Fort Lauderdale – Anton Landell already has the most enthusiastic career.
In four seasons since the Florida Panthers scored their 12th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, the talented two-way center has named the Stanley Cup, earning 157 points (60 goals, 97 assists) in 295 regular-season games.
On Thursday, he will also be taking part in a special group.
When the Panthers face the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Amerant Bank Arena, he appeared in 75 playoff games before he turned 24, joining Jaromir Jagr, Glen Wesley and Mikahil Sergachev.
In more playoff games than many players have seen throughout their careers, Young Fin Center is quickly tracked from a big-eyed rookie to a hardened veteran.
“My rookie season playoffs, I learned a lot,” Landell said after practice at the Baptist Health Iceplex on Wednesday. “I’ve seen what the playoffs are and have learned from all the games ever since. From last season’s big games and some high pressure games, you remember learning it and soaking it. You remember playing those games, doing as good as possible, doing as good as possible, and doing all the games the best they can.”
Better with experience each year, Landell scored a career-high 45 points (17 goals and 28 assists) this season, carrying it to the Panthers’ latest playoff run.
“He’s matured a lot,” defensive man Gustav Falls said of Landell’s growth. “He was mature when he came, but he’s grown to play like a veteran with the real guy out there. He was unrealistic.”
Throughout 20 games this postseason, Randell tallied 15 points (5 goals, 10 assists) and a league-best +16 plus/negative rating.
Not just this playoff, but this playoff as well, no. 15 is tied with plus/minus NHL lead Carolina Hurricanes defensive man Jacobslavin in the last three postseasons with a +27 plus/minus rating.
“His foundation is a version of (Alexander) Barkov,” director Paul Maurice said of Randell. “He doesn’t fool the game. He stays on the right side of the game.”
Like Barkov, Lundell’s 200-foot game during a 5-for-5 and penalty kill cannot be ignored.
A key factor in the penalty and defensive zone, Lundell is recorded fourth on the Panthers on the ice (33:43) and fifth on the block (20).
Playing with Eetu Luostarinen and Brad Marchand he also brought an attack.
