To restock the cupboard the Spurs delved into the free agent market in a big way during the offseason bringing in several vets.The highlight of the signings was blueliner Tomas Kaberle to a 3 year $24 million+ contract. That's a lotta lettuce....eh!?!
Also brought into the Spurs organization via free agency were Center pivot Andy McDonald ($17.1 mil over 3yrs), RW Miroslav Satan ($1.1 mil one year) and Winger Mike Comrie ($3.825 mil over 3yrs).
Brought in via trades for draft picks during the offseason with Prague and Reykjavik respectively, were oft injured wingers Justin Williams and Scottie Upshall. GM Poelker is hoping for big things from this pair providing they can remain healthy. It's a gamble for sure.
Last May Denver & Thunder Bay got together on a 6 player one draft pick deal after several days of discussion.
Going out the door of the Denver Coliseum was the highly regarded youngster Milan Lucic (left pic), prospect center pivot Brandon Pirri and Denver's 5th rounder in the 2010 entry draft.
Coming from Thunder Bay were wingers Bryan Little and David Perron along with Denver University Pioneer prospects Patrick Wiercioch (D) and winger Rhett Rakhshani.Lucic & Piri were a lot to part with but the players who were brought in should eventually appease the Spurs' faithful.
It's hoped, of course, that Bryan Little can return to his 30 goal form with Perron fulfilling the potential he has flashed at times.
The 20 year old Wiercioch (right pic) is currently patrolling the blueline for the AHL's Binghamton Senators having opted for a pro career after 2 years at DU. It's hoped he makes the jump to the CCHL in a couple of years.
His fellow Pioneer, Rakhshani, is also in the AHL but with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers after completing his studies at DU in time for graduation early last summer. If he can pickup at the pro level where he left off in his senior year at DU, (21g, 29a in 41gp), he should be manning the wing on the right side shortly for the Spurs' for years to come.
Another newcomer is rookie blueliner Ryan Wilson (lower right pic) who was just picked up yesterday in the annual CCHL waiver draft. Amazingly, Coach Quenneville is making noise about him supplanting vet Sami Salo after only seeing a few film clips of his play. We'll see if Coach Q hasn't lost his marbles...eh
Future Hall of Famer Marty Brodeur is back for another tout of duty between the pipes along with his partner Pekka Rinne.
They split goaltender duty last season and Coach Q figures this will probably be the routine this season also. After all, Marty's gettin a bit long in the tooth. But there's still plenty of gas in the tank...no doubt!
Dasher Notes
While this club is certainly defensively challenged, they should provide enough offense to keep the Denver Coliseum faithful entertained this season. Another foray into the playoffs is not out of the question.
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