Oshawa Generals, the East’s darkhorse? OHL Burning Questions

With the OHL season beginning next week, BTN taking an early look at each team in reverse order of last season's standings.

Oshawa Generals

In 2011-12 — 31-30-4-3, 69 points; eighth, Eastern Conference. Lost 4-2 to Niagara IceDogs in first round.

Final Dynamic Dozen ranking — 15th OHL, 40th CHL.

Drafted — C Scott Laughton (Philadelphia Flyers, first round), RW Tyler Biggs (Toronto Maple Leafs, first), C Boone Jenner (Columbus Blue Jackets, second), LW Lucas Lessio (Phoenix Coyotes, second), G Daniel Altshuller (Carolina Hurricanes, third), D Colin Suellentrop (Philadelphia Flyers, fourth).

Draft watch* — Six-foot-five rookie backup G Ken Appleby; C Cole Cassels.

1. How much of the Windsor swagger can rookie head coach D.J. Smith impart to the Gens?

The Generals have been called a "big, chippy team" during the preseason. They have been among the top three most penalized teams for the past two seasons, so that it isn't a surprise. It's all in the attitude, though. Smith was part of those successful Windsor Spitfires teams which needed to have extra fabric in the jerseys to accommodate having chips on both shoulders, but never strayed too far into being undisciplined. The Generals' leaders up front are Jenner and Laughton, who were prized by their NHL organizations for being grim, give-no-quarter players. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Biggs also gives the Generals a big winger with a Zack Kassian body type, although the former Miami of Ohio RedHawk will need some time to adapt to junior.

2. But one shouldn't sugarcoat the loss of two of their best individual talents, correct?

New York Rangers second-rounder Christian Thomas, now 20, and Vancouver Canucks first-rounder Nicklas Jensen, who's trying his luck in Sweden, did provide a certain dynamic element to Oshawa's attack. Lessio, who played in the Canada-Russia challenge series last month and then signed with Phoenix, offers some of that by virtue of his speed and ought to deliver it on a steadier basis now that he's in his age-19 season. It is reasonable to expect the Generals will look to produce more of their offence by wearing down opponents along the boards.

3. Is there a quick-key one can press that puts in a generic question about the Generals' defensive zone play?

Oshawa allowed 238 goals last season, about half a goal per game more than any of the league's contenders. Part of the problem was facing so many penalty kills (365, third-most in the league). Being short-handed so much can affect a team even after it gets back to 5-on-5 play. Defensively, there is an older core with Suellentrop and presumptive overages Matt Petgrave and Geoffrey Schemitsch, who won a championship two seasons ago in Owen Sound.

The best defence is usually a strong offence, but Oshawa's goals-against record has regularly been mid-table or lower since the Dead Puck era ended. That is something Smith and new GM Jeff Twohey surely didn't need a blogger to point out for them.

In goal, Altshuller showed his promise in the playoffs when he posted a .918 save percentage vs. Niagara while facing 47 shots per 60 minutes played. It was a superlative performance for a young goalie who had made only seven appearances between Jan. 1 and the end of the regular season. It's not a big enough sample to predict all-star numbers, but it serves as a decent ceiling for the Carolina pick.

(* First-time eligible players)

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.