Florida Panthers Huberdeau, Barkov Key to Success
By Ryan Ritchie
Florida Panthers Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov Continued Growth/Development Key to Success Moving Forward
Florida Panthers have been among the busiest teams this offseason after a disappointing first round elimination from the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This came after a franchise best record claiming top spot in the Atlantic Division.
Since the loss, Florida has shaken up their front office appointing Tom Rowe as new GM. In a recent interview with Rowe, the Panthers new General Manager made it clear that ownership expects a Stanley Cup in the near future. A lofty goal, but not unattainable given this underrated but very talented young core.
As mentioned, the Florida Panthers have been busy this summer. In fact, they spent a little over $200 million dollars in free agents, RFAs, and extensions for key players.
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They began by trading stay-at-home defenseman Erik Gudbranson to the Vancouver for Jared McCann (draft picks involved).
Next, they acquired the negotiating rights to D Keith Yandle, and later agreed to a seven-year deal.
In free agency, they signed James Reimer, Jonathan Marchessault, Colton Sceviour, and Jason Demers.
They closed things out by re-signing Reilly Smith and Vincent Trocheck to long-term deals.
Moving forward, the Florida Panthers have the necessary pieces in place to become a Stanley Cup contender in 2016-17. It sounds as though Roberto Luongo will now be healthy to begin the season, and the veteran netminder has solid support behind him in James Reimer.
On the blue line, Florida is led by Aaron Ekblad who could be in the Norris Trophy conversation in the near future. Behind newly signed Yandle and Demers are players such as Mark Pysyk, Alex Petrovic, Steven Kampfer, and Jakub Kindl. Just don’t count out a pair of prospects who could easily earn a roster spot in the fall; Ian McCoshen and Michael Matheson.
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Florida also has a deep forward group in place. That’s not even including the possibility that Lawson Crouse or Jayce Hawryluk could impress this Fall. If even just one makes the team, the Panthers could have upwards of nine top six forwards on their roster to open the new season.
We know they’ve got the goaltender, defense, and scoring depth to make a deep run, but do they have enough star power? Does that Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Toews, Sidney Crosby type player exist to put them over the top?
Florida Panthers will look to lean on 23-year-old Jonathan Huberdeau and 21-year-old (in September) Aleksander Barkov. The pair had success alongside future hall-of-famer Jaromir Jagr upon his acquistion in late 2014-15.
They re-signed the Czech legend to mentor the Florida Panthers young stars and the trio delivered in 2015-16. Jagr posted 66 points, while Huberdeau and Barkov posted career-highs with 59.
After a resurgence last season, Jaromir Jagr will return for at least one more year. For Huberdeau and Barkov, it’s another valuable opportunity to shadow the legend and learn how to be a true professional both on and off the ice.
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If the ultimate goal is a Stanley Cup in the near future, Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov must evolve into the unquestioned leaders of this team. It starts in the dressing room, and ends on the scoreboard. That means finishing 1-2 in team scoring in the point-per-game range (or exceeding it). If the pair does that, Florida Panthers could indeed be an Eastern Conference powerhouse in 2016-17.