Yahoo Sports OHL Trade Candidates: Top 5 Players Who Could Be Moved Before Trade Deadline
The OHL's trade deadline is less than a month away, and we're starting to see a clear divide between teams that are buyers and those that are sellers.
Take the Guelph Storm, for example. Earlier this week, they made two significant roster changes by trading away top-six winger Vilmer Alriksson and their number-one defenseman Cam Allen.
The OHL's trade deadline is on January 10, and we can expect an increase in trades leading up to that date. Below are five of the top candidates likely to be traded, which could help one fortunate OHL team secure the J. Ross Robertson Cup at the end of the season.
Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
C, Jett Luchanko - Guelph Storm - 5'11", 191lbs
Season Statistics: 16GP, 7G, 13A
The Guelph Storm may not be done making significant roster moves. Before trading Allen to London, there were rumors that Guelph and London were discussing a deal to send Jett Luchanko, a native of London, Ontario, to the Knights.
While that may not be in the cards anymore, as the Storm position themselves to rebuild, they are in a prime position to recoup a plethora of draft picks, and young up-and-coming stars by trading away the Philadelphia Flyers prospect.
Luchanko plays the game the right way. He doesn't cheat, his attention to detail is phenomenal, and is the kind of player who finds ways to succeed in whatever role he is given. He's also very reliable in the faceoff department.
The Kitchener Rangers are a team that could use Luchanko in their lineup. The Rangers acquired a ton of draft capital in the summer when they traded away Carson Rehkopf and have four second-round picks in the next three drafts combined to play with.
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RHD, Andrew Gibson - Soo Greyhounds - 6'4", 210lbs
Season Statistics: 26GP, 4G, 3A
What hockey team wouldn't want to add a throwback defenseman who can skate and move pucks efficiently on the breakout? That's what you're getting in Greyhounds defenseman Andrew Gibson.
Although Sault Ste. Marie currently sits in sixth place in the Western Conference, trading away their top defenseman makes a lot of sense. They've been a competitive team this season and gotten strong goaltending out of Charlie Schenkel, but the team is not set up to go on a championship run.
Additionally, Gibson has an NHL contract signed with the Nashville Predators and will graduate to the professional ranks after this season. Why hang on to him if you can get a quality return for him and he's willing to move.
The first team that comes to mind that could use him is the Niagara IceDogs. That team has all the offensive skill to win high-scoring games. Adding a right-shot defenseman who will take care of his own end and handle the heavy defensive assignments is exactly what Niagara needs.
Terry Wilson/OHL Images
RW, Sam McCue - Owen Sound Attack - 6'2", 191lbs
Season Statistics: 31GP, 18G, 12A
Owen Sound are rebuilding, that was clear when they traded away Colby Barlow to Oshawa.
Sam McCue was acquired by the Attack before last year's trade deadline, along with his Peterborough Petes teammate, Konnor Smith. While the organization may be reluctant to trade him and Sam may not want to move again, I believe he is a forward who could fetch a solid return due to his play style and how well it adapts to "Playoff Hockey."
The Toronto Maple Leafs seventh-rounder brings speed, grit, and a goal-scoring touch to the table. He can be a punishing player to play against when he's moving his feet and hunting pucks down on the forecheck. His offensive game has taken a significant step forward this season and he is six goals shy of setting a new career high.
Related: Maple Leafs Add Grit and Physicality in 7th Rounder Sam McCue
RW, Anthony Romani - North Bay Battalion - 6'1", 190lbs
Season Statistics: 6GP, 2G, 3A
Health is the question mark with North Bay Battalion forward Anthony Romani, but along with Luchanko, he's another big fish to snag.
Romani has only played six games this season due to a broken clavicle injury. He was hit from behind by Erie defenseman Ty Henry during a game in early October. The timeline for his recovery estimated that he would return around Christmas time, and possibly as late as January.
Related: OHL Top Goal Scorer Anthony Romani Drafted 162nd Overall by Vancouver
It's likely North Bay won't make the playoffs. If they do, it will be the eighth-place seed. Therefore, they should be looking at trading away their star players. The OHL's leading goal-scorer (58) last season is a game-breaker at this level. Acquiring him immediately makes your team a more threatening offensive team.
The Barrie Colts could look to go all-in and acquire another shooting threat. The Kingston Frontenacs and Erie Otters are teams I can also see making a strong push to trade for the Vancouver Canucks prospect.
Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
LHD, Mitch Young - Sarnia Sting - 6'2", 190lbs
Season Statistics: 27GP, 3G, 18A
I didn't list Sarnia Sting defenseman Lukas Fischer as a top candidate to be traded only because he was named captain this year. Management would love to keep his leadership around the locker room for the younger players.
So instead, we have Sarnia's second-best defenseman as a top trade candidate, Mitch Young.
Young is a 2005-born defenseman and trading him before he's in his overage season makes a lot of sense. He's a well-rounded player who has shown that he can help provide offense from the blueline but also play a physical defensive game. He's hard to play against in the dirty areas and those are the types of defenseman you want in the playoffs.
Mitch shouldn't cost nearly as much as the other four players on this list. I wouldn't be shocked if the Windsor Spitfires were eyeing him down.
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