Florida Panthers: Players’ best suited to play with Huberdeau and Barkov
Opening night is less than two months away, and one of the first line positions remains wide open. Who will swoop in and claim a spot on the first line next to two of the best forwards on the team?
As the Florida Panthers‘ season came to a disappointing end this April, many questioned whether the first line of Huberdeau, Barkov and Jagr would remain intact for the 2017-18 season. While Huberdeau and Barkov were safe to return back to the first line, Jagr remained questionable. Would the Panthers resign the 45 year-old to bring him back for another year, or would they move on and search for a new replacement?
Although fans wanted Jagr to return to South Florida, the front office eventually made the decision to go in a new direction and find another player to slot into the first line. Because Jagr had been so effective with his time on the Panthers, many expected the Panthers to go after star free agents like: Alexander Radulov, Justin Williams and Patrick Marleau. Instead, in typical Panthers’ fashion, they decided to stay away from the big names and target cheaper forwards.
The Panthers ended up signing Radim Vrbata and Evgeni Dadonov. While Vrbata is a solid forward who can produce in any situation, Dadonov is an unproven veteran. Dadonov has spent five seasons in the KHL after quite frankly failing in the NHL. The fact that the Panthers spent 4 million dollars on an unproven 28 year-old instead of paying only 2.25 million (a total of 6.25 million) more for Alexander Radulov is something that could end up haunting the Panthers’ front office.
For this season, the Panthers will look for either Vrbata, Dadonov, or a prospect to fill the right-wing position on the first line. Let’s look at a few options that could work.
Evgeni Dadonov is the most likely to fill the position for the Panthers. Dale Tallon has already basically penciled in Dadonov to play with Hubderdeau and Barkov. While Dadonov’s abilities to contribute in the NHL is unclear, the Panthers should give Evgeni this opportunity to showcase his game. Also, newly hired coach Bob Boughner would be smart to listen to his general manager.
Radim Vrbata would be the next likely player to fill the position. Although Vrbata would fit nicely on the second line, he would also fit nicely on the first line as well. Because Vrbata is a seasoned veteran, he could be a younger version of Jagr for Huberdeau and Barkov. Seeing Vrbata on the first line is definitely a possibility, but more likely to happen when the season is already moving along.
Newly drafted Owen Tippett is an intriguing option for the Cats. Though it is unknown if Tippett will even crack the roster, it could be a smart move to place him on the top line to start the season. This would give him a chance to show his talent with the best players on the team, and prove that he deserves the roster spot. While Panthers’ fans would be excited to see Tippett on the first line, expect him to either play on the third line or not make the roster at all.
While most Panthers’ fans will laugh, Jared McCann could be a very interesting option. If the Panthers really want to test McCann’s ability to play in the NHL, they should give him this opportunity. Maybe he will tear it up and show that he just needed to play with the right players, or he will fail miserably. For McCann’s situation, this might be the only real way to find out if he can play in the NHL.
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Of course any forward could possibly play on the first line next season, but these four guys are the most likely options. Although Tippett and McCann are long shots to get the job, they both would be intriguing options for the Cats.
The two most likely candidates in Evgeni Dadonov and Radim Vrbata could both slide into the first line nicely. Dadonov’s NHL experience is questionable, but the Panthers are hopeful that he can become the forward they thought he was when they drafted him. Vrbata is a veteran that the Panthers know they can trust. If Dadonov struggles to produce with the 1st line early in the season, watch for Vrbata to quickly take over his spot.
When the Panthers go to battle starting in October, look for Dadonov to start with Huberdeau and Barkov as they try to become one of the best first lines in the NHL.