Let's take a break from the COVID-19 news cycle and talk about a pure sports topic for a change.
We're into the QMJHL's extended Christmas break now, so the time is right to size up this year's crop of NHL draft prospects. There is no superstar like Alexis Lafreniere in the 2021-eligible group but there is good depth and a handful of solid first-round candidates. Here is the mid-season top 10:
1. Zachary Bolduc, C, Rimouski Oceanic - After leading all Q rookies with 30 goals last year, he's had to endure a frustrating start to his sophomore season. Bolduc has been off and on the injured list so he's only played in seven games so far. Scouts got a good feel for him last season so he gets the benefit of the doubt right now but it's certain he'd rather be out on the ice trying to improve his stock even more.
2. Zachary L'Heureux, LW, Halifax Mooseheads - Some outlets consider him the Q's better Zachary and it should be a good horse race between him and Bolduc all year. They're both goal scorers but L'Heureux is the more intense player, has more of a physical dimension and is showing a hunger to be his team's go-to offensive weapon. When he channels those qualities the right away - which is most of the time - he is a force.
3. Xavier Bourgault, RW, Shawinigan Cataractes - He more than tripled his point totals from 20 to 71 last year to insert himself into the discussion as a potential first-rounder. Bourgault is an exceptionally smooth player who is rapidly gaining believers in the scouting community.
4. James Malatesta, LW, Quebec Remparts - Like Bolduc, Malatesta was excellent as a rookie but has had some false starts in 2020-21. His team has only played in eight games because of COVID-19 interruptions so he hasn't found his rhythm yet. A consistent second half will be all he needs to reinforce his positive first impression from a year ago.
5. Cameron Whynot, D, Halifax Mooseheads - No one has shown more improvement than the Kentville native and scouts are noticing. He leads the Mooseheads - and is 11th in the league - at plus-9 after finishing third from the bottom at minus-41 a year ago. He should be tremendously proud of that, especially since he draws more demanding assignments now. And in only 13 games this year, Whynot is already just two points shy of matching the nine he put up in 57 last season.
6. Isaac Belliveau, D, Rimouski Oceanic - He went into the year as the league's top blue line prospect but has lost a bit of ground because of a slow start. He has five points and is minus-8 in 16 games after tying L'Heureux as the highest-scoring rookie in the league last year with 53 points in 62 games. He is still a well-regarded prospect and there remains plenty of time to steady the ship after Christmas.
7. Joshua Roy, C, Saint John Sea Dogs - Very few players in the league are as deadly inside the offensive zone as the 2019 first-overall pick. Roy is second in the Q with 72 shots and is also highly dangerous as a playmaker from the side boards on the power play. He could be a serious climber if his play in the other two zones catches up.
8. Zachary Dean, C, Gatineau Olympiques - The Newfoundlander went off in the second half last season, putting up 33 points in his final 32 games after starting the season with 13 points in his first 25 games. Unfortunately, he too has had a stunted start, appearing in just six games so far this year. He didn't play his first game until Nov. 18 so he never got the chance to carry last season's momentum into this year.
9. Oscar Plandowski, D, Charlottetown Islanders - His all-around game is already very refined and scouts recognize he has to play behind elite defenders Lukas Cormier and Noah Laaouan on the Island so that affects his stats. But the Nova Scotian has been on a positive trajectory since he entered the league and is starting to use his heavy shot more so he too could be a riser.
10. Cam MacDonald, C, Saint John Sea Dogs - The mid-season pause came at an unfortunate time for the Hammonds Plains native. He had just scored his first major junior hat trick and put up six points in six games when the Q decided to shut down for December.
