Friday: McGinn has cleared waivers according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet and will now be assigned to the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Thursday: The Florida Panthers have placed Jamie McGinn on waivers, likely indicating that he’s healthy enough to resume playing. McGinn underwent back surgery in September and has not played a game yet this season. The team has also recalled Jayce Hawryluk, Josh Brown and Ian McCoshen from the minor leagues.
McGinn, 30, is in the final season of a three-year, $10MM deal signed with the Arizona Coyotes in 2016. He arrived in Florida as the entire return for Jason Demers before last season, after GM Dale Tallon was given back control of the organization and made several moves to clear what he believed to be problem contracts. McGinn scored 13 goals and 29 points for the Panthers last year, but it’s unclear now what his future holds with the team.
Instead of returning to a Panthers team that is still trying to push for a playoff spot in the second half, McGinn will head to the minor leagues and try to rebuild his value with the Springfield Thunderbirds. A two-time twenty goal scorer, McGinn is a big frame that can bring some touch around the net and is more than willing to engage physically. This injury will cause many to pause when considering him for their team this summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, but if he can show he’s healthy enough to compete in the second half there should be a future for him in the league still.
If McGinn immediately returns to the Thunderbirds lineup there may even be some interest in him at the trade deadline. Should Florida decide that he doesn’t fit into their forward group any longer, the team might be able to cash in for at least a draft pick. Teams are always looking for physical players to plug into a playoff lineup, and McGinn does have 36 games of playoff experience.
Panthers lack players who are willing to go into corners. Surprised at this move.