Matt Ross: 60 Minute Effort Needed, Rags in Town

Good points Matt.

In my view, Q has them slightly ahead of schedule. I agree about the inconsistency. But the Cats have to overcome serious poor structures, weak schemes, bad habits and tendencies that grew and festered for 3 years under Rowe and Boughner. Q has them going down the learning curve and you can see the improvement (and vastly higher expectations) with your own eyes. But 20 games doesn't move you from poor to elite; there is a lot to unlearn as well as a lot to learn. And, a big part of that is developing the experience, chemistry, and knowledge of playing together on the ice and knowing where your team mates will be and when. With Bob in particular, I think there is a longer transition period required because of the new team, new team mates, new coach, new structure, new home, family relocation, etc. When he gets comfortable, the Panthers could be lights-out good, but that's yet to come (hopefully soon).

Given the tough Panthers schedule and its road-heavy nature to open the season, the fact the Panthers are in a playoff spot now is a huge positive. For the past 3 years, we dug ourselves a hole by Nov 1 we couldn't climb out of. Look where we are now. Average opponent win percentage is going to drop substantially and we have a virtual month-long homestand coming up. The Jets game was frustrating because they should have had that game won at the end of period 1 and got too cute, then lost control... and the game. But I've seen Q drive those bad little experiences out of the system by the next game.

In short, expectations are higher; team play is improving; experience and confidence are growing; success and comebacks are happening and reinforcing; and a circle of successful self-fulfilling prophecies is starting. I think things are aligning, but it can be frustrating to watch at times.

Good points Matt.

In my view, Q has them slightly ahead of schedule. I agree about the inconsistency. But the Cats have to overcome serious poor structures, weak schemes, bad habits and tendencies that grew and festered for 3 years under Rowe and Boughner. Q has them going down the learning curve and you can see the improvement (and vastly higher expectations) with your own eyes. But 20 games doesn't move you from poor to elite; there is a lot to unlearn as well as a lot to learn. And, a big part of that is developing the experience, chemistry, and knowledge of playing together on the ice and knowing where your team mates will be and when. With Bob in particular, I think there is a longer transition period required because of the new team, new team mates, new coach, new structure, new home, family relocation, etc. When he gets comfortable, the Panthers could be lights-out good, but that's yet to come (hopefully soon).

Given the tough Panthers schedule and its road-heavy nature to open the season, the fact the Panthers are in a playoff spot now is a huge positive. For the past 3 years, we dug ourselves a hole by Nov 1 we couldn't climb out of. Look where we are now. Average opponent win percentage is going to drop substantially and we have a virtual month-long homestand coming up. The Jets game was frustrating because they should have had that game won at the end of period 1 and got too cute, then lost control... and the game. But I've seen Q drive those bad little experiences out of the system by the next game.

In short, expectations are higher; team play is improving; experience and confidence are growing; success and comebacks are happening and reinforcing; and a circle of successful self-fulfilling prophecies is starting. I think things are aligning, but it can be frustrating to watch at times.
- JimboCoppertone

Jimbo -

Great thoughts, and as usual, I agree with you.

The direction is upwards, but there’s a lot of work ahead of them that needs to continue in order to get to where we think they can be.

If it all ends up “clicking” at some point, I think they can be a dangerous squad - it’s just a matter of unlocking the talent and getting there.

The case of Bob will be interesting to watch as the season goes on...

Well said Jimbo. And another quality blog, Matt.
Consistency is the key. They've shown many times already this season that they can come back. I hope they stop their frequency of having to do so. They are getting better on D, but still show a tendency to puck watch and lose their check. They also still too often try the cute pass attempts around either blue line that lead to turnovers and problems. The last two games were the first where I thought Bob let the team down. I'm not too worried about him, yet. A work in progress, still things that must improve, but I like what I've seen so far. Go Panthers!!

Well said Jimbo. And another quality blog, Matt.
Consistency is the key. They've shown many times already this season that they can come back. I hope they stop their frequency of having to do so. They are getting better on D, but still show a tendency to puck watch and lose their check. They also still too often try the cute pass attempts around either blue line that lead to turnovers and problems. The last two games were the first where I thought Bob let the team down. I'm not too worried about him, yet. A work in progress, still things that must improve, but I like what I've seen so far. Go Panthers!!
- Ratsreign

Thanks a bunch, Rats and right on in your analysis

Tonight should be interesting. I think it’s really important that they get that lead and hold it.

The defense sucks and Our new goalie isn’t worth the contract. Plus we get nothing from the other three lines. It’s Barkovs line or nothing.

I realize that the defense is not very good but Bobrovsky has not been anywhere near what a 10 million dollar goalie should be. He has been caught back in his net and totally out of position many times this season. We are winning in spite of him because of goal scoring. As a big Matheson critic from last year, I think his play has improved immensely from last year, Credit the coach for this. If Bobrovsky doesn't get his act together it will catch up with this team and lead to another disappointing season.

I realize that the defense is not very good but Bobrovsky has not been anywhere near what a 10 million dollar goalie should be. He has been caught back in his net and totally out of position many times this season. We are winning in spite of him because of goal scoring. As a big Matheson critic from last year, I think his play has improved immensely from last year, Credit the coach for this. If Bobrovsky doesn't get his act together it will catch up with this team and lead to another disappointing season.
- edge1

Hey Edge -

Totally agree with you on Matheson. There’s a lot of potential with him that needs to be ironed out.

Yep on Bob...haha.

I agrea about Matheson. He has benefited the most from Q. He has gone from a piss poor, totally crappy defenseman to just a plain old crappy defenseman.
Yandle, Ekblad, Weeger are playing well. Brown is acceptable. Pysyk and Matherson suck.

We've been expecting and waiting for Hunt to pop in a few goals to go along with his hustle and forechecking. But it just hasn't happened, still a little surprising to see him waived so they can send him to Springfield (if he clears). Havent heard who they are calling up to replace him.

We've been expecting and waiting for Hunt to pop in a few goals to go along with his hustle and forechecking. But it just hasn't happened, still a little surprising to see him waived so they can send him to Springfield (if he clears). Havent heard who they are calling up to replace him.
- Ratsreign

Rats - I was really surprised, too. Sure, would love for him to be scoring, but he felt like an important cog on that very good fourth line. I hope he clears.

Rats - I was really surprised, too. Sure, would love for him to be scoring, but he felt like an important cog on that very good fourth line. I hope he clears.
- Matt Ross

While I was surprised, I did see some stats that show he has been steadily regressing as they go. Coach Q had this to say, per David Dwork tweet,
"Q said he wants Hunt to play and produce while in Springfield. When asked if he wants Hunt to get back to his scoring ways (0.8 ppg last two years in AHL), Q gave the quote of the day. “I don’t care if you’re on the fourth line, you’re still allowed to score.” 😂 #FlaPanthers"

Toninato recalled. He played well when he was up before Vinny returned.