cvandenberg22
Registered User
- Dec 25, 2012
- 104
- 52
OHL Future Watch: London Knights
London is always competitive and rebuilds quickly because of their astute management, drawing power, track record as an NHL factory, destination for top Euro players and an ability to draft hard to sign players and get them to report. Because of this surplus, they are able to trade depth or surplus players to franchises such as Flint and accumulate additional 2nd or 3rd round picks. This season is no exception.
Forwards
Connor McMichael (2001, C) was a huge return on the Robert Thomas trade, which netted Hamilton an OHL title. He will be arguably the best player in the OHL if he returns from Washington, and was a key member of this year’s World Junior team. Luke Evangelista (2002, LW) and Antonio Stranges (2002, RW) will help fill the holes left by the departures of Gruden and Foudy and should be drafted in the top 2 rounds of this summer’s NHL draft. Nathan Dunkley (2000) and Billy Moskal (2000) are centres that are overage candidates to provide leadership for some of their younger players. The trade of Matvei Guskov (2001, LW) to North Bay points towards a high profile Euro that they have their eyes on. They have a number of young forwards who need to step up into more prominent roles such as big Stuart Rolofs (2003, LW), Max McCue (2003, LW), Sahil Panwar (2002, LW), Sean McGurn (2003, C) and OHL picks Ben Bujold (2004, C), Landon Sim (2004, C) and Brody Crane (2004, LW). If they can get some of their American lottery tickets like Frank Nazar (2004, C) and Liam Gilamrtin (2003, LW) to report to London then their forward unit will get even stronger.
Defense
Hunter Skinner (2001, RD), a 4th round pick of the NY Rangers and an invitee to the US Summer Showcase for their 2021 World Junior Team anchors the D. If Alec Regula (2000, RD) returns as an overager, he instantly solidifies the top 4 of their D. Kirill Steklov (2002, LD) is a big, steady defenseman who will be drafted this summer in the NHL draft. Gerard Keane (2002, RD) is ready to take a step forward and fulfill some of the promise that was expected when they drafted him in the 3rd round of the OHL draft in 2018. Logan Mailloux (2003, RD) is going to make a big impact this season after he was allowed to develop last season. Bryce Montgomery (2002, RD) and Ben Roger (2002, LD) are young, lanky defensemen who will provide depth, as well as highly touted 2nd rounder Jackson Edward (2004, LD). Watch for Isaiah George (2004, LD) to follow a similar path as Mailloux this season. If Regula doesn’t report, expect a trade for an experienced overage defenseman to fortify this unit.
Goaltenders
Brett Brochu (2002) was a revelation last season and is one of the goalie invitees for the Summer World Junior Evaluation camp. He is a steadying influence behind the D and the players have a tremendous amount of confidence in his abilities. Cameron Smith (2003) is an option as a backup. Don’t be surprised if the Knights look for a veteran goalie as a backup, especially with the possibility that Brichu may be playing in the World Juniors this holiday season.
Draft Capital
London has a 2nd round pick each year from 2021 to 2023 and they have 2 in 2025. They have 2 3rd round picks the next two seasons and possibly ones in 2021 and 2023 once Guskov officially reports to North Bay. In short, they have set themselves up to make some moves before the season or at the deadline to shore up any holes. Who they are able to select in the CHL Euro draft will also be key to fortifying their top 2 lines.
In conclusion, London will once again be a major contender for the OHL title. They also have the means and young players to add at the deadline to take a run at a Memorial Cup bid. How strong they are depends on the return of Connor McMichael and possibly Alec Regula on the back end.
London is always competitive and rebuilds quickly because of their astute management, drawing power, track record as an NHL factory, destination for top Euro players and an ability to draft hard to sign players and get them to report. Because of this surplus, they are able to trade depth or surplus players to franchises such as Flint and accumulate additional 2nd or 3rd round picks. This season is no exception.
Forwards
Connor McMichael (2001, C) was a huge return on the Robert Thomas trade, which netted Hamilton an OHL title. He will be arguably the best player in the OHL if he returns from Washington, and was a key member of this year’s World Junior team. Luke Evangelista (2002, LW) and Antonio Stranges (2002, RW) will help fill the holes left by the departures of Gruden and Foudy and should be drafted in the top 2 rounds of this summer’s NHL draft. Nathan Dunkley (2000) and Billy Moskal (2000) are centres that are overage candidates to provide leadership for some of their younger players. The trade of Matvei Guskov (2001, LW) to North Bay points towards a high profile Euro that they have their eyes on. They have a number of young forwards who need to step up into more prominent roles such as big Stuart Rolofs (2003, LW), Max McCue (2003, LW), Sahil Panwar (2002, LW), Sean McGurn (2003, C) and OHL picks Ben Bujold (2004, C), Landon Sim (2004, C) and Brody Crane (2004, LW). If they can get some of their American lottery tickets like Frank Nazar (2004, C) and Liam Gilamrtin (2003, LW) to report to London then their forward unit will get even stronger.
Defense
Hunter Skinner (2001, RD), a 4th round pick of the NY Rangers and an invitee to the US Summer Showcase for their 2021 World Junior Team anchors the D. If Alec Regula (2000, RD) returns as an overager, he instantly solidifies the top 4 of their D. Kirill Steklov (2002, LD) is a big, steady defenseman who will be drafted this summer in the NHL draft. Gerard Keane (2002, RD) is ready to take a step forward and fulfill some of the promise that was expected when they drafted him in the 3rd round of the OHL draft in 2018. Logan Mailloux (2003, RD) is going to make a big impact this season after he was allowed to develop last season. Bryce Montgomery (2002, RD) and Ben Roger (2002, LD) are young, lanky defensemen who will provide depth, as well as highly touted 2nd rounder Jackson Edward (2004, LD). Watch for Isaiah George (2004, LD) to follow a similar path as Mailloux this season. If Regula doesn’t report, expect a trade for an experienced overage defenseman to fortify this unit.
Goaltenders
Brett Brochu (2002) was a revelation last season and is one of the goalie invitees for the Summer World Junior Evaluation camp. He is a steadying influence behind the D and the players have a tremendous amount of confidence in his abilities. Cameron Smith (2003) is an option as a backup. Don’t be surprised if the Knights look for a veteran goalie as a backup, especially with the possibility that Brichu may be playing in the World Juniors this holiday season.
Draft Capital
London has a 2nd round pick each year from 2021 to 2023 and they have 2 in 2025. They have 2 3rd round picks the next two seasons and possibly ones in 2021 and 2023 once Guskov officially reports to North Bay. In short, they have set themselves up to make some moves before the season or at the deadline to shore up any holes. Who they are able to select in the CHL Euro draft will also be key to fortifying their top 2 lines.
In conclusion, London will once again be a major contender for the OHL title. They also have the means and young players to add at the deadline to take a run at a Memorial Cup bid. How strong they are depends on the return of Connor McMichael and possibly Alec Regula on the back end.
