The big line of Giroux-Aucoin-Mink is officially history. As reported by Tim Leone this afternoon in the Patriot-News (and I've gotten a call from Rochester as well this afternoon, also confirming), Graham Mink has signed a contract with the Florida Panthers/Rochester Americans. The Stowe, VT native was talking with Washington/Hershey as well, but this move had nothing to do with money and everything to do with opportunity. With a logjam of forwards in front of him in D.C., Mink now has a good chance of skating in the NHL next season in south Florida, and fulfilling his dream of skating regularly at the next level.

I hated hearing the news this afternoon that Graham was leaving. I really hoped there would be a way for him to hang around, but you can't blame the guy for chasing a dream. The schedule grid released this week shows Hershey and Rochester playing four times this year. If the dream is on schedule for "Big Goal" Graham, we won't see him in any of the four, because Florida will have kept him with the big club. A career high 32 goals this season certainly got the attention of the Cats.

Good luck Minker. Your legend in Hershey is safe for good, with two Cups in your two seasons with us. You're a great player and an even better person on and off the ice.