Halifax Mooseheads: 5 things to watch this season

The Halifax Mooseheads kick off their 2014/15 campaign Friday night.

Here are five questions they'll have to answer to take another deep run into the playoffs.

1. What will happen with goaltender Zachary Fucale?

If the Mooseheads aren't contenders and don't look like a team that will go deep into the playoffs, Fucale could be traded. The Quebec Remparts are hosting the Memorial Cup tournament this season and they may need some help between the pipes.

Trading Fucale would give the Mooseheads more building blocks for the future. Also, don't be surprised if Fucale makes Canada's World Junior team again this year.

2. Could Nikolaj Ehlers be the top junior player in the country this year?

He was the top rookie last year and lit it up last week at the Winnipeg Jets' rookie camp. The sky is the limit for this uber-talented kid. He has unbelievable speed and skill and is a popular player with his teammates.

Oh and he speaks five languages.

3. Who will score Jonathan Drouin's goals?

With Jonathan Drouin likely to finally crack the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup this year, there will be a crew of players trying to plug the goal-scoring gap up front.

Captain Ryan Falkenham could be one of those players looking to play a different role and hopefully he can stay healthy for the entire season.

A hard-working fourth line player two years ago when the Moose won the Memorial Cup, Falkenham has dealt with some serious injuries since then. Maybe this season will be his time to shine.

4. Will Cole Harbour produce a third star?

Keep your eye on another Cole Harbour player now playing for the Moose. Brett Crossley, 16, has a bright future and joins Halifax after spending two seasons playing at Shattuck-St. Mary's prep school in Minnesota.

Yes, that is the same school two other Cole Harbour kids attended. You may have heard of them: guys named Crosby and Mackinnon.

5. Will coach get a job in the NHL?

There is no denying the success of Halifax coach Dominique Ducharme. While it doesn't hurt to have star players like Mackinnon and Drouin jumping over the boards and filling the net, it's clear Ducharme knows how to handle the players on his bench.

If he can steer this year's team to a solid season, don't be surprised if an NHL team may come and tap him on the shoulder for an assistant coaching job.