Quick hit before I head down to South Florida tomorrow for some warm weather and Panthers hockey, amongst other things.

The Panthers are 5-5-1 in their last 11 games and show signs of big improvement under the new coaching regime lead by Peter Horachek. However, there are still energy lapses that are inexcusable. Especially to start games.

But John Madden and Brian Skrudland as assistant coaches have proved very valuable to the players both on and off the ice. The two men represent two different generations in hockey, and both have adapted well to their roles as mentors they once sought when starting out.

Players like Nick Bjugstad, Aleksander Barkov, and Jonathan Huberdeau have really thrived under this new coaching combination, which bodes well for the future.

But in all reality the season is slipping away quickly for the Panthers. They currently sit 8 points out of 8th in the East with 5 teams in between. Unless a 5 or 6 game win streak comes soon, the rest of the pack may be too far out of reach.

But if nothing else Horachek is keeping lines together so they can build some chemistry. Steve Goldstein, voice of the Florida Panthers, had these thoughts from a post on the Panthers website:

"Keeping lines and defense pairings together has also been helpful in a big way. Chemistry develops between players that are comfortable together and know one another's tendencies. I've enjoyed watching the improved play and there is still room to grow in the mental approach to games. One thing I know for a fact, that mental toughness, reading the situations on the ice and playing smart hockey is being preached every day by a coach and his assistants who know what it takes to win in the NHL."

Can this team make a run? Possibly. But playing sound, fundamental hockey while letting the playmakers on this team be creative is what was lacking with Kevin Dineen's system. The style of play from the Cats is much different, and continued steady improvement could have the Panthers battling for that 8th spot come March.

Dan Spiegel...
Florida Panthers Media
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