Matt Ross: A Meeting with The Bobs: Grading the Panthers First Month

Hey Matt,
While I generally agree with your individual points and comments, I think you might have missed some high-level perspective. I give the Panthers a "B" so far. The primary reason? They are in a playoff spot. The past 3 years have been slow starts (aka slow motion disasters) that the team has not been able to overcome with late season surges. This year, with a tough opening schedule, the Panthers have basically held their own. I think the goal for all Panthers fans was to start the season better, don't dig a hole, play full 60-minute games, and allow Q time to build the structures and culture necessary to do well in the playoffs. It hasn't always been pretty, but I think they're on track. "On track" isn't something we've seen for a while and I think that merits a solid B.

Go Panthers!

Hey Matt,
While I generally agree with your individual points and comments, I think you might have missed some high-level perspective. I give the Panthers a "B" so far. The primary reason? They are in a playoff spot. The past 3 years have been slow starts (aka slow motion disasters) that the team has not been able to overcome with late season surges. This year, with a tough opening schedule, the Panthers have basically held their own. I think the goal for all Panthers fans was to start the season better, don't dig a hole, play full 60-minute games, and allow Q time to build the structures and culture necessary to do well in the playoffs. It hasn't always been pretty, but I think they're on track. "On track" isn't something we've seen for a while and I think that merits a solid B.

Go Panthers!
- JimboCoppertone

Great points, Jimbo

I totally understand where you’re coming from. This is a good start against a tough schedule for a team that has had historically bad starts. I think I’m just a tough “teacher” at times. Haha. I’m obviously pumped they’re in a playoff position, but it’s early. Had the “grading” been done a couple months from now and they were holding a playoff spot, I would have thrown out a better grade.

They’re right there IMO, I just could give the B yet...a nice, solid C+ (almost B-/B) is where I see them.

I love that Q’s system is taking over and these guys are “getting it.” They just need to tighten some things up and win the games they should win (like tonight for example) and the ones that they’re ahead...

But I’m not an expert, man. That’s the beauty about our little Panthers community...I love the discussions...Glad you chimes in, Jimbo!

Me:




BTW-not sure if you saw, but Hawryluk is out at least a month with an upper body injury.

Nice work you do here, Matt. Thank you.
I haven't been at all worried about Bob's play. The stats are very misleading as to how he has played. There's only been a few goals where I've thought he maybe could've done better. There hasn't been a game yet where goalie play has cost them a game, but there's been many where Bob held them in and gave them the chance to win. He has made huge saves and he has been solid. They would've been run out of Denver without Bob in the second period. I noticed that Bob hasn't worn his "new" mask yet, he's still wearing the one with the leaping panther.

Nice work you do here, Matt. Thank you.
I haven't been at all worried about Bob's play. The stats are very misleading as to how he has played. There's only been a few goals where I've thought he maybe could've done better. There hasn't been a game yet where goalie play has cost them a game, but there's been many where Bob held them in and gave them the chance to win. He has made huge saves and he has been solid. They would've been run out of Denver without Bob in the second period. I noticed that Bob hasn't worn his "new" mask yet, he's still wearing the one with the leaping panther.
- Ratsreign

Thanks, Rats. It’s really nice hearing that. I never really know if you guys dig the blogs. I sometimes think they’re too boring/repetitive, or lack the “insider” approach that you guys probably want, etc...

I like our little Panthers community here and I’m trying to get the blogs to be better.