Dmitry Kulikov Suspended 4 Games for Low Hit on Tyler Seguin
Feb 16, 2015
DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Tyler Seguin #91 of the Dallas Stars falls to the ice after being hit by Dmitry Kulikov #7 of the Florida Panthers in the third period at American Airlines Center on February 13, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Dallas coach Lindy Ruff was critical of Kulikov's conduct before Monday's suspension was announced.
"It's a play that I don't like,” said Ruff, via The Dallas Morning News' Mike Heika (h/t ProHockeyTalk.com's Dhiren Mahiban). "It's a dirty, low play that the league doesn't like, and I want to see the league deal with it. They took out one of the best players in the league, and it's something that has to be dealt with and I'll let them deal with it."
The Stars are still in the hunt for a Western Conference playoff berth. However, they will have to move forward without their top scorer in Seguin, who has 29 goals and 30 assists this season.
Based on the impact Seguin has in Dallas and how much of a blow it is to the club's postseason hopes, some will argue Kulikov deserved a more severe banishment.
Florida is in its own race for the playoffs in the East, though. Losing the talented, young Kulikov for four games is an adverse development that the Panthers will have to deal with.
For a Florida team that lacks offensive firepower, Kulikov's presence as a defender is extremely valuable. It will be interesting to see how the hit on Seguin impacts Kulikov's style of play moving forward.
Florida Panthers Wisely Extend Budding Star Center Nick Bjugstad for 6 Years
Dec 31, 2014
SUNRISE, FL - OCTOBER 30: Nick Bjugstad #27 of the Florida Panthers looks on during a game against the Arizona Coyotes at BB&T Center on October 30, 2014 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The Florida Panthers are in the midst of a great 2014-15 season in which Nick Bjugstad has been at the forefront. Shortly after a 2-1 loss against the Montreal Canadiens, it was announced by Miami Herald Panthers beat writer George Richards that Bjugstad inked a six-year extension worth $24.6 million.
The deal was signed between the first and second periods of Tuesday's loss vs. Montreal, and Bjugstad will make $4.1 million a season starting in 2015-16.
Dale Tallon finalized Nick Bjugstad's new six-year deal with agent during first intermission tonight in Sunrise. #FlaPanthers#Habs#Gophers
The former Minnesota Golden Gopher standout has 60 points in 121 career games, but this is a great signing that mutually benefits the parties involved.
The sophomore center leads the Panthers in scoring with 13 goals and 21 points in 34 games after recording 38 points in 76 games last season. If he continues his pace, the 22-year-old will finish with 31 goals and 51 points in his second professional season. Here is a look, via Sporting Charts, of where Bjugstad is scoring his goals.
The goal totals and areas of success are pretty solid, and the deal can only continue to look better and better.
A shooting percentage of just about 14 percent is solid—and attainable. Tyler Seguin and Rick Nash on the other hand have a shooting percentage in the 20s, and that is something harder to repeat. Scoring one goal on every five or so shots is tough, but Bjugstad shouldn't have the same difficulty or pressure.
It also helps that he is scoring in the slot around the net and not just fluke garbage goals. He has a few of those, but who doesn't?
Right now, the Panthers offense is flowing through the hands of Bjugstad, and he is making a name for himself with his goal-scoring. This is no different than what he accomplished in college, as Bjugstad finished with 54 goals in 109 collegiate contests.
The Panthers power center has an enviable frame at 6'6" and 218 pounds, and it allows him to protect the puck with ease. He probably is one of the strongest players in the league, and if people call Joe Thornton "Jumbo" at 6'4" and 220 pounds, what does that make Bjugstad?
It makes him a behemoth, and a talented one at that. Ultimately, some may feel that a salary of $4.1 million a year is too much too soon for a player who, in the grand scheme of things, is unproven. While this may be the case, the deal makes sense for a number of reasons.
#FlaPanthers new six year deal with C Nick Bjugstad keeps him through RFA years as well as first UFA ones as well. Nice deal for both.
First, the deal is structured in a way in which the Panthers pay Bjugstad for his remaining restricted free-agent years and his first two unrestricted years. When you factor in that the salary cap will progressively rise during the length of the deal, it makes sense that the Panthers incentivized Bjugstad to waive years of negotiation and arbitration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyxVdKR_OfA
Based on how Bjugstad is playing now and trending, there is no doubt he would have commanded $5 million a year at some point in the near future. There is always the chance for regression, but ultimately, the risk is low.
No one is saying Bjugstad will be the next Thornton, and no one is saying he will become Nik Antropov. However, the fact remains that it makes a ton of sense to lock up a homegrown, fan-favorite center with immense size, reliability in all three zones and a solid goal-scoring acumen.
It has been a decade since the Panthers had exciting talent like Nathan Horton, Stephen Weiss and Pavel Bure, and the trio of Bjugstad, Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov has promise to be the next wave of top Panther talent.
The comeback Cats are building something in Sunrise, and the ownership group clearly wants to build around the youth. Inking Bjugstad to a long-term deal is the right step for a franchise looking to sustain success and gain legitimacy in the process.
Complete Preview for the Florida Panthers' 2014-15 Season
Sep 30, 2014
Apr 6, 2014; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) makes a save in the third period of a game against the Dallas Stars at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
When the Florida Panthers hired general manager Dale Tallon during the summer of 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks team he'd helped build had just won its first Stanley Cup. It was hoped that Tallon could apply the same model of success in the Sunshine State, building a winner around a collection of high draft picks accumulated through unsuccessful seasons.
The Panthers won the Southeast Division and made the playoffs in 2011-12, but they have regressed back to the league cellar in the two subsequent campaigns.
With new owner Vincent Viola spending money to build a winner, Panthers fans are hoping that the team's new mix of youth and experience will direct them back into the playoff picture in 2014-15.
What We Learned in 2013-14
On September 27, 2013, a new era began in South Florida when Viola was introduced as the owner of the Florida Panthers.
The winning did not begin last season. The Panthers moved up just one spot in the standings, from 30th to 29th. Florida was second worst in the league at both scoring and defending.
The scene was bleak across the forward lines.
Nick Bjugstad led the team in scoring with 38 points. Brad Boyes was Florida's only player to reach the 20-goal plateau. After posting 14 goals and 31 points in his rookie season, 2013 Calder Trophy winner Jonathan Huberdeau was hit by a serious sophomore slump with just nine goals and 28 points in 69 games. Promising rookie Aleksander Barkov suffered a season-ending knee injury while playing for Team Finland at the Winter Olympics.
On November 8, the Panthers' 3-9-4 start led to the firing of head coach Kevin Dineen. After failing to get Florida any closer to playoff contention, his replacement, Peter Horachek, was also dismissed at the end of the season.
Florida's biggest personnel move of the 2013-14 season came March 4, when the team reacquired goaltender Roberto Luongo from the Vancouver Canucks, along with forward Steven Anthony, in exchange for Jacob Markstrom and Shawn Matthias.
A former Panther who played 331 games for Florida between 2000 and 2006, rumors circulated that Florida was the top team on the wishlist for the three-time Vezina finalist and two-time Olympic gold medalist when it became clear that his time was up with the Canucks during the summer of 2012.
Luongo had a respectable run as a Panther to close out the season. He debuted with a shutout against the Buffalo Sabres on his way to a 6-7-1 record with a 2.46 goals-against average and .924 save percentage.
Despite the optimism surrounding Florida's new ownership and on-ice potential, attendance plummeted in 2013-14. The lockout year produced the second-best attendance in the team's history with an average gate of 16,996 in 2012-13, but that number dropped to 14,177 last season, according to ESPN.com. That was second worst in the league after the Phoenix Coyotes and the lowest number since the Panthers moved to their current 19,000-plus seat arena in 1998.
He also served as coach for Jonathan Huberdeau in junior, when the Saint John Sea Dogs reached the Memorial Cup in 2012.
Huberdeau told Alain Poupart of NHL.com: "I know he's a coach who likes to make everybody feel involved in the team. That's what we need on our team, get all close together."
Huberdeau will have plenty of new teammates to get close to this fall. Gone are goaltender Scott Clemmensen, free agent defenseman Tom Gilbert and oft-injured defenseman Ed Jovanovski, who was given a compliance buyout.
In free agency, Tallon made a splash with his new owner's money, paying premium prices to sign centers Dave Bolland and Derek MacKenzie, wingers Jussi Jokinen and Shawn Thornton, defenseman Willie Mitchell and backup goaltender Al Montoya.
Here's a look at the Panthers' projected lineup for the new season:
Forward
Defense
Goal
Jussi Jokinen
Aleksander Barkov
Brad Boyes
Jonathan Huberdeau
Nick Bjugstad
Scottie Upshall
Tomas Fleischmann
Dave Bolland
Sean Bergenheim
Tomas Kopecky
Brandon Pirri
Jimmy Hayes
Derek MacKenzie
Shawn Thornton
Brian Campbell
Dmitry Kulikov
Willie Mitchell
Erik Gudbranson
Dylan Olsen
Aaron Ekblad
Colby Robak
Roberto Luongo
Al Montoya
The Panthers also won the 2014 NHL draft lottery, which allowed them to pick big defenseman Aaron Ekblad first overall. He has a good chance of cracking the lineup of a Panthers team that still lacks depth on the blue line. Other prospects who will be fighting for jobs include 2010 first-rounder Quinton Howden and 2011 second-round pick Rocco Grimaldi, though there won't be much available space in the lineup.
No longer a team that struggles to reach the salary cap floor, CapGeek.com reports that the Panthers have 25 NHL players signed at a cap hit of $64 million—just $5 million away from the ceiling.
Showing no shortage of confidence, Ekblad is aiming for the stars:
Ekblad says he already has NHL skills but hopes to be one of the best players in world someday #FlaPanthers
As a Canuck, Luongo battled against new teammates Bolland and Thornton in the playoffs, but he says he likes the additions that the Panthers made over the summer.
Roberto Luongo says he thinks #FlaPanthers can put things together, challenge for playoff spot. 'I didn't come here for vacation.'
Final Central Scouting Ranking: No. 2 North American skater
Height/Weight: 6'4'', 216 lbs
DOB: February 7, 1996 (18 years old)
Most Recent Affiliation: OHL, Barie Colts
Background
Aaron Ekblad is a talented prospect that has been talked about since the 2013 NHL draft ended. He spent this past season as the captain of the Barrie Colts and led by example. He's a solid all-around defender who scored 23 goals and added 30 assists for 53 points in 58 games in 2013-14.
He is a solid prospect, and there are a lot of things to like about him.
Full Scouting Report
Ekblad is an intimidating defender with impressive size at 6'4" and 216 pounds. He became the first defender in Ontario Hockey League history to be granted exceptional status to play a year early, and he is a very good prospect.
He is the type of defender every team covets, and his physicality, leadership ability and offensive upside make him a grade-A prospect.
His heavy shot makes him a great asset on the power play, and that isn't available every day.
NHL Player Comparison
Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators. Ekblad is a defender with great size, a booming shot and solid offensive potential. In many ways, he is similar to the Predators captain.
NHL Timetable
Ekblad is a can't-miss prospect, and there is a good chance that he'll make the jump right to the NHL for the start of the 2014-15 NHL season.
That's the expectation he has set for himself. After being selected first overall, the defenseman said via NHL.com's Adam Kimelman, "I'm going to expect to make it, and I'm going to make it because I work hard and do the right things."
Look for Ekblad to bolster the Panthers' blue line when the NHL returns next season.
Top-End Potential
Ekblad was a bona fide No. 1 pick for most of the season, but a late rise by Sam Bennett knocked him down a peg. Nonetheless, Ekblad is a great player who has first-pairing potential.
His positioning and hockey IQ are a bit suspect at this point, but he is still very young yet very composed for an 18-year-old.
His size and booming slap shot will always be assets, and if he can put the rest of it together, he has the ceiling of a cornerstone rearguard.
Gerard Gallant Named Florida Panthers Head Coach: Latest Details, Analysis
Jun 21, 2014
The Florida Panthers announced they have hired Gerard Gallant to become their new head coach. He replaces Peter Horachek, who served in an interim capacity following the dismissal of Kevin Dineen early last season.
We are pleased to welcome Gerard as the new head coach of the Florida Panthers. He is an individual with tremendous character, integrity and a strong passion for the game and has experience as an NHL head coach. Gerard is an excellent teacher and motivator who possesses the leadership qualities and hockey knowledge that are necessary to lead our team.
Gallant spent parts of three seasons in Columbus. He finished his run with a 56-76-6 record with four ties before getting let go during the 2006-07 campaign. The team was still in the building process at the time, which would have been difficult on any coach.
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch noted Gallant didn't have much chance of success given the lack of talent available to him:
He now inherits a Panthers squad that finished with the second-worst record in the league last season. That said, there are reasons for optimism in Florida, starting with the fact the franchise holds the top overall selection in this year's draft.
Between that elite prospect—defenseman Aaron Ekblad makes the most sense—and the group of young players that includes Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Nick Bjugstad, there's reason to believe the Panthers are moving in the right direction.
Huberdeau will likely be particularly happy about the hire. The talented forward is off to a nondescript start to his career but, as Harvey Fialkov of the Sun Sentinel points out, he enjoyed success under Gallant with junior team the Saint John Sea Dogs:
Make no mistake, it's likely going to take a couple more years of development before the Panthers are ready to contend. The outlook is positive, though. Gallant must use his strength in terms of player development to help expedite the process.
Florida has only qualified for the playoffs once since 2000. That's a stat that will need to change within the next two or three seasons if Gallant wants to make his second stint as an NHL coach to become more successful and last longer than his first one.
A press conference to officially introduce him as the team's 13th head coach is scheduled for Monday.
Why the Florida Panthers Should Be Shopping the No. 1 Pick in 2014 NHL Draft
Jun 15, 2014
Dale Tallon, the Florida Panthers' Executive Vice President, during a Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 press conference in Sunrise, Fla. Vincent Viola was formally introduced as the Panthers' principal owner, chairman and governor on Friday, after spending $250 million for the team and the operating rights to the BB&T Center, where Florida plays its home games. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
As it currently stands, the Florida Panthers would be the first to step up at the podium in Philadelphia after commissioner Gary Bettman officially opens the 2014 NHL draft on June 27, but that could be changing.
There have been reports by Damien Cox of theToronto Star that general manager Dale Tallon has received a "fair offer" for the top draft choice, but that doesn't necessarily mean the pick will be dealt.
The Panthers were not the worst team in the NHL last year—they are only two years removed from a Stanley Cup playoff appearance—but they won the NHL draft lottery. The southern Florida franchise could opt to draft budding blueliner Aaron Ekblad of the Barrie Colts, or one of Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett and Leon Draisaitl, a trio of forwards that graced the cover ofThe Hockey News' 2014 draft preview issue.
CALGARY, AB - JANUARY 15: Sam Reinhart #23 of Team Cherry lines up for the ceremonial face-off against Aaron Ekblad #5 of Team Orr during the CHL Top Prospects game at Scotiabank Saddledome on January 15, 2014 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek
These are all realistic scenarios, but the Panthers ultimately should be shopping the No. 1 pick in the draft because the return would help the franchise more than either of the top four prospects would.
Dealing the No. 1 pick would give the Panthers a chance to receive an impact player, a prospect and another pick. The impact player who can help the team now would be more valuable than any prospect would, considering the Panthers are indire straits financially, according to the Sun Sentinel.
It is no secret that the NHL may consider expansion at some point, considering the fact that there are 16 Eastern Conference teams and 14 Western Conference teams, but a relocation of an East team to the West would make more sense.
The Panthers are a struggling franchise that is under new ownership. Vincent Viola took over the team in 2013, but things are so bad that the team is going to be scaling back its seating capacity for home games in 2014, according to team beat writer George Richards of The Miami Herald.
The reduction in attendance will do nothing to help the team financially, and if the team continues to remain in the red, relocation would become a realistic option.
The Panthers would be a prime candidate because of their struggling attendance numbers, their inability to turn a profit and the fact that Florida may not be able to support two NHL franchises. The Tampa Bay Lightning are also situated in Florida, but they haven't had problems even while losing, and this was because of star names such as Brad Richards, Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier.
SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Jonathan Huberdeau #11 of the Florida Panthers passes the puck against the Washington Capitals at the BB&T Center on February 27, 2014 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
When you look at the Panthers, who stands out? There is no denying the talent and potential of youngsters Jonathan Huberdeau, Nick Bjugstad, Aleksander Barkov and numerous others, but will they be able to carry this team into playoff contention before it is too late?
The Panthers need players who can help them now, not prospects who will be decent this year and not fully matured and ready to be a factor until three or four years from now. No disrespect to the top prospects from this draft, but there is as much chatter about these prospects as there has been about other top prospects in years past.
Getting a top player back would strengthen a lineup already featuring some good young players and a team set in net with Roberto Luongo. While getting a top-end prospect would be nice, the Panthers most likely don't have the time to play a waiting game considering they may be in danger of relocation in the next few years.
Maybe things change if former Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss Dan Bylsma becomes the guy in Sunrise. Maybe he can turn things around, and his reputation makes free agents want to come to Florida. Maybe then the Panthers will compete, make the playoffs and start making money again.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 12: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman visits FOX Business at FOX Studios on June 12, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)
These are all good things in theory, but that's exactly the problem. They are "maybes," "but ifs," "if onlys" and other conceptual things. In order to be successful, the Panthers need tangible things, and Bettman is going to only give them so much leeway if they continue a downward spiral.
According to capgeek.com, Tallon has 14 players signed for this season and just about $31 million to spend on free agents in cap space, although that number is likely lower because of the team's financial situation. A head coach needs to be hired.
However, Tallon needs to make a decision on the No. 1 pick, because dealing the pick for a worthwhile package could launch a meaningful period of growth for the Panthers that saves them from relocation and puts them back into the playoffs.
The Stanley Cup Final may have just ended, but there is still a ton of interesting stories and drama as the NHL draft on June 27 approaches.
Florida Panthers Fire Interim Head Coach Peter Horachek
Apr 29, 2014
Updates from Tuesday, May 6
TSN's Darren Dreger has the latest on the Panthers' coaching search:
Original Text
The Florida Panthers announced on Tuesday that interim head coach Peter Horachek will not return to the team in 2014-15, according to a press release on the team's official website.
Horachek was given the interim tag and took over head coaching duties in November after Kevin Dineen was fired in the midst of a nine-game losing streak. The Panthers finished the season 26-36-4 under Horachek to conclude the year with the second-worst record in the NHL.
What's more, Florida ranked 29th in the league in goals per game (2.3) and goals against (3.2). Even worse, the Panthers ranked dead last in power-play percentage (10.0) and penalty-kill percentage (76.0).
Executive vice president and general manager Dale Tallon explained the decision to move in a different direction, via the team's official website:
Peter worked very diligently since taking over as interim head coach in November, but at this time we feel that a fresh approach and a new direction is needed behind our bench. We will immediately begin an extensive search for a new and experienced coach for our franchise, who will guide the Panthers to future success. We once again thank Peter for all of his hard work and service and wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Tallon spoke more a press conference following the announcement (via George Richards of the Miami Herald):
Regardless of who Tallon brings in this offseason, the new face will be asked to carry out the tall task of turning around a perennial NHL bottom dweller and changing the culture in Sunrise, Florida.
The Panthers have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs just once since the start of the 2000-01 season and haven't been past the first round since they were swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Finals back in 1996.
Although Horachek was unable to capitalize on his first NHL head coaching opportunity, there's a good chance the 54-year-old will land on his feet, as pointed out by Nashville Predators beat writer Jim Diamond:
Horachek was a longtime assistant under Barry Trotz, who coached the Predators for the past 15 seasons before being fired on April 14.
As Sportsnet's Josh Rimer notes, Horachek is just the latest in a long list of fired NHL head coaches:
At this stage, it appears that Horachek is better off than the Panthers, who lack not only a head coach, but the star power, leadership and tradition to assist in luring in big names in free agency.
Plus, with only eight playoff spots available for the 16 competing teams in the Eastern Conference, it doesn't appear Florida will be in contention for the Cup in 2014-15.
Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.
What the Florida Panthers Should Do with the 1st Pick in 2014 NHL Entry Draft
Apr 20, 2014
Dale Tallon, the Florida Panthers' Executive Vice President, during a Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 press conference in Sunrise, Fla. Vincent Viola was formally introduced as the Panthers' principal owner, chairman and governor on Friday, after spending $250 million for the team and the operating rights to the BB&T Center, where Florida plays its home games. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon has been blessed with the first overall pick before, so he should in theory know what to do with it come the 2014 NHL entry draft.
The last time was in 2007, when he was at the helm of the Chicago Blackhawks and the team had just come off its fourth straight season without a playoff appearance. He ended up picking Patrick Kane, with Chicago winning the Stanley Cup three seasons later.
That isn’t to insinuate Florida is on the cusp of winning a championship, but this pick being used wisely certainly won’t hurt its chances.
That means not trading it away. Thankfully, Tallon never once traded away a first-round pick with Chicago or during his first four seasons with Florida—at least not without getting one back in exchange. So, chances are good he doesn’t break from the trend here.
After all, to squander what will be a by-all-accounts home run for an easy fix would clearly be a mistake—especially seeing as Florida is beyond easy fixes at this point in time.
However, it would nonetheless be quasi-justifiable to move down just one or two picks and add an asset or two all the while. That’s because there are no fewer than three can’t-miss prospects to be had at this year’s draft: Kootenay Ice center Sam Reinhart, Barrie Colts defenseman Aaron Ekblad and Kingston Frontenacs left winger Sam Bennett.
In its April rankings, the International Scouting Services (ISS) placed Reinhart first, Eklbad second and Bennett fourth, behind Oshawa Generals forward Michael Dal Colle. Meanwhile, NHL Central Scouting’s final list had Bennett first, Ekblad second and Reinhart third. Dal Colle is fifth on that list.
It should be noted that these final rankings mean very little in the way of the order the players will eventually get picked. Different teams deploy different strategies as far as the draft is concerned.
Assuming Tallon doesn’t trade away his selection and the Panthers do indeed get the pick of the litter, this shouldn’t be a matter of choosing the best player available, but rather addressing a specific need.
Kootenay Ice forward Sam Reinhart.
If it were the former, one can make a good case that the Panthers should take Reinhart, who is projected as a sure-fire franchise center and has consistently made his way atop scouting lists.
However, Florida already has two emerging top-six centers in Aleksander Barkov and Nick Bjugstad. Three if you count Brandon Pirri, whom Tallon slyly acquired from the Blackhawks. He went on to put up a decent 14 points in 21 games with the Panthers this season. Four if you count Scott Gomez, but...you really shouldn’t.
Meanwhile, Bennett should be discounted as a possible pick because the Panthers already have a top-line left winger in the making in Calder Memorial Trophy winner Jonathan Huberdeau.
Furthermore, the discrepancy between where ISS and Central Scouting ranked Bennett should at the very least be a cause for concern. There’s little doubt at this point Bennett will be a game-breaker, but there should at least be some that he’s on the same level as Reinhart or Ekblad.
That brings us to Ekblad, an 18-year-old defenseman who is already 6’4” and 216 pounds. Defensemen traditionally take longer to develop than forwards, but at least in terms of size, he’s NHL-ready.
It may take time for him to become an actual top-pairing defenseman, but the Panthers have time on their hands before they’re ready to legitimately compete for even a playoff spot—one of the few benefits of posting a sub-70-point season, complete with points awarded for losing in overtime no less.
While Florida admittedly could use help on offense, having just finished second-last in goals scored (188), it also finished second-last in goals against (262). It’s defense that ultimately wins championships, or so goes the popular saying.
That should be the priority, especially with a potential superstar like Ekblad available.
Obviously, the Panthers already have a defensive corps rife with young talent made up of the likes of Erik Gudbranson (22 years old), Dmitry Kulikov (23), Dylan Olsen (23), Alex Petrovic (22) and Colby Robak (23). They are complemented nicely by veterans Brian Campbell (35) and captain Ed Jovanovski (38).
However, of those, only Gudbranson and Petrovic shoot right. Current Panther Tom Gilbert does as well, but he’s a pending unrestricted free agent and, at 31, does not realistically figure into the team’s long-term plans.
Seeing as Petrovic projects more as a depth defenseman, the Panthers could definitely use another blue-chip righty.
That’s where Ekblad comes in...or at least should if Tallon does the right thing and picks him this summer.
There’s a common misconception that Tallon has an excellent drafting record. However, for every first-round pick used on a Kane or Jonathan Toews, there’s been a bust.
For example, Jack Skille was taken seventh overall in 2005, when Anze Kopitar, Marc Staal and Tuukka Rask were still available. In 2008, he took Kyle Beach 11th overall when Tyler Myers, Erik Karlsson and Jordan Eberle were still up for grabs.
The jury is still out regarding his most recent picks at the helm of the Panthers, and it’s important to realize this particular one is far from a slam dunk.
That doesn’t mean that whomever Tallon ultimately chooses will be a bad pick—first overall picks are very hard to completely screw up.
Make no mistake, though. There is a best pick out there: Ekblad.
Panthers' Bjugstad Sets Dubious Record by Leading Team with 38 Points
Apr 14, 2014
Florida Panthers center Nick Bjugstad shoots the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 23, 2014 in Anaheim, Calif. The Ducks won 6-2. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)
Florida Panthers rookie forward Nick Bjugstad set a dubious NHL record this season, becoming the first player in league history to lead his team in points with 38 or fewer in a full 82-game season, per The Miami Herald.
The previous record holder, Scott Pellerin, scored 39 points for the expansion Minnesota Wild in 2000-01. Pellerin played just 58 games for Minnesota that season, then logged another 19 appearances for the Carolina Hurricanes following a trade.
Bjugstad played in 76 of Florida's 82 games this season, as the perennial bottom-feeders finished 29-45-8, good for 66 points and the NHL's second-worst record. Standing between the Panthers and the cellar were the woeful Buffalo Sabres, a team that finished 21-51-10 with a humiliating 52 points.
Of course, even the Sabres managed a pair of 40-point scorers, with forwards Cody Hodgson (44) and Tyler Ennis (43) both reaching that total.
The Panthers, meanwhile, had nary a 39-point scorer, but at least managed to have four players finish with 35-plus points. Doing the honors were Bjugstad (39), defenseman Brian Campbell (37), forward Scottie Upshall (37) and forward Brad Boyes (36).
Of the four, only the 21-year-old Bjugstad offers true hope for better days ahead, as the Panthers' other 35-point scorers are all middling veterans.
Bjugstad, a former first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2010 NHL entry draft, had just one point in 11 NHL appearances heading into the 2013-14 season. Hopes were high for the rookie, but he wasn't quite an elite prospect, and certainly wasn't expected to lead the team in points.
Of the Panthers' young forwards, former No. 3 overall pick (2011) Jonathan Huberdeau was subject to the highest expectations and entered 2013-14 as the favorite to lead Florida in points. Sixty-nine appearances and 28 points later, the 20-year-old Huberdeau has seen his stock fall quite a bit, though there's still more than enough time to undo the damage.
Assuming Huberdeau gets back on track, the Panthers could soon have a trio of formidable young forwards in Bjugstad, Huberdeau and 2013 No. 2 overall draft pick Aleksander Barkov.
Better days may still be years away, but the 2014-15 Panthers should at least have multiple candidates to crack the 50-point barrier after setting an embarrassing record in 2013-14.
Why the Florida Panthers Reacquiring Roberto Luongo Was the Wrong Move
Mar 16, 2014
Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo makes a save against Phoenix Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89), of Denmark, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 11, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
As great of a story Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo’s homecoming is now, all signs point to it not standing the test of time and eventually only disappointing.
Need proof? Look only to Luongo’s seven-season tenure with the Vancouver Canucks. It was, in a word, epic.
He got named captain, helped lead the team to five straight Northwest Division titles and even within a game of the Stanley Cup. He even participated in two Olympics, including the 2010 edition in Vancouver as Team Canada’s gold-medal-winning starter.
Even with all those positives, most people will only remember the lows. He had to eventually step down as captain and was in net for numerous embarrassing playoff defeats, including the 4-0 Game 7 loss against the Boston Bruins back in 2011 that led to the city’s post-Stanley Cup Final riot.
There was also, of course, the goaltending controversy between him and Cory Schneider, the goaltending controversy between him and Eddie Lack and, who can forget, the two-year-long trade-watch saga that resulted from the two.
Vancouver Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom.
You know, the one that finally culminated in him being dealt back to Florida for Jacob Markstrom and Shawn Matthias. The one that was thought to be over last summer when Schneider, the younger and better of the two, was traded instead when no one would meet Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis’ demands for Luongo’s suckycontract?
Well, thank God for Dale Tallon. He was able to get Gillis to reduce his demands enough and earn the privilege of taking it on instead. Yay.
Of course, it admittedly doesn’t all suck. Vancouver is retaining 15 percent of Luongo’s salary. And should Luongo retire before his contract expires, the Canucks, not the Panthers, will be the ones hit hardest by recapture penalties, all according to CapGeek.com.
However, for a team that is currently 30th in the league in cap spending, recapture penalties shouldn’t be a major concern. In some instances, i.e., most years for the Panthers, they may even be invited just to allow the team to get over the cap floor.
Really, the big problem with Luongo’s deal isn’t at all cap-related. After all, as far as starting goalies go, Luongo’s annual cap hit of $4.533 million for the Panthers (the Canucks will still have a hit of $800,000) is relatively affordable. It’s the fact that Luongo is going to be 35 this year. It’s also that he’s under contract until he’s 43.
It’s that his best season, save percentage-wise (.931), came 10 years ago, when he was with Florida the last time around. It’s that he hasn’t truly been an elite goalie since 2010-11 when he posted a save percentage of .928. It’s that he hasn’t hit .920 since then.
It’s that for the next eight years the Panthers have committed to a goalie who may be very good, but is still on the downswing.
So, yeah, barring a trade, Luongo will now be a Panther up until the year 2022. But don’t worry, he has a full no-trade clause to ensure that doesn’t happen, at least not without another gong show unfolding for all the NHL to see.
On the plus side, all due respect to the team’s fans, should that ever happen, the Panthers might actually become relevant again. Because the Panthers being 27th in NHL attendance, despite offering season tickets for as low as $7 per game, according to George Richards of the Miami Herald, sure doesn’t indicate there’s much interest in them in Florida, let alone around the rest of the league.
Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon.
Maybe that’s what all this is about.
After Jay Bouwmeester was traded away in 2009 and Tallon let Stephen Weiss walk last summer, he might have realized the franchise was lacking a new face. He might have even looked at consistently low attendance figures, saw they were at their lowest (14,785) since Luongo first debuted for Florida in 2000-01 (14,679) and thought to himself the best new face of the franchise would be an old one from the era when the team failed to make the playoffs for 10 straight seasons.
Someone probably should have pointed out to him that Panthers attendance figures this century were the highest in 2011-12 (16,628) and 2013 (16,991), the last season Florida made the playoffs and the lockout-shortened one immediately following it, when Luongo was in Vancouver. It’s almost as if attendance is tied to both playoff appearances and realistic expectations of making them. Huh.
Someone could maybe have also pointed out that, as alluded to earlier, Luongo never once made the playoffs as a Panther, and he left when he was 27 and in his prime. He’s much less likely to single-handedly lead the team into the postseason now. Because that’s pretty much what it would require now, a superhuman effort on his part.
Sure, there are pieces in place that should help make this team competitive, but only in a few years at least, when Luongo is that much more removed from the height of his game. We’re talking about pieces like Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau and Nick Bjugstad (whom Tallon wisely held onto instead of parting with, per Gillis’ original demands, according to Andrew Eide at The Hockey Writers).
However, Markstrom was another piece, and he was projected to be a No. 1 goalie in his own right. While Markstrom was taking his sweet time to get there, he’s only 24, over a decade younger than Luongo. Tallon might be expecting Luongo to somehow magically regain his status as an elite goaltender, but Markstrom developing into one is simply more realistic. Tallon drafting a new 18-year-old who develops into one way before Luongo’s contract expires is yet another possibility.
In spite of all the twists and turns that have brought Luongo back to the state where he first made a name for himself, the narrative as far as this franchise is concerned is too predictable. The only way Florida competes from here on out is by management taking a different direction. While new owner Vinnie Viola seems legitimately determined to do just that, according to Harvey Fialkov of the Sun Sentinel, going backward in time has never been, nor will ever be, a way to move forward.
All trading for Luongo now does is make Florida slightly better in the short term, perhaps to the point that the team misses out on a top pick in this summer’s draft. In addition, the Panthers gave up a serviceable top-nine forward in Matthias.
Seeing as all the Canucks got in return for Schneider was a single first-round pick, it can very much be argued that the Panthers gave up too much—or rather they just didn’t get enough in return. If they were looking for a happy ending, it’s unlikely they will find one here.
