While multiple teams in the league returned to action after the ASG weekend, the Panthers extended break continues until next Wednesday. But that didn’t stop the fellas from taking the ice yesterday to knock off some rust with a full team practice.
I’m always pretty nervous when it comes to extended breaks and trying to get back up to game speed - especially when other teams have been back in action before your team has, but as Ekblad points out:
“The practices that we do have, we go all out. I could see it on Day 1 here. We were battling in the corners pretty hard. That’s a good attribute of our team. We practice hard and we like to feel like that gets us ready for games.…
I can’t argue with the product/results this season, so let’s hope they come out firing like they have been and crush this second half of the season.
Some good news on the injury front coming out of practice yesterday. Per Jameson Olive it sounds like we’ll be getting Acciari, Hornqvist and Mamin back once next week rolls around:
“When play resumes, Brunette said he expects all three players to be ready to go.
“They're all on schedule to get going here once we kick off," he said.
During practice, Hornqvist (18 points in 37 games) was back in his usual spot on the fourth line alongside Ryan Lomberg and Eetu Luostarinen, while Acciari was lining up alongside Frank Vatrano and Joe Thornton on a fifth line, and Mamin (nine points in 23 games) was cycling in.
When healthy, you'd be hard-pressed to find a team with more depth than that.…
🎥 Ekblad, Weegar, and Coach Brunette on getting back to work after the break! pic.twitter.com/niyi7i1CqI
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) February 11, 2022
Florida Hockey Now
Yesterday I came across George Richard’s Q&A article on FHN and really enjoyed it. So much so that I thought I would share it with you guys if you haven’t already come across it.
A lot of the questions deal with trades and I found it interesting that George does not tow the company line when it comes to Knight and trade talks - meaning, he does not shut down the questions by saying Knight is untraceable and end the discussion.
Here is an example from the article:
Do you think the signing of Mack Guzda could signal that Zito is willing to use Spencer Knight as a trade chip in an effort to boost the blueline? In addition, do you see Zito trying to add Claude Giroux? — Kyle Campbell
“I would not be surprised if there was a thought that having two young goalies in the system would be better than one in case a big deal needed to be made.
And, the Chychrun deal would be the one we’re talking about. Anton Lundell is an untouchable piece. Get his name out of any rumor right now — in fact, it probably never should have been brought up.
Arizona could ask for Sasha Barkov, doesn’t mean Florida would consider moving him. But Spencer Knight? If that’s what a deal like that takes, perhaps you consider it.
Is a high-end defenseman who comes with a team-friendly deal worth a young goalie — no matter how good you think he is going to be (not far) down the line — to try and win now? It’s definitely something worth thinking about. Not saying they’re going to do it, but when it comes to goalies, maybe you gamble that you can find another one what with Sergei Bobrovsky still signed for another four seasons.…
Call me crazy, but I personally think Knight is going to be moved…
Give the article article a read. It’s always cool to get perspective from an insider like George who is close to the team/organization.
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Have a great weekend and Go Panthers!
How rabid can South Florida get for #hockey? Insanely is the answer once you put a competitive team on the ice. It’s happening again in 2022. #FlaPanthers #NHL #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/MKobrAEZ7c
— Panthers Historian (@FlaCatsHistory) February 3, 2022