Hunt gets try on second line
Rookie has impressed with first two games
CORAL SPRINGS — The revolving door on the Florida Panthers’ second line has stopped turning … for now.
Through the first 16 games of the season, the Panthers and coach Bob Boughner have toyed with the left wing position alongside center Vincent Trocheck and right wing Radim Vrbata. The latest puzzle piece is Dryden Hunt, the 21-year-old rookie who has played in just two NHL games.
Hunt played on the second line during Saturday’s 2-1 loss to New Jersey and even bumped up to the second line during parts of Friday’s 4-1 win in Buffalo. He practiced with Trocheck and Vrbata again on Monday.
“I was really impressed with how heavy he plays,” Boughner said. “He has good speed. He got in there on the forecheck and he created. I liked him even defensively on the way back. He’s got some speed on that line. He’s done a real good job and I’m really impressed with him, to be honest with you.”
While Vrbata’s presence on the right has been generally stable (he played one game on the first line and one game on the third), the Panthers have rotated a handful of players through the left side.
In training camp, the organization hoped Henrik Haapala would take the spot. But Haapala, the 5-foot-8 and 156-pound Finnish import, struggled to adjust to the North American game and started the season with AHL affiliate Springfield. He’s battled injuries there and has only played in nine games.
During the preseason, the Panthers tried Brandon Pirri and Denis Malgin on that line but couldn’t find the results they sought. Jamie McGinn has played 10 games with the second line. Connor Brickley played four and even Nick Bjugstad played a game with Trocheck before Hunt’s arrival last week.
Boughner said he would ideally like to match a “topsix, higher-end player” with Trocheck, but conceded that Hunt is not there yet. Hunt had eight points in 13 games with Springfield this year.
“The hardest part for young guys is backing that up night after night after night and being consistent,” Boughner said. “In the two games I’ve seen so far, is he a top-six NHLer right now? Probably not, but he’s done a real good job of where he’s at.”
Trocheck is adjusting to new linemates because his old ones are no longer in Florida. Left wing Jussi Jokinen was bought out and now plays for Edmonton. Right wing Reilly Smith was shipped to Vegas to shed his $25 million contract.
Smith and former Panther Jonathan Marchessault have been two of the Golden Knights’ best players this season, combining for nine goals and 14 assists.
Trocheck said his game works best when linked with a speedy player that plays with some aggression.
“Most of my offense in the past has been generated from speed,” Trocheck said. “I think that’s one of my key attributes. Anybody who can keep up with that and play at a fast pace, push their D back and create more space.”
Hunt, at 6-foot and 201 pounds, is a big body that can create that space for playmakers like Trocheck and Vrbata. Boughner said Hunt’s game combined parts of McGinn’s net-front presence with the forechecking ability of Brickley.
“I try to stick to my strengths and stick to what I know,” Hunt said. “I think one of my strengths is my down low play. If I can open up space for those guys, I think my job is done.”