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…
