Erik Gudbranson looks to rebound in 2013 May 29, 2013

It’s been a bit of rocky road for the 3^rd pick overall in the 2010 Entry Draft.  After impressing in his rookie season, a shoulder injury derailed his sophomore campaign. Still, Erik Gudbranson is ready to turn the page on that minor setback, and prove to his coaches and himself that he is what the Panthers imagined him to be all along: a punishing defender with an above average offensive game.

The 21-year-old D-man had a complete reversal of fortune in 2012-13, after finishing 2012 with a solid showing in the playoffs. After injuring his shoulder in a fluke off-season accident, Gudbranson was never really able to mentally or physically recover for the lockout-shortened season.

“He needs to get off to a better start,” Dineen said. “... I think we had real constructive conversations with him on what he has to work on this summer. He’s already taking steps to make sure that his preparation will be exactly what we’re looking for.”

Hopefully the 2012-13 season will just be a footnote in what will be an excellent career for the talented Orleans, Ontario native.  Only time will tell, but Gudbranson seems to have the right attitude heading into his 3^rd full year as an NHLer.

For more on this story, check out the Miami Herald piece here.