The Saginaw Spirit are adding a little more punch to the offense with center Nick Lees. Lees is an over-age forward, acquired from the Barrie Colts in exchange for an 8th round choice in the 2004 OHL Priority Selection and a 3rd round choice in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection.
“Nick has produced significant offensive results over the past two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League,” said Spirit President and General Manager Costa Papista. “He’s someone who can give our offense an immediate shot in the arm.”
Lees scored 63 points with Barrie last season. He was a first round, 15th overall draft pick of the Oshawa Generals in 1999. He has 63 goals, 70 assists and 114 penalty minutes in 265 career OHL games. He’s 5’11”, 195 lbs.
Lees is expected to join the team in time for the weekend road trip to Ottawa and Kingston.
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So who's going to be odd man out, Dix, Mac, or McCutcheon. I have a feeling it will be Dix. I don't think the other 2 are expendable.
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I don't think at this point, anyone needs to be the odd man out. When Kostadine was still here it didn't seem like the Spirit were in any hurry to move one of the o/a players. I suspect we will carry 4 for a while. Basically these guys are trying out for a half season. One of them will most likely be traded to a contender for future considerations. We will use them for now to get to our goal of making the playoffs. Since this isn't considered to be "The Year", I look for one or two of these guys to finish the year with some other team. Just speculating.
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They're still not big...Dix is more valuable than MacDonell...he'll fight other people's battles and he's speedy and can fight hard for loose pucks. I think Mac'll be gone by Christmas. Not saying his OHL career's done but it's the only logical move. This team isn't tough enough without Dix and everybody knows it.
They may still trade for a heavyweight
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i dont think any team would be looking to trade for mac or dixs. as overagers they really dont bring as much to the table as many overagers do. if they arent big contributors here then i dont think another team would be interested in trading something (pick or player) for them. dixs brings toughness to the table but must every team has someone who can step up and throw.
i dont think were done getting players yet. i think if lees makes a big contribution here, we may go out and look for another player, possible a big powerful winger. i think center, defense and goalies are looking good.
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I doubt they would get rid of Mac - he is playing VERY well so far! He's skating better, playing the puck better, and taking the players/finishing checks better than he had been. I see him well ahead of both Pain & Kozak on the depth chart, perhaps only behind Biz, Gibson, McNeil, & Sturgeon.
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I think your points about MacDonell are the very reasons he might get traded. You have to remember, none of these players will be with us next year. If we don't think we are going to go deep into the playoffs at the trade deadline, then you look to move your overagers to contenders who are willing to give up some future considerations for immediate help. The over agers that will be good trade bait are the better players. I don't think Dix is the kind of guy other teams will look at as someone who will give them the help they need to make it to the top. Only the top guys will get moved. That's how it works.
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I agree with BP about quality overagers being the ones that get traded. That may mean McCutch. or even Lees later in the season depending on the teams playoff situation. I do believe that although Mac has been playing better he will still need to improve a bit and stay consistant if he is to be of any value to a contending team.
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..in a radio interview the coach said his team was a bit soft and needed to be better in this area..with the OA deals is it any tougher, do you think?...
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