Panthers a playoff pretender again -- Florida Panthers, Karlis ...

Don't think the team needs a complete overhaul. There are some good pieces here. Only a few things need to be changed but they're not tweaks they're moves of the huge variety.

In my humble opinion the Panthers need:

1) A true first line forward.
If they plan on keeping Olli as the #1 center than they need to get him a winger who can score 40 goals. OR depending on whose available this summer they could bring in a new #1 center and move Horton up (as a true #1 should be capable of feeding him for more goals) to the top line and either bump Olli down or trade him. A true #1 center, Olli at #2 and Weiss at #3 would make them very deep at center. However a change of scenery might be better for both parties.

2) A solid defensive defensmen who actually hits people. Panthers are deep on "D" when healthy but have too many softies. Look at the last 2 games with Tampa. Their big, untalented 3rd and 4th liners were running roughshod on the Panthers.
A couple more gritty forwards (that can skate) on the 3rd and 4th lines would help too. Too much soft Euro trash or AHLers on these lines right now.

3) A new coach. I know Jacques has his supporters on here but I think a lot of them just don't like the idea of changing things up again due to the past. That's understandable but honestly, the team really hasn't improved that much over his tenure (75 points year before to 85 points to 86 points to 81 points right now) and if it wasn't for this big winning streak at the end of the season it would've painfully apparent a long time ago. They are going to finish with the same amount of points as last year or a few less. So how is that an improvement? Plus I don't think the young guys who are supposedly the future of this franchise are progressing under JM. Most seem to have stalled out (except for Booth but he has a real work ethic).

3 years of not making the playoffs as a coach will get you fired in most NHL cities not just Sunrise people.

4) A new captain. Much like JM has failed as coach Olli as failed as the leader of this team. You've got to wonder why this guy has never sniffed the playoffs in a league where over half the teams get in every year. He's been the best player on a poor team for years now and I give him credit for that but being talented doesn't mean you are captain material.

5) I have a feeling JM is going out as soon as the season's over so they are probably going to need a new GM too. I think JM has actually done a pretty decent job of patching up Keenan's mistakes as GM considering Cohen will not let him spend up to the cap. I think he has been a much better GM than coach in his time here. Yes, he has made some mistakes but no GM is perfect if you actually analyze every move they make. If it wasn't for the fact that he would probably hire a boring ultra-conservative coach in his own image I wouldn't have a huge issue with him moving upstairs for a year or more (provided they make the playoffs next year). But I think he has cooked his goose by doing both jobs.

6) A serious attitude adjustment. This coming out flat in the first period all the time; choking away leads in the third period; losing to bottom feeding teams in big games (like Tampa and Atlanta this week)and this constant stream of BS excuses need to stop. Enough already!!! Making the playoffs at least once in a while is not that difficult.

Well when you play down to the slug opponents almost every game,
and you play up to the Better ones,
almost every game...
Who is at fault??
Jacques MARTIN is at fault!!

Fire Martins slow thinking arse out of here..
Fire Martin.......... period

DK Schrute wrote:

Don't think the team needs a complete overhaul. There are some good pieces here. Only a few things need to be changed but they're not tweaks they're moves of the huge variety.
In my humble opinion the Panthers need:
1) A true first line forward.
If they plan on keeping Olli as the #1 center than they need to get him a winger who can score 40 goals. OR depending on whose available this summer they could bring in a new #1 center and move Horton up (as a true #1 should be capable of feeding him for more goals) to the top line and either bump Olli down or trade him. A true #1 center, Olli at #2 and Weiss at #3 would make them very deep at center. However a change of scenery might be better for both parties.
2) A solid defensive defensmen who actually hits people. Panthers are deep on "D" when healthy but have too many softies. Look at the last 2 games with Tampa. Their big, untalented 3rd and 4th liners were running roughshod on the Panthers.
A couple more gritty forwards (that can skate) on the 3rd and 4th lines would help too. Too much soft Euro trash or AHLers on these lines right now.
3) A new coach. I know Jacques has his supporters on here but I think a lot of them just don't like the idea of changing things up again due to the past. That's understandable but honestly, the team really hasn't improved that much over his tenure (75 points year before to 85 points to 86 points to 81 points right now) and if it wasn't for this big winning streak at the end of the season it would've painfully apparent a long time ago. They are going to finish with the same amount of points as last year or a few less. So how is that an improvement? Plus I don't think the young guys who are supposedly the future of this franchise are progressing under JM. Most seem to have stalled out (except for Booth but he has a real work ethic).
3 years of not making the playoffs as a coach will get you fired in most NHL cities not just Sunrise people.
4) A new captain. Much like JM has failed as coach Olli as failed as the leader of this team. You've got to wonder why this guy has never sniffed the playoffs in a league where over half the teams get in every year. He's been the best player on a poor team for years now and I give him credit for that but being talented doesn't mean you are captain material.
5) I have a feeling JM is going out as soon as the season's over so they are probably going to need a new GM too. I think JM has actually done a pretty decent job of patching up Keenan's mistakes as GM considering Cohen will not let him spend up to the cap. I think he has been a much better GM than coach in his time here. Yes, he has made some mistakes but no GM is perfect if you actually analyze every move they make. If it wasn't for the fact that he would probably hire a boring ultra-conservative coach in his own image I wouldn't have a huge issue with him moving upstairs for a year or more (provided they make the playoffs next year). But I think he has cooked his goose by doing both jobs.
6) A serious attitude adjustment. This coming out flat in the first period all the time; choking away leads in the third period; losing to bottom feeding teams in big games (like Tampa and Atlanta this week)and this constant stream of BS excuses need to stop. Enough already!!! Making the playoffs at least once in a while is not that difficult.

You forgot the most import point. A new owner since the current one either doesn't have the balls to do any of this or, B) doesn't have the money to either.

DK Schrute wrote:
Don't think the team needs a complete overhaul. There are some good pieces here. Only a few things need to be changed but they're not tweaks they're moves of the huge variety.
In my humble opinion the Panthers need:

Just to touch on 2 subjects you brought up.#1. Who in their right mind would want to sign here as a free agent?? Most quality players would take less to go to a team that looks to be a contender next year. I keep reading how we should go after Cambell during the summer. I agree but what would motivate him to come to this mess? NOTHING. The only way this team sees a solid goal scoring forward is to aquire him through a trade but what do we give up to get what we need...The future? Don't get me wrong I agree with you 100% on what you said about what this team needs but can they get someone to come...we shall see.#2 Having 1 player who has all the talent in the world or maybe even 2 guys doesn't equal playoffs. Tampa and Washington have proven that this year. Yes the Caps are still in the hunt but when you've got a guy scoring 60 plus goals you would think it would be a done deal as far as the playoffs are concerned. Olli can't do it all himself. I think you hit it on the head that there needs to be some talent brought in to help out the guys we have already. Maybe with a winger to dish the puck to Horton..like you said and Olli we score on a more regular basis and wina few more games. And just a quick #3 JM the coach goes and JM the GM stays.

AGAIN (for the last 2 years now):
Fire the cancer Coach/GM (like I said for 2 years) and you still have 4 games to evaluate the players-most hate JM right now, so they didn't care to play at the real level. Starting w/ Jokinen THE Captain-the little indians are confused...who are they playing for right now ? Eh? Eh ?

Hockey Dave wrote:

DK Schrute wrote:
Don't think the team needs a complete overhaul. There are some good pieces here. Only a few things need to be changed but they're not tweaks they're moves of the huge variety.
In my humble opinion the Panthers need:
Just to touch on 2 subjects you brought up.#1. Who in their right mind would want to sign here as a free agent?? Most quality players would take less to go to a team that looks to be a contender next year. I keep reading how we should go after Cambell during the summer. I agree but what would motivate him to come to this mess? NOTHING. The only way this team sees a solid goal scoring forward is to aquire him through a trade but what do we give up to get what we need...The future? Don't get me wrong I agree with you 100% on what you said about what this team needs but can they get someone to come...we shall see.#2 Having 1 player who has all the talent in the world or maybe even 2 guys doesn't equal playoffs. Tampa and Washington have proven that this year. Yes the Caps are still in the hunt but when you've got a guy scoring 60 plus goals you would think it would be a done deal as far as the playoffs are concerned. Olli can't do it all himself. I think you hit it on the head that there needs to be some talent brought in to help out the guys we have already. Maybe with a winger to dish the puck to Horton..like you said and Olli we score on a more regular basis and wina few more games. And just a quick #3 JM the coach goes and JM the GM stays.

I hear you...with all the past problems here it isn't going to be easy to attract a top free agent I'm not kidding myself but you have got to try. If you put up enough money someone will come here. They don't need to go out and sign a bunch of top guys, I think they just need one front line scorer for the first line, a good (not great) defensive defensemen who hits, a new coach and to change the mix a bit on the 3rd and 4th lines and then they will be good enough to do something.

They already have a solid #2 line as it stands now and with a coach who can motivate more can be gotten from Horton and Weiss offensively. Goaltending is set for the foreseeable future. They have enough on D with one more solid addition and can trim some cap space fat by not resigning Mezei and dumping Van Ryn (always hurt). Bringing in a #1 line winger allows you to move McLean and Olesz or Zednik down to the third line where they belong thus making the team deeper and harder to play against.

also don't forget Shawn Matthias will be on the team next year. So let's say for the sake of example the Panthers manage to sign Marian Hossa in the offseason (unlikely) but it helps me make my point . The forward lines could look something like this next year:

first line: Hossa-Jokinen-Zednik
second line: Horton - Weiss - Booth
third line: Mclean-Matthias-Olesz
fourth line Monatdor-Kreps-Dvorak

Look how only one big signing changes the depth and sctructure of the team and allows playerss to do the proper roles their skill set allows for. Mclean and Olesz have been playing on the top line with Olli. This should not happen. My scenario bumps them down to the third line where they belong.

sorry hit return by accident. Nowhere on my imaginary depth chart do you see the likes of Gregory Campbell, Ville Peltonen, Stumpel, Tanner Glass, Drew Larman or Rob Globke. Dead weight is gone and the young guys are back in the AHL where they belong for more seasoning.

It's time for ownership to open up the wallet.

Ethan, what hockey team did you play for and where do you get your hockey knowledge. I would like to know your credentials for writing on hockey or any sport for that matter. From the looks of your picture you look liked you might have played chess or were in AV club.

As far as this team goes, lets emphassize team. This whole season we watched JM's crappy style of so called hockey. JM never put the blame on himself or called himself out. He picks up unwanted players, you clowns write about how great they are, and JM playes them like super stars. JM will be FIRED at the end of the season for sure. If not Ethan I will buy you a steak dinner for 4 at NY prime. Jokinen will not go, JM is a gonner for sure.

When the new GM and new coach come in they will clean house and get rid of these crappy JM picked players including your favorites Ethan: Montador & Culli. Culli will be back home waiting for JM to ring his phone again, and Monti will be looking for another team. As many penalties as these two take JM should have benched them both. But unfortunatally the were to busy with the heads up JM ass.

You Ethan Skolnick and the south Florida media are the pretenders. I gag when I see how far you have your heads up JM ass and write your pointless dribble and features on scrub players, like Culli & Monti.

As far as the express they are all off the tracks and as far as JM is concerned can do no wrong. JM is the biggest clown in the hockey world and fortunately his tent is being folded and his stick boy, golie coach, lackluster staff is all going with him.

Excellent article -right on the money

DK Schrute wrote:

sorry hit return by accident. Nowhere on my imaginary depth chart do you see the likes of Gregory Campbell, Ville Peltonen, Stumpel, Tanner Glass, Drew Larman or Rob Globke. Dead weight is gone and the young guys are back in the AHL where they belong for more seasoning.
It's time for ownership to open up the wallet.

The only changes to your lines would be the hope that if Matthias steps up to the big club he would be on a higher line the where you have him listed...at least that is what we can hope for. As far as Campbell, Pelt and Stumpy...well I could care less if they stay. Radek I would keep. He is what he is and 10 goals isnt great but what he contributes on the PK makes up for that. Zednik is a toss up. He wasn't playing that great until just before he was injured so how do you evaluate him?? Based on most of the season or the 8 or 10 games leading up to the injury. Either way I guess maybe he stays and if worse comes to worse you trade him down the road if need be. Defense is in great shape when welch and Van ryn come back next season but you're right a big solid D-man to move people off the puck would be a good addition. Getting rid of Sa-lazy was a great move. Cory Murphy in his first year in the NHL still has some learning to do but he a mobil offensive minded guy who can play the powerplay well. I think his size has been a problem because JM the guru has been lining him up against guys like Chara. Great coaching!!! We still are yet to see Frolik and McArdle play so there is hope for the future and if management goes after some key guys then maybe just maybe this team has a chance in the future.

I would agree that Panthers need a new coach but Martin made some good moves a GM. He stole Shawn Matthias for a broken Bertuzzi. He made a good deal for Vokoun. Zednik, Dvorak, McLean, Cullimore, Murphy were good signings. The late trades for Belak and Skrastins are good. As a GM the players he brought in were good. Injuries and the coaching is what hurt this team.... As for Olli he is -20 so he obviously is not playing good. So the question is why? I watched last night's game and his mind is somewhere else. Maybe he has personal problems or he needs a new stick. How many times did he give away the puck, flub a pass or make a bad pass? Too many times.... Bring in a new coach and let the new coach decide who will be captain... My choice for coach would be John Tortorella if the Lightning let him go...But I like Martin as a GM... That said resign Belak now and get a coach that will use him.

I WISH I HAD THE LINK.

But, believe it or not..I didn't actually at first. MANY players favor playing in Florida. Both Tampa and Lauderdale. The Panthers were actually in the top 10 of NHL veterans surveyed on where to play. It was right after th elock out..so, the team was still basically the same thing we have now.

Could we sign a Campbell or a Hossa. YES, I believe so. But it will take M O N E Y! You have to spend it. We have this area in our favor to recruit young players with families. Don't forget a hockey wife loves to shop in Boca, live in Parkland, take the kids to that real nice private school, all during a NICE winter hockey season.

I will search for it and try and get the post.

Belak.. What did you like about being traded to the Panthers? Answer. "Ft Lauderdale was my favorite road place to visit". He didn't have to say that if he planned on playing out the string and leaving.

To a certain extent, we have ALL been bullcraped in to the "fact" that no one wants to play here. It is ALL CRAP. SHOW THEM THE MONEY! They'll be here. We already have a quite respectable training facility, and a BIGGER-BETTER one is coming to Coral Springs, an awesome arena.

Oh did I mention we were all HOODWINKED into believing that no one wants to play here?$$$$$$$

THE ANSWER IS $$$$$$$$$$

Louie wrote:

First, Skolnick is a Pretender Columnist. His columns are written with so many crayons that even a Caveman could do it. I think his Mommy proofs his so-called columns.
Second, Olli admitted he is not playing up to par. His honesty is admirable even if his current play is not. No doubt he needs to be replaced next year. But he has had a good run here in Florida and I have enjoyed watching him play when he has been on his game.
Third, Coach Martin has done a good job. He should be kept on as Coach to move this team forward. I like Martin's style and his coaching ability. Keep Martin, he is not the problem.
Fourth, we need a separate GM. A good one. Focus on that.
Fifth, we've got some real good players, such as Booth, Weiss, Vokoun and others.
Sixth, I still love the Panthers. I'll be out there on Saturday.
Go Cats.

If Martin is such a great coach, then how do you explain his horrible use of personnel. They go on a nice winning run, playing Kreps on the 3rd line where he produces, plays tight defense and wins faceoffs (perhaps the best % on the team). But when Peltonen got hurt he brings back Stumpel, moves Kreps to the 4th line and gives him only 10 minutes of ice as opposed to Stumpel's 18 minutes. Consider this:

Kreps is a solid +11 and Stumpel a dismal -12, as well as Kreps having better point production this year (7 goals, 17 assists) versus Stumpel (7 goals, 12 assists) with Kreps holding only a small TOI advantage (928 minutes to 841 minutes) but getting far less on a per game average (12:53 versus Stumpel's 17.31). Clearly Kreps produces more when he's given ice time and clearly he's a more responsible player when he's on the ice.

With coaching decisions like that, it's no wonder they lost the last 2 games.

Moving Ollie solves nothing. He's a quality center playing with mediocre wings. McClean's grittiness was a plus when Zednik was playing well and that line clicked. But face it, McLean is not a 1st or 2nd line player - certainly not on a good playoff caliber team. The solution is to get quality wings to play with your quality center, not give him mediocrity and hope for the best. Even Crosby couldn't make Ollie's linemates this season look much better.

And as a GM Martin has not accomplished very much either. The Kilger trade is an embarrassment, the free agent signings they've made amount to nothing, they've overpaid Stumpel and a few other mediocre veterans, all the while letting Bouwmeester get closer to leaving as an RFA.

Finally, never forget the reason why the Sens players were largely happy to see Jacques be let go. It's well known that he wasn't liked very much by his players, especially Spezza, who was constantly in Jacques' doghouse. See any coincidence here?(Think 1st line centers) The Sens players had little confidence in his "system" and thought it stifled their offensive talents. See any more coincidence here?

A rebuilding of the roster is not necessary. The foundation isn't that bad. But they need to rid themselves of mediocre veterans and bring in the kind of talent needed to play at an elite level. They have some very good players and some good young talent.

damn, that was a HARSH article!!! Probably acurate, but just brutal!! I hope you dish some of that venom upon the "Fins, they deserve a healthy dose as well. Gotta give another pass to the Marlins...two championships......give any of the other teams two championships in 10'ish years and you might actually have a decent sports town.

Martin's done a good job. Jokinen needs to be traded and Anderson needs to see more time . Jokinen's -20 sticks out like a sore thumb. Thats not captain numbers. Vokoun was inconsistent also. That being said we do have some good young players that will provide good depth in the coming years.

The only ones pretending are scmuckos like skolnick

Louie wrote:

First, Skolnick is a Pretender Columnist. His columns are written with so many crayons that even a Caveman could do it. I think his Mommy proofs his so-called columns.
Second, Olli admitted he is not playing up to par. His honesty is admirable even if his current play is not. No doubt he needs to be replaced next year. But he has had a good run here in Florida and I have enjoyed watching him play when he has been on his game.
Third, Coach Martin has done a good job. He should be kept on as Coach to move this team forward. I like Martin's style and his coaching ability. Keep Martin, he is not the problem.
Fourth, we need a separate GM. A good one. Focus on that.
Fifth, we've got some real good players, such as Booth, Weiss, Vokoun and others.
Sixth, I still love the Panthers. I'll be out there on Saturday.
Go Cats.

I couldn't have said it better myself.What this paper and this area needs is people who actually know what they are talking about when they talk sports.these reporters aren't a fan of the game let alone the team they are covering. When they reply to your e-mails, they will say it's their job to be objective and just report the facts, well thats true ifyour covering a crime or a political report, but sports reporting should also have the knowledge of the game, the players POV and the spirit of the fan in it.It's a disgrace when TSN writes abetter article than the home town paper!