Coming off a year he’d like to forget, Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau is ready to take his game to the next level.

The league’s Calder Trophy winner in 2013 after tallying 31 points in 48 games, Huberdeau followed up his award-winning rookie campaign with just nine goals and 28 points in 69 games last season.

"It’s a learning process," said Huberdeau, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2011 draft. "I don’t want to ever go through a year like that (again). My second year, it’s passed and I don’t want to be the guy that I was last year.

"I didn’t really have fun much at the end and I was not playing well. This year, it’s about forgetting about last year. It’s a new season, new level and I think I’m ready to get to the next level."

While he refuses to make excuses for his poor performance last season, Huberdeau will say that an abbreviated offseason due to hip surgery certainly didn’t help things. After undergoing surgery in May of 2013, he was unable to return to the ice for over two months while recovering.

"I didn’t really have much time to work out during the offseason because of the surgery. That didn’t help me for the start of the year," Huberdeau said. "I didn’t feel that strong from my legs and my hips. Now, I’ve had a long summer and I’ve had time to get my hip ready and to get stronger. I’m feeling way better now."

Entering this year’s training camp with added muscle and feeling healthy or, as he likes to call it, "less fat", Huberdeau’s game is expected to benefit from having a familiar face behind the Panthers bench this season in new head coach Gerard Gallant.

Prior to joining the Panthers this offseason, Gallant previously coached in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Saint John Sea Dogs for three seasons from 2009-2012.

Over the course of three seasons in Saint John, Gallant amassed an astounding 159-34-9 recording, including two President’s Cups and a Memorial Cup title in 2011.

His most valuable player during those three seasons? Jonathan Huberdeau.

"He was 155 pounds when I had him and he was a great young hockey player with a big heart," Gallant said of his time with Huberdeau. "Now, he’s getting bigger, he’s getting a lot stronger and his game is going to come.

"I know the kid, he’s compassionate kid and I know he’s going to be a real good hockey player. Not just a good player, a real good hockey player in this league."

During his final two seasons under Gallant, Huberdeau compiled 73 goals and 177 points in 104 games. And although Huberdeau knows that Gallant wasn’t brought in solely to re-ignite the offensive spark he once had, he hopes that their familiarity with each other may bring back some of that magic.

"Of course it helps me because he knows what I can do," Huberdeau said of Gallant’s presence. "I’m going to be there, I’m going to work hard and force him to put me out there. It’s not like he’s going to put me out there because I was in (with him in) juniors. …I want to get to the next level in this league"

GALLANT PREPARING TO NAME CAPTAIN

Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant says the team will name a captain before Thursday’s regular-season opener in Tampa Bay on Oct. 9.

Gallant says the decision will ultimately be made by himself and General Manager Dale Tallon, however, he expects player input to factor into the decision.

"We’re going to discuss it all," Gallant said. "They’re going to have some input, obviously, whether we do it as a total vote from our players or just ask some of the veterans."

When asked if goaltender Roberto Luongo, who served as captain of the Vancouver Canucks from 2008-10, will be considered, Gallant swiftly shot down the notion.

"Goalies can’t be captain," Gallant said. "He’s got to focus on playing the game and playing the crease and all that. He’s a leader but you don’t have to have a letter on to be a leader."

The Panthers have been without a captain since defenseman Ed Jovanovski had the final year of his contract bought out by the organization on June 29. Whoever holds the honor next will become the eighth captain in franchise history.

Even with no former captains currently on the roster, Gallant will have plenty of options to choose from, including longtime alternate captain Brian Campbell or possibly a newcomer like Dave Bolland or Willie Mitchell.

Either way, Gallant likes his options.

"We’re a team that hasn’t had much success in the past, but we think we have a lot of great leaders. Letters are important. …But you need a lot more than three guys to be a leader."

PANTHERS NOT WORRIED ABOUT WINLESS PRESEASON

After a 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday, the Panthers preseason record through five games stands at 0-3-2. With only one preseason game remaining, though, the team says they still aren’t too concerned with exhibition victories.

"On Oct. 9, that’s when I’m looking for a win," Gallant said. "I’m hoping to play better than we did tonight but, to be honest with you, these are exhibition games and I’m not concerned."

Left-winger Jonathan Huberdeau, meanwhile, just wants to see the Panthers put forth a good effort in their final preseason game in Tampa Bay on Saturday.

"Win or lose, it’s about working hard" Huberdeau said. "After the game we want to say, ‘guys we worked really hard and we’re ready for the season’".

WORTH NOTING

— Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, who exited Thursday night’s game after blocking a shot during the first period, is currently listed at day-to-day with bruised a foot.

"Nothing broken that I was told," Gallant said. "They said he’s fine, just a precaution."

You can follow Jameson Olive on Twitter @JamesonCoop or email him at JamesonOlive@gmail.com.