The Florida Panthers and their fans have something to look forward to, because like the Senators, they are building on a foundation of homegrown, developing players who are only going to get better, with few exceptions.
It may be just a matter of making sure they put these prospects in a position to succeed.
Here is how the lineups project for this coming season, as suggested by dailyfaceoff.com:
UP FRONT
On paper Ottawa looks like a deeper group, and at the moment has more talent in the now. The ageless Jagr anchors the Panthers in terms of experience and leadership for a very young group. In his 20 game stint in Florida, he netted 18 points and was a +7, enough for both sides to want to continue the relationship between a 43 year old player and a franchise that didn't even exist when Jagr started his career.
I think it is pretty amusing that from an outsider's perspective the Reilly Smith for Jimmy Hayes deal looks like a wash, but when I said that earlier this summer fans from both sides argued that their team was far better off as a result of the exchange so I guess both sides are happy.
PATROLLING THE BLUE
Aaron Ekblad had a tremendous rookie season, was justly rewarded with the Calder Trophy, and if he can continue his development he could be in the Norris conversation very soon. Campbell's numbers tailed off last season, and at 36 he is probably not the threat he once was. The two teams have almost mirror images in Ottawa native Erik Gudbranson and Jared Cowen, both big defensemen who were high draft picks and players that their respective clubs need more from as they reach the age where they should be developing faster than they have been. For Ottawa, Karlsson remains the ultimate game-breaker and at least for the time being is the best player in the matchup.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
Luongo's stock fell with the Vancouver shenanigans, but on a good team he would still be an elite goalie. His and Anderson's numbers are quite similar, but it was the support they received after injuires that was the difference to their teams last year. While Ottawa's third stringer heroics are well known, the Panthers were 2 points out of a playoff spot when Luongo and Montoya went down in the same game in early March. By the time Luongo returned just over two weeks later, the Panthers had fallen 7 points out, the number they would end up missing the playoffs by. Assuming Anderson is the starter for Ottawa and Hammond doesn't open up the way he finished the season off (a fairly safe assumption I think), then this matchup is pretty even in net.
So, while the Panthers might be a threat in an Atlantic Division that is certainly improving from within, they are a couple of years behind the Senators in their learning curve. They should be in the playoff mix for a lot of the season, but I don't see them being there at the end, while the Senators should be. The Panthers' time will come, but it won't be this year and their rebuild will continue with more solid prospects in their pipeline.
But for now, the Senators shouldn't have to worry too much about Florida unseating them for position.