Roblogg’s Panthers Portal

To be honest I doubted we’d be here – with three games left and having a, not great, but good shot at the playoffs – yet here we are and tonight is one of those nights where things could essentially, although not mathematically, be decided.

Deciding – it would almost certainly be if the Panthers lost and the NY Rangers beat Montreal in the ‘Garden’. However, if we win – we’re still in it. But what a game to win! Away to Philadelphia… One of the toughest, literally, home teams in the league. Yes, we beat them there on March 26th, so its definitely possible, but will lightning really strike twice?

As this the final week began yesterday, some good news came to Florida’s aid as Montreal dropped a 2-1 lead and lost at home to Ottawa 2-3, in no small part thanks to Dany Heatley; who scored twice to turn the game on its head. The Habs looked all but set to claim a playoff berth, but with injuries to key defenders Andrei Markov and Mathieu Schneider, their powerplay has fallen like a house of cards (having previously scored 50% of the teams goals in its recent resurgence). Considering this, despite having a three point advantage on both Rangers and Panthers, the Canadiens have every right to be worried and looking over their collective shoulders.

Another piece of good Floridian news, was that Buffalo also lost at home. Perhaps more of an expected defeat as they hosted the Detroit Red Wings; who have won 16 out of the last 18 games versus the Sabres. No change to that woeful statistic as the Wings came away with a 4-1 win on the night. Detroit seemed to be in a constant powerplay as they utilized an unusual tactic by placing a player in front of goalie Ryan Miller at all times when attacking – whether 5on5 or on the powerplay. Odd, but effective it seemed as the Sabres scrambled for an answer to the unwanted offensive presence of Detroit’s power-forwards on the edge of the crease.

So, with Buffalo effectively out of the race, it’s now a three horse sprint. Florida competes with the NY Rangers and the limping, yet leading, Montreal Canadiens. It should be a thrilling rush of emotion and hockey desperation down this stretch!

And in the playoff chasing, last week of regular season, possibly no night will be of more importance than tonight.

Montreal travel to New York for a crucial head-to-head battle with the Rangers. Panthers’ fans will be hoping that this contest will finish a two point game and not a three point affair. But, whoever comes out on-top of that fight; Florida still need to take care of their own business – first and foremost. A point will be of absolute necessity, and most likely – unless Rangers lose – nothing but a victory will suffice in such a tight race. Not an easy task, but it should be enough motivation for the Cats to bring their A-game to the rink.

Shame only that the game isn’t aired on local television… but for those that have NHL Center Ice – at least you’ll have an exciting game to look forward to….

Lastly, a little note about the Florida Panthers being in the limelight as of late.

Our plight and search for some post-season action has not gone unnoticed around the hockey world. I’ve seen several articles – ranging from Canada to Sweden – that focus on the Panthers and our hunt for a playoff spot. Most articles focus on our nine years on the outside looking in, the inconsistency of the teams’ play this year and coach DeBoer’s optimistic statements that the club will make the playoffs. Meanwhile, Keith Ballard’s hipmongous-check of Evgeni Malkin is catching headlines and burning up at YouTube (see it below in previous post!)

The Panthers have become a bit of the “forgotten team” outside of South Florida, heck, even in South Florida; and suddenly people are realizing we have a hockey team here – that actually has a chance of achieving something. And more than one eyebrow is being raised, both on this and the opposite side of the North Atlantic, let me tell you!

Nonetheless, the undertone is still a bit condescending and it seems few really believe we have what it takes. With our record, one can’t help but being a bit skeptic too. We the fans, know better than any outsiders ever will, the constant crushed hopes and disillusionment that goes with the package of being a Panthers fan; and probably none is more skeptic of our chances than we, right?

Anyway, at the end of the day, all we can do is hope for a miracle – that somehow we’ll make the post-season. And tonight I’ll be holding my thumbs for a victory in Philly. Oh how sweet that would be….

So the Florida Panthers won the game in Philly yesterday… *yawn*… What is it about these Cats anyway? What is their problem? How come they lose the most important games and then win the one’s no one expects them to have a chance of winning?

I mean, it’s great that they beat the Flyers and finally got two points on the board, but where was this defensive display when we really needed it? Against Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Carolina – these were the games we needed to win!

Again the Panthers show that there is a plentitude of resiliency in this team, yet somehow, they don’t seem to have the mental strength or wherewithal to close out games that really matter. It really is a mindboggling paradox, isn’t it?

Being best when it matters, or rather, the lack of that quality in Florida’s case; is what makes or breaks a team and their chance of success. Wednesday in Buffalo the Panthers broke – for the fifth time in a decisive crunch game – since the trade deadline. And that’s just not good enough!

That could equally be said about constantly rebounding from adversity too, winning in Philadelphia is great – but it won’t magically catapult us in to the playoffs.

Florida seem to always be a step behind the action and react to events unfolding, rather than being proactive and forcing the hand of lady luck, this is true for the timid Cats both on the ice and off it. Resiliency is a great trait to have in a hockey team, but what about consistency? Unless it’s consistently losing, as was the case for a long time (waaaay too long!) here in South Florida, it is actually quite necessary for success in any kind of league format.

And so it comes as no real surprise that we continue to trail the top eight with seven games to go on the regular season.

Meanwhile, as the Cats grounded the Flyers, the Canadiens took care of business against our fellow West Floridians. That means Montreal remain two points ahead of the Panthers in the standings; with one game in hand.

Considering that the Habs are rediscovering that long lost work ethic and the stars are starting to star; the future looks bleak indeed for the Cats. I reckon Florida need to win six of the seven remaining games – whilst praying for a French Canadian slip-up somewhere along the stretch.

That kind of feat is not only improbable, but low and behold, it will require a consistency level that the Panthers so far have not shown themselves capable of this season. So whilst beating the Flyers is always nice, especially in their own building, you’ll have to excuse this punter for being skeptical of Florida’s distant playoff hopes.

I think we had a great chance, but spurned it – over and over – and that the final straw, when we summarize the season, came in Buffalo. Yet, I hope I’m wrong. I just don’t think so…
What is your opinion:

Is it still realistic to hope for a playoff in South Florida?

And so, a couple of notes from last night’s game:

Craig Anderson was back in goal, and as usually is the case when called upon; he did a good job. Yet, the 40 saves he made were, with the exception of one or two, not of top-notch-quality. So it isn’t really reason enough to get all carried away just yet. The Florida Panthers website and coach Peter DeBoer will of course make a big deal of the number of saves, but they both have ulterior motives for that.

The Panthers franchise will grip at any straw of playoff hope and emerging heroes; as they are in the business of building hype and selling tickets. Meanwhile, Peter DeBoer’s recent criticism of Tomas Vokoun has put the Head Coach himself under the microscope: Is he really the man for the job? Can you treat a seasoned professional the same way you would a developing junior?

I remain skeptical to that last question, whilst still positive about the first, but fact is that Vokoun needed a break and Anderson fully deserved the chance to show his metal – at this time of the season.

All teams need to rotate their goaltenders to some extent, and it was long overdue that Tomas got a break from the heavy duty which it is to be guarding the Panthers’ net. After all, no other team in the NHL let the opposing teams shoot as much – and as unhindered – as the Cats do. Although; yesterday the defenders and forwards did actually step up to relieve the goalie by making manifold game-saving blocks.

Craig Anderson finally got another chance between the pipes against the Flyers and did well when facing 42 shots.

Brett McLean and his fourth line combinations continued to produce the goods. If only we had four lines working as hard as this line does every night… No matter who’s playing here, they always seem to do a good shift. The same can’t be said about the inconsistent top two lines. Some nights they have it in bunches and other nights they virtually disappear from the action altogether.

I’ve been critical of Brett McLean at times, especially in the beginning of season and at the turn of the New Year. But, to his credit, he has kept battling through adversity and is now starting to come up big down the stretch. Yesterday he scored in his second consecutive game and got the match-winner in the third period. It seems Brett thrives in the gritty run-in hockey style of play and is feeling more at home in the current playoff climate.

Shame that that isn’t the case with many others on the roster….

Trio in focus. Keith Ballard, Nick Boynton and Brett McLean come to Vokoun's rescue and clear the puck vs. the Carolina Hurricanes. This trio has been stellar of late, unfortunately that can't be said about the rest of the team.

Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton just love playing together, don’t they! Bench Boynton and Ballard suddenly looks like a ghost of his former self. Pair them together and magical – hard hitting and productive – aggressive hockey ensues. It’s easy to see why Keith enjoys the company of Nick too. Just take the incident in the first period in Philly, when Ballard made a spectacular and clean hip-check on the hot-blooded Scott Hartnell of the Flyers.

The incensed and cowardly Hartnell attacked Ballard, who was down on the ice, and started pounding him. Guess who lead the cavalry and came charging in to his blood brother’s rescue — well, it was Nick of course!

Boynton looked like he would move mountains in his effort to free Ballard from underneath Scott’s pusillanimous assault. Nick took four minutes of penalties as he macheted his way through the Flyers’ ranks, but that is more a sign of the horrendous refereeing in this match than a chip off Boynton’s shoulders, and he made sure Keith could get up from underneath the melee and continue the game unscathed.

Ballard and Boynton where, by a mile, the best and strongest Floridian defensive pairing on the night – as they often are. Keith continued his punishing hits on the Flyers forwards and both got assists on stinging point shots that they took – when joining the rush and attacking the opposing net. The fact that Boynton has not been playing much since his run-in with Peter DeBoer, is probably a big reason behind why the Cats have been so timid of late.

It is, unfortunately, however you twist it and turn it, a sign of very poor coaching.

Hopefully DeBoer has learned his lesson and will keep Boynton in for the remainder of games and won’t continue to make the same dire man-management decisions regarding Tomas Vokoun too. In fact, if DeBoer is so desperate to find scapegoats – maybe he should take a long hard look in the mirror – and realize – once and for all; that this is not the juniors and you can’t treat seasoned veterans like they are novices to the game.

A Fourth Period article reported yesterday that the Florida Panthers is receiving a lot of interest from Philadelphia about Jay Bouwmeester. According to the same report, citing the Ottawa Sun, the Flyers would be willing to trade top-prospect James van Riemsdyk and veteran left winger Scott Hartnell for Bo. Hartnell has a no-movement clause and would need to accept the deal first.

As discussed, in the previous article about potential Panthers trade deadline wheeling-and-dealings, the Philadelphia Flyers is perhaps the team most desperate team for a defender of Bouwmeester’s caliber and could be willing to part with premier players and prospects for his service. Scott Hartnell is rumored as being shopped by the Flyers – in order to free up the necessary cap space to accommodate a top defender with a sizeable contract. Hartnell’s no-movement clause may scupper any such plans nonetheless and he needs to agree on any deal involving him.

The Florida Panthers would be expected to be very interested in a top-prospect of van Riemsdyk’s quality, but have three solid left wingers already in Booth, Stillman and Peltonen; it is consequently unlikely the Cats will want Scott Hartnell as part of any deal.

If the Flyers could package a replacement defender, a top six center forward or right winger together with van Riemsdyk; Florida could perhaps be more inclined to have a long hard look at any such deal.

Yet, Bouwmeester’s importance to the Panthers team is undeniable and GM Jacques Martin is not looking to rush any decision and will want to keep Jay’s services for as long as humanly possible. With a very tough schedule coming up and top-opposition pending at the Bank Atlantic Center; Florida will need Bo more than ever.

As a consequence, Jacques Martin will more than likely keep his cool and wait closer to the deadline before seriously looking at the deals being presented to him. With so many teams currently interested in Jay Bouwmeester; the offers are also likely to increase as the trade deadline moves closer and teams get more desperate. Philadelphia is perhaps the most probable destination at this moment in time, if a new contract can’t be agreed upon, but much will undoubtedly change in the coming weeks. Don’t hold your breath quite yet.

With the transfer deadline looming just over the horizon, the rumor mill is gearing up for overdrive as March 4th is rapidly approaching. Panthers and its GM Jacques Martin were active last year; making a couple of deadline deals with Toronto for Wade Belak and Chad Kilger.

Not the best moves as things turned out (and that’s putting it mildly). However, the swap deal with Colorado was a stroke of brilliance; receiving Karlis Skrastins for Ruslan Salei.

Who will it be this year?

Florida are expected to be active again this trade deadline with Jay Bouwmeester’s contract still not having been renewed and Jacques expressing a real interest in getting a top six centerman on several occasions. So, it is fair to raise the question and although no one will say anything publicly; we can speculate a little and indeed look at those players that have been linked with the Cats by different sources.

The Fourth Period has assembled a Top 25 of available players and teams interested in their services. Let’s look at those players being linked with the Panthers and those that aren’t but probably ought to be…

Panthers to be linked with a trade deadline exit

Jay Bouwmeester (Cap Hit = $4.8 million), TFP Rank #3

Well of course his name is here! It’s been speculated since day one of the season that he’s unhappy and won’t sign an extension to his contract with the Cats. Whatever the truth is to these rumors he’s ranked at #3 overall by TFP and no less than 9 teams have been linked with an interest in his services: Montreal, Toronto, Boston, Ottawa, Edmonton, Dallas, Washington, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

The list of admirers is long, but his greatest aficionado is perhaps Florida Head Coach Pete DeBoer, who’d love to keep Bo, but admits it is a question for the General Manager to resolve and not him. As long as there is a ray of hope that he might sign a new deal however, Jay won’t be going anywhere.

If there is no such hope on the other hand, Jacques Martin will certainly look at whatever offers come in and see if any of them blows him away or not. It would have to be significant offer for him to give up a player of Bouwmeester’s caliber; especially when the Panthers are battling it out for a first playoff appearance in 9 years!

Apart from Jay though, no other Panthers have been linked recently with a trade. If Martin pulls the trigger on a Bo deal, it may be a blockbuster kind that would require other players nevertheless to accompany him out of the door; but so far there’s no news on this front – apart from the obvious and various Bo-links.

Players to have been linked with the Panthers

Milan Hejduk, Colorado (Cap Hit = $3.9 million), TFP Rank #13

Together with fierce playoff rivals Buffalo and Pittsburgh, Florida have been credited with an interest with the 32-year old right wing sniper. A proven goalscorer with silky hands, Hejduk would be a first line player with almost any team. For him to be available however the Avs must first fall out of playoff contention and – considering how tight the Western Conference is – that is certainly no certainty. He also has a no-trade clause and must accept any trade he is involved in.

Overall, whilst there is no questioning Hejduk’s obvious talent, this one seems to have a few too many “ifs” surrounding it, to sound like a feasible Panther catch. Also, we should be more interested in a quality centerman than another winger. Horton is who we’d like to use on that first line right wing and if Hejduk were to arrive it would mean Horton would have to stay in the center – and I’m not sure that is in Florida’s best interest.

It is hard to see us being involved in more than one non-Bo-related blockbuster move. So, this rumor doesn’t sound all too hot, although things could yet happen to change that equation (injuries, trades etc).

Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh (Cap Hit = $2.2 million), TFP Rank #16

Although the Penguins recently signed the 20-year old centerman to a new 4-year $16 million deal to extend his current contract, the rumors of Pittsburgh shopping him haven’t dissipated. In fact the contract extension, while upping his market value considerably, is only likely to make teams even more interested in the young stud forward.

He’s been playing well of late, but with both Malkin and Crosby in the same team he only ranks as No.3 center in the Penguins dressing room. He’d likely be given more responsibility on a different roster and Pittsburgh is more in need of wingers than centermen. They are believed to be shopping Ryan Whitney, but if that doesn’t field the right offers then Staal could indeed be available.

For the Panthers this seems like a near perfect fit! In a long-term perspective that is…

He is a young, talented and driven centerman – that could be a star player for us in the future. His new 4-year contract extension would also justify us giving up a considerable asset in acquiring him. The negative part is that we are unlikely to have what the Penguins would want in return for him – a first line winger. Unless of course Jacques Martin would be willing to give up a player such as Nathan Horton that is…

Also, while we remain in a gridlock playoff race with Pittsburgh we’d have to think long and hard before making a trade with them – the last thing we’d want to do is to give the Penguins an extra edge over us in that race!

Scottie Upshall, Philadelphia (Cap Hit = $1.225), TFP Rank #18

The Flyers are reportedly looking to bolster their blueline and would be willing to deal away a forward in order to accomplish that. Scottie is one of those players linked with a trade and the winger could slot in to a top six forward compartment; playing either on the left or the right wing depending on where he’s needed. Apart from Florida, Atlanta has also been linked with Upshall.

Again, a winger is not top priority for Florida, but if a player of Upshall’s quality is available Jacques may very well consider a move. Only problem is that we’d have to give up a top quality defenseman in return and if we indeed must part with Jay Bouwmeester; we’d be loathed to lose another top blueliner in addition to him.

Unless of course Philadelphia is serious in pursuing Jay at the deadline; Upshall could then be part of a major package deal for Bo. Question is if the Flyers are really willing to give up all the assets it’s likely to be required to get their hands on one of the league’s elite defensemen? Right now this seems like a long shot, but we’ll see closer to the deadline if that changes or not.

These are the major players so far to have been mentioned with Florida in the same breath as the trade deadline. However, earlier in the year the Panthers were at times linked with other players; for example Vermette of Ottawa and new names are sure to surface as we move closer to that March 4th date. Here follows a couple of names we are not currently linked with, but could become connected to later on – as the Cats would probably be interested in them, or at least should be, if they become available for a reasonable offer…

Player that could get linked with the Panthers down the line

Keith Tkachuk, St. Louis (Cap Hit = $4 million), TFP Rank #8

While a deal for the 36-year old Blues veteran would be both spectacular and unexpected, he does fit the bill of a class-act experienced first line centerman that Florida definitely will need if they are hoping to advance in a potential playoff. Boston, Montreal and Chicago however seem like more probable destinations if St. Louis miss the playoffs and look to deal the veteran.

Keith has a no-trade clause and doesn’t want to move, although reports claim he’d be willing waive that clause if the destination were a Stanley Cup contender. Hence why the other mentioned teams are more likely destinations than the Panthers – or Carolina and Pittsburgh for that matter, who have also been touted as being interested.

This seems like a no go for the Cats at present time I’m afraid.

Jason Spezza, Ottawa (Cap Hit = $7 million), TFP Rank #12

With the Senators hitting rock bottom, a shake-up of the team will be expected; with established players leaving at the trade deadline. Spezza is one of those players being continuously linked with a move. Columbus is apparently very interested and so is Edmonton. However, it remains uncertain as to whether the Ottawa owner Melnyk really wants to part with his star centerman.

Panthers should also be interested as he is a very talented and proven centerman that could slot in to our first line very well. The drawback is the considerable size of his contract which would leave us few alternatives as to who to give up to Ottawa in return. The Senators have expressed much interest in Bouwmeester over the season, but since their continued woes on the ice firmly cemented them in the lower echelons of the league – such talk has begun to die out for obvious reasons. They need talents and picks, not a player whose contract is set to expire this summer.

Again, this sounds like a no-go, but if Jacques is creative in orchestrating a blockbuster move involving several players, it isn’t an impossibility, but remains unlikely for the time being.

Doug Weight, NY Islanders (Cap Hit = $1.75 million), TFP Rank #21

The veteran 38-year old centerman is available according to several reports. With the Islanders firmly in tracks for that No.1 pick in the drafts, they are willing to offload some players; Weight currently being one of them rumored to be offered to playoff contending teams. Columbus, Buffalo and Phoenix are rumored to be interested in taking on his contract.

I’m surprised that Florida’s hat doesn’t seem to be in that pile at the moment. He looks like a good match for us with his experience in that center position. It could be a player the Panthers GM Jacques Martin might want to take a closer look at. We could afford to add him to our salary cap without having to give up any talent; a pick for the upcoming draft would probably suffice. He may be getting old and a bit slow on the skates, but he could definitely fill an important role with the Cats and provide some veteran presence, amid the heart of our forward lines, for a concerted playoff-push this spring.