When the Tampa Bay Lightning placed forward Richard Panik on waivers Wednesday, it was expected that he would get claimed.
Despite only registering eight goals, 14 assists,25 penalty minutes and a minus-11 rating in 75 career NHL games, Panik is still considered a high-ceiling prospect, so the Toronto Maple Leafs — who lost their season opener 4-3 to the Montreal Canadiens — decided to take a chance on the winger.
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So who exactly is this player that was unable to beat out fellow youngsters Jonathan Drouin, Vladislav Namestnikov, Nikita Kucherov and Brett Connolly to earn a spot on the Lightning?
Name: Richard Panik
Born: Martin, Slovakia
Age: 23
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 208 lbs
Drafted: 52nd overall by Lightning in 2009
He’s a boom or bust type of player
When Panik shows up, he can be a handful for the opposition. He’s a skilled forward that can play on his off-wing and he’s not afraid to use his size and finish his checks. On the other hand, his effort level has been called into question in the past and at times he can be a complete non-factor.
After he was waived, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, who coached Panik at the AHL and NHL level, gave the following assessment of the forward:
“Sometimes you’re watching Richard and he’s a man-child. He can be the best player on the ice, and sometimes, you don’t notice him.”
This speaks to his inconsistency, which became an issue with Panik during his time with the Lightning.
He played junior in Canada
Although he was born in Slovakia, Panik played two years in the Czech Republic. He has tons on experience in North America as well. Every NHL/AHL team he has played on was located in the United States and before that he spent time with the Windsor Spitfires, Belleville Bulls and the Guelph Storm across two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League.
Panik began the 2009-10 season with the Spitfires where he registered nine goals, nine assists in 33 games before being dealt to the Bellville Bulls where he racked up 12 goals, 11 assists in 27 games. He split the 2010-11 campaign with the Bulls and Storm in which he totaled 27 goals, 29 assists for 56 points in 51 games.
He once scored this beauty with the Guelph Storm
He has an impressive international resume
Panik has represented his country a number of times at international tournaments. At the 2008 World U18 Championships he had 10 points in six games, tying him with Team Canada’s Jordan Eberle for third in tournament scoring. He had 22 points in 19 games over three world juniors from 2009 to 2011. At the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, he played right wing on Team Slovakia’s third line.
He has connections to Leafs players
Panik was teammates with current Leafs forward Peter Holland in Guelph during the 2010-11 season. They combined for 113 points in 91 games with the Storm that year. Panik also knows Carter Ashton well. After selecting Victor Hedman second overall at the 2009 NHL Draft, the Lightning’s next two picks were Ashton at No. 19 and Panik at No. 52. The two spent the 2011-12 season together with eh Norfolk Admirals in the AHL.
He has a great name for headline puns if the Leafs struggle
– Leafs in Panik mode
– Leafs make Panik move
– Time for Panik in Leaf land
