Posted by;
Anthony Sanchez
The Florida Panthers began the 2014 off season with a boom leading the charge in free agency while bolstering the roster with an influx of established veterans. The team signed experienced veterans Dave Bolland, Jussi Jokinen, Shawn Thornton, Derek MacKenzie, defenseman Willie Mitchell, goaltender Al Montoya and a new head coach in Gerard Gallant. This group of veterans joins a roster that is full of potential and youth, also nothing to disregard is the fact that the Florida Panthers had the first overall pick in this years draft and selected defenseman Aaron Ekblad.
Jussi Jokinen is coming off one of his best seasons scoring twenty one goals, thirty six assists, extremely talented in the shootout and not to mention will bring a leadership presence with him and the opportunity to mentor the younger players.
Dave Bolland is a two time Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks (2010 & 2013), Bolland is a proven winner, gets the job done, plays the other teams best player, Gritty, skilled and smart defensively.
Shawn Thornton brings a physical presence, adds post season experience as a two time Stanley Cup Champion in (2007 & 2011). Has been in the NHL for eleven years will bring some needed depth & toughness to the Florida Panthers roster.
Derek Mackenzie is a gritty center, last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets was an asset in the penalty kill department, he is thirty three years old and in seventy one games chipped in eighteen points and in a total of 307 NHL games he has scored thirty one goals while compiling forty assists.
Willie Mitchell is a savvy veteran defenseman who was an important piece of the (2012 & 2014) Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup Championships. Willie Mitchell brings Leadership and added talent to the Florida Panthers defense, Dave Tallon General Manager was quoted as saying "he is very well schooled in the defensive aspects of the game and he has impeccable character".
Goaltender Al Montoya is 29 years old was drafted first round in 2004 6th overall by the New York Rangers after spending three years with the University of Michigan, he is also the first Cuban American to play in the NHL. Last season he had a good year in a back up role for the the Winnipeg Jets winning thirteen games with 2.30 goal against average, two shutouts while posting a .920 save percentage. Montoya's overall record is 37-26-13 with a 2.63 goal against average.
In my opinion the Florida Panthers have positioned themselves with their recent additions to be a team that will have to be reckoned with, they now have a good balance of young talent and veteran presence to move forward and challenge for a playoff spot in the upcoming season.
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