Evaluating the Panthers- Part 5

 This will be a short article but that may because the team has their goaltending situation set in stone.  They have their #1 of the future as their starting goalie for next year and have goalies that can be the back-up and a bunch of prospects that may fit the suit as well.  The Panthers are suited very well at the net and we dont expect a lot of movement at the position going into the offseason save for maybe 1 or possibly 2 going out the door.

  There is no doubt who will be the #1 next year, and that is Steve Mason.  The young stud goalie has caught fire and at such a young age and the talent he posses theres a good reason why Dylan labeled the rookie sensation, untouchable.  After Mason they have capable goalie Dan Ellis whose future may be shaky.  Ellis who was brought in to be the starter and struggled all year but still has the tools to be a good goalie.  Its not decided yet if Dan will either be the 1/B goalie to shoulder the load for Mason or to be traded to give the team some future prospects.  After Ellis the team has pending RFA, Andrew Raycroft.  Raycroft had an ok season but nothing stellar, the team was content on his performance as a backup and expect him to return as a possible fail safe for an impending Ellis situation.  Also, all signs point to JS Aubin not returning next season who played well when the team called upon him after being acquired at the deadline.

  In the farm expect David Shantz to head into the season as the starter for the Everblades. Shantz played some good hockey this season but the team was disappointed that he struggled and this last year on his contract will be to prove that he belongs to the orginization.  That means the backup role is up for grabs and if all stays the same there is two prospects that will fight for it.  Joel Gistedt and Jeremy Duchesne will both fight to turn pro next year.  The team expects both to fight hard in camp next year for a pro contract and whoever loses may be ousted but looks like that they will most likely be given another year to devolp in the junoir level.

  After all that the prospect line is pretty thin.  Brian Foster who played for the University of NH this past season, still looks like he is 2-3 years from turning pro.  Kevin Poulin had a solid season with the Victoriaville Tigers and will probablly resume as the starting goalie their next year.  With the sure fire #1 goalie and some solid prospects expect Dylan to maybe use a late pick to soldify the depth in net if the occasion arises.

AND a word from the GM

"  Theres not much to say really. Mason is our number one for our future and thats a great piece to already have.  Then we have Ellis who is better then a backup so we may try and move him to give him a better oppurtunity and we also have Rayzer who is capable backup himself whose proven in the past that he can start.  David  has to prove himself next season or his spots out.  Really were not stressing over this position like others and it would be pretty safe to guess that we will stand pat on the position during the summer."