George Richards, FHN Publisher
The Florida Panthers will have 20 players in their lineup when the Stanley Cup qualifier against the New York Islanders starts on Aug. 1.
They currently have 30 players on their summer roster.
So who makes the Florida Panthers’ opening day lineup against the Islanders?
Coach Joel Quenneville said the 30 players currently with the team will be going to Toronto for Phase 4 of the NHL’s Return to Play. That means there are no cuts to be made which makes things a little easier.
Although the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning will dress two additional players for the exhibition game on July 29, that still leaves eight players sitting in the press box (or wherever they’ll be allowed to watch the game at Scotiabank Center).
When the Panthers take on the Islanders for the opener of their best-of-5 series Aug. 1, however, usual rules apply: 20 players in the lineup.
Which 10 Florida Panthers will not play?
Well, if Quenneville’s practices in the first seven days of training camp are any indication (and we think they are), it looks pretty clear who will be playing in Game 1 — save for any injuries which could pop up between now and then.
With that in mind, here is how it looks like the Panthers’ lineup will shape up by the time the Islanders series kicks off:
THE OPENING DAY 20
On Feb. 1, Brian Boyle played the entire game against the Montreal Canadiens in Florida’s return from a 10-day break.
Boyle was not in the lineup for the Panthers’ following game in Toronto and ended up missing the final 19 games before the NHL put a stop to the season.
Last week, Boyle said he had a lingering injury (he didn’t go into details) which was aggravated in the game against the Canadiens.
Boyle was close to a return when the season stopped and, had the Panthers not played so well in their final three games, probably would have been put back in during that time.
Of the 20 players who we forecast to be in the lineup Aug. 1, Boyle is the only one who missed substantial time going into the break.
Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky missed the final three games after aggravating a nagging lower body injury during warmups March 1.
Defenseman Riley Stillman was knocked out of the Montreal game March 7 and missed the following game at St. Louis and would not have played had the Dallas game gone on as scheduled on March 12.
FORWARDS (12)
Noel Acciari: Currently working on the fourth line after a successful run in the top six earlier this season which helped lead to a career-high 20 goals. Acciari played with a fractured sternum as he helped the Bruins advanced to the Finals last year so his toughness is unquestioned.
Aleksander ‘Sasha’ Barkov: The captain of the Panthers took a hard hit to the knee Feb. 1 in Montreal, missed a few games and came back. He struggled to score (four goals, eight points in 16 games with no points in his final six) so this time off may have been benefited him. Barkov is the leader of the team and they need him to play big.
Brian Boyle: One of many playoff-tested veterans Florida added this season, Boyle has been centering the third line in practices and says he is ready to roll. In 39 games, Boyle had six goals and 15 points.
Brett Connolly: The only Florida player to have hoisted the Stanley Cup (with Islanders’ coach Barry Trotz and the Capitals in 2018), Connolly snapped a 12-game drought with the game-winning goal in St. Louis way back in March. He is playing with Lucas Wallmark and Boyle on a third line that could bring some offense.
Evgenii Dadonov: Now in the third season of his second stint with the Panthers, Dadonov is gunning for his first playoff appearance. He is working with Barkov and Frank Vatrano on Florida’s top line and is tied with Mike Hoffman for he team lead in power play goals. It would not be surprising to see Dadonov get hot against the Islanders.
Erik Haula: Only got in seven games after being acquired in the Vincent Trocheck trade with Carolina but showed really strong defensive play and was good in the faceoff circle winning 56 percent of his draws. Haula only had two points (off assists) in those seven games and as center of the second line, the Panthers could use some more offensive production here.
Mike Hoffman: The Panthers did a lot wrong in February but just keep Hoffman out of that mess. Hoffman was noticeable for more than just his booming shot as he played a physical game all over the ice. Hoffman is going to get his shots on the power play and plenty of ice time on the second line. Like Dadonov, if Hoffman can get hot in a hurry.
Jonathan Huberdeau: Florida’s leading scorer this season and the team’s lone All-Star selection, Huberdeau slowed in the final weeks of the season recording just two points in his final eight games. The Panthers are going to need a lot more production than that and Huberdeau is most definitely capable of putting up the points. Along with Haula and Hoffman, Florida’s second line has the potential to do some damage.
Mark Pysyk: The Panthers are going to keep Pysyk (technically a defenseman) on the fourth line with Acciari and Colton Sceviour to start and why not? Pysyk has shown an ability to adapt and plays the way Quenneville wants. He also goes back to D on the penalty kill.
Colton Sceviour: Five of Sceviour’s six goals this season came in wins for the Panthers, so if he gets going offensively, that usually means good things. Sceviour prides himself on being one of the Panthers’ top defensive-forwards who is a prime penalty killer. He could be busy against the Islanders.
Frank Vatrano: Up on the top line with Barkov and Dadonov presents a great opportunity for the fast and chippy Vatrano to make his mark. Vatrano will work his way to the net which should allow Barkov to find him down low; Vatrano is not afraid to get his nose dirty digging pucks out of the corner which could present more opportunity for his linemates.
Lucas Wallmark: With Boyle out at the trade deadline, Wallmark came in and centered the third line. He should start the Islanders series on the left side with Boyle at center and Connolly on the right. Like Haula, he gave the Panthers a good chance at winning draws and plays tough defense all while offering some offensive upside.
DEFENSEMEN (6)
Aaron Ekblad: Quietly had perhaps his best overall season with the Panthers as he became one of the most trusted players on the blueline. Ekblad didn’t score goals as he had in the past, but even in this shortened season, set career highs in assists (36) and points (41). Ekblad’s shot can find the net and if the Panthers do a good job getting there, he could find some more points moving forward.
Mike Matheson: Improved in a lot of defensive areas after a rough 2018-19 season as he vastly cut down on his turnovers. Offensively, Matheson matched last year’s total for goals despite playing in 16 fewer games. Has been working on the third pairing with Keith Yandle and has looked good with and without the puck so far.
Riley Stillman: Originally brought up from Springfield in late October only to be sent back a few games later, when Stillman was recalled a second time in December, he made it so the Panthers couldn’t send him back. Stillman, son of former Florida forward Cory, became a trusted member of the top four and is currently paired with Anton Stralman on the second pairing. Started logging big minutes with Stralman in January, averaging almost 20 minutes a game. Good defensemen are hard to find — and the Panthers found one in Stillman.
Anton Stralman: Signed July 1 with the thought he would be paired with Matheson. Stralman bounced back from an injury-filled 2018-19 season (he had sports hernia surgery in the summer) by not missing a game all while ending up second to Ekblad in average ice time. Stralman is a steady hand in the defensive zone who could see his workload increase moving forward.
MacKenzie Weegar: Currently back on the top pairing with Ekblad, Weegar has seen his stock soar with the Panthers over the course of the past few seasons as he has matured into a solid defensive player with a little offensive touch. His seven goals rank second among Florida defensemen (save for Pysyk) behind Matheson’s eight.
Keith Yandle: The quarterback of the top power play unit, Yandle continues to pile up the points as his 40 assists lead all Florida defensemen. His 19 power play assists are second only on the team to Huberdeau’s 24.
GOALIES (2)
Sergei Bobrovsky: There is no doubt who the Florida starter in net is, but will Quenneville have a quick hook in a short series? Don’t forget, last year Tampa Bay scored three goals in the first period of the playoff opener against the Blue Jackets only to watch Bobrovsky shut the door in a shocking first-round sweep. Bobrovsky did not have his best season in his debut with the Panthers but he is their guy now and for the foreseeable future. Bobrovsky has traditionally been a slow starter so this four-month break may not play to his strengths. But he knows what is on the line better than anyone.
Chris Driedger: When the season started, Driedger was in Springfield starting for Florida’s AHL team. By November, he was in Florida as the backup and shutout the Preds in his first NHL start. Driedger ended up playing in 12 games for the Panthers and put up the best numbers of any of the three goalies this season. That gives him the backup spot now and probably next season as well. Driedger’s play for the Panthers this season has earned that, at least.
ON THE BUBBLE (5)
With Boyle back in, that knocks someone who played in the St. Louis game out of the lineup.
That someone played pretty good in the win against the defending champs, too, but we think he’ll fight his way into the Islanders series before it is over.
FORWARDS (2)
Aleksi Saarela: Florida scored two goals in the 2-1 win at St. Louis in what turned out to be the regular season finale and Saarela assisted on both of them for his first NHL multi-point game. Saarela was getting stronger by the game and the Panthers are very high on the hard-shooting winger. If the offense is slow getting off the ground, don’t be surprised to see Saarela jump in to try and jump-start things.
Dominic Toninato: If the Panthers were to lose a center to injury, Toninato would likely slide in. After starting the season in Springfield, Toninato got called up in November and filled in on the fourth line quite well so the Panthers are confident he can play if called upon. While others may get the call to play based on a need (see Saarela), Toninato could be an important depth player.
DEFENSEMEN (2)
Josh Brown: At 6-5, Brown has good size and speed in playing a shutdown role but with Florida going with Yandle and Matheson as its third pairing, Brown appears to be the odd man out of the rotation. Brown played in 56 games this season so the Panthers know what he can do. If they need to make a change, he may draw right in.
Brady Keeper: Has impressed the Panthers with his readiness coming into summer camp after a solid pro debut with Springfield this past season. Keeper has only played in one NHL game (last season when he made his debut in Ottawa) so one wouldn’t think he would jump into the top six unless injuries required it. But stranger things have happened. Remember how Matheson jumped in against the Islanders in 2016 and looked like a veteran?
GOALIE (1)
Sam Montembeault: Although it looks like Montembeault will be the third goalie going into the Islanders series, he does have a pretty good game against them in his back pocket. Back in October, he played well in a shootout loss on the Island.
THE BLACK ACES (5)
The Panthers have a number of prospects who may not find their way into the Islanders series — or the playoffs if Florida makes it — but will be around for the ride.
FORWARDS (3)
Dryden Hunt: Missed the final games of the season with a knee injury but has been working on the ‘second’ fourth line of late with Toninato and Saarela. After starting the season on the fourth line, was sent down to Springfield and was hurt in his first game back in Las Vegas.
Eetu Luostarinen: The Panthers really like Luostarinen, a forward who got into eight games with Carolina this past season. Had eight goals for AHL Charlotte this season but no points in five games with Springfield following the trade. Still, Quenneville has been giving him a look in practice (he slid into the top 12 when Acciari didn’t skate last week).
Owen Tippett: A definite wild-card based on his standing with the Panthers. Tippett had a terrific pro debut with Springfield, earning an All-Star bid after leading the Thunderbirds with 19 goals and 40 points. An injury ended his season but the Panthers have high hopes for Tippett and he should be on the team next season.
DEFENSEMAN (1)
Chase Priskie: The only defenseman acquired by the Panthers in the four-player return for Trocheck, Priskie is a Pembroke Pines native who eventually will be the first South Florida product to play for his hometown team. But it may not be until next season. Florida is deep on the blueline right now.
GOALIE (1)
Philippe Desrosiers: Put up good numbers for Springfield after Driedger was called up and he started splitting time with Montembeault. Has spent his entire pro career in the minors and his 16 wins this season were his most in the AHL.