Second time around? Former Panthers on the Free Agent market
by John Beatty on Jun 30, 2011 8:25 PM EDT
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PrintSometimes a favorite player is traded because of a locker room problem or a difference of opinion with a coach or GM. Sometimes they demand a trade and sometimes the team just goes in a different direction. There's always a contingent of fans who hold on to those players who got away and hope they will come back. While Dale Tallon is working on his own reunions by adding some Chicago Blackhawks to the Cats, there are a number of former Panthers available in this year's UFA market. And if today's Steve Montador signing has taught us anything, it's that A) Dale Tallon is not the only GM in Chicago willing to overpay defensemen and B) not all former Panthers have the career arc of Kamil Kreps.
A select list of available former Cats, and poll, after the jump...
Rob Niedermayer, Florida's first ever draft pick, only had 19 points last season, but was very good in the playoffs for the Sabres. Niedermayer is definitely on the downside of his career arc, but won a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007 and could be a good veteran presence for the team.
After being picked in first overall by the Panthers in 1994, Jovocop played for just over three seasons before being traded to Vancouver. He's played in Phoenix the last few years. And while he's been hurt and missed games the last two seasons and had his lowest scoring season ever last year, he still logged 20 minutes a night on a playoff team.
Dvorak, Florida's first round pick in 1995, has already had a second stint with the Panthers, one that ended when Tallon traded him to Atlanta at the trade deadline. Dvorak had 1 point in 13 games for the Thrashers before being injured. A return to the Panthers is unlikely. He recently had some choice words about the atmosphere surrounding this year's team and said he wants one more crack at a Cup, something unlikely to happen soon enough in South Florida.
Glass, a ninth round Florida pick in 2003, only played parts of two seasons for the Panthers before he left to sign with Vancouver. He's been a decent energy line player for the Canucks the last two years.
Salei played most of two post-lockout seasons before GM Jacques Martin traded him to the Avalanche for Karlis Skrastins. Salei had a 10 point season for the Red Wings this season after missing most of the previous season.
Skrastins was traded to the Panthers in 2008 for Ruslan Salei. He played the following season on a pairing with Jay Bouwmeester before Randy Sexton lowballed him on a contract offer and he left for Dallas. Skrastins was a solid stay at home defenseman and a shot blocking machine for the Panthers.
Following two disappointing seasons that saw him play for three different teams, Dale Tallon gave Higgins a one-year contract. Higgins started slow, but seemed to get his scoring touch back mid-season before being injured. He was traded to Vancouver while still injured and had 4 goals in the playoffs, including 2 game winners.
Honorable Mention: Cory Stillman, Bryan McCabe, Andreas Lilja, Nick Boynton, Noah Welch, Jassen Cullimore, Wade Belak, Steve MacIntyre, Jeff Taffe, Steve Eminger
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I couldn’t do everyone. He’s on the list at the bottom.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Oh man… There’s always one. :)
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
And I was in the room when he was drafted.
- end of personal pimping effort –
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 30, 2011 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
My vote went to Niedermayer, would love to see him retire here.
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jun 30, 2011 9:06 PM EDT reply actions
Great vidcap, btw
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jul 3, 2011 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Glass
Hard to believe VAN lets him walk, but I don’t have experience with Game Seven meltdowns on home ice.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
Wasn’t his fault in any event.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 30, 2011 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
On that list, the only one I’d really like to see back is Higgins. As much as I loved JovoCop, I don’t know that we have a spot for another “veteran” defenseman after signing Campbell. Gudbranson has to make the team next year, and after Garrison and Ellerby’s good showing last year, gotta think those 4 plus Kuli and Weaver make up our top 6 pretty comfortably. Would I like to see another defensman added for some competition? Sure, I just don’t think a guy with a year or two left is the answer for this team…
Neidermeyer coming back would be akin to Griffey returning to Seattle to end his career. Great PR move, horrible outcome, lol.
I’m with you on this. He’s my choice of the whole lot. I was upset about McCabe getting traded, but it’s a different team now. I think Higgins would still fit.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
by John Beatty on Jun 30, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
This is a tough one. The first hockey jersey I ever owned was a robbie niedermayer 44…I still wear it quite often to the games however as far as contribution…its Higgins all the way. I pray to the hockey gods he returns here! I hear he was super close with Matthias and Ellerby so maybe that will help!
Dara
Hard to vote against Nieds, but imo Jovo has the ability to best influence the current group. That could of course change in mere hours.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 30, 2011 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I had no idea Skrastins was a UFA. If I were Dale I would put him near the top of the list for D based on how he performed with Florida before.
by SunshineStateHockey on Jun 30, 2011 10:36 PM EDT reply actions
Might not have the opportunity
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 30, 2011 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Not in stone.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 30, 2011 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Loved Skrastins with the Avs, never saw much of him as a Panther, but if Guds/Wilson cant be signed I’d approach him with a contract.
by Chris S Roberts on Jun 30, 2011 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Shot-blocking beast.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 30, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
And since Dvo is all but done with the Cats I wouldnt mind seeing Higgins back in the red
by Chris S Roberts on Jun 30, 2011 11:53 PM EDT reply actions
Technically he has never been in red, ours at least. Just saying
by Ad1zzl3 on Jul 1, 2011 12:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Twas a long time ago, but he was
http://cgi.ebay.com/1995-1996-Bowman-130-Radek-Dvorak-RC-/200491218972?pt=US_Hockey_Trading_Cards&hash=item2eae35381c
by Chris S Roberts on Jul 1, 2011 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I was referring to Higgins. I know Dvorak did. It was a shame when we traded him to the sharks. I was happy when he came back.
by Ad1zzl3 on Jul 1, 2011 1:33 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Whoops, I need to read my own posts better huh?
by Chris S Roberts on Jul 1, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
All about Jovo, extremely biased, but I would like him back. I could foresee him taking a top 4 spot. We still need a tooth loosening defenseman and he would fill that roll. We have good d but we haven’t had a heavy hitter since Ballard left(still upset he is gone). We now have a scoring defenseman who could pair withany of the three other we have but we lack someone who would make a player think twice about trying to go to the slot instead of dumping in. Secondly, if any of the three young defenseman(Ellerby, Garrison, and hopefully Guds) struggle(could happen between any of them) it would be ok to send one down without it costing the team. Then if we have an injury we have a good replacement instead of someone like Clay Wilson. It may also teach the three of them that nothing is given and they have to earn their way on the team because at any moment they could be sent down for a guy who is working to be at the next level.
by Ad1zzl3 on Jul 1, 2011 12:02 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
All about Jovo, extremely biased, but I would like him back. I could foresee him taking a top 4 spot. We still need a tooth loosening defenseman and he would fill that roll. We have good d but we haven’t had a heavy hitter since Ballard left(still upset he is gone). We now have a scoring defenseman who could pair withany of the three other we have but we lack someone who would make a player think twice about trying to go to the slot instead of dumping in. Secondly, if any of the three young defenseman(Ellerby, Garrison, and hopefully Guds) struggle(could happen between any of them) it would be ok to send one down without it costing the team. Then if we have an injury we have a good replacement instead of someone like Clay Wilson. It may also teach the three of them that nothing is given and they have to earn their way on the team because at any moment they could be sent down for a guy who is working to be at the next level.
by Ad1zzl3 on Jul 1, 2011 12:02 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I’d love to see Jovo brought in to mentor Gudbranson and Ellerby, and see Neidermayer brought in as a fourth line center/ winger, for his leadership and defensive play. Neids would even be a good AHL player, if he was willing to work on a two-way, as a mentor and leader in San Antonio.
I still say Billy can still play. Lets suit up Billy, Moller, Santos and Dineen. Not sure Tallon could keep up. By the way wouldn’t an Old Timers Game be good for New Years eve. Maybe we’d draw more than 50 Panther fans that usually come to the game and I won’t have to listen to the Habs fans sign that song all night which I still can’t figure out what it means.
HCM
by hcm on Jul 1, 2011 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
From HF on Reasoner and Vokoun
#Panthers reading into what coach Dineen basically said – Reasoner and Vokey will test market but have offer to return
The Ghost of David Nemirovsky
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