Kenndal McArdle Moving Up

With David Booth's injured shoulder likely to keep him out Tuesday in Washington -- and maybe longer -- the Florida Panthers have touched up Rochester for another recall.

This time, it's left winger Kenndal McArdle.

McArdle, 21, was drafted by the Panthers in the first round in 2005 - 20th overall.

Between 2004 and 2006, McArdle posted back-to-back 70 point seasons with the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors and appeared in the CHL's Top Prospects game before being traded to the Vancouver Giants midway through the 2006-2007 season.

After a modest 22 points in his first 37 games with Vancouver, McArdle caught fire in the post-season, scoring 11 goals and tallying a total of 20 points in 22 playoff games, second only to a player that the Panthers would draft a month later - Michal Repik.

The Giants went on to win the Memorial Cup with the help of Repik, McArdle and current-NHLer Milan Lucic and the following season, Kenndal turned pro.

McArdle broke his jaw in a fight in his rookie season with Rochester and later in the season, broke his foot, hampering his progress and limiting him to 10 points (5G, 5A) in 36 games.

When he recovered, he was re-assigned to the Florida Everblades to get some games under his belt and move on to the ECHL playoffs, saying, "Anytime I have a chance to play in the playoffs, I'm not going to pass up the opportunity, no matter what level that it's in."

He went on to score 3 goals in 6 games during the regular season, but in three playoff games, McArdle and his teammates were shut down and the 'Blades made an early postseason exit.

Currently, McArdle is second in points for Rochester with 10 (3G, 7A) through 22 games and third on the team in penalty minutes (51).

McArdle is one of the Panthers' top forward prospects and he mixes skill and a good awareness with a good balance of grit and aggression.

You'll have to listen on the radio though. Tomorrow's game isn't even on Center Ice.