There is nothing more disappointing than getting close to your ultimate goal and falling short. The Florida Panthers fell in the first round, but it isn’t anything to be ashamed of and they will come back even stronger next season. Let me tell you how they are going to do just that.
1. Aleksander Barkov is going to get better
Just short of a point-per-game pace, Barkov was easily the best player on the Panthers this season. He was their do-everything player over the course of the season. When they needed a defensive stopper they called on Barkov. When they needed a goal they called on Barkov. The scary part about his output this year is that he will only be going into his fourth season in the NHL. He should end next year with better point totals and should become a more complete player. There is a reason they rewarded him with a long-term contract – they know what they have in him and want to be able to keep him on a cost controlled contract.
2. Atlantic Division is getting weaker
The Red Wings aren’t getting any younger and they can’t come to the realization that they need an infusion of youth. The Lightning are going to make some real tough decisions mainly regarding the future of Steven Stamkos. The Leafs and Sabres are still a few years away from competing on the same level as the Panthers. This may not be their year, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t coming. They’ll have many more opportunities with this core and that is an encouraging thought for all Panthers fans.
3. An insane amount of cap space
It doesn’t really matter where the NHL cap goes next year. Even if it goes down the Panthers still have roughly $20+ million dollars in cap space. They can pick up any number of players with that kind of money and not sacrifice their future at the same time. Does that mean they will be in on players like Andrew Ladd? Not necessarily. They will just have the option to do so and that is a good situation for a future Cup contender to have. They may not reach the cap in the coming years, but they’ll have the ability should the right situation present itself.
A playoff loss isn’t easy to stomach, but knowing the future is bright should help Panthers fans.
