The Florida Panthers waited a quarter-century for a run like last season. That’s a painful truth. They were first in the league in regular-season points. They won a playoff series for the first time since the blessed year of 1996.
Now they start again Thursday at the New York Islanders not wanting a season at all like last season. That’s the hard truth, too. There’s a new coach, Paul Maurice, with a new system. There’s a changed roster starting on the marquee where Panthers lifer Jonathan Huberdeau is out and young star Matthew Tkachuk is in.
The best-managed organizations can self-scout themselves, and we’re about to find out if the Panthers have graduated to one of those. General Manager Bill Zito has made some smart moves in his time. This is his biggest gamble, this offseason shake-up to take the Panthers from good to great.
