Mackinnon Prepares for a pressure packed season for a contender this year
There are many marquee talents in the QMJHL this year, and it seems to be an up year as a whole for the Quebec league, and things will get very competitive at the top with teams like Gatineau, Moncton and Blandsville-Boisbriand turning themselvese into contenders this off-season. Following up our standings preview, here is a look at the 10 players who will be the most valuable to their team next year. (under the assumption Huberdeau and Grigorenko are not returning)
#1 - Nathan Mackinnon, Halifax Mooseheads - Centre
Mackinnon is the backbone of a Mooseheads offence that is likely the strongest in the league. The pressure is on for Mackinnon this year, as he is the #1 ranked player the for 2013 NHL draft and has a full year of foolish Crosby comparisons ahead. Mackinnon is likely to be the leading scorer for the current QMJHL favourite Mooseheads and is an electrifying enough talent that there is not a defensive paring in this league strong enough to contain him. With other talent like Drouin, Frk and Abeltshauser also on the team the fact remains that there is no more valuable player in the QMJHL than him.
#2 - Ben Duffy, PEI Rocket - Centre
Duffy leads a PEI rocket team that was awful last year, into this season as one of the only bright spots the franchise have. The Rockets' all time leading scorer is a marquee talent who can create offence for his linemates and did so very well last year, putting up 82 points in 68 games on a weak Rockets team with a -115 goal differencial last year. The former 5th overall pick is ready to dominate the league offenseively, but it may not be for much on a Rockets team that has no players who had more than 50 points returning. The value of Duffy to the Rockets is huge, because if they choose to trade him they will receive a huge boost to their rebuilding efforts. The Rockets could also choose to keep him and try to contend, which is why there is no more pivotal player to a franchise than Ben Duffy.
#3 - Xavier Ouellet, Blainsville-Boisbriand Armada - Defenceman
Ouellet is primed for a big season this year, having been a dominant QMJHL defenceman the last three seasons now. The Red Wings second rounder has a big season coming up, wearing the "C" for the Blainsville-Boisbriand Armada who will be a contender this year. After a good off-season, last years West division-winning Armada will be a strong defensive team again this year, which means that Ouellet will have to lead one of the most defence-oriented teams in the league. Whether they contend or not will be largely in the hands of how arguably the best defenceman in the Q leads, and that is what makes him so valuable to the Armada.
#4 - Alex/ Allain Saulnier, Moncton Wildcats - Forward
I could not really differentiate these two, so I have them slotted as one player. Alex and Allain were almost the only creators of offence for a weak Wildcats team that lacked it heavily last year. That has changed this off-season, adding marquee talent through the import draft and through 'finishing' the Brandon Gormley trade with Shawinigan, trading back their picks for impact players. The twins are overagers this year, which means they should progress from last year, where they were amongst the most dangerous players in the league. If the Saulniers and the new additions can provide the offence to a strong defence in Moncton, watch for the Wildcats to be a powerhouse next year.
#5 - Martin Lefevbre - Quebec Remparts, Defenceman
With so many offensive weapons in Quebec this year, and a quality starter in Francois Brassard the Remparts only question mark lies on defence, where they are young and inexperienced. The Remparts so have Lefevbre though, who a a top-5 defenceman in the entire league heading into this season. He is likely to wear the 'C' for the Remparts and mentor young defencemen Duncan McIntyre and Ryan Culkin, while still being expected to quarterback the powerplay and play tough PK minutes. Lefevbre may not have a huge impact on how the Remparts do in the regular season, but if the post-season rolls around and Remparts have any troubles offensively, Lefevbre will be extremely important.
#6 - Zach O'Brien, Acadie-Bathhurst Titan - Centre
Zach O'Brien will be the leagues premier goal scorer this year, building upon last season where he led the league in goals with 50 in 68 games. O'Briens line of Bissonette-O'Brien-Trudeau carried the Titan last year to a season over .500, an impressive leap over last seasons expectations. The Titan acquired Brandon Hynes this off-season and their young defence corps will be one year older, so if O'Brien can continue to fill the net for the Titan, watch for them to be a surprise contender this year.
#7 - Anton Zlobin, Val d'Or Foreurs - Left Wing
Zlobin had an awesome year for Shawinigan last year, putting up 76 points in 66 games on an offensively deep team. Zlobin was Shawinigans go-to guy up front and scored the Memorial Cup winning goal. This off-season he was traded to Val d'Or for picks, and will be expected to help the Foreurs compete this season. The Foreurs were not really close to competing last season, so it will be interesting to see how much farther Zlobin can push them.
#8 - Etienne Marcoux, Blainsville-Boisbriand Armada - Goaltender
Marcoux has this season with a strong team in front of him to solidify himself as one of, if not the best goalie in the league heading into his draft year. Last season, Marcoux was a top tier goalie posting a .912 SV% and 2.71 GAA while going 28-9-3. The Armada will be contending this year and cannot afford to have Marcoux underperform. If he can bring his 'A' game consistently, the Armada will give teams like Halifax and Quebec a run for their money this year.
#9 - Tomas Hyka, Gatineau Olympiques - Left Wing
Hyka was an outstanding Euro selection by the Olympiques, turning heads last year as a QMJHL rookie. He was one of their only offensive catalysts and looked a step ahead of most defenders. After some serious reloading this off-season, the Olympiques are ready to compete again with Hyka leading the offensive charge. Hyka will help fellow Euro Martin Reway adjust to North American hockey and will be expected to build on his 1.28 PPG last year.
#10 - Zach Fucale, Halifax Mooseheads - Goaltender
Zach Fucale was the biggest overachiever in the QMJHL last year. As a 16 year old goalie, he made the Mooseheads as the back-up and suceeded an injured Anothony Terenzio, going on to break the QMJHL record for wins by a 16 year old with 32. Fucale is known for his rebound control and incredible speed and poise for a young goaltender. He was also co-MVP of the Mooseheads last year and will need to keep up his excellent play to ensure the Mooseheads are able to contend this year.
Honorable Mentions -
Phillipe Danault - Danault will either carry and lead a weak Tigres roster or be traded at the deadline, jump starting their rebuild.
Charles Hudon - Hudon will be the Sags best player this season, and will be expected to dominate the QMJHL offensively
Anthony Duclair - Duclair appears to be the Remparts foremost offensive player heading into a season where they need to score in bunches.
William Carrier - The Screaming Eagles offence will rely heavily on draft-eligible Carrier to produce.
No comments:
Post a Comment