Peterborough Petes aim to build on breakthrough: OHL Burning Questions

Working down from the top of last season's standings, it is time for OHL Burning Questions. For your consideration, the Peterborough Petes.

Last season went like — A worthy-of-Webster's definition of catharsis. The Petes, in the post-season for the first time in four years, became the fourth OHL team to come from 0-3 down in a playoff series when since-graduated goalie Andrew D'Agostini performed wonders and Nick Ritchie scored in Game 7 overtime in Kingston. It altered the perception of a franchise that had known some hard times. Locally, getting to the second round was so big that the team's flagship radio station replayed the Game 7 broadcast.

2013-14, by the numbers — 32-30-0-6, .515 point pct., 230 GF/263 GA. Sixth, Eastern Conference. Lost 4-0 to Oshawa in conference semifinal.

Drafted — LW Nick Ritchie (Anaheim Ducks, first round), D Dominik Masin (Tampa Bay Lightning, second), RW Eric Cornel (Buffalo Sabres, second).

On the junior-or-pro bubble — Ritchie is at Anaheim's camp; overage D Connor Boland was invited to the main camp of the Edmonton Oilers.

2015 NHL Draft watch — D Matt Spencer was scored a 'B prospect' by NHL Central Scouting.

1. Who will want to play against their defence, should coach Jody Hull and GM Mike Oke have everyone in place?

The Petes have some punishers on the back end, domicile of defenders such potential overage Boland  and incoming import Masin, whose willingness to use his 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame along the boards made him worth a high second-round pick in the eyes of Lightning GM Steve Yzerman, the world's best-known Petes alumnus. Spencer, one season after being a former No. 3 overall pick, is in the 'best draft-eligible defenceman' conversation, at least. Throw in the fourth-year Steven Varga, another big body at 6-3 and 213, and that's a formidable foursome. If you're wondering why Peterborough has been a second-half team under Hull, it might trace back to having defencemen who thrives in the more grinding game that prevails after the calendar turns.

(Peterborough has 20-year-old Brandon Devlin on its roster, but a guess is that a need for scoring might dictate allocating the other two OA spots to Michael Clarke and Josh MacDonald.)

2. OK, but that is the only the second-last line of defence; what about the last line of defence?

(Crickets.)

Like the Guelph Storm when it dealt for Justin Nichols, the Petes are a goalie trade waiting to happen. It's only a matter of how long they list a trio of goalies with 1,039 minutes of OHL experience, all of which belong to Jason Da Silva, a backup who changed addresses twice last season.

It does not have to happen right away; the crux of dealing with goaltending help is that rival teams rarely have a surplus. The Guelph Storm, with 18-year-old Matt Mancina and the Owen Sound Attack with 19-year-old Jack Flinn are among the notable exceptions.

Peterborough has a veritable goalie of the future in 16-year-old Dylan Wells. However, a 16-year-old starter is unheard of in the O; Plymouth's Alex Nedeljkovic was a rare, rare exception to the rule two seasons ago.

Overall, this might be a go-for-it year for the Petes, since it's the last time they will have Cornel, Ritchie and Spencer, the trio who were the byproduct of those three frustrating seasons. Oke and the Petes' scouts were hailed for having an excellent priority selection. That means they don't have to worry that they're sacrificing long-term potential if they ante big a goalie or a seasoned goal scorer by January. Some good talent is waiting in the wings.

3. What about the complementary scoring?

The Hunter Garlent-Ritchie-Cornel trio is about as good as it gets for a go-to first line within the East Division. Ritchie, who is expected to ultimately return from the Ducks for a fourth season, is capable of going into beast mode on essentially given night and his old youth lacrosse pal Garlent is one of the league's craftiest distributors.

Nineteen-year-old Greg Betzold and the overage MacDonald were X factors in the comeback vs. Kingston and will try to carry that over to a full season. Betzold is also at the playing-for-a-contract stage after being talked up for successive NHL drafts. Another breakout might come from the projected No. 3 centre, the agitating Anthony Stefano. The Petes' most reasonable facsmilie to Brad Marchand came on strongly in the second half to post 15 goals and 35 assists as a rookie; now 18, he's aiming to double those totals.

To reiterate, though, the scoring might need to be shored up via trade. Just saying: it would make a storyline if the Petes' big get was another standout who's hungry for a playoff run before moving on from the OHL.

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