The Barrie Colts are set to open their OHL regular season schedule this Friday on the road in North Bay, but General Manager Marty Williamson is still hard at work shaping the final roster.
With a clear focus on long-term development and giving younger players room to grow, management is actively working to trim the line-up, though they aren’t in a rush to force a deal before puck drop.
“No, not really. We have what we call option cards in the league, in that you can carry guys a little bit longer,” Williamson explained. “We’ll probably carry a couple extra guys into the first weekend.”
The goaltending situation remains fluid heading into opening night. Starter Arvin Jaswal is sidelined with an injury and out at least until October. Returnee Hagan Bach will be in the lineup this weekend, while Nico Armellin has been solid in preseason play.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick Matvei Nikonovich, an 18-year-old Belarusian selected 160th overall, is expected to arrive from NHL rookie camp this week.
“It’s all moving parts. The Pittsburgh kid is supposed to be here Tuesday or Wednesday, so we’re not sure who’s going other than Bach into the opening weekend,” said Williamson. “It’s still a moving target.”
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On the blueline, the Colts are looking to trade another defenceman after already moving on from Teague Vader, while overager Evan Passmore remains away at NHL camp. The club is committed to giving heavy minutes to its emerging youth, including 2009-born Aiden Mowrey alongside a trio of 2010-born rookies in Lucas Matheson, Declan McNally, and Marc Ruggere, anchored by veterans like Justin Handsor and Passmore.
“It’s funny these guys are too young for the league, and all of a sudden they become too old for the league,” Williamson said. “Because of the timing with our team, that’s strictly it. We just have to put the investment into the three 2010s, and even Mowrey. So, that’s going to be the main core… They’ve shown us enough that they can play in the league and develop into premier defencemen.”
Williamson added, “We might move another defenceman,” noting that there are a couple of interested teams.
Up front, the narrative is much the same. Williamson is actively working on a trade to move one forward and get down to target numbers. The push for youth has forced tough decisions. The club moved out 19-year-old Tate Collins to clear room for younger talent, including European rookies Maxim Shirochenkov and Elias Matousek.
Strong camp performances from Rocco Olek, 17, and free-agent signee Sebastian Mogull, 18, have created positive competitive battles. Mogull was impressive throughout the preseason, finishing with four goals and six points over five games.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked, and I think he’s going to continue to grow,” Williamson said of the Naples, Florida native. “We need him to be effective on our specialty teams, and our power play especially. We’re just going to see him, I think, get better and better as he gets more comfortable.”
