Florida Panthers sign prospect Blaine Byron from University of Maine
On August 26th, the Florida Panthers’ farm team (Springfield) signed forward Blaine Byron to a one-year contract.
The Florida Panthers got a little creative in persuading Blaine to come down and play with the Cats. Defenseman MacKenzie Weegar pulled some strings and offered some words of advice to the 22-year-old. Ultimately, Blaine decided that joining the Panthers would be best for his development and would take the opportunity to play in the minors, with Springfield.
Springfield’s General Manager (Eric Joyce) had a few words to say about the new signing:
“This is a little bit different than every other AHL guy we’ve signed because this kid bet on himself, and the players were the ones telling him, go to Florida, it’s the best for you,” said Eric Joyce, Springfield general manager as well as a Panthers assistant GM. “It’s the culture that we want to create. Other clubs offered him NHL deals, and he turned those down and signed with us.”
Byron, who was drafted in the sixth round by the Penguins in 2013, has spent the past four seasons playing for the University of Maine. This past season, Blaine put up 18G, 23A and 41 points in 36 games played.
Blaine became an unrestricted Free Agent on August 16th when his Penguins deal expired. Once he hit the open market, teams around the league were allowed to throw him an offer. Florida weren’t the only team going after him, as teams like New Jersey, Ottawa, Buffalo and Even Vegas, were all going after his services.
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Thankfully, a guy like Weegar who is also a Ottawa native like Byron, was able to persuade Byron during their summer training sessions. In the end, Blaine saw the opportunity and figured that it would be easier moving up the ranks in Florida, then possibly in another NHL organization. Byron’s contract does have a noteworthy detail we must go over.
Basically, because he signed an AHL-only contract, the contract includes an “out-clause”, where if another team offers Byron an NHL contract, the Panthers have the right to match that offer. Regardless of the deal given, the Cats shouldn’t have a hard time keeping the Centerman in Florida.
Another bonus with Byron signing for Springfield, was the ability to play in the Olympics, if he was to ever receive the opportunity. Fortunately for his case, AHL players are allowed to participate in the Olympics.
“If Team Canada calls, I’m never going to hold the player back from going to represent his country,” Joyce said. “The agent and I never really discussed that. [But] if that’s something he wants to pursue, we’ll support that fully.”
What’s most appealing about Byron’s game is his ability to set up others while also putting the puck in the back of the net. He has a combination of becoming both a playmaker and goal scorer. For now though, it’s safe to say that he’s more of a playmaker, judging by last year’s statistics.
Standing at 6’1 190lbs, Blaine’s game is all about speed, skill and size. Naturally a Centerman, the Cats are hoping to turn him into a winger (on the left side). With a surplus of Centerman’s already, it’s on the wing where the Panthers need most help and where Blaine can possibly fit in.
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Overall, Blaine will likely join MacKenzie in the minors where he can further develop his talents. He may not make a direct impact for the Florida Panthers, but will certainly improve the Springfield Thunderbirds offense in the process.