Anton Lundell’s growth with the Florida Panthers has been steady, impressive, and impossible to ignore. Taken 12th overall in the 2020 draft, he stepped into the NHL as a rookie with the poise of a veteran, finishing with 44 points and earning the trust of his coaches in all situations. His second season came with bigger assignments and tougher matchups, and while the numbers weren’t as flashy, the experience pushed his game forward—sharpening his defensive skills, improving his faceoffs, and building confidence with the puck. That development paid off when the lights were brightest. During Florida’s run to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, Lundell clocked in 10 points across 21 playoff games, often making timely plays in tight situations. A year later, as the Panthers finally captured the Cup, he elevated his game to even higher heights with 17 points in 24 postseason contests, proving he could handle the pressure of important moments. Still just 23, Lundell has completed the development from a promising young center to a reliable difference-maker who can shut down opponents, kill penalties, and create offense when it matters most. Each season, his presence has grown, and it’s becoming clearer that he’s not just part of Florida’s future—he’s one of the NHL’s most exciting young stars still on the rise.
Anton Lundell grew up in Espoo, Finland, with the game of hockey all around him. His dad, Jan, was a longtime professional goalie, so Anton was at the rink constantly, picking up the sport from an early age. Instead of taking the college route, he made his pro debut in Finland’s top league, Liiga, at just 17 with HIFK and showed right away that he could handle the pace against older, stronger players. He built a reputation as a smart, reliable two-way center, the kind of teenager coaches weren’t afraid to trust in high leverage. On the international stage, he shined even brighter, helping Finland capture gold at the 2019 World Juniors. By the time the Panthers drafted him in 2020, Lundell wasn’t just another prospect—he was already polished, experienced, and ready to make the jump to the NHL.
The Future
Anton Lundell isn’t just part of the Florida Panthers’ future—he’s carving out a path to be one of the faces of the NHL’s next generation. At just 23, he already plays the game with the calm and confidence of a seasoned veteran, shutting down top lines one shift and creating offense the next. He’s battle-tested too, proving in back-to-back playoff runs that he can rise when the spotlight burns the brightest, delivering clutch goals and defensive plays to swing momentum.
What makes him special is his game’s well-roundedness—he wins draws, kills penalties, makes smart, creative plays with the puck, and still has the offensive punch to take over games. In today’s NHL, versatility is everything, and Lundell embodies that perfectly. Every season, he adds another layer to his game, and plays less like a “promising young player” and more like a franchise cornerstone. If his climb continues, Anton Lundell isn’t just going to be a name to watch—he’s going to be an NHL legend.
