The Arizona Coyotes and Florida Panthers are both trying to become more respectable teams.
Today we look at: Florida Panthers
2014-15 record: 38-29-15, 6th in the Atlantic. Didn’t make the playoffs
How the Arizona Coyotes did against the Panthers last season: 2 games, 1-1-0
Schedule this year against the Arizona Coyotes: Thur, 2/25 at Florida, Sat 3/5 Home
More From Howlin’ Hockey -> Arizona Coyotes 2015 Opponents: Vancouver Canucks
More from Coyotes News
- How the Arizona Coyotes could line-up with Logan Cooley signed
- Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC
- Arizona Coyotes sign Matias Maccelli to three-year deal
- Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident
Notable additions: RW Reilly Smith
Notable subtractions: RW Jimmy Hayes, LW Scottie Upshall, RW Brad Boyes
Coached by: Gerard Gallant (2nd year)
Who’s in Net:
Roberto Luongo is STILL the starter, even at age 36. Realistically it’s time to start looking for a replacement soon. Al Montoya (former Coyote) is the backup, and didn’t draw rave reviews. They have prospect Samuel Montembeault , but he’s not ready.
Quick thoughts about the Panthers:
- They kinda remind us of how we may look if we continue to draft and develop our young prospects.
- Their “senior” players are showing that they can still play. Jaromir Jagr showed he still has it, and well as Luongo. Does this mean Shane Doan still has 3-4 more years left in his tank?
- Ten of their players and prospects are under the age of 25. They are building with their youth, and it will payoff soon. This could be the year they make the playoffs.
Why the Panthers will win the Stanley Cup:
They may win it, but not this year. All the young players are progressing, but it takes time. Aaron Ekblad, the Calder trophy winner last season is special. This team is doing it right, and may be near a Cup in three years or so…hopefully the same timeline as ours.
Why the Panthers won’t win the Stanley Cup:
The odds are against them, since they have only made it once in the last fourteen years to the first step of qualifying for the playoffs. Their upside is strong, and they will be a team to deal with in the next several years, just not quite yet.
Three Things We Like About You:
- We like that we’re both developing young prospects, and drafting good players. The pain of rebuilding does have rewards. Both our teams will see results in the near future.
- We realize that you have had issues with low attendance due to poor performance on the ice. We’ve been there too. With young, exciting players like Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, and Dylan Strome, fans will show up just to get to see a glimpse of them.
- If it times out just right, we could be meeting in the Cup Finals in 2019, or 2020. Should be fun.
Three Things We Don’t Like About You:
- Ekblad stole the Calder from Forsberg, and he looks like he’s not even old enough to shave.
- That you have someone like Jagr, who is old enough to be Ekblad’s father. I mean what is this guy doing…taking youth serum?
- That you have two teams, one who almost won the Cup, and won who hasn’t even been in the playoffs in over a decade.
Prediction:
We think your future is bright, and if you don’t get moved (we know what those rumors do to the fan count) to say Quebec, then you should be able to be a playoff team at least. Develop those young prospects, they’re like money in the bank.
Next: Arizona Coyotes Pontificating Brendan Perlini’s Potential
More from Howlin' Hockey
- How the Arizona Coyotes could line-up with Logan Cooley signed
- Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC
- Arizona Coyotes sign Matias Maccelli to three-year deal
- Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident