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Florida Panthers See Big Things Coming from Bokondji Imama
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- Florida Panthers See Big Things Coming from Bokondji Imama
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In the wake of bringing in Brady Tkachuk and Jacob Markstrom , the Florida Panthers signing winger Bokondji Imama fell through the cracks of the news cycle.
Why would a player who has played more than 400 minor league hockey games and accumulated more penalty minutes than games played grab the headlines?
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Only Imama, signed to a two-way contract which foreshadowed a likely season in the minor leagues, made the Panthers out of training camp.
The 30-year-old lined up on Florida's fourth line on the opening day of camp and never gave it up.
"We know his abilities in his toughness, and we know there is a better player there,'' coach Paul Mauricesaid after Imama made the Opening Night roster.
"In the style of hockey we play, we think we can get him to excel."
Imama provides the physical presence Florida needs to anchor its fourth line, averaging almost three hits per game over his NHL career.
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In the season opener on Tuesday, Imama racked up seven penalty minutes, including a five-minute major for fighting Carolina Hurricanes forward Nic Deslauriers.
"I think I fit perfectly into this style,'' Imama said of joining the Panthers. "They want to play fast and physical, that's all my game.''
Imama's role is pretty straightforward: Bring the physicality, stand up for his teammates, and bring 100 percent every time he steps on the ice.
"We have seen physicality come back into the game more and more each year,'' Maurice said, "and he can do that. We noticed playing against him, he's fast, he hits clean and he's almost like Jonah [Gadjovich]."
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Gadjovich potentially being out of the Florida lineup longterm after having surgery last November is one reason the Panthers went after Imama in the first place.
And, Maurice said, the two are similar in a number of ways.
The two have racked up roughly twice as many penalty minutes as games played, embracing the role of enforcer which also lends toward becoming a 'glue guy' every team needs.
They are players who bring energy, toughness, and a selfless attitude that helps hold a locker room together.
"We know about my hits and fights but it's also about managing it,''' Imama said. "You also want to make sure you put your team in the best position possible and this training camp helped me become a more complete player."
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For Imama, that balance will be key to his role in Florida.
The Panthers are not asking him to only fight and throw hits, they are looking for him to be physical without taking his team out of position.
Imama's game may be defined by the hits, fights, and physicality, but his opportunity in Florida is to prove that his value extends beyond the penalty box.
ON DECK: GAME No. 3
FLORIDA PANTHERS at ANAHEIM DUCKS
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When: Sunday, 8 p.m.
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Where: Honda Center, Anaheim
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Streaming: Panthers+ , ESPN+
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Radio: WQAM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM. Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM, NHL App
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This Season — At Anaheim: Sunday. At Florida: Anaheim 3, Panthers 2 SO (Oct. 28)
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Last Season: Ducks won 2-0
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All-time Regular Season Series: Florida leads 23-17-2, 3 ties
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Up Next for the Panthers: Tuesday at Los Angeles Kings, 10 (ESPN)
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