George Richards, FHN Publisher
The Florida Panthers will look much different this coming season in a key area as they had to retool their blueline following injuries and departures of some key defensemen.
While Radko Gudas signing a new contract with Anaheim will have the greatest impact on the Panthers’ backend, the loss of Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour at least in the early stages of the season will affect Florida as well.
Losing two of your top three defensemen to injury is not something which will be easy to overcome.
Speaking on NHL Network Radio on Tuesday, Florida general manager Bill Zito said both Ekblad and Montour were coming along from their various injuries as expected.
Although he still would not offer up a timeline for their expected return, both could be back around December — meaning the Panthers are planning to play at least the first quarter of the season without two of their leaders.
So, how will the Panthers get by without so many important pieces moving forward?
First, the big question is when will Ekblad and Montour return?
Ekblad was playing through a number of injuries this past season starting in the third game when he sustained a groin injury against Boston.
He then ended up playing through a broken foot and a shoulder injury.
In the playoffs, Ekblad broke his foot again and had much-needed surgery on a shoulder which has been giving him problems for some time.
The time away from the game could be very benefical to Ekblad — so the Panthers are not rushing him back.
Montour sustaind a torn labrum during Florida’s postseason run and also had surgery.
With Florida’s season lasting into June, their surgeries came later than usual and neither is expected to see any action until this new campaign gets going.
“The intel I am getting is that they are on time,” Zito said on Tuesday. “It will be a month or two. Is it one? Probably not. Is it four? Probably not. Everytime I check in, I am told they are on schedule.”
That means the Panthers are going to have to get by with what they have.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS
Florida figured it was going to lose Gudas to a big payday in free agency and he got his deal with the Ducks. Marc Staal played a lot of minutes and, after a slow start, was an important part of Florida’s defensive rotation.
But, the team moved on from him as he landed in Philadelphia.
In free agency, Zito went out and signed a lot of defensive depth — something to help the Panthers with Ekblad and Montour out as well as to lend a hand upon their return.
The biggest name Florida signed was Oliver Ekman-Larsson who struggled his past two seasons with Vancouver so much that they bought out the final four years of his contract.
Florida got OEL on a discount deal hoping that his problems are, like Ekblad, more due to injury than anything else. Ekman-Larsson had been out since February with another foot injury, one which he says has healed.
While Gudas was known for his big hits, it is his defensive positioning in the back end which will be missed the most.
“Radko was the big surprise when I got here in terms of quality of play,” Paul Maurice said last season.
“From a technical point of view and a systems point of view, he just does not make a lot of mistakes. I think he is perceived as a runner, that he will run out of position to make hits. He will line a guy up every one in a while but he’s usually timed that right to the feel of the game.”
To replace that, the Panthers signed former Blues defenseman Niko Mikkola to a three-year deal.
Mikkola plays a strong defensive game and will get the lions’ share of starts in the defensive zone, either with the reaquired Dmitry Kulikov or Josh Mahura.
The Panthers also signed former Boston defenseman Mike Reilly who was a cap casuality last season with the Bruins and spent most of the year with AHL Providence.
Lucas Carlsson is also back after re-signing as a free agent with rookie Matt Kierstead looking to battle for a spot on the team.
LINE ‘EM UP
When it comes time for the start of the season, the Panthers will be without Ekblad and Montour — that much we know.
So, who goes where?
We are expecting a lot out of Gus Forsling this season and he may be counted on for a lot more offense than in the past.
Florida wants a defenseman running its power play and, with both Montour and Ekblad out, Forsling may get the first crack at running PP1.
That should give him ample opportunity to enhance his offensive production.
Ekman-Larsson should also figure into power play time.
Forsling and Ekman-Larsson are expected to start as Florida’s top defensive pairing — at least for the time being.
The second pairing could see Kulikov on the left side with Reilly on the right.
Mahura, now entering his second season with the Panthers after being a waiver pickup just before the start of last season, is expected to stick on the third pairing (where he was with Gudas) likely with Mikkola as this may end up being a combo which sticks upon the return of Ekblad and Montour.
May as well get them used to playing with one another.
Carlsson and Kiersted will battle for the seventh spot on the opening night roster although if either stands out above the rest, could find their way into the top 6.
FLORIDA PANTHERS ON DECK