Before last season Tkachuk's high in pts was 77. There is the chance he reverts to form which includes missing a whole lot of games due to injury. I like swinging for the fences but Huberdeau for Tkachuk alone, I'm not making this deal. Time will tell but I would temper the enthusiasm
- Hardbalz

I’m going to stick with the enthusiasm until they hit the skids or something.

Like you said, time will tell, but for right now, I’m just pumped for hockey to start and for this deal.

I’m going to stick with the enthusiasm until they hit the skids or something.

Like you said, time will tell, but for right now, I’m just pumped for hockey to start and for this deal.
- Matt Ross

This was a good move for the panthers. He adds an element the panthers were lacking. Anyone who says otherwise is a hater.

This was a good move for the panthers. He adds an element the panthers were lacking. Anyone who says otherwise is a hater.
- Cptmjl

Totally! He is a huge get for a sorely needed element to this Panthers DNA.

This was a good move for the panthers. He adds an element the panthers were lacking. Anyone who says otherwise is a hater.
- Cptmjl

A hater? Hardly. Huberdeau finished second in league scoring. He's 29 not 39. Never mind Weegar, the first and the prospect. Not a fan of either team but I am an astute hockey fan. I don't believe any seasoned hockey follower thought the Flames would bring in this type of return. The Calgary braintrust must have been doing high fives when they hung up the phone. Like I said. Time will tell

Totally! He is a huge get for a sorely needed element to this Panthers DNA.
- Matt Ross

Lomberg, Bennett and now Tkachuk, how much more sandpaper do the Flames have to gift you? We have a slightly used Lucic that Zito might be interested in, well take another 1st for him as we all know he’ll add to that missing element.

A hater? Hardly. Huberdeau finished second in league scoring. He's 29 not 39. Never mind Weegar, the first and the prospect. Not a fan of either team but I am an astute hockey fan. I don't believe any seasoned hockey follower thought the Flames would bring in this type of return. The Calgary braintrust must have been doing high fives when they hung up the phone. Like I said. Time will tell
- Hardbalz

I’m not saying the Flames did bad but the Panthers had to change it up a bit. Huberdeau is a good player but he’s pretty one dimensional and got shut down last series. Was soft as charmin whenever we played the cats. Couple that with having to resign him to a monster contract on a team composed of players in the top 6 that have a lot of the same, exact, attributes, I believe it was a good trade for the panthers.

Lomberg, Bennett and now Tkachuk, how much more sandpaper do the Flames have to gift you? We have a slightly used Lucic that Zito might be interested in, well take another 1st for him as we all know he’ll add to that missing element.
- K-man25

Haha

I hate not knowing the outcome. Can we please start the season early?

I'm telling you we have a tough team now. In-your-face, smash-mouth hockey, that's what I'm talking about. It will get people out of their seats. That entertainment. Before that we had too many finnese players that tried the one to many passes.

Missin’ Curfew with some Panthers nostalgia 🔥

https://www.instagram.com...m_source=ig_web_copy_link

I'm telling you we have a tough team now. In-your-face, smash-mouth hockey, that's what I'm talking about. It will get people out of their seats. That entertainment. Before that we had too many finnese players that tried the one to many passes.
- madhatter56

You have to have people in the seats before they can actually get out of their seats.

You have to have people in the seats before they can actually get out of their seats.
- Phillywhiteout

You have to have people in the seats before they can actually get out of their seats.
- Phillywhiteout

Yes, I'm sorry for you. There is no legion of Doom anymore. They are the Philadelphia cream cheese now. No Remberg, Lindros or LeClair. Fletcher has destroyed that team.

Excellent summary, Matt! Thank you.

A few extra points for pondering:

1. Florida gets 24-year old Tkachuk locked in for 8 years versus a year of Huberdeau and Weegar. If Huberdeau got signed long-term, it would have been starting his age-30 year and been for too long at a similar price. It's hard to see Huby go, but this is a good trade for the Panthers.

2. Weegar is a solid D and was well capable of supporting the fast, explosive Panther offense. But when D was the focus in the playoffs, Weegar wasn't up to the task in the high-risk situations. I like Weegar and will miss him, but I don't think he is the top-pairing defender that the media is making him out to be. I didn't see any scenario where the Panthers could keep/sign Weegar beyond this year. I hope he gets paid when he re-signs wherever.

3. Zito sending messages:
a. IMHO, Panthers failed in the playoffs due to poor coaching and preparation. The entire coaching staff got cleared out. I hope Maurice is the right guy (not sure about that) but the prior staff was totally not ready for prime time. In particular, it was disgusting watching the power play go 0/30 without any observable adjustments. Message: "results matter."

b. For too long, the hockey fans and world watched the Panthers tolerate night after night of poor effort and soft playing in Yandle (and others) while chasing personal records at team expense. I always felt that had to be demoralizing to the ones who were really trying and committed. By buying out Yandle before the record, he sent the message of "team first."

c. I already said the primary blame for the disturbing playoff performance was poor coaching and preparation. However, it doesn't go unnoticed that Weegar and Huberdeau were the primary lightning rods for player performance. Weegar took the penalty 15 seconds into game 1 of the Tampa series and made the turnover that led to the goal with 3 seconds left that proved to be the series crusher. Huberdeau, to the very end, seemed committed to passing through every defender on the ice on every Panther power play throughout 2 series and 0 for 30 success rate. You can't win if you have to overcome those kind of mistakes. Message: "personal accountability matters - play smart or you're not safe."

Perhaps too much of trade analysis is looking at the players and the who-won-it angle. Zito is not only building a team, he is really trying to establish a whole new culture of winning and responsibility that the Panthers haven't had previously. With this trade and his other moves, I think he is moving the team in the right direction for long-term success and sending some clear messages to the team, management and staff, and the fan base.

Go Panthers!

I am still not convinced the Panthers hired the right coach and I am skeptical about the defense moving forward. I think the deal is superb but there are still some holes in the swiss cheese.

Excellent summary, Matt! Thank you.

A few extra points for pondering:

1. Florida gets 24-year old Tkachuk locked in for 8 years versus a year of Huberdeau and Weegar. If Huberdeau got signed long-term, it would have been starting his age-30 year and been for too long at a similar price. It's hard to see Huby go, but this is a good trade for the Panthers.

2. Weegar is a solid D and was well capable of supporting the fast, explosive Panther offense. But when D was the focus in the playoffs, Weegar wasn't up to the task in the high-risk situations. I like Weegar and will miss him, but I don't think he is the top-pairing defender that the media is making him out to be. I didn't see any scenario where the Panthers could keep/sign Weegar beyond this year. I hope he gets paid when he re-signs wherever.

3. Zito sending messages:
a. IMHO, Panthers failed in the playoffs due to poor coaching and preparation. The entire coaching staff got cleared out. I hope Maurice is the right guy (not sure about that) but the prior staff was totally not ready for prime time. In particular, it was disgusting watching the power play go 0/30 without any observable adjustments. Message: "results matter."

b. For too long, the hockey fans and world watched the Panthers tolerate night after night of poor effort and soft playing in Yandle (and others) while chasing personal records at team expense. I always felt that had to be demoralizing to the ones who were really trying and committed. By buying out Yandle before the record, he sent the message of "team first."

c. I already said the primary blame for the disturbing playoff performance was poor coaching and preparation. However, it doesn't go unnoticed that Weegar and Huberdeau were the primary lightning rods for player performance. Weegar took the penalty 15 seconds into game 1 of the Tampa series and made the turnover that led to the goal with 3 seconds left that proved to be the series crusher. Huberdeau, to the very end, seemed committed to passing through every defender on the ice on every Panther power play throughout 2 series and 0 for 30 success rate. You can't win if you have to overcome those kind of mistakes. Message: "personal accountability matters - play smart or you're not safe."

Perhaps too much of trade analysis is looking at the players and the who-won-it angle. Zito is not only building a team, he is really trying to establish a whole new culture of winning and responsibility that the Panthers haven't had previously. With this trade and his other moves, I think he is moving the team in the right direction for long-term success and sending some clear messages to the team, management and staff, and the fan base.

Go Panthers!
- JimboCoppertone

You guys will love Chucky, he’s a very entertaining player. Getting smarter as he matures, hopefully Maurice can keep him even more focused than Sutter could last year.
I’m thinking a happy Tkachuk will be a good Panther for many years, he’ll easily pot 90-110 pts a year for many more to come.
Hope he finds more success in Florida.

I'm telling you we have a tough team now. In-your-face, smash-mouth hockey, that's what I'm talking about. It will get people out of their seats. That entertainment. Before that we had too many finnese players that tried the one to many passes.
- madhatter56

Pffft!
1 player doesn’t suddenly make you tougher, Chucky will try to drag the team to battle but if no one follows it won’t matter. Team toughness come from a team effort not suddenly adding 1 player. Maybe a combination of Lomberg and Benny will help, but who else plays a physical style? Holmqvist is trade bait for cap compliance, Gudas is tough, but who else have you added to become a tougher team?

Pffft!
1 player doesn’t suddenly make you tougher, Chucky will try to drag the team to battle but if no one follows it won’t matter. Team toughness come from a team effort not suddenly adding 1 player. Maybe a combination of Lomberg and Benny will help, but who else plays a physical style? Holmqvist is trade bait for cap compliance, Gudas is tough, but who else have you added to become a tougher team?
- K-man25

Supposedly Bob has been watching old Billy Smith highlights

You guys will love Chucky, he’s a very entertaining player. Getting smarter as he matures, hopefully Maurice can keep him even more focused than Sutter could last year.
I’m thinking a happy Tkachuk will be a good Panther for many years, he’ll easily pot 90-110 pts a year for many more to come.
Hope he finds more success in Florida.
- K-man25

Easily? His career high was 77 prior to last seasons explosion. 90 seems doable. 110 is at the very least a stretch

Easily? His career high was 77 prior to last seasons explosion. 90 seems doable. 110 is at the very least a stretch
- Hardbalz

His center for all those other years was Micheal Backlund.He’ll play on the top line with Barkov, he’s 24 and is getting better. Say what you want about him, he’s a smart player that’s figuring out his role in the show.

Sam Bennett was drafted 4th overall, posted 36 pts his rookie season not bad.

Next summer Tkachuk was drafted at 6th overall, was gifted #2LW with Backlund. Sam Bennett was sentenced to the 3rd line that whole year, his numbers took at hit, until he finally demands a trade after the same treatment following another strong playoff performance by him.

Last season - Tkachuk was put on the 1st line with a prodigious playmaker and a complete #1C - posts 110pts. Bennett also saw a huge points increase playing with Huberdeau.

Next season:
1. Tkachuk will remain with a #1C, loses the benefit of a gifted playmaker
2. Bennett loses his line's playmaker
3. Very possible animosity between Tkachuk-Bennett comes into play

It'll be very interesting to watch those dynamics next season. I'm predicting both Tkachuk and Bennett will be unable to get as many points this season as they did in the last. I won't be surprised if Bennett fights Tkachuk in practice or the following training camp. In an interview last summer, Sutter went on record and said there were entitlement issues in Calgary. I think we sold high on Tkachuk, time will tell.

Sam Bennett was drafted 4th overall, posted 36 pts his rookie season not bad.

Next summer Tkachuk was drafted at 6th overall, was gifted #2LW with Backlund. Sam Bennett was sentenced to the 3rd line that whole year, his numbers took at hit, until he finally demands a trade after the same treatment following another strong playoff performance by him.

Last season - Tkachuk was put on the 1st line with a prodigious playmaker and a complete #1C - posts 110pts. Bennett also saw a huge points increase playing with Huberdeau.

Next season:
1. Tkachuk will remain with a #1C, loses the benefit of a gifted playmaker
2. Bennett loses his line's playmaker
3. Very possible animosity between Tkachuk-Bennett comes into play

It'll be very interesting to watch those dynamics next season. I'm predicting both Tkachuk and Bennett will be unable to get as many points this season as they did in the last. I won't be surprised if Bennett fights Tkachuk in practice or the following training camp. In an interview last summer, Sutter went on record and said there were entitlement issues in Calgary. I think we sold high on Tkachuk, time will tell.
- eastcanadAREaholes

1. Tkachuk is not losing the benefit of a gifted playmaker
2. Bennett loved playing with Hubie, but there are still plenty of talented wingers here.
3. Is there any documented history of them having problems with each other in Calgary? Time will tell how Tkachuk fits in with his Panthers teammates.

1. Tkachuk is not losing the benefit of a gifted playmaker
2. Bennett loved playing with Hubie, but there are still plenty of talented wingers here.
3. Is there any documented history of them having problems with each other in Calgary? Time will tell how Tkachuk fits in with his Panthers teammates.
- Ratsreign

Tkachuk-Barkov-Rhinehart
Could be close to Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk, but then you're taking Bennett's playmaker away, leaving you with Verheage-Bennett-Duclaire

Verheage-Barkov-Tkachuk
That's a step down for Tkachuk

As for Tkachuk-Bennett, yes there is. Like I said, Tkachuk showed up(drafted) and they threw Bennett under the bus. He suffered on the 3rd line for a few years, played well in the playoffs - and the next season instead of playing him at C on the 3rd or moving him to the 2nd line - they kept him on the wings on the 3rd/4th lines - Sam Bennett then demanded a trade. For it to get to a trade demand, he obviously wasn't happy behind closed doors. Just think about it, Tkachuk shows up for the 2nd time, and this time it costs Sam his 2nd line top playmaker in Huberdeau. I think Calgary learned the hard way that players need to be treated fairly, and I think Sutter's brought that back. Officially, our post-Iginla rebuild failed and putting Tkachuk & Bennett on the same team again at a minimum is a yellow flag.

Tkachuk-Barkov-Rhinehart
Could be close to Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk, but then you're taking Bennett's playmaker away, leaving you with Verheage-Bennett-Duclaire

Verheage-Barkov-Tkachuk
That's a step down for Tkachuk

As for Tkachuk-Bennett, yes there is. Like I said, Tkachuk showed up(drafted) and they threw Bennett under the bus. He suffered on the 3rd line for a few years, played well in the playoffs - and the next season instead of playing him at C on the 3rd or moving him to the 2nd line - they kept him on the wings on the 3rd/4th lines - Sam Bennett then demanded a trade. For it to get to a trade demand, he obviously wasn't happy behind closed doors. Just think about it, Tkachuk shows up for the 2nd time, and this time it costs Sam his 2nd line top playmaker in Huberdeau. I think Calgary learned the hard way that players need to be treated fairly, and I think Sutter's brought that back. Officially, our post-Iginla rebuild failed and putting Tkachuk & Bennett on the same team again at a minimum is a yellow flag.
- eastcanadAREaholes

Tkachuk-Barkov-Rhinehart
Could be close to Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk, but then you're taking Bennett's playmaker away, leaving you with Verheage-Bennett-Duclaire

Verheage-Barkov-Tkachuk
That's a step down for Tkachuk

As for Tkachuk-Bennett, yes there is. Like I said, Tkachuk showed up(drafted) and they threw Bennett under the bus. He suffered on the 3rd line for a few years, played well in the playoffs - and the next season instead of playing him at C on the 3rd or moving him to the 2nd line - they kept him on the wings on the 3rd/4th lines - Sam Bennett then demanded a trade. For it to get to a trade demand, he obviously wasn't happy behind closed doors. Just think about it, Tkachuk shows up for the 2nd time, and this time it costs Sam his 2nd line top playmaker in Huberdeau. I think Calgary learned the hard way that players need to be treated fairly, and I think Sutter's brought that back. Officially, our post-Iginla rebuild failed and putting Tkachuk & Bennett on the same team again at a minimum is a yellow flag.
- eastcanadAREaholes

Doesn’t mean Sam holds it against Tkachuk, seems like Sam’s problem would be with Calgary’s coaches/management.