As we approach the 2016-17 season, we’re previewing what’s ahead for each of the 30 NHL teams. Here’s a look at the Florida Panthers.
MAIN SUMMER HEADLINES
• Panthers trade defenceman Dmitry Kulikov to Sabres
• Panthers sign goaltender James Reimer for five years, $17 million
• Panthers sign defenceman Jason Demers for five years, $22.5 million
• Panthers sign defenceman Keith Yandle for seven years, $44.45 million
• Panthers give defenceman Aaron Ekblad eight-year, $60 million extension
• Panthers trade forwards Dave Bolland and Lawson Crouse to Arizona for draft picks
• Ekblad practises for first time after World Cup neck injury
Head coach: Gerard Gallant
GM: Tom Rowe
Team payroll: $63.78 million ($73 million salary cap)
2015-16 Record: 47-26-9 (First in Atlantic)
GF: 239 (Sixth in NHL)
GA: 203 (Sixth in NHL)
Result: Lost in first round to New York Islanders, 4-2
Key acquisitions: Keith Yandle, Colton Sceviour, Jonathan Marchessault, Jared McCann, Jason Demers, Mark Pysyk, James Reimer, Reto Berra
Key departures: Brian Campbell, Brandon Pirri, Dmitry Kulikov, Jiri Hudler, Willie Mitchell, Rocco Grimaldi, Dave Bolland, Al Montoya
Rookies to watch: After three strong seasons with Boston College, defenceman Michael Matheson skirted his senior year to join the AHL’s Portland Pirates. He had eight goals and 12 assists in 54 games with Portland before getting in three games with the Panthers at the end of last season, plus five playoff games.
Matheson’s showing with Team Canada at the 2016 World Championship, where he helped them win the tournament with two goals and four assists in 10 games, sets him up for his first full season with the Panthers. He’s a steady, two-way defenceman with a smooth skating stride and a booming shot.
Florida will have a successful season if…
The new players quickly adjust to their new environment.
There was a lot of turnover from the 2015-16 edition of the Panthers to this year’s team, which is interesting considering they won the Atlantic Division with 103 points.
Keith Yandle has to be an upgrade on departed blue-line anchor Brian Campbell. Jason Demers will have to push play as effectively as defenceman Dmitry Kulikov did.
Up front, Jared McCann, Jonathan Marchessault and Colton Sceviour can add a solid layer of scoring depth—if they feel comfortable with their new team out of the gate.
And goaltender James Reimer has to take some games away from 37-year-old Roberto Luongo to keep him fresh for what could be a long playoff run.
Florida will have an unsuccessful season if…
Jaromir Jagr, Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau don’t enjoy the same success they had as a line last season.
These three led the charge, combining for 184 points in 2015-16. If Jagr’s age finally catches up with him, or if Barkov and Huberdeau take a step back, that would spell trouble for the Panthers’ playoff hopes.
