Vincent Trocheck’s faceoff ability earning him quality playing time

Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

For some players who paved their way to the NHL by scoring like Vincent Trocheck has, his success is directly correlated to how much scoring he does at the highest level.

But three games into his NHL career, even though Trocheck has yet to register a point – he has carved a permanent spot in the NHL in the non-scoring aspects of the game.

Averaging 20:05 of ice-time per game, Trocheck has not only contributed on the power play but also the penalty kill. In his three games so far, he has averaged 2:20 of ice-time with a man down. His main contribution has been his ability in the faceoff circle.

Trocheck has taken 35-faceoffs in the defensive zone, he has won 63% of his draws (22-of-35). That percentage is the highest of all three zones and higher than his total average of 58%.

The scoring will come, watch him play a shift and you will see the potential. The difference between players sticking in the NHL and those who struggle to find a home is what they can do when they are not scoring.

Struggles will come, there isn’t any 20-year old who doesn’t endure struggles in the NHL but Trocheck’s multi-dimensional game that he has quickly developed will prevent any hardships from be a prolonged one.

Trocheck, along with the rest of the Panthers will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning as he will get another shot to record the first point of his career.

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