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Dallas Stars: 6 teams that will make the playoffs after missing them in 2017-18

By Avery Klatsky

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 06: John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars celebrates his goal in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at American Airlines Center on January 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 06: John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars celebrates his goal in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at American Airlines Center on January 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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SUNRISE, FL – APRIL 5: Teammates congratulate Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers after he scored a first period goal against the Boston Bruins at the BB&T Center on April 5, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL – APRIL 5: Teammates congratulate Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers after he scored a first period goal against the Boston Bruins at the BB&T Center on April 5, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

1. Florida Panthers

Last playoff run: 2015-16 – (Lost in the first round to the New York Islanders 2-4)

Number of Stanley Cups Won: 0

The team that I envision is most likely to make the playoffs next season after missing them last year is the Florida Panthers.

Say what you want about their home attendance or their playoff history, but it’s worth noting that Florida finished last year with 96 points (44-30-8), and landed in 4th in the Atlantic Division behind the Lightning, Bruins, and Maple Leafs, respectively.

Though they didn’t follow the paths of St. Louis or Buffalo when it comes to bringing in several players in free agency, here is a glimpse of their additions and re-signings:

  • Signed C Henrik Borgstrom to a three-year, entry-level deal
  • Extended D Ludwig Bystrom (one-year), D Joshua Brown (two-years), and C Frank Vatrano (one-year)
  • Traded three draft picks to San Jose for LW Mike Hoffman
  • Signed G Michael Hutchinson (one-year), LW Paul Thompson (two-years), D Julian Melchiori (one-year) and D Jacob MacDonald (two-years)
  • Re-signed C Jared McCann (two-years), and D Alexander Petrovic (one-year)

The biggest move the Panthers made was trading for Mike Hoffman. You’ll recall (as I’ve mentioned before) that Hoffman was essentially ousted from the Ottawa Senators after allegations broke that Hoffman’s fiancee was accused of harassing Erik Karlsson’s wife after the Karlsson’s’ lost their baby.

Although it is unknown whether or not Hoffman’s fiancee harassed Karlsson’s wife, the damage had been done. The Senators dumped Hoffman to San Jose, and the Sharks ended up flipping him about an hour later to the Panthers.

Here is what Florida’s lines will most likely end up looking like:

Offense

Huberdeau-Barkov-Bjugstad

Hoffman-Trocheck-Dadonov

McGinn-Vatrano-Sceviour

MacKenzie-Borgstrom/Haley-Mamin

Defense

Yandle-Ekblad

Matheson-Petrovic

McCoshen-Pysyk/Weegar

Goalies

Luongo

Reimer

Florida was a decent team last season but was unable to nab a playoff spot. Had they won one more game, they would’ve been the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference (replacing the Columbus Blue Jackets).

Next. Dallas Cowboys: Three players who have impressed during training camp. dark

This year, however, expect them to finish the 2018-19 season as a playoff team.

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