Dan Spiegel: Clemmensen Waived; The Tim Thomas Era Has Begun

Oh Dan.. you know we are just going to trolled to hell by everyone in Canada about why we shouldn't be a team, why we should move, how we're going to finish in last place, how Thomas is going to suck...

But on a serious note, I am very excited about this season. If we can stay healthy, we can do some damage; especially with the re-vamped defense we have. My only concern is that, if we do have a successful season, do many of these vets who signed one year deals come back? If Boyes scores 20 do we bring him back? What about Gomez? Or Gilbert? Or Whitney? We can say it depends on performance, but with the cap increasing you know that A) the price of these players goes up and B) there will be better players there. Personally I want to at least see Boyes and Gilbert stick around. But that's just me.

As far as goaltending goes, interesting paradigm. If after this season Markstrom is the man, who backs him up? Certainly someone needs to. I don't think anyone in the AHL is ready for that. So we'll be bringing in another goaltender next year. Interesting times. Can't wait to drop the puck and see who's stickin' -n- who's kickin'. Let's roll!

Oh Dan.. you know we are just going to trolled to hell by everyone in Canada about why we shouldn't be a team, why we should move, how we're going to finish in last place, how Thomas is going to suck...

But on a serious note, I am very excited about this season. If we can stay healthy, we can do some damage; especially with the re-vamped defense we have. My only concern is that, if we do have a successful season, do many of these vets who signed one year deals come back? If Boyes scores 20 do we bring him back? What about Gomez? Or Gilbert? Or Whitney? We can say it depends on performance, but with the cap increasing you know that A) the price of these players goes up and B) there will be better players there. Personally I want to at least see Boyes and Gilbert stick around. But that's just me.

As far as goaltending goes, interesting paradigm. If after this season Markstrom is the man, who backs him up? Certainly someone needs to. I don't think anyone in the AHL is ready for that. So we'll be bringing in another goaltender next year. Interesting times. Can't wait to drop the puck and see who's stickin' -n- who's kickin'. Let's roll!
- Panthers88

No way. Us Canadians like to retire in Florida and its not like the hockey team down there is worse than any of our franchises!!

I think it was worth the risk and good move. The Panthers don't get much hockey media coverage so Thomas shouldn't be a huge distraction like he would have been if say a team like Edmonton or Philly signed him. He's put up great numbers before, on stronger teams of course but the ability and upside is there for this contract to be a potential steal.

No way. Us Canadians like to retire in Florida and its not like the hockey team down there is worse than any of our franchises!!
- twiztedmike

I like this young panthers team and i think they will be fun to watch

I like this young panthers team and i think they will be fun to watch
- TonkaPhaneuf

No way. Us Canadians like to retire in Florida and its not like the hockey team down there is worse than any of our franchises!!
- twiztedmike

I like what I have seen from TT should be a interesting season. Most people seem to think without boston D he will be bad. But even thou last season was bad one thing FLA has always had that has been good was Defense.

I'm worried about how our number 1 center works out.

Oh Dan.. you know we are just going to trolled to hell by everyone in Canada about why we shouldn't be a team, why we should move, how we're going to finish in last place, how Thomas is going to suck...

But on a serious note, I am very excited about this season. If we can stay healthy, we can do some damage; especially with the re-vamped defense we have. My only concern is that, if we do have a successful season, do many of these vets who signed one year deals come back? If Boyes scores 20 do we bring him back? What about Gomez? Or Gilbert? Or Whitney? We can say it depends on performance, but with the cap increasing you know that A) the price of these players goes up and B) there will be better players there. Personally I want to at least see Boyes and Gilbert stick around. But that's just me.

As far as goaltending goes, interesting paradigm. If after this season Markstrom is the man, who backs him up? Certainly someone needs to. I don't think anyone in the AHL is ready for that. So we'll be bringing in another goaltender next year. Interesting times. Can't wait to drop the puck and see who's stickin' -n- who's kickin'. Let's roll!
- Panthers88

We are all painted with one brush eh? Wow, I could come up with lots of the "all americans are..." but I don't judge you all from the actions or comments of a vocal minority.

I think TT was a great signing for you guys and a good fit(no income tax) for both. You guys get a good goalie for a year or two, Timmy was a good mentor for Tuuka and likely will be for Markstrom.
I also think you guys have improved enough that you are going to give some teams fits. You have a new owner, who loves hockey...things are definitly looking up in Florida
Now if you could do something about those Hello Kitty sweaters

No way. Us Canadians like to retire in Florida and its not like the hockey team down there is worse than any of our franchises!!
- twiztedmike

Now that the Panthers are in the same division as the Leafs I'm planning golf trips & family vacations around Lauderdale & Tampa. The NHL is finally getting something right. Keep the Panthers right where they are.

Now that the Panthers are in the same division as the Leafs I'm planning golf trips & family vacations around Lauderdale & Tampa. The NHL is finally getting something right. Keep the Panthers right where they are.

- magmoo

What madness is this?!?

Cutting some dead weight, finally some smart moves in Sunrise. Thank God Yormark is gone and finally have an owner that wants to win. Tallon is doing what he pleases now. Very good news.

I'm pretty sure it will be about the same to fly down to florida and watch a leafs game then buy decent seats off a scalper in Toronto...might have to look into florida as a vacation destination and give the Caribbean a pass this year!

Cutting some dead weight, finally some smart moves in Sunrise. Thank God Yormark is gone and finally have an owner that wants to win. Tallon is doing what he pleases now. Very good news.
- BallardHitsHard22

Yormark has been promoted, Viner is out. Now that we get the facts straight, you may resume attacking your team Mr. ballardhitshard.

As for all the Canadian folk support, more good news for you- when you come down for a vacation game, tickets are cheap, you can tailgate in the parking lot, and most importantly, compared to Canada, beer is wicked cheap!!!!

Yormark has been promoted, Viner is out. Now that we get the facts straight, you may resume attacking your team Mr. ballardhitshard.

As for all the Canadian folk support, more good news for you- when you come down for a vacation game, tickets are cheap, you can tailgate in the parking lot, and most importantly, compared to Canada, beer is wicked cheap!!!!
- clarkey

We'll the beer is cheap outside the arena at least...

Cutting some dead weight, finally some smart moves in Sunrise. Thank God Yormark is gone and finally have an owner that wants to win. Tallon is doing what he pleases now. Very good news.
- BallardHitsHard22

It's true, Yormark did get promoted. But I don't think it matters. It's clear that the new owners have a check book and they handed it to Dale. Thank God.

We are all painted with one brush eh? Wow, I could come up with lots of the "all americans are..." but I don't judge you all from the actions or comments of a vocal minority.

I think TT was a great signing for you guys and a good fit(no income tax) for both. You guys get a good goalie for a year or two, Timmy was a good mentor for Tuuka and likely will be for Markstrom.
I also think you guys have improved enough that you are going to give some teams fits. You have a new owner, who loves hockey...things are definitly looking up in Florida
Now if you could do something about those Hello Kitty sweaters
- seabass21

I meant no disrespect. But you have to understand that almost no fan north of the border wanted this team here before last week. Now that we have real owners that attitude has subsided some what. I got money on the Bruins tonight.. DON'T DISAPPOINT!

We'll the beer is cheap outside the arena at least...
- Crazycaboose

Whoops that's what I meant, in the arena is PRICEY!!

Whoops that's what I meant, in the arena is PRICEY!!
- clarkey

Gotcha, ya if their poop wasn't so pricey I would probably buy some there. I have a hard time justifying paying 10$ for a (frank)ing beer when I can go buy a 12 pack for that!

We are all painted with one brush eh? Wow, I could come up with lots of the "all americans are..." but I don't judge you all from the actions or comments of a vocal minority.

I think TT was a great signing for you guys and a good fit(no income tax) for both. You guys get a good goalie for a year or two, Timmy was a good mentor for Tuuka and likely will be for Markstrom.
I also think you guys have improved enough that you are going to give some teams fits. You have a new owner, who loves hockey...things are definitly looking up in Florida
Now if you could do something about those Hello Kitty sweaters
- seabass21

Yeah, I don't think he meant that as a disrespectful comment about Canadians. The point he is trying to make, and you could go search all or most of hockey boards for proof, is that most people North of the boarders don't think Florida should have any hockey teams what so ever. We get so much harrassment from Canadian fans about having hockey down here and they question our knowledge and loyalty of the game that it's almost programmed in our heads to think all Canadians feel the same way. I know it may sound bad, but it's just being truthful.
I am happy to read the comments on these boards though with so many different fans from other fan bases giving us credit and respect, so Thank You for that!

Cutting some dead weight, finally some smart moves in Sunrise. Thank God Yormark is gone and finally have an owner that wants to win. Tallon is doing what he pleases now. Very good news.
- BallardHitsHard22

Yormark is now CEO, they didn't cut him.. They should cut YOU though!
You're so strange! I mean you go from bashing the team no matter what they do, to praising the team because we have new owners and brought in some players who can contribute. It's odd. I'm surprised you didn't bash the team for bringing in TT because he's 39 who hasn't played hockey in two years.

Yeah, I don't think he meant that as a disrespectful comment about Canadians. The point he is trying to make, and you could go search all or most of hockey boards for proof, is that most people North of the boarders don't think Florida should have any hockey teams what so ever. We get so much harrassment from Canadian fans about having hockey down here and they question our knowledge and loyalty of the game that it's almost programmed in our heads to think all Canadians feel the same way. I know it may sound bad, but it's just being truthful.
I am happy to read the comments on these boards though with so many different fans from other fan bases giving us credit and respect, so Thank You for that!
- pantherfan12

Exactly. Thank you!

Yormark is now CEO, they didn't cut him.. They should cut YOU though!
You're so strange! I mean you go from bashing the team no matter what they do, to praising the team because we have new owners and brought in some players who can contribute. It's odd. I'm surprised you didn't bash the team for bringing in TT because he's 39 who hasn't played hockey in two years.
- pantherfan12

You just gave him some ammo.....

Who's stoked for the game tonight?!