New Look Panthers Change Numbers

With so much turnover in the Panthers lineup for this coming season, it is only appropriate that many players have elected to change their jersey numbers.

Sophomore Dmitry Kulikov goes from 43, an odd number for a defenseman, to number 7.

Shawn Matthias switches from 41 to 18, Kenndal McArdle claims number 15, and Keaton Ellerby, assuming he makes the big club, will take the dreaded number four. Ellerby will be the third defenseman in as many seasons to wear number four, following former Panther Dennis Seidenberg and the one who shan’t be mentioned (although he will be tagged in case it’s that much of a mystery).

The story and the rest of the new Cats’ numbers can be found at this source: http://panthers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=536713

Tags: Dennis Seidenberg, Dmitry Kulikov, Florida Panthers, Jay Bouwmeester, Keaton Ellerby, Kenndal McArdle, Shawn Matthias

Markstrom in Panthersland

Jacob Markstrom, hereby known as The Savior, has arrived in South Florida and is getting adjusted to the North American style game.

He says he wants to start and he wants to play in the NHL. He has all the confidence in the world, but we’ll have to see if he can outplay Tomas Vokoun in training camp.

The future is as bright as the hot Florida sun, but it remains to be seen how long it takes to come to fruition.

Panthers Add Peters

The Florida Panthers have signed Andrew Peters, former Buffalo Sabre and New Jersey Devil. The enforcer is known for his tough guy antics, but not necessarily his skill level. He was signed to a two-way contract, meaning there’s a good chance that he’ll play in Rochester.

Most Sabres and Devils fans credit him with being a great guy and locker room presence. Perhaps, this is Dale Tallon’s way of mentoring the young guns to have them ready to compete in a couple of years.

The future is looking bright, and hopefully the Panthers can compete sooner than later.

Tags: Andrew Peters, Buffalo Sabres, Dale Tallon, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils

Panthers Interested in Niemi?

The latest rumors have the Panthers interested in acquiring UFA goaltender Antti Niemi. The main reason he went to the Blackhawks in the first place was because of GM Dale Tallon. Now, with Tallon in Florida, it makes sense that he would be interested in following him.

This is an interesting possibility. It would certainly make a Tomas Vokoun trade more likely. One has to wonder if Niemi was a product of being on a great team, or if he really has what it takes to lead a team. He would be forced to help carry a Panthers team that is not known for giving their goaltenders great support.

Nonetheless, whenever you have a chance to acquire last year’s Stanley Cup champion goaltender, it is always exciting.

Tags: Antti Niemi, Dale Tallon, Florida Panthers, Tomas Vokoun

Fated For Last?

Today, The Hockey News registered their predictions for the upcoming 2010-11 season. They are yet another source of a seemingly consensus opinion that the Panthers are doomed to finish dead last in the Eastern Conference.

It’s a bit of an unusual feeling. For as bad as the Panthers have been over the years, they aren’t generally a predicted lock for last. Perhaps that’s why they toiled in mediocrity for so long, without getting elite players or taking the next step.

The rebuild seems to be going in the right direction, but I don’t want to come to the BankAtlantic Center every night this year expecting to lose. On paper, without a doubt, Florida has a bad team comparatively to the rest of the league. They look worse than last year’s abomination. However, I wonder how a team full of players who will give it their all each shift will respond this season. Most of the minor moves we’ve made have come with fans noting how hard working and passionate the player is. I like the sound of a team that plays together.

The bottom line is, the Panthers will probably be towards the bottom of the Eastern Conference this season, but I’m still not ready to throw in the towel.

That’s why they’re just predictions.

Tags: Florida Panthers, Predictions

Panthers Acquire Santorelli

Today, the Florida Panthers dealt a conditional fifth round pick to Nashville for center Mike Santorelli. He is expected to be a top player on Rochester, with the potential to get some time with the big club.

Dale Tallon was known for getting players who blossomed into big talent in Chicago, in guys like Kris Versteeg and Patrick Sharp. Florida hopes that this may be another case in this circumstance.

Florida is creating a lot of competition on the roster, something that has lacked in previous seasons. Hopefully, this will give the players more incentive to play hard, with players breathing down their necks for a chance to play.

Tags: Florida Panthers, Kris Versteeg, Mike Santorelli, Nashville Predators, Patrick Sharp

Panthers Sign Weaver; Add Cyclones

Florida finished their busy day yesterday by adding defenseman Mike Weaver to the blue line. Weaver is expected to be a third pairing regular for the Panthers, and is known as a penalty killing specialist. He was among the league leaders for defensemen last year in penalty kill time.

Today, Florida announced that its new ECHL affiliate will be the Cincinnati Cyclones, completing the transition away from the Florida Everblades. The Cyclones were coached by new Rochester coach Chuck Weber.

Tags: Chuck Weber, Cincinnati Cyclones, Florida Panthers, Mike Weaver, Rochester Americans

Panthers Tweak Rochester

The Florida Panthers traded AHL forward Graham Mink to the St. Louis Blues today in exchange for defenseman TJ Fast. They also signed free agent d-man Joe Callahan who played for San Jose’s affiliate last year.

Neither move is expected to impact the Panthers line up, although Callahan could provide some depth if the injury bug bites hard.

Rochester fans are unhappy with the move of dumping a forward that put up good numbers. Most consider it a slap in the face and a salary dump. This is certainly adding fuel to the fire that Florida and Rochester will go their separate ways after this season.

Tags: Florida Panthers, Graham Mink, Joe Callahan, Rochester Americans, TJ Fast

News and Notes

Not much big news lately but plenty of little things to report from Panthersland.

- Today the Panther’s affiliate Rochester named Chuck Weber, of the ECHL, the new head coach. He had success in the ECHL, and Rochester fans are hopeful he can carry that over to the AHL.

- NHL.com has picked new Panther Michael Grabner as a potential breakout player this coming season. A lot of fans are extremely excited to see Grabner in action this season, and if Florida has any hope of competing this season, he will need to have a “Frolik-esque” rookie impact.

- ESPN.com reports that the BankAtlantic Center has 67% of its vendors in violation of health standards. Surprisingly, that was the best number in the state.

-Rochester defenseman Jordan Henry has evacuated to the KHL and will play there next season.

-The Panthers have cut ties with the Florida Everblades.

-Cliff Viner is now the sole owner of the team.

Tags: Chuck Weber, Cliff Viner, Florida Everblades, Florida Panthers, Jordan Henry, Michael Grabner, Rochester Americans

Panthers Acquire Reasoner

The Florida Panthers have acquired Marty Reasoner from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Jeff Taffe. This is an excellent move by GM Dale Tallon, trading an AHL player that was going to be on a one-way contract next year, for a solid bottom six center.

Fans from Atlanta are already coming into Panther’s forums to tell fans what a great work ethic he has. Not spectacularly skilled, but gives his all and does the little things right. Definitely sounds like a Tallon type player. I think he is doing a solid job putting some pieces in place, and again, I don’t want the towel thrown in on next season.

Will Reasoner alone get us to the playoffs? Of course not. But this is a solid trade that upgrades our roster for next season. Let’s wait before calling it quits on next year already.

Tags: Chicago Blackhawks, Dale Tallon, Florida Panthers, Jeff Taffe, Marty Reasoner