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Florida Panthers: Should the Cats Re-Sign Frank Vatrano?

By Daniel Janicas

OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 29: Florida Panthers Right Wing Frank Vatrano (72) skates during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators on March 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 29: Florida Panthers Right Wing Frank Vatrano (72) skates during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators on March 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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With his entry-level contract coming to a close, the Florida Panthers must decide on whether they should re-sign Frank Vatrano or not.

Forward Frank Vatrano was originally acquired from the Boston Bruins in exchange for a 2018 third-round draft pick. He was brought in just a few days before the 2018 Trade Deadline, where Dale specifically acquired him for depth purposes.

In his short tenure with the Panthers so far, young Frank has favored quite well. In just 16 games played with the Cats, the 24-year-old put up 5G, 3A, and 8 points all together. He even received some playing time alongside Jonathan Huberdeau and Vincent Trocheck on the 2nd line, ultimately sparking Vatrano’s offensive.

But the underline question should be: is he worth a contract extension despite his short tenure with the Cats? The answer to that would be yes, he does deserve a contract extension of some sorts, but it would be no more than a cheap, one-year deal.

While Frank produced a significant amount of points on the 2nd line, it shouldn’t go without notice that he still stepped up and produced. Not every player can handle top 6 minutes, let alone finish at the rate that he did on a brand new team. Frankie V showed that when you give him playing time and a reasonable shot at success, he will deliver. Heck, he even scored on his Panthers’ debut, notching a goal against the New York Rangers.

What makes him a perfect depth option moving forward is his speed and shot. Vatrano is a speedster and is the type that won’t stop skating. To top it all off, his shot completes his young, gritty game. When the puck is on his stick in the slot, good things happen when Frankie releases an accurate shot. Just take a look at an example down below:

And, in case you wanted an example of Frankie showcasing his gritty skill which resulted in a goal, this goal down below would be the perfect sample:

With his upcoming restricted free agent status coming into play, the Cats should be able to get a deal done with the Boston native. I would be shocked if any NHL club would throw an offer at Frank Vatrano, considering he’s only a bottom six player. Taking into account the limited options that the Panthers have up front in the minors (AHL), getting a deal done with Vatrano is essential.

The purpose with offering him a cheap, one-year deal would allow him to further prove himself in a full 82-game regular season, opposed to just a small, 16-game sample with the Cats. With high chances of Florida becoming deeper offensively into the following season, Frank Vatrano will likely make the 4th line his new home, becoming an important piece in trying to reconstruct the Panthers’ bottom line.

An offer in the range of $900k-$950K for one season should do the trick in bringing Frankie V back to Sunrise, Florida. Young Vatrano knows that even after a deal is settled, that he’ll have to fight for his place on this surging Panthers’ roster. No spot is guaranteed on this team, especially when you’re fighting for a spot in the bottom six.

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So to sum it up short, yes, the Florida Panthers should re-sign Frank Vatrano to a one-year deal, giving the former Bruin an opportunity to prove himself in a full 82-game regular season. 

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