Panthers trim five from preseason rookie roster
by Donny Rivette on Sep 20, 2010 7:47 PM EDT
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The Panthers cut several youngsters from the ranks on Monday, with one practice remaining before the preseason's first exhibition match in Raleigh Tuesday evening. Those affected:
- F Alain Berger (OHL), undrafted, camp tryout
- F Corey Durocher (OHL), sixth round '10
- F John McFarland (OHL), second round '10
- F Garrett Wilson (OHL), fourth round '09
- D Alexander Petrovic (WHL), second round '10
Not to worry...we'll see all but Berger down the road; pencil in Wilson as quickest to return. Remaining from Rookie Camp (likely 2010-11 destination):
- F Evgeni Dadonov (ROC? FLA? KHL? Based upon his uptempo play this week, we're guessing that last option has come off the table.)
- F Quinton Howden (WHL)
- F Scott Timmins (CIN, ROC)
- D Adam Comrie (ROC)
- D Erik Gudbranson (OHL...there, I've said it; Big Club is just too stacked)
- D Colby Robak (ROC)
Who's next to go? I see Howden and Gudbranson getting an exhibition appearance - call it a carrot - and it's off to juniors for seasoning and further development. Simply no space otherwise. Dadonov's a lock for (at the very least) Rochester, as are Robak and Comrie. Timmins could be the victim of a numbers-squeeze and split time between the "A" and Cyclones (ECHL). Arguments?
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all i know is that Gudbranson better make the team that whole no space thing is bullcrap
forget all that about them having too many people at the position….you pick the kid 3rd overall thats a player that should start… kulikov was 14th overall when he was picked and he made the team and learned on the fly… Gudbranson is much bigger at 6’4 195 he should make it hands down and let him learn on the fly… i dont care what Tallon thinks he should get smacked if this kid doesnt make the team straight up…We need this kid now not a year not 2yrs from now
Who did he supplant performance-wise in the two scrimmages and numerous practices so far? Who among this list gets bumped:
McCabe (one way contract)
Wideman (one way contract)
Allen (one way contract)
Paetsch (one way contract)
Weaver (one way contract)
Kulikov (entry-level deal)
Granted, Paetsch is cheap and burying him in ROC is certainly an alternative; couldn’t hurt the Amerks with his experience. Heck, he was acquired as insurance against Gudbranson not making the club out of camp.
Seriously tho, is Gudbranson more worthy of a spot in the top six than Robak, or Comrie, or Ellerby…guys who’ve been through a few more years of wars and development?
Can’t dispute Kulikov’s success, but how many 18-year old defensive prospects are ready for NHL action in their draft year? It’s a ridiculously small number; Kuli had that indefinable combination of attributes which came together far earlier than most. Doesn’t mean Gudbranson can’t do it, obviously I hope he earns a spot and stays there for the next 15 seasons. He’s mature, got the necessary size, and plays a wildly physical game.
I’m not a scout, far less a coach, so unless DeBoer and Tallon have seen the second coming of Chris Pronger In Year Five, he’s going back to Kingston to play with his brother and Corey Durocher for a season.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Sep 20, 2010 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
and that doesnt bring in Garrison either, who enjoyed quality NHL time last season. ‘branson needs to head to juniors. Team’s in a different place now than it was last season when Kuli made it.
Argh…knew I forgot someone. Thanks Karl.
Count him as a one-way too.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Sep 21, 2010 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions
The Last thing
this team needs to do is rush ANY of the kids, regardless of draft position, into playing. Another year in the OHL won’t hurt Gudbranson. Ellerby is in his third season since being drafted, and not really ready for the NHL, and he was drafted 10th, higher than Kulikov. Draft position means jack when it comes to a player deserving a roster position or not.
Additionally, there are other factors in whether Gudbranson should be on the Panthers or not. Panthers have eight defensive players on one way contracts. Two of which could be trade bait as the season moves along, For the Panthers to burn a year of potential UFA status and to eat the salary of one of those players by sticking him in the AHL, Gudbranson needs to out play every defenseman on this team and show he is a Calder candidate from the start. Otherwise, its OHL.
And something interesting I just found. The Panthers only have three players signed going into the summer CBA fight of 2012. Weiss, Booth, and Olesz. If a lot of these kids prove to be as good as touted, the Panthers look to be in good shape for another NHL reboot, similar to the Pens in 2005.
by MrOmnipotent on Sep 21, 2010 5:16 AM EDT up reply actions
And something interesting I just found. The Panthers only have three players signed going into the summer CBA fight of 2012. Weiss, Booth, and Olesz. If a lot of these kids prove to be as good as touted, the Panthers look to be in good shape for another NHL reboot, similar to the Pens in 2005
This is one of the things that I’ve been saying all along, at the end of this year specifically we’re looking at a lot of salaries going away and a much deeper free agent market than there was this year. I think that we’re looking at a great chance to put together a real competitive team. I think Tallon did exactly the right thing by staying his hand this summer and also really evaluating what we have on hand here.
Some other thoughts. Everybody apparently seems to like McFarland an awful lot, I definitely see why and I wish Tallon was at least giving him a preseason look.
I would love to see Gudbranson make the club out of camp, but I cite my previous statement on this one too. We’ll be seeing a LOT of turnover on the blueline (the entire team really) if things go the way I think they will this off-season and trade deadline.
He’s not ready yet. Give him another year in juniors. He needs to work on his skating, he’s slower than Allen. Kulikov was more or less ready last year and the team really needed him. This team’s not likely to win this year with or without Gudbranson. He can wait a year. He’s going to be a star on this team, it doesn’t have to be now. Next year’s defense lineup is: Wideman, Allen, Kulikov, Weaver, Garrison. Even if McCabe is re-signed and none of those guys are traded, there’s still roster space for him next year with Paetsch and Wilson gone.
Also, don’t forget that DeBoer is basically auditioning this season and there may be some coaching turnover, plus there will certainly be more player turnover. There’s no reason to rush him to the NHL and end up with yet another underdeveloped first-round pick who never lived up to expectations.
Of all the first round picks in last year’s cup final, only three jumped right to the NHL: Chris Pronger (2nd overall 1993/Whalers), Scott Hartnell (6th overall 2000/Predators), Patrick Kane (1st overall 2007). Richards, Gagne, Briere, Carter? Back to juniors. Toews? Back to college.
Florida Panthers: Giving the league a punching bag since 2000.
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