FLORIDA PANTHERS: 08-09 Season Preview

07-08 RECORD: 38-38-9 85 points
DIVISION: 3rd
CONFERENCE: 11th
RESULT: Missed playoffs

OFF-SEASON:
ARRIVALS: LW Cory Stillman(CAR/OTT), D Keith Ballard(PHO), D Nick Boynton(PHO), D Rory Fitzpatrick(PHI), G Curtis Beckford-Tseu(STL), D Bryan McCabe(TOR)
DEPARTURES: D Jassen Cullimore, D Magnus Johansson, C Oli Jokinen, D Branislav Mezei, D Steve Montador, LW Garth Murray, C Jozef Stumpel, D Mike Van Ryn

Another off-season gone and another franchise player gone for the Florida Panthers. The Panthers dealt their franchise leading scorer, Oli Jokinen to the Phoenix Coyotes in a draft day deal. The Panthers acquired top-4 and rising defensemen Keith Ballard and defensemen Nick Boynton. This leaves the franchise going in a direction no knows where it is going to go. To make things worse the Panthers were unable to lock-up franchise defensemen Jay Bouwmeester to a long-term deal, settling for a one year deal which leaves a ton of speculation that Bouwmeester will test free agency. If Bouwmeester leaves that will be 3 franchise players gone in the last 4 years. Bouwmeester will get the big buck in free agency so the Panthers would be smart to deal him cause it definitely seems like Bouwmeester doesnt want to be a Panther anymore. The Panthers were able to sign Cory Stillman to help the void left by Jokinen up front but had to severely over pay to do it. The Panthers finished off the summer by acquiring Bryan McCabe from the Leafs, which looks like their plan b if Bouwmeester does leave.

CAP HIT: 52.29 million

FORWARDS:
My Projected Lines:
1- D.BOOTH-S.WEISS-N.HORTON
2- R.OLESZ-S.MATTHIAS-C.STILLMAN
3- R.ZEDNIK-B.McLEAN-R.DVORAK
4- V.PELTONEN-K.KREPS-W.BELAK
E- A.STEWART-G.CAMPBELL-M.FROLIK

The pressure is on for the Panthers young guns to really step up into the place of Jokinen. Stephane Weiss and Nathan Horton now become the center-piece of the Panthers offense and the Panthers will live or die by these two. David Booth will also have to improve on his 22 goals even if it is only the 25 mark, that should help the front line. Shawn Matthias looks to be in good shape of centering the Panthers 2nd line, especially after the strong performance in his brief call-up last season. Matthias will center Stillman and Rostislav Olesz. Stillman is good for 60-65 points, while Olesz is another young guy who will have more pressure put on him to produce offensively. Richard Zednik looks like he s healthy again from that horrific incident last season and will add some scoring punch from the third line. He could push for 2nd line time if Olesz isn't able to produce but only time will tell. Brett McLean is a good 3rd line center but the Panthers had a 2nd line role in mind when they signed him last summer. Radek Dvorak and Ville Peltonen will rotate between the 3rd and 4th line depending on how consistent they play.

DEFENSE:
My Projected Pairings:
1- J.BOUWMEESTER-K.BALLARD
2- B.ALLEN-B.McCABE
3- K.SKRASTINS-N.BOYNTON
E- C.MURPHY-N.WELSCH

The Panthers will be alot stronger defensively this season with the acquisitions of Ballard, Boynton and McCabe. Well maybe not McCabe who is a liability in his defensive end but he does add a spark offensively. Bouwmeester and Ballard could make one of the best young pairings in the league and should be counted on for 28-30 minutes a night. Bryan Allen, the only player left from the Luongo trade is a solid top-4 defensemen and could do well with McCabe. Karlis Skrastins and Nick Boynton bring the leadership to the group and will make a solid 3rd pairing. Noah Welsch will push Skrastins for playing time and if he does succeed in making the club, Skrastins could be on the move.

GOALIES:
1- T.VOKOUN
2- C.ANDERSON
3- C.BECKFORD-TSEU

Who knows where the Panthers would have been without Tomas Vokoun last season. Vokoun was simply remarkable and without a doubt the Panthers MVP. He is an elite goaltender and brings huge leadership into the dressing room. Craig Anderson proved he is an excellent back-up and the Panthers shouldn't be worried when Vokoun needs a night off.

OVERALL

The Panthers will live and die with their core of young players up front. Weiss, Horton, Booth and Olesz will be looked upon to step up big time and produce. No more excuses for these guys, the time is now and the Panthers are giving them a chance to shine. New coach Peter DeBoer who is said to be the next great coach, will have his hands full. The Panthers are set on the back-end with Bouwmeester and Vokoun, it is just a question is this Bouwmeester's last season in a Panthers uniform, if so the Panthers whole organization will come into question.

PREDICTION- 4th Division, 12th Conference