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head coach: Bryan Murray

roster: C - Kirk Muller, Rob Niedermayer, Radek Dvorak, Dave Gagner, Chris Wells, Steve Washburn. LW - Ray Whitney, Johan Garpenlov, Viktor Kozlov, Bill Lindsay, Peter Worrell. RW - Scott Mellanby, Dino Ciccarelli, David Nemirovsky. D - Robert Svehla, Gord Murphy, Ed Jovanovski, Paul Laus, Terry Carkner, Rhett Warrener, Jeff Norton, Dallas Eakins. G - John Vanbiesbrouck, Kirk McLean, Kevin Weekes.

standings:

Eastern Conference - Atlantic Division   
Team           GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA   
z-New Jersey   82  48  23  11   107  225  166  
x-Philadelphia 82  42  29  11    95  242  193
x-Washington   82  40  30  12    92  219  202  
NY Islanders   82  30  41  11    71  212  225  
NY Rangers     82  25  39  18    68  197  231  
Florida        82  24  43  15    63  203  256 
Tampa Bay      82  17  55  10    44  151  269  

x - Clinched playoff spot
z - Clinched conference

team news:

by Eric Seiden, Florida Correspondent

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that not all hockey teams are created equal. The Panthers have slid from the Stanley Cup final to the second worst team in the NHL in less than two years. While swings in team performance are not unusual, this was a catastrophe.

The ultimate problem was team chemistry. As the team broke apart: from 12 original Panthers down to just five. Team chemistry, that elusive thing, disintegrated. Instead of playing as a team, there were a bunch of players on the ice trying to play together. The fans, expecting another great season finally got a dose of reality. Fans were spoiled by the Panthers' relative success the first two years, and a Stanley Cup final in their third year. Those are expectations no young team can ever hope to live up to. This was aggravated by the failure of the Panthers' young stars to perform -- stars such as Rob Niedermayer, Ed Jovanovski, and Radek Dvorak.

There were some significant moments over the course of the year. First came the firing of coach Doug MacLean. Then Ray Whitney was discovered on waivers. Dino Ciccarelli came on board as Mark Fitzpatrick went and stunk up Tampa's ice. Ray Sheppard, Mike Hough, and Dave Lowry all departed as well. So did Tommy Fitzgerald, who went to Colorado in a cruel twist of fate. What made the team click fell apart. There just isn't much positive to say about the season.

TEAM MVP: The team MVP award goes to ex-coach Doug MacLean, who was fired 18 games into the season. He was fired at the insistence of owner H. Wayne Huizenga, and fans were told that it was his fault the team started off so badly. Then what explains the final 64 games? Doug's firing brought the most vicious crowd behavior in memory to the arena. It wasn't his fault, and the fans never forgot him right through the last game. In a city famed for its short memory, this was a true tribute to a local sports hero. We'll miss ya, Doug!

SURPRISE: The easiest pick of the year, to be sure. Ray Whitney, an Edmonton castoff, was claimed off waivers mid-season. This little spark of light would score 32 goals, tying a team record held by captain Scott Mellanby. By the end of the season Ray would be a fan favorite, and no small coincidence wearing jersey number 14 of former Panther and much lamented prodigal-son Stu Barnes.

John Vanbiesbrouck by Meredith Martini

DISAPPOINTMENT: Difficult pick. There are two clear frontrunners in this category. The soft and sad goaltending of lead goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, who was in his final year before free agency, would be one choice. However, in Beezer's defense, he was buried under a barrage of shots when the Panthers defense fell apart. The second choice would be Scott Mellanby, not for his failure to perform on the ice, but for his totally uninspiring tenure as captain. Nowhere has his lack of enthusiasm and leadership been felt more. The fans felt it, the players felt it, and the despair settled in, sinking a dismal season.

OFF-SEASON CHANGES: This is where our editor says we're supposed to tell you what the team should change. Maybe it would be better if I just listed what the team shouldn't change? First, the coach will change. Bryan Murray has learned his lesson and won't be back as coach. While many names were tossed around, the Panthers finally settled on Murray's brother Terry, most recently of the Flyers, to hopefully coach the team out of oblivion.

Secondly, defensive coach Joe Cirella needs to go; it probably won't happen, but it should.

The team needs a new captain; Mellanby is not captain material.

Ed Jovanovski, Kirk Muller, Terry Carkner, Radek Dvorak, and David Nemirovsky should all be traded, in that order -- though the odds on seeing either Jovanovski or Dvorak leave are slim.

While most fans like Johan Garpenlov, you can look to see him leave along with Jeff Norton and some other bit players.

Lastly, look for a new team owner. Yes, this is true and a repeat of past history. Let the record show the Florida Panthers Hockey Club is, once again, for sale. Let the record further show that Huizenga Holdings will receive an offer for the Florida Panthers sometime before the year 1998 closes. Current owner and all-around weasel Huizenga says, "The fans have not soured me. It's the newspaper people that have soured me. When they write that I get involved in personnel moves, and say which players we should keep, that's a bunch of baloney." Wayne's full of crap, folks. Murray wanted to fire MacLean. Yeah, sure, we believe you Wayne. Not. Most local fans (both the Panthers and MLB's Marlins) hope that Harry Wayne Huizenga rots in the eternal abyss of Hell for all eternity.

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