6 Hockey Players who Played for Panthers and Blue Jackets
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 Florida Panthers and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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.
Mike Sillinger
Mike Sillinger is a player known for his journeyman career in the NHL. Over the course of his tenure in the league, Sillinger earned the unique distinction of playing for a record 12 different NHL teams, the most by any player in league history. This constant movement earned him the nickname of the “NHL’s most traded player.”
Sillinger started his NHL career after being drafted 11th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. While he showcased skill and versatility as a center, he frequently found himself on the move, transitioning between teams either through trades or free agency.
Despite the frequent relocations, Sillinger was consistently productive wherever he played. Over his 1,049 NHL games, he accumulated 548 points, proving his value as a reliable two-way forward.
Alexander Wennberg
Alexander Wennberg is a Swedish player currently with the Seattle Kraken. Wennberg was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round, 14th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut on October 9, 2014, against the Buffalo Sabres, where he recorded his first NHL point.
Wennberg had a career-high season in 2016-17, playing 80 regular-season games and recording 13 goals and 46 assists. Following his tenure with the Blue Jackets, he signed with the Florida Panthers in 2020, where he achieved another career high with 17 goals in 56 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season.
In 2021, he signed a three-year contract with the Seattle Kraken. As of the 2022-23 season, Wennberg’s NHL totals stand at 633 games played, with 81 goals, 224 assists, and 305 points.
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)
Erik Gudbranson
Erik Gudbranson is a Canadian defenseman, known for his physical style of play and his defensive abilities. He was drafted third overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2010 NHL Draft.
During his early career with the Panthers, Gudbranson established himself as a tough, physical defenseman, often taking on a role that emphasized defensive responsibilities over offensive production.
Over the years, Gudbranson has been a bit of a journeyman, playing for several teams including the Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Jussi Jokinen
Jussi Jokinen is a retired Finnish forward. Jokinen was selected by the Dallas Stars in the sixth round, 192nd overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 2005–06 season with the Stars and quickly gained a reputation as a top shootout specialist in the league.
Jokinen’s NHL career spanned over 13 seasons, during which he played for nine teams. After his tenure with the Dallas Stars, he played for the Lightning, Hurricanes, Penguins, Panthers, Oilers, Kings, Blue Jackets, and Canucks.
His most productive season came in 2013–14 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he scored 21 goals and totaled 57 points in 81 games. In the 2017–18 season, he became the fourth player in NHL history to play for four different teams in a single season.
Jonathan Marchessault
Jonathan Marchessault is a Canadian forward currently playing for the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL. He was not selected in any NHL Entry Draft and signed his first professional contract with the AHL’s Connecticut Whale in 2011. Over his career, he has played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers.
Marchessault was selected by the Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft and played a pivotal role in their success, including helping them reach the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season. His outstanding playoff performance included scoring critical goals and earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player.
His career statistics (as of this writing) include 556 NHL regular season games, with 188 goals, 230 assists, and a total of 418 points.
Marchessault Key Stats
- Stanley Cup Champion (Golden Knights)
- Smythe Trophy (Golden Knights)
