Making Sense of the Cats' New Blueline Additions
After posting a franchise-best 103 points last year, the Panthers look to end what is now their streak after losing to the Islanders: longest series-winning drought in the NHL. Despite the success in the regular season, management’s commitment to winning started with a complete overhaul of the blue line. After the departure of four defensemen who played on opening night in 2015 (Dimitri Kulikov, Erik Gudbranson Brian Campbell, and Willie Mitchell) the Cats look to bring out an almost entire new squad of D-man come opening night. These are some of the new veteran additions looking to add to the Panthers core.
After last season’s 23rd ranked power play, the first order of business was to bring in big-time offensive defenseman Keith Yandle. Yandle led the Rangers in Corsi rating last year, and has the second most points on the power play by any defenseman since 2010. His purpose on this team will be to score and create offense, and try to quarterback the anemic Florida Power play. Yandle will more than likely slot in on the first paring next to Ekblad, or on the second pairing with any of the other three right-hand shots that should be on the roster opening night.
Next addition was Jason Demers from Dallas. Demers was one of the top defenseman on the open-market, especially when you consider he’s a right hand shot. His +16 plus/minus last year will fit in well for a Florida team who was 6th in both goals for and against and 4th in goal differential. In addition to a great plus/minus, the Stars controlled just over 54% of shots when Demers was on the ice. Demers will probably see some time on the penalty kill, which was ranked 24th last year. He will slot in on the right side of the second pairing.
Up next is a sort of unknown player to most hockey fans: Mark Pysyk. Posting 11 points in 55 games for a struggling Sabers team last year, Pysyk was a target of the Panthers scouting department. On a draft-day trade that saw then-current longest-tenured Dimitri Kulikov sent packing and a 2nd round swapping of picks, Pysyk came in a move that, to a casual or hardcore fan, was head scratching. Panther’s brass sought Pysyk because of his advanced possession metrics. He led the Sabers in Corsi rating, and Buffalo controlled almost 52% of total shots attempted when he was on the ice. It’s easy to see why Pysyk was an easy target by Panthers brass. As a right-hand shot, Pysyk may see time on either side, sliding in on the 2nd or 3rd pair.
