I ain't ready to compare Florida's system to Detroit. Wait until they make the playoffs consistently and can develop entire rosters. Luongo, Jagr, Mitchell, Campbell, Pirri, Thornton, Jokinen, Bolland, Montoya are not original Panthers.

They also have had lots of top 5 picks (Ekblad, Barkov, Huberdeau and Gudbranson) which should garantee you top line players.
Ekblad looked really good (#1 overall picks usually do).
I'll give Barkov a few more years before judging him.
I think Huberdeau needs to have his break out year if he wants to live up to a #3 overall pick.
Gudbranson isn't playing like a #3 overall pick. But he's still decent.

I just don't see the comparisons with Detroit and Florida. Not even close.
- porkchops1977

He didn't say that the organizations were on the same level. He's just saying that Florida is starting to build through the draft like Detroit and other successful teams. As opposed to quick fixes with trades and free agency in a desperate attempt to make the playoffs. As far as them being close, Detroits streak is what, 3rd or 4th best all time. It would take something pretty special for any organization to rival that, especially in the salary cap era.

Yes see this is why I used terms like "basing".

Barkov hasn't had consistent wingers since he got here; he was playing with guys like Bergenheim and Boyes. It wasn't a good start. We put him Huberdeau last season and he improved greatly. His numbers aren't the best, yet, but he is one of the best two-way players I've ever seen. Speaking of Huberdeau, he hasn't been healthy since his rookie season. He had hip surgery and is finally getting over it. Either way you slice it, they both have improved each year since coming into the league. With Jagr on their line for one more season I think this is when we'll see the real "start" to their NHL careers.

Gudbranson was hampered by not being able to go to the AHL to develop. However, last season was his best, both statistically and in other areas. Defencemen as I am sure we will all agree take little more time to develop. He'll have a top-4 role this season.

Guys like Matheson, Rau, Howden, Bjugstad, Trocheck, Grimaldi, Petrovic, Hawrlyuk, Crouse... not top 5 picks but you will hear a lot about them soon.

When I talk about the systems, I mean a proper developmental program. We never had that. We never had a good scouting department or solid AHL franchise. The guys I mentioned above would never have been given the time to play in college, then get to the AHL. You don't hear about players in Detroit's line up for years and then all of a sudden you have a Nyqvist in the league.

My overall point is with Tallon here we've become a team that is now building and developing via the draft. And this season will be the season you see us make the leap to the playoffs. All in good time.
- Panthers88

I like lots of those players ( I was hoping Grimaldi and Hawryluk would get drafted by the wings) but other than Bjustad, none of them are sureshots at this point.

But I agree that the Panthers are definately looking better prospect wise since Tallon got there.

I like lots of those players ( I was hoping Grimaldi and Hawryluk would get drafted by the wings) but other than Bjustad, none of them are sureshots at this point.

But I agree that the Panthers are definately looking better prospect wise since Tallon got there.
- porkchops1977

Matheson is a top-pairing guy. It's not even close. Petrovic has actually out-developed Gudbranson. The rest of them are probably bottom 9. Crouse can play anywhere. Grimaldi is a little fleas who could definitely play in the top six. Hawrlyuk was a GREAT pick. I cannot wait to see him here. I just posted on our page a snap shot of what our roster COULD look like in 2-4 years or so with nothing but our guys. Pirri is the only exception but he WAS drafted by Tallon in Chicago so he kind of counts. I obviously don't ever expect it to be this way but it's neat to see how many prospects we really have.

Huberdeau-Barkov-Pirri
Grimaldi-Bjugdstad-Crouse
Hawrlyuk-Trocheck-Rau
Howden-Brickley-Lammikko


Ekblad-Matheson
Kulikov-Gudbranson
McCoshen-Petrovic
Weegar

Brittain
Stevens

He didn't say that the organizations were on the same level. He's just saying that Florida is starting to build through the draft like Detroit and other successful teams. As opposed to quick fixes with trades and free agency in a desperate attempt to make the playoffs. As far as them being close, Detroits streak is what, 3rd or 4th best all time. It would take something pretty special for any organization to rival that, especially in the salary cap era.
- Paul_and_Wings

There is no team on Detroit's level. Tampa is close but they're still eons away. We're just getting started!

Drew Miller wasn't drafted by the wings and technically Dekeyser wasn't drafted at all. Every other current roster player is a wings draft pick.
- JohnnySoze

Quincy gone?

Nevermind, got my answer after reading a little bit more.

uhh one question.


what the hell have the Panthers won in their history? whats their claim to fame?
getting destroyed by Colorado in the finals.

That's fine. Hopefully Larkin will get a slot because of this and stick for the season. I wouldn't mind him spending a year in the AHL, but he'd be so exciting to watch in the big leauge!
- Paul_and_Wings

I can't imagine Larkin starts out in the Winged Wheel. In order for that to happen somebody else would need to be moved out. You'll most likely see Zetterberg/Richards/Sheahan as your top 3 C's. If Z stays at the wing you'll see Helm as the 3rd C option.

Nyquist/Z/Abby
Tatar/Richards/Jurco
Helm/Sheahan/Pulks
Miller/Glendening/Ferraro
Scratched: Andersson

I can see Larkin playing full-time as a Wing by late February.

uhh one question.


what the hell have the Panthers won in their history? whats their claim to fame?
getting destroyed by Colorado in the finals.
- Jurco_28

They've accomplished as much or more than the following teams:
Washington Capitals (only one SCF appearance in 40 years... we know how that worked out for them)
SAn Jose Sharks (3 WCF's but never reached SCF)
Phoenix Coyotes (Only 1 WCF appearance in 36 year history...dating back to Jets days)
Nashville Predators (First Playoff series win was in 2012...)
Winnipeg Jets (Never won a playoff series... Old Thrashers franchise)
Minnesota Wild ( Only one WCF appearance)
Columbus (2-8 in playoffs)
Toronto Maple Leafs (Haven't made SCF since 1967
)