Calgary
As written a few weeks ago, one of the strategies for the Hitmen at the deadline was to build for next year by trading some of their 19-year-olds. Before the deadline Calgary had 7 and would need to be down to the league mandated 3 before October 15th next season.
By moving Carsen Twarynski and Jordy Stallard the club is now down to 5 19-year-olds, goalie Cody Porter, defensemen Jayden Gordan, Brady Reagan and forwards Jakub Stukel, Matteo Gennaro.
The hockey club was also able to get younger in adding 18-year-olds Jake Kryski and Luke Coleman.
When you include the possibility of both Import players returning for next season (both are 17 years old), the Hitmen could have as many as 19 returning players.
The Hitmen have many games in hand over the teams ahead of them in the standings. This would allow them to still make a run at a playoff spot but now don’t have to wait until the off season to see what they could get in return for moving overagers.
Edmonton
Even though the Oil Kings are in a playoff spot and leading the WHL in attendance the club traded away over-agers Aaron Irving and Lane Bauer. The moves added 16-year-old Brett Kemp and 17-year-old Conner McDonald plus 1st, 2nd and 5th round picks. Many fans were disappointed that the management chose to have a couple of playoff games last year instead of making some late seasons moves with their older veterans, this year they may have been appeased.
The club will be in a battle until the end of the year to hang on to a playoff spot which was also a possibility before the trades.
Up to 21 players on the current roster could return next season.
Kootenay
As expected the ICE were able to add players and picks for Zak Zborosky and Matt Alfaro. New addition Colton Kroeker will be in position to be one of their overagers next season and 17-year-old Brett Davis will have the chance to be a top 6 forward as early as next season.
Kootenay also added 2nd and 4th round picks in 2018.
This May the club has an extra pick in the 4th round and 2 extra in the 5th round of the WHL Bantam Draft
Up to 21 players can return to the team next season and they will likely have another very high pick in the Import draft.
Lethbridge
The Hurricanes have 22 players on their roster and there are 11 who have been acquired in trades this season. In adding Matt Alfaro, Zak Zbrosky and Alec Baer, 3 of their 7 oldest players just joined the club this week. It may take some time to find team chemistry, luckly for them they have a healthy position in the standings and will be interesting to watch the rest of the season.
At most 17 current players can be on their roster next season.
Medicine Hat
Historically the Tigers aren’t big spenders at the deadline and even though they have one of the best records in the WHL that trend continued.
They already have a very veteran team with 10 19-year-olds on the roster and that means only up to 13 on their current roster will be wearing black and orange next season.
Before the injury to David Quenneville it felt as though the Tigers needed to add a defenseman and they went out and acquired Jordan Henderson.
They are a better club with Kristian Rubins in the line-up and are happy to have him back from the WJHC.
Red Deer
The Rebels were a part of a blockbuster at the deadline but it was them trading 18-year-olds Jeff de Wit and Josh Mahura to the Pats for 18-year-old forward Lane Zablocki and 16-year-old defenseman Dawson Barteaux. The deal also saw them add a couple of 1st round picks.
If the Rebels had really wanted to build for the future they could have made a splash in moving Adam Musil and/or Michael Spacek.
Red Deer currently occupies a playoff spot and this line-up should get them into the post season dance. They will not be an easy 1st round opponent.
They have 25 players on the roster and up to 21 can be with them next season.
