George Richards, FHN Publisher
The Florida Panthers got more out of Anton Lundell during this rookie season than perhaps they counted on when doing preseason planning.
For Lundell, it was an education.
”When I came here, I didn’t expect very much,” he said last week. “I had just one goal and that was to get a spot on the roster. I didn’t think this season would go as well. It was a great season for me and for the team too. We played some unbelievable hockey and it’s a season we will remember.”
Lundell, Florida’s first-round pick in 2020, came to South Florida last summer ready to begin his NHL career and was a wild-card when it came to the loaded Panthers.
After missing a big chunk of training camp due to an injury sustained during the prospect tournament near Tampa, there were some thoughts he may start the season in the minors and work his way up to the Panthers.
Those thoughts were quickly discarded once he took the ice and joined his new teammates.
Anton Lundell belonged from the start.
“I like the way he plays the game,” Joel Quenneville said after Lundell made his NHL debut on Opening Night against the Penguins.
“I like the way he kills penalties, I like him in the faceoff circle, he’s playing against men and it usually takes a player some time to win those battles, but he won some key faceoffs, he got some clears. He has a really good feel for the game.”
Lundell ended his rookie season with 18 goals and 44 points in 65 games — but it was not all fun and games.
Although he centered the third line with Mason Marchment and Sam Reinhart for much of the season, a couple of injuries took him out of the lineup numerous times.
When he did play — he was a legitimate Calder Trophy contender before getting hurt March 7 in Buffalo and missing the next 11 games — Lundell was terrific.
He showed, as Quenneville and Andrew Brunette praised, a true nose for the game.
In January, he scored 17 points in 15 games to be named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month.
“He had a great, month, he had a great season,” Brunette said. “I think he has come in as advertised.”
Drafted with the thought he will eventually be Florida’s No. 2 center behind Sasha Barkov, Lundell did not disappoint.
He is smart, skilled and defensive-minded.
Watching Lundell and Barkov paired together on the penalty kill was like watching mirror-images — synchronized swimming on skates.
“He’s young, he’s such a smart player and he can play in every situation,” Jonathan Huberdeau said. “He can make some plays and whatever we do is going to be interesting and fun.”
Said Reinhart: “He is so mature that I feel like he’s been doing it with this age group for 20 years. I think it says a lot about him as a person that he is comfortable in these situations and we’re thrilled to have him.”
Lundell’s education continued in the postseason where he (and a lot of the Panthers to be honest) learned the game is a little bit different.
He scored a goal off a nice bit of playmaking with Reinhart in Game 2 against the Capitals, but found his time slipping as the playoffs went on.
After only playing 4:07 in Game 2 against the Lightning, he was a healthy scratch in Game 3.
Lundell ended up playing 11:50 in the Game 4 loss which ended Florida’s season.
He says this is going to be a big offseason for him — and the Panthers expect him to come back even better.
“Now, that the first year is over, I want to improve my game all over,” Lundell said. “I need to get mentally stronger, get faster and try to get better in small things in my game. I want to improve myself every day. I have things to work on this summer and come back better.
“I think (this season) is going to help a lot. I am more prepared for next season, knowing what to expect. It’s not going to be easy, but I will try and work on my game and improve in the summer, come back with good energy and have fun next season too.’’