Wednesday Primer: Suddenly, There's Interest...and More DeBoer!

A sense of excitement and anticipation over the new-look Cats, as well as a sort of "What do these guys stand for?" attitude is beginning to permeate the NHL's old-guard media in their approach to Florida's team. So far.

Coach DeBoer is certainly a hot topic in the MSM these days, as a boatload of recent articles makes clear.

The Calgary Sun reveals DeBoer's efforts in changing the course of a losing culture in Sunrise.

"We're going to be a hard-working, fast-paced, up-tempo kind of team."

Definitely sounded that way on the radio last evening.

From our friends at the Globe and Mail, Eric Duhatschek compiles a terrific dossier on DeBoer, immediately following last night's contest in Calgary.

"This is the 14th year for the franchise and it is up to DeBoer to change the culture, something that usually doesn't happen overnight."

Doesn't need to be overnight. Pencil it in for November.

Like we needed more information about that Shawn Matthias character...actually, I welcome it...here's a concise profile about the Canadian Michael Frolik (on that subject, what a show it's gonna be watching them grow up!!!).

"Matthias became a favourite of his teammates for his work ethic, leading to Panthers’ captain Olli Jokinen to say that Matthias, 'should have made the team,' coming out of (last year's) training camp."

That comment always stuck with me.

"Bouwmeester Done in Florida?" Or so read the headline yesterday in - you guessed it - The Globe and Mail.

"There were lots more changes this year, too, although Bouwmeester will be the top dog on a much-improved defence."

He proved it at the Saddledome 12 hours ago.

Defensive talk dominates the day at the Sun-Sentinel.

"Martin acquired Cullimore as a free agent last October and the 35-year-old finished the season with a team- and career-best plus-21 rating. He had three goals and 10 assists in 65 games. Yet he received little interest after becoming an unrestricted free agent in July."

They are stacked on "D", and a couple of good players - or more - will get squeezed. Cully really may want to soften his stance on that one-way deal obsession of his.