EASTERN CONFERENCE 2020- 2021

[Blacksox]

EASTERN CONFERENCE 2020- 2021 (As of Jan 2, 2020)

Here’s a look at how the eastern conference teams currently stack up.

Team summaries include:
<> team draft picks (2nds and 3rds) between 2020-2024. No picks beyond 2024 can be traded.
<> tradeable assets
<> core age group (00, 01, 02, 03, 04)
<> NHL Drafted Players, 2020 NHL un-drafted Prospects and 2021 Top Prospect.



TIER I - TOP FIVE (Alphabetical Order)

Barrie Colts
DRAFT PICKS: 7- 2nd and 6 - 3rd (+ 4 unspecified conditional picks)
TRADEABLE ASSET: 2020 1st H.Haight (Signed)
CORE: 0As – 2; 01s -6; 02s -5; + 03 B.Clarke
NHL DRAFTED: 01 N.Porco, 01 M.Hill, 01 A.Silovs, 02 T.Foerster, 02 E.Vierling
2021 Top Draft Prospect: D - 03 B.Clarke
2020 NHL UN-DRAFTED PROSPECTS: 02 E.Cardwell. 01 ATabak
OUTLOOK: Along with emerging superstar 03 Brande Clarke, the Colts have a strong core of 01s and 02s, but need a quality OA and a top 4 d-man to firmly place themselves in the championship conversation. Barrie has the draft capital (plus the possibility of signing one or two imports) to be the top team in the East.

Hamilton Bulldogs
DRAFT PICKS: 2 - 2nd and 8 – 3rd (+ 1 unspecified conditional pick)
TRADEABLE ASSETS: 2019 1st R. Winterton // 2020 1st J.Donovan (Signed)
CORE: 01s – 8; 02s – 9
NHL DRAFTED: 01 A.Kaliyev, 02 J.Mysak
2021 Top Draft Prospect: D - 03 A.Grushnikov
2020 NHL UN-DRAFTED PROSPECTS: 02 L.Morrison, 01 T.Bertuzzi, 01 N.Staios
OUTLOOK: Hamilton is a veteran laden team and signed an elite import D - Artyom Grushnikov. Along with Kaliyev and Mysak, Hamilton has enough talent in the older age groups, that they could easily be one of the top teams in the East. If however, the Bulldogs opt to address the lack of 2nds, they’ll be stuck in the middle of the pack, but seeing that the owner's son is an 01, expect Hamilton to be BUYERS (2 OAs needed).

Mississauga Steelheads
DRAFT PICKS: 3 - 2nd and 2 - 3rd (+ 1 unspecified conditional pick)
TRADEABLE ASSETS: 2019 1st E. Del Mastro // 2020 1st Z.Lavoie (Signed)
CORE: 0As - 3; 01s - 5; 02s - 10
NHL DRAFTED: 01 K.Washkurak, 01 C.Schwindt, 01 T.Harley, 02 O.Bjorgvik-Holm
2021 Top Draft Prospect: D - 03 E.DelMastro
2020 NHL UN-DRAFTED PROSPECTS: 02 J.Hardie, 02 T.Collins, 01 A.Pueter
OUTLOOK: Provided Thomas Harley returns, the Steelheads boast a well balance team (OAs, F, D, G). Mississauga has a few high-end forwards and a towering, talented back end that got bigger after the signing of 6.06 Import K.Larson. With a strong core, the Steelheads can wait until the trade deadline to decide how to best use their limited resources to upgrade for a title run.

Oshawa Generals
DRAFT PICKS: 3 - 2nd and 3 - 3rd (+ 2 unspecified conditional picks)
TRADEABLE ASSETS: 2019 1st B.Harrison // 2020 1st A.Castle (UNSIGNED)
CORE: 0As – 3; 01s -9; 02s -7
NHL DRAFTED: 01 P.Tomasino, 02 T.Tullio
(UNSIGNED FA OAs G.Valatti, A.McShane and J.Kooy)
2021 Top Draft Prospect: F - 03 B.Harrison
2020 NHL UN-DRAFTED PROSPECTS: 02 O.Suni, 02 H.Fowler, 02 M.Brewer, 02 L.Moore
OUTLOOK: Oshawa’s roster is good, but not great. Much of their success rests squarely on the return of Tomasino. The Generals have limited resources to compensate for his loss, should he earn a roster spot with Nashville. Regardless, Oshawa will trade one or both of their previous #1 picks (Harrison and Castle - unsigned) to try and win a championship, with or without Tomasino.

Ottawa 67s
DRAFT PICKS: 5 - 2nd and 2 - 3rd
TRADEABLE ASSETS: 2019 2nd J.Beck & B.Sirizzotti // 2020 1st N.Moldenhauer (UNSIGNED)
CORE: 0As – 3; 01s – 3; 02s – 6; 03s - 6
NHL DRAFTED: OA M.Hoelscher, 01 G.Clarke, 01 J.Quinn, 02 W.Cranley
2021 Top Draft Prospect: D - 03 J.Matier
2020 NHL UN-DRAFTED PROSPECTS: 02 C.Tolnai, 02 A.Belanger, 02 A.Constantini
OUTLOOK: Ottawa’s talent is spread across four age groups. They have NHL drafted talent at the top and if both imports sign (Gaidamak, Simontaival), the 67s likely become BUYERS (a veteran defenseman needed). If however, Ottawa decides to SELL (Andree, Hoelscher, Clarke, Quinn), they’ll drop out of the top TIER.



TIER II - NEXT FIVE (Alphabetical Order)



Kingston Frontenacs
DRAFT PICKS: 4 - 2nd and 4 - 3rd
CORE: 01s - 7, 02s - 6 + 04 Wright
NHL DRAFTED: 02 M.Chromiak, 02 Z.Wisdom
2021 Top Draft Prospect: F - 03 F.Arcuri
2020 NHL UN-DRAFTED PROSPECTS: 02 J.Murray, 02 V.Pinchuk, 01 N.Wong
OUTLOOK: Kingston features one of the best players in the game, 16 year old phenom Shane Wright – and along with Chromiack and Wisdom they form one of the best young #1 lines. However, this is a team with a lot holes (especially on D and in net). The Fronts could be mid-level BUYERS to facilitate a playoff push, but they also need to be SELLERS to accumulate assets for next year – probably Wright’s final OHL season and Kingston’s “Go for it” year. Going up, down or neither?

Niagara IceDogs
DRAFT PICKS: 8 - 2nd and 5 - 3rd
CORE: 02s -8, 03s -4, 04s -5.
NHL DRAFTED: 02 D.Gushchin
2021 Top Draft Prospect: D - 03 I.Enright, D - 02 G.Chanton
2020 NHL UN-DRAFTED PROSPECTS: 02 C.Butler, 02 J.Uberti, 02 T.Tynan
OUTLOOK: IceDogs’ draft capital is only matched by Barrie. It would be in the IceDogs’ best interest to not make any “high draft pick” roster moves that involves any player that will not be here beyond 20-21. Instead, look to add to the core of this young talented group and allow them to develop. The team’s age demographics are set up for success next year and even greater success the following year. Bottom line: Only 4 teams make the playoffs - and that does not include the IceDogs.

North Bay Battalion
DRAFT PICKS: 5 – 2nd and 6 – 3rd (+ 2 unspecified conditional picks)
CORE: 01s - 6; 02s - 8; 03s - 5
NHL DRAFTED: 01 Primeau, 01 M.Guskov, 01 B.Coe
2021 Top Draft Prospect: F - 03 L.Arnsby
2020 NHL UN-DRAFTED PROSPECTS: 02 J.Vrbetic, 02 A.Winslow
OUTLOOK: NB is in position to be one of the most improved teams, if that is the direction they choose. The Battalion have some solid 01s and 02s, both imports signed, an elite goalie, a quality OA Luke Moncada and two excellent past drafts. NB has the draft assets to be active mid-level BUYERS (couple of OAs) and separate themselves from the bottom of the pack OR completely opt out and SELL to build around their 03 / 04 group.

Peterborough Petes
DRAFT PICKS: 1 - 2nd and 3 - 3rd (+ 2 unspecified conditional pick)
CORE: OAs - 3 03s – 8, 04 - 3
NHL DRAFTED: OA Import L.Kirk (return uncertain)
2021 Top Draft Prospect: F - 03 M.McTavish
2020 NHL UN-DRAFTED PROSPECTS: 02 T.Austin, 02 S.Spearing
OUTLOOK: What a difference a year makes: all their high-end talent gone (including 18 yr. old N.Robertson); a barren draft cupboard - means the Petes will be big time sellers. Peterborough has a collection of OAs (Kirk, Grondin, Parker-Jones) to aid in the process of recouping picks. All this adds up to the Petes being the current front runner for 1st overall pick.

Sudbury Wolves
DRAFT PICKS: 2 - 2nd and 2 - 3rd
CORE: 0As – 3; 01s – 6; 02s – 3
NHL DRAFTED: 01 F.Dichow (G), 01 B.Murray, 02 Q.Byfield, 02 J.Thomspon, 01 I.Phillip
2021 Top Draft Prospect: F - 03 C.Stillman
2020 NHL UN-DRAFTED PROSPECTS:
OUTLOOK: With an empty draft cupboard, Sudbury is headed towards a complete rebuild. Rebuilding around Cory Stillman’s son (03s) and the terrific trio (04s) the Wolves draft in 2020 (Goyette, Delic and Konyen). Even if Byfield, Pekar or Tuomaala are in Wolves uniform this season (making them a formidable team), Sudbury can’t buy so they’ll have to SELL (e.g, Byfield, Murray, Ross). That could leave them in the running for a top 4 pick. 2019-2020 IceDogs 2.0?





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[Blacksox]

POST II

Audio is courtesy of “The Dogpound Podcast” Hosts: @Caputz13 and @JustKyle51. The video is a collection of sound bite highlights of Joey Burke discussing the team’s off season moves and a look ahead to the upcoming season.

You Tube

[Blacksox]

POST III – POWER RANKINGS

EASTERN CONFERENCE (As of Dec.1, 2020)

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[Blacksox]

POST IV – EASTERN CONFERENCE NEWS

Sept. 1
Kingston Frontenac acquired OA Jacob Roach in exchange for a 2024 15th round selection.

Sept 2
Hamilton Bulldogs signed Import defenseman Artyom Grushnikov
https://ontariohockeyleague.com/arti...ts-to-bulldogs

Sept 3
Ottawa 67s 1st round selection in the 2020 OHL Draft, 04 Nicholas Moldenhauer, has decided to join the perennial powerhouse @NJ_Avalanche U16.

Sept 14
Peterborough Petes OA defenseman Jack York signed with Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

Sept 17
Peterborough Petes part ways with OA F- Brady Hinz (traded to Niagara) and OA F - Michael Little (QMJHL)

Sept 23
Sudbury Wolves OA Metaj Pekar has been loaned to HC Benatky nad Jizerou (Czech2) by the Buffalo Sabres

Sept 30
Niagara IceDogs announced goaltender Christian Sbaraglia has been transferred to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL).

Oct 9
Sudbury OA Owen Gilhula (F) signed with Summerside Western Capitals (Maritime Junior Hockey League)

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[Dogs Enthusiast 104]

Love it, thank you for doing it.

[maddog]

Unbelievable post Blacksox.
You do not get enough credit here for all the continous analysis, stats and facts you present on this forum!
It must be very time consuming.
Thank you very much!!

[Blacksox]

Originally Posted by maddog

Unbelievable post Blacksox.
You do not get enough credit here for all the continous analysis, stats and facts you present on this forum!
It must be very time consuming.
Thank you very much!!

Thank you maddog and DE104. The quality of information being shared on this unique site by all members is the primary reason why IceDog fans are the most knowledgeable junior hockey fans by far. As an educator, this is more rewarding than time consuming – just an extension to what I enjoy doing. In sharing, I’m also learning. The cyclical nature of junior hockey - and all the planning required to create a championship team, as the IceDogs did in 2012 and 2016 is a process that intrigues me

[Blacksox]

According to Sam Cosentino (Aug 14), the plan is to play a 64-game schedule, that includes only inter-conference play, thereby severely limiting travel and overnight stays.

So for all intents and purposes, the Eastern Conference is our entire league and what western conference teams are up to is not of any concern to the IceDog fans for 20-21. If anything, let’s hope 7 or 8 of those teams are big spenders.

If the same mind-set should hold true in the east, that would be in the IceDogs favour going forward. Aside from their desire to make the playoffs, where they finish in the standings (8th or maybe 7th) makes no real difference to future plans. Aside from Peterborough and Sudbury destined to be sellers; Barrie, Oshawa and Mississauga to be buyers, the course of action for the other five team is yet to be decided. A few more buyer would be nice for the IceDogs heading into 21-22.

[Blacksox]

Sept 2 D - Artyom Grushnikov commits to Bulldogs
https://ontariohockeyleague.com/arti...ts-to-bulldogs

This is a big time talent - projected Top 20 in the 2021 NHL draft.

The signing of Grushnikov combined with the talents of 01 A.Kaliyev, 02 J.Mysak, 02 L.Morrison, 01 T.Bertuzzi; in addition to having a total of 17 - 19 and 18 year olds - one of them, the owner’s son (01 Nathan Staios) means there is high probability the Bulldogs are going to take a run at this, but they still need 2 high-end OAs.

#goodnewsfortheIceDogs

[Blacksox]

For those expecting a shortened season played through March, April, May and June, here is an UPDATED look at the 20-21 Eastern Conference.

The adjustments made to NHL rosters for the 20-21 season, will impact OHL rosters, in particular, the high-end signed 01s, such as Thomas Harley, Connor McMichael, Phil Tomasino, Nick Roberston and perhaps even 02 Quinton Byfield.

NHL teams will have a "taxi squad," a minimum of four players and a maximum of six players that will be allowed to practice and travel with the team. This is in addition to the 23-man roster.


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