Doyle: Saginaw and Barrie complete blockbuster deal

The Saginaw Spirit and Barrie Colts have wrapped up a big trade.

The Spirit send defencemen T.J. Brodie and Nick Crawford to the Colts along with a 3rd round pick in 2010 in return for blueliner Ryan O'Connor and forward Michael Sgarbossa. A source close to the deal has confirmed this trade. The Colts continue to stockpile their roster for a run this season as Brodie (Calgary) and Crawford (Buffalo) are both potential pro players next season, but are currently second and third in OHL defencemen scoring. O'Connor and Sgarbossa are both two years younger but have already put up solid numbers. O'Connor was Barrie's first round pick in 2008 and had 35 points last season. Sgarbossa was chosen in the third round in 2008 and scored 43 points last year and 20 already this season.

This is a bold move by Spirit GM/Head Coach Todd Watson when you consider it is a Spirit team currently on a winning streak and one of the top clubs in the Western Conference. But this could be a case of taking a slight step back right now, for big steps forward in the very near future. O'Connor and Sgarbossa will make contributions now and for two more years in Saginaw.

As for the Barrie perspective, the Colts just continue to load up and immediately pick up two blueliners who can run the powerplay to help feed the offensively-gifted forwards. Like with many deals, we really will not know the final outcome of the move until down the road. Just how far do the Colts go in the playoffs? What will the Spirit do this season, and next year? Those questions are yet to be answered.

tdoyle@loosepucks.com