NHL
Frank Vatrano agreed to a one year deal with the Florida Panthers.
Earlier this week, general manager Dale Tallon made qualifying offers to five of Florida’s restricted free agents. One of them was to forward Frank Vatrano, who the Cats acquired at the trade deadline last season. He signed a one year deal Friday to stay in Sunrise.
Vatrano spent most of his career in AHL with the Providence Bruins, Boston’s affiliate. The Massachusetts native lit the lamp in the 2015-16 AHL season, notching 36 goals in 36 games. As a result, the Boston Bruins called Vatrano up in hopes that he would recreate said performance. Unfortunately, Vatrano only notched 11 points (8 goals, 3 assists) in 39 games for the Boston Bruins.
The following season, Vatrano played more games, but injuries plagued the young forward. He finished with 18 points (10 goals, 8 assists) in 44 games in 2016-17. In 2017-18, Vatrano only played 25 games for Boston due to injury. He only scored two goals for the Bruins in that span.
Despite Vatrano being injured, Florida’s general manager Dale Tallon gave him a chance and traded a third round pick in last week’s draft to acquire the young forward at the deadline. Vatrano had an immediate impact in Sunrise, scoring in his Panthers debut against the New York Rangers on March 10. Vatrano finished the season with eight points in 16 games, including two goals against his former team, the Boston Bruins. Additionally, Vatrano fits right in with a young core of players, and the sky is the limit for him.
According to TSN, the contract is worth about $925,000, which will leave the Panthers with a little more $7 million in cap space to work with for upcoming free agency.
As previously mentioned, Florida has made offers to four other players on the squad. Those players include Alexander Petrovic, Mackenzie Weegar, and Jared McCann. Dale Tallon has been making efforts in keeping his current team in tact, while also bringing in new faces such as Mike Hoffman. For Florida, this is only the beginning.
