Try, try again
Kitchener Rangers drafted in 2016 become eligible once more
KITCHENER — Adam Mascherin and the Florida Panthers have parted ways.
The Kitchener Rangers sniper will not sign a contract with the National Hockey League club, according to his agent Todd Reynolds.
Mascherin was Florida’s second-round pick (38th overall) in the 2016 NHL draft, but the two sides couldn’t find common ground on a deal.
The 19-year-old can ink a contract with another club if his rights are traded by Friday. If not, he’ll go back into this year’s NHL draft, which runs June 22-23 in Dallas.
“There is interest in him definitely (in a trade),” said Reynolds, who heads Uptown Hockey.
Rangers rearguard Connor Hall also remains unsigned.
The Cambridge resident was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round (77th overall) of the same draft, but also didn’t put pen to paper with the pro club.
“Signing with the Penguins won’t happen,” admitted Hall. “It’s not any bad blood or anything. It’s just the simple fact that I haven’t played a full season through three years now (in the OHL). That throws some alarms out and I’m aware of that.”
Hall has been plagued by injuries during his run with the Rangers.
He’s had a broken jaw, torn labrum and surgeries to repair both shoulders. He missed the tail end of this past season and all the playoffs to fix his ailing right shoulder. Surgery went well and he has started strength training after about six weeks of rehab.
Mascherin and Hall aren’t planning to attend this year’s NHL draft, but will keep an eye on things from afar.
“There is always a chance (at being redrafted),” said Hall. “You never know.”
Most players that re-enter the draft aren’t selected because NHL teams no longer see them as prospects. That’s not the case with Mascherin, who simply couldn’t come to terms with the Panthers.
Still, being an older player likely means he won’t go until the latter part of the seven-round draft.
“He’s an elite offensive player, but we’re very pleased at how the rest of his game has become so well-rounded,” said Reynolds. “He has matured as a player and grown his game.”
Mascherin is expected to move on to the pro ranks next season, while Hall is planning to return to the Rangers for his overage year. If both are bypassed in the draft, they can still attend NHL camps as prospects and/or sign free agent deals.
“I want to play in the NHL just like any other player,” said Hall. “I think my defensive play is one of the best in the OHL. I think in order for me to sign a contract, I need to work on my two-way game and get myself up the ice and in more scoring chances.”
• PROSPECTS REPORT: The Rangers’ D Giovanni Vallati, and Elora native Mitchell Hoelscher, are among 104 prospects for this year’s NHL draft taking part in the scouting combine this week in Buffalo. Hoelscher is a Waterloo Wolves graduate now playing forward for the Ottawa 67’s.