Fish reel in the Rangers
Trade rumours swirl as OHL deadline approaches
KITCHENER — It’s a cryptic time at the Aud.
“There is nothing to report at this time,” said Kitchener Rangers general manager Mike McKenzie. “If there is something to report with any team then we’ll announce it.”
Hey, you can’t blame McKenzie for being tight-lipped.
The Ontario Hockey League trade deadline is Wednesday at noon and GMs across the outfit are keeping their cards close to their vests.
So that juicy tidbit that Kitchener has a deal in place to acquire forward Logan Brown and defenceman Austin McEneny from the Windsor Spitfires, and the countless other whoppers floating around, will remain just that — rumours.
That might not appease fans that are eager to see the surging Rangers round out their roster to make a run at an OHL title but it’ll have to suffice for now.
Know this, Kitchener has skin in the game.
“We’ve had talks with a number of teams,” said McKenzie. “This year seems quite busy. There are a lot of balls floating around.” Some have already landed. So far Kingston has made the biggest splash by trading for forwards Cliff Pu (London) and Gabriel Vilardi (Windsor) and rearguard Sean Day (Windsor). All three made their debut Friday against the Spitfires.
There was a game at the Aud as well. But it was all Mississauga in the 6-2 Steelheads win.
Trout blueliner Nic Hague, who hails from Kitchener, scored on the team’s first shot of the game just 21 seconds into the opening period and the Fish added three more on Rangers’ goalie Chris McGonigle before the break.
Kitchener cut the deficit in half on second period tallies by Nick McHugh and Greg Meireles but couldn’t complete the comeback.
McGonigle made his first start in more than a month and allowed five goals on 34 shots to drop to 1-3-1-0. Mississauga starter Jacob Ingham made 41 saves in the win.
It was the third straight victory for the Steelheads, who ended Sault Ste. Marie’s 23-game win streak Thursday at home.
The Rangers, who saw their five-game win streak snapped, should look different after Wednesday’s trade deadline. The team has a surplus of draft picks and youngsters that other teams covet. So far asking prices have been high.
“We’re definitely exploring our options,” said McKenzie. “Teams can ask for stuff but it doesn’t mean you have to do it.
“You have to be real careful. Whenever you bring in a guy or lose a guy it really changes the dynamic of a team. I think you have to understand that a little bit and try not to disrupt what’s already here.”
The good news, for the Rangers, is that the west got a bit weaker this week after two rivals — Windsor and London — moved key pieces to the east.
“That’s never a bad thing,” said McKenzie.
The Rangers are off to Owen Sound to take on the Attack Saturday at 3:30 p.m.