More moves likely to come

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs made a big splash during the first trade period of QMJHL Entry Draft week – and there are likely more moves to come.

On Tuesday, the Sea Dogs acquired veteran forward Olivier Lemieux from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and Buffalo Sabres goaltending prospect Samuel Meloche from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Those were the first of what could be many significant moves for the Sea Dogs in the coming days.

Mikaël Lalancette reported earlier this week that the Sea Dogs are expected to trade forward Nolann Héroux – who the team selected with the 10th overall pick in last year's draft – to the Val-d'Or Foreurs.

La LHJMQ ouvrira une fenêtre de transactions ce mardi.

Xavier Lebel prendra le chemin de Victoriaville, Dominic Pilote ira à Baie-Comeau et Nolann Héroux à Val-d’Or, notamment.

Quelques infos glanées ici et là:https://t.co/A5ZCH03uI5

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) June 2, 2026

Héroux appeared in 26 games with the under-18 Saint-Eustache Vikings in the first half of last season, posting 15 goals and 18 assists. He finished the season with Saint John, recording three goals and 10 assists in 39 games.

A top-10 pick who turned 17 in March, Héroux will likely fetch a big return for Saint John.

The other name going around is William Yared. The 18-year-old had a trying 2025-26 season, appearing in just 48 games (10 fewer than his rookie season) while posting 10 goals and 15 assists. He had 14 goals and 16 assists in 58 games during his rookie campaign.

On me dit qu'il faut s'attendre à une transaction concernant l'attaquant William Yared des Sea Dogs cette semaine. Les demandes sont naturellement élevées du côté de Saint John, mais un nouveau départ pour Yared, 5e choix en 2024, serait assurément bénéfique. #LHJMQ

— Matthew Vachon (@MatthewVachon_) June 3, 2026

Yared was selected fifth overall by the Sea Dogs in the 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft. He is committed to Penn State for the 2027-28 season.

It's looking like the Sea Dogs could have quite a bit of turnover up front. Along with these two potential moves, forwards Angelo Fullerton and Maxime Côté have both graduated from junior hockey.