New York. Florida Panthers manager Bill Zito is good at finding untapped resources, and he may have gotten another Swedish-language resource from Kevin Stenlund.
The former HV71 profile scored twice as the Cats overnight won the penultimate friendly of the new season against Tampa 6-3.
– He says it feels nice.
It has happened several times in recent years, that players who didn’t find their place elsewhere – or didn’t even get real opportunities – have thrived when Bill Zito lures them to South Florida.
Gustav Forsling is the best example, but there is more – and it is inconceivable that Kevin Stenlund will be the next rough diamond to start sparkling under the sun.
After stays in Columbus and Winnipeg, during which he never really established himself – despite a clear focus on achieving goals – he was traded to the Panthers this summer, and there the 27-year-old from Stockholm had an impressive camp that culminated in the night training derby against Tampa with two goals.
– It was a nice feeling. “You get more confidence when you score a goal,” Kevin tells the club website.
Oliver Ekman Larsson also had another great evening and contributed, among other things, two assists.
– I think things will go very well for him here, as he suits our style of play with his long stick and his eye for the game, as coach Paul Morris praised.
Victor Hedman scored one of Tampa’s goals.
It was William Nylander’s night in Toronto – again.
He scored the first goal in regular time against Detroit, then scored the deciding goal 4-3 in overtime.
Jonathan Berggren scored one of Detroit’s goals.
Anton Forsberg played big in the box when Ottawa played the Jets in Winnipeg, stopping 21 shots and keeping a clean sheet.
Final score: 3-0.
Just a few days ago, the Nashville Predators acquired Samuel Fagimo, then a player for the Los Angeles Kings — and in his first game with the new club last night, against Carolina at Bridgestone Arena, he thanked the trust by scoring an assist from Filip Forsberg.
The same Forsberg also contributed to the 5-1 win with an own goal, just like Gustav Nyquist.
Adrian Kempe continues to score goals. He scored a 4-3 overtime decision in the LA Kings’ preseason practice against San Jose overnight.