NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, three important questions facing the Florida Panthers.
[Panthers 32 in 32: Season preview | Top prospects | Fantasy breakdown]
1. How much of an impact will Paul Maurice have?
The Panthers decided to move on from Andrew Brunette, who was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as top coach in the NHL after Joel Quenneville resigned Oct. 28, 2021.
In the press conference announcing Maurice’s hiring, Florida general manager Bill Zito spoke of the importance of having an experienced coach.
“We really, really want to take the next step,” Zito said. “We have to keep going, we have to keep going. And part of that is looking at the horizon. And we need to prepare, and we need to be ready. And we have to anticipate, where are we headed right now? I think that’s the biggest takeaway for us.
“And so, that’s where I really believe that Paul, is, as you can tell, the special enthusiasm, the special experience in hockey that we’re going to have some challenges this year. And I think that this is a great fit for us to move forward and take them on.”
Maurice brings plenty of experience; He is 775-680-130 with 99 ties through 14 seasons with the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Jets. He ranks seventh in NHL history in wins and fourth in games coached (1,684) behind Scotty Bowman (2,141), Barry Trotz (1,812) and Quenneville (1,768).
Video: NHL Tonight talks with Florida’s new HC, Paul Maurice
2. Can they remain potent offensively?
After scoring 340 goals last season, it could be difficult for the Panthers to match that kind of production in 2022-23.
Newcomer Matthew Tkachuk is coming off a 42-goal season, but the Panthers gave up forward Jonathan Huberdeau (and his 30 goals) and offensive-minded defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (eight goals) to acquire him in the trade with the Calgary Flames.
A bigger concern might be whether forwards Alexander Barkov (39 goals), Sam Bennett (28), Sam Reinhart (33) and Carter Verhaeghe (24) Can duplicate their production after setting career highs in goals last season. And then there’s the issue of replacing forward Anthony Duclairwho scored a career-high 31 goals but will miss significant time, and perhaps all of the regular season after sustaining an offseason Achilles injury that required surgery.
Although an offensive regression is almost to be expected, it won’t matter if the Panthers make the playoffs and can improve on their three goals in four games during their four-game loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Second Round.
3. Can the veteran newcomers make a difference defensively?
The biggest question marks on the Panthers roster heading into training camp revolve around their defensemen following the departures of Weegar (traded for Tkachuk) and Ben Chiarotwho signed with the Detroit Red Wings as an unrestricted free agent.
Florida signed veterans Marc Staal, Anthony Bitetto and Michael Del Zotto to join a group led by Aaron Ekblad and Gustav Forsling. The Panthers will likely need more from their defensemen this season with the expected dip in offensive production and puck possession, but with Del Zotto and Bitetto splitting time between the NHL and the American Hockey League last season, there is reason for concern.
.