Michal Repik

Repik tallied eight points (2G, 6A) while splitting time between the Panthers and their AHL affiliate last season. Blessed with excellent speed and a scoring touch, Repik has the talent to be a productive pro player and can be a nice sleeper pick heading into the 2011-12 season. The Panthers are loaded with forwards, however, heading into the season and Repik will need to take advantage of every opportunity during camp if he plans to stick with the club to start the season.

Repik was a common bouncer between the Panthers and their AHL affiliate Rochester last season. He was primarly faced with fourth-line duty, posting five goals in 19 games with the parent club. Repik has the offensive potential, he just needs more experience. With the Panthers in rebuilding mode, he could get more chances in 2010-11.

He didn’t see much time in The Show in his first pro go-around, but he led an abysmal AHL Rochester team in scoring at the ripe age of 19 and 20. Almost as impressive was his ability to keep his small frame healthy. The Cats will likely bring Repik along slowly this season until injuries hit — at which point he could become a contributor in short order.

Repik is a talent; in fact, he has been likened to Milan Hejduk in terms of pure sniping skill. But he's a wee little fart (5'10" adn 180 lbs) who seems to prefer to play on the perimeter instead of heading into the kitchen. We don't really blame him given the size of some of the defensemen in junior these days. But he needs to get over his fears of being pulverized and plough right in. If he can, his heart and smarts -- not to mention that pro shot -- could earn him time on the second line some day. And a whole lot of teams before him will be mighty upset they let him slide.