Matt Ross: Spinning Tires: Complacency Kills

It's gotta be frustrating but as an outsider I have to think the GM is at fault here.

Firing Gallant was insane... but drafting Spencer Knight and then signing Bob long term seems like mismanagement. Results aside the Bob contract is just crazy...

Anyway, my team is doing worse so that thing about living in glass houses...

It's gotta be frustrating but as an outsider I have to think the GM is at fault here.

Firing Gallant was insane... but drafting Spencer Knight and then signing Bob long term seems like mismanagement. Results aside the Bob contract is just crazy...

Anyway, my team is doing worse so that thing about living in glass houses...
- Queenie_5_hole

Totally agreed with you on the Knight/Bob strangeness...I do think Tallon helped bring some guys to the Cats who might not have thought to sign there, and I think he was instrumental in getting Q to sign on - we’ll see if that works out.

Man...I like the Devils, too. Bummed to see them going through a rough patch the last few seasons. Just seems like they’re all over the place with their signings and don’t have/can’t commit a plan. I had high hopes from them after their pretty exciting offseason/TDL.

Should be interesting to see what Walsh can bring.

After watching the Islanders series, the fans should be mad. You are right, Matt. This was a huge opportunity to take the next step as a team and for individual player's careers. Instead, it was afternoon tea, with all the effort and physicality that brings.

Tallon is the first step, but it certainly is not all his fault or on him. The mistake here will be thinking that a new GM change will turn this team around and nothing could be further from the truth.

Yandle needs to go. The iron man streak needs to end. Except for the PP, the man is a complete liability on ice. His power play points are good, but his play lacks urgency, energy, and any sign of emotion. I'd rather see him selling beer in the stands, at least they could recoup some of the investment in him.

Barkov still hasn't learned how to take over a game. Playing great when nothing is on the line isn't impressive any more. He needs to learn how to take over a game and turn losers into winners, like Crosby, Tavares, Kane, etc. Showing up big at big times is key and he's not there; not even close. Instead, he's the Panthers' David Copperfield--now you see him, now you don't.

Huberdeau is probably the real star who hasn't hit his ceiling yet. But if you're a pass-first guy and everyone knows it, you better pass to guys who can put the puck in the net. It seems that's only Hoffman and he's as good as gone. So, Huby better learn ASAP to shoot when the opportunities present themselves. It doesn't matter if Huby shoots and misses or passes to someone else who misses. If he shoots, that at least removes the risk of the interception or the so-common traffic deflection. He needs to round out his game.

Matheson. I'm done with his potential. Like half the team or more (and all the defense except maybe Weegar and Ekblad), he can't play under pressure. He can't think quick enough for the NHL. The penalties in this series were outrageous game killers. He can sell beer on the other side of the arena.

Q has his hands full. I am disappointed to say that I didn't see any systemic changes in defensive structure or approach, no changes to a lethargic power play, same basic penalty kill, and basically the same offense as under Boughner. I hope he is bringing more experience and strategy to the team than just the line blender. I can't understand why our hockey game was the same after New Years as it was in October. I never saw any sign of player motivation, just a lot of smiling and going through the motions.

The Panthers problems are bigger than the GM or any individual player or two. The whole concept is wrong and needs fixing. I just hope there's time because it's not looking good.

The problem that stemmed from this qualifier experiment was that one of toronto or florida was guaranteed a playoff spot yet both are sidelined maybe should of had a mini series between the 2 to see who gets the spot

Jimbo just saved me a lot of writing.

Bah rangers! It was a longshot anyway

Bah rangers! It was a longshot anyway
- Shynes57

Panthers pick 12.
Who's it gonna be?

After watching the Islanders series, the fans should be mad. You are right, Matt. This was a huge opportunity to take the next step as a team and for individual player's careers. Instead, it was afternoon tea, with all the effort and physicality that brings.

Tallon is the first step, but it certainly is not all his fault or on him. The mistake here will be thinking that a new GM change will turn this team around and nothing could be further from the truth.

Yandle needs to go. The iron man streak needs to end. Except for the PP, the man is a complete liability on ice. His power play points are good, but his play lacks urgency, energy, and any sign of emotion. I'd rather see him selling beer in the stands, at least they could recoup some of the investment in him.

Barkov still hasn't learned how to take over a game. Playing great when nothing is on the line isn't impressive any more. He needs to learn how to take over a game and turn losers into winners, like Crosby, Tavares, Kane, etc. Showing up big at big times is key and he's not there; not even close. Instead, he's the Panthers' David Copperfield--now you see him, now you don't.

Huberdeau is probably the real star who hasn't hit his ceiling yet. But if you're a pass-first guy and everyone knows it, you better pass to guys who can put the puck in the net. It seems that's only Hoffman and he's as good as gone. So, Huby better learn ASAP to shoot when the opportunities present themselves. It doesn't matter if Huby shoots and misses or passes to someone else who misses. If he shoots, that at least removes the risk of the interception or the so-common traffic deflection. He needs to round out his game.

Matheson. I'm done with his potential. Like half the team or more (and all the defense except maybe Weegar and Ekblad), he can't play under pressure. He can't think quick enough for the NHL. The penalties in this series were outrageous game killers. He can sell beer on the other side of the arena.

Q has his hands full. I am disappointed to say that I didn't see any systemic changes in defensive structure or approach, no changes to a lethargic power play, same basic penalty kill, and basically the same offense as under Boughner. I hope he is bringing more experience and strategy to the team than just the line blender. I can't understand why our hockey game was the same after New Years as it was in October. I never saw any sign of player motivation, just a lot of smiling and going through the motions.

The Panthers problems are bigger than the GM or any individual player or two. The whole concept is wrong and needs fixing. I just hope there's time because it's not looking good.
- JimboCoppertone

Totally nailed it, Jimbo!

Jimbo just saved me a lot of writing.
- Ratsreign

Same here

Panthers pick 12.
Who's it gonna be?
- Ratsreign

Haha. I need to start looking into the picks and doing some research.

Bah rangers! It was a longshot anyway
- Shynes57

Got swept and wound up with the #1 pick. I don’t think it would happen, but it would be wild if they flipped it for a haul.

Got swept and wound up with the #1 pick. I don’t think it would happen, but it would be wild if they flipped it for a haul.
- Matt Ross

At least one of the top three teams in the lottery didn't win, much internet outrage avoided, lol.
😉A Great time to slide the #1 pick into the Big Apple media market, only a year after their jumping up to #2 pick. 😏

Just wondering what any of the Florida Fans think about the Hextall rumor.

Just wondering what any of the Florida Fans think about the Hextall rumor.
- Djapana

I’m curious about it. I liked him as a player growing up.

What’s the fan consensus about his work with the Flyers? I didn’t/don’t really follow them, so I’m not sure about his tenure there.

I’m curious about it. I liked him as a player growing up.

What’s the fan consensus about his work with the Flyers? I didn’t/don’t really follow them, so I’m not sure about his tenure there.
- Matt Ross

Hextall was very good at obtaining prospects, draft picks and clearing cap space.
Very poor at signing UFA’s or obtaining players in trades that could help the present team.
Always seemed to be looking a year or two down the road without improving the current team on the ice and no time table for when things should improve.
Hired a poor coach and stuck with him way to long.
When he left all sorts derogatory statements came out about inner circles, spies, and a sour working environment. I believe this last reason is why he hasn’t been seriously considered for another GM spot to date. IMO

In regards to the prospects, the Flyers are enjoying the fruits of his labor at present.

Herman, Jones or Ekblad? Who ya got?

Hextall was very good at obtaining prospects, draft picks and clearing cap space.
Very poor at signing UFA’s or obtaining players in trades that could help the present team.
Always seemed to be looking a year or two down the road without improving the current team on the ice and no time table for when things should improve.
Hired a poor coach and stuck with him way to long.
When he left all sorts derogatory statements came out about inner circles, spies, and a sour working environment. I believe this last reason is why he hasn’t been seriously considered for another GM spot to date. IMO

In regards to the prospects, the Flyers are enjoying the fruits of his labor at present.
- Djapana

Interesting. Thanks for the insight! I remember hearing there was some friction with him, but I always thought it was more him wanting to do his thing.

Curious where (if anywhere) he winds up.

Herman, Jones or Ekblad? Who ya got?
- harveykline

Damn you're still here?

Please don’t hire Mellenby, I’ve had enough of the rat nonsense. I want new blood

Please don’t hire Mellenby, I’ve had enough of the rat nonsense. I want new blood
- harveykline

There is no correlation anymore. Since retiring as a player, he has held various positions at the executive level and has also served as an assistant coach. Ironically when traded to the Blues he played for... Joel Quennville. Being a GM is the next logical career step for him. If he has the right ideas and it makes sense, hire him.

There is no correlation anymore. Since retiring as a player, he has held various positions at the executive level and has also served as an assistant coach. Ironically when traded to the Blues he played for... Joel Quennville. Being a GM is the next logical career step for him. If he has the right ideas and it makes sense, hire him.
- Panthers88

No correlation, are you serious? This fickle fan base still occasionally throw rats when we win. New blood, new results

Ekblad and tippet

For

Marner and Dermott

Ekblad and tippet

For

Marner and Dermott
- BrainSap

I’m in

No correlation, are you serious? This fickle fan base still occasionally throw rats when we win. New blood, new results
- harveykline

And if your old, no-longer ripe self recalls, Mellanby was the one player to get on the score board before every game and ask the fans to not do it. And the fan base is going to throw rats on the ice no matter who they hire.