Team: 2022-23 Florida Panthers

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 2, 2022

Published: Jun. 4, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

After the Florida Panthers fell short once again losing to Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. From what appeared to be a "go for it year" for Bill Zito's Florida Panthers it was quite a bit of a gut punch and over all deflation as they lose to their state rivals the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second year straight. The question a lot Panther fans keep asking now is "what happens now" as this was what everyone saw as the "Cats Stanley Cup window year". General Manager Bill Zito will have his hands more than full attempting to bring his team back stronger next season but also shaping his team up for long term success; something that has not been a storyline with the Panthers over their time in the NHL. What does this team need to do to make a deep run? What does this team need to do to receive long term success? Looking at the upcoming expiring contracts and the tight cap situation it is shaping up to be a busy off-season in South Florida. Let us bring you through a Straight Out Of Sunrise - GM Takeover, and what we feel this group can benefit from moving forward.

- With Bill Zito's 2 year tenure so far with the Florida Panthers, acquiring 2 time Stanley Cup champion and veteran leader Patric Hornquist from the Pittsburgh Penguins was among one of the first he made with the Cats. Over the 2 years Horny has spent with the Florida Panthers, he has arguably been one of the best moves Bill Zito made. Giving this team an identity, being able to implicate his tremendous leadership throughout the young Panthers group. Unfortunately as Patric Hornquist has done so much good for this group, his 5.3$ M cap hit is a sharp thorn in the Panthers cap situation. I'd like to see the Panthers attempt to trade him to a team with comfortable cap space, someone like the Arizona Coyotes or the Chicago Blackhawks.

Eetu Luostarainen - With this player it is quite simple, BRING HIM BACK!! Eetu Luostarainen following this season has been one of the most consistent, underrated forwards in the deep Florida offence. Bring him back at around 975k -1.2M for a 3 year term.

- Brandon Montour is an interesting case as Zito brought him in at the 2020-21 deadline and Montour has played fairly well for the most part on the 3rd defensive pairing . His contract is not all that bad either, he is just getting slightly overpaid. Montour had quite a good year considering he only just played on the 3rd pairing season long. It is just another contract that Florida Panthers could remove to attempt to bring in role players, and there are teams out there with more cap and a pressing need for a defensemen that would be willing to take on the right handed rear guard.

Claude Giroux - Panthers veteran forward Claude Giroux was acquired from the Flyers at the 2021-22 trade deadline. With a cap hit 8 million $ the Flyers retained half in the deal so the Panthers only took on 4 million of the contract. Claude is now a UFA and has options about his future; as he is 35 years old, still an incredible 2 way forward but without a Stanley Cup. It has been rumoured that Claude may head back to either the Philadelphia Flyers or his wife's hometown of Ottawa Ontario.
Although playing in one's hometown would be a cool experience or going back to where he spent so much time playing the game he loves so much, both the Senators and the Flyers are deep in a rebuild and would likely eliminate Claude's chance at Lord Stanley. So instead I would bargain as much as possible with Claude and his representatives and attempt to make him stay for : 2 years at 2,300,000.


- The Florida Panthers are going to do some refurbishing within there depth pieces and identity.
As it looks like the Panthers are going to most likely lose identity forward Mason Marchment to a large payday in free agency they are going to need to replace his position, as well as fill the spot Patric Hornquist (if they do end up trading him). This the time where you bring in players such as Marcus Johansson and Ryan Carpenter.

Marcus Johansson - The 31 year old veteran forward has many tools in his game to play up and down the line up. Johansson measures in at 6'1", 203 lbs, and can play in tight moments, big games and playoff experience. He played a big role in the Boston Bruins top 6 when they made a run to the cup final in 2019 and was a constant thorn in the Panthers side during the 1st round series in 2022 against the Capitals. I would like the Florida Panthers to make a true look at the 31 year old forward and attempt to sign him for a 2 year deal, around 1.7$ M, which would be quite reasonable considering he is at a 1.5M cap hit on his current contract.

Ryan Carpenter - Carpenter is a sand paper forward the Panthers could use in the line up. Carpenter is also 31 years old and would fit in perfectly as he is a Oviedo, FL native. Carpenter plays an effective 2-way game, provides lots of energy and grit. He is quite aggressive and physical and is definitely not shy to drop the gloves (if and when needed) . Carpenter would be a great guy to see the Panthers target in the off-season for a deal around 2x1M.

The Florida Panthers are going to tighten up and polish the blue line. Although the Panthers gave up a big haul for Ben Chiarot at the trade deadline, I would rather the Cats move on from the big man either dealing him at the draft or letting him fall into free agency. The main 2 blue liners we'd like to see getting picked up in free agency are veteran experienced defence men Jan Rutta and Brett Kulak, who are both actively contributing to The Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers in the conference finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Both are big, 2 way, veteran defence men. The size and physicality of both the rear guards would be something the Panthers foundation could truly benefit from. I'd like to bring Rutta in for about 2-3 years at anywhere from $1.7-2M and Kulak around the same price range but for possibly less term.

After polishing up missing pieces I'd like the Panthers to bring in additional role guys such as resigning Maxim Mamin for 980k, Michael Stone for 850k, and bringing in some size, grit and nastiness signing Brett Ritchie for 925k.

Figure out the coaching situation, although Coach of the year finalist Andrew Brunette took over quite nicely during the regular season journey I am not sure if he should be the head guy, although I would like him to stay on the coaching staff. The main coaches I would like the Panthers to interview with are Rick Tocchet, Barry Trotz, and Claude Julien.

To top off the off-season bring back 2023 expiring contracts Jonathan Huberdeau at 9 Million for 6 years and Mackenzie Weegar at 5.5-6 x 4 years!!

Although the Panthers would be tight on cap space with around 200k, good teams are not full of cap space. I believe this off-season moves would give the Panthers more of a battle tested identity, that can be an offensive power house but also has the intangibles to be a 2 way, well rounded, playoff ready team!!

Transaction Summary:
1. Florida Panthers Patric Hornquist > < 2023 7th Round Draft Pick, $5.3M Cap Relief.
2. Eetu Luostrainen 1,000,000 x 3 years
3. Florida Panthers : Brandon Montour > < Cross Hanas, 2023 3rd Round Pick, 2024 5th Round Pick : Detroit Red Wings
4. Claude Giroux 2,300,000 x 2 years
5. Marcus Johansson 1,700,000 x 2 years
6. Ryan Carpenter 1,000,000 x 2 years
7. Jan Rutta 1,750,000 x 3 years
8. Brett Kulak 2,000,000 x 2 years
9. Maxim Mamin 980,000 x 2 years
10. Michael Stone 850,000 x 1
11. Brett Ritchie 925,000 x 1
12. Jonathan Huberdeau 9,000,000 x 6 years
13. MacKenzie Weegar 5,700,000 x 4 years
14. Andrew Brunette, Rick Tocchet, Barry Trotz, Claude Julien?

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