Trochek 6yrs/4.75
- PanthersGoal

Trocheck has been among my favourite players to follow since his draft year. It's great to see him get the kind of money he deserves as a near ideal fit as 2C behind a beast like Barkov. Factor in the new jerseys (of which I'm a fan) and the young core all being locked up, I may start following the Panthers more! The Red Wings were my Eastern team before, but they're not the same without Babcock.

Important to note on the roster I posted earlier.... Jagr is done after this season, as is MacKenzie (I believe). Jokinen has two years left.

Know what's cool... even if we do get knocked out in the first round, I can drive 4 hours to go watch Stamkos and his Lightning play. Cause, you know, he stayed in Tampa.
- Panthers88

Trocheck has been among my favourite players to follow since his draft year. It's great to see him get the kind of money he deserves as a near ideal fit as 2C behind a beast like Barkov. Factor in the new jerseys (of which I'm a fan) and the young core all being locked up, I may start following the Panthers more! The Red Wings were my Eastern team before, but they're not the same without Babcock.
- MaximumBone

I too have enjoyed watching Trocheck grow into a a great player. A great 2C that most teams would covet. Good things continuing to happen in S. Florida. Going to be a force in the East for years to come. I think TB is a step ahead of the Panthers in the Atlantic but not by much. Detroit or, dare I say, Buffalo are third in the Atlantic. I don't think Boston will do much this year and Montreal relies too much on goaltending. Toronto will be great soon but not next year, Ottawa still needs more depth to be a top team

I too have enjoyed watching Trocheck grow into a a great player. A great 2C that most teams would covet. Good things continuing to happen in S. Florida. Going to be a force in the East for years to come. I think TB is a step ahead of the Panthers in the Atlantic but not by much. Detroit or, dare I say, Buffalo are third in the Atlantic. I don't think Boston will do much this year and Montreal relies too much on goaltending. Toronto will be great soon but not next year, Ottawa still needs more depth to be a top team
- doppelthat

All the team needs now is to continue to refill it's offensive prospect cupboards for future as they started this year and last (Crouse, Borgstrom, Mascherin, and Ang) and add some veteran stand-ins to compliment each line after Jagr and Jokinen move on. McCann, Brickley, and Rau may be able to help, but I doubt they'll cover the bets all themselves. Bringing back a guy like Versteeg or Hudler would be a prudent move.

It's been an interesting last couple days, eh?

Huberdeau*-Barkov*-Jagr
Jokinen-Trocheck*-Smith*
March*-Bjugstad*-Rau
Sev*-MacKenzie-Shaw/Crouse/Thornton

Ekblad*-Matheson
Yandle*-Demers*
Petro-Pysyk
Kindl/Kampfer

Luongo
Reimer*
Berra

* indicates who I believe we will protect in the expansion draft. Jagr will be a UFA and thus cannot be protected. I think we leave Jokinen exposed (and he likely gets plucked by design).Rau is a second year pro and thus is exempt from the selection process. I pick Seviour (sp??) because the team really seems to like him a lot and he's younger and a great 4th line presence. Same goes for Marchessault. I spoke to a few Tampa fans who REALLY like him and were sad to see him go. They said he is going to do great next to Bjugstad. Matheson, like Rau, will be exempt from selection. Petro/Pysyk/Kindl/Kampfer would have to be left exposed. Luongo has a NTC and NOT a NMC, so he does not have to be protected. We signed Reimer to a 5-year deal, he is clearly our next #1 goalie and we will protect him.

This is the 7 forward, 3 defense, 1 goalie option. We could also protect 8 skaters and 1 goaltender.
- Panthers88

Diggin the line up Only question is a bit the third line, if it isn't too soft. Bjugstad deserves some more quality, hopefully Crouse is able to step into that third line.

I don't see McCann, is that correct?

Diggin the line up Only question is a bit the third line, if it isn't too soft. Bjugstad deserves some more quality, hopefully Crouse is able to step into that third line.

I don't see McCann, is that correct?
- DutchSenators

Recent reports have indicated that both Crouse and McCann have to really have good camps to make the team this year. I based this line up strictly on what I hear, but personally think both of them could definitely make it. Crouse had an amazing preseason last year; outperformed everyone.

My god people are hostile towards the Panthers. Guess that means you guys are doing what you should be doing.

Important to note on the roster I posted earlier.... Jagr is done after this season, as is MacKenzie (I believe). Jokinen has two years left.
- Panthers88

We were saying this two years ago.

I like the new logo - from a non bias outsiders perspective I think it looks classy.

Recent reports have indicated that both Crouse and McCann have to really have good camps to make the team this year. I based this line up strictly on what I hear, but personally think both of them could definitely make it. Crouse had an amazing preseason last year; outperformed everyone.
- Panthers88

Okay, thanks for the update. Really liked McCann when he was at VAN and thought after the trade that he would be a lock for the starting roster. But yeah, you have so much depth now

I think you mean 1b, but ya I agree
- ehabs9

No, it's 1 and 1a, not 1 and 1b.

1a <1
1a> 2

My god people are hostile towards the Panthers. Guess that means you guys are doing what you should be doing.
- MikesPillBottle

People have always been hostile towards the Panthers and their fans. Dunno why? It's kind of sad really. Having opposing fans obsess about our franchise so much, that they post more than Panther fans do.

People have always been hostile towards the Panthers and their fans. Dunno why? It's kind of sad really. Having opposing fans obsess about our franchise so much, that they post more than Panther fans do.
- pantherfan12

Hockey fans that defend the game against NBA fans do get a bit embarrassed by empty arenas, plus the whole " why doesn't Quebec have a team' arguement.

People have always been hostile towards the Panthers and their fans. Dunno why? It's kind of sad really. Having opposing fans obsess about our franchise so much, that they post more than Panther fans do.
- pantherfan12

The islanders fans of all people. Best arena in the league

The islanders fans of all people. Best arena in the league
- datswho

Where is the best arena in the league?

Where is the best arena in the league?



- Jeropotato

Yeah, Edmonton, Las Vega and Detroit(next year) will have splendid arenas.

Hockey fans that defend the game against NBA fans do get a bit embarrassed by empty arenas, plus the whole " why doesn't Quebec have a team' arguement.
- Jeropotato

That's such an idiotic reason you threw out there. Who gives a flying "you know what" about what people affiliated with other sports think about hockey. Stop being a doormat. You don't worry about what they think. I mean, come on. Why are you trying to please their tastes?

We were saying this two years ago.
- TRDevil

I mean done playing here most likely lol.

Reilly Smith: 5 year extension with $5 mil AAV. Huberdeau is the only remaining core guy needing an extension.

Reilly Smith: 5 year extension with $5 mil AAV. Huberdeau is the only remaining core guy needing an extension.
- Panthers88

Holy smokes hahah.

Guess the Panthers think that him and Trochek are going to have a 14%+ shooting percentage for the foreseeable future.

Holy smokes hahah.

Guess the Panthers think that him and Trochek are going to have a 14%+ shooting percentage for the foreseeable future.
- SameOld

Extension money for Smith doesn't start right away. Trocheck was an RFA with arbitration rights so they wanted to avoid that. I, personally, am not on the Trocheck bandwagon. I was thinking we would let him get offer sheeted to collect some good picks and move Bjugstad to the second line where he belongs. But, it's one of those situations where in a year or two the deal could look like peanuts for a legit 20-goal scorer.

Extension money for Smith doesn't start right away. Trocheck was an RFA with arbitration rights so they wanted to avoid that. I, personally, am not on the Trocheck bandwagon. I was thinking we would let him get offer sheeted to collect some good picks and move Bjugstad to the second line where he belongs. But, it's one of those situations where in a year or two the deal could look like peanuts for a legit 20-goal scorer.
- Panthers88

My only concern is 3rd line centers are generally forechecking centers along with this line mates. Trocheck benefited by bjudstad being out and bjudstad benefited by trocheck being out. That's why I would like to see either one get a shot on wing and see how that goes.

My only concern is 3rd line centers are generally forechecking centers along with this line mates. Trocheck benefited by bjudstad being out and bjudstad benefited by trocheck being out. That's why I would like to see either one get a shot on wing and see how that goes.
- harveykline

I'd like Bjugstad to play wing on the second line with McCann centering the 3rd line. Both players benefit by doing that. I'm with ya.

Huberdeau-Barkov-Jagr (we know this line isn't going to change)
Smith-Trocheck-Bjugstad
Jokinen-McCann-Rau
Marchessault-MacKenzie (who is getting extended)-Sev

Ekblad-Matheson
Yandle-Demers
Petro-Pysyk

Lu
Reimer

Bold: I believe will be here in 3 years and are part of the long-term plan.

MEANWHILE Tom Rowe says Sceviour will play on the 3rd line next to Bjugstad so...