George Richards, FHN Publisher
There are still a few more days remaining in the shortest offseason in Florida Panthers history and their depth chart looks a little bit different than it did the last time we saw them on June 24.
Yes, the NHL season does not kick off until October — but we’re now in September and that means the Panthers will be back on the ice soon.
The defending Stanley Cup champions open training camp on Sept. 19 in FortLauderdale following a rookie showcase in Nashville.
You want some hockey?
You’re going to get it soon enough.
With training camp so close to being reality, we are taking a look at the Panthers depth chart and what has changed since Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Last week, we dug into the defense.
Although there have been some changes in personnel, the Panthers pretty much come back intact.
Especially when it comes to Florida’s forwards.
FLORIDA PANTHERS DEPTH CHART
Forwards
Carter Verhaeghe — Sasha Barkov — Sam Reinhart
Florida’s top line certainly should not change, but it just might.
More on that below.
Verhaeghe, Barkov, and Reinhart could be one of the top scoring lines in the league if things hold up.
Reinhart, of course, had 57 goals in the regular season — 67 if you count the playoffs, and, we know you do — and signed a team-friendly eight-year contract as we told you all season that he would.
Do the Panthers expect almost 60 goals out of Reinhart again this season?
No, they do not.
But, Verhaeghe is in a contract year and could give Florida a touch more than the 34 he scored. If Barkov scores more than the 23 he got last season, and Reinhart regresses to a 38-goal season, Florida will be just fine.
Evan Rodrigues — Sam Bennett — Matthew Tkachuk
Florida is not expected to break up Bennett and Tkachuk, not based on the way these two have played together since being teamed up in Sunrise two years ago.
The wild card is Rodrigues.
E-Rod was one of Florida’s top playoff performers and worked his way up to this second line — and it hummed.
We do not expect to see this line all season long, but if it ain’t broke, no reason to fix it.
Eetu Luostarinen — Anton Lundell — Mackie Samoskevich
Now, here is where things get interesting.
Florida has eight of its top nine forwards returning from last season, but needs someone on its third line after Vladimir Tarasenko moved on to Detroit.
Or does it?
Although Samoskevich looks like a lead-pipe lock to make the Panthers out of training camp, whether he starts out on the third line is a big question.
Florida could, believe it or not, replace a 57-goal scorer (Reinhart) with a rookie.
Yeah, Samoskevich could actually replace Reinhart on Florida’s top line — at least to start the season.
Although Samoskevich likely starts on the third line, there is a thought that he would benefit from playing with Barkov (who wouldn’t?) especially as his defensive game adjusts to playing in the NHL on a nightly basis.
Reinhart, as we know from past experience, has done very well with Lundell and Luostarinen.
And, if Samoskevich does start on the top line with Verhaeghe and Barkov that does not mean he would be there forever.
Perhaps just for a while.
It would be a nice kickstart to his NHL career and probably does not hurt Reinhart.
So, something to watch.
Tomas Nosek — Jesper Boqvist — Jonah Gadjovich
The biggest change for the Panthers will come on the fourth line.
Florida saw Kevin Stenlund and Ryan Lomberg get nice paydays elsewhere while allowing Nick Cousins and Steven Lorentz to walk.
Gadjovich signed a two-year extension last season and, while he will not play every night, should see an increased role this year.
Nosek and Boqvist come in and should be regulars as both players could find power play and some penalty killing time.
Both are veteran players — Nosek is looking for a bounceback after being hurt in New Jersey last year — and should fit in nicely with the Panthers.
Florida also added A.J. Greer in free agency and he should make the team as one of the extra forwards; rookie Justin Sourdif will likely find more playing time in Florida than he did last season and could be the 14th forward on the roster.
The Panthers could also bring in a surprise veteran guest on a professional tryout who challenges for a roster spot.
Training camp opens in 19 days.
Enjoy the rest of the summer while you can.
Hockey is almost back.
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UP NEXT FOR THE FLORIDA PANTHERS
- NHL Free Agency: Opened July 1
- Nashville Predators Rookie Showcase: Sept. 13-16
- Florida Panthers Training Camp, Fort Lauderdale: Starts Sept. 19
- Florida Panthers Preseason: Sept. 22-Oct. 5
- Florida Panthers Opening Night/Banner Unveiling: Oct. 8 vs. Bruins (ESPN)