Luostarinen has shown vast improvement in each of his three seasons with the Panthers
Luostarinen has shown vast improvement in each of his three seasons with the Panthers
We’re inching closer to the 2023-24 NHL season by the day.
Here at THN Florida, we’re looking at a few Panthers players we consider breakout candidates for the upcoming campaign.
These are younger guys who, for one reason or another, could be due for a strong year that would seemingly be a springboard for bigger and better things.
This time we’re talking about forward Eetu Luostarinen.
The only piece of the trade that sent Vincent Trocheck to the Carolina Hurricanes to still be in place, Luostarinen has steadily improved during his three seasons with the Panthers.
Some might argue that he broke out last season, putting up career highs across the board and finishing with 17 goals and 43 points while playing in all 82 games.
Considering how his play has ascended, particularly over the past 18 months, it makes you wonder what the next level could look like for Eetu.
Also keep in mind when looking at those scoring numbers that he’s played mostly in the bottom six and his contribution on special teams comes while shorthanded, where he’s grown into one of Florida’s best and most counted on penalty killers.
While he's expected to remain in that role, don't be shocked to see Luostarinen granted more responsibility at even strength this year.
The natural centerman was moved to the wing in order for Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice to use him more throughout the forward ranks, as options were limited with Florida having Sasha Barkov, Sam Bennett and Anton Lundell as the team’s top three centers.
Considering the success he had and growth he showed after being moved to the wing, it seems reasonable to think he would continue getting a look there as it allows flexibility to move him throughout the forward ranks as needed, if necessary.
During his three seasons in Florida, Luostarinen has seen his point total go from eight to 26 to 43 last year, where he also played a career high 15:59 per game. That's more than two minutes higher than the previous season.
For many, Luostarinen's value to the Panthers was never more apparent than during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
A knee injury suffered in the final game of the Eastern Conference Final would sideline Eetu for the remainder of the postseason. His loss created a massive hole in Florida's forward ranks that couldn't be filled, especially when Matthew Tkachuk joined him on the injured list.
Fully healthy and raring to go, Luostarinen could take another massive step forward this season, and nobody would be that shocked.