As rivals load up, London Knights still waiting on four stars

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Some teams – like the Oshawa Generals – are already loading up.

The OHL finalists acquired high-scoring Owen Sound captain Colby Barlow Thursday for 17-year-olds Tristan Delisle, David Bedkowski and six draft picks. The London Knights kicked the tires on a possible deal, but still are waiting for their roster to fall into place.

The defending champs have first-round stars in defenceman Sam Dickinson (Sharks) and centre Sam O’Reilly (Oilers) back in time to face Erie Friday (7 p.m.) at Budweiser Gardens, but are still without some of their biggest names.

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“Landon Sim returned, but is still week-to-week (with a shoulder injury),” London associate GM Rob Simpson said. “Denver Barkey is skating (with the Flyers organization after an illness) and is getting close. He won’t play this weekend. We’re waiting on Oliver Bonk (Flyers), Kasper Halttunen (Sharks) and Easton Cowan (Maple Leafs) still.

“We’re getting close, at least, to our roster.”

Halttunen was sent to the San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks’ American league affiliate. The Barracuda play two exhibition games this weekend and start the regular schedule next Saturday.

The Finn sniper is eligible to stay there because he was drafted by the Sharks before playing for the Knights. Dickinson, while in California, made his best pitch to send him back to major junior.

“I maybe dropped a couple of hints to the front office about him coming back,” he said. “I’m biased to that side and I definitely think Kasper would enjoy coming back. He told me if he did end up in London, he would be really excited knowing the team we have shaping up.

“He told me he would look forward to it. He enjoyed his time here last season and it was pretty easy to with those guys.”

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The Knights split their home-and-home with Flint last week but face a bigger test with the Otters and the CHL’s top-ranked Brampton Steelheads on the road Saturday.

Getting the two Sams back is a huge boost.

“We’re excited,” Dickinson said. “I tried to watch the games when I had time. I was checking the summaries and asking the guys how it was going. I was trying to keep tabs on it as best as I could.”

There is, according to the 18-year-old rearguard, just one team goal.

“We went to the Memorial Cup final and our eyes are on getting back there,” he said. “Every guy in here will tell you the same thing. I’m going to do whatever I can to help this team rack up wins.

“That’s really my only focus.”

Still, Dickinson was part of Canada’s summer showcase activities and will push for a spot on the world junior team. The 11th overall pick by the Sharks is one of five Knights – Bonk, Barkey, Cowan and O’Reilly being the others – with a realistic shot of earning the nod after racking up 70 points as a sophomore blue-liner.

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“If I was lucky enough to go play in Ottawa, it would be a really big honour for me,” Dickinson said. “I’m looking forward to see if I can crack a roster. When the opportunities (to score) are there, I’ll try to take advantage, but I’m not going to be the d-man that just pushes for offence. I’ll focus on playing the game the right way and taking care of my responsibilities first.”

rpyette@postmedia.com

KNIGHTSWATCH

Friday: vs. Erie, 7 p.m. at Budweiser Gardens. The Knights and Otters played two spirited preseason games against each other.

Saturday: at Brampton, 4 p.m. at CAA Centre. The Steelheads blasted Brantford 7-0 in their home opener.

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