BREAKING: Florida Panthers "drop" Denis Potvin from TV broadcast team

The Panthers coughed up their own version of Madison Square Gardens' famous "Potvin Sucks!" chant by apparently removing the Cats' color commentator from future telecasts.

So I guess he was fired...?

The Miami Herald is reporting the news which broke early this evening. Current radio color guy (and former Panther) Bill Lindsay will replace Potvin, who has held the position since the organization's first game in 1993. Further details from team officials have been promised to come later tonight.

W4E say: WOW. Really didn't see this coming at all. Denis has been a somewhat polarizing presence with the club for a long while; some viewers have criticized his delivery as under-researched and lacking in accuracy, a charge I cannot entirely defend against.

I have enjoyed him, especially this past season teamed with Steve Goldstein (who will remain). He's been here a long time, a staple since Day One. Ultimately, it probably is time to shake up the broadcast box and inject a bit more youth to freshen the program. It is television, after all.

Geez...still rather shocked, but all the best to Denis and his family...true Panthers for sixteen years. Thanks for the trip.

UPDATE: From the Florida Panthers' Michael Yormark, CEO -

“Finally, the entire Florida Panthers organization would like to thank Denis Potvin and his family for their service to our club, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

 

The remainder of the fluffy release is here as posted from the official site. Potvin fans can thank Yormark personally at his Twitter site.