Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Add Justin Bailey

Kitchener Rangers RW Justin Bailey was given until the end of Tuesday to make his decision on whether or not he wanted to ride it out in Kitchener or go to Sault Ste. Marie. At around 2:30 in the afternoon he made his decision and informed Rangers GM Murray Hiebert that he’d wish to finish up his OHL career somewhere else. 

Nick Baptiste Traded to Otters

The Erie Otters announced they’ve acquired Buffalo Sabres prospect Nick Baptiste from the Sudbury Wolves. In exchange the Wolves receive two players as well as four draft picks.

To Sudbury:

– Cole Mayo (1997 born defender)
– Travis Wood (1995 born LW)
– Sault Ste. Marie 2nd Round Pick (2015)
– Belleville’s 3rd Round Pick (2015)
– Erie’s 3rd Round Pick (2018)
– Erie’s 2nd Round Pick (2020)

To Erie:

– Nick Baptiste (1995 born RW)

Erie Otters assistant coach Jay McKee had this to say of the acquisition, ” Baptiste is a high end player that you know wasn’t finishing the year in Sudbury.. Kind of a no brainer targeting him.” McKee was fully aware of the heavy price tag and didn’t expect to be able to land the player any cheaper than they did.

The line of Debrincat-McDavid-Baptiste will be a threat to say the least and the combination of Baptiste and McDavid may continue into the NHL at some time in the future as Baptiste is a Buffalo Sabres prospect.

Erie is now the a shoe-in for the Memorial Cup.

Nick Baptiste: What Would It Take?

We all know that the firesale is underway in Sudbury. One of the top names available is that of Buffalo Sabres prospect Nick Baptiste. Baptiste’s name has been coming across the OHL trade wire and has been for quite some time now. He won’t be in Sudbury long as frustrations are starting to impact him greatly. 

I’m told that negotiations start with one top young player and a pick or two quality young players. No word on destination, but their are many suitable locations.

Nick is a quality guy and deserves to play on a top team so I’m suggesting the Erie Otters will miss on Ho-Sang and grab Baptiste.

Wolves’ Baptiste on trade wire

The dismal start to the Sudbury Wolves 2014-2015 season has led to another high calibre player being placed on the trade wire. The former 3rd round selection of the Buffalo Sabres has notched 2 points in the 2 games Baptiste has taken part in with the Wolves.

Baptiste’s name has in fact come across the OHL’s trade wire, has been for quite some time now. Baptiste joins the likes of Ho-Sang and Jake Paterson as highly touted names to grace the trade wire. Paterson and Baptiste are likely to move well before the trade deadline on January 8th (OA) and 9th.

There was a trade, rumoured to have been completed that would have seen Nick Baptiste head to Mississauga in exchange for a combination of picks, Nick Zottl and Jesse Barwell. The trade was said to have been vetoed by one (or more) no trade clauses.

Nick Baptiste has not responded to inquiries for comments and teammates say they have not heard anything.

The coming weeks will be interesting to say the least!