The Oshawa Generals have become competitive in a tight Eastern Conference, and they made a couple of acquisitions at the deadline to hopefully move them one step closer.
The Oshawa Generals made a couple of smaller moves at the Trade Deadline that will hopefully help push them closer to being a contender in the postseason.
The acquisition of Connor Lockhart has paid dividends for them, so why not try some more moves?
Oshawa didn't add any difference makers, but they added two players that will make them much more difficult to play against — which is vital for the playoffs.
Connor Punnett from the Barrie Colts
If you went around the OHL and asked players who their least favourite player to play against is, a lot of them would say Connor Punnett. The former Barrie Colts captain comes into a very young blue line in Oshawa, and brings loads of experience. Punnett is an overage player who has attended Detroit Red Wings camp and been through several playoff runs with the Colts.
Punnett is a very strong, physical player in his own zone. He is able to lockdown the front of the net and he is difficult for forwards to handle. He has elevated his offensive game this year in the absence of Beau Akey in Barrie, but he is still most effective in his own zone.
In the playoffs, Punnett is a player that will intimidate opponents and give that extra hit or shove that motivates his team. If Oshawa can go far in the playoffs, Punnett will be a valuable asset on the blue line.
Zach Sandhu from the Guelph Storm
The Generals acquired Sandhu on the last day of the trade deadline, in a smaller trade that didn't get much attention. Sandhu is another defenceman who is reliable in his own zone, he has a strong stick and he makes smart plays with the puck.
By adding Punnett and Sandhu on the back end, Oshawa becomes a lot older, and a lot harder to play against. They have Ben Danford and Luca Marrelli who play big minutes, but they are both younger players who play with an offence-first mindset.
Sandhu is a top four defender in the OHL, and should eat lots of minutes in defensive situations for the Generals.
They also traded away Thomas Stewart who previously occupied a lot of ice time and brought experience to the group. Adding two players like Sandhu and Punnett was essential for Oshawa.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Oshawa sits fourth in the Eastern Conference. They were a team who didn't have many expectations heading into the season, and were meant to be a fringe-playoff team. The Generals will more than likely make the playoffs — and with these defensive acquisitions — they have the chance to go even further.