QMJHL trade deadline Monday

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

It's been an uneventful trade period for the Saint John Sea Dogs – but that is expected to change on Monday.

The Sea Dogs are expected to trade captain Eriks Mateiko to the Memorial Cup hosting Rimouski Oceanic. The deal was in place prior to the IIHF World Junior Championship, where Mateiko solidified his status as one of (or maybe even the best) import player in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League this season.

The return the Sea Dogs get on Monday – and at June's QMJHL Entry Draft – is the big question.

According to the Rimouski newspaper Journal le Soir, the Oceanic are expected to release former Sea Dogs forward Pavel Simek to make room for Mateiko.

Mateiko, a Washington Capitals prospect, is in his third season with the Sea Dogs. He posted 14 goals and five assists in 23 games in the first half. With Latvia at the world juniors, the big forward had an impressive five goals in five games.

The QMJHL's trade deadline is Monday. The Sea Dogs have yet to make a trade but have made a number of other roster moves.

Defensemen Cruz Scanzano and Giuliano Caputo along with forwards Florian Schenk and Coen Miller are no longer with the team. Saint John added forwards Parker Forlin and Matthew Krayer along with defenseman John Lumsden.