Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Anton Lundell's season has quietly turned into one of the most important stories for the Florida Panthers, blending production, responsibility, and trust at the right time.
Outside of Brad Marchand, it's difficult to find a Panther who has been as steady night to night as Anton Lundell. At 24, he's no longer just projecting upward, he's producing while carrying the workload of a true No. 1 center.
Lundell is skating on Florida's top line at even strength, running shifts on the first power-play unit, and serving as Paul Maurice's first option on the penalty kill. The long-used «Baby Barkov» comparison now feels less like projection and more like reality.
With Aleksander Barkov sidelined, the Panthers needed Lundell to take over tough minutes, and he has responded without hesitation. Through 36 games, he has 12 goals and 28 points, putting him on pace for 27 goals and 63 points, both career highs.
His usage tells the story just as clearly. Lundell averages 19:00 per night, more than two minutes above his previous career high, ranking second among Panthers forwards in ice time. He sits fourth on the team in goals and third in points, all while starting more defensive-zone shifts than nearly every forward on the roster.
Anton Lundell thrives under top-line responsibility
The Panthers have been outscored 26-22 with Lundell on the ice at five-on-five, but context matters. Florida's save percentage in those minutes ranks near the bottom of the league. With average goaltending, that number likely flips positive.
Maurice isn't concerned, and the deployment backs that up. Only Seth Jones and Niko Mikkola have started more shifts in the defensive zone at five-on-five than Lundell. Offensively, only Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart, and Sam Bennett have received more offensive-zone starts.
At 6-foot-1 and nearly 200 pounds, Lundell is a matchup problem in every zone. He protects pucks, wins battles, and still finds offense without cheating the game.
Florida has clawed back into a playoff position with a lineup held together by injuries. Lundell's emergence is a major reason why. He isn't filling in anymore. He's anchoring.
This season isn't just a step forward. It's a statement that the Panthers' present and future down the middle are in very good hands.