Roblogg’s Panthers Portal

The natural response to the eventual defeat that the Cats suffered yesterday at Pittsburgh is one of incredulity. The Panthers played so well for 40 minutes and then in the third period it all falls apart…

Yes, we all know that picture all too well. How often has not a Panthers fan seen that happen over the years?

Yet, as natural as that thought process may be, we must also lift our heads to see past that concluding disappointment and see the strides forward that were actually made in this game.

Who among us actually thought the Cats would get anything from this game at all?

With a red-hot Pittsburgh team, that was continuing to tear apart opposing teams in the early part of the season, one might be excused for fearing the worst: that Florida might be ripped to the bone and be left embarrassed—as against Buffalo on Wednesday.

But that did not happen.

Rather, the Panthers found their collective growl and did to the Penguins what the Sabres did to us in that recent first period. Obviously we weren’t going to get five goals like Buffalo did, but two important goals nonetheless. Both scored by Steven Reinprecht.

Reinprecht has found his footing in Florida and is now starting to contribute well to the team. With a three goal scoring streak going, he added a brace of nitty-gritty goals to his tally. Both were created by Steven crashing the crease and mopping up loose pucks to stick away.

In other words: just the kind of goals the Cats need to start scoring to be successful.

Indeed, whatever the coaches and players had been practicing, talking about, and doing to get focused for this game—it worked a charm. The Panthers of yesterday was a different team from what we saw on Wednesday or almost any other game of the season.

They worked so hard that many players seemed to have in progress began blowing fuses in the third period. Some sloppy play and bad decision became the result. It gave the Penguins a way back into the match and they grabbed it with both flippers.

Sidney Crosby showed why he’s regarded so highly by claiming both goals that drew Pittsburgh level late in the third period. The Panthers meanwhile showed why they still need to hone their special teams: the first goal was a powerplay tally and the second a shorthanded one.

The game thus went to the dreaded shootout and there Sidney once again made himself the home crowd’s darling with a nice deke and penalty score. It was the only one and hence the Penguins took the additional point.

One could argue that it was a fair result considering how dominant the Penguins were in the third and thus showed they had the cutting edge when it really mattered.

But, on the other hand, one could equally argue that for the first 40 minutes of the game the Panthers had been the better team and should have had a bigger lead than the two goals they had when entering the third.

Indeed, Panthers Caoch Peter DeBoer made that last point after the game, saying:
"We couldn’t get a third goal. We had opportunities, I thought maybe four or five tonight; some 2-on-1s, some chances around the net, but we have to find a way to get more goals."

Especially left winger David Booth was a constant thorn in the Penguins’ side, getting himself in 1-on-1 situations and into the scoring areas over and over again. Shame only he couldn’t find the target any of those times…

Booth seems to be in that place right now were nothing goes in no matter how hard he tries. But, sooner or later that vacuum will be released and hopefully David will then burst on to the scoring charts the way we want to see.

Other special mentioning’s go to Tomas Vokoun who was stellar in goal. One brilliant save after another in that third period; he single-handedly kept our hopes of winning the game alive.

The defenders as a collective also deserve plenty of praise. They did very well moving the puck to the forwards in the opening 40 minutes, as well as pinching-in to help the offense whenever possible.

The forwards also had their collectively best game of the year, possibly competing with the Philadelphia contest, working tirelessly and fore-checking hard. Only poor Rostislav Olesz looked out of shape in this game and was unfortunately involved in both Penguins’ goals.

His demotion to the fourth line, despite being perhaps the Cats’ best player to that point in time, obviously didn’t go down too well with him.

Rosti seems to have a fragile confidence and his downgrading apparently knocked it around a bit.

With the blip that the demotion of Olesz caused, Coach DeBoer’s line-juggling otherwise seemed to pay-off pretty well.

Nathan Horton took his relegation to the second line maturely and battled hard throughout the game. Dominic Moore looked lively centering the third and Michael Frolik worked hard on the top line.

Overall this was a good team performance from Florida. They picked up an unexpected point in Pittsburgh and can now go to Philadelphia with some renewed confidence.

It just goes to show that all is not lost yet, it is early in the season, and the Cats are finding some inner pluckiness and fortitude to try and guide them past these early trials.

Despite rumors of the opposite, the Florida Panthers are not yet done and dusted from the playoff map. The win over the Flyers put to an end a four game losing streak, and as the performances are slowly improving; a ray of hope is reemerging in South Florida.

That however doesn’t deter trade murmurs from buzzing around the Panthers camp like voluptuous vultures. Nathan Horton is the latest and oft recurring target.

Nevertheless, I think these rumors are largely based on faulty assumptions. I’ll go on to explain why in a moment, but first a quick elucidation of the Florida Panthers and its methods may be in order to initiate unacquainted reader…

Florida’s Road Map to Success

The Philadelphia victory, 4-2, was a hard fought win for the Panthers group, a road map if you will, for Florida to follow in their quest for success.

The Florida felines’ team is not the most gifted in the league, in fact, no one star performer has emerged; scoring has come from the collective team effort and the stats clearly show this fact:

Michael Frolik and Stephen Weiss top the point chart with 2 goals and 2 assists each in the opening six games. Three players; Radek Dvorak, Steven Reinprecht, and Dmitry Kulikov, have notched up three points. Six players have two, and of the players that have appeared in more than one game; only Gregory Campbell has yet to snatch a point.

While this says much about the Panthers need for combined scoring, it also highlights the clubs call for greater point production all around.

Each and every one of the current players are required to step up their game and chip in with hard fought goals if the Cats are to have any chance whatsoever.

In the second and third period on Friday, after a stern telling off from the coach, the players managed to do just that and the end result was a much needed win versus the Flyers.

Now the Floridians will have to keep up the pressure in every game, not just once in a blue moon.

Indeed, consistency was the issue throughout all of last season, or rather: the lack thereof. And this time around the Panthers have probably even less room for inconsistency…

Not least after the uninspiring 2-4 start to the campaign.

People outside of South Florida that aren’t necessarily acquainted with the Cats’ brand of hockey sometimes misunderstand the pillars that the team is built around.

Again; there is no star player to lean against for scoring. That is the job and responsibility of the entire team: the defenders as much as the forwards. Hence why we constantly see Panthers’ blueliners pinch-in at the offensive zone and jump into scoring areas at every opportunity.

Coach Peter DeBoer believes in the collective effort. Yet everybody must pull in the same direction for this tactic to be successful, everyone is looked upon to put in sterling, grinding shifts, for the cause. DeBoer will act swiftly if someone is not pulling their load.

Sometimes, fairly and unfairly, Nathan Horton has been pinpointed as one that doesn’t give 100% exertion into all games. However, worth noting is that Peter DeBoer seems to hold Horton’s endeavors in high regard.

Nathan didn’t start the season in the best of fashion, but in the last two games his, and the teams play overall, has made a remarkable upturn.

Why Horton Will Stay Put

Horton, a 24 year old 6-foot-2, 229 pound right winger, has only two goals so far into the campaign. However, those came in the two previous games and his play is showing clear signs of improvement.

Yet, the most frustrating part of Nathan’s hockey repertoire, in a Florida fans’ perspective, is his inconsistency. He can win games for the Panthers one day and then be virtually invisible the next. In this light his performances seems to follow the same path as the team as a whole over the last few seasons.

So, to hear Nathan Horton’s name already popping up in trade rumors is not surprising, and yet, probably based on the misunderstanding that he is supposed to be a prolific goal scorer and little else on the team.

Two goals in six games is thus reason enough for some to start the rumor that the Panthers are actively shopping Horton.

However, that rationale is based on a foundation that is not currently employed by the Panthers and its head coach Peter DeBoer. In Pete’s tactic Nathan is a two-way player that is looked equally upon as a defensively responsible and offensively predatory player.

He is not a pure offensive force (as he perhaps once was seen as).

What this does to Nathan’s stats is obvious: less goals scored and points on the board. This could clearly be seen last year as well when Horton was employed in the center. After having notched up 62 points in the two previous campaigns; he only got 45 points in 67 games played in 2008/09.

No one doubts the skill and potential possessed by the former 3rd overall pick from 2003.

What perhaps is lacking sometimes, and that brings Panthers fans to the brink of insanity, is his apparent lack of certain mental aspects of the game, such as a healthy dose of determination and resilience; to accompany those silky skills of his.

If Horton can adapt to coach Peter DeBoer tactics, and required two-way play, I think this can be highly beneficial to Nathan’s progress as a player. If he adds the mental wherewithal to his arsenal, he could become a lethal player yet, in the NHL.

Further, there have been no signs from DeBoer that he is specifically unhappy about Horton’s play; that has been directed more to the team as a whole. And there are no signs that Pete is giving up on Nathan.

Neither are there signs that the new General Manager Randy Sexton is contemplating trading Horton. Indeed, he has stated that the young Panthers players that have become the core of the team also constitute the long term backbone of his plans.

Nathan would surely be seen one of those core players.

When confronted by the Horton rumors from a Sun-Sentinel reporter, Sexton told him that “there is no shred of truth to the report, that it was absolutely made up and that he hasn’t contacted teams, nor have any contacted him, about trading Horton”.

I, for one, have no reason to disbelieve him.

This rumor sounds like a pure fabrication, apparently from the good lads of the Ottawa Sun brainstorming department.

Its basis, Horton’s lack of points, is based on misconceptions of the Panthers style of play and tactics. A poor study of character when it comes to head Coach Peter DeBoer, General Manager Randy Sexton, as well as a confusion of the long term strategy of this club.

Nathan Horton will remain a Panther, for the time being anyway.

To add to the list, Nathan is in his third year of a six year, $4 million per season, contract. Such a contract is not easy to move in a Salary Cap world. Most teams would be expecting to get more than Horton’s 45 points (last season) for that kind of money. They would also be obliged to give up some serious assets in order to tempt the Florida management.

Overall these hurdles are simply to big too overcome. But, does that mean Horton won’t be traded this season?

No, it does not. A trade could possibly happen later in the season, if the Panthers fail with their endeavor of putting up a decent challenge for the playoffs.

While Florida would probably prefer to move some of their veterans in that case of events, it is not impossible that management might consider moving Horton if they are unhappy with his performances at that point; especially as Nathan has a no-movement clause kicking in next July 1st.

That however, amounts to a grand subtotal of: Copious quantities of ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’.

As Panthers fans, we may or may not wish to see Horton traded, but I think we all understand that he won’t be going anywhere at the moment anyway…

For the time being we’ll have to hope he can dig deep, ignore the rumors, and continue to improve his play. However, he is not alone in that respect; all Panthers players will need to do the same, not least tomorrow; when the Buffalo Sabres come to town.

Coach DeBoer has opted to go with the same team that won against Philadelphia last Friday. That means Scott Clemmensen will continue in goal instead of Tomas Vokoun.

The Sabres on the other hand have started the season impressively and it is up to the Cats to take the game to the visitors and squeeze out another victory.

We need those points accumulating rapidly to keep that early playoff-push on course and catch up with the teams above us in the standings, with Buffalo being one of those teams.

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…

Game action pictures from yesterday’s game versus the Carolina Hurricanes. It was a thriller of magnificient proportions, with both teams battling and creating a plentitude of goalscoring opportunities. It may have not been the biggest crowd at the Bank Atlantic Center, but it was rocking all the way through this emotional rollercoaster of a game.

Here are 10 frozen moments from this ‘game of the year’.

Jay Bouwmeester is fed the puck and scores the opening goal of the contest.

Cory Stillman screens his former Stanley Cup winning teammate Cam Ward in Carolina's goal; who is forced to leave an inviting rebound...

...Nathan Horton is tied up when going for the ensuing rebound and is unable to get his stick on the ice to tap in the puck. But it's not for a lack of trying...

Jussi Jokinen gets a shot at goal, but Tomas Vokoun proves equal to the effort.

Vokoun may not have been as busy as his counterpart between the Hurricane's pipes, but nonetheless was forced to make several quality saves.

Cam Ward nets another save in stylish manner in Carolina's goal.

All eyes on the puck. Nathan Horton was back from injury in this game and contributed with a team high 6 hits and plenty of passion, as did Cory Stillman - who had his best game in quite some time.

Ward-ing off the puck. Cam was top of his game on the night and the main reason why Carolina could sneek out of Sunrise with 2 valuable points in the end.

The Panthers got a golden opportunity to get back in the game in the last minutes of the contest when going on a two man-advantage. Trailing 1-2 the Cats showed desperation around the crease and forced Ward to spill the puck...

...the puck is fished out from the top of the crease and Cory Stillman slots home the valuable equaliser, 2-2! Unfortunately Carolina ended up on top in the ensuing overtime, winning 2-3, but overall this was a very good effort from the Panthers. Bitter then that they didn't get the two points they deserved and would have needed in the playoff chase versus Montreal....