Florida Panthers: Expect a Resurgent Denis Malgin in 2019-20

Following a subpar 2019 season, the Florida Panthers should expect a much more improved year from young forward Denis Malgin.

The 22-year-old versatile Malgin first broke out with the Florida Panthers during the 2018 NHL season. While playing in only 51 regular-season games back in 2018, Malgin would record a decent slash line of 11 goals, 11 assists for 22 total points.

2019 was a slight regression for the talented young forward. While participating in 50 regular-season games for the Cats, Denis Malgin went on to register a line of 7 goals, 9 assists for 16 total points.

In essence, Malgin has been a productive two-way forward for the Florida Panthers over the past two seasons. Despite playing in a reduced role and receiving limited opportunities, Malgin has made the most out of his chances, producing fair results on both ends of the ice.

Essentially, Malgin has proven to be a responsible defensive forward. In 148 career NHL games, Denis has recorded a ridiculously good takeaway to giveaway ratio of 64 to 47, often taking away the puck from the opposition than turning it over.

Nonetheless, Malgin has only managed to average roughly 12 minutes of ice time per game throughout the course of his NHL career. Basically, the talented native of Switzerland has played mostly fourth or third-line minutes alongside poor quality linemates.

Unfortunately, he will likely find himself in a similar role for the Panthers during the 2019-20 season. Due to the lack of spots on the top-nine forward group, Joel Quenneville will most likely plug Denis into the third or fourth line (depending on where he lands on the roster).

However, Malgin has demonstrated that he is fully capable of producing in a reduced role. If Malgin remains completely healthy, then a 20-25 point season seems highly likely for the former fourth-round selection.

As well, considering that Malgin is entering a contract year (recently resigned to a one-year contract), he will be more internally motivated to perform exceptionally well.

If he can remain consistent and anchor Florida’s fourth line alongside Noel Acciari and either Colton Sceviour or Jayce Hawryluk, then the Panthers should retain the promising forward for the foreseeable future under another shorter-term deal.

Malgin’s abilities to play on both ends, defensively and offensively, make him a valuable presence for Florida’s bottom-six forward unit, particularly the fourth line.

Ultimately, the Panthers should undoubtedly anticipate a 20+ point campaign from Denis Malgin in 2020, which will hopefully help contribute to a playoff berth for the Stanley Cup hopeful Florida Panthers.