Florida Panthers Group of Young Stars
By Ryan Ritchie
Florida Panthers are arguably the most least talked about team in the NHL being from such a small southern market. The Florida Panthers actually had the best attendance for all teams after game one of the season, somehow managing to fill over capacity with 117 percent. The attendance has since dropped, as Florida is most notably known as one of the cheapest tickets in the NHL.
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With 5 games played to open the regular season, Florida Panthers have gone 3-2-0 with six points, scoring 16 goals for and nine against. Roberto Luongo has been a brick-wall to begin 2015-16 with two wins 1.77 GAA and .948 save percentage, while stopping 127 of 134 shots. Leading the team in scoring, 43-year-old Jaromir Jagr has seven points in five games as he continues to climb up various all-time records. A full season to learn from a future hall-of-famer should prove to be highly beneficial for linemates Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. You can learn a lot about being a professional and knowing what it takes to make it in this league by shadowing Jagr.
Aleksander Barkov was a highly touted European skater that was drafted 1st round 2nd overall at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers. At 6’3 213lbs, the big center’s mix of size and skill made Barkov a virtual can’t miss prospect. He’s had a slow start to his career so far, gathering 24 points in 54 games his rookie season in 2013-14. In 2014-15 during his sophomore campaign, he increased his totals to 36 points in 71 games. Barkov is off to a quick-start this season, with six points in five games. He is capable of finishing the year in the 50-60 point range, and the Panthers will need that type of production to be in the playoff mix.
Mar 29, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau (11) skates with the puck in the third period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Panthers defeated the Senators 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Huberdeau was another virtual can’t miss prospect for the Florida Panthers being drafted 3rd overall in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Huberdeau was a more obvious talent due to his exposure playing for Saint John of the QMJHL and his international performances. He was one of the more memorable players in World Juniors tournaments, in recent history. At 6’1 188lbs, Huberdeau had a terrific rookie season during the lockout shortened season, which lead to a Calder Trophy win. He played 48 games, and produced 31 points in the process. He fell victim to the sophomore slump in year two with a dismal 28 points in 69 games (exactly what happened to Avs Nathan MacKinnon last season). He bounced back in his third season in 2014-15, tallying 54 points in 79 games. Off to a bit of a slow start in 2015-16, Huberdeau only has two assists in five games played, but he should begin to heat up soon. Huberdeau is capable of scoring in the 55-70 point range this season.
Nick Bjugstad was drafted in the first round 19th overall at the 2010 NHL entry draft by the Florida Panthers, coming out of NCAA hockey playing for University of Minnesota. At 6’6 218lbs, Bjugstad was always regarded as a terrific power forward. Often credited for the physical element he brings playing on the second line in Florida, Nick Bjugstad rarely gets recognition for his offensive skills that have transformed him into a goal-scorer. After appearing in just 11 games as a rookie in 2012-13, Bjugstad played 76 games while producing 38 points in 2013-14. He followed 2014-15 up by scoring 24 goals, adding 19 assists for 43 points in 72 games. In just five games to open 2015-16, he has two goals and one assist in five games. Bjugstad has the talent to be a 30-goal scorer in the NHL.
Florida Panthers have a few other quality young players up front such as Reilly Smith, Vincent Trocheck, Brandon Pirri, and Connor Brickley. They’re quality support players that could play big roles down the road, but Barkov, Huberdeau, and Bjugstad will be the big three that stirs the straw for Florida’s offense moving forward.
On the back end, Florida has some excellent support pieces in veterans like Brian Campbell and Willie Mitchell. They also have a trio of unsung young defenseman who do a great job lead by Aaron Ekblad. Dmitry Kulikov, Erik Gudbranson, and Alex Petrovic are three guys that could be important support pieces on the blue-line for a Panthers playoff-run.
Sep 25, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) skates with the puck during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Ekblad was drafted 1st overall at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers, and was the consensus pick by experts going into the draft. Coming off dominating years with Barrie of the OHL, Ekblad was the most NHL ready defenseman we’ve seen in the last decade. It’s no surprise that he went on to win the Calder Trophy last season after producing 39 points in 81 games. Ekblad looked like a seasoned veteran in his first year of NHL action, and looks poised to be a Norris Trophy candidate for years to come with the Florida Panthers. There are few defenseman in the NHL that are elite on both sides of the puck like Aaron Ekblad.
Most experts have the Florida Panthers projected as a lottery team in the Eastern Conference for the 2015-16 NHL season. Lack of perceived depth and talent up front has been called into question, but it may just be a case of unfamiliarity with this talented young Florida Panthers team. Riding on the back of Roberto Luongo, accomponied with Aaron Ekblad on the back-end, along with Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, and Nick Bjugstad up-front. The Florida Panthers have the necessary building blocks in place to soon be a legitimate playoff contender for the next decade.
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