The Florida Panthers captured our attention. They made sure of it.
An overhaul of their brand, and their defense, too, and an Atlantic Division crown to defend, the Panthers were, well, in the news. And after the better part the decade clawing at relevancy, they seemed hell-bent on having it stay that way. With progressive hockey decisions and more of a focus on the business aspect, the Panthers were reinforcing the shield now stitched on the front of their uniforms.
But before the new-look Panthers could be unveiled, two massive injuries in the preseason are threatening to apply the brakes on their momentum. First, Nick Bjugstad broke his hand crashing the Dallas Stars' crease, Then on Saturday, first-line winger Jonathan Huberdeau, who was dreaming of a 30- to 40-goal season, suffered an apparent Achilles injury and will miss three-to-four months.
Two players with 50-point potential, and who will combine to make $10 million next season, shelved.
With more than $10 million in cap space, the Panthers have the opportunity most contenders don't, and can search outside the organization for help.
For now though, we'll asses the candidates from within.
Above anything else, this is a massive opportunity for Jared McCann. The first-round pick acquired from the Vancouver Canucks for defenseman Erik Gudbranson could start down the middle in Bjugstad's spot on the third line, which at this point in his career is not overly ambitious. But with Huberdeau out, McCann, who plays multiple forward positions, could be called upon to skate on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr.
McCann scored nine goals, 18 points, and a meager 1.11 points/60 minutes at even strength in 69 games in his rookie season, but with his primary linemates in Vancouver being Derek Dorsett and Alex Burrows, we really don't know what sort of production he can have on a quality unit.
In the event McCann is bumped up, the lesser-known Denis Malgin could have the inside track on the third-line center role between Colton Sceviour and Jonathan Marchessault. The slight former fifth-round pick signed his entry-level deal with Florida this summer after an impressive year in the Swiss league and a strong showing at the World Juniors.
McCann and Malgin are unquestionably valuable prospects, but at 20 and 19 years old, respectively, it's unrealistic to suggest that they will provide quality contributions in essential roles on a team looking to string together the first two 100-point seasons in its history.
