George Richards, FHN Publisher
The day Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito signed five new players, he wouldn’t say whether he was done reworking the roster or not.
Over a week later and no more players have been added or subtracted.
Looking at the roster numbers — and the players we all expect to be part of the 2020-21 Panthers — suggest perhaps he is.
Zito still has business to take care of and, yeah, there could be a few moves, perhaps even a trade or two, still to come before training camp starts (we hope) sometime in December.
But what if Zito and the Panthers are done?
What if what we see is what we’re going to get?
According to Puckpedia.com, Zito and the Panthers are about $10 million under the NHL’s $81.5 million salary cap.
That number does not reflect what it will cost to re-sign defenseman MacKenzie Weegar or forwards Aleksi Saarela and Henrik Borgstrom.
It does, however, count the rookie salaries of Owen Tippett and Grigori Denisenko.
So there is a little wiggle room for an addition or two.
Here is a look at what the Panthers currently have and how, if camp opened on Monday, they would line up.
FORWARDS
Jonathan Huberdeau — Sasha Barkov — Grigori Denisenko
Evgenii Dadonov is off to Ottawa with a new three-year contract in his pocket, so Florida needs to find someone to play with Barkov and Huberdeau.
When the Panthers returned for summer camp, Frank Vatrano was there on the top line only he didn’t last through the 5-0 exhibition loss to Tampa Bay.
So, Vatrano could be back in this spot — as could newcomer Patric Hornqvist.
The thought here is Denisenko may get the chance to shine in a high-profile role with the Panthers which is something he did not get logging bottom-six minutes in the KHL.
Yes, there will be a lot of pressure on the rookie being thrust into a top-line spot from the get, but the Panthers really dig his skills and want to give him the space to succeed.
No better spot, really, than to let him get after it with Huberdeau and Barkov.
Frank Vatrano — Alexander Wennberg — Patric Hornqvist
Aside from Huberdeau and Barkov being on the top line, few things in this projected lineup appears set — perhaps save for Wennberg centering the second line.
After three subpar seasons in Columbus, Wennberg is looking for a fresh start in Florida.
Wennberg, at least from the start, is going to get the chance to shine with the Panthers.
Putting Vatrano here gives this line some speed with Hornqvist adding size and physical play down low.
Aleksi Saarela — Carter Verhaeghe — Owen Tippett
Saarela can definitely play center and could flip in and out at that position here, but the Panthers are expected to give Verhaeghe room to show he was buried in Tampa Bay and take off.
Although Mike Hoffman spent a lot of time on the second line, he played a lot on the third as well.
Tippett and his big shot could find some opportunity here.
Vinnie Hinostroza — Noel Acciari — Brett Connolly
Acciari comes into the season riding the best offseason output of his career, so do not be surprised if coach Joel Quenneville moves him up to see if they can catch lightning twice.
If not, Acciari may anchor what could be a revolving fourth line.
Connolly could definitely find himself playing up in the lineup (he had 19 goals last season and is not being paid to be a fourth-line stopper) and Hinostroza has shown a bit of offensive punch.
We shall see.
Extra forwards: Ryan Lomberg, Henrik Borgstrom, Serron Noel, Eetu Luostarinen
Lomberg has a one-way deal, so he will not only likely make the team but will probably find a lot of playing time. Where, we don’t know right now, but likely on the fourth line to start.
Borgstrom should be here somewhere; It’s very possible he could come to camp, light things up and find himself in the opening night lineup, perhaps back centering the third line.
Prepping for injury, either Noel or Luostarinen could make the team (as it stands right now) as a 12th forward with a strong training camp.
The Panthers really like Noel despite a tough final year in juniors last season but his size and speed could open some eyes come camp time. It is likely he starts his pro career at AHL Charlotte, though.
Luostarinen was part of the Vincent Trocheck trade and has some skills. He may be ready to make the jump to the NHL full-time.
DEFENSE
MacKenzie Weegar — Aaron Ekblad
Weegar remains unsigned and has filed for arbitration so the thought here is Florida will sign him to a long-term deal or trade him before the season starts.
Regardless, if he is here, look for Weegar to resume playing with Ekblad on Florida’s top pairing. The two have found some chemistry together, can come up and help out offensively while also playing a pretty sharp defensive game.
Anton Stralman — Markus Nutivaara
Stralman is a veteran who can play alongside just about everyone and, while he and Riley Stillman played well together at the end of last season, he and Nutivaara should be a nice pairing.
Nutivaara is a solid defender who can also get up in the play, moves the puck well and does not find himself out of position very much.
Keith Yandle — Radko Gudas
The playing style of these two could not be more different, but pairing Yandle’s sweet to Gudas’ salty just might work.
Yandle will remain QB of Florida‘s power play and load up on the offensive numbers. He and Gudas could turn out to be a pretty solid defensive pairing.
Extra d-men: Riley Stillman, Brady Keeper, Chase Priskie.
The Panthers are likely to only carry one extra defenseman and, based on how he ended his last season, Stillman definitely holds the edge to be No. 7.
But do not sleep on Keeper and Priskie. Keeper really impressed Quenneville during the summer and found some playing time in Toronto.
Priskie appears to have been battling some injury stuff throughout his first pro season and this time off has been beneficial to him coming back strong.
GOALTENDING
Sergei Bobrovsky — Chris Driedger
There is no doubt who the starting goaltender is and, based on last season, there should be little discussion on Bobrovsky’s backup, either.
Driedger had a breakout season in his first real kick at NHL work, posting the best stats of any of the three goalies Florida used.
Extra: Sam Montembeault, Philippe Desrosiers, Ryan Bednard
Montembeault started last season as Bobrovsky’s backup but ended up giving the job to Driedger by November. Montembeault said he learned a lot last season and got some good experience both with the Panthers as well as in the AHL.
Coming into camp, it appears Florida would open up in Charlotte with Montembeault and Desrosiers meaning they would need to find a home for Bednard to get him some work.