What are your expectations for next season?

[PanthersHockey1]

I’ll add another goal. I hope we draw Tampa next post season and slay that dragon.

 

[ShootIt]

98-0 or bust.

 

[Last Rat Standing]

The 19K that was going to the playoff games keep going to regular games as well. I want this run to catapult future ticket sales.

 

[ShootIt]

The 19K that was going to the playoff games keep going to regular games as well. I want this run to catapult future ticket sales.

I think to start the year they'll have a full barn/damn close to it. If they stay hot then I expect the building to stay full. Another regular season like this past year I could see some staying home.

 

[Last Rat Standing]

I think to start the year they'll have a full barn/damn close to it. If they stay hot then I expect the building to stay full. Another regular season like this past year I could see some staying home.

I'm not expecting a sold out barn on a Tuesday in January against Ottawa. But a nice 15-16k during the week and sold out weekends would be great

 

[violaswallet]

Lundell steps up as a number 2 after Zito signs him to an 8 year deal this summer.

Tkachuk misses half the season but comes back stronger.

We had another top four D and some more bottom six strength.

Duke is traded to Calgary likely for Kylington

We sign Toews or another retiree

 

[Desert Panther]

Zito has his work cut out for him. We need stronger forward depth and a top four defensemen.

The Staals should be gone. Givani Smith can kick rocks. Colin White I’d rather move on from but if he takes less money then I’m okay with him as a replacement level forward. Nick Cousins was okay but he shouldn’t be consistently in our top-9 like he was in the playoffs. Gudas was good but he’s getting older and he was really beat up in this run. We should probably begin preparing for a replacement for him sooner rather than later.

We need to know how Spencer Knight is coming along as well. Will he be available when training camp comes around.

We have guys like Denisenko, Carlsson, and Heponiemi who could challenge for a roster spot but ultimately if they’re not in our plans then they should be moved this off-season for guys who will contribute to the current roster.

Putting these lines down for no particular reason.

Bennett-Barkov-Verhaeghe
Tkachuk-Lundell-Reinhart
Duclair-Lustorainen-?
Lomberg-?-?
?-?

Forsling-Montour
?-Ekblad
Mahura-?
?

Bob
Knight(?)

That’s 8 or 9 spots Zito needs to address this off-season.

Not to split hairs here, but we don't have Carlsson unless we resign him. He's a Group VI UFA according to CapFriendly.

As far as your assessment, I mostly agree. I'd love to resign Gudas to a short term deal as 3rd pairing guy. I've stated this before, but with Gavrikov and Provorov off the board, I think Carson Soucy should be the prime target to replace Marc Staal.

I'd leave the top 3 lines from this season alone unless an obvious upgrade is available for cheap. In particular, the duos of Bennett-Tkachuk and Luostarinen-Reinhart have noticeable chemistry. Cousins was a good fit on that 2nd line as well, but I think he can be replaced on it. Same idea with Duke.. Shouldn't be the first priority though. I could see us getting a couple of the youngsters going on the 4th line if they can crack the lineup out of camp (Sammie, Sourdif, Deni, McAllister are all candidates here). If we don't go that way, we need a couple guys in depth for sure.

Duclair-Barkov-Verhaeghe
Tkachuk-Bennett-Cousins
Luostarinen-Lundell-Reinhart
Lomberg-?-?

And of course, Knight is the x-factor here. Hopefully he bounces back from whatever he was struggling with this year and shows the development we expected from him when he was extended. He should be 1A-1B with Bob next season with the ability to take over the starter's net in 24-25.

Tkachuk misses half the season but comes back stronger.

Not likely that long. Typical recovery time from a fractured sternum is 10-12 weeks. He should be ready to go by training camp.

 

[Dnigly13]

I did a 89M cap with Ekblad LTIR. I think Chucky might go for a few months but didnt plan on that cause we want him back earlier then playoffs or mid way. I signed Denisenko, Graves, Nick Bjugstad, Bertuzzi, Tarasenko, Gudas. traded Duclair for Kylington.

Bertuzzi - Barkov - Tarasenko
Verhaeghe - Bennett - Tkachuk (Deni until Chunky is ready)
Loustarinen - Lundell - Reinhart
Lomberg - Cousins - Bjugstad

Graves - Montour
Forsling - Kylington
Mahura - Gudas

When playoffs start
Graves - Montour
Forsling - Ekblad
Kylington - Gudas

Bob and Knight

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

First 7 games of 2023-24.

at MIN
at WPG
at NJ

vs TOR
vs VAN
vs SJ
vs SEA

WPG, VAN and SJ should be wins.
MIN, NJ, TOR and SEA will be battles.

 

[RogerRoger]

I expect playoffs.

Once we're in, then I always expect nothing because playoffs don't really make sense. (which is sometimes quite wonderful)

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

I expect them to play at least 82 games.

 

[BeezKnees]

I'm expecting a similar season to this past one (though not as extreme). Slow start with the injuries, but strong second half to make the playoffs comfortably. We'll give our 1st round matchup hell.

 

[Necrobutcher]

I only have one expectation.

 

[SatanicToedrag]

I expect the unexpectable

 

[Dread Clawz]

We should be contenders for the division crown(if Zito plays his cards right this offseason). Playoffs are tough to expect anything out of, because the Atlantic is so tough. I mean you'd like to win at least one round. It really depends on what moves Zito makes in the next couple weeks, and at the deadline. Plus other factors like how does Knight bounce back, how is Ek after coming back frok those injuries, plus other injured players.

 

[5 Hole]

I expect to be locked in to a playoff spot at least a few weeks before the end of the season.

 

[KW]

I expect Tkachuk to be Rat King again and Barky to shoot and check double his usual rate.

 

[Cats711]

Top 3 in division, at least 2nd round of play-offs.

 

[Gizmo Tkachuk]

Depending on what moves we make, either 3rd in Atlantic or WC1.

Don’t see us pushing too much for Presidents since last year and recent Tampa teams show that placement is meaningless come playoffs time if you’re hard to play against

 

[ProjectPanthers]

Playoffs and at least a first round win, that's the bare minimum in my opinion.

This team needs to set a standard of success and consistency they've never seen before. These last two seasons are far and away the best consecutive years this team has had, but it can't stop here.

I mean ideally they march right back into the finals and this time take it home, but the NHL is tough and we've witnessed first hand this year how hard it is to win in the playoffs and how easily good teams can be made to look like they're not.

I'd love at least another conference final to keep this team in the constant "contender" conversation, but realistically at least one playoff series win is an absolute must.

 

[Catscountry40]

It's cup or bust next season. This group has done enough learning.
Get into pamyoffs at GM70-75
It Paul Maurice can't get it done this year he will never get it done.

 

[Egblad]

I expect to solidly make the playoffs, but beyond that I have no expectations. We learned this post-season that expectations should be thrown out the window once the playoffs start.

 

[Mogo]

Same as every year. Miss the playoffs. Never be dissapointed

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

DO EXPECT:

1) Playoffs - even with injuries, even with a stacked Atlantic, we need to make the playoffs. A step back following the year we were supposed to take a step back would be so Panthers.

2) Some time for defense to gel and form any bit of chemistry, thankfully our schedule isn't stacked in October, some "easier" opponents in there.
Only Forsling and Mahura know the system, will be a quick learning curve for OEL, Kuli, Mikkola and Reilly.

3) PK has to be better, seems like most of the additions added can play it. This has been a bit of an Achilles heel for years now and since we play more penalty friendly now, it's a crucial piece to the puzzle.

4) A slight regression from Top 10 PP and GF/G.
Duclair for Rodrigues is essentially wash when ERod is better defensively and will boost offense playing with top 6 players.
Don't see a big drop off here as a team, should be able to score our way out of problems most nights but will miss Ek/Monty's goals in first half of season.

5) More of the same attack when 5 on 5.
Strong forecheck, turnover, dump and chase mentality with D pinching aggressively if need be.
It may be more defensive minded while Ekblad and Montour are out but once back, it'll shift back to the main 3 Offensive D supplying fair share.

DON'T EXPECT:

1) Anything I just mentioned above to come true in any way.
This team is wild as f*** and we never know how the season will play out.
Buckle up and let's enjoy the ride.

2) I don't expect Bob to be lights out all year but it'd be nice to see him start really well in October and November to cover up injuries on defense and he's a team leader, he's an X factor for this team and propelled us to the Finals.
If he can be good to great 66% of the time, we're doing well.

 

[Jakeybonz]

9th or 10th seed.