The Panthers made some interesting moves today, acquiring Angelo Esposito (ranked 13 on the Jets/Thrashers Hockey’s Future page), Sergei Shirokov (ranked 3rd on the Canucks HF page), and Keith Seabrook (7th on Calgary’s HF page) to help build depth on the roster and have a genuine competition come training camp for all 23 roster spots. Here’s a bit more information on the players acquired Saturday.
After the jump, we’ll begin with Esposito…
Angelo Esposito, drafted 20th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007, is described as an excellent playmaker, and one of the most talented players to come out of the QMJHL in years. However, two serious knee injuries and consistency issues have held the former The Michel Bergeron Trophy winner (awarded to the Offensive Rookie of the Year in the QMJHL) back in the AHL. He has the talent to be a first line winger in the NHL, but he’s going to have work to achieve that potential.
| Season | Team (League) | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2005-06 | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) | 57 | 39 | 59 | 98 | +42 | 45 | 23 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 4 |
| 2006-07 | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) | 60 | 27 | 52 | 79 | +9 | 63 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 2 |
| 2007-08 | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) | 56 | 30 | 39 | 69 | +18 | 69 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 6 |
| 2007-08 | Chicago Wolves (AHL) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2008-09 | Montreal Juniors (QMJHL) | 35 | 24 | 18 | 42 | +8 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2009-10 | Chicago Wolves (AHL) | 12 | 0 | 4 | 4 | -2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2010-11 | Chicago Wolves (AHL) | 57 | 3 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — |
Sergei Shirokov, drafted 103rd overall in 2006 by Vancouver Canucks, like Mike Duco, is undersized at 5’10”. However unlike Duco, who plays a very aggressive, enforcer role, Shirokov is more of an offensive player. The Canucks scouting staff loves his skating, despite Shirokov not being very fast. If Tallon can convince Shirokov to come to play in North America, he could be a nice potential second line winger in the future.
| Season | Team (League) | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2004-05 | CSKA Moscow (Russia) | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | x | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2005-06 | CSKA Moscow (Russia) | 39 | 7 | 6 | 13 | x | 26 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006-07 | CSKA Moscow (Russia) | 52 | 16 | 18 | 34 | x | 36 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 4 |
| 2007-08 | CSKA Moscow (Russia) | 57 | 12 | 22 | 34 | x | 28 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 2008-09 | CSKA Moscow (KHL) | 56 | 17 | 24 | 41 | +8 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2009-10 | Vancouver Canucks (NHL) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2009-10 | Manitoba Moose (AHL) | 76 | 22 | 23 | 45 | -1 | 32 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2010-11 | Manitoba Moose (AHL) | 76 | 22 | 36 | 58 | +7 | 51 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 4 |
| 2010-11 | Vancouver Canucks (NHL) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
Keith Seabrook (brother of the Blackhawks’ Brent) is an offensive defensemen, drafted 52nd overall in 2006 by the Washington Capitals. Seabrook comes to Florida with great passing skills and the ability to quarterback a powerplay, but he doesn’t appear to bring much upside outside of a 5th or 6th defensemen and powerplay specialist.
| Season | Team (League) | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2004-05 | Coquitlam Express (BCHL) | 58 | 8 | 20 | 28 | x | 70 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
| 2005-06 | Coquitlam Express (BCHL) | 57 | 10 | 24 | 34 | x | 81 | 20 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 20 |
| 2006-07 | University of Denver (WCHA) | 37 | 2 | 11 | 13 | x | 24 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2007-08 | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) | 59 | 4 | 13 | 17 | +4 | 28 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 13 |
| 2008-09 | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) | 64 | 15 | 40 | 55 | +21 | 58 | 18 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 26 |
| 2009-10 | Abbotsford Heat (AHL) | 78 | 10 | 18 | 28 | -5 | 53 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 30 |
| 2010-11 | Abbotsford Heat (AHL) | 48 | 4 | 16 | 20 | -6 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2010-11 | Manitoba Moose (AHL) | 15 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -2 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |