Seeing OHL through a crystal ball
Thoughts and observations heading into 2018-19 season
The OHL 21 is back. It’s the second season for the column and its 21 points — one for each Ontario Hockey League team and a bonus item.
Look for news, rumours, opinion and oddities once a month during the hockey season, beginning with this pre-season piece.
1. Yeah, it’s early. But Barrie goalie Jet Greaves, of Cambridge, is proving that he’s more than just a cool name. The rookie made 24 saves in a shutout win — over east contenders Niagara, to boot — to kick off the exhibition season for the Colts.
2. A bit of a surprise as Erie waived goalie Anand Oberoi, who saw the bulk of the action last season. That leaves the Otters with sophomore Daniel Murphy (the last pick of the 2016 OHL draft) and free agent Noah Battaglia in net. The duo has a combined 26 games of OHL experience.
3. Yes, Flint should be better this season. But I still think the team will struggle to make the playoffs. That said, 2016 third overall pick Connor Roberts won’t struggle to score. He’s already potted four in pre-season play and could be in for a monster year.
4. Guelph was supposed to be on the rise last season, but the Storm finished two points out of eighth in the West. Now, we’re told this is the year. I still think the club needs to acquire a couple more elite players before we get into any kind of title talk.
5. Lost in the myriad of signings was Hamilton locking up defenceman D.J. King, whose dad, Derek, was an NHLer. King played the past two seasons with the U.S. national team development program and at six-footthree and 221 pounds, gives the rebuilding Bulldogs some beef in the back end.
6. At least Kingston won’t have to worry about the OHL’s new rule that restricts the trading of draft picks six years into the future as the Frontenacs emptied the cupboard in an unsuccessful shot at the East banner last season. If there is a hockey god, then Gabriel Vilardi will return from the NHL and the rebuilding Fronts can shop him around.
7. Kitchener has eight defencemen under contract this season after inking free agent Arber Xhekaj. That tells me that the club is preparing for the real possibility that Swedish blueliner, and Boston Bruins secondround pick, Axel Andersson won’t be reporting to the Aud.
8. There is absolutely no intel here, but why can’t I shake the feeling that the London Knights are going to acquire Windsor goalie Michael DiPietro and then make a run to the Memorial Cup? It would just be such a London thing to do.
9. Twenty-eight players are listed on Mississauga’s pre-season roster and only eight are older than 18. It’s safe to say it’s going to be a long year at the Fish pond. Hey, three of players are named Ryan, so there’s that.
10. Niagara picked up Ivan Lodnia in the off-season, but that’s just the start. The IceDogs are all-in and management is on the hunt for upgrades. If they work out as well as Sam Miletic (38 points in 28 games) did last year, then the pups will be powerful in the East.
11. Overage forward Justin Brazeau has followed up his
breakout campaign (39 goals) by leading the OHL in pre-season scoring with four goals and three assists in two games. He’ll be an OA target if North Bay fails to challenge in the East.
12. I thought winning a Memorial Cup was supposed to cripple a team for the foreseeable future? I guess Oshawa didn’t get the memo. Here we are four seasons later and the 2015 champs are looking like legit contenders.
13. If Ottawa is in the market for a top goalie, it might cost them sophomore winger Graeme Clarke. That’s who opponents covet. I’m just not sure that lines up with the 67’s plan to compete moving forward.
14. If only Owen Sound had a premier netminder — that was the line last year. At least there is a veteran presence this season. Wait - what? Oh. Attack fans better hope youngsters Mack Guzda, Nathan Torchia or Andrew MacLean can deliver.
15. Peterborough received seven draft picks and two compensatory selections - including the fifth overall pick - in next year’s draft by trading 16-yearold winger Will Cuylle to Windsor. If that’s the haul, it’s hard not to draft the best player available, regardless if he’ll report or not.
16. There is lots of pre-season love for Saginaw after a dominating 3-0 performance at the OHL Showcase in Kitchener. But remember this is a league where 19-year-olds shine and the core of the club is still young. A top four finish in the West is probably a more realistic goal for now.
17. It’s a three-team race in the West to see which former contender - Sarnia, Kitchener and the Soo - can rebuild without completely imploding. I’ll take the Sting to lose that contest, mostly because the team is low on high draft picks and may trade the stars it has left to replenish.
18. Sault Ste. Marie always seems to find a way to remain competitive, but the team has to field offers for Morgan Frost, right? The top line centre would probably command a Robert Thomas-type return - a young stud and several high draft picks. That’s gotta be tempting for GM Kyle Raftis.
19. Maybe it’s because he didn’t hesitate to report. Or maybe it’s because Sudbury has just been so bad. But I’m pretty excited to see what first overall pick Quinton Byfield can do for the Wolves.
20. I thought winning a Memorial Cup was supposed to cripple a team for the foreseeable future (part two)? Windsor has won three Cups in the past decade and the club is poised to be scary good in a year or two.