By Lorne Webster | SN Staff
The QMJHL’s mid-season trading period ends on Wednesday and many fans are expecting a last minute flurry of deals. But a lot depends on: a) whether the "sellers" decide to slash prices and b) the decisions of a few general managers - especially with the mid-tier teams. Here is a look at what could happen over the final couple days.
The QMJHL’s mid-season trading period ends on Wednesday and many fans are expecting a last minute flurry of deals. But a lot depends on: a) whether the "sellers" decide to slash prices and b) the decisions of a few general managers - especially with the mid-tier teams. Here is a look at what could happen over the final couple days.
Top Five
Rouyn-Noranda (Nicolas Brouillard &
A.J. Greer), Val-d'Or (David Henley, Filip Pyrochta & Francois Beauchemin),
Moncton (Keven Bouchard, Vaclav Karabacek & Cody Donaghey), Shawinigan
(Cavan Fitzgerald, Gabriel Gagne, Philippe Cadorette & reportedly Dmytro
Timashov) and Gatineau (Nicolas Meloche & Guillaume McSween) have already
added significant players to already strong line-ups. Gatineau has been
rumoured to be looking to upgrade their goaltending. Otherwise, the other four
frontrunners may be comfortable to move forward with what they have in place
now - or simply add a piece or two if the price is right.
Mid-Tier
While Quebec and Rimouski started off
the New Year in 6th and 7th, respectively, both have made
moves to expedite their reload plans. All eyes will be on the Remparts and
Oceanic as they still have proven veterans - such as Yanick Turcotte, Raphael
Maheux, Tyler Boland, Simon Bourque and Andrew Picco - who could impact the
President’s Cup race. Goaltenders Callum Booth (Quebec) and L-P Guindon
(Rimouski) should command significant returns if they are moved.
Maritimes Division rivals Saint John
(Matt Murphy) and Cape Breton (Michael Joly) both added major 20-year-old
players to their rosters just prior to the open trade period. Otherwise, both
teams have been fairly quiet during the holiday period. It seems that both
Darrell Young and Marc-Andre Dumont are waiting until the last minutes with
hopes of doing some bargain hunting.
11th-place Chicoutimi has
only made a couple minor deals. Both Victoriaville (10th) and
Drummondville (12th) have made deals to retool and could be involved
in the final wheeling and dealing.
Bottom Tier
Sherbrooke, Acadie-Bathurst and
Blainville-Boisbriand have all been relatively quiet and may be inclined to
maintain a status quo entering the second half of the season.
Charlottetown - who have not lived up to
high pre-season expectations - has been very active already. In addition to the
return of Daniel Sprong from the NHL, the Islanders have acquired Samuel Blais,
Guillaume Beaudry, Nicolas Leblond and Alexis Vanier - while moving out Alexandre
Goulet and David Henley. Grant Sonier is expected to add one or more players
with hopes of making some noise in the playoffs.
Halifax has already traded 19-year-old
defencemen Cavan Fitzgerald and Cody Donaghey. Forwards Timo Meier and Danny
Moynihan are sure to draw significant interest for teams looking to upgrade their
top six.
Baie-Comeau has already moved the bulk
of their veteran group in exchange for a bevy of high draft choices. There
likely isn't much left for the Drakkar to trade now.
As usual, expect the unexpected and fasten your
seat belts for an interesting final few days in the world of QMJHL trades.
Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation
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