The Florida Panthers and Pittsburgh Penguins recently finalized a trade, sending centermen Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann to PIT. This article will primarily serve to commemorate Jared McCann’s tenure as a member of the Cats.
The Florida Panthers acquired center Jared McCann from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Erik Gudbranson during the 2016 NHL offseason.
McCann’s rookie season with the Vancouver Canucks was relatively decent. He produced a slash line of 9G, 9A, for 18 points, while participating in 69 games during the 2015-16 season as a teenager.
The Panthers were optimistic that Jared McCann could build upon his rookie season and convey signs of growth and gradual development at the NHL level.
However, the former 24th overall draft selection – taken in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft – experienced a relatively unsuccessful 2016-17 season, Jared’s first as a Florida Panther.
The youngster tallied a soft line of 1G, 6A, and 7 points, while participating in a total of 29 regular season games. McCann played mainly on the fourth line, receiving significantly less playing time than in Vancouver.
Taken aback by Jared’s unexpected regression, the Florida Panthers would ultimately demote McCann during the 2016-17 season, a surprising move which actually proved worthwhile in the long run.
Essentially, McCann found himself in the minors for over half of the 2016-17 pro-hockey campaign.
In 42 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds, McCann registered a fairly adequate tally of 11G, 14A, and 25 points, along with an impressive 55 penalty minutes.
He ultimately developed into a more physical centerman, establishing himself as a respectable two-way player.
The 2017-18 season was undoubtedly a breakout year for the resurgent McCann. The fan favorite recorded a satisfactory line of 9G, 19A, for 28 points, while suiting up in only 68 regular season games for the Cats.
As a 21-year-old centerman who primarily played 4th line minutes, McCann recorded nearly 30 points and produced exceptionally well defensively, as evidenced by his plus/minus rating of +11.
Moreover, McCann established career-high marks in assists, points, plus/minus, etc. He truly displayed positive signs in his development, improving slowly but surely year after year.
The Cats were certainly encouraged by Jared McCann’s improvements and development and hoped the 22-year-old would continue developing into a full-time player.
The 2018-19 NHL season – McCann’s final one as a Panther – was a relatively successful one. In 46 games with the Panthers, the bottom-six forward registered an adequate slash line of 8G, 10A, and 18 points.
Before being unexpectedly traded from the Panthers, McCann was essentially on pace toward shattering his career-high marks from the previous season.
In essence, McCann’s two and a half seasons as a Florida Panther we’re undoubtedly unforgettable. The Canadian native provided the bottom-six forward group with necessary skill, grit, and relentless effort.
However, his inconsistencies offensively and troubles in the faceoff circle were apparent downsides in Jared’s career with the Panthers.
Although, playing alongside talented Pittsburgh players and being coached by Mike Sullivan should unequivocally help Jared McCann develop into a more consistent, two-way centerman in the NHL.
Overall, McCann will surely be missed by the Florida Panthers coaching staff, players, management, and fanbase.
On behalf of The Rat Trick, we wish Jared McCann nothing but sustainable success and thank him for his contributions as a previous member of the Florida Panthers.
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