2024 OHL Playoffs- 3rd Round Predictions

EAST

1 Oshawa vs 2 North Bay

About as close of a matchup as can be on paper, as Oshawa had just 2 more points than North Bay to take home ice in this series. Both teams rely on a very formidable defence and defensive systems that don’t give their opponent many chances. North Bay is considerably older than the Gens (who’s best year is likely next season) but also come into the series without their leading scorer, Anthony Romani, and their starting goalie, Dom DiVincentiis, although backup Mike McIvor has put up far better numbers in these playoffs than DiVincentiis did all year. This series could very likely come down to goaltending and special teams, so I’m going to give the Gens the slight edge there with special teams being pretty similar but the Gens having the OHL Goalie Of The Year and North Bay having a 17 year old backup, although he’s been great so far these playoffs. It sounds like Romani might be available later in the series, so the longer the series goes, the better it is probably for North Bay.

Prediction: OSH 4-3

WEST

1 London vs 2 Saginaw

This has the potential to be a really fun series if both teams are fully healthy but Saginaw is not. They will come into the series without their starting goalie, Andrew Oke, and their best player, Zayne Parekh. Saginaw still has enough weapons to make the series close if they’re playing their best, but they could’ve really used a huge series from both Oke and Parekh and instead they are without both. London comes in very healthy and just will be without Lawrence for 4 games due to suspension. Seeing how much Saginaw struggled with the Soo, I don’t see them being able to hang with London, who is also extremely big and skilled, but even bigger and more skilled.

Prediction: LDN 4-1

3rd Round Series Preview- Oshawa vs North Bay

Season series: 1-1

Oct 15: NB 5, OSH 2

Dec 31: OSH 4, NB 3 (OT)

Advantage: NB 3 points to 2, but both teams won 1 game. Both before the trade deadline.

Special Teams:

OSH PP: 21.5% (9th)

NB PP: 22.8% (8th)

OSH PK: 83.2% (2nd)

NB PK: 82.3% (5th)

Advantage: Tie

Goals For/Against:

OSH: 273 for, 204 against. +69

NB: 300 for, 240 against. +60

Advantage: Oshawa

Starting Goalie:

OSH: Jacob Oster (35-16-8), 2.82 GAA, .905 save % reg season and (8-2-0), 1.91 GAA, .933 save % playoffs

NB: Mike McIvor (8-9-0), 3.78 GAA, .876 save % and (7-1-0), 2.28 GAA, .924 save % playoffs

Advantage: Oshawa

Top Scorers:

OSH:

Dylan Roobroeck: 7 G, 9 A, 16 P

Beckett Sennecke: 6 G, 9 A, 15 P

Calum Ritchie: 4 G, 9 A, 13 P

Luca D’Amato: 2 G, 6 A, 8 P

NB:

Sandis Vilmanis: 5, 11 A, 16 P

Dalyn Wakely: 11 G, 4 A, 15 P

Justin Ertel: 6 G, 9 A, 15 P

Owen Van Steensel: 4 G, 9 A, 13 P

Advantage: North Bay

Roster Makeup:

OSH:
03s: 3
04s: 4
05s: 5
06s: 6
07s: 2

NB:
03s: 3
04s: 9
05s: 3
06s: 5
07s: 0

Advantage: North Bay has the older roster

NHL Drafted/Signed Players:

OSH:

Calum Ritchie (COL 1)

Rasmus Kumpulainen (MIN 2)

Dylan Roobroeck (NYR 6)

Connor Punnett (DAL FA)

NB:

Justin Ertel (DAL 3)

Ty Nelson (SEA 3)

Sandis Vilmanis (FLA 5)

Tnias Mathurin (DET 5)

Liam Arnsby (FLA 7)

Dom DiVincentiis (WPG 7)

Advantage: North Bay, 6-4

Projected OSH Lineup:

F:

Rolofs-Ritchie-Lockhart

Roobroeck-Kumpulainen-Sennecke

Torrance-Griffin-Buckley

Graham-Delisle-Franssen

D:

Punnett-Danford

D’Amato-Marrelli

Sandhu-Bedkowski

G:

Oster

Projected NB Lineup:

F:

Van Steensel-Wakely-Therrien

Ertel-Arnsby-Vilmanis

A.LeBlanc-Procyszyn-Cooke

Pazii-Richter-Amidovski

D:

Kennedy-Nelson

Mathurin-Christopoulos

Ride-J.LeBlanc

G:

McIvor/DiVincentiis

2024 OHL Playoffs- 2nd Round Predictions

EAST

1 Oshawa vs 6 Ottawa

Both teams had similar 1st rounds and are pretty similar on paper. Despite Ottawa having a considerably older roster, I actually like the Gens roster better (mainly because of Oster) but I watched these teams play a bunch this year and Ottawa always had their number in close games. It will be interesting to see now that the gameplan can be focused in on just 1 opponent how that changes, but this series will very likely come down to special teams and the Gens had the edge there all season so I’m going with Oshawa in 7.

Prediction: OSH 4-3

2 North Bay vs 5 Sudbury

So much in this one relies on if DiVincentiis and Romani are playing or not. They both missed the whole second half of the last series and if they’re out for an extended period in this series, I love Sudbury’s chances. Even if they’re back I could see this going 7 but without them, I think Sudbury wins in 6. This series will be Sudbury trying to run and gun and North Bay trying to slow the game down and play it tight. I just like Sudbury’s big 3 to take over and win the series for them.

Prediction: SBY 4-2

WEST

1 London vs 4 Kitchener

This series should be closer on paper but I just don’t see it. Kitchener really struggled with Erie and if they didn’t get a couple breaks, could’ve lost that series. This London team is just better in almost every area, and way tougher to play against. Kitchener would need Parsons to stand on his head and Rehkopf to have an other worldly series, but Simpson is just as likely to stand on his head and Cowan/Barkey could be other worldly as well.

Prediction: LDN 4-1

2 Saginaw vs 3 Sault Ste. Marie

By far the closest series on paper for me and really could go either way. Both teams have similar goalie worries, although Oke had a great 1st round. Both teams are loaded on both offence and D, but SSM is missing Jack Beck, which is a huge loss for them. Because of that I give Saginaw the edge marginally, but if the Soo can steal an early game then get Beck back, this seems destined for 7 games.

Prediction: SAG 4-3

2nd Round Series Preview- Oshawa vs Ottawa

Season series: 2-3-3

Nov 10: OSH 1, OTT 4

Nov 11: OTT 3, OSH 6

Nov 24: OTT 2, OSH 1

Nov 25: OSH 2, OTT 3(OT)

Dec 6: OSH 2, OTT 3(OT)

Jan 28: OTT 3(OT), OSH 2

Feb 23: OSH 0, OTT 5

Mar 5: OTT 4, OSH 5

Advantage: Ottawa, 12 points to 7

Special Teams:

OSH PP: 21.5% (9th)

OTT PP: 21.3% (11th)

OSH PK: 83.2% (2nd)

OTT PK: 76.7% (15th)

Advantage: Oshawa

Goals For/Against:

OSH: 273 for, 204 against. +69

OTT: 253 for, 228 against. +25

Advantage: Oshawa

Starting Goalie:

OSH: Jacob Oster (35-16-8), 2.82 GAA, .905 save %

OTT: Collin MacKenzie (14-11-3), 3.05 GAA, .901 save %

Advantage: Oshawa

Top Scorers:

OSH:

Calum Ritchie: 28 G, 52 A, 80 P

Dylan Roobroeck: 26 G, 46 A, 72 P

Beckett Sennecke: 27 G, 41 A, 68 P

Connor Lockhart: 27 G, 32 A, 59 P

OTT:

Luca Pinelli: 48 G, 34 A, 82 P

Braeden Kressler: 28 G, 46 A, 74 P

Henry Mews: 15 G, 46 A, 61 P

Jacob Maillet: 17 G, 42 A, 59 P

Advantage: Oshawa

Roster Makeup:

OSH:
03s: 3
04s: 4
05s: 5
06s: 6
07s: 2

OTT:
03s: 3
04s: 7
05s: 6
06s: 4
07s: 0

Advantage: Ottawa has the older roster

NHL Drafted/Signed Players:

OSH:

Calum Ritchie (COL 1)

Rasmus Kumpulainen (MIN 2)

Dylan Roobroeck (NYR 6)

Connor Punnett (DAL FA)

OTT:

Brad Gardiner (DAL 3)

Luca Pinelli (CLB 4)

Cooper Foster (PIT 6)

Matthew Mayich (STL 6)

Braeden Kressler (TOR FA)

Brady Stonehouse (EDM FA)

Advantage: Ottawa, 6-4

Projected OSH Lineup:

F:

Roobroeck-Ritchie-Lockhart

Torrance-Kumpulainen-Sennecke

Rolofs-Griffin-Buckley

Graham-Delisle-Franssen

D:

Punnett-Danford

D’Amato-Marrelli

Sandhu-Bedkowski

G:

Oster

Projected OTT Lineup:

F:

Pinelli-Maillet-Gerrior

Foster-Kressler-Korbler

Stonehouse-Dever-Horner

Barlas-Gardiner-Kelly

D:

Smyth-Mayer

Sirman-Mews

Marrelli-Mayich

G:

MacKenzie

1st Round Series Preview- Oshawa vs Barrie

Season series: 2-1-1

Oct 14: OSH 1, BAR 7

Jan 27: OSH 2, BAR 3 (SO)

Feb 25: BAR 2, OSH 5

Mar 10: PBO 1, OSH 5

Advantage: Oshawa took 5/6 points after trade deadline

Special Teams:

OSH PP: 21.5% (9th)

BAR PP: 16.1% (19th)

OSH PK: 83.2% (2nd)

BAR PK: 66.2% (20th)

Advantage: Oshawa

Goals For/Against:

OSH: 273 for, 204 against. +69

BAR: 234 for, 283 against. -49

Advantage: Oshawa

Starting Goalie:

OSH: Jacob Oster (35-16-8), 2.82 GAA, .905 save %

BAR: Sam Hillebrandt (16-15-2), 3.67 GAA, .899 save %

Advantage: Oshawa

Top Scorers:

OSH:

Calum Ritchie: 28 G, 52 A, 80 P

Dylan Roobroeck: 26 G, 46 A, 72 P

Beckett Sennecke: 27 G, 41 A, 68 P

Connor Lockhart: 27 G, 32 A, 59 P

BAR:

Beau Jelsma: 37 G, 44 A, 81 P

Riley Patterson: 29 G, 33 A, 62 P

Cole Beaudoin: 28 G, 34 A, 62 P

Tai York: 17 G, 32 A, 49 P

Advantage: Oshawa

Roster Makeup:

OSH:
03s: 3
04s: 4
05s: 5
06s: 6
07s: 2

BAR:
03s: 2
04s: 4
05s: 6
06s: 6
07s: 2

Advantage: Similar, Oshawa has the slightly older roster

NHL Drafted/Signed Players:

OSH:

Calum Ritchie (COL 1)

Rasmus Kumpulainen (MIN 2)

Dylan Roobroeck (NYR 6)

Connor Punnett (DAL FA)

BAR:

Beau Akey (EDM 2) *shoulder surgery, won’t play*

Advantage: Oshawa, 4-0

Projected OSH Lineup:

F:

Roobroeck-Ritchie-Sennecke

Rolofs-Kumpulainen-Lockhart

Torrance-Griffin-Buckley

Toms-Delisle-Graham

D:

Punnett-Marrelli

Danford-D’Amato

Sandhu-Bedkowski

G:

Oster

Projected BAR Lineup:

F:

Jelsma-Morey-Derbidge

York-Beaudoin-Patterson

Stewart-Grisolia-Wigle

Jodoin-Newton-Lowe/Moses

D:

Aitcheson-Tiller

Brauti-Stewart

Scott-Passmore/Handsor

G:

Hillebrandt

2024 OHL Playoffs- 1st Round Predictions

EAST

1 Oshawa vs 8 Barrie

Oshawa is the hottest team in the CHL coming into the playoffs, and Barrie does not match up well against them. Oshawa is 2nd and 9th in PK/PP respectively and Barrie is 19th/20th. With no Beau Akey, Barrie does not have the defensive depth to shut down the Gens top 9. Sam Hillebrandt and Beau Jelsma should steal at least a game for Barrie.

Prediction: OSH 4-1

2 North Bay vs 7 Kingston

Kingston was one of the most aggressive buying teams in at the deadline in the Eastern Conference (along with NB and OTT) paying big to get Roman Schmidt, Jax Dubois and Luke McNamara, but it didn’t exactly help them in the 2nd half. I do think because of how veteran a team they are, they won’t be an easy out. But I don’t see Vaccari being able to steal games like he’d need to in order for Kingston to actually win this series. NB will be too deep and their defence too strong for KGN to upset them

Prediction: NB 4-2

3 Brantford vs 6 Ottawa

I haven’t heard if Lardis is expected to be back or not so I’m going under the assumption he’s still out (if he’s back that would change things) but Ottawa finishing 6th makes no sense to me. They added big at the deadline and are one of the deepest teams on F and D in the conference, yet didn’t even sniff home ice in the playoffs. Brantford has played pretty far above their head in the 2nd half based on how their roster looks and I think it catches up to them know. I trust Ottawa’s offence a lot more than Brantford’s (without Lardis).

Prediction: OTT 4-2

4 Mississauga vs 5 Sudbury

This will be the best East series in my opinion. If this ends up being a high scoring series, I think Sudbury wins easily. Mississauga doesn’t have the offence to run and gun with Sudbury. But if Mississauga can keep this low scoring and make it a goalie battle series, then Mississauga will beat them. I expect Leenders to be really good, but I don’t think Mississauga will be able to stop Sudbury’s offence and Sudbury’s top guys (Musty, Dvorsky, Goyette) light it up better than anyone else in the league.

Prediction: SBY 4-2

WEST

1 London vs 8 Flint

Your typical 1 vs 8 series. London is so much deeper and so much better in almost every category. Flint would be happy to win a game.

Prediction: LDN 4-0

2 Saginaw vs 7 Owen Sound

Owen Sound is probably the most confusing team this year as they had a pretty good roster, a great goalie, a top 3-5 player in the league, and even traded away their ’07 rookie, but didn’t get anyone great for him and didn’t add at all beyond that. Saginaw is way deeper and should run away with this series. Owen Sound has a chance if Barlow and Goure go off and George stands on his head, but all 3 would have to happen for them to win more than 2 games.

Prediction: SAG 4-2

3 Sault Ste. Marie vs 6 Guelph

Guelph is a team I can never seem to get a feel for. They’re pretty good on paper, even without Poitras coming back, but Soo is even better on paper. I do think the Soo is susceptible for an upset, but I don’t see Guelph doing it. Soo’s top end talent should be enough to carry them to a series win.

Prediction: SSM 4-2

4 Kitchener vs 5 Erie

Kitchener is limping into the playoffs but they caught a break in my opinion getting Erie in round 1 instead of Guelph. Erie doesn’t have a goalie (maybe Gaudreau will make a return for the playoffs?) so Kitchener should make quick work of them. Kitchener really needs to get Sale going if they’re going to make a long run in the playoffs this year. I like Erie’s offence but their defence isn’t very good and to have a Jr A goalie in net doesn’t make for a good combination.

Prediction: KIT 4-1

Graduates for OHL Western Conference Teams/Current Depth Charts

ERIE:

Probable Grads:

• Drew Hunter (too old)
• Jacob Golden (too old)
• Kyen Sopa (pro in Europe)
• Hayden Fowler (traded)
• Daniel Murphy (traded)
• 2 of Chad Yetman/Maxim Golod/Jack Duff/Kurtis Henry/Mathew MacDougall (too many OAs)

Depth Chart: 

F:

Golod(OA)-Yetman(OA)-D’Amato

Swankler-Lockhart-Hoffmann

Sellan-Saganiuk-Sproule

Sedore/Ross-Cohen-Bressette/Lowe

D:

Drysdale-Duff or Henry(OA)

Sova-Kulakov

Morton/Morton-Kischnick/Kyrou

G:

Kolosov

Campbell/Lalonde

Analysis: 

An interesting team because this will almost surely be their last year with Jamie Drysdale, Chad Yetman and Maxim Golod, easily their 3 best players. So based on that you’d think they will go out and add to try to add to challenge this year. I think the rest of their roster is far from being a championship team though so I wonder if they consider building around the Lockhart/Saganiuk group instead. If that is the case, Drysdale could/should be on the block.

FLINT:

Probable Grads:

• Jack Phibbs (too old)
• Jake Durham (too old)
• Anthony Popovich (too old)
• Ty Dellandrea (signed-AHL)
• Tyler Tucker (signed-AHL)
• Riley McCourt (signed-AHL)
• Vladislav Kolyachonok (pro in Europe)
• Jack Wismer (traded)
• 2 of Dennis Busby/Connor Roberts/Owen Lalonde/Quinn Yule/Evan Morrison (too many OAs)

Depth Chart: 

F:

Oksentyuk-Morgan-Othmann

Keppen-Kressler-Piercey

Roberts(OA)-Giroux-Panwar

Lombardi/Petrou-Hayes-Pierce

D:

Busby(OA)-Lalonde(OA)

Kuzmin-Terry

Gretz/Harper-Deline/D’Amato

G:

Cavallin

Grainer/Nixon

Analysis: 

Flint really got screwed by not having a playoffs last year as they looked primed to have a really good run with a very strong D core, a championship goalie and some big F’s who could contribute. Going into next year their D core takes a massive hit losing Kolyachonok, McCourt, Tucker and now looks pretty thin outside of the Busby/Lalonde pairing. The forward top 9 is actually still pretty good despite losing Dellandrea, Wismer, Durham and Phibbs, especially if Panwar can become the player that he was projected to be coming out of minor midget. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Flint trade off older guys like Keppen/Morgan though and build around the Othmann/Kressler group for their next big run.

GUELPH:

Probable Grads:

• Cedric Ralph (too old)
• Fedor Gordeev (too old)
• Josh Wainman (too old)
• Nico Daws (pro in Europe)
• Pavel Gogolev (pro in Europe)
• Cam Hillis (signed-AHL)
• Zack Terry (traded)

Depth Chart: 

F:

Uba(OA)-Zhilkin-Stevenson(OA)

Roach(OA)-Poitras-Bakanov

Papais-Walker-McFarlane

Karabela-Sikic/Maillet-McGuire/Bowman

D:

Chayka-Has

Bianconi-Profaca

Hiebert-Campbell/Buchinger

G:

Bennett

?

Analysis: 

Guelph will go from a team who would’ve been really dangerous in the 2019 playoffs to a team who will contend for the #1 overall pick next year after losing Daws, Hillis, Gogolev, Gordeev, Ralph and Wainman. The top 6 should be able to score and Chayka-Has have the potential to be a pretty good pairing, but there is not much depth in Guelph heading into next season and I have a feeling they’ll have a hard time keeping the puck out of their own net.

KITCHENER:

Probable Grads:

• Greg Meireles (too old)
• Liam Hawel (too old)
• Jonathan Yantsis (too old)
• Riley Damiani (signed-AHL)
• Serron Noel (signed-AHL)
• Jacob Ingham (signed-AHL)
• Axel Bergkvist (pro in Europe)
• 1 of Jack Wismer/Justin MacPherson/Holden Wale/Lucas Pfeil (too many OAs)

Depth Chart: 

F:

Valade-Pinelli-Dickerson

Petizian-Langdon-Wismer(OA)

A.LeBlanc-Serpa-McDonnell

Swick-Fishman-Sop

D:

Vukojevic-Ottavainen

Xhekaj-Sebrango

MacPherson(OA)-Wale(OA)/J.LeBlanc

G:

Cajan

Parsons

Analysis: 

Another team that’s at the top of the list for who got hit hardest by covid. They lose 7 elite OHL players from their roster and will become a much younger team next year. The D core is actually still pretty good, even if they move Vukojevic (which there have been rumours about) but I don’t think they’ll have the firepower to be fighting for the top of the conference anymore. The biggest question mark will be having 2 rookie goalies in net.

LONDON:

Probable Grads:

• Jason Willms (too old)
• Markus Phillips (too old)
• Dylan Myskiw (too old)
• Alec Regula (signed-AHL)
• Ryan Merkley (signed-AHL)
• Liam Foudy (signed-AHL)
• Jonathan Gruden (signed-AHL)
• Matvey Guskov (traded)
• Sahil Panwar (traded)

Depth Chart: 

F:

Stranges-McMichael-Evangelista

Moskal(OA)-Dunkley(OA)-Rolofs

McCue-Bujold-Smith

Sim-Crane-McGurn

D:

Skinner-Mailloux

Steklov-Roger

Montgomery-Edward/George

G:

Brochu

?

Analysis: 

If you’re a London hater, this may finally be the year for you. The still have the top end talent but their depth is extremely young and extremely questionable going into the year. Their 3rd and 4th lines are both almost exclusively rookies, they don’t have a backup goalie and their defence doesn’t look very strong outside of the top pair. But they’re the London Knights so they could very well sign 5 pro level guys a week before the season and be really good again. There’s also a chance that McMichael makes the Capitals, in which case it would be really hard to see London being any good next season.

OWEN SOUND:

Probable Grads:

• Matthew Philip (too old)
• Matthew Struthers (too old)
• Brady Lyle (too old)
• Aidan Dudas (signed-AHL)
• 2 of Carter Robertson/Adam McMaster/Sergey Popov/Kaleb Pearson/Barret Kirwin (too many OAs)

Depth Chart: 

F:

Popov(OA)-McMaster(OA)-Burroughs

Lawrence-Goure-Pearson(OA)

Wilson-Samanski-Guindon

LeSage-Bryant-Machacek

D:

Perrott-Woolley

Chibrikov-Seed

Sedley-?

G:

Guzda

Chenard

Analysis: 

I really like Mack Guzda but there isn’t much going for Owen Sound next year. They have an average D-core and a slightly below average forward group, so in a normal year they’d probably slot into the 7/8 spot and make the playoffs, but with only 4 teams from each conference getting in, I don’t see how Owen Sound would ever be one of those teams.

SAGINAW:

Probable Grads:

• Reilly Webb (too old)
• DJ Busdeker (too old)
• Cole Coskey (too old)
• Damien Giroux (signed-AHL)
• Bode Wilde (signed-AHL)
• Blade Jenkins (signed-AHL)
• Ilya Solovyov (pro in Europe)
• 2 of Goldowski/Katic/Antropov/Frappier/King (too many OAs)

Depth Chart: 

F:

Perfetti-Suzuki-Grewe

Duhart-Antropov(OA)-Codd

Beck-Baber-Katic or Goldowski(OA)

Bulovs-Klein-Bloom

D:

Millman-Mintyukov

King(OA)-Smith

Mancini-?

G:

Lennox

Tahk/Oke

Analysis: 

Will have one of the top lines in the OHL next season, but there’s a steep drop off after that. It’s harder to get the top talent than it is to trade for middle 6 guys so Saginaw could easily make themselves a top contender with some trades, but it will all come down to Tristan Lennox. He NEEDS to be a lot better than he was last year for them to be a real threat to win a championship.

SARNIA:

Probable Grads:

• Ryan McGregor (too old)
• Sean Josling (too old)
• Kelton Hatcher (too old)
• 2 of Stratis/Bitten/Roth/Mack/Jakovljevic (too many OAs)

Depth Chart: 

F:

Roth(OA)-Rees-Guy

Voit-Geci-Perreault

Bitten(OA)-Namestnikov-Dann/Filak

Hill/DeGurse-Saye/Burke-O’Donnell/McIntyre

D:

Reesor(OA)-Nolet

Stratis(OA)-Hjorth

Mast/Dillingham-Supryka

G:

Gaudreau

Langevin

Analysis: 

An interesting group for the Sting because its the last year of Rees, Roth, Hjorth, Stratis and Bitten so that suggests they should be going for it, but I think they could be better next year when Namestikov is a real contributor, Perreault is a top 10 player in the league and Gaudreau is a top 3 goalie in the league. Sarnia could be a top 4/5 team in the conference this season, but with only 4 tams making it, that might have them on the outside looking in. So I wouldn’t be surprised if they looked to move Jamieson Rees for a big return so they can use those picks and players that they get for him in their run the next year. Of course its hard to trade away your Team Canada player though so who knows, but that’s what I would probably do. Also would assume Sarnia will be looking to move Langevin to a team who needs a starting goalie (Peterborough) as Gaudreau is going to play 80+% of the games

SAULT STE. MARIE:

Probable Grads:

• Jaden Peca (too old)
• Bailey Brkin (too old)

Depth Chart: 

F:

Carroll-Pytlik-MacKay

Trott-Kerins-Dickinson

Kartye-Johnston-McLean

Boudreau-McConnell-Barker-Watson/Mufarreh

D:

O’Rourke-Constantinou

LeGuerrier(OA)-Calisti

Halushak/Wawrow-Holmes

G:

Malik

Taylor

Analysis: 

Soo are an interesting team because if they win the Mem Cup bid then obviously they’ll be going all in but if they don’t, will they still? The top 3 in their division are all pretty good (SAG/WSR/SSM) so they very well could finish anywhere in that 1-3 and despite returning almost their entire roster, those players weren’t enough to make the playoffs last year in a league where 80% of the teams make it. The biggest question mark for me is Nick Malik as he was extremely inconsistent in his time in North America last season, and they showed Ethan Taylor they had no faith in him so I wouldn’t be surprised if he is not back. This Soo forward group has a lot of good players but I don’t see any superstar players, which the teams who win it all usually have. The Soo have an average amount of draft picks so if they’re willing to trade their 5th overall pick (McConnell-Barker) then they could go get that superstar type player, but it’s very rare a top 5 pick gets drafted in his rookie season, so we’ll see if they’re willing to do that or not.

WINDSOR:

Probable Grads:

• Luke Boka (too old)
• Cole Purboo (too old)
• Thomas Stevenson (too old)
• Kari Piiroinen (pro in Europe)
• 3 of Curtis Douglas/Connor Corcoran/Tyler Angle/Joe Rupoli/Chris Playfair (too many OAs)

Depth Chart: 

F:

Cuylle-Foudy-Afanasyev

Douglas(OA)-Angle(OA)-Maggio

D’Amico-Johnston-McDonald

?-Abraham-Zito

D:

Corcoran(OA)-Henault

Ladd-Robinson

Sobolev-De Angelis

G:

Medina

Downey

Analysis: 

I included Afanasyev in this but there is a very real chance that he does not come back, which would be a huge blow to the Spits. They could combat this by trading for an import like Liam Kirk, but he’s not on the level of Afanasyev. But if he’s back, this looks like one of the top teams in the West. The D-core could use another top 4 defender but the offensive group is very deep and has the top end talent, although they do need to count on big years from both Cuylle and Foudy. Xavier Medina is going to be the huge X factor on this team because its just a rookie goalie behind him so they need him to have a big year so they can use their picks to upgrade the skaters where need be. If Medina does not look ready to be a #1 on a championship team then I could see Windsor going after someone like Mack Guzda.

Interview with 2020 NHL Draft Eligible Oliver Suni

GU:  How would you rate your first season in the OHL from 1-10 and why?

OS: I would give myself a 7.  I started off very well, but the injury I had in the start of December was unfortunate and took me out for 2 months.

GU: What was the biggest challenge for you in moving from Finland to Oshawa to join the OHL?

OS: I would say just getting used to new culture and environmemt which was easy for me so there wasn’t really anything challenging.

GU: Did you know that you were going to be selected by Oshawa in the import draft or were there other teams that you were talking to as well?

OS: My agent told me there are a couple teams I might go and in the morning during the draft day he told me I am going to Oshawa.

GU: How often are you talking with NHL teams for the 2020 NHL Draft during the quarantine or does that mostly go through your agent?

OS: I have been talking to teams quite a lot. I have had some video meetings and some emails and stuff like that.

GU: Who is the most skilled teammate you’ve ever played with in your life?

OS: Phil Tomasino.

GU: Next year the Gens are favoured to be one of the top teams in the OHL, have you ever played on a team with such high expectations?

OS: I have played on teams with high expectations but never as big as winning the OHL and Memorial Cup.

GU: If you could form your all-time dream line, who would be the 2 other forwards on that line with you?

OS: Evgeny Malkin and Teemu Selänne.

GU: You were recently named to the Finland World Junior tryout camp. What would it mean to you to make Team Finland for the World Juniors next December?

OS: It would be a huge honour to represent my country there and a dream come true for sure.

GU: Who is the funniest teammate you had on the Gens last season?

OS: Aidan Hughes.

(Suni and Hughes from Gens training camp last season. Image from GoodallMedia)

GU: What are your favourite OHL road arenas to play in and why?

OS: I liked to play London and Mississauga. London because the crowd is great there and Mississauga because I scored my first goal there and I always felt great playing there.

Editor’s Note: Suni had 7 points in 3 games against Mississauga last season. Image from GoodallMedia

2020 CHL Import Draft Candidates (2001 and 2002 born)

2001 Born NHL Draft Picks (64):

-RD Victor Söderström (1st round- 11th overall). Too good to play junior. Played SHL last year.

-LD Ville Heinola (1st round- 20th overall). Too good to play junior. Played 11 NHL/AHL games last year and then went to Liiga for 29.

-LD Thomas Björnfot (1st round- 22nd overall). Won’t be going junior after a full AHL season last year.

-RW Simon Holmström (1st round- 23nd overall). Won’t be going junior after a full AHL season last year.

-RD Antti Tuomisto (2nd round- 35th overall). After playing in Finland his whole life, he’s committed to coming to North American to attend the University of Denver next year.

-LC Karl Henriksson (2nd round- 58th overall). Split time last year between the SuperElit and Allsvensken in Sweden. Could potentially convince him to come if he doesn’t feel he’ll get good ice time in the SHL.

-LD Albert Johansson (2nd round- 60th overall). Played full season in SHL last year so very unlikely he’d go junior the year after.

-LC Alvin Grewe (3rd round- 66th overall). Split time between SuperElit and SHL last year but didn’t get much playing time in SHL, so could be a CHL candidate if he feels like he won’t get ice time again.

-G Hugo Alnefelt (3rd round- 71st overall). Played 18 games in the SHL last year with a .905 save % so doubtful he’d be a CHL guy.

-LW Patrik Puistola (3rd round- 73rd overall). Played for 3 different Liiga teams last year and didn’t get above 5 points with any of them so could be a CHL candidate to get more ice time. Was very good at the World Juniors.

-LD Mikko Kokkonen (3rd round- 84th overall). Played a full SHL season last year so unlikely he’d come over, although he is a Leafs pick so if they want him in NA and don’t feel like he’s ready for the AHL, maybe he could be had.

-LC Ilya Nikolayev (3rd round- 88th overall). Played in the MHL last year which is Russia’s junior league. Definitely a CHL candidate.

-RC Yegor Spiridonov (4th round- 108th overall). Mostly played in Russia’s junior league last year so could be a candidate to come over if the VHL doesn’t offer him ice time.

-LD Samuel Sjölund (4th round- 111th overall). Could see Dallas wanting him to play in NA for a year to see if he’s worthy of an ELC or not.

-LC Henri Nikkanen (4th round- 113th overall). Split the year between Finland’s junior league and Liiga. Put up point per game in junior but 0 goals in 27 games in Liiga. Very well could be a CHL candidate.

-LC Lucas Feuk (4th round- 116th overall). Split last year between 4 different teams in 2 different leagues but was over a point per game in the SuperElit (junior) but had 1 goal and 2 points in 29 games in the tier 2 pro league. So very well could be a CHL candidate if he doesn’t want to play SuperElit again.

-LD Semyon Chistyakov (4th round- 117th overall). Right around a point per game as a D-man in Russia’s junior league. Could see Nashville wanting him to get used to a North American style game as a 5’9 D-man and push him to the CHL route.

-RW Tuukka Tieksola (4th round- 121st overall). Lit up the Finland U20 league last year and got in 5 Liiga games (with no points). If he’s not offered a Liiga spot, the CHL route would make sense for him to try to earn an ELC from Carolina.

-LW Antti Saarela (4th round- 123rd overall). Played a full season in Liiga last year so wouldn’t expect him to be a CHL guy.

-LW Arseni Gritsyuk (5th round- 129th overall). Over a point per game in Russia’s junior league last year and Elite Prospects has him in the MHL again next year, which would definitely make him a CHL candidate.

-LW Levi Aaltonen (5th round- 130th overall). Played nearly a full season in Liiga but only had 1 goal in the 45 games. Could make sense to move to the CHL for a bigger role so he can showcase himself to earn a contact from the Rangers.

-RW Aku Räty (5th round- 151st overall). Older brother of 2021 top prospect Aatu Raty. Played 32 games in Liiga last year.

-LC Elmer Söderblom (6th round- 159th overall). Dominated the Sweden junior league last year but didn’t get a point in 10 games in the SHL. Is signed to play SHL next year but if he isn’t going to get ice time it might make more sense to go CHL.

-RD Gustav Berglund (6th round- 177th overall). Big D-man whoo had a good season in Sweden last year and is signed to play tier 2 pro next year in Sweden.

-LW Isak Walther (6th round- 179th overall). Big bodied winger who didn’t have a ton of success in Sweden last year and could potentially benefit from going to NA and working on his game.

-LD Santeri Hatakka (6th round- 184th overall). Played 28 games in Liiga last year and is under contract to play there again next year.

-LC Matias Mäntykivi (6th round- 185th overall). Played a full Liiga season but only had 3 goals in the 42 games. Is under contract to go back to Liiga but Boston could want him in North America with more playing time to see what they have.

-G Vadim Zherenko (7th round- 208th overall). Split last season between the VHL and the MHL and dominated both.

-LW Juuso Pärrssinen (7th round- 210th overall). Had a pretty good Liiga season with 12 points in 31 games as a call-up so would assume that’s where he is again next year.

-RC Arvid Costmar (7th round- 215th overall). Dominated the SuperElit last year and got a handful of SHL games under his belt. Is under contract for the SHL next year.

2002 Born Prospects (29):

-LW Daniil Gushchin. Has already been in North America for 2 years now playing in the USHL. Was over a point per game last year and wore a letter for Muskegon.

-LW Zion Nybeck. The smaller winger dominated the SuperElite last year but had just 1 point in 15 SHL games. Could see his NHL team wanting him to move to NA instead of playing in the Sweden junior league again.

-LD Emil Andrae. Played 80% of his games in the Sweden junior league last year and could be a CHL candidate if he’s not offered real minutes in the SHL.

-RD Helge Grans. Split his time between junior and SHL last year so one would assume he’d take a bigger role on the SHL team.

-F Lukas Reichel. Played the whole year in the DEL so likely wouldn’t take a step backwards to play CHL.

-LC Roni Hirvonen. Played the whole year in the Liiga so likely wouldn’t take a step backwards to play CHL.

-LD William Wallinder. The big D-man split time between Sweden’s junior league and tier 2 pro league last year and is under contract to do it again next year. Could be a CHL candidate depending on his NHL team.

-RW Kasper Simontaival. Dominated the Finland U20 league last year and is signed to play in the Liiga next year. Could be a CHL candidate if he’s not offered a lot of Liiga ice time.

-RD Topi Niemelä. Played the whole year in the Liiga so likely wouldn’t take a step backwards to play CHL.

-RC Theodor Niederbach. Was over a point per game in SuperElit last year and is under contract to play there again next season. Could be a CHL candidate if he’s looking to move to NA to further his game.

-LD Joni Jurmo. Big D-man who played Finland U20 last year and is under contract to split the year between U20 and Liiga next year. Could be a CHL candidate to work on playing in the smaller arena.

-LD Eemil Viro. Played 29 Liiga games last year so would assume that’s where he is again next year.

-LW Roby Järventie. Was over a point per game in Finland’s tier 2 pro league. Would assume he moves on to Liiga next year.

-LC Oskar Magnusson. Showed well in Sweden junior last year. Could be a CHL candidate to make the jump over.

-LC Oliver Tärnström. Just under a point per game in Sweden junior last year and under contract to go back there next year.

-LD Anton Johannesson. Over a point per game in Sweden’s junior league last year.

-LD Rami Määttâ. Played in Finland’s U20 league last year with pretty good success. Is signed to play between Liiga and the U20 league again next year.

-F Alexander Pashin. Smaller Russian F (5’7/154) that was over a point per game in the MHL last year.

-F Dmitri Ovchinnikov. Was over a point per game in the MHL last year. Could be a prime CHL candidate.

-LW Daniel Torgersson. Over a point per game in Sweden’s junior league last year and is under contract to be there again next year. Could be a CHL guy.

-LC Daniel Ljungman. Had a disappointing year in the Sweden junior league last year with just 10 goals in 40 games.

-F Danil Aimurzin. 24 goals and 49 points in Russia’s junior league last season. Isn’t under contract for anywhere for next season yet.

-LD Hugo Styf. Big and physical D-man who played most of his games in Sweden’s junior league last year, getting called up to the tier 2 pro league 4 times.

-LC Pavel Tyutnev. Had a decent season in the MHL last year but did well with Russia internationally at the Hlinka Gretzky and WJAC.

-RC Isak Garvé. Big bodied forward who was just under a point per game in Sweden junior last season. Isn’t under contract anywhere for next year yet.

-LC Elliot Ekmark. Smaller forward who had some success in SuperElit last year and is under contract to go back next year.

-LD Karri Aho. Played most of the season in the Finland U20 league and could be a CHL candidate if he feels like he’s maxed out his potential in that league.

-G Callge Clang. One of the top 2002 Swedish goalies. Dominated in their junior league last year and is under contract to play in their tier 2 pro league next season.

-G Joel Blomqvist. One of the top 2002 Finish goalies. Was .931 save % in Finland’s junior league last season and is slated to play in Finland’s tier 2 pro league next season.

How Often Does Your Favourite OHL Team Convince Their American Draft Picks To Come?

These are the stats for how each OHL team does in terms of convincing Americans drafted in the first 8 rounds to come, and if they come right away or not. This data is from the 2009-2019 drafts. A total of 287 Americans were selected in rounds 1-8 over that span and 46.0% of them ended up in the OHL while just 25.1% of them came to the OHL for their rookie season.

1st: Erie Otters

Erie doesn’t take a lot of Americans (the fewest of any Western Conference team) but when they do take them, they take guys who they know are going to come with the only one who didn’t come being a 6th round pick(Calen Kiefiuk).

2nd: Oshawa Generals

 

Coming in with the 2nd best success rate is the Oshawa Generals at 61.5%. The Gens usually don’t miss when taking an American high in the draft as they’re 5/7 in convincing Americans taken in the top 5 rounds to come over the last decade.

3rd: London Knights

London leads the way in terms of American players who have come over with 18, but because they take so many swings, they also miss a lot which is why their success rate is only 60% despite having 18 Americans come in the last decade.

4th: Saginaw Spirit

Saginaw is a team that’s taken more and more American swings as the decade has progressed. They’re pretty safe in the first 3 rounds (except the last draft with Fantilli) but then their 4th round starts to take a hit.

T5th: Kingston Frontenacs

Kingston isn’t a team who takes a lot of risk when it comes to taking Americans in the top 8 rounds (9 players in a decade and only 1 in the first 3 rounds) but they’ve had a good success rate with 5 of their 6 picks in the first 6 rounds ended up as a success. Although they went 0/3 in rounds 7/8.

T5th: Barrie Colts

Similar to Kingston, Barrie isn’t known for taking big chances with Americans. Their one first rounder (Jacob Tortora) did end up coming, although he didn’t come right away and then was actually cut from the team in his OA season. Also like Kingston, Barrie seems to take more risks at the tail end of this list and are 0/2 with their 8th rounders.

7th: Hamilton Bulldogs

The Bulldogs have had a lot of success with Americans on their current team (Arthur Kaliyev, Avery Hayes, Frank Jenkins and Ryan Humphrey) which makes up for a lacklustre start to the decade in terms of recruiting American born players.

8th: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

 

The Soo haven’t taken anyone in the 1st or 2nd round but see a great deal of success in the 3rd round (3/3). After that though they have struggled in rounds 4-6, convincing only 2/8 Americans to come since 2009.

9th: Kitchener Rangers

The Rangers are one of just 4 teams who have hit double digits since 2009 but they have also taken the 4th most American swings since then so their 47.6% success rate seems about right. Although they seem to get players to come over after a year or two, as their success rate for guys coming right away is only 19.0%.

10th: Sarnia Sting

Sarnia is the only team in the league who have taken 3 American first rounders in the last decade but they did convince 2 of them to come right away. Overall they have a good success rate in the first 5 rounds (8/13) but then it falls off in rounds 6-8 (1/7).

11th: Flint Firebirds

The Flint/Plymouth franchise have not been shy in selecting Americans. Their 34 is the most of any team since 2009 (even more than London). They are fairly safe in the first 4 rounds, having successfully convinced 7/9 of the picks to join them. However in rounds 6-8 they really struggle and have only convinced 3/17 to come.

12th: Windsor Spitfires

Windsor has been pretty successful in the early rounds, with 3/4 of the players taken in the top 3 rounds coming, but they really struggle in rounds 6-8, having convinced only 1 of their 7 picks to come.

13th: Niagara IceDogs

Niagara is tied with Oshawa for the most Americans drafted in rounds 1-3 from an Eastern Conference team and have been pretty successful in those rounds (4/5 have come) but then after that there’s a big drop-off and just 1/8 have come from any round outside of the top 3.

T14th: Ottawa 67s

Ottawa is a perfect 3/3 in rounds 2/3 but then are 0/6 in rounds 4-8.

T14th: Sudbury Wolves

Sudbury is by far the most conservative team in terms of drafting Americans and have only seen 1 come because of that (Samuelsson last year). Sudbury has not drafted an American in the first 4 rounds in over a decade.

16th: Mississauga Steelheads

The Steelheads are the only team who’s drafted an American in the first round but never had one come, and they drafted 2 Americans in round 1, just to see them both say no to them (Jack Hughes and Nick Ebert). Mississauga is a rare case where they struggle in the first 5 rounds (0/4) but then are better after that (2/3)

T17th: North Bay Battalion

North Bay has only taken sure things in terms of Americans in the first 4 rounds going 2/2 but then start to take swings after that, which has seen them go 1/9 in rounds 5-8.

T17th: Guelph Storm

Guelph has selected the 2nd fewest amount of Americans of any Western Conference team and are one of just 2 OHL teams who haven’t convinced an American player to come right away over the past decade.

19th: Peterborough Petes

The Petes do not have a good track record with Americans, going just 1/6 over the past decade. Their one successful pick was Nick Robertson, which is a VERY successful pick, although you could argue that wasn’t a very tough sell after his brother came to the OHL and the younger Robertson was already playing minor midget in Ontario as well.

20th: Owen Sound Attack

Over the past decade the Owen Sound Attack have had the worst track record with Americans, convincing just 1 of their 13 picks to come (Mack Guzda).