Since you asked...
Boughner out, Quenneville in. Then work with Q to assess what we have and who can fit his system/structures, particularly on D. I assume he brings a staff in with him. Springfield needs to be aligned with the new Panthers structure so guys can be brought up more seamlessly. We can expect 2-3 forwards and 2-3 defensemen (and probably Monty) to be brought up over the course of next season.
I like Bobrovsky or Varlamov to be brought in. Unless Lu retires, he's the new backup. Monty can be the 3rd option as long as Lu is able to play, with Reimer the odd man out. If Lu should retire (or hopefully not injured next year), I think Monty can be the back up.
If Panarin and Bobrovsky are a package deal, then get them both. But, I think our offense isn't the issue, so I'd spend the money on defensive upgrades instead.
I'd keep Huberdeau-Barkov-Dadanov together next year. That line is very complementary. I'd limit their minutes and not use them as if they are the only 3 guys on the team who know how to play hockey. I like Trocheck centering the 2nd line and Borgstrom centering the 3rd. I'd give one Hoffman and the other Vatrano on the wings. I hope we can keep Brouwer. I like McGinn too but don't know how he's holding up after his injury.
On D, I'd split Ekblad, Yandle, and Matheson and try to pair them up with better stay-at-home defenders, preferably who can bring a more physical element to the defensive zone and net front area.
If any free agents are available with with some Stanley Cup winning experience, that would be bonus points in my mind. We need the proven leadership and experience to keep the younger players on balance and avoid the periods of pure panic on defense where we've been choking the leads all season long. Since Jagr, Mitchell, Campbell, Jokinen, Thornton, et al are gone, that's been sorely lacking and Boughner has a tendency to amplify the panic through his obvious fear of mistakes.
Finally, should Lu retire, they need to retire his #1 ASAP. He deserves it and it's embarrassing that the only retired numbers at BB&T Center belong to executives.
Go Panthers!
- JimboCoppertone
Hey Jimbo,
Care to elaborate a bit? Haha. Just joking!
I agree with your points and thanks for taking the time to write in such a well-thought piece.
Did you see that goofy article on NHL Trade Rumors referencing some article from The Athletic that McDavid is going to ask EDM for a trade? I don’t buy it, but the article had a mock deal with Florida and it looked like this:
“Oilers trade Connor McDavid, Sam Gagner and Kris Russell to the Florida Panthers for Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Owen Tippett, Serron Noel, and a first-round pick. Faces of the franchise would be completely different, Edmonton would get return for the now and future.”
It’s obviously a just for fun, but no way I’m moving Barkov without getting some kind of legit/proven defensemen in return. No way I’m moving him in general, probably. Haha. But it’s interesting to think of McDavid in Florida.
