In years gone by, this was the unofficial Ontario Hockey Trade deadline, at least for the Owen Sound Attack.
The mode of operation employed by Attack General Manager Dale DeGray in past years, was to set the table in the off-season, do some housecleaning through the Fall, and if need be, have your transactions completed and your team in place by today.
The primary factor for this concept is DeGray’s desire to never overpay in a deal when the trade deadline officially arrives next month.
But this is a very different year for DeGray and the Attack.
First of all, any time a rival General Manager calls, there is a consistent inquiry into the availability of 3 specific members of the Attack.
Without getting into names, there’s no doubt they could fetch Owen Sound picks and players going forward.
But DeGray is nowhere near making a move involving those players, remaining steadfast in his belief the club is better, and may remain better without dispatching key & loyal veterans.
The mantra from Dale DeGray in these matters has been to always do what’s best for the Attack franchise.
But in this scenario, I’m not sure, nor is Dale DeGray, what the best course of action is and will be.
I’m Fred Wallace