Panthers' Mike Kostka reassigned to San Antonio
by Ryan Meier on Oct 4, 2011 1:43 PM EDT
in Florida Panthers News & Analysis
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Another cut came along today, and this time training camp surprise Mike Kostka was the victim. Not many predicted Kostka to stick with the Panthers as long as he did, and he didn't have too bad of a camp, playing in a lot of situations with a lot of different defensive partners throughout the preseason. That now leaves the Cats with seven defensemen on the roster: Ed Jovanovski, Brian Campbell, Mike Weaver, Dmitry Kulikov, Jason Garrison, Keaton Ellerby and rookie Erik Gudbranson. The Panthers are expected to start the season with seven defensemen on the roster, which means another forward will likely be cut to bring the roster down under the maximum of 23.
A lot of fans seemed to be perplexed with Kostka's presence with the big club this far into the preseason. Lest we forget, folks: this new regime is intent on creating a very healthy atmosphere of competition for jobs. Perhaps Ellerby or Gudbranson needed that proverbial underdog nipping at their skate laces, pushing them to keep working hard else they may end up losing a top-six job on a vastly different Panthers club that needs them less than they need it. Maybe Kostka's play spoke to the coaching staff and he truly earned his extra time and extra looks in preseason games:
"He's just found a level of stability," Panthers Head Coach Kevin Dineen said. "He's a little older, a college guy who's been in the pros for three years. His intelligence has been a strong point. He's got patience with the puck, so he's done a good job in training camp and has earned a longer look."
No one really knows but the Panthers coaching staff, but my guess is that it would be the former, especially for Gudbranson, who could be returned to juniors after the first nine games are up. Either way, the defensive roster seems to be set, and management and fans have to be happy with the depth. What will be truly interesting is to see which one of the seven will not regularly dress for the team. Or, and hopefully this is not the case, Gudbranson looks shaky through his nine games and is returned to juniors for another year, which wouldn't be a horrible situation, but could damage his confidence a bit.
Regardless, this is a very deep and talented top-six, no matter who starts.
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I believe Kostka was a former player under Dineen in Portland, too.
I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season.
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots
You can add Reinprecht to the list too..
OT if anyone wants to check out the LA vs Hamburg game its streaming on NHL.com right now. Tied 2-2 going into the 3rd.
by Rob PKane McMahon on Oct 4, 2011 1:47 PM EDT reply actions
Correction
2nd period starting. still 2 more to go
by Rob PKane McMahon on Oct 4, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
No idea. But that’s what they’ve been saying all along, they would carry 22, with 7 D and 13 forwards.
Actually, given Santorelli’s injury that makes the most sense. They cut to 22 now for the opening night lineup and once Santorelli’s back off IR, they’re at 23 and don’t have to cut the 14th forward if they don’t want to. Right now they can worry about what to do with Reinprecht and that should be sorted out by the time Santorelli’s back.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Don’t know, they haven’t said. If I had to guess they want two things: 1. as many people playing in SA as possible, so that they win games, 2. the flexibility to dress 7 defensemen instead of 6 for a game or to have one skater replaced in the lineup for any reason (injury, illness, poor play) without having to call guys up constantly.
Having 22 guys gives you one extra D and one extra F to give you the flexibility but keep the most players in the minors.
I don’t know if that’s their reasoning, but it would be mine if I was in charge, because I’d be inclined to do the same thing if I had that roster. If I had a more veteran roster I might keep 23; If I had the old Panthers roster with the deficient farm system, I’d do what they did: keep 20 and look for a new job (hi Jacques!).
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Makes sense I guess since most of their spare parts are young guys who need to play. Most teams go with the max, so far the Panthers are the only team I know of going with the 22 man squad.
Can’t wait for the season to start. Hitting Bokampers Thursday night for the B’s – Flyers game and can’t really wait for Saturday to see how the new Panthers look against the Isles.
Even though we dont have room for him (and I dont want to make room for him) Reinprecht is still a good player. His contract is the reason no one wants him, not because he sucks.
I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season.
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots
Is it Saturday yet?
I hereby predict Captain Mike Weaver #43 will score 6G 20A -RCR
Be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, always do your best...
Only if you get me that flux capacitor that was promised…
The Ghost of David Nemirovsky
by panthersfan27 on Oct 4, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Would it be possible that they’re runnin with 22 because they know there will be a NEW player brought it that we don’t know about…..Maybe a Tough Guy!
Or, for as much money as they spent this offseason, actually paying a full salary for 23 players is too much for the team to afford currently. They need to see how attendance will be before committing to spending the extra million on a third potential player to sit the bench and earn a check to do nothing. Almost sounds like baseball.
Only trade “bait” is Reino…
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Oct 4, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope all that talent translates onto the ice down here this year…It’s starting to get REAL exciting in South Texas…
by rampagerowdie on Oct 4, 2011 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
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