Welcome to Puck Drop Preview 2015-16, where our hockey department gives you a detailed look at each team from around the NHL leading to the start of this hockey season and offers our insight and analysis. Makes sure to stick around until the end of the series, where we’ll offer our full predictions for the standings in each division, and eventually our collective LWOS 2015-16 Stanley Cup pick. You can check out all our articles on our Puck Drop Page. Today we continue with the Florida Panthers.
Puck Drop Preview: 2015-16 Florida Panthers
Last Season
With Gerard Gallant behind the bench and a new culture change installed, the Florida Panthers were expected to make an impact in the 2014-15 season, and they sure did. They went from a bottom-dwelling team the previous season to one that wouldn’t back down from a fight and engaged in a game of leap-frog with the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators for one of the two wild card spots.
Convinced his team had a strong fighting chance of a post-season appearance, General Manager Dale Tallon went into trade deadline day looking for a key piece to improve his team and he found it in ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr. The future hall-of-famer was placed on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau and together, they lit it up. The move led to Huberdeau having a turnaround season, leading the team in assists and points.
No player shined brighter on the team than 18-year-old Aaron Ekblad, who quickly became a pivotal piece on the Panthers blueline. Leading all defensemen in goals, assists and points in his rookie year, Ekblad took the Calder at the end of the year, becoming the first member of the Panthers to win the award since Huberdeau in the 2012-13 season.
Unfortunately, through a lot of bright spots and goaltender Roberto Luongo giving his team a chance to win every night, the team slipped late in the season and couldn’t catch up to the teams in front of them. Despite failing to make the playoffs, their 2014-15 season wasn’t all a loss, as they learned some tough lessons and their youth gained valuable experience for the next season.
Offseason
Tallon identified the importance of having the presence of Jagr in his line-up and signed him up for another year, convincing the 42-year-old that Florida was the place to be. After all, he did manage 18 points in 20 games while on the top line. On top of landing Greg McKegg for Zach Hyman, Tallon signed undrafted centreman Brett Olson to a one-year deal. The 28-year-old put up 14 goals and 45 points in the AHL last season.
Still left on the table is restricted free agent Huberdeau. Last season was the final year on his three-year contract, which paid him $3,194,166 annually. The 22-year-old forward was expected to up his game last season, especially with the hiring of his former QMJHL head coach, and he did in a big way. Of course, his production numbers were elevated when Jagr arrived, but his compete level was through the roof, justifying his role on the team’s top line.
The biggest face change of the offseason was the acquisition of forward Reilly Smith for forward Jimmy Hayes, but also picked up the contract of Marc Savard, who is set to be paid a pinch over $4 million for the next two seasons. Tallon signed a few players to one-year, two-way deals and also bought out the contract of Brad Boyes.
With the 11th overall pick at the draft, Tallon went with forward Lawson Crouse. Big, versatile and physical, the Panthers went with a prospect that exemplified leadership qualities, and Crouse certainly has that. On top of stocking their cupboards with a group of forwards, Tallon also picked up goaltenders Samuel Montembeault and Ryan Bednard.
2015-16 Opening Day Lineup
Forwards
Jonathan Huberdeau – Aleksander Barkov – Jaromir Jagr
Brandon Pirri – Nick Bjugstad – Reilly Smith
Jussi Jokinen – Dave Bolland – Vincent Trocheck
Quinton Howden – Drew MacKenzie – Rocco Grimaldi
Shawn Thornton
Defensemen
Brian Campbell – Aaron Ekblad
Erik Gudbranson – Willie Mitchell
Dmitry Kulikov – Steven Kampfer
Dylan Olson – Alex Petrovic
Goaltenders
Roberto Luongo
Al Montoya
Mike McKenna
Players to Watch
Jonathan Huberdeau
After capturing the Calder in his rookie year, Huberdeau had a sophomoric slump that led to fans souring on him. He managed to turn things around last year and lead his team in points, becoming a strong presence on the team’s top line. With Jagr coming back next season and Barkov becoming more confident, it will be a story that continues to develop for Panthers fans.
Roberto Luongo
After returning to the team where he became an established goaltender, Luongo had a strong year with the team. Posting 28 wins and some of the best numbers in the last five seasons, Luongo returned to his old, dependable self and gave his team a chance to win every game. His tenacity and leadership between the pipes became an inspiration to the rest of the team. Even if he has seven years left on contract that he himself knows is a terrible one, he can still provide stellar goaltending for a young and upcoming team.
On the Rise
Nick Bjugstad
Bjugstad improved his goal production last season and was one of the more consistent players on the Panthers. One of the team’s brightest young stars, Bjugstad improved his game in the offensive zone but still fell into the same traps of forcing a play when it wasn’t there. His defensive game will need working on, but under the coaching style of Gallant, that shouldn’t be too big of a problem.
On the Decline
Shawn Thornton
It’s slim pickings when it comes to players who could be on a decline as of next year and the narrative may be a common one when it comes to Thornton, but his fall from grace has hit too hard to go without mention. Once a glorified fourth-line player in Boston that wore the team’s colors on his heart, Thornton was reduced to just 46 games last season and appeared to be a shell of his former self. While he only has one more year on his contract, this season could be the factor on his future in the league as a player.
2015-16 Predictions
Tallon didn’t make too many improvements to the team this year, but there wasn’t much needed in the first place. The important one was managed quite early with bringing back Jagr, and the top line should return to putting goals on the board. Bjugstad’s contributions on the second line will continue to grow, especially if he is paired with newcomer Reilly Smith. What is unknown at the time is if Lawson Crouse will be given some time with the big club this early into his development. He has the size for the NHL and could be tested as soon as next year.
The defense has a solid mix of experience and youth and should continue to be led by the strong pairing of Brian Campbell and Ekblad. Luongo will return to the pipes and the team will hope he trends upwards like he did last season. Al Montoya is a decent back-up goaltender at the NHL level, which should give Panthers fans a little ease if the team runs into injuries this season.
Like last season, expect the Panthers to be in the mix for a playoff spot once again. The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs have trended downwards, while the Ottawa Senators will ice a similar team compared to last season. The Panthers will need to be more consistent down the stretch and can not afford to slump so late in the season, like they did last year.
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