With free agency coming to a close and no picks til round 7, it seems like now is a good time to check in on the Loons before they head into hibernation for the summer.
Last year the Loons worked hard to keep the payroll down in order to get the team back in solid financial shape. Combine that with some expansion money and the Loons were able to use free agency to strengthen the roster. The Loons threw some cash at a couple of local guys in Brian Dumoulin and Johnathan Quick. Dumoulin gives the Loons another shutdown defenseman, boasting a showtime D rating of 90. Brian turns 31 later this year, making a 4 year deal a pretty safe bet for the Loons. Quick has seen a resurgence this past year and will provide the Loons with a mentor for Oettinger and a 1B in net. Riley Sheahan resigns for one more year to help the penalty kill and Martin Jones comes in on a 3 year deal to provide organizational goaltending depth at a reasonable $2m per.
Our biggest regret in free agency definitely was not gauging the market correctly when it came to Logan Thompson. After watching a lot of Vegas games this year Thompson was one of our top targets heading in. Knowing that as a young goalie Thompson at best was going to have average ratings - the Loons really thought we could steal him and have Logan at an affordable contract for years to come. Come to find out we are not as smart as we hoped and lost out by being too cocky. Lesson learned.
Even though the CCHL is in a trade freeze I am sure it is no shock to anyone that the Loons have made a series of trades. Even though some deals may not be official til later in the summer, State of the Loons has em! Coming to Capeside next year are Brandon Carlo, Cam York, Jonas Brodin, Brock Boeser, Jared McCann, Hampus Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli. Heading out of town are Werenski, TVR, F. Gaudreau, Gibson, Hot Dog Phil, Perreault and all of our good draft picks through 2024. Our roster remains full of players in their early to mid 20s with a few veterans sprinkled in. This has made moving draft picks possible and easier to swallow. The Loons should for the first time in our short history have some scoring depth to go along with a strong blue line. Even though we are still a year or two away from competing for the cup our two year playoff drought should come to an end this year - we hope!
Come September the Loons should line up like this
Kreider Eichel Boeser
McCann Zegras Toffoli
Farabee Hayes Garland
Sanford Sheahan Boldy
McAvoy Brodin
Carlson Dumoulin
Hanifin Carlo
Oettinger
Quick
And our updated top 10 prospects is not looking too great
1. Matty Beniers C
2. Ian Mitchell D
3. Drew Commesso G
4. Jack Rathbone D
5. Lucas Forsell RW
6. Henry Thrun D
7. Oscar Jellvik LW
8. Jakub Lauko LW
9. Jay O'brien C
10. Josh Lopina C
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