Florida Panthers: How Do They Replace Vincent Trocheck?

After losing Vincent Trocheck to a gruesome knee injury in Ottawa, the Florida Panthers are in the difficult position of trying to replace someone who isn’t replaceable.

Darren Dreger reports that the injury is long-term, so the Florida Panthers have a decision to make as to how to best attempt to replace what Trocheck does, which is a yeoman’s task.

He plays in all phases of the game, and his impact cannot be overstated, even if he only has three goals and 14 points to this point.

Dale Tallon and company have options, but which one should they take to steady the ship while one of the Panthers fulcrums is out?

Denis Malgin: He was just sent down to Springfield after some uneven play up and down the lineup to start the season with just five points.

He’s been better on the wing as a Panther but is the most natural fit to play between Huberdeau and Hoffman.

He’s solid in puck possession, but his defensive game is more fit to the wing rather than at center, and his zone starts this season have heavily tilted to the offensive zone.

While there’s no reason for him to be in Springfield at the expense of some players who are now with the big club, he’s probably not the right fit for the second line center role at the moment, though considering how the Panthers are managing Henrik Borgstrom, he might well be the choice, at least temporarily.

Jared McCann: McCann has also had a rough start to the season after improving last season in the third line center role.

Against Ottawa, he picked up his second goal, but his offensive output has not been there this season.

Defensively, he’s also been a little bit shakier with a RelCF% of -1.93 and has also been starting more in the offensive zone.

He’s defensively better than Malgin, but doesn’t have the offensive potential that Malgin does. His play certainly hasn’t merited the promotion this season but would be a solid option in a pinch to pick up more penalty killing minutes, at least.

Nick Bjugstad: It’s clear now that Bjugstad is a better winger than he is a center. He’s more able to use his size on the forecheck and is not as needed in defensive situations than when he was a center.

However, his size and skill set would allow him to fill in at center rather easily, and he already has a natural chemistry with Huberdeau and in some senses Hoffman.

Bjugstad’s play in recent games has been very solid, so it doesn’t make sense at least at this stage to mess with his rhythm as he’s 99% a winger at this point.

Henrik Borgstrom: Most Panthers fans have called for Borgstrom to be with the team all season in spite of a poor training camp, and there is no better time to call him up than now.

His ultimate position with the Panthers is up for debate, and they seem to be wanting to develop him at center, which is where he has played with Springfield.

He’s been one of the best rookies in the AHL this season, mostly playing with less than stellar linemates.

His 200-foot game might not be there, but certainly, he would replace what the Panthers are losing on offense with Trocheck out.

If there was ever a time for Borgstrom to make the leap and make a statement for the Panthers, this would be it, but the Panthers decisions in how they’ve wanted to develop Borgstrom suggests they may be hesitant to pull the trigger even now. That would be a mistake.