Season 12Preview Part. 2 More Dirtier By The Dozen

by James Ashton and Shannon Goodfellow

Happy New Year's Day. 

As we dive back into our season preview, hopefully it won’t turn into last year's debacle where we had to do a follow up a few weeks later after Bathurst roster was turned so nuclear it’ll take years to recover.

Riverview Royals 8:1

Hooray no decimals

Let’s call it a softer refresh.

The Royal are navigating the change in the soon to be free agents into draft picks as the deep Gretzky Conference has started to take its toll. The team has always had the identity of slippery skilled forwards paired with hard hitting aggressive defenseman. The trades of Sergachev and Alexeyev changed part of the identity. Guhle looks to be on the way to be the next great physical defenseman but when the time comes what will the blue line look like.

Aho and Werenski have already been moved mostly for future draft capital and the team appears to be taking this year to reflect possible get into the top 3 for a top prospect and with some actual cap space to pursue players that can actually make a difference in the playoffs. I

 The other key factor could be Blackwood. With the goalie shortage does he turn in his best season with less help or does his usual meltdown and the team look to Demko to try and save the season. He put up respectable numbers last year and began an inexperienced shaky Miramichi defence.

Oromocto Senators 7.8 : 1

It’s been a long long time since the Senators have made it article 2. Either season 2 or 3 when they were in a completely different conference. Until the bottom fell out in season 4. Since then it has been drafted high, usually in the top 5 , developing a core foundation and signing emerging talent to long term deals. Somehow through drafts, random events or dumb luck , it always seemed there were an abundance of forward prospects and no difference makers or the back end. 

With separate trades for Makar and Sergachev the Senators have two stud defenseman that can go out in the shut down role. Boquist fills in as the offensive puck move and former 3rd overall Luke Hughes looks poised to join the main club from the Fiddleheads.  The forward lines are solid from top to bottom by adding Mctavish and Beauvillier who can both fill in multiple positions to give the flexibility in case of injuries.

Spencer Knight played sparkling in the upset of the top ranked Blues in last years playoffs and will be needed for the team to take the next step into the top teams in the league. 

It seems the team plays with an urgency for GM Grant Tallen that was missing in the past. Rumors circulate from players that the new GM is more of a ball bustin’ tyrant compared to the more quiet, reserved  and friendly former GM Trent Gallant.

Moncton Melons 7.7 : 1

There are a lot of things to like and dislike about the Melons. For the great talent they have, they are in what I used to call the cap trim factors. Mostly quote from the gm meeting aside from the 500k or 750 bids the Melons were so tight against the cap that the roster is at the point where any change must be in factor of the other team taking on more salary.  Jesse Puljujarvi and his 3.25 million salary was moved to Miramichi to be able to field a full roster.

Now the roster itself is loaded with talent. The blueline is led by Rasmus Dahlin who is usually among the league leaders in hits and surprisingly scores a good amount of goals for a defenseman. Most of the forwards return in the usual role to support the leader Jack Hughes fresh off becoming the first player to eclipse the ODBHL in 100 points in the regular season. 

Also any team with Blackwood gets the benefit of the doubt as well.

The worrying part is the depth. Usually the closer you get to cap hell the cheaper and more terrible players man the 3rd and fourth lines. Last year the Melons had Karlsson and Burns provide experience and leadership. This year the team will look at a combo of Dochtin, Reilly and Dumba. Will this be a weakness if the team makes a playoffs and comes against one of the high powered forward groups in the Gretzky Conference. 

South Esk Scotsmen 7.2 : 1

The Scotsmen come into the season looking for redemption , the questions that arise come from within and from the outside. Winning the Lemieux Conference gives whoever wins a likely meeting against Miramichi in a likely sweep. Avoiding the 2-3 matchup and avoiding Cains and Oromocto in the first round  could  be huge factors in the playoffs. 

The team mostly returns with a solid lineup from top to bottom. The Scotsman have the most dynamic top 4 defenseman narrowly edging out Saint John by 85.5 to 85.25. Even Though he’s started to lose a step the other 3 average 81.67 speed so they should be able to support the aging Fin. Even the last two rostered defensemen feature competent 23 and 24 year old's. 

Askarov also proved last playoffs he’s entered the elite goalies of the league and is ready to start contending for some Cujo trophies.

The most interesting move was bringing back odbhl points leader Nikita Kucherov.  It seems every 4 years Kuch guides a team to a cup win. Will the addition of a 35 year old Kuch and Lundell offset the loss of Thachuk.  While the offensive tools are still there are the declining physical tools going to change the lines when it gets to the important playoff games. Hopefully Kiby Dach will be available then. 

And finally

Saint John Kings 6.2 : 1

The Champs are finally here.

After what seemed like an eternity to get over the hump Saint John won. For their repeat they are bringing back an even stronger roster than last year.

The main addition is Brady Thachuk. The uber intense forward may not be the highest score but he always leaves bruises on the other team. In the off season Cujo winning goalie Logan Thompson dedicated to improving and is now tied for the highest rated goalie in the league. But the biggest move was Jesperi Kotkaniemi  dedicating himself to being just a better goal scorer. He should be the odds on favorite to lead the league in points between his new found scoring and innate passing ability. 

The defense returns with the top all in their same positions as last year to provide stability and elite defensive play to help the talented forwards . New addition Jackson Lacombe will work with Antii Tuomisto to ensure there is little to no drop off.

Like I said the team came back as loaded as they were during the playoffs and better and a back to back isn’t out of the question at all as they end as the betting favorite. 

By James Ashton