Kevin Stenlund makes his mark in Utah inauguration season – Hockey Writer – Utah Hockey Club

On July 1, Utah Hockey Club forward Kevin Stenlund signed a two-year contract worth $2 million in average annual value (AAV). At the time, it was not a shocking move to add a dominant Stanley Cup title to the Florida Panthers. However, the 28-year-old has won a total of new single seasons in 67 games this season.

Related: Utah continues to use Kevin Stenlund signatures to prioritize size

Stenlund’s 59% success rate in the matchup circle is seventh in the NHL (in the center that averages 3.5 per game average.) The Swedish forward averages more than 14 minutes per game and touches many of Utah’s ice areas. Let’s take a look at his breakthrough season.

More time equals more opportunities

Utah head coach André Tourigny gave his fourth-tier center (ATOI) the highest time (ATOI) in his 14:10 career. The increased ice time brought Stenlund to 10 goals and 8 assists, scoring 18 points. This is not a flashy thing for the next six players, but he has been a key contributor lately.

In March, the right-handed scorer had already scored three goals and added two assists to score 5 points. In addition, compared with the overall rating of “negative 11” this season, he has ratings of 3 this month. Stenlund scored three points in the team’s final two games and on March 6 he won the game in Utah’s 4-2 win against the Red Wings.

Stanlund’s defensive performance is still his reputation as a fame

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound ball is second in the season with 52 blocks. (It is worth noting that one forward and three defenders above got more Atoi.) Stenlund also centered on forward Alexander Kerfoot.

“It’s a huge difference from the way he defends,” Tourigny said of Stenlund. “He talked to himself on his performance (free throw kills), but not only that, it’s the way he plays in the critical moments of our area and the game, you either have to win a draw or you need a very low-key guy – he does all of the above.” (The game from Utah Hockey Club is terrible and hopes to rely on senior leaders to turn it around,’Salt Lake Tribune, March 14, 2025).

So it’s no surprise that the start of the Columbus Blue Jacket’s 2015 second-round pick is 28.6% of his transition in the defensive zone (that’s the highest percentage in Utah).

Stenlund, the ultimate next six playoff players

If Utah does enough in the playoff push, Stenlund will bring a two-way game with size and speed for the playoffs. He ranked 93rd percentage point in average speed with a speed of 64.22 mph and the Panthers’ 24-game path to lift the Stanley Cup, with him hitting 49 hits.

“He really built his game in the year,” Florida head coach Paul Maurice said of Stenlund. “From playing style to finding valuable roles in the room, we went into the playoffs last year and he was as important as everyone else because he had such a big role to us. He found his place, he found his way, he was a great player for us, a great player for us.”

Currently, Utah is currently two points in the Western Conference’s second wildcard position, behind Calgary Flames, St. Louis Bruce and Vancouver Canaks (Utah beats in the latest game). Tourigny’s team will need to make the most of its three and five games Homestead to end the regular season.

“I want to be a leader. Obviously, the defense is good, and then always want to create an offense and score goals. Still working hard, get better,” Stenlund said. “The most important thing is that it’s consistent in D-Zone and trying to help the team that way.”

Still, Stenlund may be a key point for Utah in the coming months.