As part of NHL.com’s 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the Florida Panthers. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the “NHL Fantasy on Ice” podcast.
MORE FANTASY COVERAGE: Top 250 rankings
NOTES: These fantasy projections (for 82-game season), a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen and Anna Dua, have been quantified based on factors including but not limited to past performance in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs, projected line combinations, power-play usage, team goalie situations, injury history or concern, sleeper upside, anticipated regression or bounce-back candidacy, age, contract status and overall upside for this season. The below totals are safe estimates and do not necessarily indicate each player’s ceiling or floor and should be used as a basis for decision-making in all fantasy leagues. Players are listed below in order of NHL.com’s top 250 rankings.
[Panthers 32 in 32: Season preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects]
Alexander BarkovC — He was tied for 10th in the NHL in points per game (1.31; 88 in 67 games) last season and led the Florida Panthers with a career-high 39 goals (18th in the League). He should be considered a fringe top 10 overall fantasy player and top five center option and can challenge his best point total (96 in 2018-19) if he plays on a line with an elite wing. Matthew Tkachuk (acquired from Calgary Flames on July 22, signed eight-year contract).
NHL.com point projection for Barkov: 94
Video: Aleksander Barkov ranks in at six for top centers
Matthew Tkachuk, RW — He ranked eighth in the NHL in points (career-high 104) last season, fifth in even-strength points (75) and had the third-best plus/minus in the League (plus-57) behind former linemates. Johnny Gaudreau (plus-64; signed with Columbus Blue Jackets) and Elias Lindholm (plus-61; still with Flames). Tkachuk remains a top 20 overall fantasy player after the trade and is third among right wings behind NHL.com’s rankings. Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
NHL.com point projection for Tkachuk: 88
Aaron EkbladD — He ranked fifth among NHL defensemen in points per game (0.93) last season and was sixth in goals (15) at the position. Since entering the NHL in 2014-15, Ekblad ranks seventh among defensemen in goals (97). Ekblad is coming off his best point (57 in 61 games) and power-play point (20; tied for 14th) totals last season and, despite losing a frequent defense partner. MacKenzie Weegar In the trade for Tkachuk, should still be considered a fringe top five fantasy defenseman and top 40 overall player.
NHL.com point projection for Ekblad: 58
Sam ReinhartC/RW — He’s coming off by far the best season of his NHL career with 82 points (33 goals, 49 assists) in 78 games despite playing mostly on the Panthers’ third line at even strength. Reinhart was second on Florida in goals (33) behind Barkov and second in power-play points (31) behind the left wing. Jonathan Huberdeau (38; traded to Flames for Tkachuk) last season and should be considered a fringe top 50 forward and top 75 overall player.
NHL.com point projection for Reinhart: 79
Sergei BobrovskyG — He was tied with Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Lightning for the most wins (39) in the NHL last season and is tied for fifth in save percentage (.916) since entering the League in 2010-11 (minimum 500 games span). Bobrovsky should be considered a fringe top 10 goalie and top 75 overall player behind the Panthers’ elite offense (led the NHL with 4.11 goals per game last season) and is worth handcuffing in fantasy with an up-and-coming teammate. Spencer Knight.
NHL.com win projection for Bobrovsky: 32
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Other FLA players to consider in fantasy: Spencer Knight, G; Sam BennettC; Anton LundellC; Carter VerhaegheLW; Gustav ForslingD
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Injured players worth stashing: Anthony DuclairRW
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