Questions…And Lots of ‘em.
April 2nd, 2008 by The IcemanAs the season winds down with the Panthers officially eliminated from the playoffs, these last 2 games can be looked at in many ways, but in reality the entire season needs to be evaluated.
Here’s some questions I hope that owner Alan Cohen is thinking about.
What to do about Uncle Jack. Do you just move him upstairs? Do you keep him behind the bench only? Do you fire him altogether?
If Uncle Jack is let go, who is your GM, and who is going to be your coach? I can only hope that both of these positions are treated with care and full consideration is given to hiring a coach who has had success in the NHL.
What free agents are we going after? Can we get a real goal scorer, someone who can bury the puck and who is worthy of playing on the first line? Can they spend the money required to attract someone like that?
What about the defense? Some players are expendible, so what is going to happen there? It seems that even though they stressed defense, they still give up an awful lot of shots, which doesn’t do your goaltender any favors. A big burly, nasty defenseman would be nice.
Are any of the kids going to truly make the season opening lineup next year? Shawn Matthias, Michael Frolik, Kenndal McArdle are just a few names to be considered. What is finally going to happen with Anthony Stewart?
Are the youngsters that we have maturing fast enough and are they really good enough to build on? That question really needs to be looked at.
It appears that Goaltending is fine with Tomas Vokoun and Craig Anderson. The only thing to consider is possibly playing Anderson a bit more than he played this year to keep Vokoun fresher. However, are Vokoun’s teammates feeling any animosity towards hime for the way he called out his mates on occasion when they did not perform to his expectations?
Can someone give Nathan Horton a kick in the pants? He is only 22 years old, and if he could “bring it” EVERY nite, not just when he wants to can you imagine what kind of season he would be having?
Please get some first line players to play with Olli. There are none on this roster currently except maybe for Horton if he can mature and get it through his young mind that he can be better and get better results if he just develops some consistency.
David Booth the pleasant surprise of the season. Is he for real? Can he keep this up? Will he have the sophmore slump? I know that his line along with Horton and little Stevie has generated alot of talk around town, but I am not convinced that this line is going to produce the same next year. In all honesty Stevie is the weakest link. He just doesn’t have the grit and willingness to go into the corners and bump some bodies for me to say he’s as good as everyone says. The line was recently given the name “Sunrise Express” in a contest with the local fans. Actually I was going to send in my suggestion: Two and a half men, but I didn’t think I would win, but it is how I feel.
Is Olli the right choice for captain, or has it become too much for him?
Or do you find a veteran who can do a better job, and have Olli as the alternate? I don’t think that it’s his fault, but I don’t think that this team is good enough the way it is for him to be the captain, and maybe at this point he could use a break.
Can we please also make up our mind about Olli. Keep him or trade him. But let’s not have another season of trade deadline talks about him. He deserves better doesn’t he?
Finally, cause I am getting a headache myself just thinking about all these issues, what can be down about this double edge sword: Three years in a row of starting out slowly, and finishing with the playoffs just out of reach. What has been the cause of this? In addition, the losing of leads late in the game. I believe that in 3 years the Panthers have given up the lead 21 times to eventually end up losing the game. To me, that is more a coaching problem than a player problem. The systems that are in place do not allow the Panthers to utilize their speed, and with the focus on defense so important (at least that’s what we hear), it seems that it has choked them (pardon the pun) and has caused alot of the problem.
So there are just a few issues that have to be dealt with. If the Panthers are going to be serious, and I mean serious about making the playoffs next year, things must be done, but they must be done with the big picture in mind. Youth is there, but there is not enough veteran leadership, and too many guys speak too many different languages. The Panthers HAVE to make the playoffs next year. Do whatever is necessary to get there, and stop giving us the B.S. about being patient and that we’re following a plan. I don’t care how many changes have to be made, I want to be in the playoffs next season!!!!
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One Response to “Questions…And Lots of ‘em.”
By mike on Apr 2, 2008
Does any one see Jarg going to Buffalo for next year?