Been a remarkably long summer, but hope is on the horizon: some real competition is only hours away.
The Panthers will be hosting a two-game rookie tournament at the Saveology IcePlex tomorrow at 7 pm and Thursday at noon. Nashville is the featured guest, and hopefully such endeavors will continue during future camps. Admission is free to both games but donations to the Panthers Charities will be welcomed.
Erik Gudbranson, Colby Robak, Garrett Wilson, A.J. Jenks, John McFarland, Adam Comrie, Evgeni Dadonov, Scott Timmins, Alexander Petrovic and many others headline what should be a fascinating insight on where the organization stands going forward.
Goaltender Jacob Markstrom sat out of Tuesday’s drills but is expected to share ice time through the tourney with fellow netminders Marc Cheverie and Brian Foster, both of whom signed professional contracts with the organization earlier this year.
(Going out on a limb here, but presumably Markstrom, Cheverie, and Tyler Plante will battle for two spots in the “A”, while Foster is likely slated for duty in ECHL Cincinnati, sharing starts with Preds prospects; smelling a numbers issue afoot. Four bodies vying for three spots…and let’s not kid ourselves: Markie’s an Amerk.)
New Rochester Americans bench boss Chuck Weber will handle Florida’s coaching duties Wednesday evening, the only game of the two I’ll be able to personally attend (something about a job getting in the way on Thursday).
For info on the Nashville Predators rookie squad, On The Forecheck has a nice primer well worth checking out.
UPDATE: GR at On Frozen Pond is stating Markstrom will likely not be in the lineup Wednesday, as this preliminary roster indicates:
Heading to either of the games?
| Wednesday | 11 |
| Thursday | 1 |
| Both | 9 |
| Neither | 11 |