy put up in his rookie year (39) That said he will not top Murphys 17 playoff points as a 16 year old.

Tradeable Draft Assets

11 2^nd round picks 10 3^rd round picks.

Must Twitter Follows

@Saxononthestorm Tony Saxon covers the Storm for GuelphToday and is one of the best in the business whether it is breaking trades or offering insight into the team.

10^th Flint Firebirds

Well on the bright side there is more hope in Flint now then there was last year. Still I cant see them finishing out of the basement. The big question is will they be able to convince Jack Hughes to commit if they get the top pick. With Ryan Oulahen as coach you know the young players in Flint will develop.

Bold Prediction

William Bitten will get traded (not the bold part) but not to Ottawa.

Eastern Conference

Unlike the West there really isn't much of a debate who the top team is. After Mississauga though things get interesting from 2-7. from 8-10 though there should be an interesting competition for the final playoff spot between Kingston, Barrie and Niagara.

1^st Mississauga Steelheads

Great highend talent and enviable depth on the blue line Shouldn't have much issue with the rest of the East but do they have the depth up front to role 3 or 4 lines against some of the top guns from the West?

Bold Prediction

Sean Day will be moved at some point. The team has the depth on the blue line to move him and the assets they pick up will help them address their depth issues up front.

Tradeable Draft Assets

4 2nds and 5 3rds over the next 5 seasons

2^nd Peterborough Petes

I know I know I know. Having the Petes in 2^nd is foolish as the Petes will likely do Petes things and disappoint everyone. They have young developing talent up front. A good mix of veteran and youngsters on defense. The big question is if Dylan Wells can find some confidence in net. If he can watch out.

Bold Prediction

Dylan Wells will put up better numbers then Matthew Mancina. With a starting job and consistent minutes Wells will thrive.

Tradeable Draft Assets

9 2nds and 7 3rds

Must Twitter Follows

@Petes_Updates At the very least it is enjoyable to watch him hate watch the Petes.

3^rd Oshawa Generals

After an 8^th place finish last year and a Memorial Cup title the year before the Generals are ready to take the next step. Look for them to add some players who will help them next year as they are submitting a bid to host the memorial cup in 2018. It is possible Vande Sompel gets moved to add more draft picks to trade in their next push for a title but a playoff round win or two may be more valuable to the young players on this team.

Bold Prediction

Daniel Antropov will be the highest scoring '00 born forward in the OHL this season.

Tradeable Draft Assets

4 2nds and 3rds over the next 5 seasons.

Must Twitter Follows

@GeneralsUpdates one of the better “updates” twitter accounts. Always has great insight into the Gens.

4^th North Bay Battalion

While they have a huge hole to fill up front with the graduation of Mike Amadio it should be noted that if there is any coach that can win with questions on offense it is Stan Butler. Moran should be primed for his best year in the OHL and Cam Dineen is an absolute game changer offensively on the back end.

Bold Predictions

Brent Moran will finish with a save percentage greater than .900 for the first time in his career. Has never been above .891 before

Tradeable Draft Assets

5 2nds and 6 3rds

5^th Hamilton Bulldogs

The Bulldogs found their elite top line last year after Christmas with Matt Luff, Nick Petti and Matthew Strome. Outside of the top line they are hoping for development and players taking the next step. After battling injuries all season last year Brandon Saigeon will be primed for his breakout after being passed over in the NHL draft. Kaden Fulcher should have a big year and pull away in the goalie competition.

Bold Predictions

Assuming he isn't involved in any trade for Will Bitten, Reilly Webb will be the highest drafted Bulldog in this Junes NHL Entry Draft. ( I know that may be more crazy than bold)

Tradeable Draft Assets

6 2nds and 4 3rds over the next 5 seasons

Must Twitter Follow

@Rrestraint The Reckless Restraint blog is a fantastically laid out and written blog with everything you need to know about the Bulldogs.

6^th Ottawa 67's

Lots of high end '98 and '99 born talent up front but lots of '00 born talent on the back end. I could see them adding another OA dman or a solid '97 born rearguard to help insulate some of their younger guys.

Bold Predictions

Olivier Lafreniere will be the 67's starting goal by the time the calendar flips to 2017.

Tradeable Draft Assets

7 2^nd round picks and 6 3^rd round picks (they do have multiple conditional 2^nd round picks)

7^th Sudbury Wolves

I love the talent they have in David Levin who should see a big development jump in his sophomore season. 2016 1^st round pick Owen LaLonde will be a special player and will be one to watch when Sudbury visits your team.

Bold Predictions

Former London Knights FA pickup Ryan Valentini will eclipse the 30 goal mark while finally finding regular playing time for a whole OHL season

Tradeable Draft Assets

3 2nds and 6 3rds over the next 5 seasons

8^th Kingston Frontnacs

Even though they traded their 2015 1^st round pick the Fronts have one of the best collections of '99 born talent in the league. This team reminds me in some ways of the 2015-16 Soo Greyhounds. It may be a rebuilding year but this team has the potential to be a dangerous match up in the 1^st round as a road underdog.

Bold Predictions

Crouse will be traded at the deadline but the team will still make the playoffs and WILL pull off a 1^st round upset.

Tradeable Draft Assets

1 2^nd 3 3^rd round picks over the next 5 seasons

9^th Niagara Icedogs

A rebuilding year but they still have the parts to push for a playoff spot if they don't sell some of their assets to replenish their draft cupboard. High end young talent to grow around with Hayden Davis and Ben Jones as well as 2016 1^st rounder Akil Thomas. Even if they miss the playoffs for the 1^st time since moving to Niagara the fans in St. Catharines will have a fun team to watch grow.

Bold Predictions

With more ice time available Davis and Jones will find more consistency in their games and at least one will move in the the 1^st round of the NHL draft.

Tradeable Draft Assets

0 2^nd round picks 3^rd round picks over the next 5 seasons

Must Twitter Follows

@icedogsthisweek Matt and DJ have a Icedogs show on TV cogeco once a week. They also write for Niagara This Week.

10^th Barrie Colts

After a year in which they had 0 1^st round picks on their team the Colts enter this year with 2 '00 born 1^st round picks in Kirill Niznikov and Tyler Tucker. They also have comp pick Jack McBain although he is currently unsigned and playing the year in the OJHL. They have pieces on their roster that are tradeable that will allow them to recoup some of their picks. They have a good base to build upon with their '00 born talent so it will be interesting to see what direction this team goes with.

Bold Predictions

Anthony Stefano in his OA season will be on a 40 goal pace before being traded for draft picks.

Tradeable Assets

0 2nds 0 3rds over the next 5 seasons.

Must Twitter Follows

@verybarriecolts A very Barrie colts blog is one of the better team blogs in the league. A go to place if you are looking for more information on the Colts.