George Richards, FHN Publisher
When the Florida Panthers finally open their 2021 season Sunday night, Chris Driedger will be the team’s starting goalie.
With Sergei Bobrovsky missing almost all of training camp and off the team’s opening night roster, Driedger will start against the Chicago Blackhawks with Sam Montembeault serving as the backup.
Bobrovsky, coach Joel Quenneville said, appears to be ready to play despite only going through three practices with the Panthers.
He likely gets the start on Tuesday, Quenneville said.
But Sunday belongs to Driedger.
“I am ready to go, I am prepared to play just like I do every night,” he said before Quenneville made the news official. “I am going to be excited.”
It has been a pretty good year (plus) for the 26-year-old Winnipeg native.
Driedger was given a real shot to back up Bobrovsky during Florida’s 2019-20 training camp only to lose the job to Montembeault and start the season with AHL Springfield.
When Montembeault faltered in November, Driedger was called up, shutout Nashville in his first NHL start and, aside from a groin injury sustained in January, remained with the Panthers for the remainder of the season.
Driedger served as the Panthers starter when Bobrovsky was hurt and ended the season 7-2-1 with a 2.05 GAA and .938 save percentage after earning a 2-1 win at St. Louis on March 9.
“He had a great run for us, gave us a great chance,” Quenneville said. “Guys got a little familiar with playing around him … I thought he played with a lot of poise, used his size to his advantage.
“He kept the game very simple and really enhanced his opportunity to be an NHL goalie. Going into the season, he’s got a chance right off the bat. This is one more step for him.”
Driedger’s road to the NHL took a few detours.
He spent parts of three seasons with Ottawa but only got mop-up duty with the Senators.
Ottawa gave up on Driedger in 2018 after he spent that season bouncing between the AHL and ECHL. The Senators did not make him a qualifying offer allowing him to become a free agent.
Florida tossed him a lifeline, signing him to a minor league contract in 2018. Driedger played so well (he had a .924 save percentage at Springfield), the Panthers gave him a two-way NHL deal.
Even though he only spent parts of two months with Springfield at the beginning of last season, he was named to the AHL All-Star team.
“It has been a long road for me,” he said Saturday. “I was fortunate enough to end up with this organization, get a little time in the American League with Springfield and got some good coaching there.
“I can’t say enough good things about Leo Luongo and the things we have done together in Springfield and that really prepared me for this, for last year when I got the opportunity.”
Driedger can be a free agent after this season and it appears his career is on an upward trajectory.
“It has been great, really exciting,” Driedger said. “Going into this, it’s not my rookie season anymore, so I am excited to get the ball rolling in the right direction.”