Finishing next to last was a minor victory considering they finished last in the Eastern Conference the year before, and that was during the Lockout season. When the leading scorer on your team is a rookie who had only 11 games of NHL experience before last season, and he led with all of 38 points, you know you are in for some growing pains.  The veterans brought in were nothing but brittle or, for lack of a better term, non-impactful.  The youth movement is in full swing and it will be interesting to see how the remaining vets respond if the team doesn't get off to a good start. GOALIES In what was mainly a shock at the trade deadline last season, Roberto Luongo returned to South Florida after it seemed like he had put all the differences with Vancouver management behind him and had been playing well for the Canucks. Jacob Markstrom, who did nothing to stake his claim as the Number 1 net minder in Florida, was the main piece in the trade going back the other way.  Needless to say, the trade was a shock to most people, much like the draft day trade of Cory Schneider last June.  Luongo will be very busy as the Cats try to form some semblance of an NHL team.  Luongo's SP and GAA will suffer a little, but then again, maybe he will thrive while back in familiar settings and the extra workload.  His total saves should increase, but that is not necessarily a good thing as his win totals will probably suffer as a result.  Dan Ellis and Al Montoya will battle for backup duties. DEFENSE Brian Campbell leads the young defensive corps and will be counted on for his leadership as well as his offensive production. Campbell fell a point short of the team lead in points by going 7-30-37 in playing all 82 games.  He should be able to climb back into the 40 range, but his +/- takes a hit on a growing team. Erik Gudbranson and Dmitry Kulikov have a few years under their belts now but still need some time to mature.  Gudbranson and Kulikov may develop into more of a stay-at-home defensive types as their scoring hasn't been much to be desired early on in their NHL careers.  Alex Petrovic has some offensive upside but may need more seasoning in the minors.  Dylan Olsen, a Dale Tallon Chicago draft pick, was brought over from Chi town and will start to see more time in the NHL but don't expect much production. FORWARDS The Panthers need their young forward talent to develop quickly as the veterans don't seem to have what it takes to carry the load. Jonathan Huberdeau ...

The Panthers are set to take on the Devils on Saturday, so Olsen will not play tomorrow but could be in the lineup on Saturday. Thursday will be the third consecutive game that Olsen has missed with an upper-body injury he suffered last Tuesday.

Olsen's placement on IR allows the Panthers to activate Ed Jovanovski, who is expected to make his season debut tomorrow.

Olsen was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in the Kris Versteeg trade. He had eight assists in 16 games with Chicago's AHL affiliate (Rockford), since coming to San Antonio he has one goal and a minus-1 rating in three games.

Olsen was the Blackhawks' first round pick (28th) in 2009. He is a six-foot-three, 210 lbs. stay-at-home D-man. Olsen played 28 games with Chicago in 2011-12, posting just one assist. He has since been with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) - Eight assists in 16 games this season.

VERSTEEG GOES BACK The Florida Panthers are starting to clean house as they sent RW Kris Versteeg and LW Philippe Lefebvre to the Chicago Blackhawks and received two young prospects in return in D Dylan Olsen and RW Jimmy Hayes.  Both Olsen and Hayes are close to being NHL-ready which suits the Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon's style.  Versteeg goes back to Chicago where he started his NHL career and had some decent seasons there.  Versteeg is the kind of veteran that will provide depth to the defending Stanley Cup Champion's squad, although he does seem to be more injury prone the last few years....Lefebvre has yet to see any NHL action but has had some success in the QMJHL with the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Jimmy Hayes was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs and has seen limited action with the Blackhawks. Perhaps he will get a better shot at sticking in the NHL with the Panthers....Dylan Olsen is a hulking defenseman drafted 28 overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by Chicago.  The Cats are now sporting some big defensemen with Erik Gudbranson and Dmitri Kulikov already playing in the NHL. The Panthers will be tough to play against once Olsen joins the ranks. Versteeg offers depth and some scoring his recent bout with injuries makes him suspect. Watch to see where he lines up and gauge the risk.  The other players in the are not fantasy relevant at this point in time and may be a year or two or more away from making any type of impact at the NHL level.

Olsen had two goals and nine assists in 50 games in the AHL this season.

Olsen registered an assist in 28 games.

Sounds like Olsen will round out the third pairing. The former first rounder has no points in two games.

Sounds like Olsen will round out the third pairing. The former first rounder has no points in two games.