Florida Panthers 2010-11 season preview

Coach: Peter DeBoer
Like the Atlanta Thrashers, the Panthers are hoping a former member of the Chicago Blackhawks front office can resurrect a franchise that has struggled through years of mediocrity.
Former Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon will try nfl jerseys
to rebuild an organization that hasn’t made the playoffs in nine years. And he’ll do it in the same manner he pieced together the team that skated away with the Stanley Cup in June.
“That’s how it worked there, so we’ll stick with it,” Tallon says. “It was a blueprint that was successful, and we’ll obviously try to tweak it and get better at it, but it was a good plan and we’re going to try to use a lot of it. That’s the direction we’re going in.”
The organization's strength remains in goal. In Tomas Vokoun(notes), the Panthers might have the Southeast Division's best goaltender. Vokoun finished the 2009-10 season third in the NHL in save percentage (.925) and is always among the league leaders in shots faced per start.
Vokoun is in the final year of his contract, and Tallon could face an interesting decision if the Panthers don’t step into playoff contention. There would be a demand for Vokoun’s services at the trade deadline, and he would likely bring impact prospects in return.
Another reason Vokoun might not stay in Florida is 20-year-old Swedish phenom Jacob Markstrom(notes). Possibly the top prospect at his position, Markstrom is expected to spend his first season in North America with Rochester of the American Hockey League.
“We’re very solid in goal with the veterans there and with Markstrom as well,” Tallon says. “He’s going to start off slowly in the American Hockey League to get him some games in North America to see how he adjusts.”
Whether Vokoun or Markstrom is the future in net remains to be seen, but there is a nice contingent of young defensemen to deploy in front of them. Dmitry Kulikov(notes), a 2009 first-round pick, went straight to the NHL, and 2010 choice Erik Gudbranson(notes) could do the same. Gudbranson was the No. 3 pick and first defenseman selected in June's draft.
“I don’t have any expectations (for Gudbranson),” Tallon says. “It would be a nice bonus if (he) were able to make our team. We’re in this for the long haul. It is not a sprint, and he’s a big part of our future.”
Dennis Wideman(notes), added in a trade with the Boston Bruins for disappointing forward Nathan Horton(notes), will join veterans Bryan McCabe(notes) and Bryan Allen(notes) as mentors for the young defensemen.
But will the Panthers score enough to complement Vokoun and the defensive corps?
One key addition will be an internal one. Left winger David Booth(notes), a 31-goal scorer two seasons ago, will be back in the lineup after a concussion-marred 2009-10.
“Booth is really good and ready to go,” Tallon says.
Stephen Weiss(notes) has never reached an Minnesota Vikings jersey
elite level but remains the No. 1 center. He will likely play on a line with Booth and Michael Frolik(notes).
Steven Reinprecht(notes) (16 goals, 38 points) is better suited as a No. 3 pivot but will likely center a second line that could include Rostislav Olesz(notes).
Free-agent acquisition Christopher Higgins(notes) was once a consistent 20-goal scorer, but he has had 20 in the past two years combined. Higgins should see time in a top-six role, as could veteran Cory Stillman(notes).
Michael Grabner(notes), part of the deal that sent Keith Ballard(notes) to the Vancouver Canucks, is one of several young forwards who could inject energy and scoring up front. Others include Michal Repik(notes), Kenndal McArdle(notes) and Scott Timmins(notes).
More help could be on the way from a 2010 draft class that boasts 13 prospects, including five of the top 36 picks.
“That’s how you rebuild an organization — by drafting soundly and developing them,” Tallon said.
Hockey fans in south Florida have remained patient and can’t be too excited about another rebuild, but Tallon has proven he can assemble a winner. Whether that happens this season remains to be seen.
“We’re a team that is in transition,” Tallon says. “We’ve added some pieces. We think we have more assets than we did before. We need to keep adding the right pieces and you never know what is going to happen.”
Offseason moves
Additions
Christopher Higgins, C (Calgary), Dennis Wideman, D (trade, Boston), Steve Bernier(notes), RW (trade, Vancouver), Michael Grabner, RW (trade, Vancouver), Nathan Paetsch(notes), D (Columbus), Marty Reasoner(notes), C (trade, Chicago)
Subtractions
Nathan Horton, C (trade, Boston), Gregory Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
Campbell(notes), RW (trade, Boston), Victor Oreskovich(notes), RW (trade, Vancouver), Keith Ballard, D (trade, Vancouver), Steve MacIntyre(notes), LW (Edmonton), Jeff Taffe(notes), C (trade, Chicago), Ville Koistinen(notes), D (FA), Mathieu Roy(notes), D (Tampa Bay), Jamie Johnson(notes), C (Detroit)