They had a first round pick to start with in Addy, so trading an 07 1st rounder for the two players, just to get swept in round one last year and be sellers again this year, to maybe get that first rounder back in a trade is the wheel spinning I'm talking about.
Unless they soured on Addy within a few months of drafting him (possible) what was the point, they could have just developed their guy from the start instead of getting no marginal improvement in the league standings or long term prospects with Smith and McCue.
I can only speak for what the whispers around the rink have stated.
The excitement for Addy to sign was high in April, but after the first few months of the season, the excitement on both sides waned it seems. On the Addy side I'm sure they didn't love the coaching (join the club) and lack of initial success, while there were some suggested/whispered off ice struggles (nothing too bad, but the Attack put a priority on that) that the Attack did not like, plus I don't know if the player really hit initially. The rumour was that both sides where seeking a divorce and happy for it to happen.
Last year was, in theory a 'go for it year'. You can argue they should not have done that, I can't say that your wrong, but the age of the roster almost required it, not much different then the Steelheads this year. So while Addy was in theory traded for two players who are 'now' players, they where always going to be back this year, and when they both have been on the ice are among the teams best players. If they do move them (I can see Smith for sure) and the rumour is they get an 08 and that they like more, perhaps a few picks, well, I view that as a win.
The Attack have a nice 07 group and so far, the 08s have been very good with Mbuyi one of the best rookies in the OHL so far. Added in the fact that you have had the two players for a full year and they have been great off ice additions to the team and leaders, I can see the vision with the trade. Move a player who asked to be moved and the organization had seemingly soured on, get a year with two very good, high quality players and then move them for an 08 first round pick, that seems smart asset management to me.
I haven't seen Nico this year outside of the Petes visit to the Bayshore a few months ago, he seems to be like a few other young players who have not taken a sept, but hopefully once the Petes get a bit of confidence and some wins, those players can get going a bit more.