Lundell Impressing Coach Q, Teammates Early On
"I don't think we anticipated having contributions to that level," the Panthers coach said after Lundell picked up a goal and an assist during Thursday's 4-1 win over the Avalanche at FLA Live Arena. "That's been a nice addition to our team. He's given us a lot more options as well."
Leading all rookies in scoring with four points (two goals, two assists) entering Friday's slate of games, Lundell, who only just celebrated his 20th birthday earlier this month, has been nothing short of an early-season revelation for the Panthers while contributing at both ends of the ice.
I mean, where do you even begin?
Aside from his point total, Lundell has also been exceptional in the faceoff circle - an area of the game that usually chews up even the most talented rookies and spits them out. Winning a team-high 56.1% of his draws this season, he went an outstanding 13-for-20 (65%) against Colorado.
Seeing a team-high 15:36 of shorthanded ice time, he's also been an integral part of Florida's ninth-ranked penalty kill (86.4%). On the ice for just one goal against on the top-killing unit, he's won 66.7% of his draws while shorthanded, which has led to numerous clears in key situations.
"That kid is special," Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov decreed.
In addition to working alongside Lundell on the penalty kill, Barkov is also currently housing the young rookie at his place in Boca Raton. When asked about the living arrangement, Quenneville joked that Lundell likely benefits from being able to eat breakfast with a superstar each morning.
"He's got a good mentor in Barky," Quenneville said. "He gets to follow the perfect pro."
As a fellow native of Finland, Barkov said he kept a close eye on Lundell prior to his arrival in South Florida. Almost like looking in a mirror, he saw a player that was committed to working from the back end out, a young kid that could hold his own against grown men every game.
Closing out his career in Europe on a high note, Lundell led HIFK with 16 goals during his final season in Liiga in 2021-22, while also captaining Finland to a bronze medal and the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship and winning a silver medal at the 2021 IIHF World Championship.
"Now he's doing the same thing here," Barkov said. "He's taking all the chances he's getting. He's a crucial player for us. He does all the important faceoffs, kills penalties and scores goals."
Much like Barkov did when he entered the NHL, Lundell is facing tough tests on a nightly basis.
Earning a huge amount of trust from Quenneville right out of the gate, no forward on the team has been counted on as much defensively through four games than Lundell. Per the numbers over at NaturalStatTrick.com, he's started only 8% of his shifts in the offensive zone at 5-on-5.
You read that right -- 8%!
Of his 65 total starts at 5-on-5, a team-leading 23 have come in the defensive zone, 35 on the fly, five in the neutral zone and just two in the offensive zone. Yet, despite starting behind the eight ball most shifts, the Panthers have controlled 52% of shot attempts when he's been on the ice.
"He doesn't look like he's a rookie," Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky said. "He's very smart. He looks like he plays an experienced game. On the penalty kill, he's been great, and he's been great on the faceoffs. He's been a great addition to our team. He's got so much in front of him."
While he's gotten off to a stellar start, it's important to remember that any rookie -- no matter how incredibly gifted they are -- will go through growing pains at some point. There will be plenty of ups and downs during the season, but the ups we've already seen are certainly encouraging.
Like Bobrovsky said, the future grows brighter each day for Lundell.
And with his first game, first assist, first goal and so many other NHL milestones already out of the way, the upstart rookie is looking forward to facing all his next challenges head-on.
"It gives me motivation for the coming games," Lundell said.
Setting a new franchise record with a 4-0-0 start to their 2021-22 campaign, Lundell and the Panthers will look to stay perfect when they visit the Flyers on Saturday at Wells Fargo Center.
