Last January in Halifax, while Czechia played for World Junior gold, Marek Alscher cheered on his teammates from the crowd.

Alscher, then 18, was part of the 2023 Czech World Junior team — but the Florida Panthers’ 2022 draft pick did not play in any of the games for the eventual silver medalists.   

One year later, Alscher is back with the Czech national junior team. This time, he’s expected to play a larger role as one of the few returning players at the tournament in Gothenburg. 

“I’m super excited,” Alscher told Five Reasons Sports ahead of the tournament. “Last year I was able to be part of the team. Not really playing but that’s maybe some extra motivation for me personally. I know how it was, I want to feel that again.”

The Czechs surprised a lot of people at the 2023 tournament — topping their group en route to the gold medal game — their first since the 2001 tournament. 

Despite not playing, Alscher didn’t feel as if he was left out of the journey.

“It was incredible, I wasn’t playing but still, I was in the locker room, the guys did include me in the team and I really felt like I was playing,” Alscher said. “After every game we actually felt like our heart rate was similar to playing. When we scored, we jumped with the fans. It was a really good experience.”

After the Czechs went home with their first medal in 18 years, Alscher’s schedule didn’t get any easier. 

He returned to Portland and played in the WHL Playoffs with the Winterhawks. Then, he joined Florida’s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, for their Calder Cup playoff run on an ATO — skating and training with the team.

Later in the summer, Alscher was back in Coral Springs for the Florida Panthers Development Camp, Rookie Camp, and eventually, his second NHL Training Camp. 

Alscher got to experience another year of Paul Maurice’s infamous training camp skates in South Florida and play in a preseason game before being returned to his junior club. 

“This year I felt much more comfortable [at camp],” Alscher said. “I knew more guys and was comfortable talking in the locker room.”

Reflecting on his camp with the Panthers, Alscher mentioned that there was one notable player that really stood out to him in the locker room. It was fellow European defensemen and newly acquired Panther, Oliver Ekman-Larsson. 

“I had a chance to talk with Ekman-Larsson who was sitting next to me. I just remember how friendly he was,” Alscher said. “He really made me even more comfortable before the game. We talked like 10-15 minutes. I just remember how nice he was. On the bench. In the locker room. He really helped me a lot.”

When Ekman-Larsson learned that Alscher was moved by his actions, it took the veteran defenseman back to when he was learning the ropes as teenager in the NHL.

“[I] just try to go back to when I got into the league, my first training camp,” Ekman-Larsson said. “Just trying to be a good person and try to help other people out… People around cared about me when I first got into the league and I have a lot of thanks for those kinds of people. I think it goes a long way.”

Ekman-Larsson, 32, has had quite the NHL career before he joined the Panthers in the offseason. 

He has over 900 NHL games played, captained an NHL franchise and won a plethora of medals representing Sweden across international tournaments such as the Olympics and 

World Championships. But, before any of that happened — like Alscher — Ekman-Larsson played in the World Juniors.

“That tournament is a great experience. It was for me,” Ekman-Larsson said. “We came up a little bit short but it was still an unbelievable tournament.” Ekman-Larsson and Sweden took home the bronze medal back at the 2010 tournament in Saskatoon — Alscher was five at the time.

Alscher said that seeing how Ekman-Larsson carried himself has helped him take a leadership approach to younger players, both at his club team in Portland and with the Czech national team.

“It matters what you do on the ice, but also off the ice. What person are you in the locker room,” Alscher added. “ “That’s something that I’d take from him.”

The World Juniors is an extremely intriguing tournament. It’s the highest level of junior hockey you can find anywhere in the world. Games are played in front of thousands, with millions watching on television globally. Don’t forget, these players who are representing their countries on the highest stage  are all teenagers.  

Obviously every team at the tournament has their eyes set on a medal. That should be no different for the defending silver medalists, Czechia.

 “We are always looking for the best, we want to get the furthest. Whether it’s bronze, silver or gold, the sky’s the limit in here,” Alscher said. “Our goal is just to work as hard as we can and get as far as we can.”

As a 19-year-old, Alscher will age out following this year’s World Juniors in Gothenburg. When asked what he wants to take away from the tournament, the young defenseman took a page out of Ekman-Larsson’s book of leadership.

“We were struggling a bit before I left in Portland. If we are going to have a good tournament, that’s what I would love to bring to the team,” Alscher said. “It’s hard to say now before the tournament… but yea it’s probably what I would say. Just a winning mentality.”

SUNRISE — Less than a month after playing in the Stanley Cup Final, Panthers fan favorite Anthony Duclair was on his way out of South Florida.  

After three seasons in Florida, the now 28-year-old’s time in Sunrise came to an abrupt end — on July 1, he was traded to San Jose.

“Obviously there were rumors before [the trade happened],” Duclair said on Monday when addressing Florida media for the first time since the trade. “Sometimes it’s inevitable… obviously being traded isn’t the best feeling because I’ve built so many relationships down here.”

Going from a team just weeks removed from a Stanley Cup Final appearance to the team who finished fourth from last in the standings isn’t an ideal situation, but Duclair expressed his contendness on the new challenge that awaited him in San Jose.   

“It’s tough to leave but at the same time I think I went to a great opportunity,” Duclair said. “Mike [Grier] called me right away and explained to me how big the opportunity is for me here. A chance to continue to grow as a player and step into kind of a leadership role here.”

When Duclair gets onto the ice later tonight in Sunrise, there’s sure to be a loud array of cheers raining down from the stands of Amerant Bank Arena.

He was loved by a lot of people in South Florida — whether that was from his teammates, staff, fans or members of the local community.

“Oh man, big smile, we loved having him around,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said when asked about Duclair off the ice. “What a wonderful joy for the game, and laughter, that part we certainly miss.”

Over the course of three seasons with the Panthers, Duclair played in 137 regular season games, picking up 99 points (43,56,99)  — including a career-high 31 goal season in 2021-2022. Duclair appeared in 34 Stanley Cup Playoff Games with the Panthers over that span, 20 of which came last season.

The Sharks forward is sure to receive a good reception in his return to Sunrise tonight. In his time with the Panthers, the arena was always filled with ‘Duclair’ jerseys — and the crowd even created a chant for him — 19,000+ shouting “Duuuke” in unison as he flew down the wing.     

His return will be a bittersweet. He’ll skate in front of the Florida faithful once again, only this time he’ll be in teal and white, not red and blue. 

“It’s going to be special for sure,” Duclair said. “I just want to approach this game like any other, but it’s going to be pretty cool, especially with the run we had last year… those kinds of runs you build relationships for a lifetime.”

While reminiscing on his time with the Panthers, Duclair said the biggest standout for him was the teammates he had in Florida.

“I got to play with some unbelievable players. I mean guys like Barkov, who’s arguably on of the best defensive forwards in the game, just the opportunity to learn from him,” Duclair said. “Huberdeau, Bennett, Tkachuk, guys who make an impact game in and game out. You learn from guys like that.”

As for reuniting with those teammates, Duclair was more than happy he’d be able to do that. 

“I know it’s going to be cool to see those guys again.”

As a franchise, Florida really flipped the script three years ago beginning in the 2020-2021 season. From getting into the postseason, to winning the President’s Trophy, and then making it to the Stanley Cup Finals over the course of three years — Anthony Duclair was there for all of it. 

“South Florida’s always going to have a special place in my heart. I had a great three years here and I’m just looking forward to tomorrow (Tuesday night).”

The Florida Panthers were back for another NHL season tonight in Saint Paul, opening the year on the road against the Minnesota Wild.

Despite having a plethora of chances with over 40 shots on goal tonight, the Panthers couldn’t find the back of the net. They were shutout by the Wild in a 2-0 loss.

Here’s some takeaways from tonight’s game.

Filip Gustavsson stood on his head for Minnesota

Florida was peppering the Wild net for pretty much the entirety of the game, nearly doubling Minnesota’s shot total by the end of the night.

The final shot total leaned heavily in Florida’s favor at 41-21, but that wasn’t reflected in the final score. 

Despite the onslaught of chances, Minnesota’s goaltender Filip Gustavsson slammed the door shut — stopping all 41 shots he faced.

Gustavsson faced a ton of shots tonight and stopped them all for the shutout. What was even more impressive was his rebound control. Florida didn’t have many second chance looks at goal because Gustavsson killed the play instantly. 

The Panthers were only shut out once all of last season. This year it happened in game number one.

Rookie Mackie Samoskevich looked solid in his NHL debut

We’ve probably talked more about Mackie Samoskevich this preseason than anyone else on the Panthers’ roster — and for good reason. 

The 20-year-old was one of two Panthers to make their NHL debut tonight — Uvis Balinskis being the other. 

The rookie forward got up to NHL speed quickly, not looking out of place whatsoever on a line with Anton Lundell, and Sam Reinhart. 

Samoskevich had more than one quality chance tonight to score his first career NHL goal, with the best look off a shot that beat Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson before ringing off the crossbar. 

His speed, and puck carrying ability was extremely noticeable tonight — and his shot release is already looking elite. 

For his first game in the NHL, Samoskevich put together a quality performance, and showed flashes of what he can bring to this Panthers team. 

New Panthers fit in well in Game 1

I already mentioned Samoskevich and his fairly good first NHL game. However, he wasn’t the only Panther that looked comfortable in their first appearance with the team.

Florida had eight skaters in the lineup tonight who weren’t on the team last season. Of those eight, I thought Oliver Ekman-Larsson (OEL) looked like he’s been here for years.

OEL led all Panthers skaters in ice-time with 26:32 tonight. The defenseman was also in on the offense, getting four shots on goal. 

Tonight Ekman-Larsson, 32, played on the Panthers’ top power-play unit while also appearing on the penalty kill.

The Panthers will continue to rely upon Ekman-Larsson this season — especially with Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour out of the lineup for the start of the year.

OEL paired up with his fellow Swede Gustav Forsling tonight on the Panthers’ top d-line. Those two will easily eat up the most minutes on the blueline to start the season.

Looking at the forwards, Evan Rodrigues was another noticeable new face. 

Rodrigues played just under 20 minutes tonight, drawing in on the top power play unit and the Panthers’ first-line alongside Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe. 

He had 5 shots on goal tonight, and was very active in the offensive zone. The pucks didn’t find the back of the net tonight, but the opportunities were there, and Rodrigues will continue to get those chances. 

He’s a fast, smart player, that fits in well with Florida’s play style.

Next Game

The Panthers will be back on the ice Saturday in Winnipeg for a 4 PM (ET) start against the Jets.

Later this week the Florida Panthers will have their roster finalized for their Oct. 12 season opener in Minnesota. But, before the final cuts are made the Panthers coaching staff will have two more preseason games to determine who stays and who goes.

The next week will be crucial for the bubble players who are still fighting for a job on the regular season lineup. With just a few spots open on the roster, the two remaining exhibition games will be the last shot to make an impression.

Before discussing who can grab the final forward spots, let’s go over how the team probably will fill out up front.

Forward locks

The forward group — at least the top-9 — is pretty much finalized. All the forwards who picked up bumps and bruises in last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs are fortunately back and healthy for the Panthers. Evan Rodrigues is the lone newcomer who is guaranteed to jump into the top-9 — he’ll most likely start the season on the top line wing next to Aleksander Barkov. 

As for losses, Anthony Duclair is the biggest forward departure from last year’s Stanley Cup Final team. Duclair, who was a top-9 winger for the Panthers, was traded to San Jose in the offseason. For line purposes, the loss of Duclair was offset by the addition of Rodrigues.

This is how I see the Panthers forward depth chart at the moment. 

Centers: Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, Anton Lundell, X

Wingers: Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe, Evan Rodrigues, Sam Reinhart, Eetu Luostarinen, Ryan Lomberg, Nick Cousins, X

* “X’s” are open roster spots 

Projected Lines

Verhaeghe-Barkov-Rodrigues

X-Bennett-Tkachuk

Luostarinen-Lundell-Reinhart

Lomberg-X-Cousins

Off these initial projections, I have the third line locked up with Lundell, Louostarinen and Reinhart. The trio were very good together in the playoffs and they’ll stick together to at least start the season — giving Florida a very strong third line.

For now, I have Verhaeghe and Rodrigues together on Barkov’s wings whilst keeping the Tkachuk-Bennett duo together. For Bennett and Tkachuk, they found lots of success in the playoffs when coach Paul Maurice inserted Nick Cousins on their line. The trio started the preseason together, however coach Maurice mixed it up in Tuesday’s game against Tampa — putting Cousins on line 4, while slotting Mackie Samoskevich on Bennett’s wing. 

Lomberg and Cousins will both be on the team’s final roster and I’d expect their best usage to be in a bottom-six role, so I project they’ll start the season on the fourth line. 

Based on my projections, this leaves one top-9 winger spot and the fourth line center job open. Keep in mind, NHL teams can carry up to 23 players on their active roster, so there will be extra skaters who don’t get into the lineup but will be on the team, as well as IR players.

LINE 4 Center

Looking at the fourth line center spot, that’s an unclaimed position still up for the taking.

During the early stages of training camp, coach Maurice spoke about this fourth line center battle — saying “there’s some competition for the job” and that having “size and speed” is an important thing for the fourth line.  

The following guys fit that mold.

Steven Lorentz —  Lorentz came to Florida this offseason on the opposite end of the Anthony Duclair trade. After watching him during camp and preseason, I’ve begun to understand why the Panthers’ brass wanted to get him in Sunrise. The 6’4, 206 pound center is a big man on skates, but he moves surprisingly well for a guy of his stature. In 192 career NHL games, the 27-year-old has put up 40 points between San Jose, and Carolina. The stat that jumps out the most for Lorentz is the 247 hits he has accumulated across those games. He likes to get physical — which is important for someone his size. 

Kevin Stenlund — Keeping the theme of big guys on the ice, Stenlund comes in even taller than Lorentz at 6’5, 215 pounds. The Swedish center has 29 points and 125 career NHL games under his belt, splitting that time between Columbus and Winnipeg — also appearing in all five of Winnipeg’s playoff games last season. He doesn’t play as physical a game as Lorentz, but he has had some moments around the front of the net this preseason, which got him in the box score. 

Alexander True — One more 6’5 skater for the preseason squad, Alexander True doesn’t have a ton of NHL experience — appearing in just 27 games — but he’s been doing enough during camp to stick around through the first portion of the cuts. Spending most of his North American career in the AHL, True has been very effective in the minors and even had a run with Florida’s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers in 2021-2022 when the Seattle Kraken shared the affiliate.

It’s Important to note that none of True, Lorentz or Stenlund are waivers exempt, so in the chance that they are sent down to the AHL, they’d have to pass through waivers. 

Top-9 Winger 

With possibly one job open in the top-9, who jumps in for that spot?  Realistically, I think the two options to start the season are as follows.

Mackie Samoskevich — The hottest Panthers’ story for the last few weeks has been that of 20-year-old rookie Mackie Samoskevich. In his first NHL preseason, Florida’s 2021 first-round pick has done just about everything he’s needed to have a legitimate shot of playing opening night. 

Samoskevich has made the most of his chances to show the coaching staff that he’s an NHL player. He’s picked up three goals and six points in five preseason games — springing himself up the ladder of players fighting for a spot on the 23-man roster. Offensively Samoskevich has shown in these exhibition games that he can play in the NHL. There’ve been some defensive mishaps by him, but you’re going to see that with kids who are adjusting to the highest level.

There’s two reasons why I can see Samoskevich not making the team right out of camp. One, is that they want him to get more game time in the AHL before coming up to the NHL. Florida won’t play Samoskevich fourth line minutes — which is smart because his game and development is wasted in a bottom-six role. If that was the only option then the AHL would make sense. However, he’s played himself into consideration for a roster spot this preseason, and I think he’s earned it. The main reason why I could see him going down to Charlotte is because he’s waiver exempt. With the other forwards still on the camp roster not being waiver exempt, it wouldn’t surprise me if Florida decides to not risk sending down a player they like who has a high probability of getting claimed by another team.   

Grigori Denisenko — Florida re-signed Denisenko in the offseason on a two-year “prove it” deal. The 2018 first-round pick has shown flashes of his skill and speed throughout his sporadic time in Florida, but the offense has yet to fully translate to the NHL. 

The Panthers haven’t given up on Denisenko, who did appear in a Stanley Cup Final game last postseason. The 23-year-old hasn’t played a lot this preseason after picking up an injury last week. Heading into camp it seemed like Denisenko would have a shot at slotting into a top-9 slot to start the regular season, however the lack of exhibition games and emergence of Mackie Samoskevich makes me wonder what the next plan will be for Denisenko when healthy.

I don’t think Florida would want to play a game of roulette and see if he clears waivers in efforts to reassign him to the AHL. Does he get that top-9 chance? Could they keep him in Florida as a scratch? If Denisenko is ready to go sooner than later, the final roster moves are going to be interesting.

Depth forward options

Besides the last man out of the fourth-line center competition, here’s a list of possible depth options for the 13th forward.

Zac Dalpe — Panthers fans are very familiar with Zac Dalpe, who was part of Florida’s 2023 playoff run. The Charlotte Checkers’ captain spent a large portion of last season in Florida — whether he was getting game time or just skating as a scratch. Maurice knows what Dalpe brings as a depth forward and has trusted him in important moments, like desperation time in elimination playoff games. He’s a reliable guy on your fourth-line that does his job and the guys love him. If he sticks around, I see him back in that 13th forward role.

Brett Ritchie — Ritchie, 30, was brought into camp as the lone player on a PTO, and the veteran is still around after a few waves of cuts. The 6’4 forward has been in the league since the 2014-2015 season, playing in 391 games between Dallas, Calgary, Boston and Arizona. Ritchie hasn’t been able to get on the board in his three preseason games this year, and he’s been held out of the lineup in Florida’s last two matches. He may have one more chance to get into a game before the final cuts are made, which will probably be his last shot to get a deal with the Panthers.

William Lockwood — Lockwood is the most interesting depth option for me. In his preseason debut against Nashville he looked like one of the best players on the ice — getting a goal and an assist. Weighing in at 5’11, 172, Lockwood is one of the smallest guys on the camp roster, but he hasn’t played like it. It was impressive how he worked in front of the net to create chances, and it lead to quality scoring opportunities. Maurice said after the first set of preseason games against Nashville that he liked Lockwood’s game that night, but that he “also liked his whole camp.” He was a “decision guy” as Maurice put it following the Nashville game last week, and has made it to the 35-man roster. I think when the final 23 comes out, Lockwood will be assigned to the AHL, but if he can clear waivers he’ll be a sneaky good option for an in-season call up.