Puck Prose
Fansided

NHL Power Rankings: Week 16 Injuries, Prospects, In-Depth Analysis

By Matt Duscharme

Jan 23, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Justin Williams (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Justin Williams (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
13 of 32
Next
NHL Power Rankings: Florida Panthers center Michael Sgarbossa (48) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: Florida Panthers center Michael Sgarbossa (48) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous Ranking: 24 (+5)

Team Record: (20-19-10)

Goals For: 111

Goals Against: 131

Special Teams

PP: 25-for-165 (15.2 percent) (24th)
PK: 24-for-153 (84.3 percent) (5th)

Injury List

Jonathan Huberdeau (achilles) – out indefinitely
Aleksander Barkov (upper body) – out indefinitely

Statistical Leaders in 2016-17

Top Forward: Vincent Trocheck (49gp 18g 15a 33pts)
Top Defenseman: Keith Yandle (49gp 3g 20a 23pts)
Top Rookie: Michael Matheson (48gp 3g 9a 12pts)
Top Goaltender: Roberto Luongo (13-13-6 2.45GAA .921 save percentage)

Player of the Week: F Jonathan Marchessault (2gp 0g 2a 2pts)

It was a light schedule for the Florida Panthers this week with only a pair of games. They managed to drop both and only walked away with a single point in two close one-goal games. It’s kind of ironic isn’t it? Just a couple of weeks ago, I remember specifically talking about this very same club that squeezed out a winning record in the same close one-goal fashion – a common theme in 2016-17. I spoke about how vulnerable these teams are and how easily the script can be flipped with one bounce. We saw just that over the past seven days as Florida lost to Vancouver and Arizona, ouch!

Worst of all, the future looks pretty bleak for the Panthers at this point. They were hoping to get two key figures back in the lineup in Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. Barkov was listed as day-to-day, while Huberdeau was aiming to make his season debut in late January. Both are now listed as being out indefinitely. And at this point, it’s unclear when either will be back.

The way I look at it. This Florida Panthers club isn’t built for a deep playoff run. In fact, they’d be lucky to escape the first round no matter who the opponent. With that being the case, it might be a good time to make a few small moves in an attempt to reset for the 2017-18 season.

Weekly Prospect Profile: D Ian McCoshen, Springfield (AHL)

2016-17 stats: 35gp 2g 3a 5pts

Selected 31st overall back in 2013, McCoshen signed his entry-level deal with the Panthers this past summer after closing out his NCAA career at Boston College. The big 6’3 218lb Wisconsin-native is a quality two-way defenseman that isn’t afraid to use the body. If he can continue to further develop the offensive side of his game, Florida may have a gem in McCoshen.

– Ryan Ritchie

Home/Editorials