In a massive deal today, the Ottawa 67’s have traded elite defenceman Henry Mews to the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for Nolan Jackson and eight draft picks. This is a massive move for Mews, who moves from a depleted 67’s team to a Wolves side that’s among the top teams in the OHL.
What does this deal mean for Mews
Despite being on the weaker 67’s team this season, Mews is the top point-producing defenceman in the entire league, and is one of just 14 players with over 50 points. Through 38 games, the former third round pick has 39 assists to go along with his 11 goals while quarterbacking the 67’s power play.
A move to the Wolves can only be beneficial. He will get a chance to play alongside former first round pick Quentin Musty and former second round pick Nathan Villeneuve, who are both over a point-per-game on the year. The team also has one of the best goalies in the league in Nathan Krawchuk, who has a 0.915 save percentage through 28 games.
The one thing the Wolves have been dying for is an elite offensive defenceman. 20-year-old Nick De Angelis has been fine this season with 28 points in 37 games, but a team with championship aspirations should aspire for better. Adding Mews is massive for the team.
Perhaps most of all, Mews would get to play under Head Coach Scott Barney, as opposed to under Dave Cameron. The Team Canada Coach from this year’s World Juniors has been under a lot of criticism following his strange decisions at the tournament, which saw the Canadians fall to Czechia in the quarterfinals. The two have reportedly not always seen eye-to-eye, and a new start may further Mews’ development this season.
What does this deal mean for the Calgary Flames
For Flames fans, this can only be good news. The prospect moves to a better team with stronger teammates, which should boost his production, and also gives him better odds in the OHL playoffs this year, which is experience that will only benefit him in the future.
Mews is a name every Flames fan should know right now, as he looks like he could develop into a solid NHLer in a few year’s time.
