Our 18 | Three Questions on the 2023-24 Acadie-Bathurst Titan

What will put the Titan back in the postseason?

One of two teams to miss the playoffs in 2023, the Titan experienced a significant swoon after dealing defenseman Marc-André Gaudet and star forwards Riley Kidney and Jacob Melanson during the holiday trade period. That said, the narrow margin (five points) by which the club found itself on the outside allowed the remaining core to play – and in most cases, remain competitive – in a handful of crucial contests down the stretch. Players such as Ty Higgins, Donovan Arsenault, Dylan Andrews and Robert Orr should be able to translate this experience into increased impact on the club’s fortunes in 2023-24.

Can Joshua Fleming be the difference in the crease?

Fleming, a free agent invite by the Titan in the Fall of 2021, seemingly came out of nowhere in his first full season to solidify the situation between the pipes in Bathurst. Though his numbers were modest (12-24-0-1, 3.60 GAA, .903%), Fleming’s work made people around the league take notice. It also caught the attention of scouts, who placed the Montreal native on the final NHL Central Scouting list prior to the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. After regularly facing 40 or more shots per game in 2022-23, Fleming could play a significant role in how far the Titan could climb should the crew in front of him offer greater protection.

The team hasn’t drafted in the first round since 2020, how will that affect the rebuild?

The draft is the lifeblood of any organization. That said, whatever success the Titan will earn this year will come without the benefit of any player selected by the organization in the first round of the QMJHL Draft. Though defenseman Émile Perron was selected eighth overall by Cape Breton in 2021, the rest of the key components of this club range in selection from second rounders (Andrews, Arsenault) to free agent acquisitions (Higgins, Fleming). The time has come to see if Head Coach/GM Gordie Dwyer and his staff can put these pieces in place to eventually lead the club back to an extended playoff run, something Northern New Brunswick fans haven’t witnessed since the club’s 2018 championship.

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2022-2023 Stats: