Lundell’s in a sophomore slump, but Panthers are trusting him in a big role down stretch

On the day they picked Anton Lundell in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, the Florida Panthers envisioned days like Monday in his future. In the thick of a postseason push, the Panthers will have the Finnish forward, still only 21, play center on a top-two line, next to a Hart Memorial Trophy candidate, in something close to a must-win road game.

The path there, however, has not been quite as smooth as it once seemed it’d be.

“We need him,” coach Paul Maurice said.

Less than a year ago, Lundell was a dark-horse contender for the Calder Memorial Trophy, leading all rookies in plus-minus and only finishing outside the top five of voting because of some injuries. Less than a week ago, he found himself stuck on the Panthers’ fourth line, struggling to justify the spot in the top half of the lineup he once seemed destined for.

At the end of an underwhelming season, Lundell is getting a shot at redemption, though. As center Sam Bennett missed his fourth straight game with an unspecified injury, Lundell returned to the top six, starting at center on Florida’s second line as it faced the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ontario.

It meant a crack at playing on a line next to superstar right wing Matthew Tkachuk for the first time and an opportunity to prove he’s still more like 44-point player he was than the scoring-deficient forward he is now.

On Monday, he’ll match his total games played from last year, and he entered the week with only 28 points and a negative plus-minus.

There’s no better situation to find his footing than this one. The line with left wing Carter Verhaeghe, Bennett and Tkachuk has been the second best in the NHL — in terms of expected goal differential — among trios to play at least 300 minutes together this season.

“We need Anton to come in and fill that role,” Maurice said. “It’s Anton’s turn.”

Panthers extend forward Zac Dalpe

Although Zac Dalpe only has four points in two seasons with the Panthers, Florida values the 33-year-old Canadian as a piece of the organization, so it inked the forward to a two-year, two-way extension Monday.

Dalpe is currently the captain for AHL Charlotte, and has 18 goals and 13 assists for the Charlotte Checkers. He has also played in 12 games for the Panthers this year with two goals and two assists. His contract allows him to vacillate between the NHL and American Hockey League, letting him both provide organizational depth and leadership in the minors.

“Zac is a natural leader, and his impact on our franchise is felt on and off the ice,” general manager Bill Zito said in a statement. “A high-character athlete and relentlessly competitive forward, we are grateful for his continued dedication to our organization.”