Last year was also Trocheck’s first as a professional. He acquitted himself well, recording 42 points in 55 AHL games in addition to his 20 game NHL audition. He also got the call to represent his country at the World Championship last year, although he put up goose eggs in seven games. Trocheck received only the ninth most time on ice amongst Team USA forwards.

In his last year of junior hockey, Trocheck scored 50 goals and 106 points in 63 games. He was also invited to represent the United States at the World Junior tournament that year. He didn’t disappoint, recording six points in seven games for the gold medal American side.

That’s all well and good you say, but what’s he done lately? Glad you asked. Trocheck started the season in the AHL, logging six points in eight games before getting the call. His NHL numbers so far this season are very good, eight points in 13 games. All eight of those points have come over the span of six games, even though he’s only averaging 13-14 minutes per game and getting secondary power play time. He’s seventh amongst Panther forwards in even-strength ice time and unless something changes (injury or trade of a roster player), he may end up getting sent back down when the team is back to full health.

In his draft year, Aaron Ekblad recorded 53 points in 58 OHL games. That helped convince the Panthers to select the stud defenseman first overall. Ekblad hasn’t let the pressure of his lofty draft position affect his rookie NHL campaign. The 18-year-old is part of a three-way tie for the team lead in points with 12. He’s on pace to finish with 45 points and is receiving the fourth most average time on ice (21:44) and second highest power play minutes per game (2:43) on the team. His goal last night was only his second point in his last seven contests, although in the previous seven games, he registered eight points. Such is the life of a rookie.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t comment on an ex-Panther who is experiencing an unexpected resurgence. Stephen Weiss has five points in four games since returning from injury and is playing the majority of his even-strength shifts with Pavel Datsyuk and Darren Helm. He is also getting mostly second unit power play time. The optimist might believe that now that he’s dealt with his groin issues, maybe he can return to fantasy relevance? The pessimist might think that this is just a blip on his downward spiral to the end of his career. Put me in the glass net is half full crowd; at just 31 years of age, Weiss should still have a couple of good seasons left in him. Is hoping for him to score at a 45-point pace over the remaining games this season too much to ask for?