Most users agreed the Florida Panthers will likely improve on their dismal '00-01 campaign, but not enough to make a deep playoff run. The Bure brothers will provide plenty of offense, and Roberto Luongo will probably hold his own in goal, but the defense remains very shaky.

Florida will struggle again
From the changes that have happened in the offseason, I expect little improvement. Valeri Bure is an equal to Ray Whitney and once again the defense remains the same -- small and weak. The power-play lacks a defenseman who can carry the puck or get a decent slapshot from the point, so once again we will be using our forwards at the point.

Sue
Parkland, Fla.

Things are looking up
I believe that the Panthers will be better this year knowing that the team is staying put in Florida and what seems to have owners who care. I'm not sure I like the "don't spend money on high-priced free agents" approach. Yes, we have good young talent, but we have been saying that for the past four years. We need defensive players bad. Panthers could end up in the 6th spot for the playoffs.

Robert
Warrenton, Va.

Listen up management
The Panthers had a rough year last season. To improve, they would really need someone like Mathieu Schneider on defense, who can move the puck and help the fairly lonely Robert Svehla on the blueline. A second line center with some offensive skills wouldn't be bad either, and why not Bob Essensa to back up Roberto Luongo, and at the same time make Trevor Kidd expendable? They need to make some moves, but not too big, they still have the Russian Rocket.

Johan Persson
Lomma, Skåne, Sweden

Hey Pavel, there's two ends of the ice
Florida will always be a second tier team because Pavel Bure is not about winning, He's only about scoring goals and padding his stats. With Bure in the lineup you'll never see a commitment to defense. Thus, Florida will be a bottom feeder.

Patrick Treleani
Memphis, Tenn.

The Panthers will still stink
What should be expected from Florida this year is a similar season to last year. With the addition of the younger Bure, they will now have two offensive weapons instead of just one (remember last year that Pavel Bure scored 1/3 of the team's goals). This won't be enough to compensate for a mediocre defense, and Florida will be out of the playoff hunt by January.

Paul Lundholm
Monroe, N.Y.

Low expectations could help
I think that the Panthers should improve. Like your article said, it all depends on if they can generate more shots and goals with the guys not named Bure. I also think having low expectations this year, as compared to last year where they were division favorites, will help as well. They may not get to 98 points like two years ago, but when the young talent matures and gels together, they will eventually surpass that total.

Josh Uzarski
Grand Rapids, Mich.

Just stay healthy
The Panthers should improve greatly this year barring the ridiculous amount of injuries like last year. They need some of the younger players to step up, like Shvidki, Novoseltsev, Nilson and maybe Weiss. Roberto Luongo will establish himself as the next premier goalie in the NHL, which will be needed as the defense is not good.

Robb Bartenslager
Royal Palm Beach, Fla.

Time for management to step up
I don't believe the Panthers could possibly be worse than they were last season. I do agree, however, that Florida needs a legit second line. The perfect fit for them would've been Martin Lapointe, since he's a gritty, point-producing forward, but the Bruins snagged him for 5 mil. With Pavel and Valeri Bure, I don't know how much spending money Florida will have, but their management has to make some moves so their team will be more competitive in such a lowly Southeast Division.

Eric Lavine
Andover, Mass.

Panthers still need help
Offense, or the lack of, is the key word for the fans in the Sunshine state. On defense, Florida is a little thin. Four out of the six spots will be taken by Robert Svehla, Brett Hedican, Dan Boyle, and John Jakopin. Goaltending is the Panthers' specialty. Roberto Loungo, 22, is turning out to be everything Florida hoped for when they were able to pry him away from Long Island. Loungo finished up with a GAA of 2.44 and a save percentage of .920 which is pretty much remarkable for somebody so young.

Jay Bracken
Mentor, Ohio

Panthers need time to grow
The Panthers made some great trades and selections on draft day. Getting Val Bure, Jason Weimer, Stephen Weiss, Lukas Krajieck, and Greg Watson will help them next year (and into the future). However, coming on the heels of a putrid season, Florida has yet to solve the problems that have plagued them for the past four seasons. Until they improve on their thin, inexperienced, low-talent defensive corps and find some centers that can win more than 50% of their draws, they will remain average to below-average. The development of 2001 selections Weiss (C), Watson (C), Krajicek (D), Grant McNeill (D), and Tomas Malec may go a long way to solving the Panthers' problems; but, how long will it take for them to be NHL-ready?

Daniel Taborga
Redwood City, Calif.