BY PATRICK KING
sportsnet.ca

Several storylines have emerged through the first half of the Canadian Hockey League season. With the league now on its holiday break, it’s the ideal time to look ahead at the burning questions for the upcoming months.

Will the Wildcats trade Brandon Gormley?

There’s been speculation the Moncton Wildcats will consider offers for 18-year-old defenceman Brandon Gormley.

The 13th overall pick in last June’s draft could be on the fast track to the National Hockey League, which means this could be his final season in junior. Gormley would have been a key component to Canada’s world junior team had it not been for an injury in the week leading up to the selection camp. Moncton, however, could go a round or two in the playoffs if they hold onto him, but they aren’t likely to challenge for the league title. Wildcats head coach Danny Flynn will undoubtedly find out how serious and taxing the injury will be before making his final decision. Since Gormley is perhaps a long shot at the NHL next season, it would make more sense for the Wildcats to hold onto him until at least this point next year.

Are the Kingston Frontenacs (finally) ready to contend?

Kingston Frontenacs fans can be excused for their cautious optimism. The Frontenacs boast one of the league’s top teams on paper, but aren’t exactly tearing the league apart. Kingston is behind both Ottawa and Oshawa in the East Division and isn’t even in line to get home ice if the playoffs were to start today.

The Frontenacs have never so much as been to a league final, and that streak appears as though it will remain intact. Potential is one thing, but realizing it is another.

How many sellers will there be in the WHL?

Most years, the Western Hockey League makes its headlines due to its lack of headlines. The biggest trade at last year’s deadline was the deal that sent Travis Hamonic to Brandon from Moose Jaw. The Wheat Kings were able to acquire Hamonic’s rights only because he suffered a long-term injury, one which Brandon could afford to wait out.

This year’s deadline should feature more deals, particularly from Eastern Conference teams. The Wheat Kings could still be at the forefront of all deadline dealing as the biggest fish could be forward Brayden Schenn.

Teammate Scott Glennie could also receive interest. With so many teams in the playoff race, the WHL may take a back seat in terms of deadline headlines to the other two leagues.

Which QMJHL team is the front-runner?

Very little separates the top teams halfway through this season.

Many predicted the Montreal Juniors and Saint John Sea Dogs would be in the running, but not as many were quick to anoint the perennial contender Québec Remparts in that same category. All three teams are atop their respective divisions heading into the break with only three points separating them. The Sea Dogs were the class of the league in the regular season a year ago, but were unable to overcome the Wildcats in the league final. There’s a lot to like about Saint John given their experience, balanced lineup and suddenly strong goaltending from former Brandon Wheat King Jacob DeSerres.

The Remparts and Juniors may need to be a little more active in the trade market to match the Sea Dogs’ talent level.

Will the Windsor Spitfires rebuild or reload?

The Spitfires became only the eighth team in junior hockey history to repeat as MasterCard Memorial Cup champions last May.

While a large core of players graduated, the team is overachieving this season. Windsor is fourth in the Western Conference and just seven points back of first-place Saginaw. Canadian world junior teammates Ryan Ellis and Zack Kassian were on the block, but it’s not a sure bet either or both will be moved. It’s not a stretch to say the Spitfires could add a few more pieces with the knowledge that a conference championship could be good enough to reach the national championship. But the smart money is on the Spitfires unloading and expediting the rebuilding.

Are the Portland Winterhawks still the cream of the WHL crop?

The Winterhawks are unquestionably, still the WHL’s top team. Portland ran out to such a quick lead to start this season that a lull at some point was almost inevitable. With so many players heading to the World Junior Hockey Championship next week, it’s somewhat excusable that some of the players may have been looking ahead.

Head coach and general manager Mike Johnston will get his group back on track when they return from Buffalo. Portland is the most dangerous team on paper and the front-runner to gain the WHL’s entry to Mississauga.

Will a QMJHL team relocate to Summerside?

Some media reports are linking the Lewiston MAINEiacs as a relocation possibility to Summerside, P.E.I., even as early as next season. Summerside is approximately two-to-three kilometers outside of the P.E.I. Rocket’s jurisdiction, meaning any move to the island’s second-biggest city couldn’t be nixed by the team that calls Charlottetown home. Rocket president and governor, Serge Savard Jr., said a second team on P.E.I. would spell doom not only for his team, but the other team as well.

Sometimes where there’s smoke, there’s fire. This situation could come to a messy resolution in the coming months.

Is Saginaw the team to beat in the OHL’s Western Conference?

The Western Conference is considered by many as being wide open this season. Saginaw is the only team that has dominated while Kitchener, Owen Sound and Windsor aren’t far behind. The Spirit made a big trade with Sudbury, acquiring John McFarland and Ben Chiarot. Saginaw should only be getting better by the trade deadline with many young, appealing players on the trade front.

How many WHL teams will bid for the Memorial Cup?

The Lethbridge Hurricanes proved it’s never too early to begin looking ahead at the next MasterCard Memorial Cup in WHL territory.

Shortly after the tournament concluded in Brandon, the Hurricanes threw their hat in the ring by declaring their intentions to host the 2012 tournament. But sources indicate the Hurricanes will have competition, and lots of it.

Nearly half the teams in the league are reportedly interested, including but not limited to Saskatoon, Prince George and Moose Jaw. This is a far cry from the last time the hosting rights were up for bidding in the WHL, when only Brandon, Kelowna and Everett entered the sweepstakes.