Panthers quietly restocking for new campaign

The Florida Panthers made a valiant late season run at the playoffs this past campaign and came up short in the penultimate game of the season. A win in that match would have made for an exciting final contest with the Boston Bruins on the last Sunday of the regular season.

They were oh so close; the Panthers ended the season with a record of 44-30-8.

Their defense suffered from injury and inconsistency with 243 goals scored against for a 2.93 average; the offense score4d just two more goals, 245, for a 2.99 average per game.

Florida Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle (3) had 8 goals and 56 points last season File photo by Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News

Aleksander Barkov was the teams leading scorer with 27 goals and 78 points; Vincent Trocheck was the leading goal scorer with 31 and 75 points.

James Reimer tended the nets for 44 games while Roberto Luongo was injured and played well enough. He was 22-14-6 on the season with a 2.99 goals against average and a 0.913 save percentage.

Luongo was 18-11-2 in his 33 games with a 2.47 goals against average and 0.929 save percentage.

Florida dipped into the free agent market and signed Michael Hutchinson from the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose.

When Connor Hellebuyck became the number one goalie in Winnipeg, Hutchinson was relegated to the Moose in the AHL for much of the season.

“Michael is a hard working young goaltender who will bolster our depth in net,” Florida general manager Dale Tallon said. “Michael is experienced, he’s had success at every level, he’s got a big body and we think he has the potential for further growth and development. We’re excited to work with him.”

Up front, the Panthers signed restricted free agent forward Jared McCann to a two-year deal; he had nine goals and 28 points on the season.

“Jared is a versatile two-way centerman who possesses excellent speed and suits our team well,” Tallon said. “He has improved his game during his time with our organization and we look forward to him taking the next step in his development with the Panthers.”

The Panthers traded for Mike Hoffman who was sent packing by the Ottawa Senators after seven years there. He was traded to the San Jose Sharks who promptly traded him to the Panthers. The issues with Hoffman have been discussed on these pages elsewhere.

Hoffman’s addition to the Panthers forward lines may finally correct the club’s thin top six forward corps.

The Panthers have been mostly quiet for the off season selective placements may make them stronger earlier to avoid a need for late season push.