If you look at most websites with projected lineups for the Florida Panthers, 2017 first round pick RW Owen Tippett isn’t listed.
Even though he is 6’1”, 203 lbs. and has all the offensive tools the Panthers are starving for the general consensus amongst fans is he will be seasoning in juniors next year.
If you listen to GM Dale Tallon, new head coach Bob Boughner, and Director of Player Personnel Bryan McCabe, Tippett is going to be given every opportunity to make the team.
After saying goodbye to Jaromir Jagr, the forward youth movement is on it’s way, sans Radim Vrbata and Derek MacKenzie, both 36.
At the NHL Draft in Chicago, Director of North American Scouting Jason Bukala said yes Tippett was 203 lbs. but he wasn’t the “right” 203 lbs. to take the beating and grind of an NHL season. No doubt he was told what to work on this summer after Development Camp and it will be interesting to see what he brings to the table when training camp starts in September.
If the 10th overall pick shines in the way many people expect, it would have a huge impact on the entire roster.
It seems like forever RW has been lacking in terms of quality production for the Panthers. Now with Dadonov and Vrbata penciled in on the top two lines, things are looking up in Sunrise.
But the real problem, especially last year, is getting Nick Bjugstad going on the third line. He is coming off a disastrous, injury-riddled, 14 point season. His lack of production can be directly attributed to inconsistent linemates and confidence issues.
What if Tippett were to make the team? Let’s hypothetically put him where an uber-talented first round pick should be: on the top line with Barkov and Huberdeau. That would push Dadonov down to the Trocheck line and Vrbata down to the third.
In this scenario the odd man out would be Denis Malgin, assuming he is penciled in as third line center with Nick Bjugstad and a player to be named later on the left wing. Malgin had his ups and downs last season in Florida and flashed at times, but he doesn’t have the size and toughness (5’9”, 177lbs.) Tallon and Boughner are looking to put on the ice.
Bjugstad would take over for Malgin and the savvy veteran Vrbata would immediately be a huge upgrade at RW. It will be interesting to see how the left wing situation unfolds as that has now become the weak spot on the team. It could be Sceviour, Haapala, Mamin, or Hawrlyuk on the third line. If Tallon adds another veteran as the summer progresses it could be someone else.
I was in close proximity to Tallon, Boughner, and company during the Development Camp scrimmage and I can tell you they were very impressed and excited about Maxim Mamin. I feel he is a dark horse to make this team. For what it’s worth, Mamin and Hawrlyuk shined much more than Haapala during camp. I don’t know if any of them are second line talent just yet, but third and fourth for sure. I expect the LW forwards to be a very young group.
Barkov, Trocheck, Bjugstad, and MacKenzie down the middle is the desired plan. Tippett making the team locks in the plan. If he’s not ready, he’s not ready. But none of the powers that be lead us to believe juniors was his automatic destination.
Bjugstad played some time on the wing last year, and in a way that might be good for him to free him up mentally. It didn’t look like it suited him though. Center is his natural position. Give him some talent on his wings with proper coaching from Boughner and he could be primed for a big year.
It’s not the end of the world if Tippett isn’t in a Panther uniform opening night, but if he is this lineup is going to be much more balanced…and dangerous.
Dan Spiegel
Florida Panthers Media
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