The Florida Panthers are making moves to bolster their forward depth, signing former Detroit Red Wings forward Matt Luff to a professional tryout (PTO) agreement, as reported by David Dwork of The Hockey News. Luff is set to join the Panthers next week as the team looks to rebuild its lineup ahead of the upcoming season.
Luff started his professional hockey career in 2016 with the Los Angeles Kings organization, signing after an impressive season with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he tallied 25 goals and 49 points in just 45 games. Despite his size and physical presence, there were initial concerns about how well he utilized his larger frame, making his addition to the Kings, a team known for their gritty style, an intriguing move.
During his time with the Kings, Luff spent the majority of his tenure with their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. However, he did manage to play in 64 NHL games for Los Angeles between 2018 and 2021, recording 10 goals and 17 points. He later had a brief stint with the Nashville Predators during the 2021-22 season before signing with the Detroit Red Wings.
Luff’s time with the Red Wings saw him play 19 NHL games over two seasons, contributing two goals and four points. His greater impact, though, was felt with Detroit’s AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he recorded 18 goals and 43 points in 54 games. Unfortunately, his progress was hindered by injuries during his time in the organization.
Luff faces a challenge in securing a spot in Florida’s restructured bottom-six forward group. Despite his injury struggles, his recent success at the AHL level has earned him this opportunity. The Panthers, who struggled with forward depth and scoring last year, particularly in the AHL, are hopeful Luff can bring a “next-man-up” attitude as he competes for a roster spot with the defending Stanley Cup finalists.
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