OHL trade market
There is some quality, mid-grade talent that either already is or could be made available in an Ontario Hockey League trade market where buyers and sellers are virtually always open for business.
Here are a handful of serviceable players who could change OHL locations sooner or later.
ZACK BOWMAN, goalie, Sudbury Wolves, TROY TIMPANO, goalie, Sudbury Wolves. With Jake McGrath, who has a 1999 birth date, being groomed as Sudbury’s goalie of the future, it only makes sense that one of Bowman or Timpano, who both have 1997 birth dates, will be moved by the Wolves. Timpano would likely fetch more in return than Bowman.
MARIO CULINA, goalie, Windsor Spitfires. Should Windsor, which is playing host to the 2017 Memorial Cup tournament, opt for a more seasoned goalie to go with 1999 birth-year stalwart Michael DiPietro, Culina will be on the move. With a 1997 birth date, Culina is two years older than DiPietro but actually played in nine fewer OHL games than his rookie netminding partner in 2015-2016.
JAKE KMENT, goalie, North Bay Battalion. A backup during his two OHL seasons to date, Kment might be hard-pressed to remain in the league as an overager given that North Bay has told him that he is not in its plans for 2016-2017. Still, Kment could provide insurance for another contending team.
ZACK DORVAL, centre, Kingston Frontenacs. A second-round pick of the Frontenacs in 2014, Dorval has tallied only 4 goals, 2 assists, 6 points in 94 games over two seasons. The 1998 birth-year skater has a good attitude and plays with an edge but he simply may need a change of scenery to jump-start his OHL career.
SAM FIELD, right wing, Kingston Frontenacs. Like Dorval, Field is a 1998 birth-year skater who has also played in 94 games over two seasons in Kingston and produced little with 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points. Could be an asset to an OHL team looking for third-or-fourth-line depth.
FRANKIE PUCCI, left wing, Soo Greyhounds. A 1997 birth-year skater, Pucci played in just two games over two seasons with the Erie Otters before joining the Greyhounds for their playoff run last spring. Pucci played in 10 of the Hounds 11 playoff games, scored a goal and did not look out of place. But with so many returning forwards and a couple of young ones coming in, Pucci could be the odd man out in the Soo. Would provide good third-or-fourth-line depth for the right team.
PHOTO: Frankie Pucci, in playoff action for the Soo Greyhounds. (Photo by Ali Pearson.)
In the games he played for the Battalion last season, Kment was generally reliable. He may not be a team’s number one but he seems suitable as anybody’s backup.