The NHL held it’s 2008 entry level draft on Friday night in Ottawa and the night did indirectly impact the Amerks.

Olli Jokinen has been on the chopping block in Florida almost every season for the past eight years.  This year it actually happened.  The Florida Panthers traded Olli Jokinen to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Keith Ballard (21 points in 82 games in the 2007-08 season with Phoenix), defenseman Nick Boynton (12 points in 79 games last season) and the 49th overall pick.

The Florida Panthers still didn’t have a first round draft pick this season.  So, the first draft day was only truly interesting to major Amerks’ fans through any trades the Panthers made.

This lowers the possibility that Panther prospect Shawn Matthias will ever see time in a Rochester Americans uniform.  The Panthers will be in desperate need for some scoring and Matthias has the possibility to fulfill that role.  In four games with the Panthers last season he scored two goals.  It does open the door even further for the Panthers to sign a veteran center to lead the Amerks.

With the Panthers trading for two defenseman, the chances of current defensive prospects making the jump to the show [...]Read More