The arms race is officially underway in the Ontario Hockey League.
The Erie Otters were the first to display the ” go-for-it ” mentality when they packaged 2 players and 4 picks to Sudbury to acquire Nicholas Baptiste.
Baptiste got 45 goals last year playing with Mathew Campanga.
How many goals will he get if he skates with Connor McDavid ?
A bigger question is, who’s next ?
I’d think the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds who have gradually risen to contender status won’t simply concede a Western Conference title to the Otters without some sort of splash.
And how about Oshawa ?
With the big lead in the Eastern Conference, will the Generals watch the West load up without making a statement themselves ?
I doubt it.
Which brings me quickly to the Owen Sound Attack.
Against the Sault & Oshawa, Owen Sound is 0 & 3, 2 of the defeats pretty convincing.
Doing a quick check I see Owen Sound has SIX games left with Erie who, as mentioned, just upgraded.
So, do the Attack get into the derby and try for a massive deal ?
I don’t see it.
In fact, I don’t like what I do see, that is, Owen Sound holding some valuable senior assets that have to be coveted, especially by Soo & Oshawa with the Otters firing the first big trade salvo of the season.
The Attack preference is to be done dealing by early December.
I’m pretty confident in assuming Dale DeGray’s cell phone is ringing now and will continue to ring for the next 45 days.
I’m Fred Wallace