It's not that Vincent Trocheck doesn't deserve a roster spot. It's just that the Panthers are too deep at center heading into the season. With Aleksander Barkov, Nick Bjugstad, Dave Bolland, and Derek MacKenzie manning the middle of the ice the talented youngster will likely start his 2014-2015 season in San Antonio.

That inevitable news isn't all bad for a player that could use the time to work on his defensive game, but there is no doubt this will be the last season he place on the big roster is up for debate.

Brandon Pirri has had an excellent camp and is practically assured a roster spot. If true that will be the spot that keeps Trocheck down. However, he would likely be the first or second player called up due to injuries.

Other young players that have made the decision-making process tough for GM Dale Tallon are Rocco Grimaldi, Quinton Howden, and Alex Petrovic. While Howden and Petrovic have NHL experience and are maturing at an expected pace, Grimaldi seems wise beyond his years right out of the gate in his professional career. He scored against Dallas Monday night, as did Howden, and has showed all the speed and hands Tallon was hoping to see when drafting him 33rd overall in the 2011 NHL Draft.

Grimaldi is expected to start the season in San Antonio to develop more as a player, but from a depth standpoint he and the other youngsters are showing the Panthers won't have the same issues plugging in holes during the season if needed.

Shane O'Brien, a relative old-timer compared to the kids mentioned here, has also had a solid camp on a tryout basis for the Panthers. He may be in the mix for the sixth defenseman to start the season, if for nothing else than having much more experience than Petrovic, Colby Robak, or Dylan Olsen. All 3 of those players would be great assets in San Antonio to start the season.

The Panthers are deep for a change. The verdict is out if that will translate into more wins, or the fast start that has been alluding them seemingly every year. But Tallon has to be happy at the sheer number of good players to choose from. Next season those same players will be handed the torch.

Dan Spiegel
Florida Panthers Media

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