NHL

"It was awesome, a big learning step for me," Howden said of his first NHL experience in 2013. "Obviously, the speed of the game is big. They're men and you just can't go around guys anymore. You need strength to make plays." He skated in 18 games with the Panthers, but wasn't able to record a point. Howden ended up with 21 hits, 22 shots and a minus-11 rating.

"I'm going to work hard for it, but it's the team first and after you get the personal awards," he said. Huberdeau is currently hard at work rehabilitating from his off-season hip procedure and he hopes to add more explosiveness to his skating and strengthen his lower body. He expects to be able to resume on-ice work in August.

According to Elliotte Friedman on "Hockey Night in Canada," the team has "inquired on the rights" to the center. The Stars and Maple Leafs have also asked the Panthers about Weiss. The 30-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent on July 5 and is coming off a season in which he notched a goal and three assists in 17 games. He is a four-time 20-goal scorer, however.

"It was a surprise. There were two other guys who had great rookie years," Huberdeau said. With 31 points in 48 games, he narrowly beat Brendan Gallagher and Brandon Saad in terms of points. That said, Huberdeau was also second worst among all rookies with a minus-15 rating.

Huberdeau becomes the first Panthers player to ever win the rookie of the year award. The talented winger finished with 14 goals and 17 assists, and his 31 points were tied with the rookie lead. Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher finished second in the voting, while Blackhawks winger Brandon Saad was third.

He tied Nail Yakupov for the rookie scoring lead with 31 points in 2013. Imagine what he might have done if he wasn't suffering a hip injury that required offseason surgery ...

Butler had four goals and 11 points in 34 games this season. Florida will be the fourth team he's played for in just three seasons. Of course, that's assuming the Panthers re-sign him as Butler is eligible to become a restricted free agent this summer.