Florida Panthers Season Preview

After a successful 2015-16 campaign, the young-and-upcoming Panthers were expected to do some damage but thanks to injuries and inconsistent play they missed the playoffs. Many changes were made this off season as three of their top-six forwards were let go to provide cap room partly because of the expansion draft. With virtually no depth on offence and average goalies, the Panthers should once again be near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Arrivals/Departures

Arrivals: Radim Vrbata, Evgeny Dadonov, Michael Haley
Departures: Jaromir Jagr, Jonathan Marchessault, Reilly Smith, Jussi Jokinen, Thomas Vanek, Jakub Kindl, Shawn Thornton, Steven Kampfer, Michael Sgarbossa, Greg McKegg, Seth Griffith, Reto Berra



Forwards:

Aleksander Barkov has quietly became one of the best young players in the NHL as he has became a solid two-way player who can score goals too. Jonathan Huberdeau has also became a very good player but he missed most of last season putting up 26 points in only 31 games. Vincent Trocheck is another one of the Panthers' good young players who has put up back-to-back 50-plus point campaigns. Nick Bjugstad is one of the best third-line centers in the NHL even after a disappointing season where he missed lots of games; expect a bounce back season. After those four forwards, rest of the offence is full of question marks as Jaromir Jagr, Jonathan Marchessault, Reilly Smith and Jussi Jokinen are all gone. Radim Vrbata performed well for the Coyotes last year putting up 55 points but he is an up-and-down player despite having a career high with the Coyotes. This year's first-round draft pick Owen Tippett may not be ready to make the NHL but because the Panthers lack depth he may be thrown into the top six; if this happens, his first year might not be very successful. Jared McCann also may be in the top six after a year spent mainly in the AHL. The centers on this team are good but with the wingers the team might struggle to score. Evgeny Dadonov has made his way back to the Panthers after five years in the KHL, Dadonov could bring much-needed offence or could be a bust. Colton Sceviour was decent last season but is more of a depth forward; he will probably be thrown onto the third line. The fourth line may consist of captain Derek MacKenzie, enforcer Michael Haley and Denis Malgin.



Defenceman:

Aaron Ekblad may be the next superstar defenceman in the NHL as he has shown all the tools to become one after his first three seasons, but it would be nice if he could contribute more offensively like Karlsson and Burns this upcoming year. Jason Demers may not be wearing a Panthers jersey when the season opener comes around because of money but for now he will start beside Ekblad. Keith Yandle is in the same boat as Demers as he is also overpaid but Yandle provides more leadership and is better offensively. Michael Matheson was good in his rookie season so he should get more time this year to show what he can do. Mark Pysyk was also good in his first year with the Panthers and should also get more time. The last spot on the defence will be Alex Petrovic's as he provides physicality and grit. Ian McCoshen will also compete for a spot; if Demers is traded he will probably be his replacement.



Goaltending:

Roberto Luongo is not the goalie he once was and after an injury-riddled campaign in which he did not play very good, questions remain if he can keep up the play as he gets up there in age. James Reimer is one of the best backups in the NHL and can fill in for Luongo if he starts to struggle. They will probably go for a goalie tandem that splits the games if Luongo can not keep up his play.

Projected Lineup:

Jonathan Huberdeau	Aleksander Barkov	Radim Vrbata
Jared McCann	Vincent Trocheck	Owen Tippett
Colton Sceviour	Nick Bjugstad	Evgeny Dadonov
Denis Malgin	Derek MacKenzie	Michael Haley
Jayce Hawryluk	Curtis Valk	Alexandre Grenier

Aaron Ekblad	Jason Demers
Keith Yandle	Michael Matheson
Mark Pysyk	Alex Petrovic
Ian McCoshen	Mackenzie Weegar

Roberto Luongo

James Reimer

Harri Sateri

Top 10 Players:

10. Radim Vrbata

9. James Reimer

8. Jason Demers

7. Roberto Luongo

6. Nick Bjugstad

5. Keith Yandle

4. Vincent Trocheck



3. Jonathan Huberdeau

2. Aleksander Barkov

1. Aaron Ekblad

Projected Finish: 73 Points (8th in Atlantic)
Last Year: 81 Points (6th in Atlantic)

Photo credit for Radim Vrbata, Aaron Ekblad and Vincent Trocheck goes to https://www.nhl.com/. Alex Barkov goes to https://www.si.com/.