They could be without 5 of their 8 top scorers from last season. Not trying to take away from the kids we have down there, but there could be an adjustment period, especially to start the year.
That's true but their goaltending is settled now (it wasn't very good in the beginning of last season), as is the first year coach adjustment. They might also be adding Lajoie for a big chunk of the season if he doesn't make the big club.
I assume you are talking about Wolanin, Batherson, Balcers, Brown and one of Chlapik/Paul?
Wolanin might be here full-time, but that means Brannstrom is in Belleville. So that kind of evens itself out, maybe even a slight win to Belleville for that.
Belleville was without Balcers down the stretch and was playing pretty well, they have Abramov and maybe Davidsson to cushion that loss.
Batherson is a big loss for sure, not gonna lie.
Brown I can't see being in Ottawa full time, he'll get a good look at some point for sure though.
For Chlapik or Paul I don't think that's anything Belleville can't surmount, kind of like the Balcers loss, by committee I see them making up for it. I realize that they both produced well.