First-time NHL head coaches often have to start from the bottom, taking over a rebuilding team bereft of talent.
Bob Boughner, hired to lead the Florida Panthers on Monday, doesn’t see himself in that type of situation.
Boughner joined Sportsnet’s Starting Lineup on Tuesday, where he expressed excitement over taking over a group led by young stars, perhaps most notably Aaron Ekblad and Aleksander Barkov.
“That’s the one thing that was so appealing about this job — and let’s not kid ourselves, there were only two out there in Buffalo and Florida — but I love the pieces here. I think the guys you just mentioned and then you got guys like (Jonathan) Huberdeau and (Nick) Bjugstad, that are still young guys that are making their way in the NHL… they got some veterans sprinkled in there as well.
“There’s a lot to be hopeful for.”
The Panthers missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2016-17 in a disappointing follow-up to the franchise’s first Atlantic Division title the year prior.
You can listen to the full interview below.