Panthers' Siegel: "We all desperately want success for this franchise"
by Donny Rivette on Feb 18, 2010 5:25 PM EST
Email
Print
Panthers CEO Stu Siegel recently posted a follow-up to the now-famous "The Letter" (composed by he and co-owner Cliff Viner) from late last week which no less than rocked the NHL for its honesty and blunt assessment of the organization. From Siegel's latest blog post:
...the response (to the letter) has been tremendous. Of course, like anything we do in professional sports, there will always be supporters and naysayers. But an overwhelming number of our fans expressed both relief and excitement that we are unwilling to stand pat and accept the norm. Even more than we could have imagined, our fans spoke out in favor of action, in favor of change. What is even more clear to us is that our supporters want to build something special here in South Florida. They don’t just want a team that will finally break the spell and make its first playoff appearance since the year 2000, but rather a team that can become a consistent winner.
At least they are remaining on-topic.
Now that the hammer has dropped, ownership is reiterating the need for patience as the club is re-tooled (though to what extent it will be "re-tooled" is anyone's guess). Again the trade deadline, draft, free-agency, and training camp are mentioned as pivotal points, obviously.
Have to wonder, though, how many A-listers are pining to climb aboard this ship over the summer (if the organization even wishes to travel that route). A foundation of sorts will need to be established at the deadline which shows a solid, sound commitment to the future, whether in picks or players, to attract anyone of note.
In any case, a plan of action must be drawn and implemented quickly, as March 3rd is rapidly closing.
7 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
have to say i agree with him, at the very least they are making it blatantly obvious that they are not happy, and that’s already a positive. and he’s right, we must be patient, unfortunately, because as we all know too well, there is no easy fix for this team and not many pieces to give away to fix them. as for free agency, you said it Whale. hard to see anyone jumping on board, but who knows, stranger things could happen….
ive yet to renew until i see what they do at the deadline....
LETS GO HEAT!! LETS GO PANTHERS!! GO FISH GO!! GO FINS!
We'll See
I did renew. Why? Because I love hockey. Possibly against my better judgement, and me not renewing won’t send a message.
But, as for his editorial, I agree that we need a plan, but we need to have the right people making these decisions, which we have not had for the last 4 years. It’s great that he’s not happy but I want to see some results, especially with their statement that they want something to be done. The issue is that we have to be patient. Well, they have to figure a way out to get a competitive team on the ice that will be in the playoffs. I’m not looking for a Stanley Cup now, but we have to make the playoffs.
I agree with the free agency situation. Hard to see a big name coming here with all the disruption that’s been going on, which has been the problem for a long long time.
Unless we get a big name player or 3, building through the draft will take another 4 years. I don’t have that kind of patience.
Something to consider. Tomas Vokoun. Even though he has anoither year on his contract, would it be smart to trade him now, or during the offseason while we can most likely get something for him, or should we try and sign him to an extension?
Jacob Markstrom supposedly is ready, but in reality, how ready is he? Goalies, like defencemen for the most part mature later. If we bring up Markstrom next year, I can’t see him and Clemmeson as our goalies.
you make the best point. we need to have the right people making the decisions that have gone so terribly wrong the last few years.
do we have the right people though? as of right now, i say No. but do we go about hiring a REAL GM this offseason? or are we sticking with Randy? (which way to go, i have yet to decide. Sexton’s test comes in about a week.)
by alterego6487 on Feb 19, 2010 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
which is why we should sign a UFA vet in the offseason to hold the fort down until Markstrom can start. its absolutely crucial to trade vokoun at the deadline, where we can get a desperate team to over-pay for him. we cant make the bouwmeester mistake again…
PS.. this is all based on the assumption that were blowing up the team this year
PS.. this is all based on the assumption that were blowing up the team this year
That’s certainly the assumption I’m proceeding under.
by Donny Rivette on Feb 19, 2010 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
this is also frustrating, because although rebuilding is necessary, there are quite a few pieces that SHOULD stick around. depends on how you define “blowing up the team”
by alterego6487 on Feb 19, 2010 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Litter Box Cats
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
55 | 27 | 17 | 11 | 65 |
|
Washington
|
56 | 28 | 23 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
57 | 26 | 25 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
55 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 54 |
|
Carolina
|
57 | 21 | 25 | 11 | 53 |
(updated 2.14.2012 at 3:50 AM EST)
Eastern Standings
| GP | W-L-OT | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
New York Rangers
|
54 | 36-13-5 | 77 |
|
Boston Bruins
|
53 | 34-17-2 | 70 |
|
Florida Panthers
|
55 | 27-17-11 | 65 |
|
Philadelphia Flyers
|
56 | 31-18-7 | 69 |
|
Pittsburgh Penguins
|
56 | 32-19-5 | 69 |
|
New Jersey Devils
|
55 | 31-20-4 | 66 |
|
Ottawa Senators
|
58 | 28-22-8 | 64 |
|
Toronto Maple Leafs
|
56 | 28-22-6 | 62 |
|
Washington Capitals
|
56 | 28-23-5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg Jets
|
57 | 26-25-6 | 58 |
|
Montreal Canadiens
|
57 | 23-25-9 | 55 |
|
Tampa Bay Lightning
|
55 | 24-25-6 | 54 |
|
New York Islanders
|
55 | 23-24-8 | 54 |
|
Buffalo Sabres
|
55 | 24-25-6 | 54 |
|
Carolina Hurricanes
|
57 | 21-25-11 | 53 |
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
