• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Florida Panthers

Time for the Panthers’ Youngsters to Shine

By Suraj Sukumar August 8th, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Keys to Success

The Florida Panthers have used the summer to bolster their depth and have acquired some much needed help through several experienced players. Most notably, the additions of Dave Bolland, Jussi Jokinen and Derek MacKenzie will give the Panthers a much needed boost in competitiveness while helping Roberto Luongo keep the puck out of the net. They are all skilled two-way forwards who excel at the defensive end of the ice.

Willie Mitchell Kings

(Rich Kane/Icon SMI)

Their defense remains intact, with Willie Mitchell being the key addition on the blueline. He spent the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Kings and his experiences in winning two Stanley Cups will be some welcomed wisdom for the not-so-fortunate.

Speaking of the not-so-fortunate, Dmitry Kulikov and Erik Gudbranson are two players who have yet to come into their own, and this season will be a huge determinant in their development. Kulikov’s recent contract proves the Cats’ have faith in him, but the injury problems and lack of consistent play must be a concern. For Gudbranson, the injuries are even more of a concern, as he played in just 97 games for the past two seasons and accumulated just 13 points. In their defense, they have not had a great group to play with, but this season will be a very different team, and both Kulikov and Gudbranson are in a good position to become more reliable NHL defensemen. If they fail to do so, you can bet that the Panthers’ season will be greatly disappointing as a result.

The Evident Truth

Given all the boosts on the defensive end, it becomes clear that Dale Tallon and the rest of the Panthers’ organization have faith in the corps of this team, and it will be upto the youngsters like Aleksander Barkov, Nick Bjugstad and Jonathan Huberdeau to carry the offensive load. In terms of potential and  talent, the Panthers have a lot to work with. All three players were top level prospects during their draft year and this should be the season where they become a reliable offensive unit. If they do not, the Panthers will have an extremely tough time qualifying for the NHL playoffs.

Nick Bjugstad

Nick Bjugstad has become a major offensive threat for the Florida Panthers. (Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports)

Bjugstad had a solid season as one of the Panthers’ top centers and showed a solid two-way game. Barkov was already proving himself prior to injury while Huberdeau is still riding the highs of a Calder-winning rookie season. His hip injury and surgery were a key argument for his poor season, but with Gerard Gallant behind the bench, expect Huberdeau to turn things around in 2014-15. Barkov, Bjugstad and Huberdeau were drafted to be top-six players, and by the looks of things, they are well on their way to earning full-time roles with much more offensive responsibility.

Another player who should have been fighting for a spot come training camp is first overall selection Aaron Ekblad. He is a very skilled defender and has been pegged as “NHL-ready” for quite some time. Sadly, Ekblad suffered a tough injury during a World Junior Championship exhibition game and has been diagnosed with a concussion. The Panthers still have a pretty busy blueline and they will make sure Ekblad has fully recovered before taking any chances with their prized prospect.

(Ekblad Injury, imgur)

Contract Years

There are also a few players who will be looking for their first contracts as NHL players. Huberdeau and Bjugstad are clear cornerstones of this franchise and the coming season will be the major factor in determining where they stand with the Panthers. Based on last season, Huberdeau may be nothing more than a complimentary winger, whereas Bjugstad proved he is ready for a larger role in the NHL.

(Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports)

(Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports)

For Huberdeau, hopefully the motivation of getting paid the big bucks will help him find that much needed ‘pip in his step’. If both Huberdeau and Bjugstad take their games to the next level, expect their pay grade and importance on this team skyrocket.

Outside of the young guns in Florida, Tomas Fleischmann, Scottie Upshall, Tomas Kopecky and Sean Bergenheim are all veterans in the final year of their contract, and their future will depend heavily on their ability to help this team into the playoffs. Dale Tallon has built this team with hopes of making the postseason, and any player seen as an extra piece will surely be playing their final season in the Sunshine State.

With so much adding up for Florida over the past few off-seasons, the Cats seem poised to make another run at the NHL playoffs. Furthermore, the upgrades have come at all the right positions, making this team very competitive in all situations. As long as the young guns take their game to the next level, expect 2014-15 to be a very interesting season for the Florida Panthers.

  • Tags
  • Aleksander Barkov
  • Jonathan Huberdeau
  • Nick Bjugstad
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 25th 2:55 PM
Column

Flyers Who’s Hot & Who’s Not: Elliott, JVR, Hart & More

Jan 25th 2:45 PM
Column

Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Matthews, Campbell, Simmonds & More

Jan 25th 2:10 PM
Column

Penguins Weekly: Knocking Off the Early Season Rust

Jan 25th 2:00 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers News & Rumors: Ennis, Puljujarvi, Bouchard, More

Jan 25th 1:50 PM
Women's Hockey

Whitecaps, Riveters Tied Atop Standings After Day 2 of NWHL Season

Jan 25th 1:40 PM
Column

Prospects News & Rumors: Gaucher, Michkov & Chromiak

Jan 25th 1:30 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Sit Cozens After First NHL Goal

Jan 25th 1:20 PM
Boston Bruins

Bruins’ News & Rumors: Pastrnak, Bergeron, Grzelcyk & More

Jan 25th 1:10 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers Weekly Preview: Jets, Leafs & Senators Each Offer Unique Challenges

Jan 25th 12:05 PM
Boston Bruins

Bruins’ Offense Takes a Step Forward in the Right Direction

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information