Just as was promised the Jets were very quiet for the opening day of free agency. Signing today were defenseman and Winnipeger Derek Meech, winger Tanner Glass, and centre Aaron Gagnon. True North has continues to bring in familiar faces into their organization as all three have made a stop through MTS Centre over the last few seasons in the AHL.
Derek Meech is a former 2002 7th round draft pick of the Red Wings who spent all of last season playing for Grand Rapids of the AHL. In four complete seasons in the AHL, Meech has been able to score 27 goals and 102 pts in 304 games. Meech hasn't yet been able to translate his success to the NHL as he only has 126 career NHL games and 16 career points. With Arturs Kulda, Paul Postma, and Brett Festerling already in house competing for one open spot on D, Meech will be in tough to make this team. With that said, he will provide St. John's with a vet D, a leader, and one who is capable of producing at that level.
Tanner Glass is a pure bruiser. He isn't one to shy away from throwing a hit or two every shift or drop the gloves. Glass will spend most shifts on defensive zone faceoffs or the penalty kill. The knock on his game is the offense hasn't come around scoring only 7 times in the last two seasons with Vancouver. Glass should compete for the fourth line left wing spot and will most likely play on a line with Jim Slater and Chris Thorburn.
Aaron Gagnon is a defensive centre who hasnt been able to crack the NHL full time yet. Gagnon got into 19 games with the Dallas stars last season scoring only 2 assists. This signing, like the Meech signing, seems to be more for depth. Gagnon has scored 41 goals and added 54 assists the last two seasons for the Texas Stars of the AHL and thus should compete for the #1 centre job for St. John's.
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