Matt Ross: What’s Next?

I just dont see any place that can afford bob cap wise as a destination he is willing to go. Also he did show up in the playoffs while everyone s$hit the bed. I might even say trade ekblad and weegar as a package if able. I lost all hope for weegar in the playoffs. As much as i dont dislike ekblad in any way hes 2 years in a row with leg injuries. Is he damaged goods? The yandle buyout kills us for this year. At least with zito dealing all the picks we wont have any picks to sign for quite some time after this lot we currently have

Three way trade for Bob? For example Panthers retain 3M and trade him to team X. Team X retains up to half of the remaining 7M and trades him to Team Y. Florida or team Y compensates X for acting as middleman. Panthers get 7M in cap space to spend as needed.

It is sad that Zito traded away the future for players that didn't step up during the playoffs. They are not worth retaining either. Huberdeau should be a center since he likes to pass the puck more than he shoots it. Barkov could be the first-line center with Huberdeau as the second-line center. They could trade for a pure goal scorer like Patrick Kane for Bennett. That the one thing the Panthers lacked was a pure goal scorer. If Barkov and Huberdeau can't take it to the next level next year a wholesale change is needed. I question Barkov's leadership ability.

Matt Ross: What’s Next?
- Matt Ross

Way more blame needs to go to Huby and Barkov. Giroux helped close the series, that’s what he was there for. The big guns didn’t show up.

I think the only teams that would trade for Bobrovsky would be Toronto, Edmonton, or Calgary. All these teams are on the cusp of winning. The one thing they all lack is good goaltending. Bob might be willing to go to Toronto since they are contenders. Also, they are a big market team that would take on his salary. They might get William Nylander for him.

I think the only teams that would trade for Bobrovsky would be Toronto, Edmonton, or Calgary. All these teams are on the cusp of winning. The one thing they all lack is good goaltending. Bob might be willing to go to Toronto since they are contenders. Also, they are a big market team that would take on his salary. They might get William Nylander for him.
- madhatter56

do you know what cap space is?

I think the only teams that would trade for Bobrovsky would be Toronto, Edmonton, or Calgary. All these teams are on the cusp of winning. The one thing they all lack is good goaltending. Bob might be willing to go to Toronto since they are contenders. Also, they are a big market team that would take on his salary. They might get William Nylander for him.
- madhatter56

They might not too

Keep Bob. Yeah, the contract is not ideal, but who is going to replace him and how much will that cost? The goaltender market is tight and the Cats currently have an elite goalie - many teams don't have a legit elite goalie. Sure, that cap-hit hurts, but at least it's not Carey Price. Bob delivered this post-season, so I'd be looking at guys like Giroux, Barkov, and Hubie. All three of those guys vanished in the Lightning series.

What would the Panthers be willing to offer the Coyotes for both Chychrun AND helping facilitate a Bob trade by eating half his salary as he heads to a team like NJ?

Lundell, 2023 First (potentially acquired from NJ for 1/2 price Bob), 2024 First Round pick, and Denisenko?

Way more blame needs to go to Huby and Barkov. Giroux helped close the series, that’s what he was there for. The big guns didn’t show up.
- ClaudeFather

I'd say the entire team, aside from Bob, disappeared during the series. Singling any player(s) out would be silly.

What would the Panthers be willing to offer the Coyotes for both Chychrun AND helping facilitate a Bob trade by eating half his salary as he heads to a team like NJ?

Lundell, 2023 First (potentially acquired from NJ for 1/2 price Bob), 2024 First Round pick, and Denisenko?
- Dahlmanyotes

How are they getting a first rounder from NJ (or anyone else) for Bob, exactly? Any team that has the space to add Bob probably doesn't have any need for him unless they Cats kick in extra assets and take a diminished return. The Devils aren't exactly "one player away" and, while they don't have any high-end goalie prospects, they'd be better off keeping their first (and possibly going a goalie) and diving into the UFA pool. Maybe Buffalo would bite, but you're still not getting a 1st.

I don’t entirely disagree, however Kuemper landed a first rounder plus. So it’s not crazy to think Bob at $5M might land a first rounder from someone.

Whether it’s the Debils(who might be closer than you think) or Edmonton or Toronto or Vargas (if Lehner and Dadonov get booted) there is likely someone willing to throw a first rounder or high prospect.

Maybe the Panthers need to stay the course, look at the AV’s, finally breaking through. Series vs Bolts, one of their big 3 needed to score and breakthrough to get the team going. Varhaeghe and Giroux closed out round 1, if they want to be elite their top players need to show up

I don’t entirely disagree, however Kuemper landed a first rounder plus. So it’s not crazy to think Bob at $5M might land a first rounder from someone.

Whether it’s the Debils(who might be closer than you think) or Edmonton or Toronto or Vargas (if Lehner and Dadonov get booted) there is likely someone willing to throw a first rounder or high prospect.
- Dahlmanyotes

Yes, but Keumper was traded to a team that was a legit Cup contender, not a rebuliding/middling team. If you're a contender with an open window, you can throw away a first to solidify your team as opposed to an up-and-coming team.

Let's suppose that Florida eats 50% of Bob's salary in a deal that ships him out.

Then what?

You find another starter for what, $4 or $5m a year? You aren't going to get a quality starter for less than that, less yet an elite one. So, you sign another goalie at $5m and you are paying Bob $5m, so you are still $10m against the cap for a new goalie that probably isn't as good as Bob.

Or, hand over the starter job to Knight? Ok, but is he ready for that? How good is your backup behind Knight? Oh, and add $5m to Knight's salary to cover what the team is paying Bob to play for another competitor.

Hate to say it, but the best option is to retain Bob and make cap space somewhere else. It isn't like Bob poop the bed in the playoffs - he showed up and gave the team quality starts and a chance to win.

Trading Bob is crazy talk. Period. Bob is the only one who showed up for the playoffs. Everyone else was riding along. Worrying about his contract at this point is just distraction by shiny object.

What's the real issue(s)?

How about scoring 3 goals in 4 games, and none in the same game. How many series can you win doing that? Zero, none, nada, zilch; otherwise known as mathematically impossible.

How about a power play that scores 1 goal spread thinly across 2 series?

How about the multitude of instant, dumb, and poorly-timed penalties combined with the break down of the penalty kill? Yea, tell everyone not to take penalties against Tampa and play smart to win, then give up a penalty 27 seconds into the first shift of the first game.

How about the highest scoring team in the NHL in 30+ years and the team with the best home record in the NHL losing the first game at home in both series, thus nullifying home ice advantage?

How about extolling the virtues of Panthers depth all year and successfully rolling 4 lines all season, then in the playoffs getting top heavy and playing the "energy guys" about 4 minutes per game. That's not the system or the strategy that won the Presidents Trophy.

Don't point the finger at Bob. It was coaching and preparation that failed.

Trading Bob is crazy talk. Period. Bob is the only one who showed up for the playoffs. Everyone else was riding along. Worrying about his contract at this point is just distraction by shiny object.

What's the real issue(s)?

How about scoring 3 goals in 4 games, and none in the same game. How many series can you win doing that? Zero, none, nada, zilch; otherwise known as mathematically impossible.

How about a power play that scores 1 goal spread thinly across 2 series?

How about the multitude of instant, dumb, and poorly-timed penalties combined with the break down of the penalty kill? Yea, tell everyone not to take penalties against Tampa and play smart to win, then give up a penalty 27 seconds into the first shift of the first game.

How about the highest scoring team in the NHL in 30+ years and the team with the best home record in the NHL losing the first game at home in both series, thus nullifying home ice advantage?

How about extolling the virtues of Panthers depth all year and successfully rolling 4 lines all season, then in the playoffs getting top heavy and playing the "energy guys" about 4 minutes per game. That's not the system or the strategy that won the Presidents Trophy.

Don't point the finger at Bob. It was coaching and preparation that failed.
- JimboCoppertone

Spot-on points as always, Jimbo.

I’m right there with you regarding Bob. He was the only guy to show up. But I do think the idea of moving him is interesting if it allows you to free up space and target some actual defensive help.

I'd say the entire team, aside from Bob, disappeared during the series. Singling any player(s) out would be silly.
- jmatchett383

Yep. Everybody sucked.
Except for Bob

Bob isn’t going anywhere yet.
They’re not going to hand it off to Knight with absolutely nothing behind him

I’ll still never understand why they drafted Knight when you already had Bob signed so long. Even if you wanted to trade Bob, who’s doing that on the other end? Giving up assets and having to pay your goalie that much? It was a dumb draft pick taking Knight because you almost have to trade him now. He’s your biggest and best asset..is he a backup for the entirety of Bobs deal? Point is for better or worse Bob is your goalie and your top prospect is stuck behind him.

Ekblad and Knight for Draisaitl is the deal they should pursue. I’m sure there are clauses involved. But that makes sense for both teams

I’ll still never understand why they drafted Knight when you already had Bob signed so long. Even if you wanted to trade Bob, who’s doing that on the other end? Giving up assets and having to pay your goalie that much? It was a dumb draft pick taking Knight because you almost have to trade him now. He’s your biggest and best asset..is he a backup for the entirety of Bobs deal? Point is for better or worse Bob is your goalie and your top prospect is stuck behind him.

Ekblad and Knight for Draisaitl is the deal they should pursue. I’m sure there are clauses involved. But that makes sense for both teams
- Slimtj100

I think Ekblad's stock has dropped enough that you'd need more, possibly much more, for a perennial 100+ point player and former Art Ross winner. That's a kind of deal that would possibly land you Nylander, however.

Edit: You'd probably have to even out the salary somehow.

I think Ekblad's stock has dropped enough that you'd need more, possibly much more, for a perennial 100+ point player and former Art Ross winner. That's a kind of deal that would possibly land you Nylander, however.

Edit: You'd probably have to even out the salary somehow.
- jmatchett383

Maybe Hornqvist. I just don’t see what benefits the Panthers from keeping knight NOW. I get it in 5 years ok he’s the starter but you really wanna waste the next 5 years during thier window, doing that? Just waiting for him, it’s so stupid It was piss poor asset mgmt to draft knight in the first place (I’m not disparaging Knight btw, he was drafted by the wrong team)

Knight should be dangled to any team that will listen imo. He wasn’t even Zitios pick was he?

Barkov is not a leader. He should not be the captain of the team. He has never won a Stanely Cup nor gone deep into the playoffs. After game interviews, he is a mealy-mouth. Someone like Hornqvist should be since he been there done that.
It is a well-known fact that the Panthers tried to dump Bobrovsky last season. They want to free up the salary cap. Also, They have an interest in Nylander, why I don't know.

Barkov is not a leader. He should not be the captain of the team. He has never won a Stanely Cup nor gone deep into the playoffs. After game interviews, he is a mealy-mouth. Someone like Hornqvist should be since he been there done that.
It is a well-known fact that the Panthers tried to dump Bobrovsky last season. They want to free up the salary cap. Also, They have an interest in Nylander, why I don't know.
- madhatter56

It probably has something to do with his skill at the game of ice hockey.

He's no better than Duclair, so why get him?