Vincent Trocheck is on a tear but what can you expect from him the rest of the season?

Vincent Trocheck has always had a propensity for filling the score sheet. His ability to produce at every level is evidenced by his OHL scoring title in 2012-13 (109 points in 63 games) as well as his combined 61 points in 78 career AHL contests. However, scouts and critics have been wary when considering his overall strength and two-way game. This led to Trocheck falling to the third round, 64^th overall, in 2011 where Florida snatched him up.

Last season, the 23-year-old American scored 22 points in 50 games from a mostly bottom six role while receiving very little in the way of power play time (00:54/per contest). Trocheck impressed his coaches with his ability to play all three forward positions and provide solid depth scoring while holding his own in the defensive end. (He’s recently gained RW eligibility on Yahoo, which is always an added bonus).

Through the first two-thirds of this season, Trocheck has provided strong numbers while seeing extended time on the power play (2:38/game) and also receiving top six minutes for the division-leading Panthers. His 17 goals are good for second most on the team and he’s also chipped in 18 assists in 54 games.

Trocheck has been especially impressive at even-strength play, scoring 24 of his 35 points during five-on-five action. That mark is good for 61^st in the league, ahead of established stars such as Nikita Kucherov, Claude Giroux and Jonathan Toews. He was named NHL Third Star of the Week with three goals and three assists in three games and has 11 points in his last seven games. 

Additionally, the soon-to-be restricted free agent has been starting just 50.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, down from the 55.6 percent he saw last season. This shows us that he’s not simply receiving sheltered minutes from his coaching staff, but is driving possession from all areas of the ice and proving himself more than capable defensively.

A point of concern when digging into Trocheck’s Dobber Player Profile is that his shooting percentage currently sits at 15.3 percent; almost twice as high as last season (7.9). While that number isn’t astronomical, he has only taken 111 shots or roughly two shots per game. A shooting percentage this high without the accompanying volume, indicates a regression is due. However, his quick chemistry with line mates, Jussi Jokinen and Reilly Smith has certainly helped to maintain the increased conversion of goals.

Using Dobber’s Line Production Tool, we can see that 33 of his 35 total points have come while skating alongside the veteran Jokinen and/or Smith. This trio has come together to provide an added element of depth that has been lacking in Florida for years.

Injuries to both Nick Bjugstad and Sasha Barkov has opened the door for Trocheck to gain more minutes and further offensive opportunities this season. He has answered the bell and proven many of his critics’ wrong. However, with both those players seemingly ahead of him on the depth chart going forward, it is unclear if he is able to continue improving on his offensive totals.

When everyone is healthy on a Panthers team littered with young talent, he looks to be a solid bet to produce 50 points in a depth scoring role. However, in the right situation – perhaps on the wing with one of the big centre men, he has the skills to play at a 60-65 point pace.

One thing is certain, don’t bet against a guy who loves to fill the score sheet. 

Projected point-per-game-pace for the remaining schedule: 0.6 – 0.7

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