2021/22 OHL Season Preview: Eastern Conference

The good news? The OHL is back! The bad news? The year long hiatus has made it even harder than usual (and it is usually already extremely difficult) to offer predictions for the league. There are so many variables at work here; two years of rookie and import crops, uncertainty surrounding OA situations (due to many teams having an abundance), a lack of star goaltending talent, and general unpredictability regarding the usual development of young hockey players.

 

I think most see four teams in the East as preseason contenders; Kingston, Barrie, Hamilton, and Oshawa. Those teams have veteran talent and should be safe bets to perform well. Ottawa, Peterborough, and Mississauga are probably the three teams fighting it out at the bottom. Then the rest fall in the middle. 

 

1. Kingston Frontenacs (East Division Champs)

I'm a little worried about the team's defensive depth and lack of a true top pairing type who can be an anchor. Jake Murray, Lucas Peric, and Braden Hache are good defenders, but I am not convinced any are dynamic minute eaters at this point in their development. The good news? Finnish import netminder (and Ottawa Senators prospect) Leevi Merilainen appears to be for real and he should be one of the best goaltenders in the league this year. Combine that with an offense lead by the exceptional Shane Wright and you have a recipe for success; allowing them to cover up some possible defensive shortcomings. I expect Martin Chromiak to have a monster year playing alongside Wright. Paul Ludwinski and OA rookie Lucas Edmonds have looked fantastic this preseason, proving that they could possibly anchor that secondary scoring group. Quality depth at forward and terrific goaltending can carry you a long way in this league.

2. Barrie Colts (Central Division Champs)

There is no secret that the Colts are aggressively looking to improve their goaltending. This is a very strong team with few weaknesses...except in the crease. The issue is that the only high(er) end goalies available are OA's and the Colts already have a logjam of quality 2001's. They just brought in Mathew Sbrocca, but he's just as inexperienced as others in the fold. Until they figure out what to do in the crease, the team's quality defense (anchored by Brandt Clarke) should help to limit higher end scoring chances. This is going to be a very tough team to win battles against in the Barrie end. Offensively, there is a mix of veteran leadership like Ethan Cardwell, Evan Vierling, and Nicholas Porco (if they keep him), to go with some terrific "rookies" like import Oskar Olausson, Hunter Haight, and Beau Jelsma. This is going to be a really fun team to watch this season. Again, they just need to hang in early in the year.

3. Hamilton Bulldogs 

I think the Bulldogs are possibly the most well rounded team in the Conference on paper. They have depth at all positions and they have one of the strongest OA groups in the OHL this year (anchored by Tag Bertuzzi and Nathan Staios, along with a strong third OA that they will need to figure out). Between one of Costantini and Drobac (assuming Roy is an odd man out), the goaltending should be more than adequate. The forward group competes extremely hard and will bring a lot of physicality, in addition to skill. Expect Jan Mysak, Logan Morrison, and Tag Bertuzzi to have huge years in particular. Of course, Ryan Winterton is also a favourite of mine. The real wild card is Artyom Grushnikov. The Dallas Stars second rounder has been turning heads in Traverse City and he could be an immediate impact player and number one defender for the Bulldogs. If he can elevate this defensive group, they could truly challenge for the top spot in the Conference. Look for preseason breakout star Gavin White to have a big year on the backend too.

4. Oshawa Generals

While the overall depth of the Generals does concern me somewhat, their top end talent should shine through. Tullio, Harrison, and second overall pick Calum Ritchie will lead the way offensively. The club has a lot of options to fill in the gaps around them and if players like Ryan Gagnier or Ryan Stepien can have breakout years, Oshawa will be fine. Defensively, there "shouldn't be" any issues even with Mitchell Brewer stepping away.  Lleyton Moore and David Jesus will be strong veteran presences. OA goaltender Zach Paputsakis has a chance to be a contender for the OHL's top goaltender award (named for Jim Rutherford). This team's powerplay should be absolutely lethal with Moore working the point, Harrison working the net front, and Tullio/Ritchie controlling the half wall. The lack of offensive depth is the weak spot, but in the OHL, star players can carry you a long way and I see that happening with the Generals.

5. North Bay Battalion

I find the make-up of this team to be very interesting. They aren't the Battalion of old under Stan Butler. We're looking at a defense that can really move the puck and a forward group who can really skate. Ty Nelson will be looking to have a monster year in his draft eligible season. But Avery Winslow and Paul Christopoulos are terrific offensive blueliners in their own right and I think all three of these guys will have great seasons. I also think Joe Vrbetic has a good year in the crease, providing stability that allows the defense to take some chances. The question is, who can emerge as a go to playmaker for this Battalion team up front. Can Brandon Coe take that big next step forward? Will Liam Arnsby look better offensively as a now "veteran" player and someone in his draft year (as a late born 2003)? Can Dalyn Wakely, Matvey Petrov, Nic Sima, and Owen Outwater be impact rookies? Unlike some of the other top teams in the East, North Bay just doesn't seem to have that truly impactful forward and I wonder if they causes them to be more of a middle of the pack team.

6. Niagara IceDogs

This is a team that I think has a chance to be very exciting to watch, but because the majority of their top players are on the "younger" side, there are bound to be some growing pains and consistency could end up being an issue. That's why I have them as more of a middle of the pack team. San Jose Sharks pick Daniil Gushchin is a real wild card here though. Recently it was announced that he was being loaned to the OHL. After destroying the USHL the last few years, he could be one of the top offensive players in the OHL and someone who could elevate this team to a higher status. However, one does have to wonder if Niagara intends to use him as a trade chip at some point given their "rebuild" status. While I think we're all excited to see the Fimis, Castle, and Cooke line re-united (from the JRC), Jake Uberti is someone who I think is a key player for Niagara this season. If he takes that next step as a top line center, this team could be better than we think. I am also crazy excited to see Tucker Tynan play a full season in his return to the league following that gruesome leg injury. I love his athleticism and play tracking ability. OA's Mason Howard and Dakota Betts are also keys to the Dogs' success. 

7. Sudbury Wolves

The Sudbury Wolves' forward group excites me. They're young, but they're talented. Scouts are looking for David Goyette, Kocha Delic, and Evan Konyen to be key contributors in their draft eligible seasons. The New Jersey Devils are looking for Chase Stillman to be an offensive leader. Flyers pick Samu Tuomaala seems likely bound for Sudbury. And all eyes are on first overall pick Quentin Musty. This team will have the ability to score goals. But can they keep them out of their net? I not only have concerns over their goaltending, but also their defensive depth behind Jack Thompson and Liam Ross, even if I expect Thompson to be one of the best defenseman in the league this year. I think that there are just too many question marks outside of their strong forward group. If Sudbury struggles to play consistently, I would look for them to move Jack Thompson for a heavy bounty, allowing them to truly build around their terrific 2004 and 2005 groups.

8. Peterborough Petes

Honestly, the Petes should not be a bad team. Mason McTavish will lead a forward group that could be better than it looks on paper. JR Avon could have a big season fresh off signing an ELC with Philadelphia and Tucker Robertson could be a breakout star. They also have Nick Lardis and Sam Alfano ready for bigger roles. But their defense is only average and their goaltending is a bit of a question mark (like much of the league). If the Petes added a high end OA on the blueline heading into the year, I'd feel better about their situation and odds. But Shawn Spearing is the team's veteran presence and I'm not sure he is more than a solid stay at home number four in the league. The Petes have been due for a bit of a rebuild and if the team does struggle, they could likely deal McTavish for a massive haul that could really set this team up well for the future.

9. Ottawa 67's

I believe the obvious question mark regarding the 67's is...who will score? Jack Beck returns as the team's go-to offensive player (because Graeme Clarke will play in the AHL on an exemption) and he may not be ready for that role after being more of a support player previously. There are certainly some talented young forwards who have the potential to be strong OHL players (Tolnai, Sirizzotti, Barlas, Gaidamak, Pinelli, Stonehouse, etc), but there are just so many unknowns. The defense will be rock solid and the goaltending could be good if Will Cranley proves capable of being a starter. But without a ton of veteran leadership and a lot of question marks, the 67's are likely a bubble team. The coaching turnover also doesn't help with Dave Cameron taking over for Andre Tourigny. Cameron is a great coach, but it's just another wild card to throw into the mix.

 

10. Mississauga Steelheads

Someone has to finish last in the Conference. Look, I don't see this season being one where the two teams in the conference that miss the playoffs are absolutely terrible. The competition for those final few playoff spots will be tight and I don't see any team finishing below (or near below) the .400 winning percentage mark (similar to the 2013/14 season). So why Mississauga in last? Of all the teams in the East, their goaltending actually concerns me the most. And while I love the team's push to be as large as possible on the blueline, I'm also not sure if they'll be get things moving in transition as much as they want. Who quarterbacks that top powerplay unit? James Hardie will be hungry to have a big year to prove NHL scouts wrong. And he probably will have one. And there are some really talented young forwards in the group. But I do wonder about the scoring depth...at least consistently...behind Hardie. Is Luke Misa ready to step right in as a second line center (assuming Prueter takes the top line role)? Again though, tough year to make this type of prediction.