The QMJHL has a January 6th trade deadline, but an always interesting trading period that officially opens December 18th. Several deals have been reported and will be made official on the 18th. As for the OHL and the WHL, a January 10th trade deadline is in place.
Here are a few names that you may see moved over the course of the holidays.
10. Anthony Cirelli and Mitchell Vande Sompel (Oshawa Generals)
The Oshawa Generals are in a tough spot, leading the OHL’s Eastern Conference, but also with their sights set on hosting the 100th edition of the Mastercard Memorial Cup in 2018. While it is unlikely either player will be back with the Gennies next season, there is a one-time opportunity to cash in on assets that will definitely be around to make the Gennies a worthy Cup host, usually the most important element of winning the bid to host. The duo would be higher on the list if the Generals weren’t in the mix to host the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup.
9. Zak Zborosky (Kootenay Ice)
On pace for career highs in all categories, Zborosky brings grade A goal-scoring ability to the table. As of writing, he sits second in the WHL with 23 goals in just 34 games played. The Ice will be in tough to make the playoffs, so it’s all about re-building for the future and moving Zborosky would go a long way into bringing a package of futures back in return.
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8. Stephen Desrocher (Kingston Frontenacs)
Desrocher has Mastercard Memorial Cup experience. He has size, moves pucks well and a good shot from the point. Being an overager means it will have to be a perfect fit for the team that nabs him, or it may also precipitate a series of moves in order to fit him in. The Maple Leafs prospect has underperformed offensively, but the tools are there.
7. Yakov Trenin (Gatineau Olympiques)
Being an import player definitely limits the destinations where Trenin can land. He’s a cinch for a contending team with an open import spot (Rouyn-Noranda) but his game is so well-rounded that he could also be acquired as an import upgrade. This is a perfect time for Gatineau to turn the page on the Benoit Groulx era as Trenin will net a solid return.
6. Cameron Askew (Moncton Wildcats)
Askew is on a Moncton team that’s had good success in recent years, but it’s time for a rebuild and owner Robert Irving isn’t patient when it comes to his team’s performance. Askew is a shade under a point per game player over the last season and a half. He adds size and offence and likely one more year as an overager which should up his value.
5. Ty Ronning (Vancouver Giants)
Like Tyler Benson, Ronning has seen just about everything in his time as a Giant. His speed and goal-scoring ability would be highly coveted by any team trying to add offence and play an up-tempo style of game. Giants GM Glen Hanlon has two big pieces to deal that could instantly shape the franchise in his mould.
4. Tyler Benson (Vancouver Giants)
A change of scenery might serve both parties well. Benson is playing the best hockey of his WHL career so the time is right for Vancouver to capitalize on the Oilers prospect. At over a point per game for the first time in his career, Benson is a pass-first guy, but still extremely dangerous as a shooter. There will be several suitors for Benson’s services because of his and size and skill.
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3. Luke Green (Saint John Sea Dogs)
The first overall pick in the 2014 QMJHL draft has had a mediocre season in Saint John. The Sea Dogs are poised to make a run and have several good pieces in place, but moving Green, even at below market value should allow the Dogs to shuffle the deck while still remaining a top Q contender.
2. Julien Gauthier (Val d’Or Foreurs)
The Foreurs have had a good run, including a trip to the Mastercard Memorial Cup in 2014. But, the cyclical nature of the CHL has caught up to Val d’Or and nobody knows that better than veteran Head Coach Mario Durocher. Under his guidance, Hockey Ops Directors Pascal Daoust and Dominic Couture will be able to exact a price as big as Gauthier himself. With speed and goal-scoring ability, he would add instant offence to any team’s top six forward group.
1. Mitchell Stephens (Saginaw Spirit)
His name has been on the block since the season started. A bad start by Saginaw has been somewhat mitigated by an eight-game point streak lately, but the Spirit still sits second last in the Western Conference. Stephens’ 200-foot game plays anywhere, anytime. He also brings leadership, world junior pedigree and the ability to add secondary offence.
