East
1 – Ottawa – I think they go all in this year in terms of willing to move young players. Decent stockpile of picks, some solid 02s to sweeten any trades if needed and a willingness to do so this time around.
2 – Sudbury – With Byfield it’s time to put all their chips on the table. Still have a few holes to fill but they will do what it takes to fill them.
3 – Peterborough – Decent picks, solid roster but a couple of holes to fill. Once they move Merkley they will add a few more picks or a mix of player(s) and picks. Like Sudbury I think they have to go all in and will be willing to do what it takes to get it done.
4 – Oshawa – Like last year they will be making a couple of sideways moves. They have a large stockpile of picks and players and with a few tweaks I think they could take it all this year but are likely focused on hosting next year. A couple of vets out for a couple of younger players and picks to load up next year.
5 – Barrie – A bounce back year for them.
6 – Mississauga – Better than the rest.
7 – Hamilton – They are starting to put together a solid young group and have a couple of players who will bring in decent returns while not hurting them much compared to the remaining teams in the conference.
8 – Kingston – Time to start turning things around after drafting Wright. They round out the playoffs in the East.
9 – Niagara – While they will miss the playoffs the big sell will come at the deadline so they will put up enough points to keep them out of last place.
10 – North Bay – Time to bottom out.
West
1 – Saginaw – I think they will get enough back, have solid assets and be willing to deal what they need to to get over the hump this year and take the conference which is in a bit of a transition year IMO.
2 – London – They have the assets and young players to deal to build up their young blueline with a solid forward group while still not hurting their chances to be at the top of the conference next year when the hosting duties return to the O.
3 – Flint – The drama is hopefully over, they have a large stockpile of picks and some very solid young talent. The fans want to see a winner after all they’ve been through and BB wants to be known as a GM who earned the job instead of just getting it through daddy. They should be making a big push.
4 – Kitchener – I think they are unsure of exactly what they are going to do. Fourth spot in the conference is there for the taking, they have a few assets, solid roster but do they want to go all in? I think they manage to get the fourth spot but they will be in a battle with three other teams to do it.
5 – Windsor – With this summer’s drama over, a very talented young group coming up, solid draft pick stockpile and some pieces that could be nice additions to other teams while adding a bit more to their picks this is a year where they turn it around in a big way. They could challenge for fourth in the conference or finish out of the playoffs depending on what their intentions are and if coaching can get things right. I see a couple of sideways moves that adds to the future without downgrading the lineup too much.
6 – Owen Sound – A team on the rise but looking still towards next year moreso than this year.
7 – Sault Ste Marie – They won’t miss the playoffs but they will be selling more than they are buying. Time to take a step back, refill the cupboard a bit and look to the future.
8 – Erie – Their core is still young but their vets are only complimentary players. I expect a big jump next year but this year they get a taste of the playoffs again and build around their kids.
9 – Sarnia – They are where Windsor was the last two years, kind of spinning there wheels. Some good young talent, some solid vets but not enough overall to get things done this year. I think they look to the future, move some vets and add some picks while letting the kids take over.
10 – Guelph – After going all in time to go full rebuild.
