The Florida Panthers got the off-season started with a major deal, sending goalie Roberto Luongo and excellent young defenseman Lukas Krajicek to Vancouver for power forward Todd Bertuzzi, solid veteran defenseman Bryan Allen and goalie Alex Auld. The deal rids the team of Luongo, who had become moody and wanted out, but also left the team with major questions in net. Florida signed Ed Belfour to team with Auld, but it remains to be seen how much the future Hall-of-Famer has left. If the Panthers want to make the playoffs, Belfour will have to stay reasonably healthy and Auld will have to be prepared to step in as the starter if Belfour is out for an extended period. The acquisition of Bertuzzi brings even more questions to the team. The forward will likely welcome the change in scenery, as he struggled to rid himself of the ever-present questions about Steve Moore while with the Canucks. He also had a tendency to disappear at times and took some questionable penalties last season, something which the Panthers won’t be able to afford.

The team is giving up on a solid defenseman in Krajicek but receiving a rather solid one in return in Allen. 

The team also signed physical defenseman Ruslan Salei from Anaheim, giving the team another veteran for their blueline.

The rest of the team remains relatively unchanged. Forward Jon Sim signed with Atlanta in the off-season, but beyond that, the team will return virtually the same squad as in 2005-06.

Florida has a very talented roster, but their team is full of question marks. General manager Mike Keenan resigned in early September, just before the beginning of training camp, forcing the team to name head coach Jacques Martin interim general manager, just to add to all the uncertainty. Beyond the lingering issues with Bertuzzi, the Panthers’ goaltenders will have to be solid early to win over their new teammates. Florida also has several players who are nearing the end of their careers. Forwards like Joe Nieuwendyk, Gary Roberts and Martin Gelinas will have to stay healthy and remain productive if the Panthers want to make the playoffs.

Of course, the Hurricanes seemed to have many questions to answer at the beginning of last season, too.

The Panthers made a bit of a late run at the playoffs last season, but ultimately fell due to their pitiful road record (12-23-6). If Florida wants to make the postseason, that will have to be the first thing they improve upon.

Key Additions:  RW Todd Bertuzzi, G Ed Belfour, D Ruslan Salei, D Bryan Allen, G Alex Auld

Key Departures:  G Roberto Luongo, D Lukas Krajicek, RW Jon Sim

Three Breakout Players:

C Rostislav Olesz: One of the top prospects in the Panthers’ system, Olesz earned 21 points in 53 games with Florida in his rookie season while earning a respectable amount of ice time. He also fought through some shoulder and knee injuries, but he’s got a ton of potential, and could certainly have a breakout season with Florida, especially if the creaky Nieuwendyk misses any significant time. He could learn the power forward game from Bertuzzi.

C Nathan Horton: The talented Horton had an outstanding sophomore campaign in the NHL in 2005-06, compiling 28 goals and 19 assists. He seemed to tail off at the end of the season, meaning he’s still adjusting to the length of the season. Still, he’s one of the brightest young players in the game, and could earn even better numbers this season. He too could benefit learning from Bertuzzi on the power game.

RW Todd Bertuzzi: When is a 71-point season considered sub-par? When you’re one of the league’s best power forwards. Bertuzzi struggled to shake the demons of his past, managing 25 goals and 46 assists in his final season with Vancouver. For many players, those would be numbers they could only dream about. He’ll have to do better in Florida, where his -17 won’t be tolerated by Jacques Martin. Still, he’s got too much talent not to have a better year.