FORT LAUDERDALE - Bokondji Imama, a 30-year-old forward in his 10th professional season, is making a strong case for a Florida Panthers roster spot after turning heads in preseason camp with a combination of physicality, speed and a timely goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Imama, who has played 33 NHL games in his career - including 16 with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2024-25 season - signed a two-way contract with Florida that would typically signal an assignment to AHL Charlotte. Instead, he opened camp on the fourth line alongside Lars Eller, who has 1,184 NHL games to his name, and Garnet Hathaway, who has 672, according to Florida Hockey Now.
In his first preseason game, Imama fought Carolina’s Bryce Montgomery early in the first period. Two days later, he crashed the net and deflected a shot from Donovan Sebrango to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead late in the first period in Tampa Bay. Florida went on to win 5-3.
“He’s a powerful skater and a heavy forecheck, and that is what we look for on that line to kind of define our style of play,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “He can get in and get on the body. He’s got some really good speed, and certainly not afraid.”
Imama said the Panthers’ identity suits him well. “I think I fit perfectly in that style,” he said. “They want to play fast. They’re a hard team to play against, and that’s all my game. I take a lot of pride of being hard to play against, so I really like the fit.”
The Panthers have only a handful of roster spots remaining, with at least two expected to go to forwards for the fourth line. Cole Reinhardt, who has appeared in more preseason games than Imama, is considered to have an inside track on one of those spots. Reinhardt scored his third preseason goal Thursday, stripping veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh of the puck and beating Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Off the ice, Imama is a close friend of former Panthers forward Anthony Duclair. Both grew up in Montreal and have collaborated on a youth hockey initiative that includes a synthetic ice rink constructed at Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes. “I think both for me and Anthony, there might be some great accomplishment we’re proud of on the ice,” Imama said. “But every summer, seeing those kids again, meeting with their parents, just seeing how impactful we can be in their own lives, I don’t think there could be anything more fulfilling. It’s something we’re very proud of, and we’re going to keep on going.”
The Panthers host the Lightning in Game 4 of the preseason Saturday at 6 p.m. in Sunrise. Florida opens the 2026-27 NHL regular season at Carolina on Tuesday at 5 p.m. on ESPN, with the home opener against the Minnesota Wild set for Oct. 10 at 6 p.m.