2022/23 OHL Preview Part 1 - Eastern Conference

The start of the 2022/23 OHL season is right around the corner. That means it is time to make some predictions and to preview each conference. 

First up is the Eastern Conference. I don't think we head into the year with a clear cut favourite. However, I do see two clear tiers. I see a top tier with Barrie, Hamilton, Peterborough, North Bay, and Mississauga. And I see a second tier with Ottawa, Niagara, Kingston, Oshawa, and Sudbury. Within those tiers, I think we could see anything happen. I'll try to describe this in greater detail in the team write ups.

1. Barrie Colts (Central Division Champs)

Yeah it's preseason, but we've seen how explosive this offense is going to be this season. There are certainly some questions...like will captain Brandt Clarke be back? How will they sort out their OA situation? But this team is returning among the highest number of goals scored of any OHL team this year and that always bodes well for success. I have confidence in new starting netminder Anson Thornton being a competent starter. They have a solid defense, even without Clarke. And their forward unit is three lines deep. If all three end up returning, the Colts could ice an all OA line of Cardwell, Vierling, and McDonnell, which could be fantastic. I expect Hunter Haight and Beau Jelsma to take nice steps forward this year too. Since I'm predicting the Colts to finish first...I do think that Brandt Clarke will return. I think he certainly gets some games in with the Kings, but given the Kings' young prospect depth, they can afford to be patient with him. Let him return to the OHL for another year to dominate, which I think he would do upon coming back.   

 

2. Peterborough Petes (East Division Champs)

The Petes seem to be the sexy pick right now as the top favourite in the East. And I can get on board with that. There is lots to like. This team's forward group is lightning quick. Bringing in Connor Lockhart was a great trade for them. The Petes will have no trouble putting pucks in the net as their forward group is as deep as any in the league. Jax Dubois is a sneaky breakout candidate. He's someone I was impressed with late in the year last season and he could be a big net front presence for them. But I am a little concerned with the team's ability to keep pucks out of their net. Michael Simpson was great in the preseason, which is very encouraging. However, traditionally, goaltending stats and performance in the preseason has meant very, very little. One of the real keys here is the progression of Donovan McCoy IMO. If he can elevate his play with the puck and become a strong offensive presence, it would help the Petes significantly. I think that there is also no question that this team will be all in to win this year which means making the necessary moves to put them over the top as division champs.

3. North Bay Battalion

Just a really well balanced team. Returning import Matvey Petrov should have another terrific year and the Battalion have some really nice depth at the forward position after drafting well in recent years. Obviously, there are some questions. Can Liam Arnsby take that next step as an offensive player? Can McDonald and Jackson be impact OA's? How good will Justin Ertel be? But this team has the makeup of one that will be difficult to play against. When you combine that with a solid defense and a good starting goaltender (DiVincentiis), they should also be tough to score against. In particular, I look for Ty Nelson to have a nice bounce back year as he no longer has the pressure of being a draft eligible player hanging over his head. 

4. Hamilton Bulldogs

This team still has to figure out what to do with all of their OA's, but if everyone ends up coming back, a trio of Logan Morrison, Avery Hayes, and Gavin White would be among the best OA groups in the entire OHL. Heck, even if the Stars put White in the AHL, or Hayes/Morrison sign in the AHL, George Diaco and Mark Duarte are still good options. Not to mention returning starting netminder Marco Costantini. But I do half expect Costantini to be dealt, ushering in the Drobac era. I've seen quite a few preseason predictions that have the Bulldogs near the bottom of the East and I just don't get it. This team still has a ton of talent. Ryan Winterton should be due for a massive breakout (if he can stay healthy) and they have a bunch of other high end 03's who should be able to handle more responsibility. Of course, if by some terrible luck all of Morrison, Hayes, and White all stick in the pros, and Winterton gets injured again, this could become a rebuilding year quickly. But as is, I think that gets delayed one more year.

5. Mississauga Steelheads

Much like the Petes, the Steelheads should have no trouble scoring goals. But I am a little concerned with their ability to prevent them. Swiss netminder Alessio Beglieri was brought in to be the starter and he could very well be excellent in that role. But it's a gamble. I also really liked the Steelheads bringing in Isaac Enright this offseason to give Del Mastro, Chas Sharpe, and Charlie Callaghan some help in the top four. But how much will the losses of Larsen and Holm be felt? This is no longer a massive, smothering defensive unit. They will have to change the way they play. However, as mentioned, we've got some fantastic options up front. The Luca Del Bel Belluz, Owen Beck, and Luke Misa combination down the middle is incredible depth. The team really needs a few wingers to step up and take that next step to support James Hardie. Lavoie? Vecchia? Uberti in his OA year? There are options. 

6. Ottawa 67's

I'm probably most worried about this prediction of any in this Eastern Conference write up. A lot would have to go right for the 67's to finish 6th. But, I think they have a few things going for them. The first is being in an easier division of the other "second tier" East teams that I mentioned. The second is that I really like the young make up of this team. The defense is young, but talented. I think Jack Beck has a monster season and that Tyler Boucher can be a consistent difference maker. They will be competitive and tenacious up front. Max Donoso is one of the most underrated netminders in the OHL too. The real question is, can the 67's get strong play down the middle? Can Cameron Tolnai take that next step as a top flight center in his OA year? Is Vinzenz Rohrer a center or will he be a winger (where he is better suited IMO). Will they continue to use Luca Pinelli down the middle as they have this preseason and can he excel in that role? Can someone like Gardiner or Barlas take that next step in their NHL draft years? I believe in this group.

7. Sudbury Wolves

Even with all the young talent on this roster, I think they're still a year away from being true competitors in the Eastern Conference. Bringing in the local (relatively) Joe Ranger to start was a savvy move. He was solid for the Steelheads last season and he should provide stable goaltending. I have made my love for Matthew Mania known on this blog and on social media and I expect him to have a big year on the blueline. On offense, I still think things will be wildly inconsistent. Musty will likely be up and down. Goyette too. The support pieces are all solid options too, but there's just that stability that is missing from the forward group. They will be very exciting to watch for NHL draft evaluators, but that doesn't always translate to on ice team success.

8. Niagara IceDogs

What a face lift for this franchise heading into the season. Tons of turnover here as Niagara made a ton of trades this offseason to bring in the likes of Pasquale Zito, Nolan Dann, Matthew Papais, and several others. What will the identity of this team be? It's really tough to say at this point. Is there someone on the roster who can step up and be a consistent difference maker? Is Pano Fimis ready for that role? What about one of the new additions? Can someone like Rodwin Dionicio take a huge step forward to become a top defender in the OHL? Will one of the three goaltenders on the roster become a quality starter? All three have the talent to be, that's for sure. However, as I stated, I just don't see the kind of star power needed to be at the top of the standings. 

9. Oshawa Generals

I think many people are expecting the Generals to be pretty bad this year. However, I actually think this team is better than many are claiming them to be. There is top end talent on this roster. The thing is...I think that rather than float in the middle, I see the Generals being sellers this year and that means trading away the likes of Brett Harrison and Lleyton Moore at some point. And because I see this second tier group in the East being so close, that would mean that Oshawa finishes the year a little more poorly. Even if they finish 9th, I don't think Oshawa is that far under .500. But building around the likes of Ritchie, Sennecke, and Danford just makes sense. 

10. Kingston Frontenacs

Someone has to finish last in the Conference. I think the best bet is Kingston. Look, Shane Wright could return and then a last place finish might not be in the cards. However, I also believe that if Wright returns, Kingston will deal him for a king's ransom in order to help accelerate their rebuild. There is some nice talent here. But like Oshawa and Niagara, I don't think there are truly enough play drivers. Of course, Paul Ludwinski could be this year's Wyatt Johnston. Ivan Zhigalov could steal the show in the crease. But more likely sees the team deal some quality veterans like Arcuri, Roger, Belanger, etc, in order to recoup assets spent to make runs the last few years.