2015 NHL Draft
SHARE
Share with your Friends


(Page 7 of 13)
Shawn Roarke

Panthers hoping mix of youth, Jagr leads to playoffs

Friday, 09.25.2015 / 3:00 AM / 2015-2016 Season Preview

Alain Poupart - NHL.com Correspondent

NHL.com continues its preview of the 2015-16 season, which will include in-depth looks at all 30 teams.

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Florida Panthers made a run at the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season before falling short, but they're confident they can get over the hump with pretty much the same cast of characters.

What they believe could make the difference is having active NHL scoring leader Jaromir Jagr for an entire season and budding star center Nick Bjugstad back healthy after he missed the end of last season with a back injury.

The offseason featured more subtractions than additions for the Panthers, with the idea being to create space for some of their young prospects.

And in reality, there probably aren't enough openings to accommodate a large group of young players who could be ready to contribute at the NHL level.

"My opening statement (at the start of training camp) was we have 51 guys here, only 23 jobs," general manager Dale Tallon said. "And a lot of them are our own guys. We've got lots of guys for few jobs. So I said, do the math. We want the best team, the best players. We've got good young prospects that are first-year pros and we've got other guys coming, so it's starting to really come together."

Panthers' X-factors include culture change, Crouse

Friday, 09.25.2015 / 3:00 AM / 2015-2016 Season Preview

Alain Poupart - NHL.com Correspondent

SUNRISE, Fla. -- After being the most improved team in the NHL last season, the Florida Panthers are confident they can take the next step in 2015-16 and push their way into the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second time in more than a decade.

Here are three X-factors that will impact whether the Panthers will be able to accomplish their goal:

Nichushkin, strong start are X-factors for Stars

Friday, 09.25.2015 / 3:00 AM / 2015-2016 Season Preview

Steve Hunt - NHL.com Correspondent

DALLAS -- In the Dallas Stars' second season under coach Lindy Ruff, they increased their point total from 91 to 92; however, they found themselves going from a participant in the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs to finishing sixth in the Central Division and 10th in the Western Conference, on the outside of the postseason picture for the sixth time in seven seasons.

With reigning Art Ross Trophy winner Jamie Benn, the dynamic Tyler Seguin and veteran Jason Spezza, the Stars certainly have the scoring talent for Ruff to guide them back to the playoffs.

Here are three X-factors that will help determine whether the Stars make the postseason:

Stars hope added Cup experience keys playoff return

Friday, 09.25.2015 / 3:00 AM / 2015-2016 Season Preview

Steve Hunt - NHL.com Correspondent

NHL.com continues its preview of the 2015-16 season, which will include in-depth looks at all 30 teams.

DALLAS -- After ending a five-season Stanley Cup Playoff drought, the Dallas Stars were expected to not only make it back to the postseason, but go on a run after being eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2014 Western Conference First Round.

However, the Stars missed the playoffs last season, finishing seven points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the final wild card in the West.

Dallas general manager Jim Nill made three key additions this summer, and all of them bring Stanley Cup rings. He acquired veteran left wing Patrick Sharp in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks and signed defenseman Johnny Oduya, another member of the 2015 Stanley Cup champions, as a free agent. Nill also acquired goaltender Antti Niemi from the San Jose Sharks; he won the Cup with the 2010 Blackhawks.

The pieces are in place, but it remains to be seen whether the Stars take the next step.

Panthers' Bjugstad learning how to succeed in NHL

Friday, 09.25.2015 / 3:00 AM / 2015-2016 Season Preview

Tim Wharnsby - NHL.com Correspondent

TORONTO -- When the Florida Panthers acquired veteran Jaromir Jagr seven months ago to help their push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it was a thrill of a lifetime for the young core of Nick Bjugstad, Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad, none of whom had been born when Jagr made his NHL debut.

The addition of Jagr was the latest piece in the organization's culture change since general manager Dale Tallon arrived on the scene five years ago.

Ownership switched hands to Vincent Viola in September 2013. Tallon brought in a new coach in Gerard Gallant, a top-tier goalie in Roberto Luongo, and Stanley Cup experience with gritty forwards David Boland and Shawn Thornton as well defenseman Willie Mitchell last summer.

Then, Jagr was acquired Feb. 26 in a trade with the New Jersey Devils for a second-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and a 2016 third-round pick. He signed a one-year contract to return this season.

The 43-year-old Czech, who won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992, immediately fit in on the ice alongside Barkov and Huberdeau.

But he also was a dressing-room sage for others like Bjugstad, who sat next to Jagr.

Sharks aim to return to playoffs under DeBoer

Thursday, 09.24.2015 / 3:00 AM / 2015-2016 Season Preview

Eric Gilmore - NHL.com Correspondent

NHL.com continues its preview of the 2015-16 season, which will include in-depth looks at all 30 teams.

SAN JOSE -- For the first time since 2008, the San Jose Sharks opened training camp with a new coach. Center Joe Thornton said he liked what he heard from Peter DeBoer, who replaced Todd McLellan, the winningest coach in Sharks history.

"I think he has a powerful voice," Thornton said of DeBoer. "He comes in and tells us right away [that] this is how we're going to play. But it's going to be nice. Nothing against Todd, but maybe it was time to get a new voice in here. We're all excited to have Pete behind the bench now."

The Sharks had a busy offseason after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2002-03 season. Not only did they replace their coach, they traded for goaltender Martin Jones and signed two quality free agents, right wing Joel Ward and defenseman Paul Martin. The Sharks' biggest offseason addition last year was forward John Scott.

Hertl rebound, Torres' health among Sharks' X-factors

Thursday, 09.24.2015 / 3:00 AM / 2015-2016 Season Preview

Eric Gilmore - NHL.com Correspondent

SAN JOSE -- The San Jose Sharks had made the Stanley Cup Playoffs for 10 straight seasons before finishing fifth in the Pacific Division and 12th in the Western Conference with 89 points in 2014-15.

Coach Todd McLellan and the Sharks parted ways on April 20, and Peter DeBoer was hired as McLellan's replacement on May 27.

Here are three X-factors that could help determine whether the Sharks return to the playoffs this season:

Avalanche look to use speed to return to playoffs

Thursday, 09.24.2015 / 3:00 AM / 2015-2016 Season Preview

Rick Sadowski  -  NHL.com Correspondent

NHL.com continues its preview of the 2015-16 season, which will include in-depth looks at all 30 teams.

DENVER -- The Colorado Avalanche head into the 2015-16 season, their 20th since moving from Quebec, determined to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Patrick Roy's third season as coach.

The Avalanche added size and grit, and they'll have more depth through offseason trades, free agent signings and the return of several key contributors from injuries.

"We're very excited about this year; I like the changes we made," Roy said. "It's a big change, no doubt about it. Not only did we add size, but I also feel that we're faster. When I say fast, I want us to play and think fast."

Soderberg, Johnson, Barrie are Avalanche X-factors

Thursday, 09.24.2015 / 3:00 AM / 2015-2016 Season Preview

Rick Sadowski  -  NHL.com Correspondent

DENVER -- The Colorado Avalanche fell to last place in the Central Division last season with 39 wins and 90 points after finishing first in 2013-14 with 52 wins and 112 points.

Offseason moves were made to try and prevent the Avalanche from missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons.

Here are three X-factors that will have an impact on whether they can return to the playoffs:

Hakstol, Flyers hope to ride fast start to playoff berth

Wednesday, 09.23.2015 / 3:00 AM / 2015-2016 Season Preview

Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

NHL.com continues its preview of the 2015-16 season, which will include in-depth looks at all 30 teams.

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall believes the biggest reason the Flyers have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs two of the past three seasons is slow starts.

Last season, the Flyers started 1-3-2 and finished 14 points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. In 2013-14, the Flyers started 1-7-0 but were able to make the playoffs. In 2012-13, they started 2-6-0 and finished six points out of a playoff spot.

"We need to really stamp the fact that we need to get off to a good start," Hextall said. "Holes are hard to climb out of. Two years ago we did, last year we didn't. It takes a lot of effort from your whole group. It takes a lot of emotional energy as well. … There's a lot of little things you can point to and say this is why. It's one of those things that quite honestly, why do 20 players play poorly for six or eight games? It's a hard one to answer."

First | Prev | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Next | Last

NHL.TV™

NHL GameCenter LIVE™ is now NHL.TV™.
Watch out-of-market games and replays with an all new redesigned media player, mobile and connected device apps.

LEARN MORE

NHL Mobile App

Introducing the new official NHL App, available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones and tablets. A host of new features and improved functionality are available across all platforms, including a redesigned league-wide scoreboard, expanded news coverage, searchable video highlights, individual team experiences* and more. The new NHL App on your tablet also introduces new offerings such as 60fps video, Multitasking** and Picture-in-Picture.

*Available only for smartphones
** Available only for suported iPads