Year End Report: Florida Panthers

The yearly pattern of the Florida Panthers is particularly maddening and consistent. Year after year the Panthers have had solid goaltending and a young supporting cast with potential. However, potential is all this team has shown.

Once again, despite showing flashes of brilliance throughout the 2009-2010 season, there has not been enough consistency for the Florida Panthers to make the post season. It has been a full decade since the Panthers last made the playoffs, leaving the lingering fanbase little reason to get excited about their team.

THE OFFENSE
The Panthers have some decent forwards in the mix, but the team is missing an all star scoring threat. However, there is some good depth up front, with six different players hovering around the 15 to 20 goal mark. Leading the team in goals, is Stephen Weiss with 27, followed by Michael Frolik, who has 19 goals.

The Panthers have severely missed goal scorer, David Booth, who has had an injury plagued season and some bad luck. Despite only playing 28 games all season, Booth still managed to score 16 points. Looking ahead to next season, a healthy David Booth will be an important factor in the Panthers looking to make the playoffs.

Leading goal scorer, Stephen Weiss, has taken the offensive load in Florida, tallying 58 points in 77 games. At only 27 years of age, more can be expected of Weiss looking forward.

Nathan Horton, selected third overall in the 2003 draft, has been good for the Panthers, but has not lived up to expectations just yet. The 24 year old has had a decent offensive season, but was hampered by a fractured leg in March, limiting his production. He has put up 18 goals and 34 assists for 52 points in 62 games. With his work ethic called into quesion this season, the Panthers will need him to perform at a higher level to justify passing over Eric Staal for Horton in the 2003 draft.

Youngster, Michael Frolik has been good in his second full season in the NHL. To his credit he is developing well for the Florida Panthers. He is pretty close to his offensive numbers from last season, but there are some other positives that have shown in his game this year. He is shooting a lot more (158 shots in 79 games in 08/09 and 212 in 79 games this season) and has somewhat toughened up collecting about 20 more PIM's this season compared to last. He is a creative young player, and will be important to the future of the Florida Panthers.

Filling out the rest of Florida's offense is veterans Steven Reinprecht (38 points), Cory Stillman (37 points) and Radek Dvorak (30 points). General Manager, Randy Sexton will need to find some offensive help for this team this offseason as the teams scoring veterans begin to fade out.

THE DEFENSE
Team captain, Bryan McCabe has had another strong season for the Panthers, leading the team's defense in scoring, racking up 81 penalty minutes, 159 shots, and a respectable -2 rating. Up to date, he has also played in every game for the Panthers this season. The 34 year old veteran has undoubtedly been a positive presence for the young Panthers, providing leadership and a booming shot on the powerplay. (18 of McCabe's 42 points have come on the PP).

Keith Ballard has had another decent season on the Panthers blueline. His offensive output remains about the same, but his +/- has taken a bit of a hit this season, sitting at a -10. Despite this stat, he is a steady, tough blueliner who can contribute some offense. At 27 years old, he still has some prime years ahead of him.

Rookie defender, Dimitry Kulikov has shown promise this season with 15 points and 84 shots on the season. This smooth skating Russian has a lot of developing to do, but has also shown ability to defend in his own end. If his development continues on the right track, Kulikov could turn into a very important part of the Panthers defense for years to come. The most important thing for him will be to bulk up and gain some physical strength on his competition.

Florida's defense needs to be shored up for sure, but they do have a good mix of veterans and youngsters. They also have some much needed toughness in 29 year old Bryan Allen, who came over from Vancouver in the Luongo trade.

THE GOALIES
What can we say about the goaltending in Florida? Blessed with having Roberto Luongo four years ago, and now Tomas Vokoun, goaltending has never been the issue in Florida. Heck, even backup Scott Clemmensen has been good for the Panthers this year.

Since being acquired from the Nashville Predators in 2007, Vokoun has shown every sports pundit and critic that he is the real deal and can consistently perform at a high level every game. Despite playing for the mediocre Panthers, Vokoun has incredible stats nearing the end of the 09/10 season. In 63 starts, Vokoun has a sizzling GAA of 2.55, a save percentage of .925 and 23 wins. There is no question that Vokoun is his teams MVP.

Scott Clemmensen has also been a positive presence in the crease for the Florida Panthers. In 20 starts, Clemmensen has 8-7-1 record with a .907 save percentage and 3.03 GAA. That's just about as good as a team can ask from it's backup goaltender.

Looking into the future, Florida has some decent goaltending prospects over in Europe. Jacob Markstrom (drafted 31st overall in the 2008 draft) has shown some promise as a starter, as has Alexander Salak. Salak, playing in his first two NHL games this year, failed to collect a win, but has shown promise playing over in Finland.

THE SCOOP
After much success coaching the Plymouth Whalers and the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL, Peter DeBoer made his jump to the NHL in 2008 with the Panthers. In his first year as head coach, DeBoer led the Panthers to a 93 point season in 08/09, preaching a more offensive approach to the Panthers players.

Along with a strong coaching staff, the Panthers do have some good young players, but top teir players are lacking on defense and offense. With star goalie, Tomas Vokoun is his prime, GM Randy Sexton's goal should be to win now. Adding a couple key players this offseason, and hoping the team can stay healthy next season, the Panthers have a good shot in making the 2010-2011 playoffs.

Mediocrity has been the pattern of the Florida Panthers for the last decade, they do however have the opportunity to take the next step forward in 2011. The overall health of the franchise will depend on the Panthers gaining momentum and making the playoffs. It's a big goal, but something this franchise is capable of.