Sea Dogs deal Burbidge to Eagles

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs made a major move on the opening day of the pre-season trade period, dealing forward Cole Burbidge to the Cape Breton Eagles in exchange for a package of picks that include two first-rounders.

The Sea Dogs acquired a 2024 first-round pick (Blainville-Boisbriand), a 2024 second-round pick (Chicoutimi) and a 2025 first-round selection (Cape Breton) in the deal.

Burbidge, who will turn 18 on Aug. 26, had an impressive first-year in the QMJHL, posting 19 goals and 31 assists in 68 games. His performance in the second half was one of the reasons why Saint John was able to qualify for the playoffs.

Burbidge was a second-round pick of Saint John in the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft. He earned an invite to Ottawa Senators development camp earlier this summer.

Losing Burbidge is a big blow to Saint John's offense for this coming season — but the package the Sea Dogs received in the trade would be hard to turn down.

The Sea Dogs are still restocking their bank of draft picks following the 2022 Memorial Cup run. Saint John now owns five first-round picks over the next three drafts — including two in 2024 that could be lottery selections (Blainville-Boisbriand and Gatineau).

“It was a tough decision for us to trade a player like Cole, but we’re happy with the return and proud of what he’s done here,” said Sea Dogs general manager Anthony Stella in a news release. “We’ve added another high draft pick this year to go along with Gatineau’s first-round pick and we get two other valuable picks. Now it’s up to us to hit on those picks and continue to build towards another championship.”

Via the French fan boards, here are the picks the Sea Dogs currently own for the next three drafts:

2024: 1BLB-1GAT-2CHI-3BAT-6-7-8-10-11-12-13-14

2025: 1-1CAP-2-6-8-11-12-13-14

2026: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14

The pre-season trade period ends on Aug. 28