Maybe it's the lack of major news during an offseason watching the playoffs instead of participating in them that has everyone on edge.
Two postseasons ago seems like forever.
The most successful season in franchise history(103 points) in 2015-16 turned into one of the worst in terms of expectations.
Everything that could go wrong last year did. From injuries to potentially needless coaching changes to Tom Rowe not being the voice this young team needs, it was a disaster.
The good news is there is still not enough despair to force a rebuild. This is more of a RESET.
This reset started with trading Reilly Smith.
A fan favorite for some, Smith showed tons of promise two seasons ago with 25 goals.
Then he got paid.
He signed a 5-year $25 million extension last summer.
Inevitably when you sign multiple "core players" to long-term lucrative deals a few might experience a decline in production because hey, the pressure is off.
Smith fit this bill in addition to private and public friction with Rowe. It didn't take long for Reilly to go from inside the core to expendable, especially after Tallon was given completely control once again.
This is just my feeling, but it looked as if Smith was already sort of the odd man out. I don't know what he was like hanging out with the guys during off time. In the locker room it seemed like he was almost too reserved and quiet in relation to the character room Tallon is trying to build.
This is not to say that Smith is a terrible teammate or a person that wasn't respected as a Panther. But when your goal production drops off by 10 and you go from +19 to -13 in one year, it's clear there is a problem. Plus/minus usually doesn't tell the whole story, but in this case it does. Smith simply didn't fit into the hard-nosed, gritty style that Tallon wants and Boughner will install.
At $5 million per year, it was a no-brainer to create that financial flexibility. Smith played well under Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant and they obviously like each other. This is a win-win for both teams and it should not be hard for Tallon to find a better replacement.
Tallon said you win championships with defense, which is why Jonathan Marchessault was left unprotected in favor of keeping Mark Pysyk and Alex Petrovic.
It was easy for Vegas to pounce on Marchessault, a 30-goal scorer who will make $750,000 next year. Another strong offensive season will result in a monster deal next summer, which Tallon likely wanted to avoid.
However, Tallon is always talking about finding a 30 goal guy every offseason. He had one, for cheap, and still let him go.
Will Marchessault be the next Brandon Pirri? A flash in the pan that didn't do much after a brief period of scoring from everywhere? Panther fans hope so. If Florida struggles offensively next year while Marchessault continues to tear it up it will be a tough pill to swallow.
Many, myself included, thought struggling Nick Bjugstad should have been exposed instead. Sure 6'6" centers don't grow on trees. Only three seasons removed from 24 goals and 43 points, there is no question he has regressed in the last two years.
His continuous battles with injuries and coming off a 14 point season made him seem like a safer player to expose and more risk for Vegas to take him. If they took him, Florida loses their biggest player but keeps their best scorer in Marchessault. Perhaps if Gallant wasn't the Vegas coach it would have been easier to expose Bjugstad. But they have a personal relationship and both like each other a lot. Maybe that played a part in Tallon's decision.
The other factor is Tallon wants to build a team of big, strong, fast trees. Bjugstad is a poster child of his vision. He is also probably the most liked guy in the room amongst the players and media. He is simply a joy to be around and talk to. He brings intangibles off the ice that are valuable.
New head coach Bob Boughner has a reputation of developing young talent. Tallon knows Bjugstad will be a focus for Boughner because a scoring third line will do wonders for this team. It's not as if Bjugstad has never done it before. He just heeds to simplify his game and buy into a system that rewards his style of play. Things should be looking up for him when camp starts in a few months.
The financial flexibility achieved over the last few days cannot be understated. Yes the fans want everything to happen now but Tallon is obviously working the phones to make the right deal to get his RWs in order and fill the void created Wednesday.
A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link, both in terms of finances and personnel. A broken chain lies on the ground right now, but it is being fortified. The NHL Draft and free agency will reveal the plan Tallon has said is in place to get this organization moving in the right direction again.
Dan Spiegel
Florida Panthers Media
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