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Florida Panthers Ready to Unleash Sandis Vilmanis
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- Florida Panthers Ready to Unleash Sandis Vilmanis
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
FORT LAUDERDALE— Last year was a season to remember for Sandis Vilmanis. The Florida Panthers figure there is plenty more to come.
Vilmanis, 22, not only made his NHL debut with the Panthers but played in 19 games.
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Although he spent most of the season with the AHL Checkers, Vilmanis also made his Olympic debut with Latvia — and led his country in scoring at the IIHF World Championship.
"Last year was an awesome year, a lot of great experiences,'' Vilmanis said after practice on Wednesday afternoon. "I got really good feedback from the coaches, from the staff, and that just builds up the confidence.''
He comes into training camp this year with a spot on the roster on the third line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen .
With Brad Marchand out for at least the first month of the season, Vilmanis is going to get a prime opportunity to show what he can do.
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"It is awesome because they are unbelievable players," Vilmanis said. "From their skating to their IQ game, the shots and the smoothness in their game, is just unbelievable. I am super grateful and it is an amazing opportunity."
With all of the injuries the Panthers had last season, Vilmanis got an extended look at the NHL level although he did not get as many games as perhaps many thought he would.
Vilmanis scored three goals with five points in 19 games, but was sent back to Charlotte in March and he stayed there as the Panthers figured it was better for him to continue developing there.
With the Checkers, Vilmanis got to play big minutes in all sorts of situations.
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Although the Panthers were tempted to bring him back when the injuries started piling up in the final weeks, coach Paul Maurice said they liked the opportunity Charlotte offered him.
Vilmanis had 17 goals with 38 points in 48 games with the Checkers.
"He was playing right and meaningful games," Maurice said. "They were important games. That trains him mentally. He was also playing against his peers so it was good for his confidence to get those big minutes. I thought that was more important."
The experiences of last season, Vilmanis said, turned out to be quite beneficial.
Florida knows Vilmanis can do some offensive damage, but what they need from him right now is a solid defensive game.
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"I think he is a top-9 player all day long,'' Maurice said. "We don't have to wait three years for him to be impactful. Sandis can come out and be really strong defensively right from the get go. He's got enough in his game right now for me to just play him. As long as he stays focused on that and not points, which will come, I have a lot of faith in that young man.''
That is one reason last year was so impactful for Vilmanis.
"Playing the PK down there, just getting big minutes really helped my confidence and builds my game,'' he said. "I have a lot more trust in my approach to the game.''
FLORIDA PANTHERS ON DECK
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Preseason (All Games on Scripps/Panthers+) — Game 1: Panthers 6, Carolina Hurricanes 3 (Sunday) ; Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Panthers 2 SO (Tuesday) ; Game 3: Tonight at Tampa Bay Lightning , 7 p.m.; Game 4: Saturday vs. Lightning, 6 p.m.
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2026-27 NHL Season Opener: Florida at Carolina Hurricanes; Tuesday, 5 p.m. (ESPN)
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2026-27 NHL Home Opener: Minnesota Wild at Florida; Oct. 10, 6 p.m. (Scripps)
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