Panthers Sign McArdle, Collins and Plante to Entry-Level Contracts

[Thrillhouse]

SUNRISE, Fla. - Florida Panthers General Manager & Head Coach Jacques Martin announced today that the club has agreed to terms on entry level contracts with LW Kenndal McArdle, RW Dan Collins and G Tyler Plante.

"We are pleased to have come to terms with three of our highly rated draft prospects," Panthers General Manager and Head Coach Jacques Martin said. "Since they have been drafted they all performed very well for their respective clubs and we look forward to their continued development within our organization."

McArdle, 20, guided the Vancouver Giants to their first Memorial Cup championship, tallying four points (2-2-4) in five games played in the tournament. Throughout the regular season, McArdle tallied 42 points (19-23-42) in 63 games for both Vancouver and Moose Jaw, while scoring 11 goals with nine assists in the WHL playoffs. McArdle began the year playing for Moose Jaw, before being traded to Vancouver. For his junior career (Moose Jaw & Vancouver), he played in 261 games amassing 203 points (92-111-203) and 442 penalty minutes. The Toronto, Ontario native was drafted by the Panthers with their first choice (20th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Collins, 20, led the Plymouth Whalers to the OHL Championship and to the semifinal game at this year's Memorial Cup. This season while playing for Plymouth he tied a career high in goals (26) and set career bests in assists (42) and points (68). The Syracuse, New York native scored nine goals with 11 assists and a +16 rating in this year's OHL playoffs. For his career with Plymouth, he has notched 185 points (86-99-185) in 237 games played. Collins was selected by Florida with their third choice (90th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Plante, 20, appeared in 54 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) this season posting a 30-14-9 mark with a 2.71 GAA and a .911 save percentage. During his rookie campaign (2004-05) with Brandon, Plante was awarded the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the top rookie in the WHL, posting a 34-11-2 record. In three full seasons with the Wheat Kings, Plante owns an 89-49-20 mark and has guided Brandon to the WHL playoffs each year, helping his club advance to the WHL finals in 2005. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native was drafted by Florida with their third choice (32nd overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

[Podollan]

Can this McArdle guy fight?
The Panthers need a Fighter in their system, its a shame what happened to them.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by Podollan

Can this McArdle guy fight?
The Panthers need a Fighter in their system, its a shame what happened to them.

He can but he's not going to be a fighter. McArdle is more of a power forward type of player. Although he's smaller than your typical power forward. He's got great foot speed though and should be a solid pro, IMO.

[Fletch]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

He can but he's not going to be a fighter. McArdle is more of a power forward type of player. Although he's smaller than your typical power forward. He's got great foot speed though and should be a solid pro, IMO.

How many fights would you expect out of him playing a full season in the NHL?

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by Fletch

How many fights would you expect out of him playing a full season in the NHL?

That's hard to say really. Fighting isn't going to be something McArdle is going to be focusing too much on. I figure he'll be a 2nd or 3rd line player at the NHL level (if he makes it of course). Over the past three seasons in the WHL he fought 22 times (including the playoffs).