Making the playoffs was a bonus for this young, growing core. With another year of experience,
Sudbury continues to trend upward but there will still be some growing pains and the added pressure
from the fan-base to build on last season’s success. Are these young Miners up to the task??
Kehler Cup odds: 35-1
Key Additions: Evgeni Malkin, C; Nicklas Backstrom, C; Ivan Provorov, D; Jake Muzzin, D
Key Departures: Wayne Simmonds, W; Anthony Mantha,W; Christian Dvorak, W
The Sudbury Miners ended their 2018-19 season with a 42-28-12 record, good for 5 th in the
Canosa Conference and in the process, locked up their first playoff berth in franchise history. Despite
getting bounced in 5 games by the Springfield Isotopes, the Miners were very pleased with the season as a whole. Many of their young players took a step forward gaining valuable ice-time and experience as they chased a playoff berth. But, now pressure begins for the Miners. With the unexpected playoff berth, the Miners are now seen as playoff contenders instead of a rebuilding franchise. This rabid fan-base will not be as patient when it comes to a lack of playoff success.
UP AND COMING PLAYER TO WATCH
Highly touted winger, Timo Meier is looking to build upon his first full season in the CCHL. He
has the offensive skills and creativity to become one of the Miners most productive players. He is slated to start on the first line with the newly acquired Evgeni Malkin, and the hope is that these two skilled players can lead the Miners attack. It is not unreasonable to expect 30 goals from Meier this season.
WHAT A SUCCESSFUL 2019-20 SEASON WOULD LOOK LIKE
At this point last year, if you would have asked their fans, most would have probably been
happy with a .500 season. But, given their unexpected results from last year, it seems that simply
contending for the playoffs this year may not be enough. This fan-base is hungry for a winner. Winning a playoff round, or maybe even two while continuing to develop a younger talent base, would have to make one think that the season would be a success. Remaining at status quo doesn’t appear to be a favourable option.
BIGGEST REMAINING QUESTION
Ideally, the hope in Sudbury is that their young players can continue to grow and develop with the help of some veteran off-season acquisitions. If that happens, Sudbury stands to improve upon last year’s record, and with a little luck may even taste some postseason success. But what if they don’t or worse, they regress? If that is the case, then the fans can expect another sled-dog fight to make the postseason in the Nickel City.
PREDICTION: 3rd in Canosa Conference.
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