2009 draft pick Richard Panik signed by Lightning

Another member of the 2009 Tampa Bay Lightning draft class (Brian Lawton's only draft class) has been signed to an entry level contract. Right wing Richard Panik signed officially this morning to a standard entry level deal.

With Panik signed, he joins Victor Hedman, Jaroslav Janus, Carter Ashton and Alex Hutchings as players from the Bolts draft class to be signed by the team. The only two draftees from the draft class not under contract with the franchise are currently Kirill Gotovets and goaltender Michael Zador.

about 1 year ago John Fontana 5 comments 0 recs |

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Next couple of weeks will be interesting

According to the CBA (para 8.6(a)(ii)), if Zador and Gotovets aren’t signed by June 1st, 2011, they’ll be released from the Lightning’s “Restricted List” and will be allowed to sign with any team.

The next couple of weeks could be evidence of the confidence (or lack thereof) of the long-term health of our goaltending.

"They are uncanny. When they want to get a goal, it's like they just snap their fingers or hit a button. They just dial it up. You can see it. It's like they flip a switch. When they are down, it's just like they think, 'we know we are going to score.' I don't know what it is, it leaves you flabbergasted." - Mike Knuble, 3 May 2011

by MTBoltFan on May 12, 2011 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

This is not the time to Panik.

by plasmo on May 12, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I’ve gotten the distinct impression by the guys performance that Zador will not be signed. Gotovets is an enigma to me.

You got to hand it ot Lawton on the 2009 draft class though. How many times do you see the majority of the picks signed by the organization?

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by John Fontana on May 12, 2011 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions

As a former player agent, he should know talent when he sees it. Theoretically, at least. So, in that, he knew what he was doing.

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Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on May 12, 2011 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

But it’s his scouting staff first and foremost. It’s just working WITH the staff that will reep the greatest rewards. Lawton did just that.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on May 12, 2011 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

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