The CFL trade deadline came and went Wednesday with barely a ripple across the league. Only two trades were completed before the 5 p.m. Saskatchewan deadline, reflecting how difficult it can be for teams to make significant moves this late in the season.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders were involved in one of those deals and made a reasonable splash by reacquiring veteran kicker Brett Lauther from the Ottawa Redblacks for a fifth-round selection in the 2027 CFL Draft.
"We had some conversations a couple of weeks ago about the possibility of it," Riders vice-president of football operations and general manager Jeremy O'Day said. "Trades are difficult in CFL. It's a late deadline. Most of the time teams are still in the playoff run, so it's a matter of being in the right situation."
The Riders had previously explored their kicking situation earlier in the season before reconnecting with Ottawa in the final days before the deadline.
"We circled back in the last couple of days and worked through it, back and forth a little bit, and then got it done," O'Day said.
Why so few trades?
The CFL's trade market is different from what fans see in other professional sports. With most teams still believing they can compete for a playoff spot, few sellers are willing to part with proven players.
And for Saskatchewan, another factor comes into play. O'Day said the Riders value their draft picks.
"When you're looking to make trades, you're looking at your own team to say, 'Is there anyone on our team that we want to trade and what are you going to get back?'" O'Day explained. "And then do you have a willing partner that wants to trade someone that's going to help your roster more than what you're going to give up? And then also you're looking at your draft capital as well."
Saskatchewan's philosophy is to build through the draft, making a draft pick a significant price to pay for a player who may only be available for a limited portion of the season.
"We feel very strongly about having Canadian picks, and we like to make our picks, and so they're hard to give up," O'Day said. "I'm not a big fan of giving up draft picks. I think that's a big, important part of building a team is through the draft."
In Lauther's case, however, Saskatchewan determined the opportunity was worth the price. The former Rider has made 32 of 34 field goals this season and O'Day sees the acquisition as a chance to add an experienced player who already knows the organization.
He'll supplant Dawson Hodge, who made all five of his field-goal attempts over two games since replacing Alex Hale.
"Our young guy's done pretty well the last couple of games," O'Day said. "We just looked at it as an opportunity to add a guy that's been here before, that's made some big kicks for us, and that's kicking at a very high level right now."
The decision on when Lauther gets into the lineup belongs to coach Corey Mace. He made it clear there is no lengthy adjustment period required if the Riders decide to put Lauther into the lineup this week.
"Absolutely, he could play this week," Mace said.
That decision will also involve managing a delicate situation with Hodge. But Saskatchewan couldn't turn down opportunity to add a veteran with extensive playoff and big-game experience.
"It's just have an upfront conversation with him and tell him the truth," Mace said of his conversation with Hodge. "The truth is he's gone out there (and) he's made all of his kicks."
Mace said Hodge has a bright future in the CFL and could still be called upon if necessary.
Lauther's return also brings an interesting full-circle element. The Riders released him in February.
"If I had my crystal ball to start the year, the reality is we make decisions in real time based on the information that we have," O'Day said. "At the time, I thought it was the right decision."
Lauther subsequently found a home in Ottawa and put together a strong season, eventually creating the opportunity for Saskatchewan to bring him back. O'Day credited Lauther with how he handled the situation.
"Credit to him being a pro and battling back," O'Day said. "Pro sports are tough."
Mace doesn't believe there is anything to repair between Lauther and the Riders.
"No mending, I think, necessary," Mace said.
He pointed to a conversation he had with Lauther before the kicker left Saskatchewan and the relationship they maintained while Lauther was with Ottawa.
"I think being around the league long enough, anything can kind of happen in this business," Mace said. "It was just mutual respect. Relationship over the business."
For all the talk surrounding the CFL trade deadline, the reality is that movement is difficult to create. The Riders were part of only two trades Wednesday, and O'Day's comments provide a pretty good explanation why.
Teams must be willing to move players. Other teams must be willing to give them up. Both sides also must decide the return is worth the cost. For Saskatchewan, that cost was a 2027 fifth-round draft pick.
The reward is a familiar face with a history of making important kicks in Saskatchewan, a kicker coming off a strong season in Ottawa, and a player Mace believes can help the Riders as games become more important.
"We're happy to have him back," Mace said. "He's happy to come. And hopefully he continues what he's been doing this year."
In a CFL where trades are rare and draft picks are precious, that's apparently what it takes to make a deadline deal happen.
