FORT LAUDERDALE — The Panthers are again on the ice, in the center of coaching camp, and their preseason program.
Jim Rassol / AP
Mentor Paul Maurice skated the Panthers as really hard as he could for the initial four days. The roster desires to be trimmed down, and the first wave of transactions will not be that tough.
A selection of gamers will go back to their junior groups, and some that are mainly assured to start in the AHL will be sent out. Soon after that, it could get a small dicey as a amount of gamers are vying for important several spots. And, with two weeks to go until opening night, the Panthers are hunting to established their line combos quickly.
Simply call him Cousin
Nick Cousins has turned out to be a lot more useful to the Panthers than any one assumed.
Generally known as a tough-nosed player, he also has revealed skill and, in the 1st preseason sport has been reunited with Sam Bennett, and Matthew could chuck on a line. They experienced great results previous year during the playoffs, and if cousins can sustain his spot, there it is a enormous reward for the Panthers’ depth.
Line 1, Line 3
So that leaves a top rated line of Alexander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe and possible, possibly Sam Reinhart or newcomer Evan Rodrigues. If Rodrigues can preserve his location up coming to Barkov, he has been skating with him for the duration of training camp, which will depart possibly the best 3rd line in hockey.
Reinhart would slide in up coming to Anton Lundell, and about the previous pair of yrs, those two have experienced fantastic chemistry and manufacturing. Above on the left facet would be the emerging Eetu Luostarinen.
The younger Finn has a new agreement and actually emerged previous yr beneath Paul Maurice as not only a high quality defensive player but a target scorer as nicely. Luostarinen’s absence in the course of the Stanley Cup Last was visible, and there is however a good deal additional place for advancement as a player. If this is the 3rd line, it might be the finest 3rd line in hockey.
Internet Struggle
Sergei Bobrovsky, as we all know, is the Panthers’ quantity one particular goaltender.
Just after that, Spencer Knight is back and appeared sharp in the preseason opener. Veteran Anthony Stolarz was signed in the offseason, and this is a respectable fight for the number two goalie.
The truth is, although, with the Panthers’ early season agenda distribute out, whoever gets the career may possibly not be the goaltender that automatically performs better. Knight is still so younger, and skipped 50 % of final season. He needs to enjoy. That may possibly imply he starts off in the AHL because if Bobrovsky is on his game, the backup will not see the ice extremely generally early in the period. Stolarz is a correct qualified and appreciates the role of a backup. He can operate perfectly even if he won’t play for a extensive extend of time.
