Extreme Makeover: Panthers Edition

After the 2010-11 season, the Florida Panthers decided to undergo a major facelift, with half of the roster that will suit up for the 2011-12 season being new and bringing back the red as its home jerseys.  At least people are talking about the Panthers now.  Will it bring success?  Only time will tell.  For all of the new faces on the team, the one player that will undoubtedly be important to everything coming together is Stephen Weiss.  Having been with the team since he was taken in the first round in 2001, Weiss will now have to assume the leadership role in the locker room if the Panthers wish to end the decade long streak of missing the playoffs.  Brian Campbell was brought in not just because he helped the Panthers get to the cap floor, but also because he could provide a spark from the blue line, and almost by default, be the power play quarterback.  Tomas Fleischmann was traded from Washington to Colorado and instantly found success in his new place last year.  However, health problems cut his season short, and Florida is now his new place.  If he's healthy, expect him to rediscover that offensive spark that was found in Colorado.

Prediction: 14th in East

Movie: Friday the 13th (original version)

Like the movie, the Panthers will have a bunch of new faces in camp.  Unlike the movie, many of those new faces won't be slaughtered by a man in a hockey mask.  However, there will be a man in a hockey mask for the Panthers.