Sudbury Wolves
Coach/GM: Paul Fixter/Blaine Smith
2013-14 finish: 33-24-3-8, 3rd in Central Division, 5th in Eastern Conference
Playoff finish: Lost to Barrie 4-1 in conference quarterfinals
Key players: RW Nicholas Baptiste (45 goals, 44 assists, 89 points, 12 power-play goals, 3 short-handed goals; signed with Buffalo), LW Nathan Pancel (42-32-74, 14 PPG), G Troy Timpano (6-1-1-1 record, 3.43 goals-against average, .894 save percentage)
Key losses: C Matthew Campagna (15-59-74; traded to Plymouth), G Franky Palazzese (27-23-2-7, 2.97, .916, 5 SHO), D Trevor Carrick (22-29-51, -6, 7 PPG, 117 penalty minutes; signed with Carolina), C Connor Crisp (28-27-55; former Erie Otter, signed with Montreal), C Radek Faksa (21-27-48; signed with Dallas)
Outlook: The Wolves made bold moves at the January trade deadline, only to falter down the stretch and lose to Barrie in the first round of the playoffs. Now it’s time to rebuild around top-end players like Baptiste and Pancel.
WHAT TO WATCH: Timpano was respectable as a backup in goal last season. He needs to be more than respectable to lead the Wolves back to the playoffs.
– Victor Fernandes
UP NEXT: Windsor Spitfires
