Bowler has depth to deal
He has set his team up rather well, in so many ways. As sharp and smart as they come, Spitfires general manager Billy Bowler has put Windsor in a position of not only strength but depth.
Unbeaten through six games to begin the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League regular season, the Spitfires are dandy and deep on the roster with 15 forwards and eight defensemen, not to mention three signed goalies.
As of now, multiple capable players are healthy scratches for a given game, especially with all of the high end players who were away at National Hockey League training camps now back in Windsor. There is a saying that states that a good team can never have enough good players — and that certainly applies to the Spitfires.
Take a look at the Windsor roster and Bowler as the GM could very well trade players with experience for future draft picks — and thus maintaining long time competitiveness — while keeping a lusty lineup that is in a good spot for the ’25-26 OHL championship.
What a nice problem to have, as in so many proficient players.
To be sure, while Bowler is as astute as it gets as an OHL GM, he also carries a reputation as a fair and honest trader. Which means rival OHL managers need not worry about Bowler trying to skewer them in any potential trade.
Bowler has established good relationships with fellow OHL GMs. He has won some trades and he has lost some. And he takes the wins and the losses in stride.
And right now, and moving forward, Bowler is in a good position of strength if he contemplates trading an established veteran or an up and coming first year depth player for future considerations.