From “On Frozen Pond” by George Richards – As I’m sure you all have heard, the Panthers inked center Michael Frolik to an entry-level deal on Wednesday afternoon, days before the mandated deadline to get him under contract.

Frolik, Florida’s first round pick (10th overall) in 2006, spent the past two years playing for Rimouski of the Quebec junior league — the same team Sidney Crosby played for before he jumped into the NHL with much aplomb.

I would have the think Michael is going to have a very good shot at making next year’s squad out of training camp, and that’s probably the reason this deal took so long in getting done. The Panthers don’t have very many roster spots open at the current time, so look for some buy-outs to be on the way. I think Florida would like to have Frolik and Shawn Matthias — among others — to have a real shot to make it out of training camp.

Says Jacques: “We are confident he will help our organization for a long time. Michael has had two strong seasons with Rimouski and he is ready to compete for and earn a spot on our roster.”

The Panthers are done as far as prospects go, with d-man Keaton Ellerby (first round pick, 10th overall in 2007) signed earlier this month.

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Hopes are high on this kid, the rosters for next season are starting to take shape for both the Amerks and Panthers.