NHL Season Preview: Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers


Last Season's standings: record- 37-34-11 for 85 points. The Pantthers finished the season in 4th in the Southeast Division, 11th in the Eastern Conference.

In: Todd Bertuzzi F (via trade w/ Vancouver Canucks); Alex Auld G (via trade w/ Vancouver Canucks); Bryan Allen D (via trade w/ Vancouver Canucks); Ruslan Salei D (prev. team: Anaheim Ducks); Branislav Mezei D; Ed Belfour G (prev. team: Toronto Maple Leafs); Steve Montodor D; Gregory Campbell F; Stephen Weiss F; Craig Anderson G; Juraj Kolnik F; Mike Van Ryn D; Ric Jackman D

Out: Roberto Luongo G (via trade w/ Vancouver Canucks); Lukas Krajicek D (via trade w/ Vancouver Canucks); Jamie McLennan G (new team: Calgary Flames); Jon Sim F (new team: Atlanta Thrashers); Sergei Payer F (new team: Ottawa Senators); Sean Hill D (new team: NY Islanders)

Season Outlook: Fair. The Florida Panthers made a huge splash at the Draft this year w/ a Blockbuster move to acquire Todd Bertuzzi, in desparate need of a fresh start. They also got promising young d-man Allen and Auld, who played well in place of injured Starter Cloutier last year. Unfortunately, in the NHL in order to get something, you have to give up something. In this case, the Panthers were forced to part with Star goalie Roberto Luongo. Auld will once again be relegated to back-up as the Panthers signed 40-year-old Ed Belfour. This was a huge risk as Belfour is coming off back surgery and his best days are behind him. On defense, young star Jay Bouwemeester will once again be a force to be reckoned with. He'll be joined by veterabs Allen, Alexei Semenov and Ric Jackman. Upfront is where the scoring might become more challenging as beyond Bertuzzi, star Olli Jokinen and Gary Roberts, the team is filled with players either over-the hill or just in their 1st or 2nd or even 3rd seasons.

Season Prediction: This team will also compete this year, but they will fall short finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference, 4th in the Southeast Division.