Roblogg’s Panthers Portal

Those pesky “Nathan Horton is being shopped around by the Panthers” rumors have reappeared. According to The Fourth Period the Ottawa Sun are adamant that the report is not mere gossip and cites “various unnamed league executives”.

General Manager Randy Sexton has also previously rubbished any talk of trading Nathan.

TFP editor David Pagnotta goes on to state his opinion about this rumor: “Of course, Sexton will deny the report, even if it was true. Horton’s a 24-year-old stud, who’s having a bad start to the season, and the fans love him. If the Panthers do trade Horton (and I personally believe it’s more of a ‘when’ than an ‘if’), they could command a solid package in return”.

Comments like this make me wonder how much hockey reporters really follow the Panthers, outside of the southern part of this state. Yet, despite their apparent Floridian unawareness they never stop having opinions about it nonetheless: “The fans love him”. Really??

Apparently there are no takers if you care to believe in this particular rumor.

Judge this latest tittle-tattle anyway you wish, but I still think Nathan won’t be going anywhere for a while—as I’ve previously detailed here in an extensive article.

Dmitry Kulikov and Nathan Horton - will they stay in Florida or will they go?

Meanwhile the tenure of 18-year old rookie defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is most likely to be decided later today. The coaching staff is to meet and discuss if Dmitry will stay with the Panthers or be sent back to the juniors in Canada.

Whilst everyone expects the former, some voices are being raised—claiming it might perhaps be better if Kulikov rejoins the juniors in QMJHL instead.

George Richards of The Miami Herald stated yesterday that: “With the team 2-6-1, it might be best for him to go back in my opinion. No, he’s not going to learn anything more in the QMJHL, but this place is close to imploding. It might just get ugly around here. This season has Titanic written all over it”.

The reasoning being that if this Florida cruise liner is about to sink, we might as well save Kulikov from the calamity that will inevitably follow from such a debacle.

Maybe enjoying some success in the juniors would be better for his mental progress than to have to endure the creaks and taunts of the ‘Titanic II’ as it dissolves in blue?

On the other hand, if there is still hope of turning things around, then the club might do well in keeping him here in Florida.

Head Coach Peter DeBoer has repeatedly praised Dmitry for his maturity and fine a displays; saying he has something that otherwise is missing among the Cats.

It sounds as if Pete would be loathed to see Kulikov leave. Especially considering the recent injuries to Radek Dvorak and David Booth one would imagine.

DeBoer is not someone to give up easily and would not want to be disarmed and hung out to dry during the remainder of the season. So, it would be very surprising to see Kulikov leave.

He is here to stay it would seem, for better or worse.

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.

Despite rumors to the opposite effect, circulating the Internet yesterday, star winger Alex Tanguay has not signed with the Panthers. It doesn’t mean he won’t, but like I reported here a few days ago; Alex will likely take his time to review several offers from a plethora of interested teams and then make an informed decision.

After declining numbers in recent years, mainly due to injury woes, he will need to jump start his career with his next team. That makes his decision an important one, not just for his future career, but also, it could mean he’d be willing to spurn some dollar signs in return for a perfect fit.

Whether or not the Florida Panthers could provide that remains uncertain. Certainly they are one of the interested parties, and inter-rim GM Randy Sexton also states that the club indeed have money to spend on a good player/addition to the squad (such as Tanguay, we would presume): “We’ve got dollars,” Sexton said on the Panthers website. “We don’t have unlimited dollars. I don’t think anyone does these days…There’s dollars available if we need them.”

He further goes on to say: “We’re having ongoing discussions with agents and players. We’re being selective to find the right fit to fill the right need at the right price. We the like the chemistry of our team and have to be sensitive to that. I think there’s going to be a fairly good-sized pool of people still around. We also want to provide a spot for some of our younger players.”

One can gather from this statement that the Cats indeed aren’t finished in the marketplace, and there are several good signings to be made (check out this list from the NHL website to see which ones are yet to find a new home), but it is likely the Panthers may only make one/two at most/ additions to the projected roster. The other signings are likely to be aimed at the Rochester Americans; who need an overhaul after last season’s dreadful performance in the AHL.

Meanwhile, one Eastern Conference team that was active today was the New Jersey Devils. They snapped up former Panther Cory Murphy on a 2-year, two-way contract. The details have not been released, but his salary will obviously depend on whether he can make the Devils team or if he’ll spend the season in the AHL. Murphy is a skillful and quick, yet small blueliner that can contribute on the power-play. He was picked up by the Tampa Bay Lightning on re-entry waivers last season, as the Panthers had plenty of depth in defense and didn’t need his services.

I always felt it was a bad deal for the Cats to lose him to the Bolts on re-entry waivers (hence being stuck with half his wages) and a slap in the face for the Amerks – who could have needed his experience on that level. However, it was a chance for Murph to re-ignite his career in the NHL. And now the Devils, who are well known to pick up fringe players and then mold them in to stars, have reached out toward him and wish him the best in Jersey.

Hopefully the Panthers won’t be left to rue this move in the future. We’ll see I guess….

The free agency frenzy of July 1st, and the time following up to training camp in September; can be a very disconcerting time for fans of hockey in general Panthers faithful in particular. Seeing as Southern Florida with its unreliable fanbase and notably hot yet unhockey-like environment – is anything but a magnet when it comes to attracting hockey players of note – it is not surprising that the tune sung around this Floridian camp is usually a somber one; if not downright depressing this time of year. And that’s not to say that things usually get any better – at whatever time of – the following season either….

It’s sad to say, but this year does not seem to be a notable exception to this solemn hymn of Floridian hockey frenzy’d despair. Yes, the Florida Panthers have actually been very active this time around on the marketplace, but, despite some quality signings it is a bit of a stretch of the imagination to say that the club has necessarily got better. The squad may be cheaper, which will undoubtedly warm the hearts of current and prospective owners, but better…?

Last season the club did break out of early season mediocrity to make a bonafide all-out assault on the Eastern Conference Top 8. However, despite a string of impressive performances – all of which seemed to stem from the teams energetic new young coach Pete DeBoer; his strong goaltending tandem and sturdy defense. Especially the latter contributed considerably to any success the Cats found in mid-season last campaign. Not only were the top six warding off opponents, but also at times, they were the team’s main scoring threat – notching up many timely and important goals.

After the trade deadline however, the wheels came off of the Panthers’ post-season challenge. The defense in particular, was not as strong as previously, and the goalscoring woes of the forwards continued unabated. Not even the goaltenders could stem the flow now and Florida’s playoff charge quickly derailed – and this despite the struggles and continued woes of the centennial celebrators in Montreal. Tied on points, but with an inferior wins statistic, it was the Habs and not the Cats that progressed. A bitter end to what seemed like a very promising campaign, just a couple of months earlier.

The failure to upgrade at the transfer deadline cost the Panthers dearly. Other teams that provided the Cats’ major competition – the NY Rangers. Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes – all improved their squads at the deadline. Florida did not and the wheels subsequently soon fell off the wagon train down the bumpy stretch called “the playoff race”. Especially pending free agent Jay Bouwmeester looked lackluster toward the end and failed to justify just why the franchise had been so desperate to keep hold of him – despite mouthwatering deals proposed by other teams. The organization and GM Jacques Martin in particular, took a huge gamble in Jay-Bo and unfortunately it not only failed to pay off – but even seemed to backfire on the club – both short term and long term.

The latter consequence was losing the marquee player for a lowly 3rd Round Pick in the 2009 entry draft, whilst also securing the negotiating rights with Jordan Leopold prior to free agency. Leopold was eventually signed to a one year deal and his signing remains the one major addition to next year’s team. A flurry of other names have also come, and gone, but with the exception of local hero David Booth – and his spanking new 6 year contract; there is precious little to get excited about for Panthers fans.

To be fair to current interim boss Randy Sexton, he has probably done the very best he could have hoped to do – considering the limitations which have no doubt been placed upon his shoulders and which are out of his hands. Indeed, I have been most impressed with how he has handled himself and picked up the jumbled mess that Jacques Martin left behind him when he skipped ship a month ago. In my opinion Sexton has deserved the chance to be named General Manager on a more long term basis. But kid yourself not, this doesn’t mean that the franchise is finally set to turn a corner, rather, I would not be wholly surprised if the organization once again is forced into rebuilding mode.

Looking at our team and comparing it to fellow Southeastern Division rivals, it must be said that the Panthers look weaker this year; compared to last. This while all the other teams look like they’ve added significantly to last season’s squads. Not least our rivals across the state look like they finally have got their act together and could be set for a year of resurgence. Atlanta too – look like they might be able to compete, after a strong finish to last season and some quality additions to the formerly threadbare roster. The Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals have meanwhile kept a low profile; mainly because they both believe they already have the necessary pieces of the puzzle to be successful this coming campaign.

So where does that leave the Florida Panthers in this competition?

Maybe not last in the division, because Tampa Bay and Atlanta may yet struggle with so many new signings, but certainly not first either. The playoffs seem a long long way off this time around for the Cats and their faithful. Whilst I have much faith in head coach DeBoer, I don’t believe him to be a miracle worker either and with the current roster the Panthers would need a team effort to defy the very fabrics of logic to be successful. This may well be out of the hands of both DeBoer and Sexton to provide. Indeed, if we today look at the clubs best potential starting line-up, it could look something like this:

Forwards:
Booth – Weiss – Horton
Stillman – Reinprecht – Frolik
Olesz – Campbell – Dvorak
Tarnasky – Kreps – Repik

Defenders:
Leopold – Ballard
Allen – Koistinen
Garrison/Ellerby – McCabe
(with Kulikov and Wilson as dark horses; possibly making the team)

Goalies:
Vokoun
Clemmensen

Now, there is still plenty of time to make additional signings. Especially the forward compartment seems threadbare and veteran Ville Peltonen would be tipped as one player to return once a decent deal can be thrashed out.

What strikes one when looking at this possible line-up is that it can barely be seen as better than last years. In fact, the defense most definitely seems weakened with the departures of three of last season’s top four defenders: Bouwmeester, Skrastins and Boynton.

Even the forward compartment looks lighter with Zednik departing for Russia, Peltonen not yet signed, and only Reinprecht coming in as a new signing. The goaltending compartment however, still looks like it contains one of the stronger goaltending tandems of the league. Craig Anderson was ably replaced by Scott Clemmensen and it looks like coach DeBoer again will have two quality netminders to toy with.

The one saving grace of this year’s Cats is their investment in young up-and-coming players from within the organization. Players like Repik, Ellerby, Garrison, Matthias and Kulikov are unpolished gems that could very well burst onto the scene and blossom into very exciting prospects this year – as Michael Frolik did last. Furthermore, players such as: Booth, Weiss, Horton, Olesz, Campbell, Koistinen and Wilson – may also have their best seasons ahead of them and could continue to grow in stature this coming season, whilst Bryan Allen hopefully will have recovered from injury to play an important part in the campaign.

But whilst these young and upcoming players provide an injection of energy and hope to the club and its fans, there is also a risk of pegging too much weight of expectation on their shoulders. There is a danger such a strategy could backfire unless there is a strong core of veterans and leaders in the dressing room to balance the bill. McCabe, Stillman, Allen and Vokoun will surely all be looked upon for such roles in the near future. If this is coupled with a hardy dose of patience – there could indeed be a recipe of future success in this mix.

It may however, be too much to ask for, when hoping for immediate success this coming season. Panther fans should be aware; this could very well turn out to be yet another rebuilding season for the Cats. And the franchise owners should also beware; the lack of star signings may deter people from showing up at the Bank Atlantic Center.

The line being trodden is a thin one indeed; startling success or spectacular failure – could equally be found in this upcoming campaign. While it is too early to tell which one it will be, fact is that the early days of July; has ultimately brought more apprehension than hope to hockey fans in South Florida.