Anton Lundell - Primed for a breakout season?

[1specter]

Lundell has been a very solid player for the Panthers the last 3 seasons, mostly playing as the defensively responsible 3C producing at a 35-40 pt clip. He just had a very solid playoff performance putting up 17 pts in 24 games en route to a Cup and received a 6 yr x 5M AAV deal this past summer, which showed that Zito really believed in his potential.

With Barkov now out with injury, Lundell has stepped up and has started the season with 8 pts in 7 games, and Florida hasn't missed a beat. How do you see his season going? Does Florida have a Barkov v2 on their hands? Will he stay in the top six even when Barkov is back? Either way, very impressive work by Zito again, one of the best minds in hockey right now.

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[Bgav]

Barkov getting injured was probably the best thing for him. Shining offensively right now

 

[kerrabria]

His offensive talent is far beneath Barkov’s. I think a better target (and more comparable play style) is Couturier.

Lundell has never produced without Reinhart on his wing, so we can’t say he’s capable of driving his own line. Until then, his ceiling will be a defensively elite 2C.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Lundell has been a very solid player for the Panthers the last 3 seasons, mostly playing as the defensively responsible 3C producing at a 35-40 pt clip. He just had a very solid playoff performance putting up 17 pts in 24 games en route to a Cup and received a 6 yr x 5M AAV deal this past summer, which showed that Zito really believed in his potential.

With Barkov now out with injury, Lundell has stepped up and has started the season with 8 pts in 7 games, and Florida hasn't missed a beat. How do you see his season going? Does Florida have a Barkov v2 on their hands? Will he stay in the top six even when Barkov is back? Either way, very impressive work by Zito again, one of the best minds in hockey right now.

SO the Panthers are going to play Barkov on the 3rd line when he comes back? Nope.

 

[1specter]

SO the Panthers are going to play Barkov on the 3rd line when he comes back? Nope.

Never said that, Barkov is the undisputed 1C I think we all know that. I am more so wondering if they shift Bennett down, although he is also playing well.

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

I tend to agree that I'd like to see Lundell produce well offensively without Reinhart on his wing. He's excellent defensively, but has only had these really impressive spurts of scoring production with #13.

Then again, the way that line is playing, Maurice just might leave them there and give Barkov a washing machine for a linemate. Barkov will find a way to score 80 points banking the puck off of it.

 

[sr edler]

It's almost like experience and opportunity can help to boost your numbers. Lundell always had PPG potential IMO.

 

[BB88]

His offensive talent is far beneath Barkov’s. I think a better target (and more comparable play style) is Couturier.

Lundell has never produced without Reinhart on his wing, so we can’t say he’s capable of driving his own line. Until then, his ceiling will be a defensively elite 2C.

Playoffs?

 

[olli]

If he keeps it up are the panthers even going to bother resigning Bennet for 6M+? Obviously Bennet might be willing to take a discount but if not wouldn’t they be better off going into next season with Barkov Lundell down the middle and a cheap 3C?

 

[Mulletman]

If he keeps it up are the panthers even going to bother resigning Bennet for 6M+? Obviously Bennet might be willing to take a discount but if not wouldn’t they be better off going into next season with Barkov Lundell down the middle and a cheap 3C?

If the Panthers were smart they would trade Barkov now for a king's ransom! Barkov is too injury prone and will only go downhill from here. But his NHL stock right now is super high after the Panthers won the cup and Gretzky pumped his tires. This is the right time to trade Barkov! Trading Barkov could get something crazy like Aho, Necas and a 1st from Carolina or Rantanen, Nichushkin and a 1st from Colorado or Petterson (retained) and Boeser from Vancouver or Nylander, Tavares with a cheap extension and a 1st from Toronto or Draisaitl, Nurse and a 1st from Edmonton and countless other teams offering something similar...

 

[Skeletorrr]

If the Panthers were smart they would trade Barkov now for a king's ransom! Barkov is too injury prone and will only go downhill from here. But his NHL stock right now is super high after the Panthers won the cup and Gretzky pumped his tires. This is the right time to trade Barkov! Trading Barkov could get something crazy like Aho, Necas and a 1st from Carolina or Rantanen, Nichushkin and a 1st from Colorado or Petterson (retained) and Boeser from Vancouver or Nylander, Tavares with a cheap extension and a 1st from Toronto or Draisaitl, Nurse and a 1st from Edmonton and countless other teams offering something similar...

Dude...

 

[Hollowmoon]

6 years x 5M AAV deal is crazy good. One of the best contract in NHL?

 

[SatanicToedrag]

6 years x 5M AAV deal is crazy good. One of the best contract in NHL?

The actual top of the crop is on the same team. Forsling at 5,75M x 8y is an absolute steal of a deal.

 

[Laus723]

If he keeps it up are the panthers even going to bother resigning Bennet for 6M+? Obviously Bennet might be willing to take a discount but if not wouldn’t they be better off going into next season with Barkov Lundell down the middle and a cheap 3C?

We’re seeing right now how important strong center depth is. Had we not had Bennett, we’d have Lundy at 1C, some “cheap 3C” guy at the 2 spot and so on. Instead, we still have two strong centers to step up. Strong depth is imperative and Zito continues to find guys who play well together, he’ll get Benny locked in. Course, we could see him go the way of Monty and Gudas if he wants to test the market.

As for Lundell, I love that he’s playing how he is in Barkov’s absence. He has the tools and he’s great defensively. He gets weird flak from some Panther fans, but I couldn’t be more happy with his development.

If the Panthers were smart they would trade Barkov now for a king's ransom! Barkov is too injury prone and will only go downhill from here. But his NHL stock right now is super high after the Panthers won the cup and Gretzky pumped his tires. This is the right time to trade Barkov! Trading Barkov could get something crazy like Aho, Necas and a 1st from Carolina or Rantanen, Nichushkin and a 1st from Colorado or Petterson (retained) and Boeser from Vancouver or Nylander, Tavares with a cheap extension and a 1st from Toronto or Draisaitl, Nurse and a 1st from Edmonton and countless other teams offering something similar...

I mean, we don’t have a first this year, you may be onto something.

 

[Ratsreign]

If he keeps it up are the panthers even going to bother resigning Bennet for 6M+? Obviously Bennet might be willing to take a discount but if not wouldn’t they be better off going into next season with Barkov Lundell down the middle and a cheap 3C?

Sam Bennett is a very important part of the Panthers team.
FL’s owner told Benny that he was the soul of the team when he presented him with his championship ring. Even if Benny ends up being the L3 center, still an important part of the Panthers team. Reports are that the Panthers have now started talks with Benny about an extension. Hopefully they can get a deal done.

 

[MuckOG]

6 years x 5M AAV deal is crazy good. One of the best contract in NHL?

Up there with Joel Eriksson Ek's contract of 8 years x $5.25M AAV.

 

[thomast]

His offensive talent is far beneath Barkov’s. I think a better target (and more comparable play style) is Couturier.

Lundell has never produced without Reinhart on his wing, so we can’t say he’s capable of driving his own line. Until then, his ceiling will be a defensively elite 2C.

Top 10 scorer in the playoffs with Luostarinen and Tarasenko as his wingers without top PP TOI. Lundell was impressive especially on series closing games, he had 1g+4a in 4 games.

FLA - TBL 6-1 GM5
1 a

FLA - BOS 2-1 GM6
Primary assist on gwg and scored the gtg.

NYR - FLA 1-2 GM6
Primary assist on gwg.

EDM - FLA 1-2 GM7
1a

Lundell had a point in every series closing games and 3/4 of the games were low scoring 1 goal wins.

 

[redwings86]

Lundell can be the best after a injury-free Barkov.

 

[Fatass]

Lundell has been a very solid player for the Panthers the last 3 seasons, mostly playing as the defensively responsible 3C producing at a 35-40 pt clip. He just had a very solid playoff performance putting up 17 pts in 24 games en route to a Cup and received a 6 yr x 5M AAV deal this past summer, which showed that Zito really believed in his potential.

With Barkov now out with injury, Lundell has stepped up and has started the season with 8 pts in 7 games, and Florida hasn't missed a beat. How do you see his season going? Does Florida have a Barkov v2 on their hands? Will he stay in the top six even when Barkov is back? Either way, very impressive work by Zito again, one of the best minds in hockey right now.

Zito is smart; he puts good people into positions and lets them do their jobs. The best GMs understand this.