The trade deadline is over in the CCHL and there was a flurry of trades (and yes Fleury was also traded). The Icecats traded away a couple of veterans that signaled a retooling of a team that was considered a contender for the Kehler Cup at the start of the season.
The frustrations of a tough season wore us down and it was time to acknowledge that the season was over. This would not be the season that the Icecats win their first championship in franchise history. Heck, we may not even make the playoffs. We did set ourselves up to come back stronger next year.
By trading Ryan Johansen and Justin Williams, we cleared nearly $11 million in salary this year and $8 million next year. We also gained some young players who can contribute immediately next year and more pieces for the future. In Alexander Alexeev, we get a high caliber dman, which softens the loss of Quinn Hughes earlier this year. Danault is in line to take over the 3rd line C duties from Johansen for this year and next. Donskoi can play 3rd line RW or come in and sub.
The core of the team is intact. McDavid, Bergeron, Nuge, Stone, Palmieri, Ehlers, Burns, Parayko, etc. With the additions of key young players, next season such as likely rookie of the year runner up Rasmus Dahlin, Miro Heiskanen, Andreas Johnsson, Lucas Wallmark, Oskar Lindblom and others, the Icecats have plenty of youth to infuse or trade to make a run for the cup next season. We have not been shy to swing big deals to bring in big names to go for it.
All in all, the future is still bright in Siberia (but still darn cold! ), but the wait is now for next season.
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