Hounds get picks for Mercier
Soo Greyhounds have extracted a pretty-good return for overage defenseman Medric Mercier in getting a pair of draft picks from the Oshawa Generals.
In exchange for Mercier, who was a healthy scratch for a game on last weekend’s road trip, the Soo receives a fourth-round pick and an eighth-round selection in the 2018 Ontario Hockey League draft.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Mercier has struggled with consistency since being a seventh-round draft pick of the Greyhounds in 2012.
But Oshawa general manager Roger Hunt approached the Greyhounds about acquiring the good-skating defender and the trade was made.
“The addition of Mercier will bolster our blueline,” said Hunt.
Going forward, I think this move gives the Hounds some versatility. They extract two draft picks which could be parlayed in any future deals, but the big thing is it opens up the OA spot as well. As the league standings becomes clearer game by game, another team may make an OA available when their season prospectus dwindles. By having time on their hands before the trade deadline in January, the Hounds can better identify any deficiencies and then gauge the market for the availability of a player that could help them during the stretch run and playoffs. I believe this move gives them the time to let things just fall in place both with their team and league wide.
Could the open overage spot being held in case Halverson returns from the ECHL?