All's I'm saying is we better draft Seth Jones 1st overall if we are lucky enough to get the top pick in the draft.

He's going to be a star, we've given up the most goals in the NHL and he's NHL ready. Huge mistake not to draft him.
- BallardHitsHard22

^This.

Folks, lets just be reasonable here (yes, I know its hockey buzz, but lets try).

#1. The Panthers are not moving. If the NHL worked this hard to save the Coyotes, there is zero chance the Cats are going anywhere. They have a very beneficial lease and make lots of money off the building. The Panthers are a subsidiary of SSE, which is more or less the leasee on the building. Same ownership, with SSE making lots of money and their subgroup the Florida Panthers breaking even (I will not get into the tax benefits of this arrangement). 2nd, the Panthers have what could actually be called the most dedicated fanbase in North America. Before you laugh, ask yourself how many markets would still average 13,000-plus paying attendance through 10 awful seasons?

#2. This season is over for us. Thats o.k. We will have a top pick this season and thats what we need to keep this rebuild going. Next season may not be great but the following one is where we will probably take off. The farm system is the best and will now get even better.

#3. Last season is over, no point in arguing with folks in Toronto who may still want to disparage it. We made the playoffs and took the Eastern Conference champs to double OT game 7, which can be translated as: we gave the Devils all they could handle. Oh, and we sold out our huge building in every game.

#4. Club red seats are behind the team benches. They cost a fortune and are mostly priced for corporations. All those season ticket holders that used to fill that area were moved to the other side of the arena where the camera is. Thats why it usually looks empty in there.

#5. There is no point in paying for big free agents yet. Wait until the rookies are a little more seasoned and Bjugstad, Trochek, and Petrovic are finally up. At that point we will actually be a destination. Don't laugh yet, Tallon is known as a player's GM, and Dineen a player's coach, the weather and women are world class, and there is no state income tax meaning player's salaries are take home.

Enjoy the rookie show and prepare for the draft.

My thoughts on Brennen I think is a great pick up. Another low risk high reward plus any less ice time for Kuba is a win in my book!

Folks, lets just be reasonable here (yes, I know its hockey buzz, but lets try).

#1. The Panthers are not moving. If the NHL worked this hard to save the Coyotes, there is zero chance the Cats are going anywhere. They have a very beneficial lease and make lots of money off the building. The Panthers are a subsidiary of SSE, which is more or less the leasee on the building. Same ownership, with SSE making lots of money and their subgroup the Florida Panthers breaking even (I will not get into the tax benefits of this arrangement). 2nd, the Panthers have what could actually be called the most dedicated fanbase in North America. Before you laugh, ask yourself how many markets would still average 13,000-plus paying attendance through 10 awful seasons?

#2. This season is over for us. Thats o.k. We will have a top pick this season and thats what we need to keep this rebuild going. Next season may not be great but the following one is where we will probably take off. The farm system is the best and will now get even better.

#3. Last season is over, no point in arguing with folks in Toronto who may still want to disparage it. We made the playoffs and took the Eastern Conference champs to double OT game 7, which can be translated as: we gave the Devils all they could handle. Oh, and we sold out our huge building in every game.

#4. Club red seats are behind the team benches. They cost a fortune and are mostly priced for corporations. All those season ticket holders that used to fill that area were moved to the other side of the arena where the camera is. Thats why it usually looks empty in there.

#5. There is no point in paying for big free agents yet. Wait until the rookies are a little more seasoned and Bjugstad, Trochek, and Petrovic are finally up. At that point we will actually be a destination. Don't laugh yet, Tallon is known as a player's GM, and Dineen a player's coach, the weather and women are world class, and there is no state income tax meaning player's salaries are take home.

Enjoy the rookie show and prepare for the draft.
- clarkey

You're dead wrong when it comes to #5. We need to surround these kids with top level talent. They made the mistake by not doing it post Bure era and they failed when they didn't do it with the Horton era. It's looking like they might make that mistake once again. This team doesn't have a 1st line center. Do you really think its smart to go into next year with Bjugstad as our #1 if Weiss doesn't sign?? Even if Weiss signs we STILL don't have a top line center.

Great first game by Brennen hope he can keep it up.

Great first game by Brennen hope he can keep it up.
- Crazycaboose

agreed. He was decent, we still lost though. At least Buffalo and Columbus got points tonight.

Seth Jones baby here we come!!!

You're dead wrong when it comes to #5. We need to surround these kids with top level talent. They made the mistake by not doing it post Bure era and they failed when they didn't do it with the Horton era. It's looking like they might make that mistake once again. This team doesn't have a 1st line center. Do you really think its smart to go into next year with Bjugstad as our #1 if Weiss doesn't sign?? Even if Weiss signs we STILL don't have a top line center.
- BallardHitsHard22

Yes, I still think that, and I am not wrong on this for this team. Next year is a throw away year. Why? Because it is a normal progression for NHL rookies to hit strides in their second year and on rather than their first (in fact Nathan Horton did exactly that numbers wise for the Panthers himself). If we end up with Bjugstad and possibly Trochek on the Cats next season, and Robak and Markstrom up full time, thats 4 more what I would term "rookies" since they will have only about 25 games this season under their belts due to when they were called up in this shortened season.

As a cash strapped team (like many others in the league such as Nashville and Dallas to name 2 who still have success) there is no point in spending the extra money on free agents next season, and taking roster spots from kids. Instead, if the Panthers continue to follow the Blackhawks and Penguins models, they will bring in more of the kids, get the seasoned, and take their free agent shot the following season.

I am sooooo right on this.

For teams that are struggling, this season just feels like a throwaway season. If I'm a Panthers fan, I'm glad this is happening during a shortened stint rather than having to endure it for a full season.

Everything is quirky this year, and I don't think any team or their fans should overreact to what's happening out there. Next year will be more normal and the good teams that are struggling this year, like Philly, will most likely get back to their normal standards when they've had a normal off-season and training camp.

I don't believe Florida is as bad as they've shown. Not one bit. The worst thing Tallon could do is have a fire sale after he'd built up a pretty nice contender. Keep adding pieces to build up the roster, but don't scrap it all because of this fluky season. Oh, and keep the coach too. Any team firing their coach over this season is being foolish.
- Predaceous

What if we should've fired him last season?

Just thought you guys would like to know, if you have seen it already, that Vince Trocheck won the OHL scoring title, and is leading a Plymouth Whaler team that is white hot going into the OHL playoffs. I live near Plymouth and have been to a few games this year, and really like Trocheck's game. Really good player in both ends of the ice, and there is no doubt in my mind that he could be a solid second line center in the NHL.

Just thought you guys would like to know, if you have seen it already, that Vince Trocheck won the OHL scoring title, and is leading a Plymouth Whaler team that is white hot going into the OHL playoffs. I live near Plymouth and have been to a few games this year, and really like Trocheck's game. Really good player in both ends of the ice, and there is no doubt in my mind that he could be a solid second line center in the NHL.
- Pete V

Thanks for the update. Many of us Panther fans have been watching his numbers closely this year with great expectations for the future. The debate within the Panther community seems to be how much, if any, AHL seasoning he is going to get or need next year. Also- with what you have seen and know, do you think he could transition to wing? The future depth chart around here (written in pencil of course) has Bjugstad slated as a future #1 center and our present rookie of the moment Drew Shore at #2, but maybe Trocheck could displace Shore to 3rd line duties. A great "problem" to have.

Just thought you guys would like to know, if you have seen it already, that Vince Trocheck won the OHL scoring title, and is leading a Plymouth Whaler team that is white hot going into the OHL playoffs. I live near Plymouth and have been to a few games this year, and really like Trocheck's game. Really good player in both ends of the ice, and there is no doubt in my mind that he could be a solid second line center in the NHL.
- Pete V

Ya I have been following him closely this kid look amazing but he will most likely be a great third line center like Goc. We are so deep at center it will be tough for him to go higher but I hope he pushes for a top 6 spot!

Thanks for the update. Many of us Panther fans have been watching his numbers closely this year with great expectations for the future. The debate within the Panther community seems to be how much, if any, AHL seasoning he is going to get or need next year. Also- with what you have seen and know, do you think he could transition to wing? The future depth chart around here (written in pencil of course) has Bjugstad slated as a future #1 center and our present rookie of the moment Drew Shore at #2, but maybe Trocheck could displace Shore to 3rd line duties. A great "problem" to have.
- clarkey

I think he is natural centermen, but see no reason why he couldn't play wing. But, as you have stated, its a good problem to have, in that Top 6 centermen are such valuable assets, even if you don't hold onto all of them. The thing that I like most of about Trochek, and this goes to whether he can play the wing or not, is that he impresses me as the type of player that can do whatever the coach asks him to do, and do it effectively. He is very noticeable on the ice, and IMO, is clearly the best player on an OHL team that is stocked with some real good NHL prospects.

I am taking my kids to Game 2 of the first round series against Sarnia, so I'll let you know how he does. But again, really good player, and a steal where they got him.