Florida Panthers are on the right track
Just a year after missing the play-offs by one goal, the Florida Panthers once again found themselves in the basement of the Eastern Conference. If it were not for the Toronto Maples Leafs poor 2009-10 campaign the Panthers would have been last in the East.
Many would say that the drop in the standings was regressive, however for the Panthers it was actually a step in the right direction.
Florida has been in desperate need of a re-build for several years, and last year they finally started. They shopped and traded their veterans and dealt skilled players such as Nathan Horton for youngsters and prospects. Bringing in General Manager Dale Tallon and Head Coach Peter DeBoer was a move towards the future. The Panthers are no longer settling for a simple play-off appearance, but rather a run at the Stanley Cup.
Line-up Changes
Florida completed most of their trades at last year’s trade deadline, and focused the off-season on filling their line-up, specifically their forward core.
They brought in Marty Reasoner, and traded for Steve Bernier, Michael Grabner, and Boston Bruins defenceman Denis Wideman.
Forwards
For the first time in several years the Panthers look as though they have a crop of forwards that can develop into a potent offensive unit.
Outside of David Booth, Rostislav Olesz, Stephen Weiss and Michael Frolik, it is unclear who will be filling the remaining two spots in the top-six.
Similarly the bottom-six spots are also up for grabs. However, it is likely that Reasoner and Byron Bitz will be appearing somewhere on the third or fourth lines.
Defence
Tallon seems to be content with his defence for the upcoming season, a group that will feature a top pairing of Wideman and Bryan McCabe. The second pairing is likely to be Bryan Allen with Keaton Ellerby. The final two spots on defence will be filled by Dmitri Kulikov and Mike Weaver.
Goaltending
Tomas Vokoun will once again be asked to carry the load for the Panthers next season, but will be backed up by the very competent Scott Clemmensen.
On the right track
It is unlikely that the Panther will make the post-season next year, making it a record setting 10th straight season of missing the play-offs.
Nevertheless, the franchise is beginning to move in the right direction electing to slowly build with youth, rather then filling roster holes with veterans.
Upfront the Panthers are one of the most promising teams in the NHL. Players such as Booth, Weiss and Olesz are expected to be entering their prime over the next two years, while youngsters such as Graber, Frolik and Shawn Matthias give the franchise hope for the future.
With these players garnering first and second line minutes, Florida should develop faster and most effectively.
As bright as the Panthers look on offence the defence is in stark contrast. Outside of Keaton Ellerby and Dmitri Kulikov the Panthers have an aging back-end. The good news for Tallon is that McCabe’s $5.75 million contract expires at the end of the year.
The Panthers also still have questions in goal. Vokoun is ageing and is no longer capable of stealing games like he used to. Fortunately for Tallon the Panthers top prospect is currently goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who with Vokoun’s contract expiring at the end of the season, could be forced to take over the starting job as early as the 2010-11 campaign.
Next year the Panthers will struggle to make the post-season, however their goal will be to come together as a team, as well as continue the development of their young forwards.
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