Star Gazing amid Lightning Seize
With Dallas Stars coming to the Bank Atlantic Center tonight, the Panthers again have a chance to retake that elusive eighth spot. Carolina moved past us yesterday by beating Pittsburgh; which probably was a good result for Florida – as the Hurricanes are only one point ahead, with more games played, while the Penguins remain level on points.
Also of importance is that those games, between playoff rivals, don’t become three point contests; unlike our last game against Buffalo… Of course, when you are trailing as the Cats were – once again – you’ll take any point you can get, but ideally you don’t want to drop any points to your playoff foes. Another thing you don’t want to do in an ideal world is pay for your interstate rivals’ players…
Yet, this is exactly what the Panthers have found themselves doing. By placing D Cory Murphy on re-entry waivers, from a successful stint with the Amerks, he was up for grabs and Tampa Bay Lightning is, as we know, ready to jump on any thread of hope that they can – especially when it comes to bolstering a stringy defense.
It’s bad enough to lose Murphy for nothing, and to the Bolts of all teams, but to have to pay half of the remainder of his salary this season – is salt in the Panther wounds. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for Cory, he’ll get his chances across the state – indeed he already has found himself quarterbacking the Lightning power-play (getting a man-advantage assist against Dallas), but it just doesn’t make much sense for us does it? This must be a new way of doing business, since normally; you’d want something in return for giving up an asset. Certainly you wouldn’t want to pay for him to playing with our fiercest rivals and in the process significantly reinforcing their team, would you?
If indeed the Panthers have no need to keep Murphy, even as a back-up in case of injuries, wouldn’t it be better to either trade him or put him on normal waivers?
I would have to assume General Manager Jacques Martin fully explored the trading option to no avail first, but why not waive him, and if unclaimed (paying his entire salary is after all a less attractive option to other teams) let him continue to strengthen the AHL affiliate in Rochester. He had done very well there, according to reports, and keeping Cory with the Americans would significantly help that team overcome some of its previous struggles. Not doing this and preferring to place Cory on re-entry waivers, clearly signals to the Amerk faithful that the Panther organization has given up on Rochester’s season and that they really don’t care too much either.
Hopefully this is all part of a grand scheme, one in which the Panthers are preparing the way for a reinforcing trade. One in which Florida need the extra cap space and the sacrifice of Murphy, and the American affiliate, is for a higher purpose; one that will ultimately help both parent and affiliate in the intermediate and long term future.
But please, excuse my skepticism; apart from the Cory move, little else has happened to signal a move is in the offing. Of course we all know the unfortunate situation of Jay Bouwmeester and his expiring contract, but there is not much to suggest he’ll be moved before the trade deadline – if contract negotiations are indeed a no-go. Coach DeBoer swears by Bo and his importance to the team is unquestionable; he must be kept for as long as is possible – if the Cats are to have a realistic chance to push for the playoffs this year.
A few players have been mooted as possible departures from Florida in various trade rumors, such as Nathan Horton, but of late it has been very quiet on this front. Most likely because the team is performing so well that no one wants to shake up or disturb the balance of the roster. And Horton meanwhile, has started to put some much sought after points on the board. There are still some deficiencies that Jacques will need to address at some point; most notably the lack of a star center (none withstanding Horton’s late rise) and the prerequisite of having a decent penalty shooter or two…
Too many important playoff points have been squandered in the shootouts, and while there is undoubtedly some luck involved in these occasions, it isn’t bad luck which makes the Panthers lose one shootout after another. Hard work and determination is what has brought Florida success so far this season and the reason why they are able to stage so many comebacks. This is immensely important, but you don’t see the Cats out-skill their opponents and that lack of individual brilliance is what is costing them in the shootouts. Hence, some pieces are still missing in this puzzle of success.
Nonetheless, the current Panther team and staff deserve a lot of credit for what they have accomplished so far in the season. But, it is not over yet. We are still in that ninth spot and need to get two more points from tonight’s game against the Stars. It won’t be easy, but then again there are no easy games in the National Hockey League anymore. Dallas lost the other night to a Cory Murphy fuelled Tampa Bay Lightning, and if they can do it – so can we.
Moreover, it is an essential game for the Cats as we head in to the All Star break after tonight’s game. The importance of ending on a confidence boosting high – cannot be underestimated.
