Florida Panthers

Panthers…Buyers or Sellers?

With 36 games left are we about to find out how serious the Panthers are about making the playoffs? Will they deal or won’t they. Before I answer that let’s look at a few things. There are 36 games to go and the Panthers currently have 44 points and are 4 points out of the 8th spot as well as 4 points out of first place in the Southeast Division. They are going to have to win at least 25 of their last 36 which would put them at 94 points. Not a lock for the playoffs, but they would have a pretty good chance, however this is a tall task to ask of a team that is lacking scoring, intensity, consistency, confidence and leadership.

When we look at who the top players are or who they should be, we find that other than Ollie Jokineen this team lacks any consistent or bonafide scorer. Yes David Booth is generating some offense and hopefully that will continue. But Nathan Horton was to have a breakout year and has had a below average year, even admiting on occasion he needs to work harder. Stephen Weiss another up and coming youngster that was supposed to have a big year has not produced as expected with regards to points. Now I know I pick on him, but let’s look at his production. After 45 games he has 7 goals & 19 assists for 26 points which wouldn’t be bad if you were a 3rd line player. However he is or was expected to be a bigger contributor and on many nights in my opinion is invisible playing with a bit of lethargy. Compare his stats to Jordan Tootoo. Jordan has 7 goals & 6 assists playing less than 8 minutes a game and provides energy although sometimes he over does it, at least he makes his time count and you notice him. Weiss averages about 18 minutes per game and has supposedly more talent but has the same amount of goals. What am I missing, or for that matter are the Panthers watching the same player? For my taste or expectations, he isn’t “all that” as they say!

The free agent signings of Zednik, Dvorak and Brett McClean has produced a grand total of 17 goals & 19 assists. Wouldn’t be bad if this were one player, but these 3 duds are nothing more than 3rd line players at best which the Panthers have too many of already. In addition the roster is made up of players that speak about 3-4 different languages so I imagine that the communication is difficult and there is probably about 3-4 cliques which does nothing for unity.
As we can judge by now the trip in training camp to the Naval Academy is just a memory and nothing has stuck.

This leads to the question, What will they do if anything before the trade deadline? I am sure that the organization is afraid to make a deal for fear that it backfires. I am sure they still feel the sting of the Luongo deal, but let’s face it, Keenan, Martin & Alan Cohen all agreed to it and I am sure it wasn’t fun, but Roberto did not want to be here. As far as I’m concerned good riddance. But they cannot be afraid to improve the hockey club because of one deal.

I for one feel that they are still a roster built with players that have no idea of what it takes to win. When Keenan brought in Roberts, Nieuwendyk, Gelinas, Gratton, Salei and Stumpl, the idea was to change the mentality and direction of the club and teach these guys how to win. I think that once these players or most of them left, it has became obvious that the lessons taught have been forgotten.

As the roster stands now even when Cory Murphy comes back from his mysterious shoulder injury, they still lack a goal scorer or two and some real grit and leadership. Those things are hard to find, but I imagine that if you had a full-time GM you’d be able to spend you’re time working the phones. For an organization like the Panthers being cheap and having one guy do both is a disservice to both the players and the fans who are dying to see a winning product, not a mediocre one. With all the losing going on with the other teams in this area, the Panthers are missing a glorious opportunity to grab the attention of the locals.

The Panthers organization needs to take some chances and make a move or two. Ollie Jokineen deserves a chance to go to the playoffs, but needs some linemates that are complimentary to him, not the grunts that he keeps getting stuck with. When he played with Roberts and Horton over the last couple seasons, that line was a force. Roberts is gone and nothing has been done to replace what he brought to the table, and Horton’s play has suffered as well.

Maybe I am spoiled from my days in Chicago when the Hawks were going to the playoffs every year and making a move or two to improve the club, but I just care too much and can’t stand the way the Panthers are doing things. What sense does it make to say that as an organization the Panthers want to be consistent and not make a bunch of roster moves that may be short term, yet continue to stick with players that can’t get the job done?
My gut tells me that they will sit still, maybe make a minor move as to not disrupt the dressing room. Quite frankly if they don’t start scoring, and winning and playing with some desperation the dressing room won’t be the only thing that’s disrupted.

Let’s go Uncle Jack, as my wife calls him, “Do Something”!

Thanks for reading.