Florida the Day after the Trade Deadline
A lot of questions were up in the air for the Panthers and its fans, going in to yesterday’s trade deadline. Would Bouwmeester go? What would happen to Boynton after his breach of discipline? Did Keaton Ellerby’s call-up have any greater implications – than being an extra back-up? Would Florida be able to acquire a first line centerman or a top six forward to bolster the offense?
As things turned out, and as I predicted, all was quiet on the deadline front. Well, not completely quiet, because the Cats did make a deal with the Bolts for D Steve Eminger; whilst giving up Noah Welch and a 3rd Round Pick. It was also rumored, and almost seen as a done deal, that Ottawa forward Chris Neil had been acquired by the Panthers. However, no conformation ever came and later it was made known that Chris was staying in Ottawa.
On the home front, Ellerby was promptly sent packing, back to Rochester in the AHL, without getting a game under his belt. Coach Pete DeBoer had a ‘clearing the air’ conversation with D Nick Boynton and the disciplinary issues are now resolved. Rostislav Olesz is set to start training with the team again after his surgery and could be ready to play again in a couple of weeks.
The big news on trade deadline day was however, the no-movement of Jay Bouwmeester. General Manager Jacques Martin had made it clear he would only be moved if the Panthers received something substantial in return to help the team in the playoff race; and clearly that never materialized. There were some heart-in-mouth moments when it looked like Jay might be traded to either Vancouver or Philadelphia, but reports have it they baulked at what the Cats were asking for in return (for what essentially is a rental player).
The biggest fish in the transfer deadline pond was Jay Bouwmeester. He will now stay in South Florida, at least until the summer, and try to get the Panthers over the playoff hump.
So with Bo staying, Boynton back in the fold, and Ellerby sent packing; the surprise move of the day was undoubtedly that the Cats put their fangs in the Tampa Bay Lightning defender Steve Eminger – whilst giving up both D Noah Welch and a high draft pick (3rd Rnd). It sure makes you wonder where exactly Eminger is expected to fit in to the Panthers’ already very solid back six??
Maybe Jassen Cullimore will see less ice time come this spring? Or a policy of rotation among the second and third line of defense will come in to fruition? It will nonetheless be interesting to see what plans Coach DeBoer has for Eminger once he settles in to the team.
Undoubtedly it is great to have depth in the roster when entering the playoff stretch, and Eminger is a more established defender than Welch (who, on a different note, I always thought did a good job when called upon). Head Coach Peter DeBoer also coached Steve in Kitchener in the OHL and knows him well from there.
It resounds as a move of insurance; getting a good seventh D for the playoff race, potential playoffs, and also someone that can step in next year if Bo – and any of the other pending UFA’s on the D leave for pastures new – come summertime. He’s a potential top 4 defender that can eat up crucial ice time and go forward with good puck moving abilities; and those kinds of players sure don’t grow on trees!
This season Steve was a team leading 25 point defenseman in Tampa and has had a bit of a break-out season on the West coast after some slightly unsatisfactory years in the NHL (he was drafted 12th overall in the 2002 draft by Washington). He could also, potentially, aid the Cats faltering power-play; as he brings speed and a right shot in to the equation, perhaps stepping in for Boynton?
Looks overall as a good deal for the Panthers! We address both current issues and future considerations with this trade. The big news however, was that Jay Bouwmeester will stay with the team and hopefully help us finally get over the hump and in to the playoffs.
GM Jacques Martin also said he still retains the hope of convincing Bo to stay at the end of the season. That may very well be a pipe-dream, but overall I think this was good news for the club going forward. The teams positive chemistry remains intact and we get some depth in defense. It’s just a shame we couldn’t get our hands on a top centerman as well…
