Dan Spiegel: Season Pulled From The Ashes Against Carolina And Montreal

My Blackhawks are tanking. I like Dale Tallon, and hope to follow you guys in the playoffs this year. Too bad Markstrom got injured. You probably could have traded Clemmenson for a decent rental and used Markstrom as a back up to Three-Or-More for the rest of the season.

GLG

If they can play like they did after the first ten mins of the last game they will make the playoffs and I can't wait to see are new rookies next year!

GLG
- Conquest

They are...down the long road to nowhere...AGAIN!

Dan: any word more than "day to day" on the Goc/Sturm/Versteeg/Madden/Bradley injuries? I read that Madden was in the pre-game-skate yesterday because they were not sure if Versteeg would be able to play so he must be close to a return. But with nobody up from San Antonio, and nobody who deserves to be moved down to San Antonio who can be (with a two-way contract) we'll be healthy scratching 5 forwards a game and 2 d-men (although we could send Strachan back down if needed- but he has played well enough to stay).

I presumed one reason we did not unload some folks was because maybe the injuries were worse than the team was letting on to Sturm and Goc. Than again, maybe nobody was interested in a Sturm or Santorelli, Barch or others and we are stuck with it. Of the 4-forwards we really need Goc and Versteeg (although Steeger has to play harder on the back-check, he has been lazy), but after we get some health, who sits? Barch- probably, but who else?

right now, or soon:

Fleischmann-Kopecky-Versteeg
Samuelsson-Weiss-Bergenheim
Skille-Matthias-Wolski
Barch-Smithson-Santorelli

what when healthy?

If they can play like they did after the first ten mins of the last game they will make the playoffs and I can't wait to see are new rookies next year!
- Crazycaboose

I agree.

Huberdeau
Howden
Bjugstad (if he wants to leave college early)
Petrovic

Those 4 guys are who I'm most excited about.

Markstrom we know is a given to be on the squad next year.

Guys like McFarland, Grimaldi, Shore, ...... will get a chance but I doubt they would make the team because of those top prospects mentioned above. Shore might be the guy to squeak through though. We'll see.

This team needs to make the playoffs to show these kids that they are going to be apart of something special and that it's not the same old choke artists we've previously been watching.

Dan: any word more than "day to day" on the Goc/Sturm/Versteeg/Madden/Bradley injuries? I read that Madden was in the pre-game-skate yesterday because they were not sure if Versteeg would be able to play so he must be close to a return. But with nobody up from San Antonio, and nobody who deserves to be moved down to San Antonio who can be (with a two-way contract) we'll be healthy scratching 5 forwards a game and 2 d-men (although we could send Strachan back down if needed- but he has played well enough to stay).

I presumed one reason we did not unload some folks was because maybe the injuries were worse than the team was letting on to Sturm and Goc. Than again, maybe nobody was interested in a Sturm or Santorelli, Barch or others and we are stuck with it. Of the 4-forwards we really need Goc and Versteeg (although Steeger has to play harder on the back-check, he has been lazy), but after we get some health, who sits? Barch- probably, but who else?

right now, or soon:

Fleischmann-Kopecky-Versteeg
Samuelsson-Weiss-Bergenheim
Skille-Matthias-Wolski
Barch-Smithson-Santorelli

what when healthy?
- clarkey

Madden isn't hurt, he's old and slow. Sorry, sad but true and that is why Smithson was brought here. But it would be nice to see Goc, Upshall, and Sturm back. Although think about it, who sit? Santorelli and Barch. I think Sturm is scratched.

I agree.

Huberdeau
Howden
Bjugstad (if he wants to leave college early)
Petrovic

Those 4 guys are who I'm most excited about.

Markstrom we know is a given to be on the squad next year.

Guys like McFarland, Grimaldi, Shore, ...... will get a chance but I doubt they would make the team because of those top prospects mentioned above. Shore might be the guy to squeak through though. We'll see.

This team needs to make the playoffs to show these kids that they are going to be apart of something special and that it's not the same old choke artists we've previously been watching.
- Gudbranson2012

McFarland will be a 4th line guy here to start his career, and I'm fine with that. I almost forgot about Shore, and you forgot about Brickley. Don't forget Trocheck, Hyman, Durocher.. it's going to be awesome when these guys get into the AHL and we have them as options. No matter how you look at it, we have one hell of a future ahead of us.

Dan: any word more than "day to day" on the Goc/Sturm/Versteeg/Madden/Bradley injuries? I read that Madden was in the pre-game-skate yesterday because they were not sure if Versteeg would be able to play so he must be close to a return. But with nobody up from San Antonio, and nobody who deserves to be moved down to San Antonio who can be (with a two-way contract) we'll be healthy scratching 5 forwards a game and 2 d-men (although we could send Strachan back down if needed- but he has played well enough to stay).

I presumed one reason we did not unload some folks was because maybe the injuries were worse than the team was letting on to Sturm and Goc. Than again, maybe nobody was interested in a Sturm or Santorelli, Barch or others and we are stuck with it. Of the 4-forwards we really need Goc and Versteeg (although Steeger has to play harder on the back-check, he has been lazy), but after we get some health, who sits? Barch- probably, but who else?

right now, or soon:

Fleischmann-Kopecky-Versteeg
Samuelsson-Weiss-Bergenheim
Skille-Matthias-Wolski
Barch-Smithson-Santorelli

what when healthy?
- clarkey

They don't really tell us much except for "lower or upper" body injuries, and we're not allowed to ask. I'm speculating but I think Goc and Versteeg are slight groin pulls. Sturm is concussion related. We know about Upshall. But I think those three could be back anytime, maybe by the end of the week. You'd think Barch and Santorelli are the first to be scratched/waived, but with our injury history who knows if they won't be needed by the time the others get healthy.

They are...down the long road to nowhere...AGAIN!
- PanthersGoal

As a panthers fan, you'd know about long roads to nowhere . U mad bro?

As a panthers fan, you'd know about long roads to nowhere . U mad bro?
- Conquest

To the Panthers credit, they're getting there on significantly less salary than Toronto.

To the Panthers credit, they're getting there on significantly less salary than Toronto.
- BulliesPhan87

But when it comes down to it, Toronto will never relocate

But when it comes down to it, Toronto will never relocate
- Conquest

Neither are the Panthers, as this piece from last summer clearly indicated:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=37081

But when it comes down to it, Toronto will never relocate
- Conquest

Jeez... I am so tired of this argument. How many times have the Panthers borrowed money from the NHL? None. How many times have the Devils? More than none. So maybe they're relocating as well.

Carolina, Colorado, New Jersey, Winnapeg (due to their small arena), Columbus, Anaheim, Dallas, NY Islanders, Phoenix. All teams we're ahead of in attendance, and we actually have a higher average than a few other teams like Nashville and LA. How many of them are moving? Phoenix doesn't have an owner. Neither do the Blues. Are they moving to Canada too?

You are just angry because the last time your pathetic team won a cup WWII was only 6 years removed from the newspapers.

One thing about the team this year is they know how to stop streaks, both winning and losing. They win 3 in a row, appear to have tons of confidence then go out and get blasted. On the flip side they lose 3 in a row, look like they are accepting past season's fate as their own, then wham a couple clutch goals secures an improbable victory.

On the recent moves, I like both. Wolski has skill and should be motivated to perform. If the move doesn't work out then we have an expiring contract that won't hamper signing our UFAs and RFAs. Smithson brings a defense first mindset with solid faceoff skills and penalty killing experience. Management had prior knowledge so they felt he would fit nicely. Plus he is signed with an affordable contract. The best is that we did not give up any significant assets to acquire both of them.

Big game in Toronto tonight. We have played well against the Leafs but I would say their goaltending was poor in both games. Weiss likes playing in Toronto plus he broke out of a goal brought with 2 last game so I am expecting to see him on the score sheet tonight. Leafs are in a recent funk so it would be best if the Panthers stopped the trend of spotting teams 2 goal leads. Play smart hockey and get lots of shots from every angle.

But when it comes down to it, Toronto will never relocate
- Conquest[/quote

Am I "mad"??? Lol, at what? You?!...I was thinking the same about you considering this stupid response...since the cup season of the Toronto Maple Leafs, please share with us how many more cup final appearances the Leafs have over the Panthers?

One thing about the team this year is they know how to stop streaks, both winning and losing. They win 3 in a row, appear to have tons of confidence then go out and get blasted. On the flip side they lose 3 in a row, look like they are accepting past season's fate as their own, then wham a couple clutch goals secures an improbable victory.

On the recent moves, I like both. Wolski has skill and should be motivated to perform. If the move doesn't work out then we have an expiring contract that won't hamper signing our UFAs and RFAs. Smithson brings a defense first mindset with solid faceoff skills and penalty killing experience. Management had prior knowledge so they felt he would fit nicely. Plus he is signed with an affordable contract. The best is that we did not give up any significant assets to acquire both of them.

Big game in Toronto tonight. We have played well against the Leafs but I would say their goaltending was poor in both games. Weiss likes playing in Toronto plus he broke out of a goal brought with 2 last game so I am expecting to see him on the score sheet tonight. Leafs are in a recent funk so it would be best if the Panthers stopped the trend of spotting teams 2 goal leads. Play smart hockey and get lots of shots from every angle.
- Rat-a-Holic

With Versteeg not even on the road trip, we have to hope his injury isn't severe. Though to be fair, he wasn't exactly lighting up the score board. This is going to be a key game for Weiss, Flash, Bergenheim, and Wolski. They have to provide offense. And if you're going to ask, Goc and Sturm are both on the trip, but Madden plays tonight in place of Steeger.



Oh, and the Leafs goal tending sucks every game.

With Versteeg not even on the road trip, we have to hope his injury isn't severe. Though to be fair, he wasn't exactly lighting up the score board. This is going to be a key game for Weiss, Flash, Bergenheim, and Wolski. They have to provide offense. And if you're going to ask, Goc and Sturm are both on the trip, but Madden plays tonight in place of Steeger.



Oh, and the Leafs goal tending sucks every game.

- Panthers88

Losing Kris sucks but with our D and how great Theo has been we always have a chance to win. It's about time our 3rd and 4th lines put some points up

With Versteeg not even on the road trip, we have to hope his injury isn't severe. Though to be fair, he wasn't exactly lighting up the score board. This is going to be a key game for Weiss, Flash, Bergenheim, and Wolski. They have to provide offense. And if you're going to ask, Goc and Sturm are both on the trip, but Madden plays tonight in place of Steeger.



Oh, and the Leafs goal tending sucks every game.

- Panthers88

Yes it looks like Versteeg is going to rest whatever has been nagging him. Not sure what it would be since he looked fine at the golf tournament, but this is obviously precautionary for the stretch run. No reason to injure him further. Wolski will probably put up a better effort since he's healthier and hungrier.

Losing Kris sucks but with our D and how great Theo has been we always have a chance to win. It's about time our 3rd and 4th lines put some points up
- Gudbranson2012

Versteeg? Do you mean in "Kris" Kris Versteeg?--Theo? As in Jose Theodore? "Our D"..As in Campbell??? etc.??

Players Dale Tallon brought in..correct???

Hey Putz, not too bad for Tallon HUH??? A guy you said "Sits on his fat azz" about a week ago....

Losing Kris sucks but with our D and how great Theo has been we always have a chance to win. It's about time our 3rd and 4th lines put some points up
- Gudbranson2012

Versteeg? Do you mean in "Kris" Kris Versteeg?--Theo? As in Jose Theodore? "Our D"..As in Campbell??? etc.??

Players Dale Tallon brought in..correct???

Hey Putz, not too bad for Tallon HUH??? A guy you said "Sits on his fat azz" about a week ago....

Versteeg? Do you mean in "Kris" Kris Versteeg?--Theo? As in Jose Theodore? "Our D"..As in Campbell??? etc.??

Players Dale Tallon brought in..correct???

Hey Putz, not too bad for Tallon HUH??? A guy you said "Sits on his fat azz" about a week ago....
- PanthersGoal