Atlantic Division 2014-15 Preview: Florida Panthers
MORE ATLANTIC PREVIEWS:Canadiens | Bruins | Sabres | Maple Leafs | Red Wings | Lightning | Senators
SI.com's 2014-15 Preseason All-NHL Teams: first, second, third
COACH:
2013-14 RECORD: 29-45-8, 66 points (seventh in Atlantic; missed playoffs)
VITAL SIGNS: 2.39 goals-for per game (28th); 3.27 goals-against per game (29th); 10.04 power play pct. (30th); 75.9 penalty kill pct. (30th); shoot record: 8-6 (8th)
NOTABLE ARRIVALS: F Dave Bolland, F Jussi Jokinen, D Willie Mitchell, D Aaron Ekblad
NOTABLE DEPARTURES: D Tom Gilbert
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
Forwards
Jonathan Huberdeau — Aleksander Barkov — Scottie Upshall
Jussi Jokinen — Nick Bjugstad — Brad Boyes
Tomas Fleischmann — Dave Bolland — Tomas Kopecky
Sean Bergenheim — Derek MacKenzie — Shawn Thornton
Brandon Pirri,
Defensemen
Brian Campbell — Dmitry Kulikov
Willie Mitchell — Aaron Ekblad
Erik Gudbranson — Dylan Olsen
Greg Zanon
Goalies
Roberto Luongo
Al Montoya
Fancy Stats Primer: Your guide to hockey's advanced analytics jargon
• Who should be named Panthers captain? Here are some candidates
PLAYER TO WATCH: Aleksander Barkov
Barkov, perhaps the most talented member of Florida's kiddie corps, projects to be the team's long-term No. 1 center. Short term? We'll see. He had his rookie season cut short after suffering a knee injury while playing for Finland during the 2014 Winter Olympics and needs to prove that he can handle the responsibilities over a full NHL season. And there is an upside to playing for a team with low expectations. Barkov has the opportunity gain experience in a low-pressure environment.
PREDICTION: 77 points, seventh in Atlantic
• METROPOLITAN PREVIEWS:Capitals | Penguins | Flyers | Devils | Islanders | Blue Jackets | Hurricanes | Rangers
• PACIFIC PREVIEWS:Canucks | Sharks | Coyotes | Flames | Ducks | Oilers | Kings
• CENTRAL PREVIEWS:Wild | Stars | Blackhawks | Avalanche | Jets | Predators | Blues