2009-10 NHL preview: Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers are for sale, and like most pro sports teams that are for sale this team is somewhat of a mess. While some may point to the fact the Panthers are victims of the over expansion of the NHL is the 1990’s, really this is a team that has suffered from poor management. Every summer as the NHL’s teams prepare for the draft the former Florida General Manager made, time to trade away the team’s best young player. NHL stars the caliber of Roberto Luongo, Olli Jokinen, and this year Jay Bouwmeester have all been victims of the annual Florida purge.

To be frank that is no way to operate a NHL organization. While the Panthers have been on the doorstep of making the playoffs for the past four years, they have not made it in. This is particularly painful when they have not lost the final Eastern Conference playoff spot by more than 9 points in each of those years. With that in mind following the season GM Jacques Martin resigned, and handed over the reins to Randy Sexton.

While the stars are gone, a nice young core of talent does remain. Thankfully the Panthers have locked up many of their younger stars too long term deals, so they have something to build on. An important fact here is the Panthers had five forwards last year with scored 40 points. If they can keep that up they should be bale to right this ship.

Additions- G Scott Clemmensen, D Ville Koistinen, D Jordan Leopold, RW Graham Mink, F Steve Reinprecht, F Jeff Taffe, and D Clay Wilson

Subtractions- G Craig Anderson, D Jay Boumeester, D Nick Boynton, F Tanner Glass, C Drew Larman, LW Stefan Meyer, D Karlis Skrastins, RW Anthony Stewart, F Richard Zednik