The Panthers have announced their 2024-25 Training Camp roster:
Theres a lot of names to do research on, but here’s a few that caught my eye for one reason or another:
FORWARDS
Johan Gadjovich - Cats brass definitely likes this guy, and so do I. He has size, some snarl, and plays a good two-way game. With Lomberg gone, I think he slots into that role of energy guy with skill.
Zac Dalpe / Justin Sourdif / Mackie Samoskevich - This young trio seem to be guys Florida sees as the future (maybe?). They have all had some opportunities, with Dalpe and Mackie getting the majority of looks, and Sourdif marinating in the AHL (if memory serves me right). Wasn’t Sourdif the big prospect - next to Tippett - before Mackie showed up, and who has had some trouble making a case for himself? Anyway, some solid prospect info
HERE
Matt Luff - A veteran guy at 27and here on a PTO and most likely auditioning for a depth role. Per
Litter Box Cats:
“
Luff, 27, has a total of 106 games of NHL experience with the Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings under his belt, amassing 15 goals and 12 assists after entering the professional ranks out of the OHL as an undrafted player.
An upper-body injury limited Luff to 26 AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins last season. He scored ten goals and added eight assists for Griffins.
In his last big-league stint, Luff tallied two goals and two assists in 19 games with the Red Wings during the 2022-23 campaign.
A solid scorer at the AHL level (163 points in 223 games) chances are Luff is looking at earning a two-way contract and being a good veteran piece for the Charlotte Checkers and perhaps a call-up option is the Panthers run into injury problems.”
Hunter St. Martin - I know nothing about this guy, but forget hockey…with a strong name like that, you have to become an author or something.
Tomas Nosek - Experienced two-way guy that will add some size to the lineup at 6’ 3”, 205 lb to the lower lines. Per the Cats’
site:
“
Nosek, 31, skated in 36 games with the New Jersey Devils in 2023-24, compiling six points (2-4-6). He averaged the third-highest shorthanded time on ice among New Jersey forwards (1:23).
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound native of Pardubice, Czechia, has skated in 434 career NHL games between New Jersey (2023-24), the Boston Bruins (2021-22 to 2022-23), Vegas Golden Knights (2017-18 to 2021-22) and Detroit Red Wings (2015-16 to 2016-17), registering 107 points (44-63-107). He has also played in 52 Stanley Cup playoff games, producing 14 points (6-8-14).
Undrafted, Nosek competed in 176 career American Hockey League (AHL) games with the Grand Rapids Griffins from 2014-15 to 2016-17, recording 105 points (41-64-105). He led the AHL with a plus-30 rating in 2014-15 and helped the Griffins to a Calder Cup championship in 2016-17 after logging 22 points (10-12-22) over 19 playoff games.
Prior to his North American career, Nosek played for his hometown club HC Pardubice of Czech Extraliga for three seasons, amassing 62 points (24-38-62) over three seasons helping the club to an Extraliga title in 2011-12.”
DEFENSEMEN
Tobias Bjornfot / Adam Boqvist- both of these guys feel very much like vintage Zito turn around projects (think Forsling). Of the two, Boqvist is the bigger name who would be a massive low-risk-high-reward win if it pans out the way fans are hoping. Time will tell…
Matt Kiersted - I like what I see from him when he gets in the lineup. Can he become a regular?
Mike Benning - physically not the biggest, but probably Florida’s biggest prospective defenseman. He comes from a line of NHL talent. Per the prospects article:
“
A skilled, puck-moving defenseman, Benning demonstrated his offensive talents in his first year as a professional with Charlotte after three seasons at the University of Denver, particularly on the power play, where he scored four of his nine goals and had five assists.
The son of former NHL defenseman Brian Benning and brother of San Jose Sharks defenseman Matt Benning, the 22-year-old helped pick up the slack after defenseman Lucas Carlsson tore his ACL on Feb. 28 and had 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in his final 20 regular-season games.
Benning also progressed in his defensive play and will have to continue to prove he can overcome his lack of size (5-9, 185) to reach the next level.”
I like the bit about him continuing to improve his defense.
Ulvis Balinskis - once he adjusted to the Northen American sheet of ice, I thought this guy looked good. With some blue line departures, I wonder if he gets a bigger role this season?
GOALTENDERS
Spencer Knight - Man…I don’t know. With the tandem of Bob and Driedger (one assumes), it looks like Knight will spend his year in the AHL - assuming no serious injuries to either Cat’s goalies. I still think it’s the best spot for him right now. His biggest competition will be Mack Guzda, which will be interesting to watch. Does he work himself into an expanded role with the big club?
Looking forward to camp starting!
________________________
Go Panthers!
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