Post by Florida Panthers on Nov 20, 2022 11:43:47 GMT -6
After a tepid .500 start to the season at the 8-game mark, a balanced top 9 forward group and improved goaltending from newcomer Juuse Saros has catapulted the Florida Panthers up the standings off the back of a 6-game winning streak.
Panthers captain Kirill Kaprizov ranks among the league's best with 28 points in 18 games and Patrice Bergeron has fit in seamlessly as the club's #1C. That said, consistent secondary scoring from the likes of Christian Fischer, Colin White, Nikita Gusev, and Alex Kerfoot is what has truly allowed the club's offense to blossom.
Florida's top defensive pair of Noah Dobson and Ethan Bear have put in workmanlike two-way performances on the blueline. Bear's name has been mentioned in recent trade rumours, but looks happy to have a starring role on the Cats backend. The defense is set to get another boost with the club having acquired veteran D Jonas Brodin from the Minnesota Wild late Saturday night.
PFHL insiders have murmured that some teams inquired about Kaprizov's availability as a pending UFA early on in the season, but sources inside the organization have said those calls were instantly rebuffed and that the club is actively looking to re-sign its superstar once the OG card window opens.
