Ottawa's three in second prove too much for Florida, defeat Panthers 4-3

looked into potential top 5 picks in 2010 draft….some promising names. do we go defense or forwards?

they beat themselves tonight if it wasnt for that mccabe deflection we would be talking overtime

Another night, another loss. I’m wondering if they’ll ever win at home again. If they do, will anybody be there to see it? If they win a game at home and nobody sees it, does it still count?

Anyway, I thought Repik looked awfully good tonight. At least, he skated with enthusiasm. I’m not sure where he went later in the game. Could say the same of McArdle. Then again, they COMBINED for about ten minutes of ice time. Why bring them up?

I’m tired of Stillman (nearly 15 minutes, over SIX minutes on the power play). e just seems a step behind out there. We’re 2-7-1 after ten games. CLEARLY, a shake up is needed, or we’re just grinding out a season looking for a top three pick.

Ugh.

I find it interesting to see how Reinprecht and Moore are playing. Both, I think, have performed well. I had no idea Reino was up to five goals. When they announced it last night, I was surprised. The thing is though, both of them are second/third line players. And, our team is full of them. It just seems like most of our team is very interchangeable.

Depressing story of the night. We were standing in the concourse between the second and third periods. Of course, we’re losing 4-2 after that disastrous stretch to end the period. Still, it’s only 4-2 and if we can get a goal, we’re right back in this thing, because Ottawa hasn’t looked that great either. Anyway, so we’re discussing this and we start thinking of where that goal is going to come from. An awkward silence ensues and, suddenly, that two goal lead looks enormous. Yes, they did get back to 4-3 and, yes, it got a little exciting at the end, but that’s the state of mind of some of the most hardcore fans you’ll meet in the BAC. Is there any wonder that they can’t, literally CAN’T, give tickets away?

Booth’s presence was missing last night. Kostinen played more on the power play than at even strength. Someone explain that to me. I don’t understand why Horton just doesn’t whip it on goal every chance he gets. I will say that I think he’s quietly having a better season this year. On TV, does it look like we’re a team that looks to pass all the time? The predominant chant at the game last night was “SHOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!”
Me likey Seidenberg in the #4 sweater. He hit a Sen last night in the second period down in front of us and several of us were shocked to see the #4 sweater make contact with an opponent. Sometimes, change is good.

All in all, fan support, whatever is left of it, is wavering. It’s a shame really, because the BAC IS a great venue. Game presentation can only put so much makeup on the pig. All they need is a COMPETITIVE team. Instead, year after year, we get these garbage starts and everybody wonders why only 9,000 people come out to the game. Seriously, if you’re a Panthers fan, it sucks to go to your rink and watch your team lose and we haven’t even had the noxious fans come in yet.

I can’t wait to see what Sexton has up his sleeve. It should be one helluva trick.

Things are pretty dismal at this point. Hven’t felt this way for awhile. In a way we can’t blame the players foir all of it. Martin and Sexton have put this roster together, and unfortunately DeBoer is trying to get blood out of a turnip.
Ballard, Weiss and Olesz arer all minus 6.
Stillman has no goals 3 assists and has taken 12 shots in 10 games! Why is he even getting power play time?

I am hopeful that something gets done. Drafting Taylor Hall may not be the answer. As good as he might be, the Panthers could ruin him. That would also be an indication of a 5 year plan, which for me is too long.

How about trading the pick for someone that can actually put the puck in the net.
We clearly lack a legitamate goal scorer and number one center.

Sexton clearly has some work to do. I just don’t think he has much to work with, and not sure if he’s even the guy to turn this around.

Lastly, DeBoer is looking pretty frustrated. As a coach who hasn’t had much success here in the NHL, his “honeymoon” phase is wearing off. I know that we can’t keep telling the players how bad they are, and that they need to keep working harder, but in reality we just don’t have the players.

i think we might have to accept another five year plan, if we actually run it correctly. there is very little, if any, hope for this team this year and there’s not much to keep around for the future. something needs to happen to send a message to the team that the higher ups are NOT HAPPY with this team’s play, their lack of agressiveness, their lack of shooting. i like Sexton and think he can put together a quality team, he did in Ottawa, but the ownership is not allowing him to do what needs to be done. We don’t have any assets to trade away for legitimate top liners this year, and for everyone calling for Vokoun’s head…who wants a goalie with an above 3 GAA. blame it on the defense, or lack of offense, whatever, but his trade value has plummeted along with our belief in the Cats. it’s a long season, i know, but we have shown nothing to provide the faith that we can put together two wins in a row, no less 6.

One thing that has been a problem is that the Panthers salaries are out of kilter. Their cap number is about 54 million, with little room to manuever.
Look I’m not at all saying that trading the number one pick is the answer, because we really are a few players away, but what I am saying is that unless something like that happens, and we make some other adjustments, we are looking at another 2 years at least of not making the playoffs.
A season is not won or lost after 10 games, however, we have a long way to go to get over the hump, and this roster as it is today, even when Booth and Dvorak comeback isn’t playoff bound.

Number 1 pick?!?!?!?