In move that’s been rumored for the past couple days, the Florida Panthers have announced that forward prospect Juho Lammikko has been signed to an entry-level contract.
The Finnish-born Lammikko was selected in the third round (65th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and scored 22 goals and 33 assists in 59 games with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs this season
With Kingston eliminated from the playoffs, both Lammikko (who scored 7 points in 9 postseason games) and 2015 first-rounder Lawson Crouse (7G/4A in 9 postseason games) have signed ATO’s and will finish out the season with the AHL’s Portland Pirates.
The Panthers have also sent center Rocco Grimaldi back down to Portland and recalled forward Logan Shaw.
Grimaldi looked a bit overmatched in the first two games of Florida’s first round playoff series with the New York Islanders and Shaw, who has been tearing it up with the Pirates as of late, will bring more size and toughness. The move could also signal the imminent return of Vincent Trocheck to the lineup.
Speaking of the Pirates, Portland (40-27-5-2) lost 3-2 to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers last night in their final home game of the season when former Panther farmhand Bracken Kearns scored with 42 seconds left in regulation. Connor Brickley (11) and Brett Olson (13) were the Pirates’ goal-scorers. Dylan Olsen had two assists and Brent Regner and Rob Flick also added helpers. Mike McKenna took the loss in net. Playoff-bound Portland will finish the regular season out with two games in Springfield versus the Falcons tonight and tomorrow.