CORAL SPRINGS (AP) — In general manager Dale Tallon’s start-of-training-camp remarks to the Florida Panthers, he reminded them that 51 players were vying for 23 jobs on the roster.
Given that, making this team might seem daunting.
In actuality, the mathematics show it’s even worse.
Most of last season’s top-scoring Panthers — Jonathan Huberdeau, Jussi Jokinen, Nick Bjugstad, Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr — can be safely penciled into the opening-night lineup, along with forwards Dave Bolland and Brandon Pirri. Defensemen like Aaron Ekblad, Brian Campbell, Erik Gudbranson, Dmitry Kulikov and Willie Mitchell are also locks.