QMJHL: Wildcats looking to future but surviving well in present

The Moncton Wildcats might just be the best con artists in the QMJHL.

If you take a look at how competitive they are and where they currently rank in the standings you would never think the organization made a conscientious decision to give up a significant amount of talent to go younger at the trade deadline.

Moncton traded away two of their most valuable assets when they sent a pair of 19-year-old defencemen to a couple of teams that are fighting it out in the Telus East Division.

Brandon Gormley was sent to the Shawinigan Cataractes for the QMJHL rights to Michael Matheson and six draft picks. Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Daniel Milan was dealt to the Victoriaville Tigres for two skaters.

The Wildcats also moved fourth-year forward Olivier D'Aoust to the Gatineau Olympiques for a third-round pick in this year's QMJHL draft.

"We traded away two defenceman that have NHL contracts and a veteran forward to go with a younger team," said Moncton head coach Danny Flynn.

"As a result we are very raw on the blueline and probably one of the youngest teams in the league but we still manage to gain some ground and make head way."

Flynn points out that his core of remaining veterans have provided leadership and been instrumental in keeping pace in the very competitive Maritimes Division.

"The seven or eight older players that are here especially the Saulniers (Alex and Allain) have been real good leaders and competitors," Flynn said.

"The bulk of our scoring is done by one line so they see checking lines and top (defensive) pairs every game, especially on the road. They have been remarkably consistent despite the fact that teams concentrate on them."

The Wildcats resume their schedule on Friday night at home against the Acadie-Bathurst Titans after going three for three last weekend with road wins over Val d-Or, Rouyn-Noranda and Gatineau.

"Getting those wins and the six points during a tough road swing was a real confidence booster as we head down the stretch," Flynn explained.

As the QMJHL heads into its final month of the regular season the Wildcats will be focused on winning as many games as possible to secure a favourable playoff spot.

The 'Cats sit in 10th spot in the league with a 26-24-3-2 record. Moncton's main weakness this season has been their inability to score goals. After 55 games the Wildcats have the lowest offensive output of any of the teams in the 'Q' with just 157 goals.

The last place PEI Rocket ranks second with 170 goals followed by Val-d'Or (172).

"The key for us as the regular season rolls into the playoffs is to play sound two way hockey," Flynn explained.

"As we develop and gain experience we think we can manufacture more goals but until that unfolds it will be really important for us to be a team that is difficult to play and score against."

Eight of Moncton's thirteen remaining games will be played on home ice which could help them achieve their goal of climbing the standings.

The balance of their schedule also features several contests against some of the league's powerhouses including a pair of games versus the Quebec Remparts and Saint John Sea Dogs along with single matches facing the Shawinigan Cataractes and Victoriaville Tigres.

"Our goal from now to mid-March is to gain momentum, edge towards the eighth or ninth spot and prepare for the playoffs," Flynn said.

Mike Beasley is a QMJHL correspondent for Buzzing The Net (photo: The Canadian Press).