My ufa free agent wish:
D- Benn or Grossman
F - Okposo or Martin or Brower
- harveykline

Yes, WISH.Benn ?
no way we can do that.. I like both Okposo and Martin. Out of those two, probably Martin is the hotter commodity.

Yes, WISH.Benn ?
no way we can do that.. I like both Okposo and Martin. Out of those two, probably Martin is the hotter commodity.
- PanthersGoal

I feel like Panthers have some nice finesse/skill guys. Would be cool to bring in a big, bruising guy like Martin. I think he has the right personality, too. I know he's a fan-favorite in NY.

Yes, WISH.Benn ?
no way we can do that.. I like both Okposo and Martin. Out of those two, probably Martin is the hotter commodity.
- PanthersGoal

Do what?

And it's all horrible.
- Blackstrom2

No, it isn't.

You seem to think that every team in hockey 'improves' their roster every year....but that is not reality. The Panthers are a young team and should improve based on that alone. A number of their players are in the growth phase of their careers. I don't think either of these trades, especially considering the acquisition of Yandle, will negatively affect this team.

Secondly.....a rabid group of fans doesn't fill 2/3 of their building in the playoffs. I know you keep trying to sell us on your market, you should just be ok with what you really are....a small market team with a very small following. Nothing to be ashamed about.
- Dollars2Donuts

Wha? You do know the Panthers average attendance was around 16-17k every game? We may not be a "traditional" hockey market, but to say their following is small is not true at all. I'd like to know what you're basing these comments off of?

Wha? You do know the Panthers average attendance was around 16-17k every game? We may not be a "traditional" hockey market, but to say their following is small is not true at all. I'd like to know what you're basing these comments off of?
- pantherfan12

It's called "Pulling out of ass".

I applaud Tom Rowe for being public about wanting to be aggressive, but going after forwards seems to be a bit counter-intuitive at the current moment. If we don't consider the bottom line as anything worth a darn in terms of free agency, we have nine forward positions to address. That gives us, based on last season (I cannot take prospects we haven't signed yet into account; too much up in the air).

Long-term options

Barkov
Huberdeau*
Smith*
Trocheck*
Bjugstad

*indicates that this player will soon need an extension and significant salary increase

Short-term place holders

Jokinen
Jagr
(at least one-year left for each with two years remaining for Jokinen. I suspect this will be Jagr's last season here unless he really impresses and Jokinen's time here to be over once his contract expires as he will be 36)

Possible opening-night forwards
Crouse
Rau
McCann (I highly suspect McCann to be on the opening night roster since we traded for him)

Now I assume Derek McKenzie is a lock for the 4th line center position. We were idiots and re-signed Thornton, but I am hoping we see him for no more than 20 games if that. The team has made it very clear they want Garrett Wilson back, and we re-signed McKegg yesterday. Howden would be IDEAL for a spot here on a permanent basis but it looks like his time here is over. Now, I'm not sure if we want Crouse on the 4th line, but he could be an option. I imagine we want a 1st round pick in the top 9, but the game has changed so dramatically that he could play on the 4th line and be given PP time in front of the net like Hayes.

Thoughts? I will do a defensive update later on.

I applaud Tom Rowe for being public about wanting to be aggressive, but going after forwards seems to be a bit counter-intuitive at the current moment. If we don't consider the bottom line as anything worth a darn in terms of free agency, we have nine forward positions to address. That gives us, based on last season (I cannot take prospects we haven't signed yet into account; too much up in the air).

Long-term options

Barkov
Huberdeau*
Smith*
Trocheck*
Bjugstad

*indicates that this player will soon need an extension and significant salary increase

Short-term place holders

Jokinen
Jagr
(at least one-year left for each with two years remaining for Jokinen. I suspect this will be Jagr's last season here unless he really impresses and Jokinen's time here to be over once his contract expires as he will be 36)

Possible opening-night forwards
Crouse
Rau
McCann (I highly suspect McCann to be on the opening night roster since we traded for him)

Now I assume Derek McKenzie is a lock for the 4th line center position. We were idiots and re-signed Thornton, but I am hoping we see him for no more than 20 games if that. The team has made it very clear they want Garrett Wilson back, and we re-signed McKegg yesterday. Howden would be IDEAL for a spot here on a permanent basis but it looks like his time here is over. Now, I'm not sure if we want Crouse on the 4th line, but he could be an option. I imagine we want a 1st round pick in the top 9, but the game has changed so dramatically that he could play on the 4th line and be given PP time in front of the net like Hayes.

Thoughts? I will do a defensive update later on.


- Panthers88

I don't see Crouse in the lineup next year, especially on the 4th line. It all depends on what's done in free agency with the 3rd line.
More importantly I can't wait to see what's done on defense. We are actually younger and less experienced now than we were last yr. We need a veteran left shot

2 hours into free agency and we signed a back up goalie and 2 minor leaguers. Someone please explain?,oh yea I forgot, nobody reads this poop

2 hours into free agency and we signed a back up goalie and 2 minor leaguers. Someone please explain?,oh yea I forgot, nobody reads this poop
- harveykline

Those two forwards aren't minor league players. They can play on 4th line. And get used to Reimer; Luongo had hip surgery and per reports the team is a bit concerned about his recovery. Reimer could one day be our #1 goalie for a few years. With expansion upcoming our goalie situation could be interesting. Also... day isn't over.

Those two forwards aren't minor league players. They can play on 4th line. And get used to Reimer; Luongo had hip surgery and per reports the team is a bit concerned about his recovery. Reimer could one day be our #1 goalie for a few years. With expansion upcoming our goalie situation could be interesting. Also... day isn't over.
- Panthers88

I got you on Reimer but you are wrong on the others. They are another Garrett Wilson, Greg mckegg, Logan shaw, Connor Brinkley, etc etc etc. love how Rowe says he's got to win now

I got you on Reimer but you are wrong on the others. They are another Garrett Wilson, Greg mckegg, Logan shaw, Connor Brinkley, etc etc etc. love how Rowe says he's got to win now
- harveykline

JM alone is a better player than every player you just listed

After today:

Huberdeau-Barkov-Jagr
Jokinen-Trocheck-Smith
Marchessault-Bjugstad-Rau
Sceviour-MacKenzie-Shaw/Thornton

After today:

Huberdeau-Barkov-Jagr
Jokinen-Trocheck-Smith
Marchessault-Bjugstad-Rau
Sceviour-MacKenzie-Shaw/Thornton
- Panthers88

Sceviour is a natural center. McCann makes the team.

Huberdeau-Barkov- Jagr
Trocheck- bjudstad - smith
Jokinen- Sceviour - McCann
Marchessault -macKenzie- Thorton/shaw

Sceviour is a natural center. McCann makes the team.

Huberdeau-Barkov- Jagr
Trocheck- bjudstad - smith
Jokinen- Sceviour - McCann
Marchessault -macKenzie- Thorton/shaw
- harveykline

I also think McCann makes the team.

I also think McCann makes the team.
- PanthersGoal

He will need time in the minors like mathison

I understand the goalie signing but don't get it with the young forwards.

He will need time in the minors like mathison
- harveykline

Matheson is starting the season with us.

Sceviour is a natural center. McCann makes the team.

Huberdeau-Barkov- Jagr
Trocheck- bjudstad - smith
Jokinen- Sceviour - McCann
Marchessault -macKenzie- Thorton/shaw
- harveykline

0 chance the line up looks like this. They won't allow the 3rd line to have so little experience on it. Bjugstad will center it.

Sceviour is a natural center. McCann makes the team.

Huberdeau-Barkov- Jagr
Trocheck- bjudstad - smith
Jokinen- Sceviour - McCann
Marchessault -macKenzie- Thorton/shaw
- harveykline

And you say here that McCann makes the team before saying he needs AHL time? I think you're confused. From what I heard yesterday McCann and Crouse probably won't start the season here. It will depend on how they perform in camp/pre-season, though.

Dan Spiegel:
- spiegs13[VIDEO Report] Natives Restless Over Massive Changes

All 6 of them

And you say here that McCann makes the team before saying he needs AHL time? I think you're confused. From what I heard yesterday McCann and Crouse probably won't start the season here. It will depend on how they perform in camp/pre-season, though.
- Panthers88

I said based on what GM did in free agency. Now I think he makes the team.

0 chance the line up looks like this. They won't allow the 3rd line to have so little experience on it. Bjugstad will center it.
- Panthers88

Sceviour has almost as many games played in the nhl as bjudstad

Matheson is starting the season with us.
- Panthers88

Agree, I mean McGoshen

I don't know, somehow I see McCann on the big squad. I liked his game I guess, the little I got to catch him.

Demers, huh....