A fresh new season of South Florida hockey, Jacques Martin-style, approaches! In this series, TLB will be posting links to the best, worst, and indifferent previews of our favorite felines: the 2008-09 Florida Panthers.

The Bleacher Report's army of writers continues it's assault on the NHL leading to the new season. Today, TLB features a recent - and surprisingly upbeat - take from the Report's Bryan Thiel on the Cats, and what to look forward to. Perhaps even, gulp, playoffs?

"Granted there aren't many outside of Florida who are that concerned with what the Panthers do—unless they're trying to trade Roberto Luongo—but that just means a few more people are surprised when they have a quality offseason."

Sooner or later these quality offseasons had better translate to a quality in-season. Given the moves made thus far, The Box is in agreement that JM appears to have rounded the rookie-GM corner and assembling the correct pieces for a competitive, winning atmosphere on the ice and in the room. Head over to The Report and check it out.