The race for first continues. Florida is on top at the moment, but a point only separates each of the top three teams, with the Bruins having played one game more than either Tampa or Florida. The Panthers get to see Boston and Tampa again before season's end. Detroit this weekend. The next four or so games are tough, but they ease up after that, which hopefully gives them the ability to go into the playoffs where they want to be. There's still a lot to be done in getting the team firing on all cylinders. The biggest obstacle is that we can't stay healthy. Gudbranson, Jokinen, and McKenzie are currently the impactful names on the injury list, with McKenzie likely out until the playoffs, or at least close to it. They'll have to work out the kinks without those guys for these tough next couple of games. We're still seeing bad hockey show up at times - guys being lazy, or making bone-headed moves. Not nearly as much as we were prior to the Boston game, but it still pops up way too often. Florida's giving up great opportunities in their own defensive zone or at center-ice, and often "being caught with their pants down". If they can stay healthy and get out of these next few games with a division win or two, they should be in good shape. The last thing I want is to go into the playoffs with several guys hurt and the team still in flux. Let's go, Panthers. Push on through, and crank it up.
MRI being done on Trocheck today. Not only did they lose a needed game against Toronto on more sloppy, not-playoff-caliber play, but they potentially lost a top player for a few weeks. Not good. Losing Tro for any playoff time would be an awful big hole to climb out of. The Florida Panthers: inconsistent and injured. The story of 2015-2016.
Trocheck with a cast on his leg. Reportedly out at least three weeks. Fracture down low due to a blocked shot. Not good. Not good. Rocco Grimaldi called up. If they cede first to Tampa, it's likely Boston in the first round. Not ideal.
I think this is the most exciting summer for Panthers fans, or it should be. Unfortunately the excitement is in the minor details. Ownership "promoted" Tallon. Now they've brought in a new gm. They fired the trainers, now Madden is out, Gallant gets to bring in his guys, Ownership must have the business plan lined up, now they're fixing hockey operations. While in the short term it's going to be tough to see an improvement, I think the long term view of the franchise has shot up tremendously. This ownership group knew what they had and they want to change it for the better. Taking the keys away from Tallon now is ideal with so many tough personnel and asset management questions on the horizon.
He also ran a bunch of bad drafts. I don't think he's worth all that much long term. Since Tallon isn't allowed to touch much of his previous role, I don't see a big downside by letting Tallon be more involved with scouting. Probably his single best deliberate decision in Chicago (many fans disagree with my opinions about Tallon's value there) was hiring Mark Kelley as a scout. I would be comfortable letting him hire another scouting group, as long as Dale isn't the head scout. I don't want him running anything that requires planning or administrative structure.
You dig up an old thread to try and talk trash? At least do it well. For fuck's sake. The time you spent finding this thread was far more than it was worth...
You gotta figure out something else to do, man. This isn't your bag. That's okay - just... spare yourself the trouble.
What do you think of the Florida Panthers sending down Henrik Borgstrom? -- @sun_puck I was initially surprised the Panthers sent Borgstrom to Springfield of the American Hockey League. Borgstrom appeared ready to take the No. 3 center job behind Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck, but Panthers coach Bob Boughner said Borgstrom admitted he was having a tough time at the end of the preseason schedule against bigger opponents. If that's the case, it makes sense to send him to the AHL, where he will still face bigger players but not with the same level of pressure. Borgstrom can continue his development in the AHL by playing 20 minutes per game and working on his strength and physical game. He should be better for it when the Panthers recall him.
Put a mustache on everything. This franchise is all in on Coach Q. Put one on every jersey, for all I care. Good stuff, Matty. Well, if I had known that anyone else paid attention to this thread, I would have put my Panthers thoughts in here, rather than polluting the general thread. Good to know - maybe I can strike up some Panthers conversation this offseason! Cheers.
I checked in on the introductory press conference for a brief moment, at the time. The name tags below were cut off. When they showed Connolly, I thought, "Man, they're dragging out some real obscure front office guys, huh?". I still can't believe that's Connolly, and he's less than 35 years old. Crazy.
