Guelph Storm vie not to fall too far, stay in contention: OHL Burning Questions

Starting from the top of last season's standings, it is time for OHL Burning Questions. Here's the Coles Notes on the Guelph Storm.

Last season went like — The Storm were the irresistible force, checking off all the boxes on the bona fide juggernaut application form — 50 wins, 100 points, 300-plus goals and going five-five-five-five through the playoffs en route to the franchise's first title in 10 seasons. Then it ran smack into an immovable object in the Edmonton Oil Kings with some man-children in NHL first-rounders Curtis Lazar, Griffin Reinhart and Henrik Samuelsson, who could each turn pro this season. It was a bit of a bummer finish.

2013-14, by the numbers — 52-12-2-2, .794 point pct., 338 GF/189 GA. First, Western Conference. Beat North Bay 4-1 for J. Ross Robertson Cup; runner-up in Memorial Cup.

Drafted — C Robby Fabbri (St. Louis Blues, first round); C Jason Dickinson (Dallas Stars, first), LW Tyler Bertuzzi (Detroit Red Wings, second), RW Justin Auger (Los Angeles Kings, fourth), D Ben Harpur (Ottawa Senators, fourth), D Zac Leslie (Kings, sixth).

2015 NHL Draft watch — LW Adam Craivech and D Garrett McFadden enter their 17-year-old seasons after being spotted as rookies on a deep team.

1. How reasonable is it to think that the Storm will remain up with the leaders?

Put it this way: Guelph had four players (Bertuzzi, Dickinson, Fabbri up front, Harpur at the back) at Hockey Canada's summer development camp, which indicates there is still plenty in stock at the Sleeman Centre. Coach Scott Walker's team will not be as deep as it was a season ago when drafted players were sometimes working on the fourth line and third defensive pair, but Fabbri and Dickinson offer a great 1-2 punch as the centres. Bertuzzi is also out to see if he can sustain his playoff production across the gamut of a full schedule.

It goes without saying less depth means more opponents have more wherewithal to play a shutdown game; Guelph probably needs another potent stick. Some potential breakouts abound: Swiss sophomore Pius Suter evinced special ability whenever injuries or varying circumstances led to coach Scott Walker plugging him into the top six mid-game during the championship run. Guelph will also get a huge boost if Auger is returned for his overage season. With his 6-foot-7 frame and big shot, Auger fits the mould of the 20-year-old winger whom NHL teams sometimes opt to return to junior for an extra year of skating work; his skills could be a good compliment to the Bertuzzi-Fabbri duo. Rookie centre Tyler Boston also has strong potential.

The Storm has the material to stay up among the league's higher-scoring clubs. That will help win some 5-4 games.

2. Surely there will be some drop-off after bidding adieu to Matt Finn, Scott Kosmachuk, Zack Mitchell, Kerby Rychel, Ryan Horvat and Nick Ebert, et al.?

A team gets more credit for its intangibles when the tangibles are great; by all accounts, though, Toronto Maple Leafs-system bound Finn handled all aspects of being captain with aplomb. The defenceman was also at the head of a group that matured together.

How Guelph comes together will be the big variable for Walker, assistant coach Todd Harvey and GM Mike Kelly. Time will reveal the answer to that, but a team with two NHL first-rounders whose overages were all part of a title run should not lack of leaders.

On the blueline, Harpur and Leslie offer a first pairing that can push forward. Second-year Swiss import Phil Baltisberger also reported in better condition after being passed over in the NHL draft. The holdovers might have to take on extra minutes while Guelph coaches up its young D-men.

3. How does No. 1 netminder Justin Nichols respond while playing for a less stacked team?

That's not a question about Nichols' skills or experience. The 5-foot-9 'tender was in net for 54 wins last season. Merely highlighting that the goalie's habitat has changed is a tip-off Guelph should be still be good, but the circumstances might be less favourable. The Storm, more often than not, got to play from ahead, trailing after the first period just 12 times. It was outshot 24 times in the regular season, on the high side for an elite team; but it still had a .708 point percentage in those contests.

Goaltending should not be too big a problem for a team with a returning starter. The change in circumstances bears noting.

The Western Conference does not appear to beoverrun by powerhouses. Kelly has also recouped priority selections pick with two trades involving coveted forwards — the Hunter Garlent deal with Peterborough in December and the off-season move that involved sending 17-year-old Luke Kirwan's rights to Windsor — in case there needs to be a quick fix. The Storm could be in the hunt, but it might require selling off some of its future.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.