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Posts Tagged ‘Saku Koivu’

Alley Cats add Coach and Lower Prices, while ex-Cats move on

July 9th, 2009 1 comment

The Florida Panthers organisation has announced dropped prices in many sections, whilst keeping concession prices level with last year. Considering the low profile the club has been keeping in the marketplace though, question is if this price-drop is enough to convince many fans to return and purchase new season tickets. There is a real concearn that the team will not be competetive next season amongst many Panthers faithful – and as was expressed here in a previous article.

In addition the Miami Herald has reported that the Florida Panthers have found a new strength and conditioning coach to replace "Andy O’Brien, who resigned earlier this summer to become the director of high performance at the Edge School in Calgary, Alberta". Craig Slaunwhite will now take the position and he joins from Toronto where he worked as a personal trainer; and among his clients list a few members of the Panthers.

Meanwhile, a couple of former Cats have been on the move to pastures new of late. Goalie Alex Auld was traded from the Senators to the Dallas Stars in return for a 6th round pick in the 2010 draft. The Stars were in need of a back-up goalie to Marty Turko. With the Senators last season, Alex Auld managed a 16-18-1 record with a .911 save percentage and a 2.48 GAA. He has an overall career record of 74-75-25, a .905 save percentage and a 2.76 goals-against average.

Nick Boynton has also found a new club. The Fourth Period are reporting on Twitter that his agent confirmed that Nick has signed a 1 year $1.5 million deal with Anaheim Ducks; who have been in search of defensive reinforcements since losing Beauchemin and Pronger this off-season.

This deal also follows hot in the heels of the signing of veteran Finnish ace Saku Koivu yesterday and should go some way in re-building the Ducks for this up-coming campaign. There has not been any official confirmation as of yet, but is expected to come soon…. Update! It is now official….

Inter-rim GM Randy Sexton has said that F Ville Peltonen is likely to return to Europe. Rumors have him signing for a team in Switzerland.

Meanwhile, it is possible that the Panthers are trying to sign former Montreal F Alex Tanguay. Sexton wouldn’t be drawn on which players he’s looking to add, but it would seem like one of the few remaining top players in the market may have a South Floridian offer to consider – at least if one is to believe some of the rumors out there. This could actually be a very interesting signing for the Cats if it ever materialises… fingers crossed!

Categories: Florida Panthers Team or Player Info, News & Speculation, NHL Trades & Rumors Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Positive Line

April 3rd, 2009 1 comment

Three straight and rather unexpected victories – after the preceding poor spell – have brought the Panthers back into playoff contention. It’s back to scoreboard watching! And as claimed in my previous post it is the Rangers, and not the Canadiens, we should be eyeing. The New Yorkers have the tougher schedule of the two and the shoddier form at the moment. This breakdown was confirmed yesterday as both teams were in action.

The Montreal Canadiens secured two points by beating bottom dwellers NY Islanders comprehensively 5-1. The Habs now jump into seventh, much thanks to their greatly improved powerplay – which yesterday resulted in 3 goals. Since Mathieu Schneider re-joined Montreal and Saku Koivu returned to good health; the Habs powerplay has suddenly become lethal and free-scoring. Just at the right time too!

This while the Islanders may not shed any tears for their loss against the Canadiens – after all – what’s losing a game if it hurts your worst rivals’ chances of success? Together with a third period collapse by the Rangers themselves in Raleigh, it means the New Yorkers are down to eighth – only two points ahead of the Panthers, who have a game in hand.

Florida could finally count on some help and surprisingly it came from our Southeastern rivals Carolina. The Hurricanes caught the Rangers napping in the final period and scored two unanswered goals to win the contest 4-2. The win means Carolina have won seven in a row – overall – and the last ten home games; a new franchise record.

Winning at home is what the Panthers will be seeking to do tonight. With the NY Rangers in striking distance; the game against the Atlanta Thrashers becomes all the more important.

But, here’s a warning; don’t underestimate the Georgians! They have acted as spoilers in the latter part of the season and have done it very well; scoring goals in bunches and upsetting may-a-team down the stretch. Last it was the Sabres that lost in a shootout that effectively ended their realistic claims for a playoff spot. Atlanta would love to do the same to the Cats…

So, while the Florida Panthers have been handed a lifeline by the NY Rangers’ loss, it will mean nothing if we lose tonight. It’s all hands on deck, keep shuffling those boards and pumping shots at goal!

The Cats now the secret to their own success and it is all about team-play and hard work. Step away from that proven line of success and the Thrashers will burn us, make no doubt. This is all a mental game at this stage of the competition and the Panthers need to show some poise and gusto – to pick up the spoils from this contest.

Trickier games are around the corner; Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington, so the Atlanta games are indeed must-win contests….

Categories: Blogs, Pregame & Opinion, Eastern Conference Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,