Brad boyes is sick, whoever doesnt know that isnt a big hockey fan. Upshall is terrible and I hope he gets traded in the pre season. Boyes is def going to be playing the top 6 all year. Hes just as good and consistent as fleischmann. Were gonna have a great team this year. The only reason we arent undefeated in the pre season is because thomas hasnt played yet
- amaza89

All I'm saying is Boyes better be in the top 6 if he gets signed because he will be a waste if he is in the bottom 6. IMO

"The interesting question is where does Versteeg fit on this team if healthy? Jonathan Huberdeau-Aleksander Barkov-Tomas Fleischmann are practically penned into the top line. My guess would be Versteeg joins Shawn Matthias and Scottie Upshall on the 2nd line to start the season. Upshall would be on a very short leash. If/when Sean Bergenheim is healthy he would take Upshall's place. Of course this is just speculation, as no one knows what head coach Kevin Dineen will decide on over the next week. But there are certainly a lot of possible combinations after that first line. Whether that is a good or bad thing is up in the air."

Versteeg could easily win a spot on the top line and he probably will lead the team in points if he stayed healthy which would probably be a 50/50 chance which stinks for us. Flash would be my next option to lead the team in points this season.

It's a bad thing because of all the uncertainty with this team. The lines will be mixed and matched so there won't be any continuity early on. The team will struggle due to the inexperience and lack of talent.

What my team would look like

Huby-Barkov-flash
Bergy-Matthias-Steeger
Shore-Gomez-boyes
Upshall-goc-Crabb/Winchester

Soupy-Guddy
Kuly-Gilbert
Robak-Weaver

Markstrom/Thomas

A vet under contract might not give 100 percent but he's on a PTO you idiot

What my team would look like

Huby-Barkov-flash
Bergy-Matthias-Steeger
Shore-Gomez-boyes
Upshall-goc-Crabb/Winchester

Soupy-Guddy
Kuly-Gilbert
Robak-Weaver

Markstrom/Thomas
- Panthers4life

I would just make Thomas the #1 and make Shore the center and Matthias the wing.

A vet under contract might not give 100 percent but he's on a PTO you idiot
- harveykline

You could have at least commented on my post if you were going to insult me directly. You missed my point. He already has an inclination and has probably been told that he will be signed.

"The interesting question is where does Versteeg fit on this team if healthy? Jonathan Huberdeau-Aleksander Barkov-Tomas Fleischmann are practically penned into the top line. My guess would be Versteeg joins Shawn Matthias and Scottie Upshall on the 2nd line to start the season. Upshall would be on a very short leash. If/when Sean Bergenheim is healthy he would take Upshall's place. Of course this is just speculation, as no one knows what head coach Kevin Dineen will decide on over the next week. But there are certainly a lot of possible combinations after that first line. Whether that is a good or bad thing is up in the air."

Versteeg could easily win a spot on the top line and he probably will lead the team in points if he stayed healthy which would probably be a 50/50 chance which stinks for us. Flash would be my next option to lead the team in points this season.

It's a bad thing because of all the uncertainty with this team. The lines will be mixed and matched so there won't be any continuity early on. The team will struggle due to the inexperience and lack of talent.
- BallardHitsHard22

Very well thought out argument for once my friend. Versteeg is going to be the wild card this season for sure. If he is healthy and angry, watch out. Hopefully over these last few pre-season games we get to see what our team is really going to look like.

Thomas has won the starting job. Just goes to show all of us Panther fans that Markstrom hasn't panned out the way this franchise expected him to. I'd rather start Thomas over Markstrom anyway!!

Great move for once.

Thomas has won the starting job. Just goes to show all of us Panther fans that Markstrom hasn't panned out the way this franchise expected him to. I'd rather start Thomas over Markstrom anyway!!

Great move for once.
- BallardHitsHard22

And you know this because?????? Thomas is yet to play a pre season game, yet you penciled him in as a starter? Markstrom is fine! Rask didn't take over right away, neither did Schnieder. Markstrom is going to be a beast when he hits his prime. He broke all records outside of the NHL,including Lunquist. If Thomas is our starter, than good for Markstrom as he could use a full year to back up and learn from Thomas before he takes the reigns.
Get over yourself.

"The interesting question is where does Versteeg fit on this team if healthy? Jonathan Huberdeau-Aleksander Barkov-Tomas Fleischmann are practically penned into the top line. My guess would be Versteeg joins Shawn Matthias and Scottie Upshall on the 2nd line to start the season. Upshall would be on a very short leash. If/when Sean Bergenheim is healthy he would take Upshall's place. Of course this is just speculation, as no one knows what head coach Kevin Dineen will decide on over the next week. But there are certainly a lot of possible combinations after that first line. Whether that is a good or bad thing is up in the air."

Versteeg could easily win a spot on the top line and he probably will lead the team in points if he stayed healthy which would probably be a 50/50 chance which stinks for us. Flash would be my next option to lead the team in points this season.

It's a bad thing because of all the uncertainty with this team. The lines will be mixed and matched so there won't be any continuity early on. The team will struggle due to the inexperience and lack of talent.
- BallardHitsHard22

Versteeg 50/50 for health??? Really? Did you talk to him? I bet he's ready to go, and pissed off too about last season.

Inconsistancy? I bet this team pulls another 2011/2012 season and shocks everyone. No one expects anything from them and I have a feeling they will come out swinging. They have plenty of talent and experience and I am sure Dineen is going to find lines with great chemistry.

Thomas has won the starting job. Just goes to show all of us Panther fans that Markstrom hasn't panned out the way this franchise expected him to. I'd rather start Thomas over Markstrom anyway!!

Great move for once.
- BallardHitsHard22

What?!? He is 23 it's called they are developing him properly and not rushing him. And you are telling me you think bringing in Tomas to help mentor and give mark sometime as a back up, and make him earn his spot. Means we don't think he is going to pan out?

Sometimes I can't tell if you are serious or just trolling again. But I think I can figure it out.

What?!? He is 23 it's called they are developing him properly and not rushing him. And you are telling me you think bringing in Tomas to help mentor and give mark sometime as a back up, and make him earn his spot. Means we don't think he is going to pan out?

Sometimes I can't tell if you are serious or just trolling again. But I think I can figure it out.
- Crazycaboose

I gotta agree with Ballard here. Markstrom is not anywhere near where he should be to this point in his development. He has every tool needed but can't figure out how to put the puzzle together. He plays too deep sometimes, has a huge five hole, and was out-played at times by Rob Madore. This being said, he is going to benefit greatly from watching Tim Thomas in this organization. The kid needs to back up a proven winner. While Theodore was close, he is no Tim Thomas. It's going to be very interesting to see how this plays out, but I have Thomas starting this season with Marky still getting a good 25-30 starts. When he has a bad period he has Tim freaking Thomas to talk to. Huge for this kid, and a great move for the franchise.

I will add to this, though, that Thomas is reportedly waiting to see our new owners before signing anything.

All in all the right free agents; Boyes, Gilbert, Thomas, have been brought in for ONCE. And we will have a great AHL team with some actual talent in it for ONCE. I'm ready to drop the puck.


Also as far as Versteeg goes.. when I first saw him at camp two weeks ago, no way you could get me to believe he was ready. But as it's gone on he's looked much better and it will be good to see him in game shape tonight. He'll be fine, Bergenheim on the other hand..


EDIT: I should say that I agree with him because I honestly thought Markstrom would be starting already. But I'm okay with him getting a year as back up and he is too since he signed a two-way contract.

Reports are Thomas has signed for $3-4 mil. Holy crap. Def our starter.

EDIT: Terms are in place. Waiting on ownership situation which should take place tonight if not tomorrow. Most likely will see him play Saturday.

I gotta agree with Ballard here. Markstrom is not anywhere near where he should be to this point in his development. He has every tool needed but can't figure out how to put the puzzle together. He plays too deep sometimes, has a huge five hole, and was out-played at times by Rob Madore. This being said, he is going to benefit greatly from watching Tim Thomas in this organization. The kid needs to back up a proven winner. While Theodore was close, he is no Tim Thomas. It's going to be very interesting to see how this plays out, but I have Thomas starting this season with Marky still getting a good 25-30 starts. When he has a bad period he has Tim freaking Thomas to talk to. Huge for this kid, and a great move for the franchise.

I will add to this, though, that Thomas is reportedly waiting to see our new owners before signing anything.

All in all the right free agents; Boyes, Gilbert, Thomas, have been brought in for ONCE. And we will have a great AHL team with some actual talent in it for ONCE. I'm ready to drop the puck.


Also as far as Versteeg goes.. when I first saw him at camp two weeks ago, no way you could get me to believe he was ready. But as it's gone on he's looked much better and it will be good to see him in game shape tonight. He'll be fine, Bergenheim on the other hand..


EDIT: I should say that I agree with him because I honestly thought Markstrom would be starting already. But I'm okay with him getting a year as back up and he is too since he signed a two-way contract.
- Panthers88

Markstrom is exactly where he should be. He is 23 years old and has a third of an NHL season's experience. NHL goaltenders in most cases do not hit their prime until after 25 years of age. For comparisons sake here are present ages of many NHL starting goalies:

Quick 27
Crawford 28
Rask 26
Bishop 26
Rinne 30
Halak 28
Anderson 32
Howard 29

goalies and defensemen hit their strides much later, generally speaking, than forwards do. He should be fine.

Thomas' contract as predicted by Bobo is heavily incentive laden and may start in the 1 million plus range. He is awaiting tomorrow's announcement at the BB&T of the new ownership to sign it.

Markstrom is exactly where he should be. He is 23 years old and has a third of an NHL season's experience. NHL goaltenders in most cases do not hit their prime until after 25 years of age. For comparisons sake here are present ages of many NHL starting goalies:

Quick 27
Crawford 28
Rask 26
Bishop 26
Rinne 30
Halak 28
Anderson 32
Howard 29

goalies and defensemen hit their strides much later, generally speaking, than forwards do. He should be fine.

Thomas' contract as predicted by Bobo is heavily incentive laden and may start in the 1 million plus range. He is awaiting tomorrow's announcement at the BB&T of the new ownership to sign it.
- clarkey

Yes, all this I know. But I still feel that Markstrom has a better make up than those mentioned above. It is clear, however, that he will be #1 next season. There is no way around that.

And he has signed.

Reports are Thomas has signed for $3-4 mil. Holy crap. Def our starter.

EDIT: Terms are in place. Waiting on ownership situation which should take place tonight if not tomorrow. Most likely will see him play Saturday.
- Panthers88

Vincent Viola buys the Florida Panthers for 250M

Vincent Viola buys the Florida Panthers for 250M
- Symba007

Yeah that happened earlier. Good day for Panther fans.

And he's playing tonight.

http://www.therichest.com.../vincent-viola-net-worth/

new owner of panthers net worth is $35million

http://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/celebrity-business/men/vincent-viola-net-worth/

new owner of panthers net worth is $35million
- dmarsden2988

He's part of a group. Don't worry, the money he brings is fine.