Training Camp!

Finally! Actual hockey in training camp! Preseason on the horizon, and regular season hockey coming so soon we can all taste it! However, there are unfilled roster spots due to a combination of exits and general competition. Some of the spots are basically guaranteed, but others are almost certainly up in the air. Here is my take on who will make the team out of camp.

Forwards:

With the exit of Upshall, Kopecky, and Boyes the Panthers have three forward spots open.Right now the Panthers are looking to strengthen up their offensive production, especially on the power-play. Below is a rough estimate of the Panthers current depth chart, and my estimates on who can challenge for spots.

Left Wing Center Right Wing Huberdeau Barkov Jagr Pirri Bjugstad Smith Jokinen Bolland ? ? MacKenzie ?

Vincent Trocheck – Trocheck played 50 games for the cats this past season, scoring 22 points. He has essentially proven to Dale Tallon that he is too good for the minors, posting 19 points in 23 contests in San Antonio. While in Florida the Pittsburgh native made a name for himself as an exceptional puck possessor with great vision and playmaking ability. While usually a center, Trocheck also played on the wing this season, only lining up as a center in lieu of injured players.

Expectation: Expect Trocheck to lead the pack in challenging for a spot. This forward has proven he has NHL talent, but hasn’t made it full-time and has something to prove still. David Booth – 30 year old David Booth is making a homecoming to place he started his career, this time in slightly less illustrious fashion. The left-winger comes back to Florida after unsuccessful stints in Vancouver and Toronto. While injuries have definitely hurt his production over the course of his career, Booth isn’t as washed up as he would appear. He still has quite a bit of speed in his game, though not as much as before his injuries. This speed was not utilized properly in Toronto or Vancouver. He also played on some teams with mediocre forward depth, and while Florida may not be as stacked as their state-rival Tampa Bay Lightning are at forward, there is much more working for David Booth than is readily apparent.

Expectation: Notoriously hard working David Booth will do just that: work hard. He may not return to his former glory as a scorer, but he has a serious shot to make the team. Rocco Grimaldi – Pint sized centerman Rocco Grimaldi is in a similar situation to Vincent Trocheck, but without the added bonus of having played 50 games for the big club this year. The small center has played on the wings during his NHL stints, and recorded only 1 point with the Panthers in 7 games, a goal versus the Predators. In his first pro season out of The University of North Dakota, Rocco scored 42 points in 64 games in San Antonio. Recently engaged, Grimaldi has been working with a psychologist in addition to his regular physical training.

Expectation: Grimaldi hasn’t proven himself as a bonafide NHL player like Trocheck or Booth, but he had a very impressive rookie campaign in the AHL, and expects to improve this season. His lightning quickness and gritty play also increase his chances. Quinton Howden – Quinton Howden’s coming out party was supposed to be last season, but a series of injuries prevented that from happening. His last NHL action came in 2013-14 when he notched 6 points in 16 games at the end of the season. Howden’s speed, playmaking ability, and shot create a deadly combo, but injuries have put his NHL future in the balance. He played a diminished role in San Antonio this past season due to his injury status, but rest assured that he is still on Tallon’s radar.

Expectation: Expect Howden to be in the mix until the end. If he makes a good showing and stays healthy then he can definitely make the team. He is the kind of player that will burn you if you don’t respect his ability, and can add a scoring to threat to what is sure to be a defensively-solid fourth line.

Honorable mention:

Connor Brickley – Brickley had an impressive rookie season in the AHL, collecting 22 goals and 47 points in 73 games in San Antonio. Expect him to push for a spot, but fall short. Despite a strong rookie outing he hasn’t tasted NHL action yet, so he most likely will not become a full-time player out of camp. Perhaps he can generate enough hype to earn himself a call-up this season.

Lawson Crouse – The Panthers first round pick at the 2015 draft, Crouse is a really solid two-way winger who excels on the defensive side of the puck. While Tallon drools over defensively gifted prospects, the Panthers primary concern is improving offense and special teams, which is a big question mark in Crouse’s game. Expect him to spend the year back in the OHL.

Defense:

There is one lone defense spot available for the taking this season, and 4 solid options for the job. Who can take the cake out of camp?

Left Defense Right Defense Campbell Ekblad Mitchell Kulikov Gudbranson ?

Steve Kampfer – Kampfer is the oldest candidate of the bunch at the ripe old age of 26. The former Bruin and Ranger is a co-front runner with Alex Petrovic for the job. Kampfer succeeded in his role with the team during the 2014-15 season playing in tough defensive situations. Brian Campbell had this to say about his teammate after his call-up for an injured Willie Mitchell:

“I don’t know what happened in the years past, don’t know his history, but I can’t believe this guy hasn’t been in the NHL”(source) Alex Petrovic – Petrovic is a big, solid, and scary shutdown defenseman who will form a wrecking crew with Erik Gudbranson if paired together. He is a big-hitting d-man who sometimes puts himself to far out of position to make a big hit, but is otherwise very reliable. While the offensive side of his game may need some polishing, expect Petrovic to kick ass and take names in camp. The Panthers resigned him this offseason to a 2 year contract, and will most likely make good use of him this season.Click here to watch Petrovic take down two Bruins at once. Seriously, he hardly moves at all. What a beast. Michael Matheson – Matheson may possibly be my favorite Panther prospect that hasn’t logged big league minutes. Tallon loves him too. He is big, fast, strong, and quick. He’s good on defense and smart at moving the puck. Fresh out of Boston college, Matheson is gearing up for his first full season of pro hockey, and could very well get a call-up if he can prove his worth to Dale. Dylan Olsen -What happened to Dylan Olsen. Last thing we know he was sent down to San Antonio. Tallon got tired of Olsen’s sloppy defense and nonexistent offense and sent him down to the minors….but he never reported there. Instead he went home to deal with still unspecified personal issues. I’m not sure what happened to him or his career, but the fact that he hasn’t played hockey in 9+ months doesn’t help his chances, especially because he was under a lot of pressure for his role as it was last year. Hopefully his personal issues are resolved and he can contribute to the organization this year. He may even wow in camp and win his spot back. He’s such a wild card because I don’t know what he has been up to; seriously, there is no news about Dylan Olsen at all so I don’t know. Let’s watch and learn together.

Final Depth Chart:

Here’s my take on what the Panthers depth chart will wind up being on opening night versus Philadelphia.

Left Wing Center Right Wing Huberdeau Barkov Jagr Pirri Bjugstad Smith Booth Trocheck Jokinen Grimaldi Bolland MacKenzie Left Defense Right Defense Campbell Ekblad Mitchell Kulikov Gudbranson Kampfer Goalies Luongo Montoya

Feel free to agree or disagree and chime in with your own sentiments! Let the training camp hype machine begin and carry us to a fruitful regular season! Go Cats!