Welcome to season review, a series that will breakdown every NHL team this offseason. You can expect to see new posts all summer, starting from the 30^th place team, and finishing with the Stanley Cup champions. With so many changes coming in the offseason, some teams will be improving dramatically, while others will be forced to make some tough decisions for the future. It’s going to be a fun summer of hockey talk, so sit down, hold on tight and enjoy the ride.

Year in Review

 2014-2015 Stats

• Record: 38-29-15 (91 points)
• Goals per game: 2.42 (25^th)
• Goals against per game: 2.60(16^th)
• Power play: 16.3% (24^th)
• Penalty kill: 80.0% (24^th)
• Shots per game: 30.7(14^th)
• Shots against per game: 29.6(15^th)

The Florida Panthers are the next up-and-coming hockey team in the NHL. They’re an underrated team that doesn’t get the credit they deserve. They won 38 games last season despite being at the bottom of the league in goals per game and being a middle of the pack defensive team. They averaged just as many shots per game as the Anaheim Ducks did last season and finished ahead of both Chicago and Montreal in shots against per game. As a whole, Florida isn’t a bad team; they just don’t have that scoring touch that other powerhouse offensive teams have.

The Panthers started the offseason by drafting left-winger Lawson Crouse with the 11^th overall pick in the draft. The Kingston Frontenacs forward finished last season with a total of 51 points (29G, 22A) in 56 games, while adding another three points in the playoffs. Elite Hockey Prospects describes Crouse as the perfect mix of grit and skill:

A big-bodied power winger with the ability to physically dominate, making him a prominent forechecking presence every night. Possesses good hands that can be used to make crisp passes or to let loose accurate, NHL-level shots; paired with his strength and skating ability, his skill set allows him to contribute offensively, as well as create space for teammates.

The 6-foot-4 winger will most likely head back to the OHL to continue his development, but there’s no question he can be a big, power winger on this team for many years to come. He may get a shot to prove himself in the NHL at the start of the season, but the Panthers have enough depth in their organization that they don’t need to rush him to the NHL. Expect to hear his name a lot in the next few years.

Offseason Game Plan

Let’s start with the offence, the one area that should see the most improvement next season. The Panthers core is probably the best in the league (outside of the Edmonton Oilers) and should take another big step this season. With Nick Bjugstad, Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau being the core of this franchise, they will once again be counted on to lead the way for this young Florida team. They finished the year with a combined 55 goals and 133 points, and we should see those totals get even better. Both Jimmy Hayes and Brad Boyes will not be returning for the upcoming season, so players like Brandon Pirri and newcomer Reilly Smith will be counted on to fill the void left by both players.

One player who will be counted on to be a leader on this team is Jaromir Jagr. The ageless Jagr is now 43-yeas-old and showing no signs of slowing down just yet. His wealth of experience will only do wonders for some of the younger players on the team, and his work ethic is just out of this world. He tallied 18 points (6G, 12A) in 20 games after be traded to the Panthers at the trade deadline, and if he can continue to produce at a high level next season, they could easily challenge any team for a spot in the postseason.

On defense, the Panthers are pretty much set for next season. After winning the Calder Trophy as the best rookie in the league, Aaron Ekblad will look to avoid the famous “sophomore slump” that so many players face in their second year. Veterans Brian Campbell and Willie Mitchell will be key in helping the team compete for a playoff spot and helping some of the young players continue to grow. Their top-six is still very young, so some nights may be a challenge for them, especially against some of the leagues best offences. If they can stay healthy, the blue line should be a strong point for the team moving forward.

In the blue paint, there’s really not much to talk about. At 36-years-old, Roberto Luongo is still one of the better goalies in the league. He finished last season with a .921 SV% and a 2.35 GAA in 61 games. His GAA was the lowest since the 2010-11 season with Vancouver, which was the same year the Canucks went to the Stanley Cup finals. He may no longer be an elite goalie, but his team did an excellent job last season limiting the number of shots he had to stop, and if they can do it again this year, a 30-win season isn’t out of the question for Lu. Look for him to have another excellent season.

The Panthers may play in an empty arena, but they really are a good team. With so many young players on this team waiting to hit their peak, they could contend for a Stanley Cup in the next 3-5 years. It sounds crazy, but they really are that good. Head coach Gerard Gallant has his team playing good hockey in all three zones, but their special teams is an area that needs to be improved. Overall, I like their team and what the future holds for them. Their future in Florida may not be certain, but on the ice, there’s no question they’re a talented group just waiting to hit their stride.