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# Leafs re-sign Richard Panik to one year contract
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/leafs-re-sign-richard-panik-to-one-year-contract/
- Published: 2015-07-01T18:51:25.000Z
- Updated: 2015-07-01T18:51:25.000Z
- Description: Former Lightning prospect re-signs one year deal with the Maple Leafs.
- Author: Achariya
- Tags: #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:01

Former Lightning prospect and RFA [Richard Panik](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/71886/richard-panik?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) re-signed on a one year deal with the [Maple Leafs](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/toronto-maple-leafs?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) today. The deal, worth $975,000, reflects the improvement in his play as a bottom-six winger for Toronto during the 2014-2015 season. Often playing on Nazem Kadri's wing, Panik scored 11 goals and 6 assists for the Leafs, improving over his record of 3 goals in limited games with the Lightning in 2013-2014.

Panik's [exploits with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch are well-documented](http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/how-the-triplets-were-born-for-tampa-bay-lightning-154337039.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com). As a member of the Crunch's Top Gun line, Panik played with C [Tyler Johnson](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/129886/tyler-johnson?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) and W [Ondrej Palat](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/144071/ondrej-palat?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) to lead the team to a Calder Cup win. Panik's inability to remain in the [Lightning's](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/tampa-bay-lightning?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) lineup at the start of 2014 was not a result of lack of skill -- but more a result of the Lightning's depth in forwards. [Brett Connolly](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/111522/brett-connolly?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) rose to take his place on Palat and Johnson's line out of training camp, [sending Panik through wavers](http://www.rawcharge.com/2014/8/21/6051789/tampa-bay-lightning-top-25-under-25-13-richard-panik?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), and ultimately to Toronto.

Panik played a Lightning-style "fancy" game that was underutilized by former Leafs coach Peter Horachek. [Critiquing Panik's game](http://www.torontosun.com/2015/03/31/maple-leafs-interim-coach-peter-horachek-wants-nazem-kadris-fire-all-over?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), Horachek said:

"He gets himself in trouble sometimes because he tries things that are fancy, through the legs," Horachek said. "And he puts himself in a position, or the team, where the puck is going the other way. We are harping a lot about managing the puck and making good decisions with the puck. I think he has a future in this game if he can just get the management of the puck part (down). It's not just one (time). It's a hundred times and I say it to him every time."

Jon Cooper, on the other hand, has said that [despite some growing pains](http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/lightning-hopes-richard-panik-clears-waivers/2201292?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), Panik "can be the best player on the ice," and that he "[can really impact a game](http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/lightning/panik-back-in-the-lineup-with-this-message-from-cooper-you-have-to-bring/2146495?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com). he's going to be a real good player in this league."