North Bay Battalion have a tough act to follow: OHL Burning Questions

Starting from the top of last season's standings, it is time for OHL Burning Questions. For your consideration, the North Bay Battalion.

Last season went like — A honeymoon that seemed wonderful even though airline lost a bag on the flight home? The Battalion was hovering around .500 after an overtime loss in Ottawa on the first Saturday of 2014. Then it won 20 of its final 29 games to outpace rival Sudbury for the No. 2 playoff seed. It got more resolute and hard to play against as the playoffs unfolded, but just couldn't contain Guelph for a full 60 minutes during three close losses in the OHL final.

2013-14, by the numbers — 38-24-4-2, .603 point pct., 215 GF/187 GA. Second playoff seed, Eastern Conference. Lost 4-1 to Guelph in OHL final.

Drafted — D Kyle Wood (Colorado Avalanche, third round), RW Mike Adamio (Los Angeles Kings, third), C Nick Paul (Ottawa Senators, fourth*) D Miles Liberati (Vancouver Canucks, seventh).

2015 NHL Draft watch — LW Brett McKenzie will have a larger role after contributing to the playoff run; 17-year-old D Riley Bruce is already 6-foot-6 and 207 pounds.

1. Who replaces the departed scoring and leadership?

Departed captain Barclay Goodrow ("he did all the things you needed to do") was some kind of force last season as he worked to earn that San Jose Sharks contract, was he not? North Bay also had the luxury of having a second 20-year-old forward with a reasonable pro future after a swap for New Jersey Devils prospect Ben Thomson. Their size and speed made them a handful, especially in the playoffs.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Paul, who in three seasons has gone from being passed over in the OHL priority selection draft to being hyped to Ottawa Senators beat writers, is the leading returning scorer. Coach and director of hockey operations Stan Butler is also trying a plug-and-play with the import slots, airlifting in 6-foot-5 wing Hampus Olsson to join fellow 19-year-old Swede Alex Henriksson. The Battalion will still have many of the pieces essential for playing Butler's system, which emphasizes forechecking and forcing foes into frustration-fuelled foul-ups.

2. How will the continuity on the blueline carry over into the new season?

Six of the seven regulars from the OHL runners-up return, including presumptive captain Marcus McIvor and fellow overage Brenden Miller, who was given more licence to roam offensively in the playoffs and came through with 20 points in 21 games. Additionally, perhaps the most underplayed Battalion story was probably how the 6-foot-5, 217-pound Wood grew into his role as a shutdown defender during the critcal stages of the season, which was recognized when the Avalanche drafted him in June.

Keeping that group healty and engaged could be important early on until the Battalion identify their go-to scorers. Five-foot-11 goalie Jake Smith, who had a career-defining run in the spring, is now partnered with 6-2 rookie Evan Cormier.

3. How essential is a more proficient power play?

North Bay, thanks to its strengths in so many other areas, got away with being least efficient team with the extra skater at 15.7 per cent. (It was fourth in penalty killing.) The power play improved in the playoffs (19.0%) in the post-season when a rising tide raised all areas of the club's game. The departures of Goodrow (who scored 10 of the team's 45 power-play goals) and Praplan should open up opportunities for the likes of Amadio and McKenzie, who scored 13 goals as a rookie while paying his dues as a bottom-six forward. Paul also had five power-play tallies during the playoff run as he gained confidence in his shot, which is a small part of why he has gone from unknown to Team Canada candidate.

So, to answer the question, a better power play would help but it didn't prove to be a great downfall last season. The Battalion play so many low-goal games as it is.

Ultimately, the Battalion might be due for a step back. It is coming off a season where it lived on the margins, flirting with regulation in the first round and going on to outplay much more potent Guelph for long stretches of the final. It is, however, a proven commodity that is always good for a respectable finish and a playoff berth.

(* Paul was originally drafted by the Dallas Stars.)

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