By Alex Hobson
2014-15 LEADING SCORERS
LW Jonathan Huberdeau (15 G, 39 A, 54 P)
LW Jussi Jokinen (8 G, 36 A, 44 P)
C Nick Bjugstad (24 G, 19 A, 43 P)
LAST SEASON
The Florida Panthers had a decent campaign over the 2014-15 season. After selecting defenseman Aaron Ekblad with the 1st overall pick in the 2014 draft and adding several veteran free agents that same offseason such as Willie Mitchell and Shawn Thornton, the Panthers weren't expected to be as bad as the previous year. However, they failed to qualify for the playoffs by just a few points, earning them the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Trades that occured throughout the season included some depth moves such as unloading Joey Crabb and Colby Robak for younger players and picks. They also exchanged young players, sending Drew Shore to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Corban Knight. Around the deadling, it was somewhat difficult to tell whether they were trying to improve their roster or sell players on one year deals for draft picks, shown when they sent Sean Bergenheim to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2016 3rd round pick, and sent Tomas Fleischmann to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2015 3rd round pick and Dany Heatley, but then brought in veteran forward Jaromir Jagr in exchange for a 2nd and a 3rd. This addition wasn't good enough to bring the Panthers to the playoffs, but they had a young team and still had a bright future.
OFFSEASON
IN
Chase Balisy
Greg McKegg
Reilly Smith
Marc Savard
Sena Acolatse
Cameron Gaunce
Brent Regner
Mike McKenna
Rob Flick
OUT
Zach Hyman
Blake Parlett
Shayne Taker
Dany Heatley
Dan Ellis
Bobby Butler
Greg Zanon
Andrew Yogan
Tomas Kopecky
Josh McFadden
Ryan Martindale
Jesse Blacker
Shane O'Brien
Michael Houser
Scottie Upshall
The Panthers really didn't do too much to boulster their roster, nor did they lose anybody significant. They began the offseason with a minor trade, involving them sending 2010 5th round pick Zach Hyman to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Greg McKegg. They went into the draft and used their 11th overall pick to select big forward Lawson Crouse of the Kingston Frontenacs. Heading into free agency, they lost a few veteran names in Tomas Kopecky and Scottie Upshall, but made a trade with the Boston Bruins, sending rookie forward Jimmy Hayes to the B's in exchange for Reilly Smith and the contract of Marc Savard. They signed a few young forwards in Sena Acolatse and Cam Gaunce, but aside from that they were not too active.
NEXT SEASON PT 1. OFFENSE
The Panthers will head into the following season relying on the young talent of Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, and Nick Bjugstad. Veteran scoring help will come with Jaromir Jagr and Jussi Jokinen. Look for newly acquired winger Reilly Smith to put up a decent amount of points for the Panthers as well.
NEXT SEASON PT 2. DEFENSE
Arguably the biggest name on the Panthers' defense is that of Aaron Ekblad. He will step into a big role in the 2015-16 season after a solid previous campaign, and will be given help from Brian Campbell and Dmitry Kulikov. Expect Alex Petrovic and Dylan Olsen to challenge for regular spots on the defense.
NEXT SEASON PT 3. GOALTENDING
The Panthers goaltending will be piggybacked by Roberto Luongo, with Al Montoya backing him up. Nothing different from last year, so expect the same results nevertheless.
POSSIBLE 2015-16 OPENING NIGHT LINEUP
Jonathan Huberdeau - Aleksander Barkov - Jaromir Jagr
Jussi Jokinen - Nick Bjugstad - Reilly Smith
Brandon Pirri - Dave Bolland - Vincent Trocheck
Garrett Wilson - Derek Mackenzie - Shawn Thornton
Brian Campbell - Aaron Ekblad
Dmitry Kulikov - Erik Gudbranson
Dylan Olsen - Willie Mitchell
Roberto Luongo
Al Montoya
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