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

Stop Throwing in the Towel

As the offseason moves further along, it has become apparent that a number of Panthers’ fans, even arguably a majority, have already called it quits on the upcoming season that hasn’t started yet. Most believe, and rightfully so, that the Cats don’t have the horses to compete, and that another year of failure could net the Panthers a franchise player.

Let’s face it – as it stands right now, the Panthers look brutal on paper. They have less scoring punch than a mediocre forward corps from last season, and less experience on a defense that was torched on a nightly basis. And let’s not forget, last year’s team finished third worst in the NHL.

There is plenty of reason to be optimistic in the long term. Florida seems to finally have a competent GM in place, making some impressive moves for the future. If even a small amount of the prospects pan out, Tallon will have assembled another potential winner.

However, the long term outlook does little to comfort me going into the upcoming season. I am 21 years old. I’m a senior in college, and who knows where I’ll be after this next year. I haven’t seen a playoff game since I was 11 years old, and I’m tired of it. I can’t accept the fact that the Panthers “might be a Cup contender in five years.” I’ve heard it all before. Right now, even if I’m in the minority, I would rather the Cats push for a playoff spot than throw in the towel before the season starts.

Did anybody honestly think that the Colorado Avalanche were going to make the playoffs last season? Did anybody guess that the Phoenix Coyotes were going to have home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs and take the defending Western Conference Champs to the brink? If you’re nodding, stop lying because nobody did.

Of course it’s a long shot, but perhaps with a roster full of players that actually want to be here and that are willing to fight for the cause will spark some sort of miracle. We’ve been picked as a surprise team before and failed miserably, so why not go for it when everybody has us pegged for last? And after a season that lacked the drama of a playoff chase again, I’m ready to scream my lungs out and cheer for the postseason and nothing less.

Stop throwing in the damn towel before the season starts, and let’s end this drought already. Playoffs or bust again.

Tags: Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes

Interest in Weiss

I’m hearing from somebody with ties inside the organization that there is a lot of interest in Stephen Weiss, including from the St. Louis Blues, who might part with Patrik Berglund to get him. There is no word on Florida’s desire to trade him.

This would probably help signify just how deep of a rebuild this is really going to be. If Weiss is traded for younger talent, it would definitely show that the Panthers are completely blowing things up. If they keep him, they may look to stay competitive, add a piece or two, and try to sneak into the playoffs.

It would definitely be hard to see Weiss go, as many people think of him as the next Panther’s captain. However, he isn’t getting any younger, and is one of the main holdovers from the losing culture that has become so commonplace here. I’d rather not see him go, but will have to come to grips with it, just like the Ballard trade, if it happens.

Tags: Florida Panthers, Patrik Berglund, St. Louis Blues, Stephen Weiss

Heat’s Dream is Panther’s Nightmare

When Lebron James announced, a few days ago, that he would be signing in Miami, I was anything but excited. I don’t follow basketball much, and it isn’t as though I hate the Heat. In fact, basketball has little to do with why this scenario was not a good one for me.

The Miami Heat now have a dream team, the likes of which may dominate for a good decade. They could win multiple championships and things will be considered a disappointment if they don’t.

Ever remember the Panthers having expectations like that?

That’s because they haven’t. The one magical run in ‘96 was a Cinderella story if nothing else. And now, with stars so bright in South Beach, the Panthers will be thrown even further back in the closet to gather dust among South Florida sports fans. Nothing short of an improbable season of overachieving can save the Cats from being declawed in the eyes of the general public.

The Heat are now the biggest ticket in town and jerseys will be bought up at alarming rates. Games will be played at the BankAtlantic Center this season, but most people in the area won’t realize it.

Tags: Florida Panthers, Lebron James, Miami Heat

Panthers Sign Paetsch; Re-Sign Garrison

The Florida Panthers have signed former Buffalo Sabre Nathan Paetsch to a one year, 525k deal. He is known as a depth defenseman that can fill in on a fourth line forward spot too. He will stick up for his teammates and even fought public enemy number one Mike Richards a couple of seasons back.

This, along with the re-signing of Jason Garrison, gives added depth and more competition for Erik Gudbranson during training camp.

Dale Tallon seems to be concentrating on one year contracts, perhaps to focus on next off-season when so much money comes off the books. Next summer should be a lot more interesting than this one. However, with the unprecedented playoff drought, Florida can’t afford to go into tank mode before the season starts.

Tags: Florida Panthers, Jason Garrison, Nathan Paetsch

Panthers Sign Higgins; Hire Santos; Kitchen Gone

After an annoyingly quiet first day of free agency, the Florida Panthers have finally joined the party, signing Chris Higgins to a one year, 1.6 million dollar contract.

They also hired Mike Santos from Nashville’s front office, to be the assistant GM to Dale Tallon. He is a known capoligist, a good skill to pair with Tallon.

It was also announced that assistant coach Mike Kitchen will not be back, something that was pretty well received by Panthers fans.

The Panthers current roster still will have a lot of trouble competing next season, but there is still some time to upgrade things. Higgins has a chance to revitalize his career, and can either be re-signed, or traded for draft picks at the trade deadline.

Tags: Chris Higgins, Dale Tallon, Florida Panthers, Mike Santos

Panthers Draft Bjugstad

After trading back from 15th to 19th and picking up another second rounder, the Panthers grab the big center they’ve been looking for. Mr. Minnesota Hockey Nick Bjugstad is the newest Cat, although many say he’s at least a few years away from making an impact.

We’re still waiting on whether or not the Panthers have the 25th overall selection tonight. If not, Florida will be looking at two first, two seconds, and two thirds next year already.

GM Dale Tallon is certainly making his mark.

Tags: Dale Tallon, Florida Panthers, Nick Bjugstad

Ballard To Vancouver; Cats Grab Gudbranson

In a shocking trade, the Florida Panthers have dealt fan favorite Keith Ballard along with Victor Oreskovich to the Vancouver Canucks for Steve Bernier, Michael Grabner, and either this year’s 1st round pick or next year’s.

This trade broke early without some key pieces, and threw Florida fans into a riot. However, the late addition of Grabner made the entire internet world come towards the Panthers side.

I am definitely saddened, as Keith Ballard was my favorite Panther. I have his jersey personally signed to me and a stick from him for my 21st birthday. It’s a sad day, but such is life for a rebuilding team.

Florida has drafted Erik Gudbranson, just as I picked in fanball’s mock draft. He seems very excited to be on our team and has a great mentality. Time will tell, but he could make a very dangerous top defense pairing with Kulikov.

Tags: Erik Gudbranson, Florida Panthers, Keith Ballard, Michael Grabner, Steve Bernier, Vancouver Canucks, Victor Oreskovich

With the 15th Pick…

With the 15th pick of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Florida Panthers select, Vladimir Tarasenko, from Novosibirsk (KHL).

This is a very risky pick, given the Russian factor. However, it is time the Panthers started taking some chances. If he was North American, Tarasenko would probably be a Panther as the third overall pick. He has amazing skill and has been called a poor man’s Alex Ovechkin. With Florida acquiring this extra first, they take Tarasenko in hopes of winning the Horton trade by picking somebody better than the player they traded.

At 5′11” and 202 pounds, he has already filled out pretty nicely. The Hockey Spy (http://thehockeywriters.com/2010draft-prospect-profile-vladimir-tarasenko/) compares him to Marian Hossa, and refers to his “magician-like puck handling skills.” Plus, the Panthers drafted Dmitry Kulikov last year, and that has worked out well. Perhaps he can help persuade Tarasenko to come over sooner rather than later.

Tags: Dmitry Kulikov, Florida Panthers, Marian Hossa, Mock Draft, Vladimir Tarasenko