The 2017-18 Florida Panthers defense remained remarkably healthy, as they were
the only team in the league to dress just seven defensemen throughout the
season. The 2018-19 defense hopes to replicate that success. They are bringing
back all seven mainstays in addition to one offseason signing from the KHL.
This article will explore the individual roles each are expected to play and
how they will perform as a unit.Aaron Ekblad: The Man-Child

Entering his fifth NHL season at 22 years old, Aaron Ekblad is mature beyond
his years. There is not one glaring weakness in his game. He does not possess
Connor McDavid speed, but he always seems to put himself in the right place to
make a play on both offense and defense. Down low, he has the frame and
strength to separate most players, including those bigger than him, from the
puck.Aaron Ekblad will continue to showcase why he was the first overall pick
in 2014. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Ekblad loves releasing a good wrist shot from the point and has shown glimpses
of greatness when jumping into the rush. He scored 16 goals last year and has
the ability to score at least another 15 to 20 this season. He has grown to be
one of Florida's most vocal and important leaders since being drafted, and the
Panthers hope for another healthy season from him full of heavy minutes in all
situations.Keith Yandle: The Productive Veteran

On the top pair with Ekblad, Keith Yandle plays a crucial role within the
Panthers defense corps. At 31, he is the oldest defenseman of an otherwise
young group. He has a knack for passing the puck to the tape of his teammates',
 and also occasionally his opponents', but it was accurate enough for him to
accumulate 48 assists and 56 points in 82 games last season.

Another 50-point season is not out of the question this season as he can
quarterback a power play like few others and led the team overall in time on
ice with 24 minutes and 29 seconds per game last season. The Panthers will rely
 on his offense and durability once again this season.Mike Matheson: Your
Breakout Candidate

Mike Matheson will likely play out this season on the second pair behind Ekblad
 and Yandle. But with some more experience, Matheson has the potential to
become one of, if not the best, Panther defenseman. He possesses all the tools
of a modern-day defenseman: he skates fast, thinks fast, and does not hesitate
to join the rush to produce offense.

This got him into a bit of trouble last year by getting caught making a risky
play and costing his team a goal for it on more than one occasion. If his
partner can play a little more conservatively, perhaps he will have the
opportunity to take more risks and use his speed.

Mark Pysyk: Ol' Reliable

Mark Pysyk was productive playing with Matheson on the second pair last season.
 He is a well-rounded player that is very effective on the penalty kill. He can
 be relied upon to keep risky plays and mistakes to a minimum. He is a safe
option for Coach Bob Boughner and would slot in wonderfully in a third pairing
role this season.

He has played in all 82 games each of the last two seasons since signing with
Florida and finished seventh among Panthers skaters in ice-time last season
with 18 minutes and 46 seconds. Look for Pysyk to provide much of the same
stability to the lineup this season.Bogdan Kiselevich: Stay-At-Home Mom

The hope and expectation is that Bogdan Kiselevich will play with Matheson. The
 Panthers signed him to a low-risk, one-year, $925,000 contract on June 1. This
 season will be Kiselevich's first in the NHL after playing in the KHL for
nine years. And, while it may take some time to adjust, his individual playing
style is one that should translate smoothly. His reputation overseas is that of
 a stay-at-home defenseman, enjoying success as both a KHL All-Star and gold
medalist at the 2018 Olympics.Kiselevich hopes to bring his international
success to South Florida. (Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)

He's not overly skilled offensively, but he thinks the game well and is good
enough on his skates to keep up and keep opponents'; shot totals down. Though
it remains to be seen, this could be just the partner that allows Matheson to
roam the ice and join the offensive attack more often.Mackenzie Weegar: The
Underdog

This will be Mackenzie Weegar's first contract following his entry level deal.
He consistently proved himself in the minors long enough to earn himself a spot
 in the regular rotation of three defensemen on Florida's bottom pair last
year. He should play a similar role to begin this season while splitting time
with Alex Petrovic. Weegar won't rack up big offensive totals, but he has good
speed and is a stable presence toward the bottom of Florida's lineup, even as
his game continues to develop.

He and Petrovic should spend training camp and likely the season fighting over
the sixth and final spot on the blue line, but long-term, my money is on
Weegar. He is younger and has less experience than Petrovic, but their playing
styles differ and the NHL appears to be trending in Weegar's direction. For
this season, it'll be good to have them both.Alex Petrovic: The Man with the
Most to Prove

The Panthers seem to enjoy having Petrovic around since drafting him 36th
overall in 2010. He's well-liked in the locker room, and he should be able to
provide added depth and stability at the bottom of Florida's back end. Boughner
 was cautious with Petrovic's usage last season, especially early on when he
was listed as a healthy scratch for nine of their first 20 games. His mobility
issues are no secret-he's slow.

He's prone to consistent turnovers but he has experience and provides useful
depth and injury protection. He also has no problem dropping the gloves, a
trait Boughner seems to value within his lineup. The Panthers signed Petrovic
to a one-year contract this summer at the conclusion of which he will be an
unrestricted free agent for the first time.Alex Petrovic is a large body and
adds an element of grit to the Panthers roster. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

That can add some motivation to one's season, but as the speed of the game
increases, it is tough to be hopeful for Petrovic's future based on what he has
 demonstrated in his career thus far. Expect him to split playing time with
Weegar on the bottom pair alongside Pysyk until either Petrovic or Weegar
outperform the other or one goes down with injury. If the Panthers are lucky
enough to stay healthy, they will be able to limit Petrovic';s minutes as much
as possible.Ian McCoshen: I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency)

Ian McCoshen could end up being a Kiselevich in the making. He gained valuable
experience last season and averaged 15 minutes and five seconds over 38 games.
At 23, he is entering the final year of his entry-level contract which exempts
him from having to clear waivers if he is sent between Florida and their AHL
affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.

With a log-jam toward the bottom of the lineup, the Panthers may consider using
 this to their advantage and allow McCoshen to develop his game in Springfield
where he will have the opportunity to play big minutes every game. Barring any
major setbacks, McCoshen will remain on speed dial and can step into the
Panthers lineup at the first sign of injury to any of the seven other
defensemen.Final Thoughts

As a unit last season, the Panthers conceded the fourth most shots in the
league with 2,838, but made up for it by recording the second most shots on
goal with 2,822. Although the first statistic is not encouraging, they
dramatically improved over the latter half of the season, as they allowed the
seventh fewest goals in the league following the All-Star break.

Look for the likes of Matheson and Weegar to take steps forward, expect Ekblad
and Yandle to continue logging minutes and providing offense, and bank on the
rest of the defense to slot into each of their respective roles effectively
under Boughner's high-pace system.

The post Florida Panthers 2018-19 Defense Preview appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheHockeyWrite...
--- SBBSecho 3.06-Win32
 * Origin: TequilaMockingbird Online - Toms River, NJ (1:266/404)