Stat Hockey’s Florida Panthers 2023-24 Line Projections

This is a look at the Florida Panthers 2023-24 line projections. It will cover all forward lines, defense pairings, goaltenders, and scratches.

Projected Lineup

F

Carter Verheaghe – Aleksander Barkov – Sam Reinhart

Evan Rodrigues – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Grigori Denisenko

Ryan Lomberg – Steven Lorentz – Nick Cousins

S- Rasmus Asplund, Kevin Stenlund

D

Gustav Forsling – Josh Mahura

Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Dmitry Kulikov

Niko Mikkola – Lucas Carlsson

S- Matt Kiersted

G

Sergei Bobrovsky

Spencer Knight

Notable injuries to start season: Aaron Ekblad (shoulder), Brandon Montour (shoulder)

Forwards

The forward group had a little bit of work done to it this offseason, but I like the changes. Once again, I think that the Panthers spread out the scoring so they aren’t a one line team. This will continue to help them succeed. By this I mean Takchuk plays on the second line at five-on-five. He is the best offensive player on the team while Barkov and Verhaeghe have great chemistry on the top line. Their opponents have to deal with one or the other against their second line. Having Bennett and Rodrigues beside Tkachuk also adds physicality and scoring to that line.

Back to the first line, Barkov can match up against anyone down the middle with his great all around play. Verhaeghe is underrated and sometimes is able to lead the team offensively. Their right winger, while sometimes sliding up and down from line 1 to 3, should be Reinhart. I think he needs a permanent place in the top-six. He can really put the puck in the back of the net and is able to log big minutes.

The third line looks to be young, but good. Lundell is following in the footsteps of an elite two-way player in Barkov and playing great at both ends of the ice. His offense is likely to rise up again. Luostarinen was a nice surprise last season and should only get better this season offensively. Now add in Denisenko after he got a decent look last season. He has offensive potential that the Panthers are hoping is tapped into this season in the NHL.

The entire fourth line is your typical 10+ goals, 20+ points while all three being able to add a lot of physicality. Lomberg, Lorentz, and Cousins will be able to give the team a lot of energy and chip in here and there. This line won’t be flashy. If they want a bit more skill on that line, Asplund and Stenlund should be available to come into the lineup.

Defense

The defense of the Panthers looks rough to start the season, but that’s because of the injuries to their top two defensemen. Without Ekblad and Montour, who should be back sometime closer to the start of the season, this team will struggle defensively. Both players who are out play on the right side, so that’s clearly weaker. I think Mahura gets a shot playing alongside Forsling, who is stable and could really step up this season. But this will be a group effort through this more challenging time.

Ekman-Larsson was a nice addition to the back-end that didn’t cost a lot. He needed a change in scenery from Vancouver. To start the season we could really see him bounce back with a good amount of playing time and power-play time. On his right, Kulikov will have to step up as well. He’s capable of handling a good amount of minutes, but it won’t be as easy as it used to.

Related: Stat Hockey’s Edmonton Oilers 2023-24 Line Projections

Mikkola will also be in the lineup whether Ekblad and Montour are injured or not. He is a solid third pairing defenseman that is more defensive. With the space, I think Carlsson can take the final spot in training camp and show the Panthers what they have. He would have to pass through waivers if he doesn’t make the team. Might as well give him a shot in a lesser role. Kiersted didn’t play a whole lot when he got in the lineup last season. This makes me think that he won’t again unless Carlsson struggles.

Goaltending

The goaltending of the Panthers should be one of the league’s best on paper, but that hasn’t been the case. The Panthers will once again be an offensively-minded team and won’t help out on defense a ton. Bobrovsky should once again be the starter and he proved he can play at an elite level since he did so in the playoffs. Knight should be back in the fold this season and it looks like he’s ready to go. The hope is that he can stick with the team all season and provide adequate support, proving he can take over the starting job soon.