Thursday Caterwaul: Panthers Open Forum

by Donny Rivette on Jan 19, 2012 11:01 AM EST in LBC Caterwauls: '11-12

After a Florida 3-1 third period lead morphed into a 4-3 OT loss at Denver Wednesday, the not-so-high-flying Panthers have scored more than three goals exactly once in their last 18 games. Yet somehow this club retains a (final) playoff spot with 3 points to spare.

Final - 1.18.2012	1	2	3	OT	Total
Florida Panthers	1	1	1	0	3
Colorado Avalanche	0	1	2	1	4

Complete Coverage >

Recaps: Litter Box Cats * SB Nation * Mile High Hockey

The Eastern Front

Rank	Team	GP	W	L	OT	PTS	GF	GA	Home	Away	L/10	Streak
1	NY Rangers	44	29	11	4	62	125	90	14-4-2	15-7-2	7-3-0	Won 1
2	Boston	43	29	13	1	59	156	88	16-7-1	13-6-0	6-4-0	Lost 1
3	Washington	45	25	18	2	52	128	127	17-6-1	8-12-1	7-3-0	Won 1
4	Philadelphia	44	27	13	4	58	149	129	11-6-2	16-7-2	6-4-0	Won 1
5	Ottawa	48	26	16	6	58	149	150	14-9-1	12-7-5	8-1-1	Won 1
6	New Jersey	45	26	17	2	54	126	126	12-7-1	14-10-1	7-2-1	Won 3
7	Pittsburgh	45	24	17	4	52	136	117	12-7-2	12-10-2	4-6-0	Won 3
8	Florida	45	21	14	10	52	115	127	11-5-6	10-9-4	3-4-3	OT 2

9	Toronto	45	22	18	5	49	139	140	12-7-4	10-11-1	4-5-1	Lost 3
10	Winnipeg	46	21	20	5	47	116	133	14-8-1	7-12-4	4-6-0	Lost 1
11	Buffalo	46	19	22	5	43	114	140	11-9-5	8-13-0	2-6-2	Lost 3
12	Montreal	46	17	21	8	42	116	126	8-9-7	9-12-1	4-5-1	Lost 1
13	NY Islanders	44	17	21	6	40	106	134	10-11-3	7-10-3	6-4-0	Won 1
14	Tampa Bay	45	18	23	4	40	126	159	12-7-1	6-16-3	3-6-1	Won 1
15	Carolina	48	16	24	8	40	124	156	11-11-3	5-13-5	4-4-2	OT 1

Why last night rocked:

CHI over BUF, 6-2; Sabres skating awfully close to Does Not Matter territory

Why last night jonesed:

WSH over MTL, 3-0; Caps recalling how to get it done. With all of 16 shots.

Florida Playoff Update:

Lost to Colorado 3-4 (OT), playoff odds down 2.1 to 74.7% per Sports Club Stats

Why tonight is a Big Deal in SoFla:

MIN at TOR, 7 p.m.; Wild: lost 10 straight on road
BOS at NJ, 7; Broons decimated Devs 6-1 in last trip to PruCenter (January 4)
PIT at NYR, 7; Rags won last two vs Pens at MSG
NYI at PHI, 7; Flyers: 13 straight home wins vs Isles
BUF at WPG, 8:30; teams have traded OT victories in 2 previous matches
OTW at SJ, 10:30; Sens are 9-1-1 in last 11 games

Next up for the Cats:

At Chicago tomorrow; the LBC Game Thread distinguishes its right flank from its left flank at 7:30.

Did you know:

Five of the past seven games featuring FLA & COL have gone beyond regulation (3-2 edge by Avs)

Wednesday’s Organizational Transactions:

F Evgenii Dadonov and F A.J. Jenks to CAR for F Jon Matsumoto and F Mattias Lindstrom; more to come on this later today

Wednesday’s NHL Waiver Wire

Placed on waivers:

RW Brandon Yip - COL
C Brett McLean - CHI (unconditional)

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Comments

Grumble grumble

by Robert Wright on Jan 19, 2012 11:09 AM EST reply actions

second the grumbling. not really feeling good about the team this a.m.
this is all too familiar.

by Todd Little on Jan 19, 2012 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

I think it’s time we lower our expectations, they seem to have

Fish, Heatles, Cats, Fins, Noles

by National Mario on Jan 19, 2012 11:14 AM EST reply actions

Naah. I still expect a playoff appearance. I don’t think they’ll take the division but it’s still possible.

I think there’s a switch somewhere that when it gets flipped, good things will start happening again. They have been close on so many occassions over the past few games. I don’t expect them to flip that switch over then next three games though: Chicago is going to be tough and Winnipeg will be rested (2nd of back to back for the Cats). Then Philly on Tuesday. I’m kind of hoping the cats catch some of those teams napping.

The next few games will be telling. Two against Washington, Two against Winnipeg, and one against Tampa all before Feb 7th.

by jimmyh71 on Jan 19, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, once they get everyone back I think it will be easier to turn the tide. I still think they will sneak into the playoffs but it’s hard to see them winning the division despite being tied right now.

by Todd Little on Jan 19, 2012 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

I really want Skille and Bergenheim back

Fish, Heatles, Cats, Fins, Noles

by National Mario on Jan 19, 2012 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

I don’t know that they’re out of the race for 1st in the SE just yet. Caps have a slim lead on them at the moment and there’s still time left, not to mention the trade deadline is still coming up.

Hockey is a business, only we fans love it as a game.

by JDMorris on Jan 19, 2012 6:01 PM EST up reply actions

Wild, Sabres and Rangers tonight. It would sure be nice if we could start winning games again.

I am starting to feel we were hoodwinked a bit by leading what was essentially a crap division for the first half of the season.

Panthers are actually 21-24 (yes the one point losses help but this shows they are really not that good)

52 points is good for 15th in the league

21 wins is 20th best in the league

They are 24th overall in goal scoring

Jason Garrison has out scored all but 3 forwards

by Todd Little on Jan 19, 2012 11:17 AM EST reply actions

I want to cry.

Tweet me! @srgrossman

by LadyPuckFan on Jan 19, 2012 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

OldDave passes over a tissue

by OldDave on Jan 19, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t know what going to happen in Chicago (hard to see a win in that one) but they really need to get a win in the ’Peg on Saturday.

by Todd Little on Jan 19, 2012 11:29 AM EST reply actions

Each of the last two seasons, we’ve split the games against the Blackhawks. And they had to take us to a shootout during the first game this season. Plus, Kane’s slumping and Sharp’s injured. I mean, that doesn’t take away Toews/Hossa/Stalberg/Shaw/Keith/etc., but it might help a little.

by angellen on Jan 19, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

Ya know I would be more upset if I thought the team was not playing well, but in many cases that just is not the case. A lot of these games we could of won. It’s not like we are getting blown out most nights. And despite all the injuries we have been for the most part holding our own…..especially against some of the NHL’s best teams…..Since new years we got points out of games against the Rangers and Boston, the 2 beasts of the East and a win over Vancouver, currently number 22 overall in the West. Yeah we have left far to many OT points on the table, but in years past how many of those games would not have even gotten to the OT. I still believe a trade is in the offing (Santorelli, anyone?) or perhaps Tallon does feel that the additions are going to come from within by getting back some of our formerly walking wounded. I would say the first 2 weeks after the AS break are going to be critical towards Tallons thinking…..with 2 games VS Washington and 1 each against the Peg and TB. The player picture could be determined then.

by catfan927 on Jan 19, 2012 11:37 AM EST reply actions

Ya know I would be more upset if I thought the team was not playing well, but in many cases that just is not the case. A lot of these games we could of won. It’s not like we are getting blown out most nights. And despite all the injuries we have been for the most part holding our own…..especially against some of the NHL’s best teams…..Since new years we got points out of games against the Rangers and Boston, the 2 beasts of the East and a win over Vancouver, currently number 2 overall in the West. Yeah we have left far to many OT points on the table, but in years past how many of those games would not have even gotten to the OT. I still believe a trade is in the offing (Santorelli, anyone?) or perhaps Tallon does feel that the additions are going to come from within by getting back some of our formerly walking wounded. I would say the first 2 weeks after the AS break are going to be critical towards Tallons thinking…..with 2 games VS Washington and 1 each against the Peg and TB. The player picture could be determined then.

by catfan927 on Jan 19, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

Unfortunately, maybe the “experts” were correct in their pre-season predictions of a 15th place finish for the Kittens. They over achieved for 30 plus games and then reality set in. Theo looked good last night, but goals 3 and 4 were both cheap stoppable shots. I feel like I am watching last year’s version of the Panthers, getting outshot on a nightly basis, blowing scoring chances (3 on 1 in ot), and getting ready for the draft in February.

by bearcat30 on Jan 19, 2012 11:38 AM EST reply actions

it does feel that way but still plenty of time to turn it around plus we are in a better position than in previous years. tied for 1st in the division and in eighth by 3 points.

by Todd Little on Jan 19, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions

Fleischmann has NOT been right since that cheap shot he took to the head against the Rangers in November. He was on fire up till then. Weiss has been invisible since his injury, and Versteeg might be liking South Beach too much.

by bearcat30 on Jan 19, 2012 11:42 AM EST reply actions

Versteeg’s actually not been great since he got taken out twice in the December game against the Hurricanes. I think it’s an injury thing with all three of them.

by angellen on Jan 19, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

Well that game was extremely awesome then extraordinarily pathetic, at least the Avs didn’t just coast to a shootout, I would have been pissed.

So heres my positives/observations:
-Lots of Panthers fans showed up, probably 10x more than two years ago. It was nice to not be alone out there.
-We finally scored 3 goals. Even if they were all fluky
-Weiss played much better, his goal was the result of hard work.
-Versteeg played better, but not great.
-Flash is still so snakebitten it hurts. Is his antidote pressbox time?
-Matt Bradley is scary looking, he has a bunch of stitches around his eyes. I decree his new name to be Skeletor
-Lets hope Ellerby was just rusty, or that Jovo injury is going to hurt bigtime.
-Goc is super cool. I want to see him on the first line if need be.
-Weaver is so short its funny.
(I’ll probably think of more later)

We played hard. Despite the massive letdown a point is a point, as sucky as that game was in the end I think the blood is starting to flow through the veins of this team again. Yes, that should have been a win by all means, but only having 14 regulation losses to this point is amazing due to how streaky this team is. That game could have easily been the 15th.

(and yes, time for a bag skate.)

I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season. FLASH COUNT: 15G/19A
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots

by Chris S Roberts on Jan 19, 2012 11:45 AM EST reply actions

It would be nice if Goldstein and Lindsey would keep quiet with their “jinxable” comments during games. Example last night: with score 3-1, Goldie says “Panthers are 16-1-3 when they score 3 or more goals. This is great.” Thanks guys. :(

by bearcat30 on Jan 19, 2012 11:47 AM EST reply actions

We dont have much in the way of assets to trade. Long term, overpaid NHL contracts on the big club, Santorelli wont fetch much, San Antonio has nothing other than Robak (the AHL veterans are carrying the team-prospects are marginal at best). Can’t/won’t trade our true talent in juniors and NCAA.

by bearcat30 on Jan 19, 2012 11:55 AM EST reply actions

Repik on waivers to be sent to SA

by studyaid on Jan 19, 2012 12:46 PM EST reply actions

I think he’s going to be claimed. I’d rather Tallon traded him for something.

by jimmyh71 on Jan 19, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

Whos gonna trade for him if they know he’s going to be waived eventually?

by Chris S Roberts on Jan 19, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

good point, but if there are two teams that might want him, maybe the one that would lose out on the claim might part with a late pick or “future considerations”. It’s wishful thinking on my part, but any asset is better than no asset.

Of course, I’m presuming that Tallon didn’t shop him around already.

by jimmyh71 on Jan 19, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions

Repik will be the next Grabner. . . “we hoped he would sneak through waivers”

by studyaid on Jan 19, 2012 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

I really hope you aren’t proven right. But if I were a betting man (I’m not), I’d bet he’ll be taken.

by jimmyh71 on Jan 19, 2012 7:02 PM EST up reply actions

Repik’s on a 2-way contract. I thought he can’t be claimed.

by bearcat30 on Jan 19, 2012 1:08 PM EST reply actions

http://thehockeywriters.com/nhl-waiver-rules/

There’s a whole set of criteria whether someone is waiver eligible or not. I don’t know how Repik got qualified (maybe 5 years since his first contract)?

by jimmyh71 on Jan 19, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

Probably played that magic # of NHL games too. He was waived before and no one claimed him

by Chris S Roberts on Jan 19, 2012 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

according to Harvey, he’s played 71 games

by studyaid on Jan 19, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

Linkie here

by studyaid on Jan 19, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

He’s 23 and played 60 games.

by MrOmnipotent on Jan 19, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

Two-way contract just means his payscale is different in the AHL and NHL. The only difference it makes for waivers is that as long as his AHL salary is under a certain level (which it is), then they don’t have to put him on re-entry waivers to call him back from San Antonio.

He’s already been put on waivers once this season, when he was cut in training camp. The difference is that this time, it’s closer to the end of the season, teams have long-term injuries and he just played some decent games in the NHL, so there’s more of a chance of his being claimed than there was in September.

"Shut up, Pierre!" -Everyone

Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.

by John Beatty on Jan 19, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions