Dutchy, Varly & more....

On the trade front the big news for the Spurs was the acquistion of Center pivot Matt Duchene from division rival Las Vegas for the SAS 2017 3rd round rookie pick obtained by Denver in a deal last season. Dutchy will center the Spurs' 3rd line until he is needed in a top 6 roll.



Via an RFA offer the Spurs acquired Semyon Varlamov as a depth netminder. Compensation of a 3rd rd pick went to divison rival Chicago for the Spurs' signing Varly to a three year $2.0M contract. The Spurs are hoping he returns to his form of a couple of years ago. With two hip surgeries and a clean bill of health it is hopeful that he can return to his all star abilities.


As has been the case for several years now, the Spurs' didn't have many draft picks in the entry draft.
We are currently awaiting the results of the 4th & 5th round picks.
Maybe GM Poelker will find some diamonds down there this year.



Last year's 4th round picks, blueliners
Joel Edmundson & Chris Wideman
worked out quite well as it looks like they will make the squad for the Spurs in the Hobey this upcoming season. With the downgrading of Luke Schenn, the injury plagued Erik Johnson and the RFA signing of Brenden Dillon by Philly, they are assured of rolls on the Spurs' blue line this upcoming season.

  

Another possibility of making the club is center pivot Dennis Rasmussen in a part time roll.
He was selected by the Spurs in the 5th round of the 2016 HB Rookie Draft. If not, he still has a couple of seasons remaining on his rookie contract.












Netminder Freddy Andersen, blueliner Torey Krug and
wingers Reilly Smith & Jordan Eberle were all re-signed to new contracts. All received hefty pay raises and management is expecting to see the
confidence repaid with better     production when the puck drops on the season.





 


In Andersen's case, he might see himself backing up Antti Raanta to start the season. But he will certainly get his share of starts in the paint.




Reported by I.P. Daley