Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 5th year Slovakian-born right wing Richard Panik(18) played 76 games in the NHL after being scooped on waivers from Tampa Bay Lightning.
He ended up scoring career highs 11 goals and 6 assists but was a last minute cut heading into the current season.
Back in the minors with affiliate Toronto Marlies he has been playing his game, lighting the lamp with consistency (4 goals, 12 assists in 16 AHL games with a +5 rating and 33 shots on net).
The 24-year old is on a one-way deal this season worth just under a million dollars but will need to get some playing time in the big league to score another similar deal.
For now he can only continue to impress on the farm as he waits for a call.
Richard Panik(14) Norfolk Admirals
Tampa Bay Lightning 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#52 overall), Slovakian-born right wing Richard Panik(14) wasn’t exactly a shoe-in for a roster spot on their AHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals at the beginning of his rookie season but has managed to find his niche when called upon.
In 64 games he produced a very reasonable 19 goals and 22 assists.
In the Calder Cup Playoffs though, the 21-year old has been all about being in the middle of the action and it’s paying off with key goals. He has 3 in 12 postseason contests including the overtime game-winner of the Semi-Finals that got the Norfolk into the Conference Finals.
The 6’2″ 215 lbs. forward still has 2 years left on his 3-year entry level deal and chances are he’ll keep improving his game and quite possibly find his path to the net with increasing frequency.