We are a few weeks past the opening of Free Agency and have entered the strange times of hockeyless November...Happy Movember by the way!
With the news of Weegar’s new contract, combined with a lack of moves recently, it feels like Zito is most likely done adding. If he is, some predict the 2021 Panthers lineup could look something like the below:
Huberdeau - Barkov - Hornqvist
Vatrano - Wennberg - Tippett
Denisenko - Verhaeghe - Hinostroza
Saarela - Acciari - Connolly
Weegar - Ekblad
Yandle - Nutivaara
Stralman - Gudas
Tippett Time?
I like seeing some of the young guys rotating in to be part of this new blueprint. One guy I’m curious about in particular is Owen Tippett.
Tippett has been an interesting case to me. Taken 10th overall by the Panthers in 2017, he's been heavily hyped as Florida’s future for a couple years and with good reason.
Here’s an overview of his professional career as I’ve come to understand...
When he was drafted, Tippett was playing for the Mississauga Steelheads out of the OHL. During 60 games of the 2016-17 season, he put up 44 goals and 31 assists for a total of 75 points. In comparison to the year before where he played 48 games and netted 15 goals and 5 assists.
In 2017-18 he made the Panthers roster after a strong camp and played seven games for the Cats, scoring a goal. He was sent back to Major Junior where he rejoined the Steelheads. Back in Mississauga, Tippett played 51 games and again put up another impressive 75 points (36G, 39A). He earned a promotion and spent five games with the Thunderbirds where he had a goal and assist.
When the 2018-19 season rolled around, Tippett saw time with the Steelheads and Saginaw Spirit (via a trade). His totals were as follows:
Steelheads 23 Games:
- Goals - 19
- Assists - 14
- Points - 33
Spirit 31 Games:
- Goals - 14
- Assists - 27
- Points - 41
Overall Total 54 Games:
- Goals - 33
- Assists - 41
- Points - 74
These totals elevated him to the Thunderbirds for the 2019-20 season where in 46 games he produced 19 goals and 21 assists for a total of 40 points. Solid stuff that made him an almost point-per-game guy during that campaign.
I think he’s had some injuries of varying degrees sprinkled in throughout this time, but overall, his production in Junior and at the professional (AHL level) is very good. In fact, he was an early favorite for playoff MVP in 2019 (OHL) and in February of this year, received the AHL Rookie of the Month award:
At 6’1”, 207 lb Tippett has good size and is touted for his speed and shooting ability. Considered a “pure goal scorer,” is it possible this upcoming season is the year he takes the next step to becoming a full-time NHLer?
More importantly, could it be that Zito and the organization had plans for him slotting in and taking over that top RW spot in the lineup - hence why they did not re-sign (if in fact it wasn’t term related), nor sought a replacement via free agency, for Dadonov? Could the same be for Denisenko filling Hoffman’s role over on the left side? At some point, they’ll need to give these guys a shot/long look and see if they can hit the ground running and produce.
What do you think? Is Tippett slated to step in and be the guy the Panthers need him to be? I guess if ever there was a time, it’s probably now with his three-year entry level deal coming to an end, right?
Weegar Signed
Just wanted to take a second and touch on this because I think it’s great news and an awesome deal. Weegar wants to be in Florida and he’s emerged, in my opinion, as the man on the backend. He’s made great progress over the years and I feel like he’s quickly becoming a leader not only on the blueline, but also for this team. I could see them sewing an “A” on his sweater very soon, or dare I say, the “C” at some point in the future..? That comment will be sure to fire up some people on here (haha).
Anyways....glad they were able to work out a deal.
____________
Have a good start to your week and go Panthers!
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»