The World Junior invites are out and the players will be off to St Catharines on Monday. Could be a long week for some teams with their star players out of the line up.
Division Quick hits
Bulldogs 2017 1st round pick Connor McMichael scored his first two career OHL goals this weekend. Are the flood gates about to open? He ranks 2nd among '01 born skaters in shots.... The Gens are still struggling on their special teams. Currently a -7 on the special teams. This will be a point of emphasis next year when they are expected to make some noise.... With a -30 goal differential on the year the 67's are worst in the division.... More arena talk in Peterborough as the project will come in around 80 million
The Steelheads have now lost 9 in a row and lose McLeod to the world juniors.... The Colts made a head scratcher of a trade dealing Nizhnikov to Sudbury for a 3rd a 5th and 2 2nds down the road with little present value... The Wolves on the other hand are loving Nizhnikov who has 6 points in his first 3 games with his new team.... Watched the Battalion in the Soo on Friday. Every time Dineen was on the ice you knew they had a chance to score. He should be more talked about at the deadline...
The Midwest only has 1 team in that has more wins than losses this year and a positive goal differential. That would be the Kitchener Rangers.... Isaac Ratcliffe left Sundays game in Guelph and was seen postgame on crutches. That would be a huge lose for the Storm.... Owen Sound now loses Suzuki and Gadjovich to the WJC camp. It could be another rough week for the team.... Adam Mascherin picked up his 100th career OHL goal this past week. Joining Korostelev and Raddysh as the 3rd OHL to hit that feat this season.... Victor Mete has been loaned to team Canada for the World Juniors. Is London next?
The Greyhounds have now pushed up their winnings streak to 17 games.... Sarnia picked up a commitent from 2017 draft pick Ashton Reesor.... Justin Fazio also set a Sting record for most career games by a goalie and Jordon Kyrou also set a franchise record for career assists.... The city of SSM announced they will open up bidding on the naming rights to the Essar Center in January. I still feel Northern Ontario Credit Union makes the most sense....
This week will have a bit of a trade deadline feel as I will look into what draft assets teams have and what they might do come deadline time. You can find a list of all teams draft assets here (it has yet to include the Nizhnikov trade) Dont forget about Brock Otten. He should be release his trade deadline preview in the coming weeks.
(1) Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds 26-3-2 Power Rank Percentage (PR%) .8690
5 2nds betwen '18-'22 4 3rds between '18-'22
The Hounds are in on just about every player. Look for them to pick up an elite '98. Other non conventional options include unsigned draft picks Corson Green and Randy Hernendez currently playing in the USHL. Dreams of Rasmus Kupari being loaned after the WJC seem a little far fetched. Could they kick the tires on Soo native Nic Sicoly coming home to help boost their 4th line? Lets not forget the Hounds have been playing this season with only 2 OA spots filled although they wont fill it for the sake of filling it
Games This Week: Dec 13 vs Fli; Dec 15 @ Kit; Dec 16 @ Gue
(2) Sarnia Sting 24-6-2 PR% .7546
5 2nds between '18-'22 2 3rds between '18-'22
With Kyrou gone after this season now is the time for Sarnia. Surprisingly they have enough picks to add a few players even after their moves with Ottawa the last 2 deadlines. They will need some speed up front if they are to compete with the Greyhounds as well as some extra depth on the blueline. Would they be able to pry away Stillman from the Generals?
Games This Week: Dec 13 vs Sag; Dec 15 @ Ldn; Dec 16 vs Fli
(3) Hamilton Bulldogs 18-7-6 PR% .7260
4 2nds between '18 and '22 5 3rds between '18 and '22
They made an early move picking up Moore and Caamano from Flint. I could see them making another move. Luchuk, Brown or Day would look great on this team. They may not have the picks but 2016 draft picks King and Pivonka are very valuable trade pieces. One would have to go to get one of those names listed above.
Games This Week: Dec 14 @ NB; Dec 15 @ Sby; Dec 17 vs Ptb
(4) Niagara Icedogs 16-9-5 PR% .6840
5 2nds between '18-'22 4 3rds between '18-'22
Part of me would like to see them move Langdon. Why? Because he is the last living branch on the Lucas Lessio trade tree. Which reminds me I should really put the finishing touches on that article that has been on the back burner for the last 18 months. The Icedogs like the Fronts are likely stronger next year so any addition would have the '18-'19 season in mind.
Games this week: Dec 15 vs NB; Dec 16 vs Bar
(5) Saginaw Spirit 15-11-3 PR% .6717
Jake Jeffery from Around the OHL had a good piece on the Spirit Here. The only thing I would disagree with is I dont believe Cormier is an elite OHL goalie. He is definitely above average but definitely below Villalta, DiPietro, Fazio and Raaymakers and that is just the Western Conference. With 3 2nds next year look for them to get aggressive looking for '98 and '99 talent. The '98 talent would have to posses OA potential for next year as they only have 1 on the roster (Middleton) who is NHL drafted but may not earn an NHL contract.
Games This Week: Dec 13 @ Sar; Dec 15 vs Fli; Dec 16 @ Wsr
(6) Kingston Frontanacs 16-8-6 PR% .6610
3 2nds between '18-'22 4 3rds between '18-'22
This team is hurting in the asset department and is better set up to compete next year outside of the fact that this is Helvig's last year. Could they get creative and move a guy like Cranford to the Soo or Owen Sound to help offset the cost of getting a guy like Maksimovich? Any moves they make expect the to have next year in mind as well.
Games This Week: Dec 15 Gue; Dec 16 @OS; Dec 17 @ Kit
(7) London Knights15-13-2 PR% .6486
5 2nds between '18 and '22 6 3rds between '18 and '22
Getting Mete back after the world juniors would be bigger than any trade the Knights could make. Still expect the Knights to be buyers as they have plenty of high end talent and a top 4 western conference goalie between the pipes.
Games Thiss Week: Dec 12 @ Eri; Dec 15 vs Sar; Dec 16 vs Miss; Dec 17 @ OS
(8) Kitchener Rangers 20-10-2 PR% .6315
5 2nds between '18-'22 7 3rds between '18-'22
With 3 2nds and 2 3rds in the 2018 draft the Rangers are in a uniquely strong position of strength when dealing with asset starved rebuilding teams like Erie and Windsor. This team needs to get faster as they were exposed by the Greyhounds in November.
Games This week: Dec 15 vs SSM; Dec 17 vs Kgn
(9) Guelph Storm 16-11-3 PR% .6315
5 2nds between '18-'22 6 3rds between '18-'22
This team is not ready for primetime. They should be real good next year however. I could see them moving Smith in an effort to pick up some 2nds in 2020 and 2021 two years they have none. I could also see them move some of their 2nds from '18 and '19 (they have 2 in each season) to pick up Maksimovich from Erie who would be a stud OA for them next year.
Games This Week: Dec 15 vs Kgn; Dec 16 vs SSM; Dec 17 @ Osh
(10) Barrie Colts 17-10-3 PR% .6033
4 2nds between '18-'22; 3 3rds between '18-'22
They have an open OA spot. Luchuk would be a perfect fit for them but I'm not sure they have the pieces to get into a bidding war for him. He will be coveted by every contending team. Mackenzie from North Bay could be a more affordable option and will allow the team to target other lineup upgrades as well.
Games this Week: Dec 14 vs OS; Dec 15 @ Eri; Dec 16 @ Nia
(11) Windsor Spitfires 17-11-2 PR% .6011
No 2nds or 3rds over the next 5 drafts
The cupboard is empty. But they have plenty of tradeable assets. Aaron Luchuk should fetch the highest total for an OA in recent memory. 2 years ago Stephen Harper picked up a pair of 2nds a 3rd a 5th and a prospect. Luchuk's starting point will be that. Brown or Day could bring in some high end '00 talent if not a '01 not to mention draft picks. DiPietro should also bring in quite the ransom. Im not sold on Vilardi moving. What team would pay a premium for a player out all year with a back injury. Windsor will likely hang on to him and move him next year when he is healthy.
Games This Week: Dec 14 vs Miss; Dec 16 @ Sag
(12) North Bay Battalion 11-16-4 PR% .5388
5 2nds between '18-'22 6 3rds between '18-'22
The Battalion have some interesting OA pieces in Bruce, Saban and MacKenzie. They also have 1 elite impact defender in Cam Dineen. Without Dineen im not sure this team makes the playoffs. He makes everyone on the team around him better. If they can pick up an quality '99 or '00 for him it makes it a no brainer but it would have to be more than picks. They can get those for their OAs
Games This Week: Dec 14 vs Ham; Dec 15 @ Nia; Dec 16 @ Eri
(13) Owen Sound Attack 14-11-4 PR% .5281
5 2nds between '18-'22 1 3rd between '18-'22
This team needs a goalie and if they have waited this long I would expect them to make a move for DiPietro. An '01, an '00 on their roster, the rights to one of their US based '16 draft picks would likely be discussed as well as a few 2nds. If you feel it is your time to win you go out and get the best.
Games This Week: Dec 14 @ Bar; Dec 16 vs Kgn; Dec 17 vs Ldn
(14) Sudbury Wolves 10-17-5 PR% .4879
5 2nds between '18-'22 7 3rds between '18-'22
Sudbury is in an interesting position. Papiniau, Stillman and Smith are still putting their touches on this roster and repairing what Barclay Branch did while he was in charge. They dont really have much elite talent although Sokolov would be an intriguing piece for a team with an open import spot. They already picked up Kirill Nizhnikov from Barrie and I wouldnt be surprised if they try to make similar moves to that. If there was a '98 that would be moved Reagan O'Grady is the player I would pay a premium for.
Games This Week: Dec 15 vs Ham; Dec 17 @ Miss
(15) Peterborough Petes 15-14-2 PR% .4743
4 2nds between '18-'22 4 3rds between '18-'22
This team has a lot of issues and they have had them for 2 years. This is a team that has never really been strong at shot suppression and most of that was covered up by the strong play of Dylan Wells. This year however Wells has struggled and the Petes havnt been able to make up for that. Even if they pick up an elite D there are systemic issues with this team that will not be fixed. I dont think a tear down is necessary but maybe a retooling for next year around Hunter Jones who could be an elite goalie under a better system.
Games This Week: Dec 14 vs Ott; Dec 15 @ Osh; Dec 17 @ Ham
(16) Oshawa Generals 13-17-2 PR% .4711
5 2nds between '18-'22 3 3rds between '18-'22
The Generals have 6 non import '98s on their team. I would expect some of them to be moved for picks. It would also allow for some ice-time for their younger players especially on their crowded blueline. This team has the pieces to be strong next year, it will be interesting to see what Hunt has up his sleeve.
Games This Week: Dec 15 @ Osh; Dec 17 vs Gue
(17) Ottawa 67s 14-15-3 PR% .4427
10 2nds between '18-'22 8 3rds between '18-'22
Ottawa has the pieces to go after a high end '99 like Lodnia, DiPietro or Vilardi. With 2 2nds, 2 3rds and 2 4ths in 2018 I would expect at least 3 of those picks moved between now and the draft. With the amount of young talent already on this roster and in Jr A it is a surplus that is best used elsewhere.
Games This Week: Dec 14 @ Ptb; Dec 17 vs Gat
(18) Erie Otters 10-16-5 PR% .4355
They have 0 2nds between now and 2024 and only 2 3rd round picks over that time. They will get an '01 for Raddysh but expect up to 10 teams to be in on Maksimovich. His OA potential for next year makes him desirable to teams like Ottawa, Kingston, Oshawa and Guelph to name a few not to mention the contenders this season.
Games This Week: Dec 12 vs Ldn; Dec 15 vs Bar; Dec 16 vs NB
(19) Flint Firebirds 9-18-3 PR% .3693
This team has too many draft picks. 8 2nd over the next 5 years and 10 3rds over that same period. They still have a few tradeable pieces in Coella and Smereck. I could see this team using some of their surplus picks to target a '98 forward who could be back next year as an OA.
Games This Week: Dec 13 @ SSM; Dec 15 vs Sag; Dec 16 @ Sar
(20) Mississauga Steelheads 11-19-1 PR% .3508
2 2nds between '18-'22 3 3rds between '18-'22
Losers of 9 straight and bereft of trade assets I would not be surprised to see the Steelheads sell. Not only would they recoup assets by dealing McLeod and Haugue but further tanking would put them in a position to win the Quinton Byfield sweepstakes. A player who could be an ELITE 17 year old during Jacob Ingham's 19 year old season
Games This Week: Dec 14 @ Wsr; Dec 16 @ Ldn; Dec 17 vs Sby
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