Roster deadline nears for Western Capitals

SUMMERSIDE – Pat McIver is expecting to be busy leading up to the Jan. 10 roster deadline, which is Thursday at 7 p.m.

“Obviously, my goal is to try and make our team better,” said the general manager of the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals. “We are sitting in a good position in the league, but we are looking to get better and hopefully have a long playoff run.”

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The Caps, who were the fourth-ranked team in this week’s Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings, sit atop the Eastlink North Division of the 12-team MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) at 23-5-0 (won-lost-overtime losses). Summerside is four points back of the league-leading Yarmouth Mariners (24-5-2), who have played three more games than the Capitals.
“We are seeing what’s out there and if there’s something out there that can make our team better, we will definitely look at it,” said McIver. “If the prices are reasonable, then we will definitely do it.”
McIver told the Journal Pioneer in a phone interview that the Caps have been in lots of discussions, but nothing was “imminent” as of Wednesday morning.
“I feel we are close on a few things, but you just never know,” said McIver. “For every guy we chase, there are probably 10 other teams chasing the same guy.”

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Numbers
McIver confirmed the Capitals currently have 21 players signed – 12 forwards, seven defencemen and two goaltenders. The Caps have four open cards, and the roster following Thursday’s deadline can consist of up to 23 players.
 “I don’t think we will carry 23 though,” acknowledged McIver. “I am not a big believer in having a lot of guys sitting in the stands each night.
“We have good relationships with our affiliates on P.E.I., so it’s not really necessary for us to carry that many guys.”
Although it has been quiet on the trade front so far, McIver feels once one or two moves are made things will start happening.
“I’m waiting for that first domino to fall, and I think some other things will fall into place after that,” added McIver. “I thought it would have happened by now, but hopefully (Wednesday).”

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Challenge
Capitals head coach Billy McGuigan talked about one of the challenges organizations face at deadline time.
“Coming into these deadlines it’s a tricky situation because you obviously want to add players to improve your hockey club, but you also do not want to tear down the chemistry or culture that you already created by moving guys out,” said McGuigan, who added the Caps like their core group of players. “You are always trying to upgrade your hockey team, and we would like to get a couple of pieces down the stretch to help us.”
McGuigan quipped that he and McIver talk more to each other during the deadline period than they speak to anyone else.
“We embrace the work and love the challenge of working together to better our team,” added McGuigan.

Sign players
While no trades can be made after Thursday, teams have until Feb. 10 to sign players that were not signed with any team on Jan. 10. McIver said it is a real possibility that the Caps will keep at least one card open for that scenario.
“I can’t imagine I am going to fill four cards in the next two days,” he said. “We will definitely have some cards open, and if something becomes available that will help our team, we will consider it for sure.”

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