Yahoo Sports 2025 Deadline De-Brief: Trying To Understand Some Of The Madness
With the QMJHL deadline coming and now going, let's try and unpack what exactly just happened.
Moncton Wildcats - Arbiters of Chaos
Photo: Trevor MacMillan
The Halifax Mooseh... I mean, the Moncton Wildcats have been absolutely mental this trade deadline. It's clear that this is their year for a run, and the MacDougalls' beat around no bushes when trying to bulk up their roster -- even if it meant some unfortunate sacrifices.
The Wildcats added a number of top talents, including Tampa Bay Lightning prospect defenseman Dyllan Gill and former Team Canada World Junior starter Mathis Rousseau and key depth pieces in Logan Crosby and Maxime Cote.
However, these moves have come at a cost, and not just draft capital. To make these moves, they have dealt star forward and team captain Yoan Loshing and top goaltender Jacob Steinman to make things work.
Time will tell if the pieces fit, but the MacDougalls' bring an all-consuming hunger for winning and have the history to show for it with the University of New Brunswick.
Rimouski Océanic - Full Sails Ahead
Photo: Michael Hawkins
As the Memorial Cup hosts, you are essentially given 'carte blanche' to be as aggressive as possible to pick up pieces to ensure you aren't just a top team, but the top team.
Despite adding league point leader Jonathan Fauchon from Blainville, and Washington Capitals prospect Eriks Matieko from Saint John, star Mael Lavigne from Victoriaville, Lou Levesque and Jack Martin from Halifax and goaltender Mathis Langevin from Bathurst, I still am not sure they are quite there. Though, they are much closer than where they were before.
Additionally, you have to give props to Océanic GM Danny Dupont for snagging Mateiko without giving up a second or a first in this trade market, really impressive stuff.
Update: Per Jeff Marek, the Océanic will give up two first round picks at the draft as compensation for Mateiko.
This deal will finalize at the Q draft with two first round picks going to Saint John in exchange for this cluster of picks. https://t.co/AbEetrRBLD
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) January 6, 2025
Victoriaville Tigres - Spring (Winter) Cleaning
Photo: Ghyslain Bergeron
I get that the easiest part of a rebuild is selling, but the Victoriaville Tigres have a truly top of the line salesman in GM Kevin Cloutier.
The team acquired two first round picks (including their own 2025 pick), three second rounders (acquired five, traded two), three thirds, and a fifth round pick.
Even for the players they added. most of them are young and have upside like Etienne Dupere, Brandon Lavoie and Xavier Sabourin.
