There's always so much anticipation leading up to the annual trade deadline and this year was no different. But the 2019 edition has come and gone and we’ve now had some time to digest... It was pretty lackluster for the Cats this year. I think a big reason for that had to do with the Blue Jackets deciding to go ALL IN. As such, they've chosen to keep Bob and Panarin - remember that the Cats have been rumored to be heavily linked to these two prized, soon-to-be UFA players. I can't say I blame CBJ. Keeping Bob (despite his poor playoff record) and Panarin, while adding guys like Duchene, Dzingel, McQuaid, etc., around them can only strengthen their chances. So where does that leave the Panthers when it comes to Bob and the Bread Man?
I guess they'll pursue them in the offseason (if the the rumors are true). It's interesting because a couple weeks ago the rumors were so strong about Florida getting one of them now and one in the offseason. There was even rumors that they might get both at the deadline. Obviously, that didn't happen. I know a lot of fans think it's only a matter of time until they'll sign them in July, and maybe that’s the case, but I'm kind skeptical. I don't know what goes on behind closed doors between players, agents and organizations, but unless there's some kind of handshake deal between all these guys, I don’t think anything’s locked in place. It just feels like so much can change and another team can come in a swoop one or both up. Let’s face it, Panarin doesn’t seem like one who is content with making a home somewhere. Since leaving the Hawks, rumors have always swirled that he wants to play in a large market city like NY, etc. He never really seems content to me to setup shop somewhere long term. Maybe he comes here for a bit and wants out. Maybe he doesn’t. Who knows. That’s a glass-half-empty view.
Let’s take a look at a glass-half-full now… Sometimes not making any big/significant moves is a better route. Making a move for the purpose of making a move can backfire.
I know there’s frustration from fans with the organization and how things are being run, lack of moves, etc. I also know that some of the frustration is directed at GM Dale Tallon. I’m not telling anyone how to feel when you look back over the years and see low attendance numbers, lack of playoff appearances, etc.
Personally, I’m a Tallon fan and I really liked what he had to say last night after the first period. I thought he was very honest and direct. They were in on a couple bigger deals that didn’t work out. In his disappointment, he pointed out something that I think we sometimes overlook as fans, and that’s the fact that an organization can overvalue their pieces. When you’re negotiating a deal, you could think very highly of a player(s) you’re trying to move and your trade partner might not see them in the same light. There’s so much that has to go right in a trade that it becomes a delicate dance - it takes two to tango. I’d love to know what some of those deals might have been. I saw a rumor that one was a play for Stone. If true, I wonder what was proposed to Ottawa?
Yesterday’s moves (or lack of) certainly helped save some money. The other positive Tallon pointed out was that the core is still intact. I think the hope with that is that you go into the summer and get active/aggressive (as Tallon said they will be) and add top UFA talent to compliment the pretty solid core you have - assuming those UFAs haven’t signed elsewhere...haha.
The Deals
- Acquired forward Cliff Pu from Carolina in exchange for Tomas Jurco and future considerations (AHL deal)
- Received a 2020 third-round pick and conditional sixth-round pick from Colorado for forward Derrick Brassard; if Brassard resigns with the Avs, the Panthers retain the sixth-round pick
- Acquired forward Jean-Sebastian Dea from Pittsburgh in exchange for defenseman Chris Wideman
- Received 2021 seventh-round pick from Winnipeg for defenseman Bogdan Kiselevich
The Panthers certainly bulked up their draft picks yesterday. I like how things are looking in that department. They have some options for drafting and packaging said picks for trade deals. Here’s a snippet of what the next two years will look like.
2019: - 1st - 2nd (PIT) - 3rd (EDM) - 4th (x3) (MIN, PIT) - 5th
2020: - 1st - 2nd - 3rd (x2) (COL) - 4th - 5th (x2) (TOR)
The New Guys
The new additions to Florida feel very much like depth moves, which is not a bad thing. I didn’t really know a lot about each guy, so I did a bit of research and here is a high-level snapshot of each.
Cliff Pu 6’ 2… , 187 lb
The 20-year old appeared in 44 games this year with the AHL Charlotte Checkers and produced six points (1 goal, 5 assists), before being moved to the ECHL’s Florida Everblades - not sure if that should be read as concerning or not. But he did a lot of damage in the OHL with the London Knights before all that, so maybe that’s a positive. He was drafted by the Sabres in 2016, moved in the Skinner deal and possesses dynamic, high-end speed and good hands.
Jean-Sebastian Dea 5’ 11… , 175 lb The smallish 25-year old has played 23 games in the NHL this year between the Devils and Penguins, recording six points (4 goals, 2 assists) and a nice 22 points (6 goals, 16 assists) over 26 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. He’s apparently a highly skilled/creative playmaker, but his size might hinder him at the NHL level and will need to add some bulk.
Both players will report to the Thunderbirds to help the success of Springfield and further develop their games and get some seasoning.
Overall
I actually ended up liking the moves made. We knew Brassard would only be having a cup of coffee in Florida and I think it will all be worth it in the summer when the Cats get aggressive (fingers crossed) and go after the two big guys, as well as hopefully address the blueline holes that need to be fixed. Should be cool to see what they do...
Rumor
I saw on a Panthers fan site that it’s rumored Sheahan might be resigned. I really like this if true. I think he plays a great, hard-nosed game and is a nice addition on those lower lines. Love what he brings and hope they do resign him.
Tonight
The Cats look to continue their forward momentum tonight in Arizona after rallying back to get the win last night in Colorado on Ekblad’s OT goal. The win officially put Luongo in the record books for third all-time wins amongst goalies. He was also the reason the Cats got out of COL with the victory - making big time saves and keeping them in it.
The Yotes made an exchange of centers yesterday at the deadline that saw them ship Jordan Weal to Montreal in exchange for Michael Chaput.
The Panthers can’t come out tonight like they did last night. The Avs put Florida on their heels early and the Cats played out of sorts for the majority of that first period and things could have gotten out of control quickly. I’d like to see them come out strong against the Coyotes and not have to play from behind. They need to tighten up the team defense and be more responsible in their own end and the neutral zone. Arizona has had their fair share of injury issues and sit barley over .500 at this point, but no games going forward a can be taken lightly.
Let’s make it three-in-a-row, boys.
Go Cats!