The Panthers took a large step back after winning the Atlantic Division in 2016, locking up most of their core players and adding a pair of high-priced free agent defensemen last summer. GM Dale Tallon is back in control of the organization and the club has hired former Windsor head coach and San Jose assistant Bob Boughner as their new bench boss.
Florida has a few decisions to make before this weekend and could be a candidate for protecting eight skaters to shield four defensemen, but that would expose a couple forwards that they may not want to lose.