The Florida Panthers are a typical team coming off their best season in franchise history:
- They fired their head coach and replaced him with someone that a large percentage of the fanbase does not have faith in - They traded Huberdeau , a fan favorite and guy who holds multiple Panthers records - They traded Weegar, a big piece of their backend (a position they desperately need help in) - They signed a number of under-the-radar/fringe guys - They are so up against the cap that they have no money to do anything
Looking at that list as an outsider and you would rightfully be shocked. But as Eric Bischoof says, “context is king.… The reality is - at least in my humble opinion - the Panthers weren’t getting to the Cup with Brunette, Huby and Weegar. I don’t say that with disrespect or as a spurned fan. I liked/like Brunette, but the playoffs showed he was a bit over his skies as a head coach. And when it comes to Huby and Weegar, those are a couple pieces of a nucleus that could never seem to get up and over the hump, even with Florida having the best year of their existence last season. Add the business aspect into the equation and there’s no way the Panthers could have given those two guys the contracts Calgary did.
The bottom line is that, despite the success they had last season, this team needed a shake up because what they were doing wasn’t working.
That being said, this season will likely have growing pains and see some regression as a bunch of new guys learn how to not only play together, but master a new system from a new coach. Will they rack up 122 points for the season and a 4.11 goals per game average? Most likely not. But we should see a different brand of Panthers hockey. A tougher, more defensive-minded approach.
Change is good. Change is growth.
With that change, the Cats will look to shake off their disappointing 2021-22 playoff exit by coming out swinging tonight against a New York Islanders team that failed to make the playoffs last season.
Despite their offensive challenges, the Islanders were one of the best defensive teams in the league last year, surrendering only 2.58 goals per game. Mathew Barzal, their best player, led NYI with 59 points (15G, 44A) and just signed a big 8-year, $73.2 M deal, so expect him to be buzzing out there.
Bob gets the nod tonight and the Cats will ice a lineup that’s razor thin in terms of depth due to cap constraints, so hopefully these guys can stay healthy!
A new season is the best. Everything is fresh and everyone is eager to see how things play out. Tonight kicks off a new chapter in Florida Panthers hockey. With this new chapter, comes new questions. The top two seem to be:
1. Will Maurice fail? 2. Will Tkachuk live up to our expectations?
There are a lot of negative opinions surrounding both of these guys from Winnipeg and Calgary fans. For me, I’m optimistic and excited to give them a fair shake because they represent a change that was needed. I have high hopes for both of them, and until they consistently crush those hopes, I’m staying a glass-half-full guy.
So sit back and enjoy the game tonight!
Now let's start this season for real, shall we?#FLAvsNYI 📝 » https://t.co/fj8y1ncA6w pic.twitter.com/ffubHNJA1Q
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 13, 2022
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Grab a cold one and Go Panthers!