The Florida Panthers have added forward Patrick Giles to their playoff roster after recalling seven other players earlier today. Giles will effectively serve as one of the Panthers’ black aces and will practice with the team throughout their current playoff run. Giles recently completed his third season in the AHL with Florida’s AHL affiliate the Charlotte Checkers and will join many of his teammates in Florida.
Giles was an undrafted free agent signing out of college after spending four seasons with Boston College. The 24-year-old hasn’t produced much offensively at any level dating back to his junior days. This season with the Checkers, Giles posted 13 goals and 10 assists in 66 games in what was his best offensive season at any level in the past decade.
In other Atlantic Division notes:
- NHL Insider Chris Johnston tweeted today that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner remains insistent that his desire is to remain a member of the Maple Leafs long-term. Much has been made of Marner’s play in the recent playoff losses, but the 27-year-old remains one of the top point producers in the league. The chatter around Marner is likely to heat up as Toronto is coming off another disappointing playoff exit, and his situation is further complicated by his contract status. Marner has one year left on his current deal at a cap hit of $10.9MM and is eligible to sign an extension on July 1st. The Markham, Ontario native had a bit of a down year this season, failing to hit 90 points for the first time in three seasons.
- David Alter of The Hockey News tweeted today that Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi told reporters that he would be open to extending his contract with Toronto beyond this season. Bertuzzi is an unrestricted free agent this summer after signing a one-year $5.5MM deal with the Maple Leafs last July. Bertuzzi hit the 20-goal mark for the fourth time in his career but likely didn’t have the season he was hoping for despite playing a career-high 80 games. The 29-year-old tallied 21 goals and 22 assists with Toronto and should receive a multi-year contract this summer after settling for a one-year deal in his first trip through free agency.
Just a couple notes about Marner… It wasn’t a down year in scoring for him, his P/60 is identical to last year’s (3.5) and he’s been between 3.0 and 3.5 since his second season, with 6 straight seasons of PPG+ production.
His play elsewhere struggled. He blocked the most shots in his career, which means he was likely hemmed in deep in his own zone more than before. this could be usage, systems, zone starts (haven’t looked into it), poor chemistry with linemates, natural regression, an injury… but it was clear he was battling something and this wasn’t the Selke-level 2 way star of previous seasons. Matthews supplanted him as the team’s premier defensive forward.
Offensively, he was often trying to create offense from the perimeter, there was less of that brilliant edge work he used to display– he took the fewest number of shots in his career. He was simply not aggressive enough.
I suspect injury. I think most of Toronto’s core is beat to hell right now and has been for some time. Them’s the breaks in the cap era when all these guys want to play together and they all make so much.
A trade would do good for both parties, but Marner’s not going to have the value someone with his history, age, and skillset should have because of the contract uncertainty and his off-puck play last year.
If he’s take 7-8 per he’d be welcome back with open arms but if he demands Willy or AM34 money he’s delusional. Think most people suspect the high ankle sprain he suffered earlier this season hurt him. It’s not just his play that has upset people it’s his overall demeanour and negative body language that have turned most off his game as a leaf. Think this team should clearly continue to build around AM34 and Willy but the rest of them can be traded I know it won’t happen but JT, Rielly and Mitch all need to go. Hopefully next year a new d core and younger forward group (Robertson top 6 roll, mitten and Cowan) can help this team for years to come. Only problem I see is getting the big guys to waive their NMC, as that’s the only way there gonna be able to have a decent D core next year to help insulate Woll and Hildeby
the other problem with Mitch (and it wasn’t just this playoff) is his style is not conducive to long playoff runs. he’s got a ton of skill but that cross ice pass he often can pull off doesn’t work as much in the playoffs when the slot is clogged.
ultimately if anyone is going to move it’s him. I can’t see JT waiving with one year left and believe there is as much a chance he signs a short-term extension at half his current rate or less. maybe 2-3 yrs/$4.75M per. he is still well above avg in the dot and still amazing at deflections in front
Rielly I think stays. I’m not as big a fan on Morgan but he does drive the offense from. the backend. the leafs don’t have anyone else who can play that role and his $$$ aren’t awful.
if Treliving can move Marner, and likely let’s Bertuzzi, Brodie , Gio walk that opens up some dollars to bring back Max, bring back Ilya
Can always trade JT and bring him back after next year. I would assume Matthews is getting the captaincy this summer anyways. I really want the Russian bear and Domi back tooo
Can’t believe all the marner haters mathews doesn’t score 69 if he plays with the likes of domi,he came back from a high ankle sprain played 2 games and boom playoffs he’s still a little tentative our so called captain did less than him yet know body’s jumping on him Can’t pick up a pass Can’t hold on to the puck long enough to make a play hell he can’t even stay on his feet tavres should never have been signed in the first place and while we are at it it’s also time gentlemen please on Morgan Reilly not physical not a shutdown guy all he can do is move the puck somewhat