EAST:
1> Ottawa
- They have a pretty easy schedule to run out the season. With a current seven point lead, I cannot see them relinquish that. I’d be surprised if they lost five games the rest of the way.
2> Nagara
- Maybe not the most screwed deadline deals, they did acquire significant talent. I’m not sold on their defense and goaltending to be considered ELITE but they will be good enough to win their division slightly ahead of UPL and the Wolves.
3> Sudbury
- UPL will keep them in games, all games. Will they ride him hard the rest of the way to get the 3rd seed and fight for the division? If they do, he will tire and maybe not be as fresh come playoffs.
4> Oshawa
- If Sudbury is smart and they give UPL the rest he needs, Oshawa is still strong enough to wrestle away the 3rd seed. Strong deadline moves keep them in position while looking after the future.
5> Peterborough
- Strong in net and relatively solid all around. The Petes are a team that will always give a tough game to their opponents. They may not stack up against the top teams in the league but they will get their fair share of wins.
6> North Bay
- Strong front line scoring led by Brazeau. I don’t think that will be enough to get them to the 5th seed. They are right there with the Petes.
Rest is a crap shoot....
7> Hamilton
8> Mississauga
9> Barrie
10> Kingston
WEST:
1> London
- In tough with SSM but I don’t think they will relinquish that lead. Obviously not a strong deadline holding only two cards but they did well considering.
2> Sault Ste. Marie
- Although Saginaw did make some decent deadline moves, I can’t see SSM relinquishing their division lead.
3> Guelph
- They looked at their chips, looked at their opponents and said, “ALL IN.” They quite possibly rewrote the book on deadline acquisitions. They took advantage of a weak priced market and went to town. They may surge but not enough to catch London.
4> Saginaw
- Some predictable deadline moves. They are stronger. I sort of expected a bit more though. I don’t know if this deadline for them was a disappointment or not. They participated but seemingly only half hearted. I think that franchise needed the injection of a stronger deadline. I think, even after those moves, they are our Round Two which is a waste.
5> Windsor
- Didn’t really do a selloff. They’ve pretty much been rolling with the same team minus DiPietro all season. That should bode well in the standings and give them the 5th seed
6> Sarnia
- Like Winsdor, they pretty much held the course. They’ll let the chips fall where they fall.
7> OWen Sound
- Mass exodus. Did they get enough back to stay in the playoffs? I think so.
8> Kitchener
- Some predicted a sell off but one real trade. They work hard.
9> Erie
- They will make it tough for Kitchener but in the end, Kitchener has the better tools.
10> Flint
- UMMM, Yeah.
