With pre-season about to start, Panthers fan Andrew provides some speculation (and maybe some follow up discussion) on the potential line combinations that the 2024/25 team may put out.
Hi everyone, it’s Andrew here coming to you live from a rainy hockyless summer. I have been a panthers fan for over a decade, I love watching hockey, I love writing about it, and with the start of preseason around the corner, it’s time to predict some lines!
So, let’s do some quick housekeeping. We don’t know what the team will look like and (at the time of writing) there are still some players to sign. Pre-season and training camp will give Danny everything he needs to create some top lines. With that said, let’s break it down.
Line 1
Sam Herr (LW) – Matt Alfaro (C) – Didrik Henbrandt (RW)
Cooper Zech (LD) – Matt Spencer (RD)
Having a top line that can do it all is a beautiful thing and partnering the speed of Henbrandt with the strength and skill of Herr and Alfaro just works! Bonus points for Herr and Alfaro having spent time together in Ravensberg last season and both suggesting they would want to play together. Although some people may disagree, this top line feels great to me, each guy brings great intensity and all excel at different areas of offense, hopefully moulding a dynamic three-way offensive threat.
On the blueline, we have the combo of new signings Matt Spencer and Cooper Zech, both have incredible skating ability and great hockey IQ, the cherry on top is both excel in the powerplay. Zech likes to quarterback the offense on powerplays and is excellent at it, Spencer also enjoys his special teams and looks like a lock for the kill!
Line 2
Otto Nieminen (LW) – Kristoff Kontos (C) – Hugo Roy (RW)
Josh Tetlow (LD) – Jaakko Niskala (RD)
Line 2 might be a poor representation, this is really Line 1B. With last year’s top scorers back together I expect fireworks just like last season. The key area here is moving Hugo Roy to the right wing. I don’t see this changing his game at all, except moving him out of the face-off circle in favour of Kontos. Another reason to partner Kontos with last seasons top line is his elite passing, this could prove a dangerous combination with the scoring ability of Nieminen and Roy.
Pairing Josh Tetlow and Jaakko Niskala is all about size and skating. In recent seasons Tetlow has taken excursions to Finland to help improve his game and upon his return has shown much improved skating. Niskala brings a lot of great experience in Liiga for such a young player as well as excellent skating and puck control. One aspect of Josh Tetlow’s game that some have been negative on is his passing in the defensive zone, although I don’t believe this this is accurate, Niskala’s skills help balance the blue line in this regard.
Line 3
Reid Stefanson (LW) – Tim Doherty (C) – Logan Nielson (RW)
TBC (LD) – Davis Bunz (RD)
Partnering Tim Doherty and Logan Nielson feels like a natural fit, Doherty is an assist machine, racking up 52 assists in a single season in the ECHL. Logan struggled at the start of last season, but showed his scoring prowess was just under the surface. Tim Doherty can play the same role Westin Michaud did last season, finding Logan in a perfect scoring position. Joining them could be Reid Stefanson who is a creative scorer himself, with ties to Doherty in Maine where they were both in the top 5 for points, it’s a perfect matchup for this trio.
Davis Bunz sits on the blue line on his own for now, his offensive game has flourished since turning pro and I expect him to provide a lot of offensive output as well as strong physical defensive play and from highlights, excellent skating too. I hope he gets a partner signed soon!
Line 4
Adam Berg (LW) – Jordan Kelsall (C) – Ollie Betteridge (RW)
It might be easy to overlook this group, but all three forwards are tough hard-working players willing to put their bodies on the line. Jordan Kelsall has made improvements to his game every season and I expect this season to be no different. Ollie has had injuries disrupt his game in recent seasons, but he is a grafter, with great skill on the puck and despite low scoring numbers, can put the puck in the back of the net. Adam Berg brings great size to this line up and a willingness to get stuck in, just like his line mates. These three can combine for excellent disruptive forward play and generate points from this.
I know many of you will be reading this thinking I’m silly for the lines I’ve chosen and you have a better grouping, I’m sure you’re right, the team we have this year can be summed up in one word, versatile. Great passing, great scoring, big, physical, skilled, experienced, I could keep going! There is lots to look forward to and with a competitive season ahead I’m excited to see what this group can do!
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