Seeing that the Florida Panthers have four games remaining, and that the playoffs are out of reach, these last four games mean a bit more than we think.
I know what a lot of you are going to say. Danny, these last four games mean absolutely nothing, and we are basically playing for pride. Yes, for those of you who are thinking like that, you are partially right. However, apart from playing for pride, we are also going to see a couple of young call up’s be called upon.
As we heard from Tom Rowe a few days ago, both Ian McCosen and Mackenzie Weegar have both been called up for the next four games. Both players are being given the chance to finally play their first NHL game. At this point of the season, we have nothing to lose and can actually benefit from allowing these two to play.
Flaws In Our Defense
As a lot of us have complained this year about our defense being “too soft”. Statistically speaking, our defense on paper is actually ridiculous. The amount of depth we have on the blue line is insane, and is certainly something we shouldn’t touch. The problem we have with our defense, is the fact that they get muscled off the puck too easily.
When we look at the names that we have on our blue line, we sit and imagine how far they can take us into the playoffs alone. With anything on a team though, you need balance. Our defense in this case is not balanced. We have too many “finesse like” defenseman, that ultimately cannot win puck battles along the boards. The typical “culprits ” in this case would be Jason Demers and Keith Yandle.
Don’t get me wrong, I love both Yandle and Demers, but both are soft on the puck and along the boards. Teams like Boston have eaten us alive in puck battles, and have eaten guys like Keith and Jason for dessert along the boards. What the Panthers need to do in this case is balance out the blue line.
Instead of having all finesse guys on each defensive pairings, make sure to balance out each pairing to allow for one skilled guy and one defensive guy (who hangs back and is defense first). Seeing that the expansion draft is on the horizon, it’s extremely likely that we will lose a defenseman. This defenseman will sadly be Alex Petrovic, who I slowly grew to like. Not only was Alex tough on the puck, but he could hit, fight, and hold the zone! Holding the zone is a very underrated skill for a defenseman to have in my opinion. When I mean holding the zone, I mean players who can keep the puck alive in the offensive zone, without the puck going out of the zone. This is a skilled Petrovic has.
If Petrovic gets taken by Las Vegas, it should be time to call upon either Ian or Mackenzie to the lineup. As we all know, Ian is more of the stay home defense type of guy, while Mackenzie is more offensive. McCosen should seriously be considered as a replacement for Petrovic, in case we lose Alex in the expansion draft. Not only can Ian defend well, but he is also tough on the puck, and physical when defending his guy. Pairing Ian with let’s say Demers for instance, would honestly result in better play from Demers. Little things like these, honestly go a long way and could make the difference.
Next: Florida Panthers Prospect Profile: Jayce Hawryluk
Next Four Games And Importance Of Them
These next four games will be a good way to assess how well guys like Ian can play in the NHL. If Ian can show what he’s shown in the minors, then I can honestly say that we have a good prospect to call upon when needed. As I said earlier, if we lose a defenseman in the expansion draft which is likely to happen, then I don’t see why we wouldn’t call Ian to fill that missing spot.
During the summer, I’d also recommend signing another defensive defenseman as well. Adding to defensive defenseman to the team will only benefit our defensive core, and will help balance our blue line. A guy I have my eye on to sign for this summer would be Michael Del Zotto. Michael has proven that he can be a solid defensive defenseman who strictly worry’s about the defensive zone first.
If we can sign Del Zotto and bring McCosen up to the lineup next year, then I honestly don’t see why we can succeed and play better defensively then we have this season. Even if it means having seven defense on the bench, so be it. If that’ll result in better defensive play and guys working on the blue line more efficiently, then I am honestly all for it.