There's a profound difference in the way Calgary Stampeders coach and general manager John Hufnagel is approaching Wednesday's opening of free agency, compared to this time last year.

First, in practical terms, Hufnagel won't have to stay up past his typical early bedtime that allows him to arrive at his McMahon Stadium office somewhere around 4: 30 or 5 a.m. In the past, free agency began at 10 p.m. Mountain time; this year, the Canadian Football League sensibly changed the deadline to 12 hours earlier.

But the other major difference is Hufnagel had to stay up late last year, because he had definite holes he needed to fill through free agency in the wake of the loss of his starting cornerbacks, Brandon Browner and Dwight Anderson.

This time, Hufnagel will likely be more of an observer than a participant when the talent-grab gets underway.

"Not unless there's a big surprise, where somebody's agent calls up and says his guy really wants to come here, and that he fits within our salary cap, and that he'll be able to compete and make it a strong position for us," said Hufnagel. "But I've always been in the mode that I've never been a big player in free agency unless there's a strong need.''

''I don't see a need as of today. That's totally the opposite of last year, when I lost both of my corners."

Which is another way of saying that of the talent that will be on the market Wednesday morning, not many will be an upgrade on the Stamps' existing depth chart, and the ones who do fit that description won't fit on the Stamps' balance sheet.

"I don't have a perceived void in my lineup," said Hufnagel. "Some might say defensive line (after the retirement of DeVone Claybrooks). But I have two young Canadians who played a lot of football last year in (Brian) Bulcke and Junior Turner. Knock on wood, we have a healthy Corey Mace. I have Charleston (Hughes) back, we have (Chris) McCoy, who came in at the end of the year and did a nice job. I have two young import defensive tackles that I expect to take a big step from the first year to the second year in Torrey Davis and Kevin Dixon. And we have the guys we've signed (Cody Brown and Chase Vaughn). We've put a lot money, time and effort into our off-season recruiting, and that's how I prefer to do it."

The free-agent class of 2012 is highlighted by a pair of Canadians - Saskatchewan slotback Andy Fantuz and Winnipeg offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte. Both would fit in nicely with the Stamps; neither will sign here because their asking price will be too high,

"There's a couple offensive linemen that I've heard are asking for big numbers, and we'll have to see how that shakes down," said Hufnagel. "But you can't really trust what you hear because it can throw everything out of whack."

"But," he added with a laugh, "If Andy Fantuz wants to fit into our salary cap, I'll talk to him."

Suffice to say, that conversation won't happen.

Meanwhile, the Stamps locked up one of their young Canadian prospects Monday, as linebacker Justin Conn agreed to terms on a contract extension.

Conn was a sixth-round pick by Montreal in 2010 and played one game for the Alouettes in 2011 before signing with the Stamps on Aug. 30 and suiting up for Calgary's final 10 games. The Bishop's University product made one defensive tackle and three more on special teams, and it's in that latter area that Conn will mostly be utilized.

"Justin Conn did an admirable job in 2011 on special teams," said Hufnagel. "He will have a great chance to develop his skills at the linebacker position by being at our training camp in June."

Follow Allen Cameron on Twitter/AllenCameron

acameron@calgaryherald.com