
The Florida Panthers joined the NHL back in the 1993-94 season and their early years were very promising. They barely missed the playoffs in their first year of existence and in year 3 they actually reached the Stanley Cup finals, a 4-game sweep at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche.
Unfortunately for Panthers fans, their team has only made the playoffs twice since their run to the 1996 finals, and have not seen the post season since 1999-00.
Florida has consistently worn one of the ugliest jerseys in the NHL and recently added a third sweater design that is a departure from their usual red-gold-blue disaster. However, the current alternate is basically an unoriginal mock up of the Springfield Falcons with a borrowed Quinnipiac Bobcats crest. No points for originality but at least they look a lot better.
Some of the key figures to have worn the Panthers jersey include Pavel Bure, Roberto Luongo, Scott Mellanby, Igor Larionov, Uwe Krupp and Jay Bouwmeester. Florida's prospect pool features some highly touted players and the hope is that they'll help the franchise back to the playoffs and eventual to the finals once again.
Here is a look at what's Coming Down the Pipe in Florida...