Derek MacKenzie
MacKenzie, 34, is the archetypal team player: a hard-working veteran who has led-by-example (in terms of work ethic) his entire career.
The fourth line centerman is a tad undersized (5’11”) and lacks any umph scoring prowess, but is solid on the draw, is one of Florida’s most trusted penalty killers and plays a very defensive-oriented game.
Take it from coach Gerard Gallant: “You don’t judge MacKenzie’s game by goals or assists, ever.” Rather, his role is that of a defensive forward: “MacKenzie’s role, one he fully embraces, is as a defensive forward. He centers Florida’s fourth line, is on the Panthers’ top penalty-killing team,” the Miami Herald wrote in an article.
Expect parallels to be drawn between MacKenzie and Cal Clutterbuck all series long.