Since signing on with the Florida Panthers during the 2016 NHL Free Agency period, Colton Sceviour has played brilliantly, looking largely like a diamond in the rough for the Cats.
The consistently productive 4th liner registered another adequate season in 2018, regarding overall point totals. While participating in 76 NHL games of action in a Panther uniform, Sceviour accumulated a respectable slash line of 11G, 13A, for 24Pts, while notably receiving 13:26 ATOI.
Sceviour was undoubtedly considered a relatively solid all-around player for the Panthers last season, playing exceptionally well on the defensive end, as well. He recorded 84 hits and 69 blocked shots (career-high mark), as well as an impressive plus/minus rating of +6.
Essentially, Colton Sceviour meshed in magnificently when receiving either 4th or even 3rd line minutes. Sceviour, viewed mainly as the Cats’ spark plug, was deservedly rewarded with a three-year contract extension in the midst of the 2017-18 NHL season.
The 29-year-old penalty killing specialist from Red Deer, Alberta, will most likely remain a staple on Florida’s bottom-six forward group for the foreseeable future. In browsing through nearly all NHL teams leaguewide, an abundance of them simply don’t possess a quality 4th line player like Sceviour.
The former 4th round draft selection of the Dallas Stars brings tremendous value to the table for the Florida Panthers. Considered one of Florida’s primary penalty killers, Sceviour has undeniably performed a superb job in regards to improving the Panthers’ penalty killing percentage since joining the fold.
In addition, throughout the course of his successful 2017-18 season, the versatile forward displayed how fully capable he is in terms of handling multiple roles.
A crucial element in Colton’s game which often becomes overlooked: his versatility. Sceviour frequently found himself changing lines and playing alongside completely different linemates throughout the year.
Moreover, Colton Sceviour was tasked with changing positions on various nights, playing as the team’s bottom-six centerman on several occasions. For an inexperienced center, Colton produced satisfactory results from the faceoff circle, recording a faceoff percentage of 48.7% (77 wins and 81 losses).
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Additionally, in terms of predicting Colton’s overall statistics for the 2019 campaign, Panther fans should suspect similar numbers, quite frankly. Over the previous 4 NHL seasons, Sceviour has produced point totals of 26, 23, 24, and 24 in consecutive seasons. A reasonable slash line expectation in 2018-19 for the 29-year-old winger would appear as 10G, 15A, for 25 Pts.
A 4th line player, whom consistently averages roughly 25 points per season while making solely $1.2M AAV is incredibly difficult to uncover in today’s league.
Teams are often overpaying for 4th line type veterans in free agency; however, the Panthers scooped up Sceviour for a bargain price years ago, and Colton has established himself as an underrated two-way winger.
In other words, Colton Sceviour has turned himself into a valuable asset and an instrumental piece of Florida’s Stanley Cup-hopeful core.
High expectations won’t necessarily become placed on Sceviour; hence, evidently enabling the crafty veteran the ability to play freely and loosely in the upcoming season for FLA.
Also, considering Sceviour will possibly become slotted onto FLA’s 3rd line, the multi-dimensional forward could potentially experience a breakout season, a year in which Colton might possibly record between 30-35 points.
With the 2019 NHL year nearly commencing, the playoff-hopeful Panthers will indubitably rely on the dependable Sceviour, hoping the ‘Colt’ will provide stability and contribute towards the Panthers’ bottom-six forward unit, once again.
The 2019 season promises success and prosperity for the rising Colton Sceviour, an overshadowed player who might finally receive recognition and appraisal.