The Florida Panthers' ineptitude for practically a dozen years has left the team in a very unfamiliar spot. There are so many young, talented players on this roster that they will literally be growing up in front of our eyes for years to come.
If you pencil in Lawson Crouse, Rocco Grimaldi, and Quinton Howden as potential starters opening night, that makes 13 players who are 24 or younger.
13!
That includes both Aleksander Barkov and the Calder Trophy winner, Aaron Ekblad, who are both the ripe old age of 19.
Wow the future of this club...
It feels like Erik Gudbranson and 2013 Calder Trophy winner, Jonathan Huberdeau have been around for a long time, yet are only 23 and 22 years old, respectively.
So after a quiet free agency period for GM Dale Tallon's standards, it is obviously time to let the talent he's assembled over the last five years off the leash and go to work.
Is that a good thing?
From night to night the answer might change. There are going to be a lot of mistakes, but also highlight reel moments. There will be horrible slumps, but also incredible hot streaks.
In front of 36-year-old Roberto Luongo will be a team that is very fast, tougher with each passing year, and has just enough veteran presence to keep the team even keel through all the highs and lows of a season.
Make no mistake. This is a very important year for the Florida Panthers. Some would say they have to make the playoffs this year no matter what. It is vital for organizational financial health. Others will say if not next year, fine. Because in two years this team will finally be perennial playoff contenders and it will be smooth sailing from there.
But with so much youth being given the reigns, what kind of results can Panther fans expect? Are they a better team right now on paper then they were last year? It's debatable.
But what isn't debatable is Florida is not the retirement destination for older/average players just looking to soak up some sun and stay warm for the winter. The Cats are now a hungry bunch of youngsters that are going to make it hard on the opposition most nights.
Will it be enough for a playoff berth? We shall see. But even with the veteran presence they might just be too young to not know what they don't know. In a strange way, that could serve them well.
Dan Spiegel Florida Panthers Media