Thanks to everyone who provided some insight on Evan Rodrigues — nice to get a bit better of a picture in terms of what we can possibly expect from him.
With summer in full swing, I forgot that there’s a development camp going on..!
Camp kicked off yesterday and will run through July 14th. Per Litter Box Cats, the following are this year’s invitees:
“This year's group of 37 players breaks down into 19 forwards, 12 defensemen and six goaltenders and includes Spencer Knight(!), Mackie Samoskevich and three picks from the 2023 draft in Nashville, Gracyn Sawchyn, Olof Glifford and Luke Coughlin. Non-Panthers prospects are in italics.
Forwards: Mackie Samoskevich, Jack Devine, Josh Davies, Gracyn Sawchyn, Jakub Kos, Sandis Vilmanis, Elliott Ekmark, Liam Arnsby, Ryan McAllister, Owen Lindmark, Kai Schwindt, Skyler Brind'Amour, Ben Poitras, Riese Gaber, Matteo Giampa, Jake Wise, Mark Senden, Timofei Khokhlachev, Wilmer Skoog
Defensemen: Marek Alscher, Evan Nause, Ludvig Jansson, Kasper Puutio, Luke Coughlin, Dru Krebs, Djibril Toure, Owen Brady, Chandler Romeo, Lukas Gustafsson, Josef Mysak, Luis Lindner…
Yep. You read that name right. Skyler Brind'Amour is the son of ‘The Bod’ himself, Rod Brind’Amour.
I’ve never been a huge dev camp guy. It’s awesome for the young guns in the system, but I’m just not too drawn in outside of the guys who are on the bubble of potentially making the roster.
One such guy is 2021 first-round pick Mackie Samoskevich, who Colby Guy at Florida Hockey Now has a nice article on.
Here’s a highlight:
“The 5-foot-11 right winger had a standout sophomore season for the University of Michigan, scoring 20 goals and 43 points in 39 games before the Wolverines were ousted in the Frozen Four.
Samoskevich then joined the Charlotte Checkers for the AHL playoffs, adding four assists in seven games before joining the Panthers as a Black Ace.…
Adding…
“After losing 13 players to the pros during the offseason, the Wolverines needed younger players like Samoskevich to fill the void to sustain their status as a college hockey powerhouse.
Samoskevich, Florida’s first-round pick in 2021, delivered.
His 20 goals and 43 points were second on the team behind 2023 third-overall pick Adam Fantilli and Michigan finished the season as the No. 3 team in the nation.…
When it comes to the camp this year, I think all eyes will be on Knight and how he’s readjusting getting back on the ice. Can he get back up to speed? Will he win the backup job? Lots of questions…
BTW - Is anyone planning on going this week?
Lastly…is anyone old like me and not have a Twitter? I used to get some great news from Jameson Olive, and other insiders via that platform, but it looks like it’s no longer accessible without an account.
Anyone know of any other places for good (and breaking) Panthers news? Florida Hockey Now is pretty solid, as well as a couple other Instagram hockey accounts, but curious what else might be out there that folks are utilizing. _____________________
Go Panthers!