Keaton Ellerby called-up to the Panthers – but why?
The Sun-Sentinel blog has reported that Florida Panthers prospect defender Keaton Ellerby has been re-called to the team from its affiliate Rochester Americans.
Question is why?
The official report is that Jassen Cullimore’s wife is expecting (although Cullimore is still expected to play in the Atlanta game). That would of course be the easy explanation. But with the trade deadline tomorrow and a certain Jay Bouwmeester being the center of attention, there are other possible explanations and conspiracy theories abound….
We can only speculate, but I see a few possible reasons behind this call-up that is not necessarily related to Cullimore’s potential absence. Could it be that:
- Jay Bouwmeester is on the verge of being dealt and defensive cover is needed?
- Are the Panthers putting the former first round draft pick (10th overall in 2007) Keaton Ellerby in the shopping window? Why else wouldn’t the more experienced Jason Garrison not be called-up instead? The Panthers need to acquire a first line forward is well documented – and someone must be dealt in the opposite direction.
- After the trade deadline only four call-ups are allowed. Perhaps the call-up was made to provide some depth down the stretch?
- Or perhaps is it defenseman Nick Boynton that is being traded? He is currently not with the team due to a breach of discipline and it’s possible the Panthers would like to move him on as his contract is also up in the summer. But if Boynton is moved, it would seem unlikely that they’d move Bouwmeester too.
As I said, we can only speculate and the reason could be completely trade deadline unrelated, but that seems like a rather big coincidence doesn’t it? We all get a bit paranoid the day before the trade deadline and something seems to be going on here….
Watch this space!
This makes me nervous….