The Florida Panthers are heading into Thursday’s matchup against the St. Louis Blues without one of their most dependable centers.
Head coach Paul Maurice confirmed that Anton Lundell is dealing with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day. That rules him out for at least one game - and potentially more, depending on how things progress.
Lundell, 24, picked up the injury during Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to the Utah Mammoth. The exact moment it happened isn’t clear, but the absence is a tough blow for a Panthers team already navigating life without top-line center Aleksander Barkov, who’s out for the season.
With Barkov sidelined, Lundell has stepped into the biggest role of his young NHL career - and he’s handled it with poise and production. Through 52 games, the Finnish center has tallied 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points, while logging a career-high average of over 19 minutes per night. That’s a significant uptick in responsibility, and he’s embraced it, becoming a key piece in Florida’s top-six rotation.
Drafted 12th overall by the Panthers in 2020, Lundell is now in his fifth season with the club. His development has been steady and impressive, evolving from a promising two-way forward into a reliable, all-situations center. He’s been part of the core that helped Florida capture back-to-back Stanley Cup titles, and his postseason play last year showed just how far he’s come.
In 2025, Lundell posted career-highs during the regular season with 17 goals and 28 assists over 79 games. But it was in the playoffs where he really made his mark - skating between Eetu Luostarinen and Brad Marchand on a dynamic third line.
That trio gave opponents fits, and Lundell chipped in 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in 23 postseason games. His ability to drive play while maintaining defensive structure made him one of Florida’s most valuable depth contributors.
Looking ahead, Lundell is also expected to suit up for Team Finland at the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Assuming his current injury doesn’t linger, he’s likely to slide into a similar role for his national team - anchoring the second or third line, providing reliable two-way play, and offering that same forechecking intensity that’s become his calling card in the NHL.
For now, though, the Panthers will have to adjust. After Thursday’s game in St.
Louis, Florida returns home for a three-game stretch, starting Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets. Whether Lundell is back by then remains to be seen, but there’s no question his presence will be missed in the short term.