This seems like the same discussion as NB last season. The eastern conference will be wide open again this season imo. Before making any definitive predictions, let’s wait for the end of the summer to find out which players return and which imports show.
Last year it was wide open between about 5 or 6 teams. It won’t be like that this year- probably between 3 with Kingston, Barrie to name a couple looking on the outside.
Brampton just got relocated and have the chance to win the whole OHL their first year- imagine what that would do for ticket sales and a fanbase. They were first last year for a good amount of time before teams started making big moves. Martone will be a monster next year. So will misa they’re both bound to hit 100+ pts. They got the best goaltending in the whole ohl, maybe chl too that will carry the hell out of the team, tons of depth up front and in the back end. They’re my pick for sure- oh and with all those players they already have- they also have the best or second best pick pool among contenders
Brantford who was first place for some time this season as well, they’re getting most of their guys back including lardis who may challenge for OHL POTY and a crap ton of picks to spend- also another year with the same group- they’re bound to improve lots with another off season of training. OHL rookie of the year on the team looking to push up NHL draft lists- O’Brien may hit 100 points next year but I think more realistically 80-90
Then there is Oshawa who is getting most of their guys back except for roobroeck(yes I think Ritchie is back- he’s not making the stacked Colorado squad as a 4th liner he would be better playing in the O’) and they still have some picks to burn after already going to the OHL finals this past season and ending up first place in the regular season. Their experience is going to carry them next season for sure. Look at what it did for London. They were great in 2022/2023 and that much better in 2023/2024
I’m sorry but those are VERY clearly the front runners in the east next season. I love the fronts and I hope they do well but realistically speaking they’re on the outside looking in, and fronts are better set up than teams like Barrie, Ottawa, north bay, Sudbury etc.
Why would Sudbury go all out for a first round exit??
At the very minimum I think they’ll trade musty for some great players and tons of picks to help with future, along with McCoy, Deangelis because those 2 will get you great packages for an OA, and someone will want Delic for sure. Hard working very underrated player always was overshadowed by Goyette, Musty in his time with Sudbury but any team would take a quality guy like him. So guarantee he doesn’t stay either.
What do you have left after that? Not enough to make a run that’s for sure. The problem is you have too many OA players or graduating players this season- which is why I’ve been worried about the fronts for after this year- they’ll be in a similar situation likely where they need to trade quality guys
If Musty returns, the wolves might have the most potent first line in the conference; probably the largest top six. Pharrand and Mania are break-outs waiting to happen, and Walton and Coughlan could break-out too. Any combination of DeAngelis/VanVliet, McCoy/Collins, and Mania would be a solid top 3; and play an important role in the development of recent high picks used on defence.
Though any one or two of Barrie, Brampton, and Brantford could add significantly; they are not built for this season. I don’t think Barrie or Brampton do anything that would jeopardize 2025-26.
While I believe Oshawa is the team to beat until proven otherwise, losing Roobroek would leave them with no more depth than any other of the wannabe contenders, and with only the 6th or 7th most disposable draft capital in the conference. Oster played >80 games, he is far from an automatic repeat of goaltender of the year.
Brantford is probably a popular pick for having great forward depth and a crazy amount of picks. Given that the top four OA options are at forward, I will punctuate the Brantford defence and goaltending with ?! Will the team make a reverse deadline trade of Donovan and VanVliet; sending out a good young player, and 4-2nds, 6-3rds, 2-4ths? If so, they may be trying to entice 19 yr olds to choose a 5th-6th place team to spend their final few months in the OHL.