The Florida Panthers improved a lot in 2014-2015 and were, surprisingly, in the playoff race until late in the season. What appears to be a problem for the Panthers, however, is that they didn’t make many moves at all this summer, so they have to hope for internal improvement if they are going to get to the postseason.

For a team that is hoping for its youth to help them get better, the Panthers are still dependent on aging veterans to lead the team.

In goal, Roberto Luongo keeps the Panthers competitive, as the 36-year-old continues to be an above-average starter.

On defence, 36-year-old Brian Campbell remains a play-driving force, even if he had a few minutes per game knocked off last season. Campbell is complemented at the top of the Panthers’ defensive depth chart by Aaron Ekblad, a 19-year-old coming off a phenomenal rookie campaign. Beyond those two, though, Florida’s defensive depth needs improvement.

While the future (and the present) of Florida’s forward core is built around young centres Aleksander Barkov and Nick Bjugstad, they will also count on production from 43-year-old right winger Jaromir Jagr, who tallied 18 points in 20 games after joining the Panthers last season. Since the Panthers need internal improvement, the performance of young forwards like Jonathan Huberdeau, Brandon Pirri and Vincent Trocheck should play a determining role.

It’s not easy to build a contender on a budget and, as it stands right now, the Panthers are probably going to need some favourable breaks in order to make the playoffs.

 

OFF-SEASON HEADLINES

July 1: Panthers acquire Reilly Smith, Marc Savard's contract from Bruins

 

2015-16 FLORIDA PANTHERS

* Off-season addition

 

Projected Lines

LW C RW
Jonathan Huberdeau Aleksander Barkov Jaromir Jagr
Brandon Pirri Nick Bjugstad Reilly Smith*
Jussi Jokinen Dave Bolland Vincent Trocheck
Shawn Thornton Derek MacKenzie Rocco Grimaldi
  David Booth (PTO)  

Fighting For Jobs: LW Lawson Crouse, LW Martin Havlat (PTO), C Quinton Howden

 

Projected Pairs

LD RD
Aaron Ekblad Brian Campbell
Dmitry Kulikov Willie Mitchell
Eric Gudbranson Alex Petrovic
Dylan Olsen  

Fighting For Jobs: RD Steven Kampfer, LD Michael Matheson

 

Projected Goalies

No. 1 No. 2 No. 3
Roberto Luongo Al Montoya Mike McKenna

Off-season Departures: RW Jimmy Hayes, RW Brad Boyes, D Shane O'Brien, D Jesse Blacker, G Dan Ellis

Projected Lineup: George Richards/The Miami Herald

 

SERAVALLI'S THREE QUESTIONS

1. Will restricted free agent Jonathan Huberdeau be lured by an offer sheet?

2. Are there enough minutes for first-round pick Lawson Crouse?

3. Do tryouts David Booth and Martin Havlat make the team?

 

 

BUTTON'S TOP PROSPECTS

Top 2015-16 Prospect

LW Lawson Crouse (Kingston, OHL): Big, strong powerful winger who has a very mature game and understands how to contribute.

Long-Term Prospect

D Michael Matheson (Boston College, H-East): Excellent skater who needs to continue developing that skill to impact all areas. Competes.

* Listed with 2014-15 teams

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

Three-Year Breakdown (League Rank)

  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Points 61 (30th)* 66 (29th) 91 (20th)
Goals For 2.3 (T-29th) 2.3 (29th) 2.4 (25th)
Goals Against 3.5 (30th) 3.2 (29th) 2.6 (16th)
Power Play 20% (6th) 10% (30th) 16% (24th)
Penalty Killing 74% (12th) 76% (30th) 80% (24th)
SAT% Possession 49.1% (17th) 51.0% (12th) 51.3% (15th)

* 2012-13 points: Pro-rated lockout-shortened total

 

ESTIMATED PAYROLL vs. CAP - $62.4/$71.4M

The Panthers are a budget team and aside from getting Jonathan Huberdeau signed they don’t have real cap concerns. That cap figure includes an inactive Marc Savard, a buyout for Brad Boyes and salary retained from a Kris Versteeg trade.

 

PARTING SHOT