SPORTSNET.CA
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have come to terms with offensive tackle Alexandre Gauthier, widely regarded as the top offensive lineman available in the CFL free agent sweepstakes which began Monday at 12:01 a.m.
The announcement will not be made by the Tiger-Cats until Gauthier signs a contract with the club. The franchise had the veteran Canadian left tackle as their top priority as the Ticats look to turn their fortunes around. It is expected Hamilton will also make a run at import right tackle Rob Murphy, who will be leaving the B.C. Lions.
Murphy is also being courted by the Toronto Argonauts.
Free agency opened with a flurry of signings. The Edmonton Eskimos inked former Ti-Cat Scott Gordon, who was last with Saskatchewan. The Riders lost offensive tackle Glenn January to Winnipeg but replaced him with Joe McGrath. Former Blue Bomber Shawn Gallant, granted his release before Feb. 15, is returning to the Manitoba capital.
Punter Burke Dales is close to signing in Winnipeg after winning a Grey Cup with the Stampeders in 2008.
Sportsnet also confirmed a trade was made between Winnipeg and Edmonton. The Eskimos shipped Siddeeq Shabazz to the Blue Bombers for defensive end Kai Ellis, who is well regarded by new Esks defensive coordinator Jim Daley.
The Toronto Argonauts have locked up young Canadian centre Dominic Picard, who spent his first three CFL seasons in Winnipeg. He will begin a new era with the Boatmen, who are expected to soon announce the retirements of offensive linemen Chad Folk and Jude St. John as well as linebacker Mike O'Shea.
In other news, middle linebacker Aaron Wagner, once considered the heir apparent to Mike O'Shea, has been traded by the Toronto Argonauts to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for a 2010 draft pick.
Saskatchewan appears likely to lose linebackers Maurice Lloyd and Anton McKenzie, both of whom have rejected offers. In fact, Sportsnet.ca has learned Lloyd rejected an offer of $135,000 a year for three years plus incentives. He will sign in either Edmonton, to join head coach Richie Hall, the Roughriders' former defensive co-ordinator, or B.C. McKenzei rejected an offer in December and could also be headed for either Edmonton or B.C.
