13-4-1. That’s a damn good start to the season. Nevertheless, what are the Moncton Wildcats? Do the Cats have a team that could make a run at a championship this year and next? It’s still early and a lot can change from here to after the QMJHL Trade Period, but one would assume the Cats brain trust are evaluating every aspect of the team and how it’s trending over the first 18 games.
There are benchmark milestones throughout the hockey season, some teams look at games in groups of five while others evaluate on a weekly or monthly basis. It’s unclear what strategy or framework Ritchie Thibeau and Dan Lacroix use to assess their group, one would assume the 25-game mark is an important check point.
Photo Credit Daniel St Louis
The Wildcats have two big games this weekend, but let’s face it, every game is important when you’re under the microscope. There’s always been a lot of pressure on the organization, there’s a collective understanding of that, and obviously that doesn’t need to be said or written, but in years like this when the team is loading up for a potential run at consecutive championships, the pressure and high expectations can definitely take a toll.
Obviously, every franchise wants to be the best, but with the Wildcats it has to be the “best” all of the time and that can be difficult on anyone to live up to or attain. If one was to take a step back and assess the Cats start from a superficial standpoint they would be impressed. A win is a win right? 13-4-1 is damn good, but what about the style, identity and subtleties of the group?
Are the Moncton Wildcats for real?
Can they stay within the upper echelon of the QMJHL for the entire season?
What moves if any are the Cats considering to make to solidify their chances at making a long run in the playoffs?
Wow, that’s a lot to digest only 18 games into the season, but those are the types of questions that are no doubt being discussed behind the scenes.
What about individual player performance evaluations?
At this point of the season, it’s important to do those things “in house” and it’s imperative that those types of evaluations need to be shared with players and one can also assume that feedback is ongoing. Some players are playing well, some had slow starts and some are still gaining traction in the league which is to be expected.
At this point of the season, one would assume you would like to see all young players or rookies carving out their identity, role and niche within the group. For the most part that is definitely happening.
At this point of the season, one would also assume the veteran and core leadership group of the team is stepping up and playing a pivotal role in the success of the team. That has certainly been the case with the Cats so far this season.
One might argue that the influx of different line combinations early on and over the first 10 games or so could have played a role in some players having slow starts, but that’s par for the course for the most part on any Major Junior team to start the season. It would also appear that the line combinations have solidified for the most part injuries aside over the last few weeks.
Specific line combinations are strictly a coach’s decision to make, everyone has opinions on that, but again those discussions are for team personnel behind the scenes.
What if the 20 or 26-game mark is Lacroix and Thibeau’s benchmark?
The Cats face Charlottetown, Shawinigan, Acadie-Bathurst, Cape Breton, Charlottetown, Rouyn-Noranda Halifax and Saint John to close out the month of November. The Cats are fast, they can score, but can they defend and are they structured well enough to challenge for a championship?
Are they a tough team to play against?
Do they possess enough character and grit throughout their line up to be nasty to play against in a grueling playoff series? Are they built for that type of series and a long playoff run? Can they play or adapt to any style of game on the fly to ensure they’re successful against any opponent?
The argument that it’s early and that this team is still gaining traction and momentum starts to quickly change its complexion when you reach the 25-game mark. There’s no question the Cats have struggled against other top teams this season. The beat down on home ice versus Drummondville and the most recent 6-0 setback to Rouyn-Noranda might be considered “one offs” from a superficial perspective or analysis, but they should serve as early reminders that there’s still work to be done.
That leads us back to this team’s identity.
What are the Moncton Wildcats?
Well, they’re a fast skilled team that’s still very young. Are they a strong forechecking gritty team? Yes, at times they have been that and more, but there still hasn’t been enough of that on a consistent basis.
Consistency in their style of play and identity as a team is one area that no doubt is being addressed by the coaching staff.
“Oh, it’s still early, look at their record.”
That argument doesn’t float when you’re getting out worked, play on the perimeter and aren’t hard to play against.
That’s exactly why the next eight games will be a true indicator and benchmark for what this team actually is and what moves need to be made to ensure they continue to trend towards a championship trajectory.
As I wrote in August,
Everyone is well aware that there’s always an element of pressure to win when it comes to the Moncton Wildcats. That will never change and everyone knows that going in, but the next two seasons are definitely different.
The organization has showed restraint and patience since the 2019-2020 season. They have been building towards this moment for what must seemingly feel like an eternity for all those involved since the 2020 load and go model. It’s way too early and extremely unfair to say that Lacroix and Assistant Coach Josh Hepditch are on the “hot seat.” Nevertheless, given the Cats position within their cycle and such high expectations, a quick start to the 2023-2024 campaign would definitely ease some of the built-up pressure surrounding the team and their championship aspirations. All eyes are on the Moncton Wildcats as they embark on arguably two of the most important seasons in franchise history. The heat is on.
The heat is always on when you’re evaluating and assessing the Moncton Wildcats.
13-4-1, that’s a damn fine start, and a quick start to the season. Nevertheless, there’s still tons of hockey to be played and tons of questions to be asked and answered when it comes to the 2023-2024 Moncton Wildcats.
What are the Moncton Wildcats? I guess we will all have to wait and see after Game 25, 26 or December 1st or whenever the benchmark is in place.
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