Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Jack Devine's first trip to the show gave the Florida Panthers exactly what they hoped for, a glimpse of a young player who already looks close to belonging.
Jameson Olive praised the rookie's performance after his short call-up, noting the poise, pace, and confidence he showed in limited minutes.
Florida has leaned heavily on depth during its injury-stretched months, and getting a positive look at a developing forward matters as the organization balances the present grind with its long-term core. Devine skated clean routes, handled pressure with calm touches, and showed the kind of detail Florida emphasizes in its system.
His play without the puck stood out most, particularly his support on exits and willingness to stay inside defensive layers. Those habits often take young players months to adjust to, yet he looked comfortable from the start.
The Panthers returned him after the weekend games, but the takeaway was clear, he will be back.
Here is the post from Olive that fueled the discussion:
Jack shows traits that fit Florida Panthers identity
I loved how natural he looked inside Florida's pace. You could see his hockey sense in small touches that usually reveal whether a call-up can translate his game to NHL speed.
Florida's development model has emphasized readiness over raw talent, and Jack's debut echoed that philosophy. He processed pressure quickly, added forecheck energy, and showed enough skill flashes to hint at offensive upside.
The Panthers have a top-five prospect pool, and his performance reinforces why analysts are bullish on the next wave.This season's injuries to Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Eetu Luostarinen, and Dmitry Kulikov have forced Florida to shuffle roles nightly.
Jack stepping in seamlessly offered reassurance that reinforcements below the roster can step forward when needed. His AHL production suggests more offense is coming, and his early NHL minutes suggested confidence rather than hesitation.
The Panthers remain in a tight race, but his showing adds optimism for depth that could matter later in the year. Jack may not stay long this time, yet the impression he left was unmistakable, he is closer to becoming a full-time option than many expected.
Previously on Sunrise Hockey Insider