2012–13 Florida Panthers season


The 2012–13 Florida Panthers season was the 20th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 14, 1993. The season was partially cancelled due to a lockout, which ended on January 6, 2013. The campaign for the Panthers then commenced as a shortened, 48-game season beginning on January 19. The shortened season would feature only intra-conference games.
The Panthers were eliminated from Stanley Cup playoff contention, failing to make the playoffs for the 11th time in their past 12 seasons. Florida earned the fewest points of any NHL team in 2012–13, finishing with a 15–27–6 record for last in both the Eastern Conference and 30-team NHL.

Off-season

Pre-season

A pre-season schedule was planned for late September and early October, but the lockout forced its cancellation. No pre-season will be held for the truncated, 48-game campaign beginning January 19.

Regular season

As of Thursday, October 4, the NHL has cancelled all games scheduled through Wednesday, October 24, causing the Panthers to lose their first five games of the season, with more cancelled games possible without a resolution to the dispute soon. As of Friday, October 19, the Panthers have lost three additional games through November 1 due to the lockout. All November games were lost one week later on Friday, October 26, eliminating any possibility of a rearranged 82-game season and assuring that any season that does take place will be shortened. On November 23, two more weeks of hockey and six additional Panthers games were put on the chopping block, with all matchups through December 14 being cancelled. On December 11, after a week of negotiations broke off, all games through December 30 were axed. On December 20, 2012, following a further lack of negotiations during the lockout, all games through January 14 were cancelled.
On January 6, 2013, the lockout ended after a 16-hour negotiation session in an effort to salvage the season. A condensed season, of a length of 48 intra-conference games, will now be played.
The Panthers scored 109 goals over the lockout-shortened season of 48 games, tied for 29th overall with the Nashville Predators. They also allowed 170 goals, the most in the League, allowed the most power-play goals, with 39, and had the lowest penalty-kill percentage, at 74.17%.

Standings

Schedule and results

Below is the new, truncated 2012–13 schedule for the Panthers, who will open the season on Saturday, January 19 against the Hurricanes, closing on Saturday, April 27 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Player statistics

Final stats
;Skaters
;Goaltenders
Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Panthers. Stats reflect time with the Panthers only.

Traded mid-season

Bold/italics denotes franchise record

Awards and records

Awards

Transactions

The Panthers have been involved in the following transactions during the 2012–13 season.

Trades

Free agents acquired

Free agents lost

Claimed via waivers

Lost via waivers

Lost via retirement

Player signings

Draft picks

Florida Panthers' picks at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 22 & 23, 2012.
Round#PlayerPosNationalityCollege/Junior/Club Team
123Mike MathesonDDubuque Fighting Saints
384Steven HodgesCVictoria Royals
4114Alexander DelnovLWMytischi Khimik
6174Francois BouvillierC/LWRimouski Oceanic
7194Jonatan NielsenDLinkopings HC Jr.

;Draft Notes