Here is the Panthers opening night roster. We have some locks.

Locks (100% Likely to be on the Opening Night Roster)

Aleksander Barkov

Jonathan Huberdeau

Evengii Dadonov

Vincent Trocheck

Mike Hoffman

Brett Conolly

Frank Vatrano

Keith Yandle

Aaron Ekblad

Mike Matheson

Anton Stralman

Sergei Bobrovsky

 

This leaves open 5 forward spots, 2 defense spots, a goalie spot and 3 extras. Here are the competitors.

Special Consideration

Mark Pysyk

2018-19 Stats: Florida (NHL) 70 GP, 1-11-12

Pysyk is 100% likely to be on an NHL roster come October, but I’m unsure whether that will be in a Panther uniform. This case is similar to Jason Demers back before 2017-18.

Odds of Being Traded: 65%

 

Almost Locks (Likelyhood is >89% but <100%)

Noel Acciari

2018-19 Stats: Boston (NHL) 72 GP, 6-8-14

The Panthers signed Acciari to a 3 year deal worth $1.667M AAV. Acciari is almost a lock for the 4th line center role. However, there is a tiny, molecular part of me that thinks that his spot could be up for competition, especially with a strong depth pool.

Likelyhood of Making the Roster: 99.999999999999999%

Most Likely Position: 4th Line Center

 

Henrik Borgstrom

2018-19 Stats: Florida (NHL) 50 GP, 8-10-18  Springfield (AHL) 24 GP, 5-17-22

Borgstrom reminds me a lot of Vincent Trocheck back in 2015-16. Borgstrom could explode this year. However, I think Borgstrom has to prove himself at camp with a ton of competition.

Likelyhood of Making the Roster: 90%

Most Likely Position: 3rd Line Center

 

Mackenzie Weegar

2018-19 Stats: Florida (NHL) 64 GP, 4-11-15

Weegar like Acciari is almost a lock to make the roster. Weegar is one of the hardest working members of the team. However, Weegar has always seemed to struggle a little. I think Weegar will have to prove himself at camp but I know he will prove himself to the challenge.

Likelyhood to make the Roster: 99.9999999999999999999999999999%

Most Likely Position: 3rd Pairing Defense

 

Sam Montembeault

2018-19 Stats: Florida (NHL) 11 GP, 4-3-2, .894/3.05; Springfield (AHL) 39 GP, 13-16-8, 1 SO, .899/3.24)

The backup goalie spot is Monty’s to lose. That is what Dale Tallon proclaimed as the Panthers come into this year with a brand new tandem. Montembeault has struggled with inconsistency. He stole a point from the Islanders in his last game in 2018-19 but struggled on various occasions. Monty has to have a strong camp because Chris Drediger could pose a threat.

Likelyhood to make the Roster: 89.5%

Most Likely Spot: Backup Goalie

 

Assuming that Pysyk is not traded and all of these guys make it, the Panthers are now at 9 forwards, 6 defenders and 2 goalies. Here are the competitors for the last spots.

 

Forwards

Colton Sceviour

2018-19 Stats: Florida (NHL) 59 GP, 5-10-15

Sceviour struggled last year. Sceviour is going to battle for a 4th line spot and I do think his veteran presence gives him an advantage. He is an important penalty killer, however I think the talent in the prospect pools has taken away from some of his luster.

Likelyhood to Make the Roster: 85%

 

Denis Malgin

2018-19 Stats: Florida (NHL) 50 GP, 7-9-16

Malgin struggled last year like Sceviour. Malgin is undersized. However, Malgin is a hard worker and his hard work got him to the NHL early. Malgin’s development has been mishandled by Tom Rowe and Bob Boughner. I think Joel Quenneville can develop Malgin properly. Malgin’s first task is to win a very competitive roster spot.

Likelyhood to Make the Roster: 74%

 

Owen Tippett

2018-19 Stats: Mississagua (OHL) 23 GP, 19-14-33; Saginaw (OHL) 31 GP, 14-27-41

Tippett is talented and I disagree with the Panthers cutting him early in camp last year. I understand why they did it, so they don’t burn his ELC. Tippett already has an NHL goal under his belt back in 2017-18 and he has had a couple of years to improve. Tippett struggles defensively . If Tippett wants to make the NHL, he needs to be calm, focus on his defensive game and focus on proving himself. The talent is there. Also please don’t throw any more foam pucks into the crowd. 

Likelyhood to Make the Roster: 66%

 

Jayce Hawryluk

2018-19 Stats: Florida (NHL) 42 GP, 7-5-12; Springfield (AHL) 31 GP, 8-24-32

The long awaited arrival of Hawryluk finally occured last year. Despite being undersized and the fact that he didn’t score much, Hawryluk was a very impactful, energy guy. I think he has a future as a 4th liner throughout the league. Jayce will likely have to compete with teammate Dryden Hunt for the final spot.

Likelyhood to Make the Roster: 54%

 

Troy Brouwer

2018-19 Stats: Florida (NHL) 75 GP, 12-9-21

He wasn’t resigned but was brought back on a PTO. Brouwer should encourage the young guys to compete but I don’t think he is granted a contract.

Likelyhood to Make the Roster: 48%

 

Dryden Hunt

2018-19 Stats: Florida (NHL) 31 GP, 3-7-10; Springfield (AHL) 51 GP, 23-21-44

Hunt was a solid contributor for the Panthers last year, but I’m unsure what his potential is. Hunt has the potential to be a 30 goal scorer but how will he turn out?

Likelyhood to make the roster: 40%

 

Other Competitors

Rodrigo Abols

Aleksi Heponiemi

Anthony Greco

Kevin Roy

Dominic Tonianto

Serron Noel

 

Defense

Josh Brown (85% if Pysyk is traded; 70% if not)

Brady Keeper (65% if Pysyk is traded; 50% if not)

Riley Stillman (40% if Pysyk is traded; 10% if not)

 

Goalies

Chris Drediger (10%)

 

Projected Opening Night Roster

Huberdeau-Barkov-Dadonov

Hoffman-Trocheck-Tippett

Vatrano-Borgstrom-Conolly

Sceviour-Acciari-Malgin

Yandle-Ekblad

Matheson-Stralman

Weegar-Brown

Bobrovsky

Montembeault

Extras: Hawryluk, Keeper

 

 

Longshots

Jonathan Ang (F)

Patrick Bajkov (F)

Sebastian Repo (F)

Tommy Prow (D)

Ethan Cross (D)

Jake Massie (D)

Phillipe Desrosiers (G)

Ryan Bednard (G)