Panthers' Draft Day Wraps Up

What began as an optimistic draft day for me has turned into cautious, albeit doubtful hope that we made the right decions in this year's draft. Heading into the draft, we learned we had traded away our leading goal gettter and captain for two stalwart defenseman. OK, makes sense. Our defense has been lacking, at best, for the better part of 3 seasons. We needed a change. But knowing this, you would think the actual draft would bring in some new scoring talent to replace the kids we will have to bring up next season (Matthias and Frolik).

Instead, the Panthers drafted a goaltender (#31 overall Jacob Markstrom), 3 defensemen (#46 Colby Robak, #80 Adam Comrie, #190 Matthew Bartkowski), and 1 winger (#100 A.J. Janks). No centers, no offensive threats that will develop in Rochester. Our new netminder, Swedish phenom Jacob Markstrom, will spend the next 2 seasons in the Swedish Elite League, where he's played the last 2 seasons. He will be a #1 goaltender in the NHL in sooner rather than later. The lone forward we drafted came with our 4th pick in the draft. Janks actually sounds like a promising prospect. He played in the Ontario Hockey League last year with the Plymouth Whalers, where he tallied 26 goals-29 assists-55 points playing in 66 games. In the All-Star skills competition, he registered the 2nd hardest shot at 94 mph. He also played for Team USA's U-18 team at the international Hlinka tournament.

The best things that can be said about Janks comes from his coach in Plymouth. "He’s got good size and probably has one of the best shots in the league, from a wrist shot or snap-shot perspective. He needs to work on his lateral movement and stops and starts, but that will come with experience."

Now if only we had drafted another one (or two) of these types instead of 3 more defenseman that likely will spend most of their Panthers career struggling to make the roster. While draftees Rob Belak and Adam Comrie sound like they could become NHL defensemen, they probably will stay in the minors for awhile. I mean we just traded for 2 starting blueliners, why draft 3 more?

So here's what I'm thinking. Our depth at the forward position is all youth. With that much youth on our NHL team, you would think we'd be set for at least a couple seasons with the talent we have. Our affiliate in Rochester may suffer to score goals, but let's face it, who cares? At defense, our youth is a little more suspect. Beyond Bouwmeester, there isn't much in the way of prospects on the blueline. Now there are. Maybe JM knows something we don't, maybe they have something brewing in the free agency. Until the market opens up, we'll just have to sit on our hands and try to digest today's events.

Jokinen Dealt by Draft?

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the following:


As for Jokinen, rumors are picking up that GM Jacques Martin could trade him by the start of training camp. It's not the first time Jokinen's name has popped up up in the rumor mill, but the teams Garrioch suggests could take a run at him (Calgary, Ottawa, Minnesota) will have to send almost the equivilant of his $5 million+ salary to Florida or dump it elsewhere to comfortably afford him.

The above really bothers me because there never is a return in these rumors. OK so Jokinen is going to be dealt but who are the Panthers looking for in return? It doesn't say!

My point is that all true Panther fans should be nervous to what this horrid organization will be asking in return. A true Panther trade would be: Jokinen for Bonk and a 4th (me shaking my head in disappointment).

The Panthers need goal scorers, it would not make any sense to trade their best point getter for nothing. I expect this team with JM as GM to make this team look totally different from last years team.

Matthias better make the team out of camp and Frolik hopefully will be up by December (thats assuming they start off slow once again which we all know is almost a given.

Breaking News: Panthers Sign Frolik

Just as I was starting to plan what negative things to say when the Panthers were to lose Michael Frolik, the team gets him signed tonight.

This is the biggest news out of Panthersland in quite some time. He's being compared to Jaromir Jagr, just the type of player the Panthers need. Losing out on him would have been devastating to the franchise.

Frolik put up 65 points in 45 games last year in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Coincidentally, he plays for the same team that Sidney Crosby came into the league from.

I said Martin needed to do four things this summer to earn my respect (Sign Frolik, Bouwmeester, a kicking ass type of coach, and some scoring options in free agency). Check one off the board. I can't believe I'm saying this, but way to go Jacques.

9 Days left to Sign Frolik

Will it surprise anyone if they don't get this deal done? For one, I expect them not to get the deal done. On top of this deal, theres the Bouwmeester contract. Does anyone think #4 will be wearing a Panther uniform next season?

Frolik is a special player, I want everyone to know that this draft pick might be one of the best draft picks they have made in YEARS. If they fail to get his contract done, I hope some season ticket holders wake up and realize this organization is going down the drain (well it has been for 7 years).

Frolik could easily come into the NHL and put up 20+ goals his rookie season. He is a rare talent and is known as Baby Jagr. I see Frolik maturing into a top line winger 80+ points a year. If they do not sign him, he will then re-enter in the NHL draft this coming July.

From what I have been apart of for all of these Panther offseasons, I give this organization a 80% chance that either Frolik or Bouwmeester does not get signed by the team. Wouldn't it be something if they both are let go via draft and trade. If that happens, I might be in for a new hockey sweater!

Rememeber, Cohen and JM both said that Bouwmeester was the center piece to the team and that Frolik is the most important prospect for the future of this franchise. They will have lied to all of us faithful fans if they fail to sign both.

LETS GO PANTHERS, GET THESE DEALS DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND OF COURSE OLESZ TOO!

19 Days to Sign Frolik

With the 10th overall selection in the 2006 NHL Draft, the Florida Panthers select Winger - Michael Frolik!

NHL experts said this kid was one of a kind, but he is one player you have to be careful with if you want to draft him so high in the draft. The Panthers took the chance but never signed the kid!

The Panthers have 19 days to sign their first round selection in 2006. I would not surprise me or any other die hard Panther fan if they let him re-enter this years draft. I have said it time and time again that this team needs new ownership.


Froliks Stats:
2006-2007: 52 games played - 31 goals - 42 assists - 73 points
2007-2008: 45 games played - 24 goals - 41 assists - 65 points

HE'S READY!

RON WILSON ANYONE?

He was just fired today by the Sharks. He is now my #1 choice for the next Panthers coach!