Yesterday, the Florida Panthers agreed to terms with forward Paul Thompson and defenseman Jacob MacDonald on two-year, two-way contracts, bolstering the club’s depth at the American Hockey League level.
#FlaPanthers agree to terms with forward Paul Thompson and defenseman Jacob MacDonald.
Details » https://t.co/9GOoAFrYYd pic.twitter.com/On2EyUExn5
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) July 2, 2018
The 29-year-old Thompson appeared in 76 games with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, producing 38 points (24G/14A). The 6-foot-1, 200-pound native of Methuen, MA previously played with the Panthers organization in 2016-17, recording three assists over 21 games with Florida.
Thompson played for Florida’s AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds in their inaugural season in 2016-17, serving as an alternate captain and leading the team with 19 goals in 51 games.
MacDonald, 25, led all AHL defensemen in goals (20) and points (55) in 75 games with the Binghamton Devils. His 35 assists ranked him first on Binghamton and third among all AHL defensemen. The 6-foot, 208-pound native of Portland, OR played in the 2018 AHL All-Star Game and was named to the 2017-18 AHL First All-Star Team.
Undrafted, the Cornell University alum has appeared in 110 career AHL games recording 79 points (28G/51A and 110 career ECHL games recording 66 points, including 25 goals.
Litter Box Nuggets (Five For Reading)
- The Toronto Maples Leafs pulled off the biggest coup of the summer landing John Tavares. Here’s how they broke the hearts of many an Islanders fan. (Sportsnet)
- Are the Leafs the team to beat in Atlantic Division yet? Katya Knappe looks at what’s left for the Buds to do this summer. (Pension Plan Puppets)
- Ryan O’Reilly shuffles out of the Buffalo, and the Atlantic, and will join the St. Louis Blues quest not to the miss the playoffs again this season. (The Comeback)
- Speaking of leaving the division, the Ottawa Senators have given interested teams permission to talk contract extension with defenseman Erik Karlsson. (TSN)
- Former Los Angeles Kings blueliner Slava Voynov’s petition to have his 2015 domestic violence charges dismissed was granted by the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday. (ESPN)/