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Spinning Tires: Complacency Kills

August 10, 2020, 2:33 PM ET [24 Comments]
Matt Ross
Florida Panthers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The up-and-down 2019-20 season for the Florida Panthers came to an end last week when they were eliminated by the New York Islanders in a humiliating 5-1 loss of the Qualifying Round of the new playoff format (due to COVID).

What a disappointing ending for Cats fans - something that’s become synonymous for this organization. But just because it’s commonplace, doesn’t mean you have to accept it. The last thing you want to do (or should do) is buy into the “lovable losers” mentality. This is a professional sports team. Their number one mission is to win, not get close.

For a franchise that uses the Panther, an elite, strong animal, carved out in the primal and savage years of evolution to be a top predator; the Florida Panthers would be much more suited sewing a kitten on their sweaters. It would be more conducive to their style of play.

This team has no fight and seem fine with where they’re at.

I apologize if the following seems like disjointed babble:

Watching them get bounced last week was especially frustrating because it looked like they put very little effort into the game.

It’s one thing if you’re out there working hard, grinding it out every shift and you get bested. It’s something entirely different to go out there, go through the motions and get handled. Especially in an elimination game.

I mean...how does that happen? You’re fighting for your season’s life and the best you can do is give a feeble effort?

If you tuned into some of the other games, the ones in particular where a team was facing elimination, you most likely saw a much different brand of hockey. Teams were out there flying around, doing whatever it took to stay in the hunt, win and survive at all costs!

Florida seemed much more content doing the opposite of that. Why put in any effort when you can sleepwalk through it?

Where was the intensity? The passion? The grit? The anger? The drive?

The Islanders looked more like the team that was playing to stay alive. They were constantly beating Panthers to the puck, outshooting them, using the body, stretching the ice, etc. They have the killer instinct that the Cats sorely lack.

Why You Should Be Mad

Failure to execute on the ice is a major reason. But there’s a bit more to it...

When the new ownership took over a few years back, they wanted to put their stamp on the organization, so they brought in some new people and revamped the aesthetic.

The team was on an upward trend (big thanks to Gerard), and the new owners felt they be would ushering in a new era of Florida Panthers hockey - complete with a new look.

Only...it hasn’t happened (aside from the new sweaters).

Personally, I don’t believe the new ownership has done much of anything to truly improve the team. They’ve coasted the last few years on the idea (backed by expert opinion) that the Cats are the “next big thing.”

But, let’s face it, they’re not. They certainly haven’t proved it.

They’re still mired in mediocrity - unable to take that next step in their perceived evolutionary trajectory.

They were busy with signings heading into this season, but nothing that really made the impact they needed - save for Acciari.

What I don’t understand is that everyone in the hockey world knew Florida desperately needed to bulk up the defense, yet, when it came down to it, nothing was done to really make an impact on the backend. I guess they felt Stralman was the answer? Maybe the deals weren’t out there? But, man...failing to strengthen the blueline was a huge swing and miss.

Rolling the dice with a lot of money on Bob didn’t look too promising during the regular season, though he pulled it together for the NYI series, but he’s still a big question mark (with an even bigger price tag).

This morning the news that many of us saw coming, was announced:



The Cats won’t renew Tallon’s contract after it expires this year. It makes sense. He was there for 10 years, and like many GMs, had some wins and losses. Fans were split on him, with many holding him responsible for the Cats mediocrity over the years, and others liking his moves.

Personally, I like Tallon. I think he had some “ehh” signings, but what GM hasn’t? However, in the end, it’s probably time for a change. Get a fresh perspective in there.

But let me ask this...do you have faith in this ownership bringing in the right person?

My hesitation stems from the firing of Gallant with the idea of replacing him with analytics. That completely derailed this team for awhile. Maybe they’ll do the same thing with the GM? They won’t get a hockey guy, but more of a numbers guy. Or worse...a friend they’re hooking up with a gig. Haha. We’ll have to see how it shakes out with whoever they bring in and the kind of philosophy they have.

I would have liked to see Pronger take the role and see what he could do with it, but what can you do.

To me, Tallon should be the tip of the iceberg. It’s easy to blame everything on him, but the reality is that there might be some changes that need to be made with the brass as well.

Speaking of Changes...

Let’s chat about Florida’s “big guns.”

Barky, Huby, Ekblad, Hoffman, etc., are expected to deliver on a regular basis. For as talented as they can be (especially the first two), they are just as talented at disappearing.

One of the most frustrating things watching this team is seeing the guys who are paid/touted to be “the guys,” not be “the guys” on a regular basis, or worse, in big game situations - like we saw in this Islanders series and years prior.

The pattern seems to be that these players show up in lower pressure situations, but when the stakes are high, they can’t elevate their play to get to that level. They sometimes can’t elevate their play throughout the regular season, either.

So what do you do?

They’ve tried getting complimentary guys and they don’t always seem to “click” consistently. And some of these secondary guys (Connolly, Daddy, etc.) just don't deliver.

Is it time for a true shake up? Is that what it will take to get out of this purgatory the Cats find themselves in? Do they need to risk taking a step back in order to move forward eventually?

Being the perennial “next thing” and never taking that title and actually running with it is getting very old...

The scheme needs tweaking, too. When you look around the league at the stronger teams, they operate like a machine, with all four lines churning/producing relentlessly.

That isn’t something that seems to be in the Panthers DNA, unfortunately.

Is it the coaching? A lack of talent or drive? All three? It’s hard to figure out, but we know something needs to change and we’ve known for a while.

The fact that we have to keep discussing this is frustrating in itself...

________________

So here we are again...another season ends in disappointing fashion and we’re left wondering where we go from here.

A lot of folks are happy to have the 12.5% chance of getting the #1 draft pick for Lafreniere, but I would rather see the Cats in the playoffs.

The fact is this: It’s another year gone, everyone’s a year older and the little further away from getting to where they need to be.

It should be interesting to see how things unfold the next few months...

Switching gears a bit...with the Panthers out, what teams are you pulling for now?
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