The timing of this signing makes me think it's Treliving tightening the cap space available for Bennett so as to bring the two sides nearer together in negotiation.
I'm sure neither Treliving nor Bennett's camp had any concerns over Wotherspoon taking up any of the cap that could go towards Bennett's deal.
That logic would be more applicable if Tre signed Jagr and left the team with $X to sign Bennett... "This is what we have available take it or take off"!
At this point, all he needs to do is better than Bart to have a NHL job...good shot
I am not sure who to choose between Kulak and Wotherspoon. Kulak is probably better but he is too soft to be a bottom pairing
Wonder if he'll be released next year if he only continues at his current rate of development. Not a terrible prospect, but just got left behind by others.
Was this a 2-way contract? If it's NHL pay grade, I'd say it's somewhat telling of their expectations… or a "good bye and thanks for all the fish" contract.
"For me, it's always the same with Tyler," critiques assistant GM Craig Conroy. "He's a steady, shutdown defenceman. And that's great. But you want him to take charge more, be more aggressive. Whether that's finishing checks, clearing guys out. He's got a good stick, great in the neutral zone, hard to beat 1-on-1. But if there's a chance to jump up in the play, you need to do it. Safe is great but you don't want to play too safe, where you look like everyone else.
"You need to get out of your comfort zone, grab a jersey and take a job."
That's the mandate as camp beckons.
"I feel like this year," Wotherspoon says, "can be my shot. I just hope I get an opportunity to show what I can do.
"You can get anxious, especially since I've gotten a taste of (the NHL) every pro year.
"When I've been up there, I felt as if I've done a good job. It would great, now, to get more than a taste and show them I deserve to be there long-term.
"As a player, I think my game is best suited to the NHL. You're always anxious and nervous about camp getting started. You want it to get going and get to October."
I think we all want him to beat Bart for the final D spot (#7) but management and coaching really seem to be in love with Bart, so he's gonna have to wow.
I do think he fits a different niche than both Bart and Kulak.