How long before the Florida Panthers are a powerhouse?

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Never. Florida isn't Chicago and never will be.

He is left holding his best free agent chip and that is Tomas Vokoun, why he never traded him is beyond me. I can't imagine he wouldn't have gotten a decent offer of draft picks and prospects.

Also, let's face it, he built a one hit wonder with those bums in the Windy City and made many errors along the way which blew up in his face but they got lucky and managed one win before their firesale.

Also, draft picks aren't the end all. You need those high caliber ones and they still need to be picked correctly.........and cheating at a draft lottery here and there. I look at the history of 3rd and 4th rounders and I don't care how many you have, chances are that the majority don't become impact players.

Chicago is a big, traditional original 6 market with a big arena that has 20K+ every night. I just cannot see Florida attracting the complimentary FA's needed for the push either (your Hossas of the world).

Florida are bums. Chicago are bums. Tallon is a bum....Show more

I'm not sure they'll ever be a true powerhouse, but I think that in 3-4 years, once some of the prospects and young talent they have hit their stride and the draft picks turn into NHL talent. Of course, that whole division is improving. Tampa will only improve as Stamkos gets better and some of their other guys start hitting their primes. Carolina is pretty good, when healthy, and Skinner is just going to keep getting better. Washington is Washington, and with their deep farm system may not dominate the division anymore, but will stay highly competitive for a while with the guys they have. Atlanta is tough to read, because they have some good players, but for some reason are like the NHL's version of the Houston Texans, giving their fans glimpses of hope, but just not being able to reach the next level...Show more

The Panthers will be a powerhouse once they start selling those plastic rats again!

Not to be forgotten is the series of trades that sent Nathan Horton to Boston and Florida ended up getting Nick Bjugstad (from LA's pick). Needless to say I think Mr.Tallon is doing a great job on building up a young core and clearing up a lot of cap space. As an Avalanche fan I can tell you, it is all about cap space baby! Oh and how can I forget, he drafted Erik Gudbranson with Florida's own pick, as well as Quinton Howden. So that is three first round picks last year, and considering he did a lot of moves after the playoffs but before the draft, Florida could easily stock up again this year, say Stephen Weiss maybe or someone who wants a first crack at Vokoun like Calgary did with Bouwmeester.

If you are asking for a time line, Chicago happened faster than anticipated, Colorado I think is a more reasonable pace. Florida can contend for the playoffs after one more season, and realistically make the playoffs in 2 years after that. But as for now, excuse me while I go cry over the Avs goaltending situation......Show more

Let's take a look at what he's got.
Two young goalies in the "A" that are on the cusp of playing in the NHL. A good experienced back up goalie in Clemmenson to mentor Markstrom or Plante coming into next year. He will likely have a lottery pick for this year. So there is a blue chip prospect there.

He is starting with four young Defensemen under contract at a low price. There are no barn burners available this year as UFA's so he won't have to make the Burke mistake at the start. Overpaying for defensemen who might not help.

The team has a nucleus of a first line in Weiss, Bergfors and Booth. Add in Olesz and Dadinov and they will compete in a lot of games next year but not enough not to get another lottery pick.
So in three years they will have had two lottery picks and a pretty solid core. Pulling a rabbit or two out of the hat and It's my guess that in 2014 the Panthers will be in the playoff hunt. In 2015 they will have a powerhouse of the Detroit variety....Show more

In 2-3 years....Show more