Firebirds, Bulldogs make deal
Languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, Flint Firebirds have finalized a major Ontario Hockey League trade with Eastern Conference top contender Hamilton Bulldogs.
In the blockbuster deal, Flint has added 2000 birth year forward Connor Roberts, who was the third overall pick at the 2016 OHL priority selections draft. In addition, Flint will receive three future draft picks — a second rounder in 2019, a third rounder in 2019 and a third rounder in 2020.
Flint gave up a pair of seasoned, high scoring forwards to get Roberts et al, parting ways with Nick Caamano and Ryan Moore. Caamano, a National Hockey League prospect of the Dallas Stars, has a 1998 birth date while the overage Moore was born in 1997.
Firebirds general manager Barclay Branch explained the rationale behind the trade.
“We feel this transaction will be beneficial to the future success of the Firebirds and will also have immediate positive results for our team, as all of our players will be called upon to play a more significant role in the overall team performance for the balance of this season,” Branch relayed.
Roberts adds to the number of quality youngsters that Flint has as potential picks for next summer’s NHL draft. The others are forwards Ty Dellandrea, Hunter Holmes and Jack Wismer and defenseman Dennis Busby.