Panthers at a glance
	Camp schedule: Sept. 10: National Car Rental Center, Incredible Ice (Coral Springs, Fla.) Coach: Duane Sutter (2nd season, 16-20-6-4) General manager: Bill Torrey (1st season)

Assuming management irons out its contract impasse with newcomer Valeri Bure before too long, Florida is ready to witness a joint lift-off -- the Russian Rocket and the Russian Pocket Rocket. Just don't expect the Panthers to collectively get off the launching pad again this season.

In terms of one-man shows, only Henry Fonda in Darrow comes to mind as matching Pavel Bure in Florida (the difference being, Fonda got great reviews and the show was a hit, Bure got great reviews and the production was a bomb). At least Paul Kariya had Teemu Selanne in Anaheim all those years, and vice-versa.

As a result, Florida finished 22 points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Ownership wisely did its bloodletting last season, paving the way for a fresh start this year. It's doubtful a fresh start will trigger fresh results.

After Pavel, who?: The drop-off in offensive production after the Russian Rocket was nothing short of ludicrous. Bure scored 59 goals, the next best Panther had 14. Bure collected 92 points, the next most prolific Panther 37. Bure hit for 19 power-play goals, the next most productive Panther six. Get the drift …? The supporting cast, even factoring in brother Val, isn't close to being good enough.

Made for each other: The dynamics of using the Bure boys together were plain for all to see at the 1999 All-Star Game. What the hell? Might as well throw them together. The Panthers won't win much, so might as well give the fans in south Florida something to get excited about. First, however, you've got to get baby bro signed.

In for the Luongo hall: If you're at a standing start, it's imperative to have a front-line goaltender. Well, last year Roberto Luongo displayed the sort of form that will make him a star in this league. Really, when you've got a 2.44 GAA and .920 and you're still 12 wins under .500 -- that's not getting a lot of help. But he's at least a cornerstone around which coach Duane Sutter can build.

Panthers 2001-02 preseason schedule
Date	Opponent	Time
Sat., Sept. 15	at Dallas	Canceled*
Sun., Sept. 16	Ottawa at Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Mich.	Canceled^
Tue., Sept. 18	Carolina at TECO Arena, Ft. Myers, Fla.	7:30 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 19	Carolina	7:30 p.m.
Thu., Sept. 20	at Dallas	8:30 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 21	at Boston	7 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 26	Ottawa at Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Mich.	7:30 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 28	at Tampa Bay	7:30 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 29	Tampa Bay	7:30 p.m.
*Rescheduled for Sept. 20 ^Rescheduled for Sept. 26