This former Tampa Bay Lightning forward has found a new home.
This former Tampa Bay Lightning forward has found a new home.
Former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Richard Panik has found a new home, as he has signed with HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga. He will be under contract with the club until the league's international break in November.
Panik, 33, spent this past season in the Czech Extraliga, splitting time between Trinec Ocelari HC and HC Dynamo Pardubice. In 51 games, he scored 20 goals and 34 points.
Panik will now provide HC Slovan Bratislava with a 10-year NHL veteran. In 521 NHL games split between the Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Islanders, Panik had 88 goals, 195 points, and a plus-8 rating. His last NHL appearance came during the 2021-22 season with the Islanders.
The Lightning selected Panik with the 52nd overall pick of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In 75 games as a Bolt over two seasons, he had eight goals, 22 points, and a minus-11 rating.
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