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Florida Panthers: Top Candidates for the 2019 All-Star Game

By Cal Friedman

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 28: {L-R} Atlantic Division All-Stars teammates Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jack Eichel #15 of the Buffalo Sabres, and Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers celebrate after a goal in the second half during the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game between the Atlantic Division and the Metropolitan Divison at Amalie Arena on January 28, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 28: {L-R} Atlantic Division All-Stars teammates Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jack Eichel #15 of the Buffalo Sabres, and Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers celebrate after a goal in the second half during the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game between the Atlantic Division and the Metropolitan Divison at Amalie Arena on January 28, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Player #2: Vincent Trocheck, Center

LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 29: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celerbates with Vincent Trocheck #21 of the Florida Panthers during the Metropolitan Division and Atlantic Division match-up of the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Staples Center on January 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Hall scored on the play. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 29: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celerbates with Vincent Trocheck #21 of the Florida Panthers during the Metropolitan Division and Atlantic Division match-up of the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Staples Center on January 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Hall scored on the play. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Vincent Trocheck, the all-star representative from 2017, has done nothing but grow since improving as a player. Trocheck was selected for the All-Star Game on an injury-ridden Panthers team missing Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Aaron Ekblad.

He scored 23 goals with 31 assists that season, which boomed his production this past season with 31 goals and 44 assists, respective career highs.

The 25-year old grew to become one of the better centers in the Atlantic this past season, competing with the likes of David Krejci, Brayden Point, and Nazem Kadri as he tried to establish himself as one of the best second line centers in the NHL.

What makes Trocheck as talented as he is, is his explosiveness up the ice as well as his Scrappy-Doo mentality to go up against the trees like Zdeno Chara along the boards. He’s one of the toughest players on the Panthers team, and he’s a nightmare to mark against.

His goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Panthers’ 6-5 win this season on the first goal gives a good reference to the speed and power he has.

He’s also developed the ability to carry the puck himself, as his double against the Arizona Coyotes was all on him, leading the Panthers back from 2-0 down to a 4-2 victory:

Trocheck’s previous all-star showing was nothing incredible, not winning a single contest or recording any points in the Atlantic’s loss to the Metropolitan division. Getting to another California all-star event should be near the top of Vincent Trocheck’s goals this season.

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