With Gallant at helm, Panthers eye quick turnaround

The Florida Panthers' blueprint of building around their talented high draft picks hasn't changed. What general manager Dale Tallon is hoping is the addition of a coach with NHL experience and veterans who have won the Stanley Cup can get his team out of a two-year funk.

Florida finished last and next-to-last in the overall standings the past two seasons, but Tallon is thinking about the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2014-15. "My goal is to compete for a playoff spot all the way right to the bitter end," Tallon said. "That's what we're looking to do. I think if everybody has years that live up to their potential and the players develop and come together as a team and with our new coach, our goaltending and another year of experience for our younger guys, I think this team has got the ability if we stay healthy to compete for a spot."

After finishing 27 points away from the last playoff spot last season, it might seem unrealistic to think the Panthers have a chance to return to the postseason for only the second time since 2000. But after his hiring in June, new coach Gerard Gallant compared the situation in Florida to what he saw in Montreal after becoming an assistant coach there in 2012. The Canadiens missed the playoffs in 2011-12, were back in the postseason the following year and last season made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final.