Dan Spiegel: "Spending Spree" Begins With Thomas, Boyes, And Gilbert Signings

thomas is very close to cuba now, i wonder if he will try to make the swim over there.

Want Booth back?

Panthers looking pretty fierce. Can't discount the Florida teams in this new division.

Panthers looking pretty fierce. Can't discount the Florida teams in this new division.
- Blue Leaves

Both teams look pretty set for the future now that they have better management.

"Spending spree" is a bit of an over-statement, but I'm happy to see this team moving forward. Some great young players from all the poor finishes.

"Spending spree" is a bit of an over-statement, but I'm happy to see this team moving forward. Some great young players from all the poor finishes.
- LeftCoaster

They are hoping with this big spending free to increase their attendance from 46 to 50

Another statement made is Crabb and Robak both placed on waivers. Robak is a huge shock. Tallon, I think, wants Liles. Maybe TJ Brennan again. He will also add another forward. The owners have told him to spend money. They want to win. Finally.

They are hoping with this big spending free to increase their attendance from 46 to 50
- VANTEL

Hey man, at least our goalies wanna play for us

Hey man, at least our goalies wanna play for us
- Panthers88

Do they ? I think the only reason Thomas signed there was to piss Luongo off even more.

Do they ? I think the only reason Thomas signed there was to piss Luongo off even more.
- VANTEL

Nah. He signed here because our owners weren't messing around. They met with him personally before he signed. Probably does want out of the lime light a bit, but whatever. We'll take him.

Another statement made is Crabb and Robak both placed on waivers. Robak is a huge shock. Tallon, I think, wants Liles. Maybe TJ Brennan again. He will also add another forward. The owners have told him to spend money. They want to win. Finally.
- Panthers88

What kind of forwards are you guys looking for ? can't really be any bottom 6 guys or prospects can it ? And what's the story with Jovo is he healthy ?

What kind of forwards are you guys looking for ? can't really be any bottom 6 guys or prospects can it ? And what's the story with Jovo is he healthy ?
- blizzzard

No idea what Dale is looking for. But he doesn't want to call up any of the kids when there is an injury or something. Jovo is gonna start on IR. He will probably miss the first 10 or so games of the season.

No idea what Dale is looking for. But he doesn't want to call up any of the kids when there is an injury or something. Jovo is gonna start on IR. He will probably miss the first 10 or so games of the season.
- Panthers88

I think Lou my be using Tedenby and Josefson as trade bate with Mark Fayne not sure where Teds and JJ would rank on you're depth chart both have looked good and both are former first round picks who haven't been able to consistantly crack the roster whether it be because of injuries or the line mates the have been given.

when we are talking about the Panthers it's a HUGE if when it comes to injuries. This team top to bottom might be the weakest group of players.

Starting with Upshall, he won't play over 40 games this year.

Jovo, might not play 20 games.

Goc, I'd give him 50 games at most.

Gudbranson? is he injured from the tampa game? no way we get 60 or more.

Versteeg? soft. 40 games at most.

huby and Barkov? both have never played an 82 game schedule, should be interesting.

Flash played most of last year, can that happen again? likely not.

just saying.

Panthers will have under 30 wins and under 80 points on the year.

It is not a team that produces fear through its line up on paper, that is for sure, but it is evident what they are up to and a sound strategy. This will likely be a difficult team to play against because it will roll four lines and six d-men, and any of them are capable of grinding out a goal, or more importantly, playing hard. Two years ago this team grinded its way into the playoffs in just that fashion and then grinded itself into a double OT game 7 vs. eventual eastern champs New Jersey. Last season was an aberration caused by poor goaltending, an unprecedented number of injuries and players unready to start the shortened season. There is no reason to believe that with improved goaltending and health, and better depth throughout the system, this team can't grind its way on to the playoff bubble again.

And the future, combine a great farm system of prospects with increased money to fill in gaps, I like that recipe.

when we are talking about the Panthers it's a HUGE if when it comes to injuries. This team top to bottom might be the weakest group of players.

Starting with Upshall, he won't play over 40 games this year.

Jovo, might not play 20 games.

Goc, I'd give him 50 games at most.

Gudbranson? is he injured from the tampa game? no way we get 60 or more.

Versteeg? soft. 40 games at most.

huby and Barkov? both have never played an 82 game schedule, should be interesting.

Flash played most of last year, can that happen again? likely not.

just saying.

Panthers will have under 30 wins and under 80 points on the year.
- BallardHitsHard22

This guy.

when we are talking about the Panthers it's a HUGE if when it comes to injuries. This team top to bottom might be the weakest group of players.

Starting with Upshall, he won't play over 40 games this year.

Jovo, might not play 20 games.

Goc, I'd give him 50 games at most.

Gudbranson? is he injured from the tampa game? no way we get 60 or more.

Versteeg? soft. 40 games at most.

huby and Barkov? both have never played an 82 game schedule, should be interesting.

Flash played most of last year, can that happen again? likely not.

just saying.

Panthers will have under 30 wins and under 80 points on the year.
- BallardHitsHard22

It is not a team that produces fear through its line up on paper, that is for sure, but it is evident what they are up to and a sound strategy. This will likely be a difficult team to play against because it will roll four lines and six d-men, and any of them are capable of grinding out a goal, or more importantly, playing hard. Two years ago this team grinded its way into the playoffs in just that fashion and then grinded itself into a double OT game 7 vs. eventual eastern champs New Jersey. Last season was an aberration caused by poor goaltending, an unprecedented number of injuries and players unready to start the shortened season. There is no reason to believe that with improved goaltending and health, and better depth throughout the system, this team can't grind its way on to the playoff bubble again.

And the future, combine a great farm system of prospects with increased money to fill in gaps, I like that recipe.
- clarkey

Any team that can REALLY do this will be a competitive team. If Florida keeps their injuries down to a normal level they'll have a good team and an even better one two years from now.

Now add Ryan Whitney to the mix.

Now add Ryan Whitney to the mix.
- ward30nhl

He's done IMO, they'd be better off letting a kid play.

Now add Ryan Whitney to the mix.
- ward30nhl

Indeed, and at $900k it is a STEAL. CLEARLY our new owners came into the mix and said they didn't get the rebuild memo. You end up with a blue line that looks like:

Campbell-Gilbert
Gudbranson-Kulikov
Weaver-Whitney
Robak-Jovo

This is a best case scenario right now. Jovo doesn't have to play all 82 games this season. He and Whitney can rotate in and out to give each other a night or two off. I am totally shocked that Robak was waived and I really hope he doesn't get picked up. But Tallon wanted a better blue line and you can't say he hasn't gotten it. Gilbert, Boyes, Thomas, Whitney.. all one one year contracts for almost nothing. This is key because they are easily moveable should we fall out of contention by the deadline and if they perform well and we decide to re-sign them, we can do so.

We are giving our kids a chance to develop for the first time in franchise history. Hey Ballardhitshard22, you should approve! Howden, Bjugstad, Racine, Trocheck.. all get to develop in the AHL and if there is an injury... and there will be... they don't have to be the first call up anymore. This is how you win. This is how you develop. So, I ask you all, what do you think of:

Fleischman-Barkov-Huberdeau
Matthias-Goc-Versteeg
Kopecky-Shore-Boyes
Upshall-Gomez-Barch/Winchester

Campbell-Gilbert
Gudbranson-Kulikov
Weaver-Whitney/Robak/Jovo

Thomas
Markstrom

Bergenheim will begin the season on IR. Color me pink, but I love the line up.

He's done IMO, they'd be better off letting a kid play.
- Nucker101

All reports out of St. Louis is he had an amazing camp and it was very toughing letting him go.

All reports out of St. Louis is he had an amazing camp and it was very toughing letting him go.
- Panthers88

I don't know man, Oilers fans said he was one of their worst defensemen..that should say something.

Defensive call ups... Zanon, Mottau, Gilroy... crazy.