Florida Panthers: Predicting the individual statistics of the forwards
Offensive Leading Scorer: Aleksander Barkov
Barkov is definitely the best forward on the Panthers and one of the best in the NHL. Last year, in only 61 games, Barkov notched 21 goals and 31 assists to combine for 52 points total. This outcome put him only two points behind the leading scorer Trocheck, who played all 82 games.
If Barkov can remain healthy and play close to all 82 games in the season, he should be the top performer on the Panthers and near the top in the entire NHL. Placing Barkov with players like Huberdeau and Dadonov will only help his game.
Prediction: 32 goals, 37 assists and 69 points.
2nd Offensive Leading Scorer: Jonathan Huberdeau
Huberdeau has become a star on the Panthers and should perform extremely well this year. After a terrible injury that forced him to miss the first 51 games, Huberdeau still finished with 10 goals and 16 assists combining for 26 points in just 31 games.
While there were doubts when Huberdeau started his career if he could really become an offensive star, he has proved all the doubters wrong with his play the past few years. Sticking with a combination of Huberdeau and Barkov could spell major problems for opponents’ defense and more points for Huberdeau.
Prediction: 24 goals, 40 assists and 64 points.
3rd Offensive Leading Scorer: Vincent Trocheck
Nobody expected Trocheck to break out like he did in the 2016-17 season. Last year Vincent Trocheck led the entire team with 23 goals and 31 assists combining for a total of 54 points. Whenever the Panthers needed a spark offensively, Trocheck was there to contribute in some way.
Although Trocheck had a stellar season last year, part of it could be contributed to Huberdeau and Barkov not being in the lineup for many of the games. If Trocheck wants to solidify himself as an elite scorer, he will need to contribute even more than last year. Due to Huberdeau and Barkov being back in the lineup, Trocheck could possibly contribute a little less this year.
Prediction: 24 goals, 29 assists and 53 points.
4th Offensive Leading Scorer: Radim Vrbata
Radim Vrbata will be counted on by the entire Panthers organization to produce offensively this year. With a lackluster Arizona Coyotes team last year, Vrbata put up 20 goals to go along with 35 assists. Vrbata has continuously put up great numbers his entire career and should continue to do the same here in Florida.
Radim will most likely find himself on the second line with Trocheck and a highly talented prospect. If he and Trocheck can find chemistry from the start of the year, they should make quite the duo. Another factor that might contribute to Vrbata playing well next year is that he is on a one year contract. If he plays well throughout the year, and the Panthers are not contenders for the playoffs next year, he could find himself on a Stanley Cup contender at the trade deadline. All things point to Vrbata having a great year.
Prediction: 25 goals, 21 assists and 46 points.
5th Offensive Leading Scorer: Evgeni Dadonov
The Panthers are placing huge expectations on Dadonov for this year as he returns to the NHL after playing five seasons in the KHL. While playing for SKA St. Petersburg last year, Dadonov put up 66 points in only 53 games. Although the KHL is easier than the NHL, Evgeni showed that he can contribute offensively at a high rate.
Dale Tallon has already noted that he expects Evgeni to play on the first line along with Huberdeau and Barkov. Playing with the two best players on the team should give Dadonov plenty of opportunities to showcase his game. If Dadonov wants to prove that he does in fact belong in the NHL, he needs to have a good offensive year. Fans should not expect Dadonov to be a superstar, but more of a supporting figure on the 1st line.
Prediction: 17 goals, 24 assists and 41 points.
6th Offensive Leading Scorer: Nick Bjugstad
Once upon a time in a distant NHL season, Nick Bjugstad actually scored 24 goals! Even though it was only a couple years ago, it seems like forever when Bjugstad actually contributed at a high rate. After his 24 goal season, Bjugstad never lived up to expectations and only notched 14 points last season. This type of performance is not acceptable by any standards.
This season could be Bjugstad’s last chance to prove himself to the Panthers organization. If he has another bad season, he could easily find himself in a different city next season. Because of his poor play the past two years, he will find himself on the third line with two inexperienced wingers playing alongside him. But, if Bjugstad can stay healthy this season, he should rebound this year with a solid season.
Prediction: 21 goals, 19 assists and 40 points.
7th Offensive Leading Scorer: Henrik Haapala
Could Haapala be Marchessault’s replacement for this year? They are both around the same height and play the same type of fast and intense game. Haapala tallied 60 points in 51 games in the SM-liiga this past year. While the 60 points seems impressive, he only lit the lamp 15 times which could be worrisome.
Dale Tallon has already penciled in Haapala to play on the 2nd line with Trocheck and Vrbata. This should be a good fit because it combines Haapala’s ability to move the puck around to the scorers on his line. While Henrik could struggle mightily to put the puck in the net, he should be dishing assists to Trocheck and Vrbata all the time. Haapala is not a scorer but more of a setup man. It should be an interesting year for him.
Prediction: 8 goals, 27 assists and 35 points
8th Offensive Leading Scorer: Jared McCann
Ever since the Panthers traded for Jared McCann, fans have never given him a real chance and neither has the front office. While he did play 29 games last year in the NHL, he rarely spent any time on the ice and did not play with any talent. He played the majority of his time in the AHL where he notched 25 points in 42 games. Not bad.
Jared McCann will make the team this year because he deserves another chance, and he is one of the experienced prospects that the Panthers have in their system. If the coaching staff will allow McCann to take a spot on the 3rd line with Bjugstad, he will show his worth. McCann should keep his spot in the lineup the entire year and will hopefully have a decent year.
Prediction: 11 goals, 17 assists and 28 points.
9th Offensive Leading Scorer: Colton Sceviour
For a bottom six forward, Sceviour had a great year last season. Not only was he one of the Panthers most reliable defensive forwards, but he could also put the puck in the net occasionally. Sceviour contributed 24 points to the Panthers last year and finished 10th on the entire team offensively.
While Sceviour could see some minutes on the third line, he will mostly play on the 4th line. Playing on the 4th line will heavily affect his time on the ice and will lessen his chances of scoring opportunities. Colton will be the best 4th line player next year, but he will not score as much as he did last year.
Prediction: 7 goals, 13 assists and 20 points.
10th Offensive Leading Scorer: Denis Malgin
Malgin is a decent player and should be able to contribute somewhat to the Panthers this season. Last year with the Panthers, he only managed to score 10 points in 47 games. That is not great at all. The Panthers also gave him a decent amount of opportunities to play with better players, but he failed to show that he was exactly ready.
Denis Malgin will make the team next year and will probably play on the third line if the coaching staff feels that the other prospects are not ready to play yet. If Malgin cannot show the organization that he can contribute decently, he will find himself scratched or back in the AHL. The Panthers will give him opportunities, but it is up to Malgin to show that he belongs in the NHL.
Prediction: 5 goals, 9 assists and 14 points.
11th Offensive Leading Scorer: Derek MacKenzie
Derek MacKenzie brings everything that 4th line player should bring to the table. He is a tough, intense and a hardworking player. MacKenzie’s main job is to lead this team through hard work and killing off penalties.
Do not expect MacKenzie to score much next year as his playing time could diminish and the team turns to younger players. He will play every night and bring grit to the ice, but will not be a major factor offensively.
Prediction: 4 goals, 8 assists and 12 points.
12th Offensive Leading Scorer: Micheal Haley
As expected, Micheal Haley will be the worst offensive contributor this season for the Florida Panthers. Haley has one job: protect the team.
Because Haley will play on the Panthers for sure next year, he is being covered in this article. Haley might be able to nab a few lucky goals over the course of the year, but between being scratched for half the season and playing the least amount of minutes on the entire team, he will not score much.
Prediction: 1 goal, 5 assists and 6 points.
Next: Florida Panthers: Potentially signing veteran sniper James Neal in 2018