Most likely, Roberto Luongo is not high on most fantasy poolies lists these days being the number 1 net minder for the Florida Panthers. After winning the Southeast division title in 2011-2012, the Cats have missed the playoffs as they continue to rebuild as GM Dale Tallon is masterminding the Florida resurgence that is to come.  Remember that he rebuilt the Chicago Blackhawks team that won the Stanley Cup in 2009-2010 with most of the core players still around for their second Cup win in 2012-2013 When Dale Tallon took over as GM of the Florida Panthers in 2010, you knew the game plan was to restore the Cats to being a more competitive team while stockpiling the cupboards with fine, young talent. After his first season as GM where the Panthers finished last in their division for the second consecutive year, Tallon's patchwork team worked wonders and the hot start of a line consisting Kris Versteeg-Stephen Weiss-Tomas Fleischmann catapulted the Florida Panthers to their first Southeast division title ever, restoring enthusiasm at the rink.  The past two years haven't been so kind to the Panthers but Tallon still held true to his vision and has selected some fine young talent at the entry drafts while continuing to acquire fine young talent wherever possible. What does all this have to do with Luongo? Well, Luongo returns to Florida where his NHL career began so there is familiarity to the team and location.  Secondly, his wife is from the Miami area so there is the serenity of home life that it brings as well.  Although the team is not projected to do very well this season by a lot of critics, there is hope on the horizon.  Just look at what Tallon has done with the defense alone.  At the beginning of the "Dale Talon era", The Florida Panthers chose 3 defensemen in the first round in the past 3 of 5 NHL Entry Drafts and in the other two drafts selected big center men in Jonathan Huberdeau (6'1" 171) and Aleksander Barkov (6'2" 205). Big, hulking defensemen such as 2010 draftee Erik Gudbranson (6'5" 210), 2011 draftee Michael Matheson (6'2" 189), and last year's Number 1 overall pick Aaron Ekblad (6'3" 216) were all brought in to complement Dmitri Kulikov (6'1" 196), drafted in 2009, to form a solid foundation in front of a goalie who had come within one game of winning the Stanley Cup in 2011. The future looks bright in sunny Florida, but what can you expect for this season? At first glance, you would think that Luongo isn't going to be seeing a lot of ...

Weiss was a healthy scratch for the first five games, but he will get into the lineup tonight vs. the Maple Leafs because Johan Franzen is out with a knee injury. Weiss had a terrible debut season in Detroit in 2013-14, he had just four points (2G / 2A) in 26 games. He will look to earn himself a permanent roster spot with a good performance tonight.

Weiss, 31, had a disastrous debut season with the Red Wings and 2014-15 will start with him sitting in the press box. He has played just 43 games and recorded only three goals and five assists over the last two season and with the emergence of Riley Sheahan and a healthy Darren Helm, Weiss may find it difficult to get into the lineup at times this season.

After a terrible debut season with the Red Wings due to injuries, it looks like 2014-15 will start on a sour note. Weiss will take a seat while the younger players like Andrej Nestrasil will get a look. The Red Wings are expected to be patient with Weiss as he continues to work his way back from sports hernia surgery.

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 ...

After signing a five-year $24.5 million dollar deal with the Red Wings this offseason, Weiss scored just two goals with two assists in 26 games... Yikes. Making an average of $4.9 million of the next four years, the Red Wings are certainly hoping for a healthy Weiss next year. Paying a player over a million dollars per point is not what GM Ken Holland is in to.

Weiss says he is feeling better, but there is no way of knowing when he will be ready. Weiss has reportedly been nearing a return a few times this season, but countless setbacks have really destroyed his first season with the Red Wings.

Weiss who was nearing a return will not play tomorrow and likely won't be back for sometime if this setback is serious. Expect an update in the next 24 hours.

Weiss will not play with Grand Rapids either, he will continue to practice with the Red Wings. Weiss could return next Tuesday vs. the Devils.

Weiss has been skating for several weeks but isn't ready for the fast pace, high intensity and full contact of a game, so he did not play with the Griffins on Sunday, as was originally planned. "I practiced twice last week with the (Plymouth) Whalers and three times (this week) with the (Red Wings), so I'm starting to feel really good but it hasn't been that much practice time," Weiss said. Weiss didn't rule out being cleared for the first game following the Olympic break, Wednesday at Montreal. "That's what we're shooting for," Weiss said. "Obviously, that's not going to be my decision. I might still have to play a game or two (in Grand Rapids) next week. By then I'll be more ready to play a game."