{"id":533544,"date":"2026-03-11T15:22:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:22:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/533544\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T15:22:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:22:09","slug":"hinostroza-makes-triumphant-return-to-the-panthers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/533544\/","title":{"rendered":"Hinostroza Makes Triumphant Return to the Panthers"},"content":{"rendered":"

SUNRISE \u2014 Vinnie Hinostroza fits the description of a hockey journeyman but looked right at home back with the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n

At age 31, Hinostroza has played for seven different NHL teams since his NHL debut in the 2015-16 season. During that span he also played for four different AHL teams.<\/p>\n

He was traded three times, waived once and signed four free agent contracts.<\/p>\n

This is his second tour with Florida. He went pointless in nine games during the covid-shortened 2020-21 season.<\/p>\n

He once scored a high of 16 goals, with Arizona in 2018-19. There were subsequent seasons in which he scored as low as five, four, two and even one goal.<\/p>\n

Hinstroza had three goals in 48 games with Minnesota this season before coming back to Florida.<\/p>\n

He was reacquired by the Panthers at the deadline<\/a> as depth insurance for the venerable \u201cfuture considerations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hinostroza is on an expiring two-year, two-way minimum wage contract signed with Minnesota. In his situation he would be advised to hold off establishing a residence in South Florida.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, he earned his moment of fame with the Panthers by scoring on his first shot on goal, a deflection of a Jesper Boqvist shot towards the net in Florida\u2019s eventual 4-3 comeback win<\/a> against the Detroit Red Wings.<\/p>\n

It was his third shift.<\/p>\n

The one goal would have been considered a good night\u2019s work, but he added an assist on Niko Mikkola\u2019s third-period goal.<\/p>\n

Bill Zito made Hinostroza one of his first free agent signings \u2014 Carter Verhaeghe, Radko Gudas, and Anthony Duclair were part of that 2020 class.<\/p>\n

But in nine games, he had zero points and was traded to his hometown Chicago Blackhawks.<\/p>\n

In his return Tuesday, Hinostroza had a goal and two points.<\/p>\n

Welcome back.<\/p>\n

For his efforts, he was awarded the official second star of the night. Verhaeghe could not be denied the first star for his tying and winning goals in the final 90 seconds of the game.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Hinostroza was relatively low-keyed post-game when discussing his first goal.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was huge, I think. I was just trying to go to the net,\u2019\u2019 he said afterward. \u201cBo shot it on net and I just got a nice little tip there.\u201d<\/p>\n

He has been through this drill enough times, but it is never easy to jump into the lineup of a new team.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think, first game, I got the jitters out of the way,\u2019\u2019 Hinostroza said. \u201cMy linemates (Boqvist and Luke Kunin) really helped me out there. Playing a different system and stuff \u2026 still focused on (what) I can do better but that was a fun first game. That was a big win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul Maurice was very complimentary of the effort of his latest fourth line and its newest member.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood for him,\u2019\u2019 Maurice said. \u201cDrove the net, made a nice play around the back of the net on the second one, on Mikkola\u2019s goal \u2026 Those three guys never played together before. They were good. They worked hard. They respected the game. They didn\u2019t try to overdo things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hinostroza has been around long enough that the trade only mildly surprised him. This is a far different Florida team than his first tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t see it coming,\u201d he said at his first practice with the team. \u201cComing back here, there are three of four guys that were here. A lot of new faces, a new practice facility that\u2019s amazing. I\u2019m just excited to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Brad Marchand likely closed down for the season and Maurice expecting to rest his weary veterans, Hinostroza will probably get plenty of opportunity to prove himself.<\/p>\n

After the season, it\u2019s the free agent route all over again.<\/p>\n

Or, perhaps, he sticks around a little longer this time.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

ON DECK: GAME No. 65
\nCOLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS at FLORIDA PANTHERS\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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