Saskatoon Blades Set Sights on Fourth Place in WHL Eastern Conference
The Saskatoon Blades find themselves in a familiar position as they enter the final quarter of the Western Hockey League regular season. Currently sitting in sixth place in the WHL Eastern Conference, the team is focused on climbing the standings to secure fourth position before playoffs begin.
Current Standing and Historical Context
The Blades entered their Tuesday night home game against the Calgary Hitmen with a record of 25 wins, 20 losses, 3 overtime losses, and 1 shootout loss, accumulating 54 points and a .551 winning percentage. This places them in the same sixth-place position they finished last season, though their 2024-25 campaign ended with stronger numbers at 37-23-4-4, 82 points, and a .603 winning percentage.
Despite the statistical dip from last season, the Blades remain within striking distance of fourth place with approximately one-quarter of the regular season remaining. This creates an opportunity for a late-season surge that could significantly impact their playoff positioning.
Youthful Roster and Development Challenges
The Blades' roster features considerable youth, with only two graduating 20-year-olds (captain Tyler Parr and Rowan Calvert) and five 19-year-olds currently on the team. This relative inexperience has translated into growing pains and inconsistency throughout the season.
Head coach Daniel DaSilva acknowledged the team's developmental journey following a 3-1 loss to the Prince Albert Raiders at SaskTel Centre on Sunday. "I definitely think we're finding our way a little bit, still," DaSilva said. "We're showing that we can compete with the top teams in the league some nights. And some nights, we're not at our best, and showing maybe that we're not quite there. I think this group can take confidence out of it, knowing that if we all play the right way, and play the way we need to, we can be right there. So it's a learning process."
Injury Challenges and Roster Management
The Blades have faced significant adversity on the blueline this season, with multiple defencemen missing games due to injuries. Isaac Poll, Derek Thurston, Tristen Doyle, Kaden Allan, and Jordan Martin have all been sidelined at various points. Martin remains out for several more weeks, Allan is week-to-week, and Thurston is out indefinitely.
General manager Colin Priestner expressed satisfaction with the team's performance considering these challenges. "I think we've come through a really hard portion of our schedule, with six out of seven games in our last seven-game stretch being against either Prince Albert, Medicine Hat or Edmonton — three of the best teams in the country," Priestner noted. "Coming out of it with two wins over Prince Albert and Medicine Hat were big for the confidence in our group. We've got a lot of injured defencemen, so we've been feeling it a little bit in the back end. But overall, I'm pleased with where we are right now."
Trade Deadline Strategy and Future Outlook
The Blades maintained a relatively quiet approach leading up to the January 10 trade deadline, sending only defenceman Tyrone Sobry to the Prince George Cougars. This strategic restraint suggests the organization is building toward next season while remaining competitive in the current campaign.
As the regular season enters its final stretch, the Blades' focus remains clear: determine what type of team they want to become during these crucial games. With a combination of youthful talent, experienced leadership, and resilience through injury challenges, the Saskatoon Blades are positioned to make a meaningful push toward fourth place in the WHL Eastern Conference standings.
