Are the Wolves going for it?

It’s often said championships aren’t made in September, but there is no question the pieces to the puzzle are often put in place before the season starts.

The Wolves made a trade last week that, to me, sent a message they’re taking a run at more than just a fifth-place finish in the standings. With the returning crop of players and the new blood that was injected during the off-season, there aren’t too many people around the league who don’t think the Wolves are in great position to be up among the leaders in the Eastern Conference.

But, as I have said, and as has been the substance of many conversations at the end of last season and through this past summer, more is needed. There is still plenty of youth on this team, but a couple of more seasoned players are required — a forward who can score and a defenceman who can add some offense, but also lead from the blueline.

Conor Crisp and Jimmy McDowell have the potential to fill those rolls.

They bring 36 goals to Sudbury and add some grit to the line up — and no doubt some hunger after spending a couple of long years in Erie.

Crisp should fit nicely with the Wolves top six forwards. The 19-year-old from Alliston, Ont., had a break-out year with the Otters last season. On an offensively challenged team, Crisp was able to score 22 goals, while helping to set up 14 others.

It only makes sense that if he plays with a few more skilled players in more favourable situations, Crisp has the chance to see those numbers improve.

Almost as important as his offence is the type of game he plays. Crisp racked up 139 penalty minutes last season, showing he’s not afraid to mix it up in the corners and get to the so-called “dirty areas” in front of the net. Crisp wasn’t on too many NHL scout’s lists, but he still went in the third round to the Montreal Canadiens.

Jimmy McDowell adds a couple of elements to the Wolves blueline. The 20-year-old from Dimondale, Michigan, brings some experience to a relatively young group and is a big body back there that isn’t afraid to throw his weight around.

I also like that he brings some offence and could be the power-play quarterback the team's been looking for since Josh McFadden left.

McDowell scored 14 goals last season, with eight of those coming on the PP. With Cory Genovese heading to Erie in the trade, the Wolves need someone who has been around awhile to help guide the crop of young defencemen.

Two players by themselves don't mean the Wolves can book their ticket to the Memorial Cup, but with the players on the roster now, they’re in good position to take a run at the Eastern Conference.

Even the Hockey News has taken notice of what the Wolves have done. They rate Sudbury third in the Eastern Conference heading into the regular season.

Also, a number of players are going to be coming back from either NHL rookie and/or training camps soon. Coming back with them should be a new sense of confidence and a few experiences you can’t draw up on the white board.

That said, don’t be surprised if these moves have the potential to bring on the kind season Wolves fans have been waiting for since 2007, and maybe even longer.

Stew Kernan is the radio and television voice of the Sudbury Wolves, and the News Director at KiSS 105.3 and Q92. This column appears every other week in Northern Life.