Busy trade period ends for Sea Dogs

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

It was a fairly eventful trade period for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

While the team didn't make any historically significant trades in the Philippe Daoust or Joe Veleno neighbourhood, they did make quite a few deals that will have a big impact on the roster right now and into the future.

Certainly the most notable change will be Saint John's top-six, which traded away Peter Reynolds, Noah Reinhart and Vince Elie but added Brody Fournier, Drew Elliot and Tyler Peddle. 

The team also changed two of their three overage players.

Here's a quick recap of what Saint John did during this year's trading period.

Dec. 17

To Saint John: Coen Miller

To Sherbrooke: Chad Bellemare and a 2024 10th round pick

Dec. 22

To Saint John: Brody Fournier and a 2025 1st round pick (Moncton's)

To Halifax: Peter Reynolds

Jan. 2

To Saint John: Drew Elliott

To Drummondville: 2025 5th round pick

Jan. 2

To Saint John: 2025 6th round pick

To Gatineau: Mathis Gauthier

Jan. 4

To Saint John: Tyler Peddle

To Drummondville: Noah Reinhart, Anthony Biakabutuka and a 2026 5th round pick

Jan. 6

To Saint John: Olivier Groulx and a 2024 2nd round pick

To Shawinigan: Vince Elie

This doesn't include the signing of Darien Reynolds (who has looked quite good early in his QMJHL career), the reassignment of Tristan Dassylva or the recent callups of Olivier Duhamel and Jeremie Richard. Some roster adjustments could still come.

It certainly looks like the Sea Dogs took a step back in the present in order to position themselves better for the future — but it might be better to say the Sea Dogs took a step into some uncertainty/unknowns. Maybe the likes of Fournier, Elliott and Peddle will be able to jump in and come close to replicating the production of Reynolds, Reinhart and Elie. We'll see how this plays out over the next couple months.

A playoff spot isn't guaranteed for the Sea Dogs right now, but their roster is in better shape than a few other rebuilding teams. The team currently has a 14-18-3-3 record for 34 points, placing them eight points ahead of 17th-place Val-d'Or.

Saint John is back in action on Sunday when they host the Moncton Wildcats at 3 p.m.