Florida fans will have more than a few new players to keep track of in 2023-24
Florida fans will have more than a few new players to keep track of in 2023-24
There are going to be some new faces wearing Florida Panthers sweaters in the upcoming season.
While much of the team that led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final will be back, General Manager Bill Zito worked hard to add some skill and depth in order for Florida to maintain and sustain their newfound success.
The new Panthers will make their collective debuts in a couple months, but there is always the big question of which numbers the new guys will choose.
Not to worry, as the team has provided the answers for us:
Oliver Ekman-Larsson will wear No. 91. It's the first time he's worn anything other than No. 23 in the NHL.
Niko Mikkola will wear No. 77, the only number he's worn in the NHL.
Mike Reilly will wear No. 6. He wore that number during his three seasons with Boston.
Dmitry Kulikov will (once again) wear No. 7. He said Monday that he's happy to have his old number back.
Anthony Stolarz will wear No. 41. He wore No. 41 with the Flyers and the past three seasons in Anaheim.
Steven Lorentz will wear No. 18. He wore No. 78 with Carolina and No. 16 with San Jose last season.
Evan Rodrigues will wear No. 17. He wore No. 9 in Colorado and in Pittsburgh, before that he was No. 71 in Buffalo.
Kevin Stenlund will wear No. 82. There had been some chatter on social media about Stenlund wearing No. 11, the number he wore for parts of four seasons in Columbus, but Jonathan Huberdeau's old number will remain out of use for at least the time being.