Evaluating the Panthers

  A few days ago the Panthers were defeated which put an end to a very dissapointing season for Florida fans.  The team cleaned out their lockers and for some it could be their last time in the home locker room at the BankAlantic Center.  Even with this GM Wilson is very optimistic. " Well you always want to win but the position were in is a great chance to really build this team.   With a Top 3 pick in this years draft, we are also looking to make some moves to really help our future which will result in dealing away some good players that we really like. In the stretch run it gave us a chance to see some players that we wouldnt normally see and they really impressed us and will be in consideration for next years team. One thing we need to stay away from this year is risking our future.  Last year we thought we had a legit team and traded away some really good young players to grab veterans and we all know it didnt pan out very well."

  With the season over, during the next week the Panthers Paper will be looking at all the spots of the franchise for the future of  the team for the offseason and the season ahead. Today we will look at the Left Wing situation and tomorrow will be the right wing.  On Wendsday we'll look at the centre slot and on Thursday at the blue line.  Friday will look at the Goaltending outlook and Saturday will give an indepth look at the teams plan for the draft and the offseason.  For Sunday we have a very big suprise for you all and we'll keep it under wraps 'till then. 

 The top 2 Left wingers seem to be locked up for the Panthers.  They have up and comer Wojtek Wolski and sniper David Booth.  Both are coming off dissapointing seasons offensively but then again so is the whole team.  Neither of them are considered at the moment a #1 Left winger but they both are solid 2nd liners and both will go into camp competiting for the #1 spot.  It seemed like Dylan's phone was ringing all year from Gm's asking about Booth but Dylan really likes him and still seems reluctant to move him.  Both are young players and the future of this position seems to be in a good place and is a position that Dylan doesnt look like he will be really pushing to bring in a Top guy and would rather have these two fight it out.

  While the Top 2 look set, the bottom 2 are up for grabs.  At the moment Mark Bell seems to be in line for the 3rd spot but fails to impress the GM and someone else will probablly step in their.  One of those players that have caught Dylan's attention was Brett Sutter who seems to fit well with the organization.  After him the depth is shallow, with Mikeal Holmqvist, Mike Leclerc, Ryan Jardine and Josh Olson all leaving the orginization all thats left for the farm is Tanner Glass.  Its a position that will be looked at to be improved during the offseason with the lack of prospects at the position.  The team has two players who the will bring up next year in Maxime Lacroix and veteran Pete Vandermeer. 

  The Prospect depth here is very thin as the Top Prospect at the position is A.J Jenks along with Brandon McMillan and Geordie Wudrick.  These players are potential Top 6 wingers but are more realisticly headed for the bottom 6 if lucky.  The team will ultimatley look to improve this depth in the offseason and will try and improve the position with a late round pick. 

AND a word from the GM.

" At the left wing we feel confident enough to really stand pat.  With Booth and Wolski we really dont have to grab a top guy and with the guys we have in the system theres no reason to really stress over the position during the offseason but I'll say there is no such thing as TOO much depth and we will always look to improve any position."