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Florida Panthers: Keith Yandle Heads to All-Star Game Amidst Career Year

By Gunnar Noebel

SUNRISE, FL - JANUARY 21: Keith Yandle #3 of the Florida Panthers carries the puck up ice against the San Jose Sharks at the BB&T Center on January 21, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Sharks 6-2. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL - JANUARY 21: Keith Yandle #3 of the Florida Panthers carries the puck up ice against the San Jose Sharks at the BB&T Center on January 21, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Sharks 6-2. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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On pace for a career year, Keith Yandle will represent the Florida Panthers this year at the 2019 All-Star Game in San Jose.

For the third time in his 13-year career and for the first time with the Florida Panthers, Keith Yandle will represent the Cats this weekend during the All-Star Game festivities. Aleksander Barkov had a chance to be voted in by the fans but lost to Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner.

At age 32, the former 4th round draft pick is on pace for his best career season yet. Through 48 games played this season, Yandle currently sits at 7 goals and 38 assists. He ranks 9th for points by a defenseman and is on pace for 11 goals and 64 assists this season.

Better yet, he’s a great choice to represent the Florida Panthers at the All-Star Game this year. He’s been a very important piece to the Panthers’ blue line and has shown his veteran leadership qualities to the younger players around him. He’s also stepped up when the time is necessary to help guide the ship and motivate the team.

Lately, especially during the latest win streak, Yandle has proven that he is one of the best defensemen in the league.

He’s been making smart decisions with the puck as of late, and has a high defensive IQ and is able to make great plays to break up rushes while creating offensive opportunities.

The passing caliber that Yandle possesses helps out a lot. He can thread the needle with a pass to set up a goal. He also has the ability to feed teammates from a distance, sometimes more than half the ice to create a further offensive opportunity.

By sitting on the blue line, Yandle also has the ability to release his cannon of a shot. If the cannon of his shot doesn’t go in, then the puck is in a perfect position for someone to put in the rebound.

Spending a majority of the season with Aaron Ekblad, Yandle and Ekblad have developed into a pretty solid pair. The leadership of Yandle and the developing two-way youngster of Ekblad work perfectly together.

Yandle can help mentor and guide Ekblad, while Aaron is able to provide additional offensive upside to the Panthers’ offense.

While it hasn’t been announced what event Yandle will participate in the skills competition, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the Enterprise NHL Premier Passer, considering he’s a precise passer and holds a great chance of winning the event.

Ideally speaking, Yandle is just the perfect fit for the All-Star Game roster and owns the perfect personality to go along with the fun festivities.

He may not be the flashiest of players on the Panthers’ roster like Barkov, but he minds a very critical and crucial part in the team.

He’s a veteran leader and a break like this in the All-Star Game could give Yandle even more confidence to help lead him to more personal success, along with his team.

I personally expect Keith Yandle to gain a new level of confidence during the All-Star Game, helping push Florida into playoff contention once he’s back from the fun festivities.

Next. Frank Vatrano Is Red-Hot on First Line. dark

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