When Jonathan Huberdeau went down with an Achilles injury during the last exhibition game last season, everything changed. All of the positive momentum from the most successful season in franchise history the previous year was gone.
The Panthers might not have known it at the time, but what was about to happen was a spiral of futility, dysfunction, and underachieving that no one could've predicted for a team supposedly on the rise.
The trickle effect from Huberdeau's injury was palpable. Losing him caused a sluggish start, costing Gerard Gallant his job. It put Tom Rowe into a position he was ultimately not qualified for that eventually affected the locker room in very negative ways.
The 2016-17 Florida Panthers were arguably the biggest disappointment in the NHL, especially after being the most improved over the two prior seasons.
On paper they had as much talent as anyone in the East, but the injuries and lack of cohesion throughout the organization resulted in this team missing the playoffs by an unacceptable margin.
Everything that could go wrong last year did, and for that reason there is nowhere to go but up.
Sadly, Florida Panthers fans are so used to pain it is difficult to turn those frowns upside down when there is still so much uncertainty going into this year.
Last year the Panthers decided to go with a more analytical model in assembling their roster. That was ridiculed around the league as a poor decision. While no team could sustain success with the injuries the Panthers suffered, those that wanted to criticize Florida for their "new age approach" to acquiring personnel got exactly what they wanted.
Wonderfully transparent Panthers ownership had enough and put Dale Tallon solely back in charge, and the identity of this club should be easy to restore now that there is one voice and person steering the ship.
Because of the gaffes the organization made over the last few years, it may take a little time for Tallon to make the roster completely in his vision again. It was reported he did try to bring back Erik Gudbranson via trade during the summer...a trade that was nixed by Jason Demers much to the dismay of Panthers Nation.
Despite Gudbranson's mediocre statistics, he was considered a potential future captain and very important player on this team. Most fans will say that is where the downfall truly began.
Through trying to trade for him Tallon was in agreement, and won't stop making this team tougher to play against than it was last year.
Some big questions need to be answered as we lead up to the start of the season.
Will Brandon Pirri be a Florida Panther again?
Will Nick Bjugstad finally have linemates that can help him become more consistent?
Will the power play improve under Bob Boughner and an entirely new coaching staff?
Will the locker room find new leadership now that Jaromir Jagr, Shawn Thornton, and Jussi Jokinen are gone?
Will Roberto Luongo's health hold up, even though he will probably be starting less than 40 games?
Will Aleksander Barkov's back make it through a full season?
Will Jace Hawrlyuk, Maxim Mamin, and/or Owen Tippett make the team?
All teams have questions and things to figure out as the season approaches, but the Panthers are unique in seeing the best and worst in two consecutive years. The hope is last year was an anomaly and they can be more of the 2015-16 Panthers.
From the coaching staff on down, there is new blood, systems, and enthusiasm as the next chapter begins. Soon it will be revealed what this team will bring to the table.
Dan Spiegel
Florida Panthers Media
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