Roblogg’s Panthers Portal

The Florida Panthers have in the prelude to today’s opener in Helsinki, against the Chicago Blackhawks, been forced to re-tool their blueline. Losing the workhorse stallion of Jay Bouwmeester (to Calgary) always meant the Cats would need a makeover in defense this off-season. But how do you replace such a vital player as Jay-Bo anyway?

Well, you don’t, quite frankly. There’s only a handful players of Bo’s caliber in the league and the Panthers have none of them in their line-up. What inter-rim GM Randy Sexton and Head Coach Peter DeBoer instead has tried to do; is to go for strength in depth to remedy the situation.

Operation Defense

With one hefty pay-check off the books, it allows the team to get 2-3 players of proven or upcoming qualities, to come in and steady the ship. The Cats have indeed added numbers to the blueline this summer – to the extent that the opening day defensive pairings are anyone’s guess at this point in time.

In have come the likes of Jordan Leopold, Ville Koistinen, Dmitry Kulikov and Dennis Seidenberg, whilst Bryan Allen finally has returned from his long-term injury. Already on the books are steady fixtures Keith Ballard and newly appointed captain Bryan McCabe; whilst AHL’r Jason Garrison provides good injury insurance with his two-way contract and uncapped potential. How’s that for competition and blueline depth?

This defensive depth may come in handy earlier than anyone would have anticipated with three defenders (Ballard, Allen and Leopold) struck by the flu bug. They all skated yesterday and should be available for selection today however (together with fellow victim Stephen Weiss).

One that will be selected for opening night will be young Russian Dmitry Kulikov; who the Panthers managed to get signed to an NHL entry level contract, just before the end of the deadline, a couple of days ago. This year’s first round draft pick has impressed coach DeBoer, who is quoted as saying that Kulikov will be given 9-10 games to prove himself in the NHL.

Together these blueliners should be able to divide Jay-Bo’s almost 30 minutes-a-game playtime between them, create a sense of competition and hopefully push each other to new heights. At least that is what Sexton and DeBoer are counting on.

The philosophy shown in the summer signings in defense are echoed in the goalie department; where Tomas Vokoun will pushed hard by Scott Clemmensen, whilst Alexander Salak will provide back-up duties in case of injuries and is therefore with on the trip to Finland. Tomas has been penned in for the opening game tonight, and if he plays well he’ll be back in goal again in the second header-to-header tomorrow, against the Hawks.

Meanwhile, Vokouns former team mate and back-up Craig Anderson started his career as a No.1 goalie in promising style yesterday; helping Colorado beat San Jose 5-2, making 38 saves.

Promising Offense?

Despite the loss of Bo, Skras and Andy in the defensive compartment, arguably the make or break of Florida’s hockey fortune’s – this upcoming season – will be the performance of the offensive units. Certainly its shortcomings last season, when it came down to production, were what prevented the Panthers from making the post season that time around.

With the core still intact from that campaign, it is clear that coach DeBoer is counting on those promising Cats to up their game and take it to the next step at this level. The Sunrise Express line of David Booth, Stephen Weiss and Nathan Horton is likely to be counted on as the top unit. But as good as those players are – question marks still surround them as to whether they really deserve top billing on a team striving to reach the playoffs?

Only time can tell, but fans have been hoping long enough that these players would develop in to legitimate NHL stars. There must come a time when hope gives way for results, and most likely that time will be now. These three players must find that extra level within them and elevate their game accordingly. It’s probably now or never to be honest.

On a projected second line, the Panthers have new summer recruit Steven Reinprecht centering veteran Cory Stillman and youngster Michael Frolik. The major question mark here is how Reinprecht will perform in this role, having previously been accustomed to a more checking role in Phoenix.

And on the checking third line we again can expect Gregory Campbell and Radek Dvorak teaming up for some hard hits and quick counter attacks, probably together with Rostislav Olesz, who got most of last season spoiled with injury. On the fourth we’ll find utility players like Nick Tarnasky (when back from injury), newbie Mike Duco, Kamil Kreps and Shawn Matthias battling it out for a starting role.

In addition, there are a few players in Rochester that could be called up in case of injury or if they impress sufficiently in the American Hockey League. Hopefully the Panthers farm affiliate will be better equipped this season, with a couple of key veteran signings, to stand up for themselves in that competition. Young Florida prospects are more likely to develop in an atmosphere of success, rather than in one of doom and gloom, so the revival of the Amerks is pivotal to the organization as a whole.

The Thin Red Line

Overall, the Florida Panthers have a steady, yet unremarkable team in the sense of star names. Again they will be dependent on digging deep for that little extra something in games and work hard for every scrap and point they can get. It is hard to judge this 09/10 incarnation of the Cats. Success will rely on the successful development of existing talent on an individual level and on the mental fortitude and togetherness of the team.

In Head Coach Peter DeBoer the club has the right man for the job, and the team is very much molded in his image, but can he do what so many others have failed with; take the underperforming Panthers to a playoff?

Personally I won’t count this out, stranger things have happened in sports, but he sure has a difficult task on his hands. Perhaps even an insurmountable task at that. There are positive signs, yet overall, I go in with less confidence this season than I did the previous one. I really thought that that was going to be the time when Florida unshackled itself from the chains of failure, only to trip on the final hook.

With this in recent memory, it is hard to be overly optimistic. But, there is always a ray of hope… And, against all “better” judgment, hope – I do…

The free agency frenzy of July 1st, and the time following up to training camp in September; can be a very disconcerting time for fans of hockey in general Panthers faithful in particular. Seeing as Southern Florida with its unreliable fanbase and notably hot yet unhockey-like environment – is anything but a magnet when it comes to attracting hockey players of note – it is not surprising that the tune sung around this Floridian camp is usually a somber one; if not downright depressing this time of year. And that’s not to say that things usually get any better – at whatever time of – the following season either….

It’s sad to say, but this year does not seem to be a notable exception to this solemn hymn of Floridian hockey frenzy’d despair. Yes, the Florida Panthers have actually been very active this time around on the marketplace, but, despite some quality signings it is a bit of a stretch of the imagination to say that the club has necessarily got better. The squad may be cheaper, which will undoubtedly warm the hearts of current and prospective owners, but better…?

Last season the club did break out of early season mediocrity to make a bonafide all-out assault on the Eastern Conference Top 8. However, despite a string of impressive performances – all of which seemed to stem from the teams energetic new young coach Pete DeBoer; his strong goaltending tandem and sturdy defense. Especially the latter contributed considerably to any success the Cats found in mid-season last campaign. Not only were the top six warding off opponents, but also at times, they were the team’s main scoring threat – notching up many timely and important goals.

After the trade deadline however, the wheels came off of the Panthers’ post-season challenge. The defense in particular, was not as strong as previously, and the goalscoring woes of the forwards continued unabated. Not even the goaltenders could stem the flow now and Florida’s playoff charge quickly derailed – and this despite the struggles and continued woes of the centennial celebrators in Montreal. Tied on points, but with an inferior wins statistic, it was the Habs and not the Cats that progressed. A bitter end to what seemed like a very promising campaign, just a couple of months earlier.

The failure to upgrade at the transfer deadline cost the Panthers dearly. Other teams that provided the Cats’ major competition – the NY Rangers. Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes – all improved their squads at the deadline. Florida did not and the wheels subsequently soon fell off the wagon train down the bumpy stretch called “the playoff race”. Especially pending free agent Jay Bouwmeester looked lackluster toward the end and failed to justify just why the franchise had been so desperate to keep hold of him – despite mouthwatering deals proposed by other teams. The organization and GM Jacques Martin in particular, took a huge gamble in Jay-Bo and unfortunately it not only failed to pay off – but even seemed to backfire on the club – both short term and long term.

The latter consequence was losing the marquee player for a lowly 3rd Round Pick in the 2009 entry draft, whilst also securing the negotiating rights with Jordan Leopold prior to free agency. Leopold was eventually signed to a one year deal and his signing remains the one major addition to next year’s team. A flurry of other names have also come, and gone, but with the exception of local hero David Booth – and his spanking new 6 year contract; there is precious little to get excited about for Panthers fans.

To be fair to current interim boss Randy Sexton, he has probably done the very best he could have hoped to do – considering the limitations which have no doubt been placed upon his shoulders and which are out of his hands. Indeed, I have been most impressed with how he has handled himself and picked up the jumbled mess that Jacques Martin left behind him when he skipped ship a month ago. In my opinion Sexton has deserved the chance to be named General Manager on a more long term basis. But kid yourself not, this doesn’t mean that the franchise is finally set to turn a corner, rather, I would not be wholly surprised if the organization once again is forced into rebuilding mode.

Looking at our team and comparing it to fellow Southeastern Division rivals, it must be said that the Panthers look weaker this year; compared to last. This while all the other teams look like they’ve added significantly to last season’s squads. Not least our rivals across the state look like they finally have got their act together and could be set for a year of resurgence. Atlanta too – look like they might be able to compete, after a strong finish to last season and some quality additions to the formerly threadbare roster. The Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals have meanwhile kept a low profile; mainly because they both believe they already have the necessary pieces of the puzzle to be successful this coming campaign.

So where does that leave the Florida Panthers in this competition?

Maybe not last in the division, because Tampa Bay and Atlanta may yet struggle with so many new signings, but certainly not first either. The playoffs seem a long long way off this time around for the Cats and their faithful. Whilst I have much faith in head coach DeBoer, I don’t believe him to be a miracle worker either and with the current roster the Panthers would need a team effort to defy the very fabrics of logic to be successful. This may well be out of the hands of both DeBoer and Sexton to provide. Indeed, if we today look at the clubs best potential starting line-up, it could look something like this:

Forwards:
Booth – Weiss – Horton
Stillman – Reinprecht – Frolik
Olesz – Campbell – Dvorak
Tarnasky – Kreps – Repik

Defenders:
Leopold – Ballard
Allen – Koistinen
Garrison/Ellerby – McCabe
(with Kulikov and Wilson as dark horses; possibly making the team)

Goalies:
Vokoun
Clemmensen

Now, there is still plenty of time to make additional signings. Especially the forward compartment seems threadbare and veteran Ville Peltonen would be tipped as one player to return once a decent deal can be thrashed out.

What strikes one when looking at this possible line-up is that it can barely be seen as better than last years. In fact, the defense most definitely seems weakened with the departures of three of last season’s top four defenders: Bouwmeester, Skrastins and Boynton.

Even the forward compartment looks lighter with Zednik departing for Russia, Peltonen not yet signed, and only Reinprecht coming in as a new signing. The goaltending compartment however, still looks like it contains one of the stronger goaltending tandems of the league. Craig Anderson was ably replaced by Scott Clemmensen and it looks like coach DeBoer again will have two quality netminders to toy with.

The one saving grace of this year’s Cats is their investment in young up-and-coming players from within the organization. Players like Repik, Ellerby, Garrison, Matthias and Kulikov are unpolished gems that could very well burst onto the scene and blossom into very exciting prospects this year – as Michael Frolik did last. Furthermore, players such as: Booth, Weiss, Horton, Olesz, Campbell, Koistinen and Wilson – may also have their best seasons ahead of them and could continue to grow in stature this coming season, whilst Bryan Allen hopefully will have recovered from injury to play an important part in the campaign.

But whilst these young and upcoming players provide an injection of energy and hope to the club and its fans, there is also a risk of pegging too much weight of expectation on their shoulders. There is a danger such a strategy could backfire unless there is a strong core of veterans and leaders in the dressing room to balance the bill. McCabe, Stillman, Allen and Vokoun will surely all be looked upon for such roles in the near future. If this is coupled with a hardy dose of patience – there could indeed be a recipe of future success in this mix.

It may however, be too much to ask for, when hoping for immediate success this coming season. Panther fans should be aware; this could very well turn out to be yet another rebuilding season for the Cats. And the franchise owners should also beware; the lack of star signings may deter people from showing up at the Bank Atlantic Center.

The line being trodden is a thin one indeed; startling success or spectacular failure – could equally be found in this upcoming campaign. While it is too early to tell which one it will be, fact is that the early days of July; has ultimately brought more apprehension than hope to hockey fans in South Florida.

David Booth has signed a 6-year contract with Florida worth $25.5 million. David Booth was the Cats’ top scorer last season and was a fans favorite at the Bank Atlantic Center.

His 60 points (31 goals) in 72 games last season was a career high and the 24-year old is expected to continue to progress and play in the US National Team in the upcoming Olympics. The news of Booth’s re-signing with the Panthers follows hot on the heels of the announcement that Radek Dvorak also signed a new deal with the club.

Meanwhile, speculation was rife during the early hours of the day that Craig Anderson was on the verge of signing with the Colorado Avalanche. It was a deal that made sense both for Colorado and Andy himself – as he would get a credible chance at the No.1 spot. And it has now been confirmed that Craig has signed a 2 year $ 3.6 million deal with Colorado….

More to follow….

Having had a holiday from hockey I now feel ready to dig in to and continue this hockey blog about the Florida Panthers. It’s been a busy time for the Cats and the Assistant General Manager Randy Sexton. After Jacques Martin skipped the ship, to take up the Head Coaching job with the Habs, Sexton has been left with a real tangled mess to try to sort out. So let’s sum up and take a look at what moves he has done so far:

May 29th: Panthers sign G Alexander Sálak

Before Jacques signed off with the Panthers he made a move for, and signed, goalie prospect Alexander Sálak from TPS Turku of the Finnish League. The 22-year old goalie was signed to an entry level contract. The previously undrafted prospect played 53 games last season for TPS, posting a 2.40 GAA and .923 save percentage.

June: Panthers Development Camp in Toronto

One of Randy Sexton’s first priorities, when stepping in to Martin’s shoes, was to talk to the agents of restricted and unrestricted free agents Bouwmeester and Booth. While those attempts may have stolen most of the pundits’ attention, Randy also took time to visit the Panthers’ Development Camp – held in Toronto, Canada. He was quoted as expressing himself as very impressed with a trio of youngsters: Michal Repik, Keaton Ellerby and Michael Frolik. Whilst Frolik has already burst through the NHL scene, Sexton’s comments could also be seen as foreboding the imminent breakthrough of Repik and Ellerby on the big scene as well. Later Sexton also mentioned that D Jason Garrison could be ready to push for a place in the Panthers’ squad.

June 19th: Steven Reinprecht signed to 3-year deal

Randy Sexton’s first major move was for pending UFA Steven Reinprecht of the Phoenix Coyotes. The Panthers gave away the rights to Stefan Meyer, who was one of the leading scorers in Florida’s Rochester farm team last season, and in return received the exclusive negotiating rights to the veteran center Reinprecht. Steven was then quickly tied to a 3-year deal. The 33-year old will bring a wealth of Stanley Cup experience after having tasted glory with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. To the Panthers he also adds some competition for the center slots of the team. Described as a high character (was assistant captain in Phoenix) and hard working player, Sexton will be hoping that Steven can help the Cats win a few more face-offs while also injecting some speed into the team.

June 26th: NHL Entry Draft in Montreal; Day One

With the spectacle that is the Entry Draft underway in Montreal last Friday, people were expecting plenty of pending moves to be announced. However, with the notable exception of the blockbuster move of Chris Pronger to Philadelphia from Anaheim, it turned out to be a quiet occasion. Not even Jay Bouwmeester’s name was read by the commissioner – to most people’s surprise.

NY Islanders sealed John Tavares with their top pick and Tampa Bay sealed much needed blueline talent in the form of the giant puck moving Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman with the #2 pick. Matt Duchene went third; to his favorite team the Colorado Avalanche. These were of course the “Big Three” names of the draft and the selection of them went pretty much the way everyone had expected.

Expected to go higher in the draft was the talented puck moving Russian defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (Ranked #11). Many analysts projected him to go among the top ten and it must have come as quite a surprise to Randy Sexton that the talented defenseman was still around when it was time for the Panthers to pick at #14. Teams had been scared off Dmitry due to the “Russian factor”, that is the fear that a Russian player might leave for the KHL without compensation – now or in the future, but Sexton and chief scout Scott Luce knew a steal when they saw one and selected the defenseman with their first round pick (14th overall).

Scott’s verdict of Kulikov was summed up in four words: “Smart, driven, determined and passionate”. In addition to this, the player himself has been said his lifelong dream was to play in the NHL, and for a Russian to come to Florida to live and work – it surely is a dream move in more than one way. In fact, he might even be plying his trade here in South Florida this coming autumn already. Scott Luce at least seems to think he has that kind of immediate upside. At the very least he’ll be given a fair chance to make an immediate impact this coming season.

The last year Kulikov has been playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and won the Rookie of the Year Award after scoring 62 points (12 goals) for Drummondville. Drummondville’s assistant coach Danny Brooks said about Dmitry: “He could’ve made life easy and stayed in Yaroslavl Locomotiv and been a superstar in the KHL. But his dream is to play in the NHL and bring his family from Russia to North America….He’s a North American player who happens to have a Russian last name.”

June 27th: NHL Entry Draft in Montreal; Day Two

Jay Bouwmeester was finally put out of his misery here in South Florida and was traded to the Calgary Flames for their 3rd Round Pick in this year’s draft and the rights to pending UFA Jordan Leopold (D). Since then Bo has signed a 5-year deal with the Flames worth #6.68 million a year and he seems happy enough to be back in Alberta, Canada. The Cats has of yet, not been able to tie down Leopold to any deal, but are hoping Keith Ballard’s old collage buddy and golf partner – will want to partner Keith on the ice as well. We’ll see I guess…

As the actual day two of the draft got underway, the Panthers selected Drew Shore from the United States National Team Development Program. The 6-2, 200 pound center, was ranked at #28, and expected to go in the first round. But the Cats managed to nab him at #44 instead. The upside for Florida is that they get a solid, big center prospect; who also just happens to be American. This could be a very good steal by Sexton and Luce.

Thanks to the Bo trade the Cats also had a third round selection to make. With the #67 pick Florida grabbed C/RW Josh Birkholz from Fargo Force. The 6-1, 182 pound winger, is currently taking classes at the University of Minnesota and working out with Keith Ballard. It seems the Panthers may soon need to start paying Ballard some extra money for all the networking, on behalf of the organization, that he seems to be doing… Anyway, with Birkholz the Cats get another solid American prospect to swell to the current ranks.

Randy Sexton however felt the Panthers needed to further enlarge that contingent of prospects and moved to secure Los Angeles’ 4th (#107) and 5th (#138) Round selections in this year’s draft – in exchange for a 3rd Round pick in 2010.

With those picks the Panthers selected two more forwards; LW Garrett Wilson (#107), a gritty winger from Owen Sound, and C Wade Megan (#138), who’ll attend Boston University this spring – after graduating from a boarding school in Connecticut.

In between those picks, also in the fifth-round, the Cats selected C Corban Knight (#135), an offensive centerman that will attend the University of North Dakota this coming season – after having led all rookies in scoring in the Alberta Junior Hockey League this previous campaign.

Last, but not least, the Panthers selected 19-year old C Scott Timmins in the 6th Round (#165). Timmins is a player Coach Peter DeBoer knows well from his Kitchener days and scout Scott Luce believes the player is one to step up and turn pro immediately. Timmins is a good skater that won back-to-back Memorial Cups for Kitchener and Windsor.

June 30th: The Day before Free Agency

With the onset of free agency the Panthers organization, and Assistant (now inter-rim) GM Randy Sexton in particular, are by necessity going to be very active. It started on the 29th already as C Brett McLean was placed on unconditional waivers. Brett had a miserable season last year and his $1.7 million contract is now up in the air. Question is: If no one takes McLean on waivers; will his contract be bought out? In such case the Panthers would be on the hook for two-thirds of the remaining amount of the deal.

Janis Spukts, the Latvian center that played in Rochester last year, went public with his frustrations and has now been released to play in Europe instead. Other current Rochester players that were pending RFA’s and have not been handed any offers so far include: Drew Larman, Tanner Glass, Franklin MacDonald and David Shantz. Current Panthers player Steve Eminger, acquired on last trade deadline, hasn’t either been offered any qualifying deal.

Sexton however admits that he’d like to re-sign a couple of these players, including Glass and Eminger, but didn’t want to sign them before free agency. In Steve’s case it is due to the fact that he played so many games with the Lightning last season that his qualifying salary would be too juicy for Florida. Instead they are willing to take their chances with him as a pending free agent.

Two pending RFA players that have been offered qualifying offers are Panthers star David Booth and prospect David Brine. Booth will be up for a considerable pay-rise and has expressed his willingness to sign a long-term deal with the organization. And since the departure of Bouwmeester; he is now set to be the face of the franchise and a deal should be able to be sorted out before long.

Of the pending UFA’s Richard Zednik has already signed a deal that will take him to Russia’s KHL next season, whilst Nick Boynton is set to be released. Nick has a big contract and since his falling-out with Coach DeBoer has not been seen as a player with a future within the organization.

Of the other free agents that Sexton has expressed an interest in re-signing, we find veterans such as Karlis Skrastins, Ville Peltonen and Radek Dvorak. Whether or not this trio of players will be re-signed for next season – will largely come down to what their wage demands will be. It will perhaps also depend on whether the Panthers are able to compete for the signatures of any quality free agents available elsewhere. Likely is that one or two of these players will return to the fold next season; seeing as they all have been instrumental in Florida’s largely successful penalty-kill unit this previous campaign and seem settled in the area.

A couple of other players that will be UFA’s are Anthony Stewart, after he was not handed any qualifying offer and Craig Anderson. It seems unlikely either will re-sign with the Panthers, but it’s still a possibility for both. Anthony didn’t develop in the way the organization had hoped and may need to find pastures new for the coming campaign. In Craig’s case the opposite is true and he now feels ready for a starting gig in net and with Vokoun still with the Cats – he won’t get that here. If he fails to land that move however; then he may consider re-signing for Florida, but it seems very unlikely at the moment.

It will be an interesting next few days and much of the suspense will be to see what Randy Sexton and the Panthers do about their free agents and whether or not they can compete on the market for the plentiful plethora of skilled free agents available. It also remains to be seen if Randy is given the confidence to be take the reigns full time as GM – or if a new face will be brought in for the job. What happens over the next week is likely to settle both those questions…