Thanks to a tip from a loyal reader, I started looking up some information on top prospect Stephane Da Costa.
According to EagleTribune.com out of North Andover, Ma. -- which covered Da Costa during two sensational seasons at Merrimack College -- the Panthers are in the running to sign this coveted young center.
The story, written by Mike McMahon, says the Panthers are one of three teams (Ottawa and Minnesota) who have the best shot at signing the free agent.
The CBC's Elliotte Friedman also weighs in on Da Costa meeting with his new agents and also lists Ottawa and Minnesota as a favorite but does not mention the Panthers. Friedman has the Sens, Wild, Bruins, Ducks, Penguins and Preds as the front-runners.
So we'll just have to see. Sounds like the kid wants to sign sometime this week. So we could have news on this in the coming days.
Florida has already been busy on the free agent collegiate/junior market this season with Mike Santos signing Jonathan Hazen to a three-year deal just last week.
A native of Paris, France -- not Texas, you goof -- Da Costa led Merrimack to the regionals where they were knocked off by Notre Dame in overtime this past weekend.
In two seasons with the Merrimack Warriors, Da Costa scored 91 points in 67 games with 30 goals.
Panthers just signed him. It was posted in the Sun about 15 minutes ago.
Posted by: In Tallon we Trust | March 28, 2011 at 07:55 PM
richards can you confirm this
Posted by: bob mckenzie | March 28, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Panthers say nothing has happened as of 8:30
Posted by: grichards | March 28, 2011 at 08:30 PM
thanks for the update the guys looks like a gifted prize . florida is just going to be stacked with prospects i like what i am seeing!
its going to be a full out brawl for opputunity in this club with young blood, equals chemistry when you have a whole bunch of young guys all at the same stage in there life hanging out getting a bunch of gongshows going on throwing a dip in and hanging out off the ice that will create some swagger!
i am looking forward to see who tallon signs this year some standout to me look like tim connolly from buf, markov from mtl, brad richards from dal,
Posted by: david the 3rd | March 28, 2011 at 10:15 PM
Hey George,
Just because I didn't list Florida shouldn't mean Panthers don't have a shot. Hadn't heard much about them, but meant to add that there will be other serious bidders I wasn't aware of.
Florida makes a lot of sense, because he'll have plenty of opportunity to play and they have had success with NCAA players like David Booth.
EF
Posted by: Elliotte Friedman | March 29, 2011 at 02:46 AM
By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune
First, according to multiple sources, the Wild is aggressively pursuing Merrimack sophomore Stephane Da Costa, the leading scorer for the Warriors and the biggest fish of all the college free agents.
Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher, along with several Wild scouts, have watched Da Costa closely for two years, and Fletcher attended Merrimack's regional semifinal loss to Notre Dame on Saturday.
Fletcher is scheduled to talk with Da Costa and agent Wade Arnott on Tuesday. Like Casey Wellman before he signed with the Wild out of Massachusetts last year, Da Costa has drawn interest from more than 15 teams. But only a few can offer Da Costa the immediate opportunity the Wild can.
The Wild, Ottawa, Florida and Boston are the front-runners, sources say, with others trying hard.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/118814174.html
Posted by: Puckbubba | March 29, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Ottawa has him signed
Posted by: Herbert | March 31, 2011 at 05:10 PM