MIAMI, FL, – After a 103 point season in 2016, the Florida Panthers looked poised to begin a playoff run for several years reversing a trend of missing the playoffs. In the 
entire history of the Panthers since their inception since the 1993-94, Florida had only made the playoffs five times. The city of Miami has been a pretty patient bunch, and in another are city the patience might have run out. Don’t get us wrong, no fan base is patient forever, but despite the Panthers 81 point season, there is a light at the end of the tunnel in South Florida.
The Panthers were in the bottom third in every major category except on the penalty kill, which ranked second overall. Florida had one 30 goal scorer in Jonathan Marchessault and two 20 plus goal scorers in Vincent Trocheck and Alexander Barkov. The defense is led by Aaron Ekblad. The team needs are plentiful and will need a future goaltender in net for the aging Roberto Luongo.
The best-player-available approach has been the Panthers and nothing will change when this year’s NHL Draft plays out in late June. In PHN’s mock draft Cale Makar is still on the board and for a team that could use a bookend for Ekblad that sure could work for Florida. If the Panthers decide to go on offense Russian center Klim Kostin, who played very well in the World Junior Championships.
We know that Florida likes size and skill, and getting either player fits the bill. The Panthers will have the 10th overall pick in the draft. That will put a lot of pressure for team brass and scouting department to get the pick right. AT the end of the day we get the feeling the Panthers will make the following announcement in Chicago.
“With the 10th overall pick in the 201 NHL Entry Draft, the Florida Panthers select, from Timra, Sweden, Elias Pettersson.”
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
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