HOCKEY'S HERE: FLORIDA PANTHERS

It's time to air out your gear, sharpen your skates and tape your stick -- it’s hockey season. Sure, your team flat-out ached last season, but there's hope, unless you're an Islanders fan. In that spirit, Out of Left Field is here with early looks at all 30 NHL teams. Presenting: The Florida Panthers.

Last season: 85 points, 4th in Southeast Division; missed playoffs
Coach: Jacques Martin (2nd season with team)
Young gun: Stephen Weiss
Store this name away: Anthony Stewart
Hey, get a load of the new guys: Alex Auld, Bryan Allen, Todd Bertuzzi, Ed Belfour
Blogs (including but not limited to): Panthers Den (tellingly, its owner is looking for someone to take it off his hands)
Pop culture moment: Bertuzzi was a topic of discussion on The View, back around March 8, 2004. Can't remember why, though.

James Mirtle, whom I take my hat off to as the best hockey blogger in Canada, has a thorough blog listing that has proven invaluable while writing these team capsules. There are only four teams that don't have a blog listed for them, and the Panthers are one of the four, which tells you how much of an emotional investment south Florida and the wider world has made in this largely godforsaken outfit. Todd Bertuzzi can rest easy; there'll be no hand-wringing editorials where he's playing now.

Jacques Martin won his power struggle with Mike Keenan, who was let go as general manager, and now the ex-Sens bench boss, having recently gone through a messy, very public divorce, has to deal with two vets Keenan acquired who had acrimonious splits of their own when it came to their previous employers. The problems that hastened Bertuzzi's departure from Vancouver need no rehashing. As for Ed Belfour, having him sit on the bench most nights watching the much younger, much more capable (at this point) Alex Auld just seems like asking for trouble. Belfour can go a bit weird on a team when he's not playing.

It's not all bleak. If Bertuzzi has a turnaround season and becomes the fulcrum of a potent Panthers power play -- between Weiss, Jay Bouwmeester, Olli Jokinen and the veteran ex-Leafs, Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts, the other pieces are there -- Florida could contend for a playoff spot.

Also in Southeast Division: Atlanta Thrashers, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals

Back with more later. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca