Sandis Vilmanis Shines Through Panthers’ Struggles, Showing He Belongs in the NHL
The Florida Panthers may have come up short in another key Atlantic Division matchup - this time a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres - but amid the frustration, there’s a silver lining skating in plain sight: rookie forward Sandis Vilmanis.
Now 12 games into his NHL career, the 22-year-old has quietly become one of the more intriguing storylines on a Panthers team battling inconsistency and injuries. Vilmanis isn’t just surviving out there - he’s earning his keep, and then some.
Let’s start with the production. With two goals and four points while averaging just over 10 minutes of ice time per game (10:44 to be exact), Vilmanis has made the most of his limited opportunities.
He’s played more than 10 minutes in seven of those 12 games, a clear sign that head coach Paul Maurice is beginning to trust his young winger more and more. That trust isn’t given lightly - and Vilmanis is doing all the little things right to keep earning it.
Take last night’s game against Buffalo. Vilmanis opened the scoring with a laser of a wrist shot that beat the goalie clean to the top corner.
If you’ve followed his development, that shot won’t surprise you. It’s heavy, it’s accurate, and the release is quick - the kind of shot that forces goalies to react before they’re ready.
It’s a weapon, and it’s already NHL-caliber.
But Vilmanis is showing he’s more than just a shooter. His playmaking doesn’t always jump off the screen, but it’s there - subtle, smart, and effective.
He’s shown he can create offense not just for himself, but for his linemates, too. And he’s not shying away from the gritty parts of the game either.
He’s thrown 22 hits, blocked three shots, and is showing a willingness to engage physically. That’s a big part of what makes him such a versatile piece.
“He’s not a single-style player where he has to play with a certain kind of player,” Maurice said. “He looks like he could play with some guys and be a good player. He’s a good one.”
That’s high praise, and it speaks to Vilmanis’ ability to adapt. He’s not locked into a specific role or linemate - he’s showing he can plug in wherever the team needs him and still make an impact.
Now, if there’s one area the Panthers would like to see growth, it’s in his shot volume. He’s only registered 10 shots on goal so far, and with a release like his, they’d love to see him fire more often.
That should come with time and confidence. As he settles into the pace and rhythm of the NHL, expect those numbers to climb.
The underlying numbers already paint a promising picture. Per Natural Stat Trick, when Vilmanis is on the ice at 5-on-5, Florida controls 53.40% of the shot attempts (Corsi For), 54.71% of the expected goals, and 60.61% of the high-danger scoring chances.
That’s strong stuff for any player, let alone a rookie. And it’s not just possession - the Panthers have outscored opponents 6-5 at even strength with Vilmanis on the ice.
In a season where injuries have forced Florida to dig into its depth, Vilmanis has taken advantage of the opportunity. He’s not just filling a roster spot - he’s making a case to stick around long-term.
The next step? Earning more minutes and eventually forcing his way up the lineup.
That’ll come, especially if he keeps impacting games the way he has.
And while Panthers fans might be sweating the standings, there’s comfort in knowing they’ve got a young winger who’s not just part of the future - he’s already helping in the present.
Oh, and he’ll be representing Latvia in the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. Safe to say, the hockey world is starting to take notice of Sandis Vilmanis.