First trade period takes place Saturday

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs' roster will look significantly different next season. In fact, it may look quite a bit different by next week.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will have a trade window open on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Atlantic. A number of rumoured/reported deals around the league are expected to be made official, including some involving the Sea Dogs.

Le Citoyen reports that defenseman Nathan Drapeau will be heading to the Val-d'Or Foreurs in exchange for a couple draft picks. This deal will complete the trade made during the holidays involving Marshall Lessard.

Drapeau, 17, appeared in 66 regular season games with Saint John and all of the team's playoff and Memorial Cup games. He was used sparingly in the playoffs and Memorial Cup, but likely would have seen an increased role next year if he were to stick around.

Other trades the Sea Dogs made over the holidays presumably had similar future considerations attached to them. We'll see how things shake down on Saturday and again during the QMJHL Entry Draft, which takes place virtually Monday and Tuesday. At this time, the Sea Dogs won't be making their first selection until the third-round.

Three players that definitely won't be back with the Sea Dogs are forwards Ryan Francis and Philippe Daoust along with defenseman Vincent Sevigny, all three of whom have aged out.

William Dufour, Raivis Ansons, Yan Kuznetsov, Jeremie Poirier and William Villeneuve will all likely play professional hockey next season. Even with those players turning pro, the Sea Dogs still have a surplus of 2002-born players which will need to be sorted out.

It's going to be a busy off-season for Saint John as the rebuild begins.