Hornqvist on Joining Panthers: 'I think the fit is perfect'

Patric Hornqvist sees a lot of potential in the Florida Panthers.
"I think they have a really good [core] of young players who are on the way up," the 33-year-old right winger said during a Zoom teleconference on Friday afternoon. "What I can bring to the team is leadership, experience, and some playoff hockey, obviously. I think the fit is perfect for me and my family. We're super excited to go down to Florida and help the team to win."

Acquired by the Panthers from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a trade that saw defenseman Mike Matheson and forward Colton Sceviour go the other way on Thursday, Hornqvist admits that he was initially "blindsided" by the move due to the fact that his contract contains a no-trade clause.
But upon finding out how much the Panthers wanted him, he didn't hesitate to waive it.
"It was an easy choice for me and my family," said Hornqvist, who will wear No. 70 in Florida. "I'm super excited to go down there and help them win some games… You don't think this question is going to come up. When it came up, I took my time to go through every scenario."
Originally selected by the Nashville Predators in the seventh round (230th overall) of the 2005 NHL Draft, Hornqvist spent six seasons in the Music City before being traded to Pittsburgh in 2014, where he then went on to register 264 points (132 goals, 132 assists) in 407 contests.
A fan favorite during his time with the Penguins, Hornqvist played an integral role in helping the organization win Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, including scoring the championship-clinching goal in Game 6 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final -- a 2-0 win over his original team, the Predators.
In 90 career playoff games, he's amassed 46 points (25 goals, 21 assists).
"I know I bring a lot of energy," Hornqvist said. "I bring leadership. I play hard every shift. Nothing is going to change with whatever jersey I'm wearing. I'm super excited for this opportunity. I think they have a great group of young core players. [Aleksander] Barkov is probably the most underrated player in the league. I'm excited to play with them. With the coach we have, too, he knows what we need to win. That's a reason why they want me here."
A hard-nosed forward with a knack for scoring goals right around the net, Hornqvist is expected to provide the Panthers with an intense veteran presence both on and off the ice. In addition to his offense, he's the type of player that can also lead the way through physical, unselfish play.
After all, over the last five seasons, he's tallied at least 100 hits and 40 blocked shots four times.
"My game's not going to change," said Hornqvist, a native of Sollentuna, Sweden. "I'm still going to be hard to play against every shift, go to the net and score some goals, do all those things."
More than anything, however, Hornqvist is first and foremost a proven winner.
"I want to win games," said Hornqvist, who's reached the playoffs in nine of his 12 seasons in the NHL thus far. "I do everything for the team to help them win. I'm going to keep doing that."
It's that desire to win that Panthers general manager Bill Zito wants to inject into Florida's lineup.
"A proven winner and champion, Patric brings a level of competition to our club," Zito, who was hired by the Cats earlier this month, said in the club's official release. "He is a talented veteran presence who plays with an edge and we look forward to what he can add to our group."
While the sudden trade caught him by surprise, Hornqvist said that his mind was quickly put at ease after speaking with Zito, who he believes is "going to make a mark" with the Panthers.
"When I talked to him I really got a great feeling," Hornqvist said. "He seems like a really good GM and a good person. He said the exact same thing: 'We want you because of what you bring every single day. You've got experience and you play hard. You're going to play a big role for us on the ice and off the ice, too.' That's exactly what I want. That made my choice so much easier. I'm excited to go down there, get to know everyone and get the season started."