Florida Panthers‘ 4th year left wing John McFarland(15) is having the kind of year that starts to establish players in the highest level of hockey.
In a career best 48 AHL games with new affiliate Portland Pirates, he’s recorded a career high 14 goals and is quickly closing in on the 24 points he set a couple seasons ago.
It’s shots on net though that seems to be one of the most stirring changes in his game.
When this season is all said and done, he may double his previous total of 99 from 2013/2014.
He’s already at 112.
The 6’1″ 205 lbs. forward’s progress definitely caught the parent club’s eye, as he was recalled for his first three NHL appearances.
Averaging only 10 or so minutes a game, he at least got his skates wet and plays an aggressive checking style game that could easily finds its way onto a fourth line, especially on a young team, building from the inside.
The 23-year old is set to become a restricted free agent for a 2nd time but it’s almost a sure bet he gets extended another year if not two.