Dale DeGray lives in a fantasy world….
Well, maybe not a Disney-like, Never-Never Land kid of Fantasy World, but the Owen Sound Attack General Manager exists in an environment in which he must constantly visualize for each and every conceivable twist in the road.
The NHL Draft was staged over the weekend in Minnesota.
Going in, DeGray had to deal with the reality that his coach Mark Reeds, the Ontario Hockey League Coach of the Year, is now with the Ottawa Senators.
DeGray must also deal with another likelihood that talented assistant coach Terry Virtue could depart for pro opportunities in the American Hockey League for teams connected to the Anaheim Ducks or the Columbus Blue Jackets or….
You see, DeGray lost one, Reeds, & has to visualize, maybe, losing both, or retaining and possibly promoting Virtue.
And who do you replace them with ?
The wheels are well in motion and we could trot out 5 legitimate candidates in 5 seconds being considered by DeGray right now.
There’s also likely 50 more wannabe’s who have approached already about the Reeds vacancy.
Two former Platers, none named Jeff Perry, 2 guys connected to the Guelph Storm of days gone by, a former OHL Coach of the Year, plus…..
Well, keep in mind, DeGray doesn’t doing anything in haste, so the list of candidates will get longer before a short list evolves.
All the while, DeGray is also visualizing his European draft pick this week, likely a left winger.
Or will he need two picks in the CHL Import Draft if Roman Berdnikov does, or does not return ?
And looking down the road, DeGray has a marvellous trade, in his mind, concocted with the Oshawa Generals.
This transaction may never happen, but in the visual world of Dale DeGray, he’s well rehearsed for every possibility, real or imagined.
I’m Fred Wallace