Panthers trim five from preseason rookie roster

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?