NHL 2010 Outlook: Florida Panthers

The outlook has been bleak for years in South Florida.  The Panthers have the longest current playoff drought in the NHL (they have not made the playoffs since the 1999-2000 season) and after another subpar campaign in 2009-10, something had to give: former GM Randy Sexton.  Now, after hiring former Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon, things could be looking up for a franchise with a "Name Your Price" full-season ticket plan going for as low as $354.75 per seat, per season.  However, the ticket prices are irrelevant to this article and its topic.

What is relevant is the Panthers inability to score last season, as they were 28th in the NHL in that category.  Florida only had two players with 50-point seasons last year: Stephen Weiss with 60 and current Bruins forward Nathan Horton with 57.  They attempted to fix that in this year's NHL Entry Draft, where besides defenseman Erik Gudbranson the Panthers acquired center Nick Bjugstad at 19th overall, who scored 29 goals and had 31 assists in 25 games at his high school in Minnesota. Point-per-game center Quinton Howden, out of Moose Jaw of the WHL, was selected at 25th overall.

As well as not putting the puck in the opponent's net this past year, the Panthers continued to poorly cover their defensive assignments, allowing Tomas Vokoun to see on average over 33 shots per game.  He was one of the busiest goaltenders on that front.  Gudbranson will help to fill their defensive void, but without much change in the Panthers' playing style and with no proven NHL scorers currently on their roster, other than the oft-injured Cory Stillman, the Panthers could see another lottery draft pick next year.

Preseason Pick: Fourth in the Southeast.

Playoff Chances: Fair.