Florida Panthers and The Box get spotlight at Cycle Like the Sedins
by Donny Rivette on Jun 21, 2009 9:05 PM EDT
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James at the fantastic Cycle Like the Sedins has been running question-and-answer sessions with bloggers of all thirty NHL clubs over the past week or so in a buildup to the draft and free agency.
Today was Florida's turn at the wheel, and in the interest of full disclosure, The Box was once again honored to represent the Panthers in this latest of CLS's series of dialogs with a sterling selection of blogs from around the league.
As for "steals"? Almost everyone acquired by Bill Torrey/Bobby Clarke when the team was formulated in 1993. With a few exceptions, they melded into a tough group to play, culminating in the Stanley Cup Final runners-up for 1996. An otherwise forgettable roster, built on character and uncommon effort, which exceeded any sane hockey observer's expectations. Until you looked at the individuals involved, and it became clear why success was so quick in coming. Whether by default or design, a lot of Panthers fans are very comfortable knowing Bill Torrey is back at the helm following the loss of Jacques Martin.
(No disrespect to Randy Sexton, of course, who I've become a "fan" of more and more lately.)
Check out the entire post here, and be sure to take in the tremendous cross section of hockey blogging throughout the series prior to the draft. And they appreciate feedback from readers as much as we do...so shout it out.
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interesting read, would you really not be happy with that trade for Bou/Vokoun. briere is old and i could do without him, but if he is able to play 60 games and score 60 points, he’s a major addition to our offense. i’m still torn as to what should happen with TVo. Im a staunch supporter of him and happen to defend him often. I still believe his 2.49 GAA is a little too high but that if we could average around 3 goals offensively, 2.49 is just fine.
all i know is im ANXIOUSLY awaiting Friday and the events which WILL transpire. hopefulyl we’re left feeling like we did in 2000 after a steal from the islanders and not like two summers ago when we watched roberto walk away and left us with bertuzzi!
No problem here, generally speaking. Vokoun is an all star and his resume speaks for itself, but it appears – to me – that he’s not “in the loop” the way Anderson is. I don’t want Briere, nor Lupul, but these are assets that can be bartered.
Then again, Briere is simply untradable, given the contract and length of same. Funny how the market has dried up completely on him since he starred in “Free Agent Hero 2007”. He’s made of aluminum foil and crumbles easily. Maybe in an atmosphere such as Sunrise he can prosper outside the microscope (hence his success in Buffalo). Point being: if the Cats take he and his gargantuan, ridiculous contract, they’re stuck with him for a long time to come, whether he stays healthy or not. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren is the current fool…why would the Panthers try to follow him up? And…I don’t believe for one second that he wishes to be here.
Forget these B-Listers…go for the gusto with a Sedin offer. But that’s prolly not realistic. You can effectively retire low-dollar but hard-working Greg Campbell and a legitimate prospect (Michal Repik?) right then and there, due to the salary cap. And: do they want to come to a “non-hockey” market? Doubtful. Don’t need them pulling a “Heatley” and seriously crushing the franchise.
As for T-Vo, are the Panthers getting almost six million dollars worth of goaltending out of him? Is Andy such a remarkably large step down, for half the money, given the recent track record of both?
All about Friday as well!
by Donny Rivette on Jun 21, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Hrmmm… A couple of weeks ago, I might have bought that trade, but Homer just signed Emery. I don’t think he’s going to trade for Vokoun. Why sign a locker room nightmare as a starter and then bring in another starter? I know Bob Clarke is still working for the team, but still. Also, I think that move was partially a salary dump so they could afford Jay Bo. Even if they got rid of Briere, picking up Vokoun offsets most of that.
I think if Jay and T-Vo go as a pair, it’s to somewhere like Edmonton. That is, to say, somewhere where Bo would want to play and that needs a starting goaltender. In a trade like that, we might be able to get a decent defenseman back. With the Flyers, all we’ll be getting is overpaid forwards.
I’m split on T-Vo. He’s a really good goalie, but your point about his salary and Anderson’s play and relative cost is a good one. With another great backup/wannabe starter (Ty Conklin/Antero Nittymaki/Scott Clemmensen) in place I’d be all for giving him a chance. I just want to know the guy behind him can step in if necessary. Hell, depending on how the off-season goes, we might even be able to get Martin Biron.
Emery’s down for $1.5M per year, so he remains a bargain – even as a backup, given his experience (SCF in 2007).
by Donny Rivette on Jun 22, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s not the money. Given the Flyers’ goalie history, signing Ray Emery and then trading for a starter is a recipe for repeating it yet again.
A bit of revision: In 1998-1999, former starter Ron Hextall is backing up some guy named Vanbiesbrouck. The following season, rather than get pulled into the expansion draft, Hextall retires with one season left on his contract. The Flyers’ 1995 first-round draft pick, Brian Boucher comes in as the backup, takes the starting job and Beezer gets traded to the Islanders. A season later, backup goalie Roman Cechmanek takes the starting job from Boucher. They basically split the 2001-2 season, but Boucher publicly insists that the coaching staff choose a starter before the playoffs. That summer, Boucher finds himself on his way to Phoenix for their backup, Robert Esche, and Michael Handzus. Short story: Cechmanek goes crazy in the playoffs and gets traded to the Kings. The following season, Esche takes the starting job from Jeff Hackett’s vertigo and the Flyers play 6 goaltenders through the season. In the 2006 playoffs, Esche goes crazy, backs up Antero Nittymaki and watches the Flyers replace him with Martin Biron at the trade deadline. He’s ultimately banished to the KHL.
For two years of relative peace, Nittymaki backs up Biron. Both goalies are let go, Ray Emery is signed. Which brings us to now. The Philly media loves to dump on goalies. Ray Emery is a hothead. I think Homer would be crazy to trade for Vokoun. But if he does, I will pop the popcorn. Someone else bring the beer, it should be a good show. Remember how Andy won a bunch of games in a row after replacing a shaky Vokoun, then was replaced after a couple of losses? You think Emery will be good about it? heheheheheh
And the presumed “backup” for the Flyers right now? The very same Robert Esche, who was signed a few weeks ago.
Love how you summed all that up! The goaltending in Philly has been a nightmarish carousel for far too long, hence your claim of the media beating up the troops. Easy targets. And why have they all been headcases???
Emery’s gonna be fun to watch if he is indeed the starter, but I really can’t believe they are going to entrust an entire season to him.
by Donny Rivette on Jun 22, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
They’ve entrusted a season to lesser talents than Ray Emery (Jeff Hackett comes readily to mind). And, yes, I do find it amusing that they’re bringing Esche back. The rumor before that was they were talking to Brian Boucher.
I’m not sure what their affinity for headcases is. Biron and Nitty is the best goaltending situation they had in years. Apparently Biron’s agent convinced him to ask for too much money (he’s since been fired) and the Flyers went with plan B.
Does Paul Holmgren just lose his wits when talking goaltending? Not exactly his strong point. Not to mention it’s been the downfall of all his Flyer teams.
by Donny Rivette on Jun 22, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, as a Flyer fan, I’m continually amazed by their complete lack of regard for the goaltender position. In fact, when they signed Emery, I penned an article entitled “Flyers sign a goalie, same as the last 9” which basically sums up what Philly has done with that position for the last almost 2 decades. It’s amazing really. Frankly, I’m not huge on Vokoun, but certainly that would be a change in philosophy from previous years, where they just went out and got some pylon to play net. At least Tomas has some credentials. Problem is that I think the Flyers are rearranging the deck chairs to throw some ridiculous money at one of the impending UFA defenseman. I think I’m getting Rathje/Hatcher flashbacks.
by HockeyOutsiders on Jun 23, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks again, Whale. You’re welcome every time.
When I'm not battling in California:
http://www.cyclelikesedins.com
Hmmm I would be greatly amused if the (so-called) Sedin Sisters ended up down here. Then my buds up in Calgary would really have to double up on their Luongo jokes. As for Briere-he’s like something on the Overpriced Designer rack. Even T-Vo is too expensive for me. I say put Andy in and spend Vok’s money somewhere else. But then again I’m just a bargain-loving Puck Bunny.
Puck Bunnies need lovin’ too…perhaps that’s your affinity for Anderson?
by Donny Rivette on Jun 22, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions
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Washington Capitals
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