But the only question is...
...where do you begin?
Was the Summer of Love in 2011 simply an aberration for a franchise that is mired in such a streak of futility that it literally boggles the mind?
When Tallon acquired 10 players in 2 days at the beginning of free agency that summer, shock waves rolled through the NHL. Not only because of the number of players signed, but some of the salaries seemed rather exorbitant.
But general manager Dale Tallon had to get to the salary floor, and he made sure his players were paid handsomely to get there.
Consequently the team went on to win their first division title in franchise history, and were one goal away in double overtime in Game 7 against the Devils from advancing to the 2nd round. The Devils made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they fell to the L.A. Kings.
One has to wonder what happened. The next lockout-shortened season opened with a division championship banner raised to the rafters. It ended as an unmitigated disaster. The Panthers finished with the worst record in the NHL and even then couldn't win the overall pick in the lottery, which was awarded to the Avalanche.
Looking back on that 2011-2012 season...was it luck? Yes they played in a horrible division, but it is not as if the team got rolled by the Devils in Round 1 of the playoffs.
Should Tallon be praised for that remarkable turnaround with all those new roster additions? Should he be equally chastised for the failures since?
No question injuries played a huge part in last year's debacle. No team could have recovered from 8-10 starters out for extended periods of time, mostly at the same time.
But it's all about scoreboard, and the Panthers continue to be on the losing end too often.
If there is one silver lining it's that Tallon has been able to stock up on high caliber talent for the future. Players like Nick Bjugstad, Aleksander Barkov, Erik Gudbranson, Alex Petrovic, Mike Matheson, Vince Trochek, and Jacob Markstrom(hopefully) are key pieces to turning the ship around.
One major concern is the alarming "sophomore slump" of Jonathan Huberdeau. While most experts think this is just a temporary bump in the road to what will be an amazing career, this season has been shocking. After winning the Calder Trophy last year as the NHL's best rookie, while nursing a hip injury, he has simply lost his mojo this season. He has scored only 3 goals since Dec. 1st, and only has 9 points over that stretch. No one is more frustrated than he is, but wow, this was unexpected.
New owner Vinnie Viola has come out and said the Panthers will be a cap team moving forward starting this summer, and the stage is likely set for another "Tallon Miracle." If things go as advertised, like 2011, the Panthers could look entirely different come opening night next season. Those of us that have followed this team from the beginning are definitely in the "I'll believe it when I see it" mode.
But to say such changes to the economic structure of the roster are welcomed would be an understatement. It's a damn cause for a full fledged keg party. Almost every GM has been shackled with financial restrictions until now. The sulking and disappointment every April is growing tiresome for everyone involved inside and outside of team offices. Except for 2011-2012.
What was that? Where did that fire and those results go? (your thoughts are welcome on this)
But for now, it's time to clean house like the 2011 trading deadline and make room to be reborn in July. At least that 's the apparent plan.
Will it work again?
Dan Spiegel... Florida Panthers Media Follow me on Twitter Join the Florida Panthers Insiders FB Page Connect with me on Google Plus