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Florida Panthers: Sign Four Of Their Kids

By Evgueni Nagasawa

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With the Draft and the NHL Free Agency frenzy (or lack thereof) over it seemed to be just a matter of time for the young players that Florida Panthers needed to sign to be signed. Though the team and Jonathan Huberdeau have not reached an agreement on the new contract, Dale Tallon stated the they were very close and that there was no worries about getting Huberdeau the right contract. Besides that the Panthers locked down Alex Petrovic, Lawson Crouse, Quinton Howden, and John McFarland.

Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers /

Florida Panthers

Alex Petrovic a 23 year old Edmonton native, was drafted in 2010 in the second round (36th overall) and has been slowly developing with in the minors as he played 144 games with the San Antonio Rampage, and putting up 9 goals and 42 assists. Signing a two-year deal, one-way, showing that the management seems to be ready to give the reigns of the 6th spot on defense to Petro.

Last year he was given the opportunity to show what he could do, and he took it and ran with it, playing a total of 33 games with the Panther club and putting up 3 assists and 76 hits. Petrovic has definitely impressed many, including myself, on his ability to stay calm and make a play under pressure. Not a risk taker and an offensive threat, Petrovic is a technically sound defense-man that can play both sides of the ice very well. He can dish out mean hits and will stand up for his teammates as he did for Jonathan Huberdeau.

I like the deal, giving him the chance to play in the big leagues as well as creating a fight for spot mentality within the organization as there’s still Steven Kampfer, Dylan Olsen, Mike Matheson, and MacKenzie Weegar who are looking for that last spot.

On the other side both Quinton Howden and John McFarland were signed for one-year, two-way deal. For Howden it was more of concern for his injuries that have plagued him in the last couple years. He has a chance to impress in the training camp and make it into the lineup this season with openings left by the removal of the veterans.

For McFarland it seems to be more of look to see if he can develop into the player that Dale Tallon and his staff drafted in the second round in 2010 (33rd overall). One of the most quiet of the 2010 draftees it seems to be if he does not show signs of improvement he could be the odd-man out soon enough.

Finally Lawson Crouse signs an entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers. Picked 11th overall in this years draft  the 6’4″ 215lb London Ontario native found himself dropping out of the top 10 in the draft and finding himself in the Panthers laps.

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After and impressive rookie development camp he will be looked at in the training camp to maybe impress and get into the roster spot. The big kid can throw his body around and stand up for his teammates. Though scouters have stated concerns about his offensive skills, there is plenty of time for him to improve in those areas.

Dale Tallon would go on and say “Lawson is a strong, skilled and physically mature forward with good hands, who will provide us with a prominent forechecking presence each night. He was one of our best players in development camp and we are confident he can make an immediate impact on our roster, playing on one of our top lines.”

As we count the days down till the training camp and eventually the start of the season, we can only imagine what young players will make the team and how well each play.

Next: Florida Panthers Trade Hayes For Smith

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