Florida Panthers - Line Up

A year after a surprising division title, a mixture of injuries and regression left the Florida Panthers with the worst record in the NHL. The Panthers did not make any seismic moves in attempt to yo-yo back into Stanley Cup Playoff contention, but another elite prospect, Aleksander Barkov, joins a stable of precocious talents, and general manager Dale Tallon will let the development of those players dictate how much the team can improve in 2013-14. Stephen Weiss, the team's No. 1 center for the past five seasons, went to the Detroit Red Wings on a five-year contract, but Barkov, the No. 2 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, is expected to center one of the top two lines immediately. The Panthers did add a couple of potential role players up front, Scott Gomez and Joey Crabb. A healthy roster will certainly help the Panthers be a little better this season. How well young players Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Erik Gudbranson and Jacob Markstrom play will determine if it is a large improvement. Bjugstad and Barkov have a combined 11 games of NHL experience. It is possible Gomez or Goc ends up on one of the top two lines to start the season, but Bjugstad and Barkov should be there in short order. Shore could be the long-term No. 3 center but might make sense on the wing until some of the other young players arrive. One name to watch in camp is Vincent Trochek, who lit up the Ontario Hockey League last season and could earn at least a nine-game look with the big club. If Bergenheim is ready to play, then the battle for the bottom-six forward slots could start to get crowded. Robak isn't the only young player who could earn a spot on the blue line. Alex Petrovic is another defenseman who looks like a future fixture for the Panthers.

In: RW Bobby Butler, RW Joey Crabb, C Scott Gomez, D Matt Gilroy, C Jon Matsumoto, D Mike Mottau, RW Steven Pinizzotto, C Jesse Winchester.
Out: RW Jack Skille, D Tyson Strachan, C Stephen Weiss, D Nolan Yonkman.
UFAs: G Jose Theodore.
Prospects: G Michael Houser, D Jonathan Racine, C Vincent Trocheck.

Forward Joey Crabb was signed to improve a League-worst penalty kill, and Bobby Butler, Scott Gomez and Jesse Winchester add depth in case of injury problems.

Here is the projected 2013-14 lineup for the Panthers:

Forwards

Jonathan Huberdeau - Nick Bjugstad - Kris Versteeg
Tomas Fleischmann - Aleksander Barkov - Drew Shore
Shawn Matthias - Marcel Goc - Tomas Kopecky
Quinton Howden - Scott Gomez - Scottie Upshall
Joey Crabb

Defensemen

Brian Campbell - Erik Gudbranson
Dmitry Kulikov - Mike Weaver
Ed Jovanovski - Colby Robak
Matt Gilroy - Mike Mottau

Goalies

Jacob Markstrom Scott Clemmensen