Back from a few days away with the little brother and the folks…
The release is out: former Nighthawk Chris Kotsopoulos will be the Sound Tigers’ color analyst this year. A radio deal appears to be coming soon.
Former Sound Tiger Wyatt Smith and former future Sound Tiger Wes O’Neill signed with Colorado. Former Sound Tiger Brandon Nolan had trouble at the border.
An anonymous commenter points here to a possible Gordie Dwyer tryout with the Islanders. No confirmation on that; as one Isles person said, “I’m not sure we’d have room.” Commenter also asked about the toughness that’s been added. Bootland scored 27 two years ago while spending six and a half* of his 77 games in the penalty box. Jackman scored 23 a few years ago with Syracuse, and his 19 last year would have tied him with Regier for fourth on the Sound Tigers. Spiller has played in the NHL, though he hasn’t stuck there. They’re counting on these guys to be productive, not just protective.
As to whether the toughness makeover will pay off? It’s the AHL. You always need more scoring and fewer injuries. The one thing for sure: It’ll be interesting around here. Maybe especially against Hartford again.
*–OK, he didn’t serve them all, surely, but…