Florida Panthers Sign Erik Gudbranson to ELC
by Ryan Meier on Jul 15, 2011 12:19 PM EDT
in Florida Panthers News & Analysis
Email
Print
After much scuttlebutt over supposed rifts between the Florida Panthers and 2010 third-overall pick Erik Gudbranson, many observers were concerned a deal would never be reached. Well folks, throw those concerns in the trash. The Panthers signed Gudbranson today to an entry level contract on the final day of the 2011 Development Camp. The towering young defenseman turned in yet another solid development camp performance, and seems poised and ready to compete for a starting job on the Panthers this upcoming season. He'll still have to perform well in training camp, but all the folks who got to witness him at development camp agree: he looks pretty darn ready to be a fixture on the Florida blueline for a long time.
The Panthers have a pretty crowded stable of NHL-caliber defensemen already: Brian Campbell, Keaton Ellerby, Jason Garrison, Ed Jovanovski, Dmitry Kulikov, and Mike Weaver. If Gudbranson does crack the starting lineup this season, it will be interesting to see which of the current starters will be either in the press box or elsewhere. What is very important to note, though, is that the level of competition for jobs on this team is higher than it has been in recent memory, and players will have to perform all season long if they wish to stick around. Surely that makes Kevin Dineen a very happy coach indeed.
Best of luck to Erik and congratulations!
52 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
my Friday just got better. I have been working all morning on an NHL realignment plan and playoff system that I think is pretty original. I will post it on LBC when I am done.
Official Panthers Release
OFFICIAL PANTHERS RELEASE
Florida Panthers Executive Vice President & General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has agreed to terms on an entry level contract with D Erik Gudbranson.
"Erik is one of our top draft picks that we are pleased to have signed," said Tallon. "He is a big, strong, and mobile defenseman, who has demonstrated tremendous work ethic, character and passion for the game. He is a strong, young player with mental and physical toughness who continues to grow and develop in his role. We look forward his continued contributions to the Panthers organization both on and off the ice."
Gudbranson, 19, was drafted by Florida with their first selection (third overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The Ottawa, Ontario native played in all six of the Panthers 2010 preseason games, recording two points (1-1-2) and 17 PIM.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound defenseman appeared in 44 games for Kingston (OHL) during the 2010-11 season scoring 12 goals with 22 assists and 105 PIM. For his career in Kingston, Gudbranson has played in 148 contests registering 79 points (17-62-79) and 242 PIM.
On the international level, Gudbranson played for Team Canada at the 2011 World Junior Championship earning a Silver medal. He also played for Canada’s Under-18 team in Belarus at the 2010 IIHF World Championship and 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
Read more: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapanthers/2011/07/erik-gudbranson-signs-with-florida-panthers.html#ixzz1SC9VbAOZ
Steve Diaz
Twitter - @sdiaz6215
What’s the cap hit? Adam Larsson signed for $925,000 (the max) today, but got no performance bonuses added in.
by Alexander Calloway on Jul 15, 2011 2:43 PM EDT reply actions
via Harley Fialkov
#Panthers Gudbranson gets 900K per with cnance to make 2.35 million. Got to play at least 10 games or deal slides
Steve Diaz
Twitter - @sdiaz6215
by Sdiaz6215 on Jul 15, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
What is very important to note, though, is that the level of competition for jobs on this team is higher than it has been in recent memory, and players will have to perform all season long if they wish to stick around.
I’m guessing if he makes the team, they start with seven guys and someone sits in the press box and pushes the rest of the guys to take one of their jobs. I don’t think they’ll waive or trade someone right away. Which is great for the coach.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Yep, I see the same thing happening John. Question is, who is the unlucky duck?
I think Keaton Ellerby has to have a really solid training camp to fight off Gudbranson. He seems like the lowest hanging fruit.
And that’s no knock on Keaton, who has performed pretty well as of last season and is poised to also have a very strong camp.
Honestly, I think garrison would be the one to go considering ellerby has a one way contract. I wouldn’t be surprised if Guds has yet another good training camp if Garrison and possibly even Matthias (if he’s even signed by then) are both put into some kind of deal, or shipped off seperately.
Whether we’re trying to improve our team now with the recent signings or not you have to figure Tallon will still try to get more draft picks, and that’d be the way to do it.
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jul 15, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
This begs to differ: http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2011/07/10/the-games-most-underrated-defense-pairing/
People keep saying Garrison, but I don’t see it. The guy played a ton of minutes last year, and tough ones at that. He and Mike Weaver were a great shutdown pair, but I have to say Weaver is the more likely guy than Garrison to sit. Yeah, Ellerby needs to have a great camp. I think he’s got it in him, but he needs to come in and show it. But I can totally see Weaver being odd guy out if Kuli and Ellerby are amazing together during camp and Garry works well with Campbell. Then I can see something like:
Campbell-Garrison
Kulikov-Ellerby
Jovo-Gudbranson
Weaver
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
I agree with you John. If Ellerby brings it this camp and keeps it up throughout the season, Weaver’s the odd man out. Which sucks because he was excellent for the Cats last year and played tough minutes against top lines with Gary, and was awesome on the PK as well.
It makes me laugh sometimes to read all the trashtalk about how bad the Panthers roster is now. This is a really, really deep defensive roster, comparable to a lot of the top NHL teams in the league. We’re missing the Shea Weber or Brent Burns type of player, but Kulikov and Gudbranson have a lot of potential to reach those levels at some point. Maybe not quite as good, but anything’s possible.
let gudbranson develop his offensive skills a little more over the next yr or two.. he’ll be a top ranked def for sure by then.. the attitude and toughness he showed in junior will transistion as well, and playing alongside jovo with murphy coaching him as well will only help him control any possible “dumb” penalties..
kind of weird to think.. Murphy mentored jovo, is now coaching the def on the team.. jovo now back to be taught even more by murphy while both of them teach guds.. yeah id say he develops nicely.
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jul 15, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
throw in laus to work with him on some fighting drills and it’d be complete. lmao
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jul 15, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with Ryan on Ellerby being the smallest straw. Gudbranson would have been a Panther last season if both sides could agree on a contract.
by Alexander Calloway on Jul 15, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I only say that about Ellerby because he was the most inconsistent D-man out of the remaining guys from last season. That could change completely now that he has a one-way deal and a lot more confidence.
by Ryan Meier on Jul 15, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec’d.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jul 15, 2011 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions
The Blackhawks have agreed to terms with left wing Michael Frolik on a three-year contract
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jul 15, 2011 4:07 PM EDT reply actions
20 goals in each of his first two seasons as well as playing well in the playoffs… and STILL making less than olesz.. id say it’s a fair price.
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jul 15, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
His total shot numbers go up, yet his shooting percentage goes down.
by Alexander Calloway on Jul 15, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
That happens naturally. But a 4.4% shooting percentage isn’t sustainable.
Entering this year, he was an 11.14% shooter. It’s still a very small sample (not even 400 shots), but surely he’s better than the 4.4% he shot this year. The question is how big of a rebound he has next year, whether it’s 7, 9, 11% or what next year.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Jul 15, 2011 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Whatever percentage he puts up in Chicago, he wasn’t likely to do it in Florida.
by Alexander Calloway on Jul 15, 2011 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions
No doubt, I’d say Bergenheim is getting way more than a fair rate but I just don’t see that price for Frolik as justified.
I’m not sure what price I feel is justified, but I also really miss Frolik so I don’t know. I may just be more annoyed that Chicago has him and we don’t.
they also have salak as their backup.. unless of course they make a resigning or pick someone else up
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jul 15, 2011 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
$s are more than reasonable for 20 goals per.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jul 15, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Stayed first first half of session today and my thoughts...
only got to stay for 1/2 the camp today but impressed on the size and speed of this group. There were some big tough guys and some guys that showed good handling. Disappointed not to see Markstrom though. Impressed by Huber though didn’t see him play much in the drills. He took some tough hits and made the one shootout they ran. Looked great on that and we badly need it. Thought Bjugstad, Conner Brickley, Malcolm Lyles and Sergie (in net) looked good. Rocco looked very fast, tough and battled with lots of heart. If he’s 5’4 with skates I’d be surprised though. Can’t wait till camp starts!
HCM
There needs to be a twitter log
ala All in the Family of Huberdeau and Grimaldi. Their banter on twitter is simply superb.
The Ghost of David Nemirovsky
Speaking of twitter, Jacob Markstrom just got on it.
http://twitter.com/#!/j_markstrom
by Alexander Calloway on Jul 15, 2011 6:37 PM EDT reply actions
I’m happy to hear of the number of enthusiastic fans who attended the prospect camp and wish I could have make it to at least one day’s session, but it wasn’t to be. The posts here at LBC are very welcome as the next best thing. Thanks to those who have posted articles, and those who contributed in the comment sections.
by OldDave on Jul 15, 2011 7:21 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
The excitement has been infectious.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jul 15, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Rec’d. Thanks everyone who has kept me in the loop these last few strange and busy days.
by Chris S Roberts on Jul 15, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they had a better time than than we did!
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jul 15, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Jay who?
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Litter Box Cats
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
