It's been two years since the Panthers were considered relevant in any way. New Jersey Devils' Adam Henrique scoring the series winning goal in double overtime of Game 7 in the 2012 playoffs was the last time the Panthers had people talking about them en masse.
Two disastrous seasons later, the Panthers hold the #1 pick in this year's NHL Draft and also are on the brink of hiring a new head coach. The list of coaching candidates is apparently down to 3, with my guess being Dan Bylsma, Marc Crawford, and Gerard Gallant as the finalists. I'm told the desire is very mutual between GM Dale Tallon and Bylsma, so I'm going with that as the eventual choice.
As far as the #1 pick goes, there has been wide speculation that Florida will move the pick. Tallon has said he had received one "very fair offer" for the pick, but the fact that there is only one to this point might be making it more likely the Cats stay where they are and draft Aaron Ekblad. He is certainly an area of need and unanimously considered to be NHL-ready right now. Unless a top 6, maybe top 3, forward is offered to move up to the #1 spot, Tallon would be better served to stand pat.
Regardless, the Panthers are in position to create different domino effects both in the coaching ranks and the draft. Carolina and Vancouver are still without head coaches and teams desperate for a franchise defenseman may be putting together blockbuster deals for Tallon to consider in the coming days.
Additionally, there is no question Tallon is keeping an eye on the contract/arbitration situations going on around the league, most notably with Ryan O'Reilly. Tallon has a ton of money to spend and it will be interesting to see if he gets some offer sheets out there to some of these very talented RFAs.
Were he to add 2-3 top 6 forwards to compliment the strong young core of assembled centers the Panthers may have completely different results starting next season and beyond.
Once the head coach is named things will become more clear on what philosophies and direction the team will make their own. In turn that will give Tallon the info he needs regarding personnel additions both in the draft and in free agency.
But for now, all eyes are on Florida and what they will do. It's nice to be the center of attention, even for just a little while.
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