Plante is a young prospect who should provide organizational depth at the goalie position but there are currently a few netminders slotted ahead of him in the pecking order, including Swede Jacob Markstrom, the Panthers' top goalie of the future. A stellar season with the Rochester Americans (AHL) in 2010-11 could put Plante on track with the lofty expectations that were expected of him in the 2005 draft, when he was selected in the second round.
Plante has some work to do to re-emerge as the top prospect he once was. A second-rounder in 2005, Plante has lost twice as many games as he's won in two pro seasons split between the AHL and ECHL. He'll try to get his career back on track in Rochester this season and earn a new contract.
Plante proved in juniors that he could win games for decent teams, but then proved last season that he can't win games for bad teams. He played poorly for AHL Rochester (said bad team) and ended up with some time in ECHL Florida as a result. But keep in mind he is a former second-round pick — so the Panthers will be patient. He will battle with David Shantz for playing time in Rochester this season.
Plante won 30 games in the Western Hockey League with Brandon last season, which is expected to be the last of his amateur years. The second-round pick in 2005 (third goalie taken over all that season behind Montreal’s Carey Price and Tuukka Rask, now Bruins property) is expected to battle sophomore David Shantz for playing time in AHL Rochester. The hope is that with Vokoun locked up for four seasons, the Panthers can afford to be patient with Plante, a projected future No. 1.
Plante will return to juniors for at least one more season.
Plante was the third goalie taken overall in the 2005 draft. He was incredible as a rookie playing for the hometown Brandon Wheat Kings, posting a stellar 34-11-2 record with six shutouts, a club record. The next step for Plante will be rebound control.
Plante is incredibly competitive and perhaps a little immature, but his size (6'2") and work ethic give him a chance to make it to the NHL. He posted a fantastic rookie record of 34-11-2 with a 2.58 goals against average and .907 save percentage. He's a better player when he stays on his feet and doesn't commit to dropping down too early. He needs to work on rebound control but he's young and intense enough to work hard to fix that.
