Last Call
Before the season started the Storm needed more size and offense. In the end it was lack of both that proved their undoing.
A better offense would have helped them win more of the ridiculous amount of one-goal games they were involved in, had them higher in the standings, and likely would have made the difference against the Sault.
The Hounds also showed how size can be effective in wearing a team down. Guelph's top four blueliners were a tired and battered bunch by the end of the series.
Of course a brutal power play also played a huge part, and that might be the one perplexing thing. You would think the Storm would have had a better power play unit, given the personnel on it.
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Expect some changes over the summer.
I can't help but think we have seen the last of Cody St. Jacques in a Storm uniform. He has proven he can play in this league and now deserves to be a number-one goalie somewhere.
Storm also has an extra second-round pick in the upcoming draft, courtesy of the Tyler Doig trade.
There is a one-week window prior to the draft that allows teams to trade draft picks, but players can't officially be dealt until later in the summer. That doesn't mean that deals can't be arranged, just not become official.
Top priorities would be a playmaking centre and a big winger who can score 20-25 goals. The addition of a high-end defenceman would likely only come if and when Drew Doughty stays permanently in the NHL.
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One thing is for certain. The Storm will have a more productive group of overagers next season no matter who they get back. It will likely be Brandon Buck, Harrison Reed and Nathan Martine.
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That's the end of the blog for this season. See you all again in August.
