For the last 21 years (13 with The Hockey News) Dobber has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

The 22^nd annual review will appear here on Dobber Hockey throughout the summer. This is not a review of the likely performance on the ice or in the standings, but in the realm of fantasy hockey both for the season ahead as well as the foreseeable future. Offensively, will the team perform? Are there plenty of depth options worthy of owning in keeper leagues? What about over the next two or three years? These questions are what I take into consideration when looking at the depth chart and the player potential on that depth chart.

Enjoy!

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Gone – Anthony Stolarz, Brandon Montour, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Nick Cousins, Kevin Stenlund, Vladimir Tarasenko, Josh Mahura, Ryan Lomberg, Steven Lorentz, Kyle Okposo

Incoming – A.J. Greer, Adam Boqvist, Nate Schmidt, Jesper Boqvist, Tomas Nosek, Jaycob Megna, Mackenzie Entwistle, Chris Driedger

Impact of Changes – The Stanley Cup champs lost some key pieces this offseason. The departures of Montour and Ekman-Larsson open up a huge PP1 opportunity on D for one of Aaron Ekblad, Gustav Forsling, or even Adam Boqvist. Whoever secures that role will receive a big boost in fantasy production. With Tarasenko gone, a top 6 opportunity opens up for Anton Lundell, Evan Rodrigues, or even a prospect ready for full-time covered in the section below.

Last season, Florida transformed into the best defensive team in the league, allowing the fewest goals against (tied with Winnipeg), while still providing plenty of offense, ranking 11th in goals for and 2nd in expected goals for. With some key pieces leaving, their offensive production could be slightly hindered. A successful replacement for the PP1 quarterback will be important to keep their power-play production in the top 10 league wide.

These personnel changes are not expected to alter Florida's elite system. They should still be above average offensively, with elite weapons like Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and Carter Verhaeghe. They will also still remain one of the best defensive teams in the league, providing some value to their goalies in most fantasy leagues.

Ready For Full-Time

With some roster holes to fill, Mackie Samoskevich has a great opportunity to make the NHL roster. He put up no points in his 7 NHL last season, but led the Charlotte Checkers in points in the AHL last season. He has a great hockey IQ and has an NHL-ready shot. With solid linemates and opportunities, he could provide plenty of offense this season. If he can find himself a spot in the top 9 with some power-play time, he could provide fantasy relevance.

Spencer Knight looked to be one of the few goalie prospects that could succeed in an NHL role at a young age. At age 21 in 2021-2022, he posted solid numbers, with 19 wins, a .908 save percentage, and a positive goals saved above expected in his 32 starts. An injury derailed his following season, where he eventually had to enter the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to seek help. He returned to the AHL for 45 games last year, posting 25 wins and a .905 save percentage. With Stolarz' departure, Knight can secure the backup role or even a 1B role pushing for 30+ starts if Florida elects to give Sergei Bobrovsky some rest. Knight has the skills and potential to be an elite NHL starter. He should take advantage of this opportunity this year.

Fantasy Outlook

The cup champs have some elite fantasy options at forward. Tkachuk has not only shown he can push for 100 points, but he pushed his hits to a new level last season, with 151. Reinhart is coming off a huge year with 57 goals and 94 points. His 24% shooting percentage is not sustainable, but he should still be a point-per-game option piling up goals on the power play. Barkov is a certified Band-Aid Boy, but he consistently puts up a 90-100 point 82-game pace. Verhaeghe continues to be a great volume shooter and has solidified his spot on Florida's first power play unit. Those four players should make up the first power-play unit.

If Ekblad can secure the fifth spot, he can be a big bounce-back candidate after picking up only 18 points last season. If not Ekblad, Forsling can reach new heights with a PP1 role. Keep an eye on that power play unit in training camp.

Sam Bennett is a great multicategory option as he has potential to put up a rare 200+ shot, 200+ hit, 50-point season. He has had injury troubles in the past and may not find ample power play time, but he has a great fantasy floor.

Being the starting goalie for the best defensive team in the league led Bobrovsky to have his best season as a Panther last season. He was consistent as well, leading the league in Quality Weeks with 22 out of his 26 and only picking up two Really Bad Weeks. He should be a top fantasy option as Florida is still very strong defensively.

If the Panthers want Knight to play one more season in the AHL, Driedger could be an intriguing streaming option this year. He played extremely well in a backup role in Florida before being taken in Seattle's expansion draft. Stolarz showed that a backup goalie on a strong defensive team can be of great value to fantasy teams. Whether it is Driedger or Knight, the backup Florida goalie should be streamed plenty.

Fantasy Grade: B (Last Year B+)