Florida Panthers: Expectations for Noel Acciari in 2019-20

On July first, the Panthers officially signed former Bruins forward Noel Acciari to a three-year contract worth a total of five million. How will Acciari perform during the 2020 NHL season for the Florida Panthers?

Prior to joining the Florida Panthers, Noel Acciari spent the previous four NHL seasons with the potent Boston Bruins. In essence, Acciari’s stint with Boston was relatively successful, performing quite admirably over the past two years.

The native of the United States enjoyed a breakout year during the 2018 campaign. While suiting up in 60 NHL games, Acciari recorded a respectable 10 goals and played a marvelous two-way game.

Acciari averaged roughly 13 minutes of ice time per game, and only registered 9 giveaways and had 20 takeaways. Moreover, Acciari played an incredibly physical style of play, recording a whopping 152 hits and 41 blocked shots in limited playing time.

The 2019 NHL season was Noel Acciari’s most memorable campaign as a member of the Boston Bruins. While participating in 72 regular-season contests, Acciari recorded an adequate slash line of 6G, 8A for 14 total points.

Moreover, Acciari played a meaningful role as the Bruins’ primary fourth line centerman throughout the course of the regular season and playoffs.

During the regular season, Acciari registered a faceoff percentage of 49.6%, winning 200 draws and losing 203. More impressively, the dominant defensive forward recorded 35 takeaways while only turning over the puck 13 times during the regular season.

In addition, the imposing Acciari added a career-high mark with 221 hits, providing the Bruins with a powerful weapon on their bottom six.

Essentially, Acciari continued playing exceptionally well during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In 19 playoff contests, Noel recorded 2G, 2A for 4 total points. Additionally, Noel Acciari recorded a faceoff percentage of 49.6% as well as a plus/minus rating of +2 for the Bruins.

In essence, Acciari was evidently the anchor of Boston’s dominant fourth line. Noel’s superb playoff performance nearly helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup Finals, losing in a heartbreaking Game 7 against the St. Louis Blues.

Nevertheless, the versatile Noel Acciari proved he belongs at the NHL level, playing a physical, intimidating two-way style of play on a consistent basis.

Ultimately, Dale Tallon took notice of Acciari’s gradual improvement over the years and made an aggressive offer during the free agency period in order to acquire Noel’s services. Essentially, Noel Acciari will most certainly begin the 2020 campaign as the primary fourth line centerman for the Florida Panthers.

Overall, in regards to Noel Acciari’s expectations for the upcoming season, Panthers fans should anticipate a productive year on both ends of the ice. Moreover, Noel Acciari will undoubtedly deliver 200+ hits, 15 to 20 points, faceoff percentage of approximately 50%, and a sensational takeaway to giveaways ratio.

All in all, the Noel Acciari acquisition was a highly underrated, underappreciated signing made by Dale Tallon and the Florida Panthers. Furthermore, Acciari will unequivocally play a pivotal role in terms of helping the Cats reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the 2020 season.