7 Hockey Players who Played for Canadiens and Panthers
My guess is you’ve searched this page out because you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
If I’m right, that also means that today’s grid is asking for players who have played for both the Montreal Canadiens and the Florida Panthers.
And, I’m also guessing that you’re a little stuck on this particular square and you’re looking for a little help to keep your grid immaculate. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, I’m here to help.
I’ve already done the research and have put together a list of well-known stars along with some more “under-the-radar” players that could land you a low rarity score.
Thomas Vanek
Thomas Vanek is a professional ice hockey player from Austria who, over his National Hockey League career, has been recognized for his offensive prowess and ability to score goals. He’s one of the most successful Austrian-born players to compete in the NHL.
Vanek began his NHL journey after being selected fifth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He made an immediate impact with the Sabres, becoming a consistent goal scorer and offensive threat. During his tenure with Buffalo, Vanek was a key player, frequently leading the team in points and goals.
After nearly a decade with the Sabres, Vanek went on to play for various NHL teams, including the New York Islanders, Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Detroit Red Wings again.
Vanek Key Stats
- All-Star (Sabres)
- 40+ Goal Season (Sabres)
Tomas Vokoun
Tomáš Vokoun was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the ninth round, 226th overall, in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. His career in the NHL took off when he was claimed by the Nashville Predators in the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft, where he established himself as the team’s starting goaltender and a key player.
Later in his career, Vokoun played for several other teams, including the Panthers, Capitals, and Penguins, continuing to demonstrate his skill and consistency as a goaltender. Vokoun also had a successful international career with the Czech national team. He represented his country in multiple World Championships and the Winter Olympics.
Known for his excellent reflexes, positional play, and ability to perform under pressure, Vokoun was selected for multiple NHL All-Star Games, underscoring his status as an elite goaltender in the league.
Vokoun Key Stats
- 300 Win Career (Predators, Panthers, Canadiens, Capitals, Penguins)
- 30+ Win Season (Predators, Panthers)
Mike Hoffman
Mike Hoffman was selected 130th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 5th round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Hoffman made his NHL debut with the Senators during the 2011-2012 season, but his true breakout came in the 2014-2015 season, where he emerged as a key offensive player.
Hoffman’s journey in the NHL saw him move from the Senators to the Florida Panthers, with a brief intermediary step involving a trade to the San Jose Sharks and then immediately to Florida in 2018.
His tenure with the Panthers continued to highlight his offensive prowess, making him a consistent scoring threat, especially on the power play. Hoffman later signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues, where he continued to demonstrate his scoring ability.
Eric Staal
Eric Staal was selected 2nd overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2003 NHL Draft. Over his distinguished NHL career, Staal has become known for his leadership, scoring ability, and consistency.
During his time with the Hurricanes, he won the Stanley Cup in the 2005-2006 season, leading the team in scoring during the playoffs. He was named captain of the Hurricanes in 2010.
Staal has also played for the Rangers, Wild, Sabres, Canadiens and Panthers. Throughout his career, he’s been named an All-Star (2005-06), won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics and achieved the 1,000-point milestone, making him one of the top offensive players of his generation.
Staal Key Stats
- All-Star (Hurricanes)
- Stanley Cup Winner (Hurricanes)
- 1000+ Career Points (Hurricanes, Wild, Rangers, Sabres, Canadiens, Panthers)
- 40+ Goal Season (Hurricanes, Wild)
- 50+ Assist Season (Hurricanes)
Chris Tierney
Chris Tierney is a Canadian center currently playing for the New Jersey Devils. He was drafted 55th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Tierney began his pro career in the 2014-15 season, making an immediate impact. He spent the full 2015-16 season with the Sharks, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals.
Tierney continued to play for the Sharks until the 2018-19 season, after which he was traded to the Ottawa Senators. During his tenure with the Senators, Tierney was a consistent performer, even leading the team in penalty killing time on ice during the 2017-18 season.
Over his NHL career to date, Tierney has played in 597 games, scoring 76 goals and 160 assists for a total of 236 points, along with 40 playoff appearances.
Alex Kovalev
Alexei Kovalev is a retired Russian player and current coach. He played over 1,300 games in the NHL over 18 seasons for teams including the Rangers, Penguins, Canadiens, Senators, and Panthers. Kovalev was drafted 15th overall by the Rangers in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, becoming the first Russian-born player to be drafted in the first round.
Kovalev was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1998 and had two of his best NHL seasons with them, scoring 76 and 95 points. In 2003, he was traded back to the Rangers and later to the Canadiens in 2004. He later signed with the Senators in 2009 and scored his 1,000th career point in 2010.
In the NHL, he totaled 1,316 games, scoring 430 goals and 599 assists. His awards include NHL All-Star selections in 2001, 2003, and 2009, winning the NHL All-Star Game MVP in 2009, and the Molson Cup in 2008. He won a Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994.
Kovalev Key Stats
- Stanley Cup Championship (Rangers)
- 1000+ Career Points (Rangers, Penguins, Canadiens, Senators, Panthers)
- 40+ Goal Season (Penguins)
- 50+ Assist Season (Penguins)
Todd Simpson
Todd Simpson is a Canadian player whose career spanned over a decade in the NHL. His journey in ice hockey began at Brown University and continued in Canadian junior hockey with the Tri-City Americans and Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Simpson’s professional career started in 1994 with the Calgary Flames, where he remained until 1999. He then moved to the Florida Panthers for the 1999–2000 NHL season, followed by a trade to the Phoenix Coyotes. He then played for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, where he scored a career-high four goals, and later for the Ottawa Senators.
During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Simpson won the Danish league championship with Herning Blue Fox, and then returned to the NHL to play with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Montreal Canadiens.
