Florida Panthers Sign Roy, Lowry and Desrosiers to Contracts

Over the last couple of days, the Florida Panthers signed three players for depth purpose to add onto the Ethan Prow and Tommy Cross signings.

On Wednesday, July. 3, the Florida Panthers signed forward Joel Lowry and goaltender Philippe Desrosiers to one-year, two-way contracts worth $700k. The following day (July. 4), the Panthers agreed to terms with forward Kevin Roy on a one-year, two-way contract worth $850K.

Joel Lowry, 27, spent the previous season in the minors with the Springfield Thunderbirds, taking part in 55 games and recording 10G, 20A, and 30 points.

The season prior (2017-18), Lowry spent the majority of the year in the ECHL with the Manchester Monarchs, featuring in 33 games while tallying 17G, 22A, and 39 points in result.

Lowry was also loaned to the Utica Comets, only participating in one game (recording no points). That same year, Lowry was loaned for a second time in the AHL, heading to Springfield for the first time. In 11 contests, he registered a respectable line of 2G, 3A, for 5 points, ultimately enticing Springfield to retain him.

Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Joel Lowry was drafted in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. He’s also the son of former Panther Dave Lowry and the brother of Jets forward Adam Lowry.

Philippe Desrosiers, 23, spent the previous campaign with the Texas Stars in the AHL. In 23 games, Desrosiers concluded the season with an 8-11-1 record, as well as a .910 SV% and 2.54 GAA.

That same year, Desrosiers also featured in 6 games with the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL), finishing with a 2-3-1 record, .911 SV%, and 2.76 GAA.

Desrosiers would conclude his time spending four seasons with the Texas Stars and Idaho Steelheads. A native of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Desrosiers was originally drafted in the second round (54th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars.

Kevin Roy, 26, played with the San Diego Gulls for the majority of the 2018-19 season. In 11 games, Roy tallied 1G, 4A, and 5 points. He also experienced a brief stint with the Anaheim Ducks for three games, recording no points.

The previous year (2017-18), Roy played a major role offensively for the Gulls, putting together 37 points (14G & 23A) in 45 games. He also participated in 25 games with the Ducks, registering 7 points (6G & 1A) in result.

The 2016-17 AHL campaign was Roy’s best with the Gulls. In 67 contests, Roy put together his best line of 16G, 30A, for 46 points. Roy was originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round (97th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft and is from Greenfield Park, Quebec.

Joel Lowry and Kevin Roy provide the Panthers with additional depth in the minors and are both able to strengthen Springfield’s forward core. Heading into the new season, the Thunderbirds have playoffs set insight, which Lowry and Roy can both help with as experienced AHL forwards.

Philippe Desrosiers provides the T-Birds with another goalie to add to the fold with Sam Montembeault likely heading up to play backup to Sergei Bobrovsky. With experience both in the AHL and ECHL, Desrosiers should be ready to handle any role Springfield provides him with.

With only $5.4M remaining in cap space, expect the Florida Panthers to use the remainder of it on their own RFAs. Barring a possible trade or two to add another piece or to create some extra cap room, don’t expect any other big signings at this time.