After spending last season in Europe, Janis Sprukts has returned to the Panthers. Was just told by Panthers PR that it's a one-year deal, not a two-year as originally reported here and in the official press release.
Would have to think this is a two-way deal with some promises made. Sprukts left Florida last summer because he couldn't secure a one-way deal (which is basically a guarantee he would spend the season in the NHL).
Doubt he would turn down good money from Europe thinking he'd be shuttling back and forth to the AHL. But that's just a guess, as JM appears to be out of commission cellphone-wise. There'll be some competition for forward spots, so this will be an interesting battle come training camp.
Sprukts, who could center the third or fourth lines in Florida, split time with the Cats and Rochester in 2006-07. In 13 games with Florida that year, he scored a goal with an assist. He was very good offensively with the Americans, scoring 18 goals with 41 assists in 58 AHL games that season.
Playing for Lukko Rauma in Finland last season, he scored 12 goals with 17 assists in 53 games.
-- Know this is old news now, but defenseman Sean Hill is going the other way, the former Panther signing to play in Switzerland next season.
Sean "Steroid" Hill! Hahahaha, he's right up there with Lance Pitlick as worst Panther ever!
Posted by: Big Slap Shot Bob | August 08, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Who cares! Just another no-name player on the payroll.
Hey JM, go out and try to acquire Murray or Parrish on the cheap; maybe they'll sign with us for under market value now that they are guaranteed cash from their former teams.
Pitlick was bad but the highly touted Chris Wells (aquired in the Stu Barnes trade) was the worst "meaningful" Panther ever.
Posted by: EJ | August 08, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Any word who will coach in Rochester?
Posted by: Bo | August 08, 2008 at 09:48 PM
a garbage move by a garbage team.
Posted by: Darth Martin | August 09, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Yay?
Posted by: me | August 09, 2008 at 11:40 PM