As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention -- either mathematically or by losing in the postseason -- we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2017-18, along with three keys to its offseason and a way-too-early prediction on what 2018-19 will hold.
What went wrong
It's a case of too little, too early.
The Florida Panthers started the season 7-11-2. By Jan. 30, they were 10 points out of the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with a 20-22-6 record. Since then, Florida has gone 22-8-2 to make a real run at a playoff spot, buoyed by a dominant performance by the line of Aleksander Barkov, Evgenii Dadonov and Nick Bjugstad, as well as strong goaltending from both Roberto Luongo and James Reimer.
But the early stumble under first-year coach Bob Boughner dug too deep a hole, and the teams they were chasing for the wild card closed the deal.
What went wrong? Defensively, they just weren't good enough for most of the season, with a team goals-against average of 3.01 (compared to 2.97 goals scored per game); they gave up the third-highest shots on goal per game (34.4) in the NHL. They were a negative possession team, and were in the bottom half of the league in even-strength goal differential.
Keys to the offseason
1. Add a top-six winger
The Panthers are becoming pretty stacked at center, with Barkov and Vincent Trocheck and rookie Henrik Borgström, a 6-foot-3 dangler who could challenge for the Calder Trophy next season. Let's assume that they've got something in that Barkov line; what they need is a scorer to slide in with Trocheck and Jonathan Huberdeau on their second line.
The problem is that there's a lot more available on left wing (where Huberdeau plays) in free agency than there is on right wing, where maybe Michael Grabner is the best option. OK, the other problem is that with all the players under contract for next season, the Panthers might have about $10 million under the cap to play with in the summer.
But what they really need is a speedy, versatile winger who can snipe as well as create plays. Someone who has, like, produced a 30-goal season before. You know, a real Jonathan Marchessault type.
2. Make a decision on Alex Petrovic
Petrovic, 26, is a physical defenseman who played well with Mackenzie Weegar on the team's third pairing, producing the only positive Corsi differential numbers among Panthers defensemen. He's a restricted free agent, and the Panthers clearly like the intangibles he brings to the table. But in the interest of improving the overall team, should they look into moving him?
3. Stay the course!
If you'll notice, the suggestions above are additions. They're tweaks. They're augmentations. They're not a dramatic reshaping of the team. Which is to say that with the core of the team 25 years old or younger, with vets like Keith Yandle and Luongo still viable contributors, with Boughner and his staff getting a season to cut their teeth, and with 19 players under contract already for next season, missing the playoffs is a disappointing detour in a journey the Panthers clearly feel is headed in the right direction.
Realistic expectation for 2018-19
The playoffs.
Provided the Panthers make a few upgrades in their lineup, provided the defense tightens up in front of their goaltending battery and provided the trajectory for players like Barkov and Bjugstad remains on the course it's been in the second half of the season, the Panthers are a team on the rise.
And they'd better be, considering the foundation of this team will be around through at least 2022.