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Florida Panthers Acquire Forward Dominic Toninato From Colorado

By Daniel Janicas

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 26: Colorado Avalanche center Dominic Toninato, #47, drives the puck behind Vancouver Canucks goal and defenseman Ben Hutton, #27, left, during the first period of the Avalanche game at Pepsi Center on February 26, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Colorado Avalanche beat the Vancouver Canunks 3-1. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 26: Colorado Avalanche center Dominic Toninato, #47, drives the puck behind Vancouver Canucks goal and defenseman Ben Hutton, #27, left, during the first period of the Avalanche game at Pepsi Center on February 26, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Colorado Avalanche beat the Vancouver Canunks 3-1. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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Leading up to the big day of July 1st, the Florida Panthers continued doing regular business, participating in a minor-league transaction.

On Saturday, June. 29, the Florida Panthers acquired forward Dominic Toninato from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Jacob MacDonald.

Toninato, who’s 25 years of age, was originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fifth round (126th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.

From there, he played four seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth (2013/14 – 2016/17)(NCAA). In a grand total of 151 games, Toninato put up 54G, 37A, and 91 points. In his final season with Minnesota-Duluth (2016-17), Dominic served as the team’s captain.

In August of 2017, the Avalanche signed Toninato as a free agent, splitting his time between the NHL and the farm league (AHL) during the 2017-18 campaign. Toninato participated in 37 contests that season with the Avs, tallying two points (two assists).

In the AHL with the San Antonio Rampage (Colorado’s affiliate at the time), Toninato’s point tally rose, combining 12 points (7G & 5A) in 31 games.

The following season (2018-19), Toninato spent less time with the Avalanche, only taking part in two games, but recording a goal in one of those two games. However, with the Colorado Eagles (the Avalanche’s new AHL affiliate), Toninato improved his play dramatically, seeing his stat line jump from 12 points to 29 points (14G & 15A) in the new season.

Toninato primarily plays as a centerman and is a player who likes to display a two-way style to his game. At 6’2″, 201 lbs, he uses his large frame to create pathways to goal and muscle opponents off loose pucks in the corners and in the neutral zone, while also priding himself in the defensive end.

Heading the other way in the deal is defenseman Jacob MacDonald who spent the last (and only) season in the Florida Panthers organization.

MacDonald, who’s a year older than Dominic Toninato, signed with the Panthers in the summer of 2018. He originally started the 2018-19 season off with the Panthers, playing in their first two regular-season games.

In the season opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning, MacDonald potted his first career NHL goal to give the Panthers the lead. He also took part in the second game but was immediately sent down to Springfield (AHL) after the match.

MacDonald never saw the NHL ice again, spending the remainder of the season in the AHL. In 72 games with the Thunderbirds, MacDonald recorded 14G, 29A, and 43 points.

Regarded as an offensive defenseman who likes to push up the ice and provide scoring options, MacDonald unfortunately never got the chance to showcase his talents in a larger sample size with the Cats.

The Road Ahead Under Joel Quenneville. dark. Next

We wish Jacob MacDonald all the best in Colorado with his new team. He should fit in well with the new D core they’re building over there. On the other hand, Toninato provides the Panthers with another serviceable option in the minors. 

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