What if?
That question has plagued the hockey world, especially in across the CHL when news first came out about the possible 4th overager being added to rosters for the 2020-2021 season.
As of right now many teams are finally settling into the new normal with training camp rosters solidified and sent to league offices last Friday.
Quarantine protocols are now next up for all the organizations and it would make sense if the Wildcats were to use the Crown Plaza.
Nothing can be confirmed at this time, but the cost of quarantining is going to substantial for all organizations, but it has to be done.
The health and safety of players and hockey staff is paramount.
The “what if” scenarios still appear to be very intriguing for the rebuilding Moncton Wildcats.
What if all their high profile 20’s come back?
What if they are allowed to keep four 20’s and if so, who would they keep?
What if they do come back, would they entertain trading two out of the four players now?
The what if scenarios quickly turn into who and where!
Ok so pure speculation, let’s play the what if game and let’s start on the backend.
What if Jared McIsaac comes back?
There’s a strong sense the Red Wings would want the fantastic two-way rearguard to play as many games this season as he possibly could given his shorten season last year.
One would also assume or speculate that if he does return that Ritchie Thibeau would move him during the trade period.
So does that make trading Jordan Spence a possibility?
What about trading the best defenceman and asset in the league before the season even starts?
What team wouldn’t want Jordan Spence in their lineup?
Especially if he was guaranteed to be there for the full 60 games.
That’s where things get very interesting.
Would the Charlottetown Islanders be interested in acquiring his services?
The Islanders by my estimation are probably four pieces away from making a strong push to a President Cup.
Could the acquisition of Spence put them over the top from a defensive perspective?
What would you do if you were Ritchie Thibeau?
Well that’s pretty simple.
You look to get the best possible return for every single asset and you look to trade two of those players right away.
Perhaps Jordan Spence is homeward bound?
What about Benoit Olivier Groulx?
What team would be looking for his services?
Enter the Gatineau Olympiques!
Yes that’s right.
Groulx could be homeward bound as well.
Does that make sense for an organization with all the young talent in the world?
The Olympiques have their young core group all in place.
Could they afford bringing Groulx in until the AHL season starts?
The value of having Groulx part of that franchise would be truly immeasurable in my opinion.
Benoit Olivier Groulx and Jordan Spence could both be homeward bound.
Just think about all the possibilities and what if scenarios.
We won’t fully understand what Thibeau and the Wildcats are facing until they reveal their training camp roster.
Will it have the likes of Benoit Olivier Groulx, Gabriel Fortier, and Jared McIsaac on it?
That remains to be seen.
What about Dakota Lund Cornish?
With the Cats drafting a 19 year old netminder in the import draft might also mean that they might elect to make Val Usnik their number one.
That’s highly unlikely, but that also makes things very complicated if all the high profile 20’s return to the fold.
Will the Wildcats be missing some of their top prospects from a very impressive draft opt out due to eligibility concerns?
We won’t know anything until the team officially comes forward and makes their 34 + 2 training camp roster official.
What about Jacob Hudson and Tristan De Jong?
Where do they fit?
There’s a strong possibility the Wildcats could in fact move all of their 20’s by the trade period.
Jacob Hudson and Tristan DeJong would be highly sought out assets for any organization especially those on the cusp of a strong President Cup contending team.
The what if scenarios are in full effect for the Wildcats and every organization in the QMJHL.
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