Photo Credit: OJLL

As Saturday’s trade deadline approaches, trade season has already begun. Oakville was the first team to make their intentions known with the trade of their leading scorer Will Sheehan, and other fifth year players Jack MacAlpine and Eric McDonald. 

But I thought it would be a good exercise to take a glance around the OJLL at the other players who may be possible candidates for deadline deals. 

As a reminder, or perhaps a lesson for newer OJLL fans, trade deadline deals almost always involve fifth year players in their last season of junior lacrosse. Teams near the bottom of the standings will often trade these players to recoup future assets, and sometimes as a favour to the player who can then go chase a Minto Cup with a new squad. 

But it’s a helpful framework to keep in mind here. For example, KW has no fifth years listed on their roster, so they would be an unlikely team to be involved in any significant trades. But, there are some players that fit the criteria. Let’s get into it. 

Will Macleod and Alex Marinier 

The team with perhaps the most interesting trade deadline decision is the Burlington Blaze, who still have quite a few talented 21 year olds despite graduating a bunch last season. They are also the team set to benefit the most from the news of the Toronto Beaches forfeitures, as they will presumably gain two wins if the forfeits are upheld (there is an appeal process still set to take place). 

Especially with the two wins gained, the Blaze would be well within reason to keep their guys and let a proven group take on the playoffs one more time. Remember that playoff games are often good attendance turnouts for Jr. A clubs, and the Blaze could keep their team, continue the momentum from last year attendance wise, and take one more shot with this roster. 

But if the Blaze do decide to become sellers, then without a doubt the biggest fish on the market is Macleod, who has been one of the best players in Canada this summer. 

He is sitting in second place in the OJLL scoring leaders right now, and could be higher depending on what the league decides regarding the Beaches individual stats. The Robert Morris lefty is on pace for 120 points. The only reason he isn’t discussed more is because of Willem Firth, and because of the relatively poor play of the Blaze this year. 

Marinier is another offensive dynamo, currently fifth in the OJLL in scoring with 22 goals and 36 assists. The Ohio State forward has been the leader on the right side for Burlington after a nice college season that saw him score 28 goals. Like Macleod, he also has a Minto Cup ring on his bookshelf. 

Look for Mimico to be involved with some of these players. After a hot start, their offence has scuffled lately, and another goal scorer could help. They also have a ton of fifth year players, so they will be making some sort of move. 

These guys would be massive additions to the best teams, but they are also good enough to possibly carry the Blaze. 

Burlington has a decision to make. They will be getting calls either way. 

Nicholas Volkov 

Everything above is true for Volkov, but he is a defensive option for a potential trade. Volkov was a first round selection of the Albany Firewolves. He played 13 NLL games last season and has been a stalwart for the Blaze this year. 

Any team looking for back-door depth will be in on this guy. There aren’t too many pros kicking around Jr. lacrosse. 

All the Remaining Oakville Fifth Years – Brian Jackman, Jake Dawick, Xander Derkatz, Riley Ford

The sale is on in Oakville and typically once it starts, it doesn’t stop. My guess is that the remaining Oakville fifth year players will have the choice to leave or not. These players may even have opportunities to head west to Ontario or Alberta for the playoffs. 

In other words, if they want to be traded somewhere, the team will facilitate a deal.

Jackman is the leading scorer of this group and probably the most likely to get traded. In 11 games this year, he has 15 goals and 22 assists and has been the second most productive player for the Buzz after the already traded Sheehan. He scored a goal in 5 appearances for UMass this year. 

Ford and Dawick are slick lefties. Ford has 13 goals and 21 assists this year, while Dawick has 17 points. 

Derkatz has a flair for the dramatic and has scored some of the nicest goals we have seen all summer. You may have seen one of them on the LCD social media accounts. 

It might be unclear which one of these players will make the move, but Oakville is the only team that has really shown to be a seller so far. Expect them to be more active going forward. 

Christian Lefeuvre

Like Burlington, St. Catharines is set to benefit greatly from the Beaches wins adjustment as they will gain two victories. That should push them back into the playoffs and could influence the decision on whether or not to trade Lefeuvre. 

But the difference between them and Burlington is that St. Catharines is hosting the Minto Cup next year. This means that they will for sure be buyers next year, and also that any future assets that they could secure in return for Lefeuvre could ultimately help them towards their goals. 

Lefeuvre is the only fifth year listed on the roster, so he would be the candidate to go in a trade. In 12 games this year he has 10 goals and 14 assists. As a depth option on the best teams he could be worth a trade deadline flier. 

Michael Blaymires 

Peterborough is another team with decisions to make and Blaymires is a fifth-year who has been productive for the Lakers. After a brief surge, the Lakers have regressed down to 4-7, so that will improve with the Beaches bump. 

It’s been a few years since Peterborough made a run in the playoffs, and being close may be enough for them to hold onto their guys and try to make a push. 

One thing that increases the likelihood of a Blaymires trade is that he is listed as being from Guelph and was a Peterborough draftee. The distance of Peterborough to the other markets makes some trades unfeasible, but his closer proximity to the GTA makes his trade much easier. 

Lots is still to be determined, but keep an eye on these moves as we move throughout the trade season.

Keep an eye on all these moves with the LCD Trade Deadline Tracker.

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