Here is my take on everything.....
Players that will be traded......
Beck, Mayer
IMO these guys are "market proof" - they will be prime targets so even if it's a sellers market they will garner a great return for the Petes
Players that might be traded......
Smith, Sztuska
Smith is drafted so may not return as an OA, he is a beast to play against and is exactly what teams will want in their lineup come playoff time
Sztuska has had a great start to the year so there could be interest, especially for teams with a shot this year AND next.
With Bowen on the team, I expect him to be the starter next season (now that he has the maroon and white equipment
). Neither the Petes, nor Bowen will want to have him back up Sztuska next season.
These guys being traded will depend on the offers IMO.
The Connor Lockhart trade was a different situation.....that deal was made to accommodate Lockhart more than anything else - he needed to play and Oke was handcuffed.
Players that likely won't be traded......
Dubois, Gauvreau, Purdeller, McCoy, Melee
Dubois, Gauvreau and Purdeller are more valuable to the Petes than the returns they would receive in trades.
It's my hope that McCoy and Melee will not be dealt, even if they receive decent offers.
I'm really hoping that McCoy, Melee and Lefebvre are the Petes, OAs next season.
I'm sure Oke has been receiving trade offers for many of these guys listed above but the plan has been working to perfection so far.
- Have veterans lead the team to a solid start while showing the younger players what it takes to play Peterborough Petes hockey.
- 1st place in conference, young guys playing with more confidence every game
- Trade away pieces at the deadline that won't be part of the Petes' rebuild next year
- Oke will have his fingers crossed that the number of buyers will be enough that he gets good trade returns