FORT LAUDERDALE – Back to business.
Hitting the ice for the second day of training camp at Baptist Health IcePlex on Friday, Florida Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen is ready to get the 2026-27 season started.
Coming off last season, he posted 33 points (11G, 22A) in 73 games.
While an overly long summer wasn’t the goal for the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup champs, the 28-year-old took full advantage of the rare extended time off to train and recover.
“It definitely felt like a long offseason,” Luostarinen said. “I think we all kind of needed that as well, but honestly, really excited to be back and getting things started again.”
Another benefit of the extended respite was getting more time with his young family.
Less time on the ice meant more time with his wife and young daughter.
“It was fun,” Luostarinen said. “Could spend more time with her and just do different stuff. You got more time, can obviously focus on the family more, so it was a lot of fun.”
Returning to his hockey family in South Florida, Luostarinen has a new member of the Panther family next to him in the locker room – offseason acquisition Brady Tkachuk.
Just a couple days into camp, the new stall mates are already having some fun getting to know each other ahead of the season.
“It’s been fun,” Luostarinen said of getting to know the newest Tkachuk. “He’s another hard worker. He drives the net, he plays strong. I feel like that physicality, and he can put up some points as well, it’s great for offense. We get along well, he’s easy to approach.”
While Luostarinen builds bonds with new teammates, his chemistry with fellow Finn Anton Lundell continues to get stronger by the year.
Linemates for the past few seasons -- and one of the most dominant lines in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs alongside Brad Marchand -- Luostarinen and Lundell are lined up once again to start the new season.
“From the past three years I’ve been playing with him, he’s such a smart guy,” Luostarinen said of his longtime linemate. “He’s like you guys call him a ‘little Barky.’ He’s got that mindset. He competes hard. He’s always got my back if I mess up or something. We can talk in Finnish as well, so it kind of makes it easier. He just works hard. He’s always available and he makes great plays. Makes my job easier.”
An important piece of the Panthers lineup, on both sides of the ice, the two-way forward inked an eight-year extension this past summer on July 1.
“Really excited to have the trust from the ownership and management,” said Luostarinen, who’s locked in as a Panther through 2034-35. “It helps definitely not to think about it. Things are great here, so obviously wanted to stay and play for the Panthers.”
Playing the Panther way, Luostarinen’s style of play does not cheat the game.
A playoff performer, he’s logged 34 points (10G, 24A) in 73 career postseason games.
“He just picks up the systems and off he goes and plays really hard,” head coach Paul Maurice said of Luostarinen’s unique skillset and approach. “He’s such a wonderful example to follow. He will not sacrifice the hard parts of the game to put up more points.”
Entering the 2026-27 season, Luostarinen, who’s become one of the NHL’s underrated forwards, has racked up 162 points and a +24 plus/minus rating in 447 career games.
Looking to build off that strong foundation, he also used this summer to build up his body.
“I just approached it a little bit different,” Luostarinen said of his summer training. “Took some time off as usual, and then just different kind of workout routine. I went harder this summer, obviously. More time, you can get more out of it. You can actually train, not just keep yourself in shape. I feel like I got some muscle this summer and stronger to start the season.”
Training camp for the Panthers continues as the team will host Training Camp Fan Fest presented by Baptist Health on Saturday, Sept. 19 starting at 10:00 a.m. (ET) at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale.
