Rumbling OHL rumour mill


By
November 1, 2017

Ah, those rumours. Like whiskey in an Irish pub, rumours go hand in hand within a major loop such as the Ontario Hockey League.

Just to make it clear, the OHL rumours that I am about to list are none of my doing. Honest, folks, I have not started a single one of the following rumours. (Well, maybe I pushed a button or two.)

— Kingston Frontenacs overage goalie Jeremy Helvig — a National Hockey League prospect of the Carolina Hurricanes — is on the trade market. With the recent acquisition of Saginaw Spirit backup Brendan Bonello, Kingston now has three goalies on its roster and the Frontenacs can fetch a healthy return if they choose to deal Helvig.

— After a strong start to the 2017-2018 season, Flint Firebirds have lost four straight games, all with overage goalie Garrett Forrest between the pipes. It is being said that Flint general manager Barclay Branch may be looking beyond Forrest into the trees for a new goalie.

— Is overage goalie Zack Bowman the answer if the Owen Sound Attack wants to win what has been an elusive Western Conference championship? No is a negative word. But no is a common answer.

— Contending teams with overage spots available are checking their future stock to see what they can afford to give up for Erie Otters puck-moving defenseman Owen Headrick. Are Soo Greyhounds looking at bringing the Garden River First Nation product home?

— There are at least a half a dozen OHL teams that are preparing offers to try to pry overage goalie Evan Cormier and 19-year old defenseman Keaton Middleton away from Saginaw.

— Then again, if youthful Saginaw — which boasts some of the best 1999, 2000 and 2001 birth-year talent in the OHL — wants to take a shot at the playoffs this season, general manager Dave Drinkill may opt to part with some future draft picks to bring in a 1997 or 1998 birth year player or two.

— Coach on the firing line, already? As in John Gruden of the Hamilton Bulldogs?


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