Without Garrett Billings the Toronto Rock will have a tough first half of the season trying to score. Billings led the team with 32 goals and 69 assists for 101 points. Billing has been the offensive leader for the Rock and without him they will need players to step up in the absence of Billings.
The player with the most pressure on him will be Stephan Leblanc. Leblanc finished second in team scoring with 45 goals and 43 assists last season for 88 points. Leblanc will be expected to carry the offensive load without Billings and will need to find way to create offence as he will be the main focus of opposing team’s defences. Leblanc will be taking on a new leadership role but he has the skills to succeed in his new position.
The other players who will need to step up will be Rob Hellyer, Colin Doyle, and Josh Sanderson. Hellyer posted 79 points while Doyle posted 72 points and Sanderson scored 70 points. These three players will need to continue to put up similar offensive numbers or better as they need to fill the slack that the absence of Billings will create. The Rock will need to have offence by committee as they will not have Billings who is a game changer.
They have added offensive depth with the additions of Brandon Benn, Brady Heseltine and Jordan Robertson in the draft along with signing Brett Hickey.
The Rock will most likely struggle during the first half of the season as the loss of Billings is a huge blow to their team but if Leblanc can get the offence sparked they should be able to hold a .500 record by the time Billings comes back. If the Rock can avoid having a losing record when Billings come back then Billings should be able to help them get into the playoffs.
