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Think the Panthers fanbase is stirred up? A relevant example.
"Over my years in South Florida I’ve always watched this team. I’ve been around for the year of the "rat", I’ve even rooted hard for these guys to succeed, to make the playoffs and go on another miracle run, like they did in the mid-nineties. With that said, yesterday, I felt great disappointment for this team and for the die hard fans of this team."
Thanks, Jason at Hockey Outsiders - and he's got a great review of UFA Day activity. Love the rating scale.
1 day ago
Whale4ever
3 comments
0 recs
Panthers sign Jordan Leopold to 1-year, $1.75 million deal
by DolPhanDave
on Jul 2, 2009 6:39 PM EDT
13 comments
According to their Twitter page, the Cats signed the new-Bo Jordan Leopold to a 1-year contract worth $1.75 million. Skrastins got $2.75 mil over 2 years ($1.375 per), so can we assume that Leopold should be 'as good' if not better then Skras?
Meanwhile, suddenly the Cats defense isn't as bad as it was an hour ago, and neither is Randy. It's going to be a see-saw for a couple days, so don't anybody go jumping off any cliffs just yet. There is still a lot of faith in our younger D (still think Ellerby is going to be a beast), and I hear we may sign some guy named Brian Allen, who I'm told is pretty good.
We're one solid scorer away from having legitimate playoff hopes that can be dashed once again *coughTanguaycough*. Rejoice!
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Panthers bid adieu to Skrastins, defense now at AHL standards; Links-of-Wonder
by Whale4ever
on Jul 2, 2009 2:52 PM EDT
14 comments
- Well, that's been settled: defenceman Karlis Skrastins has been signed by Dallas. That Koistinen deal's looking golden, eh? (sarcasm.)
- New Rochester vice president Ted Nolan wants to return passion and competitiveness to the Amerks. Rory Fitzpatrick wasn't enough?
- Dater has a nice piece on new Av Craig Anderson, who's certainly saying all the right things about his new team:
"It's a dream come true. It was the place I wanted to be, a city I've always loved. I think it's a great opportunity for me, and I want to be part of the solution bringing the team back."
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PuckStopsHere asks: Is this any way to run a franchise?
It is an unforgivable mistake that the Florida Panthers have entered the free agent signing period without a GM in place. That cannot help the team at all. It will probably prevent them from having a very productive off-season.
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From the Kurtenblog's UFA Day open thread:
1:07 p.m. - We interrupt this live blog to bring you coverage of Jay Bouwmeester's introductory press conference in Calgary. Bouwmeester poses with his new jersey. Bouwmeester puts on his new jersey. Bouwmeester answers questions in a remarkably monotone and uninterested voice. No wonder the Sutters love this guy.
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Not much love for the Cats - organizationally speaking - in an ESPN fan poll.
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A local quickie on the new Panthers goaltender:
(Scott) Clemmensen...has 68 NHL games to his credit for Jersey and Toronto, 40 of them coming last season when he filled in for injured Martin Brodeur and led the Devs to first place. His reward was being dumped to AHL Lowell by Hall of Fame inductee Lou Lamoriello.
Taking a break for a bit. Anything more pops up, behold the comments section.
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Clemmensen pursued from all directions
From Rich Chere:
"He (Devils GM Lou Lamoriello) definitely wanted me back," Clemmensen said. "The Devils definitely were one of the teams. Any team that is interested in me, I'm interested in them. I want to be wanted and in this industry it's hard to find that."
2 days ago
Whale4ever
0 comments
0 recs
Dealing Done? Florida Panthers call it quits
The Cats will not use Bouwmeester "left-overs" to fill the forward ranks with a high-priced free agent.
W4E: No biggie. We'll all forget about it come August.
2 days ago
Whale4ever
2 comments
0 recs
Free Agency, day one: Florida Panthers lock up Booth
by Whale4ever
on Jul 1, 2009 10:34 PM EDT
9 comments
A most strange day when compared to previous free agency orgies: Not one team overspent, per season. A few years late, but the lockout finally affected managerial behavior in the NHL. The union's gotta be thrilled.
As expected, the Rangers busted it up by signing Marian Gaborik for a paltry five years ($7.5M per). The Canucks held on to their dynamic Sedin duo, and Montreal made huge waves by ignoring the cap and inking everyone available (short of Todd Bertuzzi).
The funky part is the money. Personally, I've never seen this type of mass-induced restraint by the league. There's always someone out there who's willing to blow up the cap system in order to get That One Guy. Jay Freaking Bouwmeester got less than $7M? Same for the Sedins? Two years ago they may have walked away after 20 minutes with far more than what was ultimately established today, but wow..."market value" is not what it was. Thank goodness. Didn't we all lose a season for that?
Back to the Panthers and their activities on this beautiful Wednesday (and Randy Sexton remains a FOTB):
WHAT WE GAINED
David Booth, F. Six years, $25M (or so). If this didn't happen, the Eastern Financial District would be an ash-heap by now. He's not only the top goal-scorer, but the new face of the franchise. As he rightfully should be. It's Booth!
Radek Dvorak, F. Two years, $2.4M. Two thirds of the top penalty-killing unit are now salvaged. Need another Ville.
Scott Clemmensen, G. 25-13-0-1. Enough for me. Been pulling for this guy - Brodeur's carryall - since November. With three years, he'll be the bridge between Vokoun and Markstrom.
Ville Koistinen, D. Two of the 27 year-old's three goals last season were game-winners. We like percentages here at The Box. Does he replace Skrastins, Boynton, Cullimore, or Leopold? Place your bets! Place your bets!
WHAT WE'VE LOST (SO FAR)
Craig Anderson, G. Off to the train wreck in Colorado. I speak for all Panther fans: We will miss you, Andy.
Jordan Leopold, D. Has not yet re-signed with Florida. Punk. "Bouwmeester" ring a bell? Ahh. Not his doing; he's looking for a new love, baby. A new love. Haven't really "lost" him, but so what. We like the third-rounder.
Much more fluff and un-asked-for opinion coming tomorrow. Gonna recharge and be back hard-core with analysis Thursday afternoon.
Huge thanks to all who joined us at The Box during today's free agent ridiculousness. We did good things today.
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Florida Panthers : Free Agency Live Blog - David Booth remains a Cat
by Whale4ever
on Jun 30, 2009 8:47 PM EDT
713 comments
I'm not comfortable with that tail.
We're just going to ramp this up and get the party started.
And here's a question: why hasn't a rat been incorporated into a new secondary logo? Seems criminal that the club is not following up on that. Oh well.
Hearing rumors? Got ideas? Need info to be shared? Post it up. This is YOUR open thread, so anything goes. Breaking news? Report it (with links). Questions? We'll find answers.
This will remain in place through the morning, so check back often...the comments post live.
And thanks for stopping by; it'll be a fascinating day. Go Cats.
713 comments
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POLL: Which free agent should the Florida Panthers pursue?
by Whale4ever
on Jun 30, 2009 6:43 PM EDT
0 comments
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