Never someone to let the plastic/FieldTurf grass grow under his feet, John Hufnagel was out of the house and en route to McMahon Stadium dark and early on Thursday morning.

As in, 5:30 a.m. early.

“It’s that time of year,’’ reasons the Stampeders general manager.

Business time.

On Thursday, the CFL announced 220 potential free agents come the release date of Feb. 13.

The Stampeders, with 27, possess the third-highest total, behind only Edmonton (37) and Montreal (28).

Their list includes such contributors as pass-catchers DaVaris Daniels, Kamar Jorden, Lemar Durant and Anthony Parker, Most Outstanding Special Teams award-recipient Roy Finch, rush end Ja’Gared Davis, defensive tackle Derek Wiggan and the entire defensive secondary – corners Tommie Campbell and Ciante Evans, halfbacks Brandon Smith and Jamar Wall, along with safety Joshua Bell.

Already, NFL teams have requested to work out Daniels, Finch and SAM linebacker Shaq Richardson.

More candidates are likely to follow.

Fullback Rob Cote, O-lineman Dan Federkeil and possibly slotback Marquay McDaniel, meanwhile, are weighing the retirement option.

Cote has played his entire 11-year CFL career with Calgary (Photo by David Moll)

“It’s not just us. Every team has a bunch of free agents,’’ reminds Hufnagel. “Because that’s the direction the agents are pointing the players: sign a one-year, big-number contract.

“You’ve got to be careful how many of those you give out.

“We’ve prioritized names. That’s what we’ve been doing the last day and a half. The coaching staff is putting together a plan – who we want to attack first. This isn’t throwing darts at a dart board. I mean, there’s a plan and hopefully you can be successful with that plan. Obviously some things don’t work out and you have to try and plug holes later on. Fortunately, we haven’t been in the position too many times to plug holes by signing other people’s free agents.

“So I’ll finish those meetings with the coaches this afternoon. And then I’ll get on the phone.”

Hufnagel’s philosophy has always been to identify primary re-signing targets and get them locked up as quickly as possible to avoid clutter as the deadline approaches.

Last December, as an example, sack-leader Charleston Hughes, punter Rob Maver and kicker Rene Paredes were signed before Christmas.

“Fortunately, we have a little cap-space money this year to help out with the signing bonuses over the next four weeks, so there’s some work to be done before the end of December,” said Hufnagel.

The Stampeders have been participants in three of the last four Grey Cup games, have amassed an unparalleled 52 regular-season wins over that time frame and won the 2014 championship.

Organizationally, they’re renowned for finding capable players to groom, or step in on a short-term basis or assume pivotal roles.

“Well, we’ve had our (injury) problems at different positions over the years and we’ve been fortunate in being able to find a player, bus him to the stadium, coach him up for a few days and they’ve been able to go out and play at a high level,” said Hufnagel.

“That speaks volumes to our coaching staff also. They do an excellent job of getting guys ready to play and also putting players in positions to be successful.

“When you do have the younger players on the practice roster, they and the veterans do a great job (of making them) understand that ‘Hey, this isn’t vacation time just because you’re not a starter.’

“And players have done that consistently.”

DBs Campbell and Smith are both pending free agents (Photo by Bret Kenworthy)

Significantly, too, in the ongoing on-field success, for the most part Hufnagel has been able to re-sign those free-agents he and his coaching staff target.

“Continuity counts for a lot in continuing success,’’ he says. “We believe in that very strongly.

“It’s not only that we have consistently put a competitive product on the field, it’s that the players enjoy the environment here. They enjoy the organization, they enjoy the city, they enjoy the fans. And, yes, there’s a lot of winning to it also. There’s a chance to be knocking at the door, be in the tournament at the end of the year.

“All the reasons why they’re playing. So that does play a part.

“But it’s a business, too.

“I need to be close to market value or else players move on. Which has happened a few times over the last few years.”

For the coming season, the CFL salary cap stands at $5.1 million.

Late November 2018, the Stamps fully plan to be back in the thick of it, hosting the Western Final again and moving on to the Grey Cup three hours north at Commonwealth Stadium.

Because that’s what they’ve done better than any CFL organization of late.

Right now, it’s business time. Ideally, Hufnagel would love to bring back virtually all of those free agents mentioned earlier but …

“There’s no percentage of guys you hope to re-sign as much as do the priority list, attack them, hopefully you have some success with it and then keep on going,” he said.

“Until the money runs out.

“I only have so much to spend.

“That’s the challenge but it’s a challenge I enjoy.”