As Florida Panthers Training Camp Rolls On, Cuts Start Coming

by Ryan Meier on Sep 20, 2011 11:06 AM EDT in Florida Panthers News & Analysis

The first two preseason games are in the bag, with the Panthers going 1-1 versus the Nashville Predators. Some good games all around, and fans got to see glimpses of possible future lines and future stars for the Cats, as well as the Preds. Both these teams have some really strong organizational depth and it shows. We may not be seeing some of the younger guys until they have had some seasoning, as Panther management have repeatedly stated that they do not want to rush prospects as previous regimes have done. However, the future certainly looks brighter than it has in almost a decade, and the amount of depth in the potential opening day lineup is quite encouraging.

More after the jump...

That being said, the cuts started rolling in today, with the Panthers sending Vincent Trocheck, John McFarland and Josh Birkholz back to their respective junior teams. The Cats also sent Adam Comrie, Michael Caruso, Justin Bernhardt, Jake Hauswirth, A.J. Jenks, Bill Thomas, Garrett Wilson and goalie Brian Foster back to the AHL. San Antonio Rampage head coach Chuck Weber has to be quite happy with the depth he'll have this season, as the cuts announced today are just the beginning, and we'll certainly see some more notable names sent back to the AHL to help the Rampage succeed next season before camp ends and the NHL season starts. The Panthers are now down to 46 total players, and that number will continue to shrink over the next couple of weeks.

Out of those names, McFarland is a little bit of a surprise, as he had by all accounts a pretty solid rookie camp and many thought he might be given a longer look. Trocheck also had a great rookie camp but is still very young and needs a couple more seasons in juniors or with San Antonio. We'll see these guys again before long though.

We'll keep you updated with any additional cuts that may come along today. Stay tuned!

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McFarland is kind of surprising, but if they knew he wasn’t making the team, perhaps they thought it better he get right into AHL camp. I’m more surprised Strachan didn’t get cut, but Caruso doesn’t surprise me after yesterday’s performance. We’ll be seeing some of those guys back here eventually.

"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 Sep 20, 2011 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

Err, juniors not AHL.

"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 Sep 20, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Yea I’m a little surprised too, but McFarland should be encouraged by a strong camp, and I think one more year of juniors will help the organization see he means business, provided he picks up his game this season. He’s a bit of a project player IMO, but he’s looked like he’s going to be ready to contribute at an NHL level in some fashion within the next two to three years.

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Ryan Meier on Sep 20, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

McFarland

McFarland still has a lot to prove, and there’s no place to put him in the current lineup. He’ll be much better served by going back to Saginaw now and get a chance to show the Panthers staff that he is fully committed to being a dominant hockey player.

McFarland is in a pretty crappy spot, to be honest. He has to prove that he can play, but he’s a 19-year-old junior player who should be dominant, anyway. He’s going to have to post something near 1.3 points/game in order to call this season a success, I think.

Don’t forget that Trochek put up better production for Saginaw last year than did McFarland.

by BrianFogarty on Sep 20, 2011 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

Tough season last year, but he did put up 9pts in 12 playoff games.

I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season.
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots

by Chris S Roberts on Sep 20, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but at 19, he needs to be putting up 12pts per 9 games…

Follow me on Twitter... [URL="http://www.twitter.com/Brian_Fogarty"]@Brian_Fogarty[/URL]

by BrianFogarty on Sep 20, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I won’t go so far as to put a tally that he needs to hit, but he needs to outpace his past numbers significantly to grow. It is possible that his offensive game has simply seen it’s limit, but he seems to have a good shot. Until then, he’s got some time left to grow and develop. Thank heavens this isn’t the “old” Panther teams that would have played him anyway. There’s a good chance he’ll bust, but he’s got lots of time to prove otherwise still.

by badger737 on Sep 20, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

As a 19-year-old CHLer, decent scoring prospects (which is what McFarland is) should be producing quality counting stats, and showing improvement over previous years. I’m not really saying that he has to hit a certain mark. What I’m saying is that as a 19-year-old (he’ll be 20 in April), he’ll face more scrutiny in the CHL for whatever he does. If he puts up 1.5 per game, some people will say that he’s just older and more experienced than his competition. If he puts up less than a point per game, people will say that he can’t perform even against younger and less experienced competition. He really can’t win except by putting up solid production and being among the team leaders for Saginaw.

McFarland already faces some statistical headwinds. Using Gabe Desjardins’ recent comparables work for draft-year production as a predictor for future NHL success (see the article here: http://www.arcticicehockey.com/2011/7/22/2287979/scheifele-vs-couturier-redux#storyjump), McFarland’s .78 pts/gm at 18.24 years of age when drafted puts him in a range of about 75-100 NHL games played by the age of 26. Those are just expectations based on historical comps, but it doesn’t bode well. He needs to have a very solid year to prove that he can play this game at a high level, and that he is more than just unrealized potential.

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by BrianFogarty on Sep 20, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

When I spoke of his shot – I meant his literal shot – not his actual shot to perform in the NHL. I can see where you got the wrong idea though, unclear writing – that’s what I get for blogging at work.

My point was that he may have leveled off as an offensive player, which you’re right – he was drafted to be. He has individual skills, but for whatever reason, they’ve not translated on-ice. Now, there are any number of reasons for that to happen, but I’m sure he’ll get every chance to prove that he can play. If it doesn’t happen, so be it, but at least he won’t get forced into it.

by badger737 on Sep 20, 2011 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Curious about a small thing last night

Did anyone who was able to attend either of those games yesterday catch what song won out on the goal scoring song? Just curious if they followed through on the “attend Sept 19th to find out what was chosen.” or if they are holding off till home opener.

by saskpantherfan on Sep 20, 2011 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

I thought that they played the same song as last year after the goals. I could be wrong but that is what I thought it was.

They do need a new opening video just before the team comes onto the ice for the first period. The old one has way too many players on it that are no longer on the team. I assume we wil get the new one on opening night.

by FL ELKs on Sep 20, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

They’re still using last year’s intros and goal song.

"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 Sep 20, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

They did play for “Whom the Bell Tolls” by Metallica instead of Welcome to the Jungle in the second game.

A lil thunder and a lil lightning is what the Cats are going to bring this year.

by trinidaddy on Sep 20, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

They used that a couple of times late last year as well. I’m cool with either. :)

"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 Sep 21, 2011 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't know about that but......................

The in-house color and game a commentator was terrible. Everyone around me, ushers, Sunrise police, fans, Murp……… etc . were just about ready to jump off a bridge than have to listen to this guy call the game. Horrible doesn’t even begin to describe it. In fact there are no words to describe it. People yelling "Shut up!’ as these lengthy, boring, inaccurate, mispronounced calls were made. When I stood up to cheer it was like having my legs cut off at the knees and falling to the floor and if that wasn’t enough having it “repeated” as I lay there screaming. It sounded more like someone in a geriatric ward calling Bingo Numbers while on Xanax than a Hockey Game. I don’t even want to use my season tickets if I have to listen to this guy. Really!!!!!!!!!

by trapazoid on Sep 20, 2011 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Wow that is terrible to hear. And again after they made out that fans were going to have a say in these things. Not good to hear. I have been at games here in the WHL where a standby person will on occasion fill in for the PA guys and the butchering of names in particular can be quite laughable, but getss annoying very quickly. Sorry to hear that the experience might not be too great this year. Here is hoping he gets feedback and adjusts. Didnt I read he called University football down there??

by saskpantherfan on Sep 20, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

He was very poor. He should just stick to Miami college football and basketball calling.

by FL ELKs on Sep 20, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

You are being extremely kind with your comment.

Poor??? I don’t think it even rises to the level of poor. And I thought I was upset getting kicked out of my seat for Club Red. Club Red is nothing compared to having to endure this guy for 40 games. This guy could be used in place of “Waterboarding” !!

by trapazoid on Sep 20, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I wish you were joking. But honestly it was HORRIBLE!!!!! Sending in messages to my ticket reps. I think all ticket holders should let their rep know how they feel.

A lil thunder and a lil lightning is what the Cats are going to bring this year.

by trinidaddy on Sep 20, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Sorry to say but word is we are stuck with him all season.

Let’s start a chant next game. "BRING BACK BILL !! “BRING BACK BILL !!” “BRING BACK BILL !!” “BRING BACK BILL !!” “BRING BACK BILL !!” “BRING BACK BILL !!” “BRING BACK BILL !!” “BRING BACK BILL !!” “BRING BACK BILL !!” “BRING BACK BILL !!” “BRING BACK BILL !!” “BRING BACK BILL !!”

by trapazoid on Sep 20, 2011 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

holy crap he was terrible

sergei … ko-snee-sneen. the entire time i dreaded each penalty and goal cause i knew he would have to speak. it was the worst in arena announcing i have EVER HEARD. EVER. so fucking terrible. i didn’t mind mitch phillips, bill murphy is way better as an announcer than the in arena host.

by stopdropandbreathe on Sep 20, 2011 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Let’s keep the language PG-rated please.

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by Donny Rivette on Sep 20, 2011 8:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

sorry, his horribleness needed proper accentuation, he was that bad.

but seriously, wont happen again. sorry!

by stopdropandbreathe on Sep 20, 2011 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions

No problem :)

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Sep 21, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I made several recordings of his calls... (including the one used below)

Because I knew no one absent from the game would believe just how terrible he was. 48 seconds to make a goal call for the opposing team… He has been doing this job for 40 years and it’s my opinion that he did no preparation or studying because he thought he would just be able to wing it after so many years of being a “living legend” at UM. His quote; “It’s a microphone and a sporting event. That’s what I do” is a testament to the fact that he reads his own press.

An email I received from the organization on Tuesday morning confirmed that we are indeed stuck with “The Voice of The Hurricanes” as the announcer at the BAC. He has the support of the right people. But I’m telling you this, If there isn’t VAST improvement come Saturday, I may be the first fan in the history of the NHL to boo every PA announcement. It’s obvious that he did no homework and simply rested on his laurels and his resumé when he took this job… “It’s a microphone and a sporting event. That’s what I do.” My butt… And please don’t use the excuse that it’s the pre-season. This is the NHL. A major league sport. It’s not a place where the fans of an already frowned-upon team should be forced to endure a legendary FOOTBALL announcer receiving on-the-job training. That’s what a studio is for. Practice at home or in a studio BEFORE you come to work… He should’ve had his hockey credentials vetted LONG BEFORE he was offered the job at the BAC. But I guess working with your new boss in a previous venture helps you land a job for which you are wholly unqualified.

As mentioned above, he butchered Sergei Kostitsyn’s name differently every single time he said it. The last time it was “Serggy Custins”. But besides doing a little research on players’ names, there are several things that need to be changed immediately: Do NOT say “Florida” before saying “PAN-THERRRS!!!” on our goal calls. We have a tradition. It’s a tradition he should’ve been clued-in on WAY before he stepped up to the mic. Do NOT say “AGAIN” or “REPEATING” ever again. Speed up the delivery. This isn’t football. There isn’t 30 seconds between every play.

I’m willing to give the guy this weekend to see if he’s read any of the complaints and answers the call. Otherwise, Bill Murphy should be back in that seat come Tuesday night… Dale Tallon has finally given this fan base something to be excited about. The last thing we need is for the life to be sucked out of the crowd by a PA announcer. Can you imagine 10,000 Habs fans mockingly shouting “REPEATING” just as the announcer does? ugh.

One last thing: After the Panthers scored two late-game goals to win against Nashville, you would think the fans would’ve been talking about that. But it was my experience post-game with friends and family in the parking lot that everyone was instead talking about the announcer. Some people had already pegged a very good impression of him. Do the right thing: If he’s not up to speed by the end of Saturday’s game, replace him with the guy who never should’ve been replaced in the first place: Bill Murphy

by VanMurph on Sep 21, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Speed up the delivery.

My SWAG is his cadence is perfectly matched to a large, echoing coliseum. You’d think he might understand that at the BAC the PA is clear enough for him to step it up a bit. I read somewhere he also calls the U of M basketball games – an enviroment that sonically should be closely akin to the Center of It All. If that’s the case, I do not understand the plodding pace.

I also think somebody told him to repeat certain calls, and he’s taken it on himself to add the “Repeating” or “Again”.

The whole thing reeks of lack of preparation and judgement – both by the announcer in question and by the management of the facility. Hopefully somebody is man enough to say “I made a mistake” if Jay Rokeach doesn’t quickly turn it around.

by OldDave on Sep 21, 2011 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions

What happened to Mitch Phillips? I was actually starting to like him a bit.

by Jimmy Palmer on Sep 20, 2011 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Listen for yourself

http://chirb.it/czyMet

by trapazoid on Sep 20, 2011 6:42 PM EDT reply actions

WOW

I see… what you mean….. again… I… see….. what you mean.

Hate to say it new announcer…. but I have heard more fluid and energetic announcing at my rec league games…. OUCH….

That was embarassing…. I LOVED when I heard the calls before on the radio or TV (Rare times Canada saw the Panthers)…. this would be…. wow words cant describe it….

by saskpantherfan on Sep 20, 2011 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Speechless. That was a mistake

I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season.
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots

by Chris S Roberts on Sep 21, 2011 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

foster to AHL?

do the rampage routinely carry 3 goalies? by my calculations, foster should be with the cyclones, plante/markstrom in san antonio and clemmenson / theodore in florida… am i missing something?

by stopdropandbreathe on Sep 20, 2011 7:43 PM EDT reply actions

Cincy is a dual-affiliation between FLA and NSH. May not be room as yet.

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Sep 20, 2011 8:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

You’re missing him getting bumped by Markstrom and Plante. He’ll start camp with the Rampage and then when they get crowded, he’ll get sent to Cincinnati and be firs call-up for San Antonio. That will be true of probably a lot of the guys who just got sent. They’ll get bumped down when the Panthers make cuts and when ECHL camps start. The camps are staggered so the rosters of the minor league teams get filled as the team above them makes cuts.

"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 Sep 21, 2011 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions

if thats thecase, would san antonio hold three goalies, or loan foster to somewhere else? or, god forbid, send him to the chl?

by stopdropandbreathe on Sep 20, 2011 8:57 PM EDT reply actions

I think he goes to Cincinatti

He was there last year and would likely split the duties with Pickard.

by saskpantherfan on Sep 20, 2011 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

NEVERMIND

Chevrie was there last year.

by saskpantherfan on Sep 20, 2011 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I have been a San Antonio season ticket holder for 3 years, and am SUPER excited for the new affiliation/players, and I have yet to see them carry three goalies. My guess is Markstrom stays in the big camp to get some experience, and because of that, Foster gets some time down here. Only my guess though, for what it’s worth. Oh, and it’s “Cincinnati”…

by rampagerowdie on Sep 20, 2011 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Foster will be the starter for the Cyclones, but he’ll go to the SA camp first. Let the coaches see him, het him a taste of all levels of pro hockey, and then see wjay he can do with a full season at the ECHL before stepping up to backup Plante in SA next season.

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by BrianFogarty on Sep 20, 2011 9:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Welcome Rowdie :)

And do you have any idea how many times I’ve personally stopped myself in the middle of a sentence solely to check the spelling of “Cincinnati”? It just doesn’t come naturally…and I saw the Stingers!

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Sep 20, 2011 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure if Ive ever spelled Cincinnati correctly without spell check…

I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season.
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots

by Chris S Roberts on Sep 21, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Welcome! We’re excited as well. As much as Rochester is in “hockey country” (and also the general area where I’m originally from), that affiliation was bad on both sides and it’s kind of exciting to have an affiliate that’s got a reputation for being well-run. And also, I just can’t get over how big hockey seems to be getting in Texas.

That, and I’m hoping I can use going to see a Rampage game as an excuse to come back and visit San Antonio again.

"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 Sep 21, 2011 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I for one am happy to see that fans in San Antonio are excited to have the Panthers. I second alot of the thoughts on this affiliation, in that I think it is going to be a great one for both sides. I also loved some of the things that Chuck Weber said the other day, such as how the temps, the nightlife and travel are somewhat the same, so players will be better prepared. I admit I have been very excited about this affiliation.

Was waiting anxiously for that schedule to come out up till the day it was released, cause my wife and I are going to be in Abbotsford around Christmas and was REALLY hoping for the Rampage to be in town. Was a little disappointing to see that they are up there exactly a month earlier, but still going to catch one of the Texas and Abbotsford games.

by saskpantherfan on Sep 21, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions