Moore Means Less
Well, the Panthers were put back down on planet Earth again, after Friday’s shootout victory in Helsinki, and the Blackhawks placed the Cats firmly back in the cage with a 4-0 drubbing. Hardly unexpected; the Hawks are a team that is expected to contend for Lord Stanley, whilst Florida will be happy to content for an off-season berth, and overcoming the previous 8 season hoodoo.
All things considered, getting the two points is highly satisfactory and the Panthers leave Finland with a few mixed memories. Hopefully the Cats will focus on the good ones acquired in the first game and not so much in the latter contest. The return to Florida will also mean some changes to the roster. Centerman Dominic Moore is expected to sign for the Panthers today, while four players will be going straight from Helsinki to Rochester.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, Dominic will sign for Florida on a one year contract worth $1.1 million. Seeing as Moore was widely reported to be holding out for $3 million/per season, previously in the summer, the contract would seem more than reasonable from newly appointed General Manager Randy Sexton’s viewpoint.
Last season, Dominic split his time with Toronto and Buffalo, recording 13 goals and 32 assists in 81 games. Not a bad record by any means, but perhaps more a third line centerman than a second liner? I’m not sure what they have in mind for ‘Dom’. But, what is for certain is that Moore will provide some competition for places in the squad, and the center position in particular, whichever line he ends up centering.
According to Moore’s agent, Larry Kelly, Dominic is looking forward to being under the tutelage of Head Coach Peter DeBoer: Claiming they are kindred spirits and that Moore and DeBoer will “be able to communicate extremely well and Pete will be able to assess what Dom does well and utilize him properly.”
Personally I have my reservations as to whether Moore is better than the current crop of centermen we already have on the roster, but his signing will undoubtedly give the coach a few different options and additional depth in case of injuries. It could also free up youngster C Shawn Matthias to return to Rochester; to continue to learn his trade in the AHL.
Four players have already embarked on that trip after the completion of the European outing. Forwards Michal Repik, Mike Duco, defenseman Jason Garrison and goalie Alexander Salak – have all been sent back to the Amerks – without playing for the Panthers in the opening fixtures. Seeing as Rochester opened their season by losing 3-2 to Lake Erie, they could probably use the additional help.
The Panthers arrived back in Florida at 4 am on Sunday morning and will now begin practice again at 11 am, at Incredible Ice, today. The Cats will need this preparation time in order to plan for Friday’s game against Carolina, Saturday’s home opener against New Jersey and next Monday’s first derby clash with Tampa Bay on the West Coast.
It will be an interesting upcoming week for the Florida Panthers and its fans, and after these three games we might have a much better idea of what this installment of the Cats really can (or cannot) do….
