An unrestricted free agent, Boqvist signed a one-year deal with Florida on July 1

These days, when a player signs a new deal with the Florida Panthers, they know exactly what they’re getting themselves into.

Florida has grown a reputation around the league over the past couple seasons as a team that is not very much fun to play against.

They bring an imposing, aggressive defense-first style that also applies a heavy, suffocating forecheck and tight gap game that isn’t seen all at once, all the time, during the regular season.

It’s something the Panthers have perfected over the past two seasons under Head Coach Paul Maurice, leading to a Stanley Cup Championship this summer after coming up three wins shy during last year’s Cup Final.

For 25-year-old Swedish forward Jesper Boqvist, he saw what was going on in South Florida and immediately was drawn to it.

He wanted in.

“When a team like that comes into the picture, it’s pretty easy,” he said of signing with Florida. “I've seen last couple of years how some of these guys have grown a lot, and I feel like I have way more in me, that I can do that too. I see it as a real good fit for me and the way they play. I can't wait to get down there and start.”

It’s the same message we’re hearing from the players that Panthers General Manager Bill Zito has been signing over the past few years.

They show up ready and anxious to work, to dive into the hardest parts of the game.

It’s those qualities that caused Boqvist to feel Florida was the right place for him.

“I feel like it's the competitiveness,” he said. “They're on every puck and want the puck all the time, and all the races to the puck with speed, that's what stood out. I feel that's how I want to play too, so hopefully it's a good fit. I think it is.”

A former second round pick with parts of five NHL seasons under his belt, Boqvist will be getting a fresh start on a very good roster.

He’ll be able to focus on the defensive elements of his game and let the rest come naturally.

The lack of pressure and ability to lean into his comfort zone could lead to good things for Boqvist and the Panthers.

“I skate pretty well when I have the puck and play a strong two-way game,” he said. “To grow, I want to continue to get stronger and bigger to get that puck back a little bit easier. It's not easy, but a little bit easier. I would say that’s my game, two-way, pretty good speed when I have the puck.”

Boqvist has some familiarity with his new teammates, but not much. He played with Dmitry Kulikov and A.J. Greer in New Jersey and met Gus Forsling a couple summers ago.

Still, there is zero concern about meeting the boys and becoming a part of what they’ve built once he arrives.

“I'm sure I will fit in,” said Boqvist. “It seems like a great group and like a big family, so I think it will be pretty easy to fit in.”

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