PANTHERS POLL: Trade or retain Nathan Horton

Love to see the results for trade or retain Steven Reinprecht

…Happy Birthday, Nathan!

that was a tough vote. I had to vote trade him only due to the NTC. I think he can be great but I’d like to see what Dale can get in return for him.

If Tallon see’s him as part of the “bigger” roster that he is looking for and seeks players that will mesh well with his style and helps him improve on a consistent basis then I will be thrilled.

Nathan has been a model of mediocrity with streaks of brilliance thrown in occasionally to keep the fans (and coaches & GMs) interested.

We need more consistency – consistently GOOD, giving 100% all the time, every game, every shift. Too many times I’ve watched him skate a shift during a game like he was still in the pre-game warmup. That is totally unacceptable at the professional level, and the younger players model themselves after what they see the veterans do.

Like it ot not, Nathan is a VETERAN player on this team, and needed to start playing like it really matters if his team wins several seasons ago, but he has not. Trade him.

Effort is a big part of hockey, probably the biggest part. The most talented player is only as good as the effort he puts forth on a nightly basis. Truly talented players can turn themselves into superstars with a combination of constant effort and their innate talent.

While Horton is clearly a talent, and has a great shot, he’s not a hard worker all season long and often sulks, pouts, or takes bad penalties when things aren’t going his or the Cats way. His effort isn’t there. This team needs to build around the idea of effort first and foremost. If you have everyone giving their all every night, and developing talent to support that effort through the draft (READ: SMART F’ING DRAFTS, NOT ANTHONY STEWART AND KREPS AND GLOBKE), things will improve quickly.

Just my thoughts…