It could be a long 24 hours for Serge Savard and the P.E.I. Rocket.
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s trade period closes Tuesday at 1 p.m. Atlantic.
“I have nothing to report at this moment,” he told The Guardian at noon. “There’s a lot of talk and today will be a very, very busy day until late tonight, it’s like that every year.”
The president and governor said he is trying to improve the team, but not at all costs.
“Right now, we’re listening,” he said. “We have a few offers in there, but to be honest, I don’t expect a lot of movement.”
While a blockbuster move is unlikely, he said things could change quickly during the next day. Savard added he’s not selling his top players.
“We’re not prepared to trade a (Ben) Duffy or a (Josh) Currie,” he said. “Our fans have been waiting a long time to win (in) the playoffs.”
One player who may be available for the right offer is goalie Maxime Lagace.
“We certainly entertained the idea of moving Maxime because Antoine (Bibeau) is doing so well,” Savard said. “I’ve had some interest, but no firm offers yet. I will entertain (them), if they come.”
But he likes the position the team is in, having two No. 1 goalies and is looking to add a defenceman or a forward in any transaction.
We have a few offers in there, but to be honest, I don’t expect a lot of movement. - Serge Savard Jr., P.E.I. Rocket president
P.E.I. has made two moves so far during the trade period. The biggest move was acquiring defenceman Anthony Cortese from Gatineau for forward Kelly Bent
“I think he brings us a different dimension,” Savard said. “He’s an offensive-minded defencemen. He’s got good wheels. He’s better than his stats and what people think.”
The five-foot-10, 172-pound blue-liner has an assist in four games since the trade to go with two goals and four assists in 33 games in Gatineau. He had three goals and 13 assists in 42 games for the Olympics last year.
For more see Tuesday's print edition of The Guardian.
Rocket trades:
Dec. 28
• Rocket trade G Jeremy Gallant to Halifax for F Craig MacLauchlan.
Dec. 22
• Rocket trade F Kelly Bent to Gatineau for D Anthony Cortese
Since when?