READING, PA – The Florida Panthers once again just barely missed the playoffs. Now, the Jay Bouwmeester watch is in full effect as the NHL Entry draft is fast approaching on June 26, as is the free agency period beginning July 1. In the mean time, the Panthers have lost Jacques Martin to the Montreal Canadiens. Despite the potential of losing Bouwmeester to another team, life moves on for the Panthers. They were the 17th ranked offense, 10th in defense, 24th on face-offs and on the PP, and 9th on the PK. Prospects Keaton Ellerby and/or Colby Robak will look to be the ones that should replace Bouwmeester. Thats the good news. The bad news is the Panthers must improve the offense or they will spend another year out of the playoffs next season. The Panthers were tied in the conference standings with the Habs, but Montreal won the last playoff spot due to a tie-breaker. One has to wonder just how much better the team will be just a tad more offense in the lineup. The Panthers got most of their scoring from the left wing and center positions. Their top offensive prospect is a center Shawn Mattias, but he will need to up his game if he is to have an impact in the Panthers lineup. Overall the team is deep in quality defensive prospects, and has one of if not the to goaltending prospect in Jacob Markstrom. When evaluating what the Panthers will do come draft day it is clear the Panthers will go for offense. 
In our mock draft, and to the Panthers delight, Center/Right Winger Jordan Schroeder from the University of Minnesota is still on the board. Schroeder might not be there is real life since he just might go as low as 12 to the Minnesota Wild and as high as eighth to Dallas. Still, there are a few other quality players that might go to the Panthers that should be available to them when there time comes. Another right winger, Scott Glennie should be there as well as Zack Kassian and Ashton Carter who is getting a lot of attention these days. Still, when push comes to shove, if Schroeder is there, and in our mock draft he still is on the board, it will be tough to pass on him at 14, which is why you will probably hear these words from someone in Panther management come draft day. “With the 14th pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Florida Panthers proudly select, from the University of Minnesota, Jordan Schroeder.” Contact the author at Brian.jennings@prohockeynews.com
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