TJ Brennan went from persona non grata in Buffalo to the game's second star in his Florida Panthers debut.
Did Brennan get good overnight?
Not quite. He's always been this good.
Brennan, who dominated for Dineen for two seasons with the AHL Portland Pirates ended up with 23:42 of ice time — second on the team behind only defenseman Brian Campbell. Brennan also had four shots and three hits, and was voted second star of the game.
Darcy Regier traded Brennan to Florida on Friday for a fifth round pick.Brennan was Buffalo's second round pick in 2007. He was the 31st player taken in the NHL entry draft that year.
What does Dineen know about Brennan that Rolston doesn't?
Brennan told panthers,nhl.com:
"I just tried to throw one to the net and hung around and guys were on the outside and the puck kind of popped out and I threw it on net and the next thing I know it's in and guys are celebrating, so it was good," said Brennan, who didn't arrive in South Florida until late Saturday afternoon and didn't have a nameplate in the Panthers dressing room.
"We got a little momentum off that. We had a lot of jump in the third, which is great, and it was great to see this team come out in the third and never say die. Not getting a point or two is tough, but a lot of character in here."
Said Dineen:
"That's what my expectations are as a player," Dineen said. "That's the level he's set in game one and that's what we're going to expect until our season ends this year, that he can go out there, he can log some quality minutes, he's got a good read for the ice and like a lot of people when they know they're going to get some confidence in them it makes a big difference. I think he got off to a good start tonight."
Thanks, panthers.nhl.com
“@sabresbuzz: TJ Brennan scored a goal and skated 23.:42 TOI. 4 shots on goal. Kevin Dineen laughs aloud” call the cops they stole Brennan
They dominated the first twenty minutes. Died in the second period. Then scratched and clawed in the third period to get to overtime. In the end, the umpteenth stupid penalty of the season on the Sabres D led to a 4 on 3 PP in OT.
Join the Discussion:
»