Matt Ross: Florida vs Nashville: Apex Predator Mascot Showdown

lets try and show up on time tonight boys. yeesh its been a bad couple games

Barkov must be Italian because he's Fra-Gee-Lay!

Barkov must be Italian because he's Fra-Gee-Lay!
- madhatter56

My junior coach John Hurteau used to tell us the best ability is availability. Someone needs to tell Barkov

What is wrong with the Panthers? They had four days off; they are playing in their barn, and they look like they have no energy. They look lethargic and in disarray.

did they have a single practice while off? they look like they are playing together for the very first time. oh my goodness pathetic display

Brunette has been vindicated. he's an excellent coach and the Panthers never should have let him go. Even Barkov begged for them to keep him. What was the point of getting Kyle Okposo if you're not going to play him? Reminds me of the Joe Thorton experiment that didn't pan out!

Panthers play a heavy game under Mo, they have guys missing games while injured and others playing through injuries. The D are getting caught pinching and the forwards are late covering for them, they’re trying to score off the rush instead of working the forecheck and creating chances off of it. They look tired and are not playing the game they were last month, they kind of look like a team that knows a playoff spot is all but locked up.

Brunette has been vindicated. he's an excellent coach and the Panthers never should have let him go. Even Barkov begged for them to keep him. What was the point of getting Kyle Okposo if you're not going to play him? Reminds me of the Joe Thorton experiment that didn't pan out!
- madhatter56

Where did Barkov beg to keep Brunette? I never heard him say it publicly, although I’m sure they all liked him. He has the Preds kicking ass now.
Okposo will get some games. He’s mostly here as depth in case of injuries, not to be a big difference making every day player.

Where did Barkov beg to keep Brunette? I never heard him say it publicly, although I’m sure they all liked him. He has the Preds kicking ass now.
Okposo will get some games. He’s mostly here as depth in case of injuries, not to be a big difference making every day player.
- Ratsreign

He was quoted by the media during the end of Brunette's term as head coach of the Panthers. He said he loved playing for Brunette and asked Zito if he would please bring him back. If you look at last season, he is the one reason that made the Devils click, not Lindy Ruff. Then when he left, Ruff was exposed and was fired. Now he has the Predators firing on all cylinders. Even so, his brand of hockey is much more exciting to watch than Maurice's defensive system.

Where did Barkov beg to keep Brunette? I never heard him say it publicly, although I’m sure they all liked him. He has the Preds kicking ass now.
Okposo will get some games. He’s mostly here as depth in case of injuries, not to be a big difference making every day player.
- Ratsreign

Fourth-line wingers are a dime a dozen, Steve Lorentz could have filled in nicely and was a slap in his face that he got picked over by a 36-year-old veteran who has nothing left in the tank. No need to have made that trade, in an already sparse minor system by giving up more draft picks.

Fourth-line wingers are a dime a dozen, Steve Lorentz could have filled in nicely and was a slap in his face that he got picked over by a 36-year-old veteran who has nothing left in the tank. No need to have made that trade, in an already sparse minor system by giving up more draft picks.
- madhatter56

I agree. I don’t see Okposo really adding anything to the team

He was quoted by the media during the end of Brunette's term as head coach of the Panthers. He said he loved playing for Brunette and asked Zito if he would please bring him back. If you look at last season, he is the one reason that made the Devils click, not Lindy Ruff. Then when he left, Ruff was exposed and was fired. Now he has the Predators firing on all cylinders. Even so, his brand of hockey is much more exciting to watch than Maurice's defensive system.
- madhatter56

Bruno’s offense played Q’s way was in many ways much more exciting to watch.

Lundell, Reinhart, and Luostarinen as your first-line pairing? OOH, that puts the fear of God in me. At this rate, the Panthers will drop in the standings and will get beat by the Lightning in the first round, with Duclair getting revenge.

Your first-line pairing should be Bennett, Reinhart, and Tkachuk. Reinhart is no good without Barkov or Tkachuk feeding him the puck. Since Barkov is not there you substitute Reinhart in the Bennett, Tkachuk line.

Wow, no toughness on this team. Why not let all the players rest and just bring up the Charlotte Checkers to play for them so they will be refreshed for the playoffs. After that long layoff from the All-Star game, they said they were refreshed and ready to play the second half of the season. Now they are already tired and can barely make it to the finish line. What a bunch of pansies.

Your first-line pairing should be Bennett, Reinhart, and Tkachuk. Reinhart is no good without Barkov or Tkachuk feeding him the puck. Since Barkov is not there you substitute Reinhart in the Bennett, Tkachuk line.
- madhatter56

Rhino was really good with Lundell his first year here, after he really didn’t seem to click with Barkov.