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Florida Panthers Blogger •
After taking an extended vacation to decompress from one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, I return to the devastating news that Denis Potvin will not be returning to Panthers broadcasts. Apparently a person calling it like it is will no longer be tolerated in this organization. Don't tell the truth about the obvious, Denis. The masses might just believe you.
Management would like to have you think that change for the better is in motion, and that such a monumental change regarding Panthers coverage was warranted. But what it really comes down to is a lot more of the same from arguably the most futile club in the NHL. Denis says he was fired. Yormark says it was a decision based on a "new direction." Potvin is the only one telling the truth.
It's been almost a decade now without a playoff appearance amidst embarrassing promises and promotions that are laughable league-wide. GM Jacques Martin has not once seriously addressed the offensive woes of this team. Owner Alan Cohen admits he isn't a "hockey guy," so will just leave all such decisions to JM. Michael Yormark, Chief Operating Officer, now is hearing the frustration from countless, yet dwindling, Panther fans about a decision that is as symbolic as it is an indictment on the incompetency of leadership.
For a team that is known for constant inconsistency, Denis Potvin was the only person who was there from day 1. His candid, experienced, and professional opinions were not only a staple of this franchise, but welcomed by Panther fans who have lived through many painful seasons. Although the play-by-play personnel changed, Potvin always created tremendous chemistry with all newcomers, and the players sincerely respected him.
Jacques Martin's personnel decisions, or lack thereof (i.e. Jay Bouwmeester), are an issue that will be tackled at a later date. Today focuses on Yormark and Cohen, who are in jeopardy of losing any fans they have left. And the reason the fans are leaving are because of them. No question. No argument. Nothing they say can refute this truth. The message boards don't lie, and they are venomous.
Before I continue, let me insert Michael Yormark's "blog" form floridapanthers.com, which is the only site I've found that can make missing the playoffs for an inexcusable eighth consecutive season sound like they won the Stanley Cup.
"Hi Panthers fans. It's been a very busy week and I apologize for not blogging consistently.
I thought it would be appropriate to comment on our decision this week to replace Denis Potvin with Billy Lindsay, one of the most popular players in Panthers history.
Needless to say, this was a very difficult decision and one that was made with much thought and deliberation. Denis is a great TV analyst and we appreciate all of his work on behalf of FOX Sports Florida and the Florida Panthers over the past 15 years.
As we move forward with our new multi-year agreement with FOX Sports Florida, we will have much more control and input as it relates to production and advertising sales. This was very important to us when we restructured our partnership early this year.
With that said, we believe that now is the right time to take our broadcast in a new direction. Steve Goldstein has been outstanding in his role as play-by-play announcer over the past two years and Billy has really blossomed into a fine broadcaster. Billy showed great chemistry together this past season while working on our telecasts and we believe that moving him to the TV color analyst role is the natural progression in his career.
With Steve and Billy together, we now have two broadcast personalities that eat and breath our Panthers brand 24/7. They live in South Florida on a year round basis and are very much a part of the local community. They communicate with our fans and sponsors on a daily basis and are always available to our constituents. They are close friends and really enjoy each others company and most importantly, they love the Panthers!!
From a broadcasting perspective, they will have great chemistry on air, provide great insight on our organization, players and coaches and will not be restrained in any way to voice their opinion on our team's performance.
Clearly, this decision was made based on how strong a Goldie and Billy tandem would be and not that we were in any way displeased with Denis. Furthermore, due to our arrangement with FOX Sports Florida, this was not a financial decision. Again, it was a decision based on what we believe is best for our fans.
I have one request, please don't past judgment on this decision until you see Goldie and Billy together. I promise you, you will be amazed at how powerful they are together! I've seen them do a game together and they are awesome!!!!
And lets not forget that Billy also benefited from having the opportunity to work with one of the best radio broadcasters in the NHL, "Red Deer" Randy Moller. In just two years, Moller has become one of the most recognized radio play-by-play voices in the league with his dynamic, entertaining and exciting broadcasts. We are confident that he will continue to excel in this role next season.
I hope that you all have a great Friday and wonderful weekend. Additionally, I would like to pass along my best wishes for a Happy Mother's Day to all our Panthers moms. I will be in touch with you over the next few days.
Thanks for your continued support and Go Panthers Go!!"
Panther fans who are familiar with Yormark almost immediately respond with disdain, and this note from him really gets the blood boiling, as it should. Most fans would say their first complaint is the over the top advertising on every single piece of the Bank Atlantic Center, as well as every single solitary minute of non-hockey time during games being filled with a terrible commercials, announcements, etc.
I've been all over the country for games and it is true that few if any other arenas match the annoyance level of the BAC regarding such issues.
But the issues are much deeper, from Yormark having an employee fired for correcting HIM on using bad language at a game, and he and Cohen standing idly by while the trading of Pavel Bure and Roberto Luongo were pathetically approved. And this was a result of the even more pathetic decision to let Mike Keenan get his destructive hands on the franchise-TWICE.
Non-hockey people let these things happen. You know why? Because the BAC as a whole makes money. Between the concerts and all the other events held there, a hefty profit is made. To the point where the Panthers are an afterthought in the Cohen/Yormark pie. And it shows. It shows on the ice and in the baffling lack of appropriate personnel decisions that make this team perennially mediocre.
As the scrutiny and poignant questions began after this blasphemous decision, Yormark had more to say to fuel the fire: ''I'm not in the job to make sure people believe me. I've always been truthful and up front with our fans. I have a blog like you do. I tell the good, bad indifferent. I respond to every email. The reality, based on financial relationship with Fox is there really is no difference whether we have three, five, one or 10 in the booth. It's not a financial decision. We make decisions that are best for the franchise. I believe in time people will look at this as another good decision. And that's not a slap at Denis. He's a great analyst. We're looking for something different, something that's in the right direction of the franchise.''
Just when does this direction begin? It has been promised for many years now with nothing to show for it. Panther fans are angry. Very angry. What's next? Undervaluing David Booth and let him walk as an RFA as JayBo will most certainly do as a UFA? Overpaying for the next Rostislav Olesz to create another cap-eating non-producer?
While the BAC continues to make a profit for the inept "management" of this organization, the Panthers are seemingly wallowing in an abyss that Cohen, Yormark, and Martin cannot lead to higher ground.
Since the proof is in the pudding, can any fan of this team or hockey in general really think that all of a sudden all three of them would undergo some sort of simultaneous brain transplant? One in which they say, hey, go get the bonafide center. Trade away the underachievers and don't look back. Can you imagine? I can't. Because they haven't. So you ask, is there any silver lining, Dan? Yes.
Sports Properties Acquisition Corporation is a New York based company that might be putting a bid together to buy the BAC/Florida Panthers. While it is unknown if they would overhaul management, one would have to think if they have any brains whatsoever in combination with talking to the fans of the franchise, wholesale changes would be made.
There is smoke surrounding this story and it will be interesting to see what comes of it in the coming weeks. Collectively, Panther fans have to be praying and pleading with the hockey gods to make such a purchase become reality. This organization is on the brink of becoming the poster child for how not to conduct NHL business both on and off the ice. In some circles, it's already been anointed. And as Jeff Lebowski would say, "this aggression cannot stand, man."
Management would like to have you think that change for the better is in motion, and that such a monumental change regarding Panthers coverage was warranted. But what it really comes down to is a lot more of the same from arguably the most futile club in the NHL. Denis says he was fired. Yormark says it was a decision based on a "new direction." Potvin is the only one telling the truth.
It's been almost a decade now without a playoff appearance amidst embarrassing promises and promotions that are laughable league-wide. GM Jacques Martin has not once seriously addressed the offensive woes of this team. Owner Alan Cohen admits he isn't a "hockey guy," so will just leave all such decisions to JM. Michael Yormark, Chief Operating Officer, now is hearing the frustration from countless, yet dwindling, Panther fans about a decision that is as symbolic as it is an indictment on the incompetency of leadership.
For a team that is known for constant inconsistency, Denis Potvin was the only person who was there from day 1. His candid, experienced, and professional opinions were not only a staple of this franchise, but welcomed by Panther fans who have lived through many painful seasons. Although the play-by-play personnel changed, Potvin always created tremendous chemistry with all newcomers, and the players sincerely respected him.
Jacques Martin's personnel decisions, or lack thereof (i.e. Jay Bouwmeester), are an issue that will be tackled at a later date. Today focuses on Yormark and Cohen, who are in jeopardy of losing any fans they have left. And the reason the fans are leaving are because of them. No question. No argument. Nothing they say can refute this truth. The message boards don't lie, and they are venomous.
Before I continue, let me insert Michael Yormark's "blog" form floridapanthers.com, which is the only site I've found that can make missing the playoffs for an inexcusable eighth consecutive season sound like they won the Stanley Cup.
"Hi Panthers fans. It's been a very busy week and I apologize for not blogging consistently.
I thought it would be appropriate to comment on our decision this week to replace Denis Potvin with Billy Lindsay, one of the most popular players in Panthers history.
Needless to say, this was a very difficult decision and one that was made with much thought and deliberation. Denis is a great TV analyst and we appreciate all of his work on behalf of FOX Sports Florida and the Florida Panthers over the past 15 years.
As we move forward with our new multi-year agreement with FOX Sports Florida, we will have much more control and input as it relates to production and advertising sales. This was very important to us when we restructured our partnership early this year.
With that said, we believe that now is the right time to take our broadcast in a new direction. Steve Goldstein has been outstanding in his role as play-by-play announcer over the past two years and Billy has really blossomed into a fine broadcaster. Billy showed great chemistry together this past season while working on our telecasts and we believe that moving him to the TV color analyst role is the natural progression in his career.
With Steve and Billy together, we now have two broadcast personalities that eat and breath our Panthers brand 24/7. They live in South Florida on a year round basis and are very much a part of the local community. They communicate with our fans and sponsors on a daily basis and are always available to our constituents. They are close friends and really enjoy each others company and most importantly, they love the Panthers!!
From a broadcasting perspective, they will have great chemistry on air, provide great insight on our organization, players and coaches and will not be restrained in any way to voice their opinion on our team's performance.
Clearly, this decision was made based on how strong a Goldie and Billy tandem would be and not that we were in any way displeased with Denis. Furthermore, due to our arrangement with FOX Sports Florida, this was not a financial decision. Again, it was a decision based on what we believe is best for our fans.
I have one request, please don't past judgment on this decision until you see Goldie and Billy together. I promise you, you will be amazed at how powerful they are together! I've seen them do a game together and they are awesome!!!!
And lets not forget that Billy also benefited from having the opportunity to work with one of the best radio broadcasters in the NHL, "Red Deer" Randy Moller. In just two years, Moller has become one of the most recognized radio play-by-play voices in the league with his dynamic, entertaining and exciting broadcasts. We are confident that he will continue to excel in this role next season.
I hope that you all have a great Friday and wonderful weekend. Additionally, I would like to pass along my best wishes for a Happy Mother's Day to all our Panthers moms. I will be in touch with you over the next few days.
Thanks for your continued support and Go Panthers Go!!"
Panther fans who are familiar with Yormark almost immediately respond with disdain, and this note from him really gets the blood boiling, as it should. Most fans would say their first complaint is the over the top advertising on every single piece of the Bank Atlantic Center, as well as every single solitary minute of non-hockey time during games being filled with a terrible commercials, announcements, etc.
I've been all over the country for games and it is true that few if any other arenas match the annoyance level of the BAC regarding such issues.
But the issues are much deeper, from Yormark having an employee fired for correcting HIM on using bad language at a game, and he and Cohen standing idly by while the trading of Pavel Bure and Roberto Luongo were pathetically approved. And this was a result of the even more pathetic decision to let Mike Keenan get his destructive hands on the franchise-TWICE.
Non-hockey people let these things happen. You know why? Because the BAC as a whole makes money. Between the concerts and all the other events held there, a hefty profit is made. To the point where the Panthers are an afterthought in the Cohen/Yormark pie. And it shows. It shows on the ice and in the baffling lack of appropriate personnel decisions that make this team perennially mediocre.
As the scrutiny and poignant questions began after this blasphemous decision, Yormark had more to say to fuel the fire: ''I'm not in the job to make sure people believe me. I've always been truthful and up front with our fans. I have a blog like you do. I tell the good, bad indifferent. I respond to every email. The reality, based on financial relationship with Fox is there really is no difference whether we have three, five, one or 10 in the booth. It's not a financial decision. We make decisions that are best for the franchise. I believe in time people will look at this as another good decision. And that's not a slap at Denis. He's a great analyst. We're looking for something different, something that's in the right direction of the franchise.''
Just when does this direction begin? It has been promised for many years now with nothing to show for it. Panther fans are angry. Very angry. What's next? Undervaluing David Booth and let him walk as an RFA as JayBo will most certainly do as a UFA? Overpaying for the next Rostislav Olesz to create another cap-eating non-producer?
While the BAC continues to make a profit for the inept "management" of this organization, the Panthers are seemingly wallowing in an abyss that Cohen, Yormark, and Martin cannot lead to higher ground.
Since the proof is in the pudding, can any fan of this team or hockey in general really think that all of a sudden all three of them would undergo some sort of simultaneous brain transplant? One in which they say, hey, go get the bonafide center. Trade away the underachievers and don't look back. Can you imagine? I can't. Because they haven't. So you ask, is there any silver lining, Dan? Yes.
Sports Properties Acquisition Corporation is a New York based company that might be putting a bid together to buy the BAC/Florida Panthers. While it is unknown if they would overhaul management, one would have to think if they have any brains whatsoever in combination with talking to the fans of the franchise, wholesale changes would be made.
There is smoke surrounding this story and it will be interesting to see what comes of it in the coming weeks. Collectively, Panther fans have to be praying and pleading with the hockey gods to make such a purchase become reality. This organization is on the brink of becoming the poster child for how not to conduct NHL business both on and off the ice. In some circles, it's already been anointed. And as Jeff Lebowski would say, "this aggression cannot stand, man."
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