QMJHL holiday trading period opens today

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

ST. STEPHEN, NB - The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's holiday trading period opens today and quite a few rumoured/reported/speculated deals are expected to be made official.

Some, like Val-d'Or Foreurs captain Justin Robidas being dealt to the Quebec Remparts, have been rumoured for months. A number of trades like this one should be confirmed at some point today.

Plusieurs partisans ont quitté le Centre Agnico Eagle, mais ceux qui sont restés réservent un élan de d’applaudissements envers Justin Robidas, qui sera un membre des #Remparts dans les prochaines heures. #LHJMQ pic.twitter.com/i7NIfTF2c0

— Pierre-Olivier Poulin (@P_OPoulin) December 17, 2022

As usual, the QMJHL's top five teams in the standings - Quebec, (surprisingly) Victoriaville, Halifax, Gatineau and Sherbrooke - are expected to be doing much of the buying this year.

The Saint John Sea Dogs, who went on one of the biggest buying sprees in league history a year ago, will likely be sellers this time around. The big question is how much selling will they do? The team's veteran players who have Memorial Cup experience will no doubt be of interest to a number of teams.

It's a necessity that the Sea Dogs do what they can to restock the team's bank of draft picks, which is currently extremely low for the next two drafts.

The QMJHL's trade deadline is Friday, Jan. 6, the day after the gold medal game of the World Junior Hockey Championship.