I am sure it comes as no surprise to anyone in the CCHL that the Loons did not have the patience to go through a long rebuild. One year of losing, worst in the CCHL losing, was more then enough for us. After tearing down our team and creating a strong farm system we were in a position where if our prospects developed properly we could have been competitive in 3 or 4 years... Nope... don't have the patience for that. I can say that we have hopefully learned from our mistakes. We resisted bringing in high priced players in the later stages of their primes for immediate, short term success. Instead, we targeted players in their early twenties that have yet to reach their big pay days. Over the past few weeks the Loons moved multiple prospects and decimated our 2022 and 2023 draft picks in order to create a core consisting of Eichel, McAvoy, and Werenski. As strong as that core seems to be, they need reinforcements. Our hope is that those reinforcements will come from what is left of our prospect pool. This upcoming season will be extremely important for Wahlstrom, Puljujarvi, Zegras and Oettinger. All four showed glimpses of developing into top players in the league. If at least 3 of the 4 can continue to improve the Loons can start focusing on making a run at the Kehler Cup.
Its almost Beniers time in Capeside!
After multiple emails, slack messages and trades the Loons will be able to draft Matty Beniers in this year's draft. Just a few months ago we bragged about a strong center group consisting of Eichel, Zegras, Rossi and Turcotte. We have since subtracted Rossi and Turcotte but are very excited to be able to add Beniers to Eichel and Zegras down the middle. Capeside also owns the 6th and 25th selections this year and have our sights firmly set on two players at those spots that hopefully will keep the Loons on top when and if we are able to get there.
More great news came the Loons' way early this week as Capeside was selected to host the 2021 CCHL draft. Word is that Matty Beniers is already here looking for a house with a view of the local creek here in Capeside. As mentioned on Twitter, the Potter B&B has been fully restored and will be available for any GM looking to make the trip to Capeside later this month. Rooms are going fast but thankfully the GMs of the Ice Cats and Millers have agreed to share a room while the Comets are taking the couch. I am sure that volunteering for the couch was not just to be a nice guy but a strategic move in order to be a part of any and all trade conversations that may take place in the B&B. We are on to you Max!
Just a few more weeks until we find out who will join Matty in this year's Loons draft class!
