Saturday Caterwaul: Panthers Open Forum
by Donny Rivette on Jan 7, 2012 12:18 PM EST
in LBC Caterwauls: '11-12
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During the [second intermission], DeBoer implored his players to avoid the meltdowns they’ve encountered in previous third periods. “We talked between the second and third about having a mind-set that we were going to go out and take over the game.”
- The Star-Ledger's Rich Chere. And that they did.
LBC Recap * SBN Recap * ILWT Recap
*
The Eastern Front
|
Rank |
Team |
GP |
W |
L |
OT |
PTS |
GF |
GA |
Home |
Away |
L/10 |
Streak |
|
1 |
NY Rangers |
39 |
26 |
9 |
4 |
56 |
116 |
82 |
12-3-2 |
14-6-2 |
9-1-0 |
Won 4 |
|
2 |
Boston |
37 |
26 |
10 |
1 |
53 |
138 |
69 |
14-6-1 |
12-4-0 |
9-1-0 |
Won 2 |
|
3 |
Florida |
41 |
20 |
13 |
8 |
48 |
107 |
115 |
10-4-5 |
10-9-3 |
4-4-2 |
Lost 1 |
|
4 |
Philadelphia |
38 |
23 |
11 |
4 |
50 |
130 |
113 |
9-6-2 |
14-5-2 |
5-4-1 |
Won 1 |
|
5 |
Ottawa |
41 |
21 |
15 |
5 |
47 |
127 |
136 |
13-8-1 |
8-7-4 |
7-2-1 |
Won 4 |
|
6 |
Pittsburgh |
39 |
21 |
14 |
4 |
46 |
122 |
103 |
11-5-2 |
10-9-2 |
5-5-0 |
Lost 3 |
|
7 |
New Jersey |
40 |
22 |
16 |
2 |
46 |
111 |
116 |
11-7-1 |
11-9-1 |
6-3-1 |
Won 1 |
|
8 |
Toronto |
40 |
20 |
15 |
5 |
45 |
129 |
128 |
10-5-4 |
10-10-1 |
4-4-2 |
Won 2 |
|
|
||||||||||||
|
9 |
Washington |
38 |
21 |
15 |
2 |
44 |
114 |
110 |
14-5-1 |
7-10-1 |
6-3-1 |
Won 4 |
|
10 |
Winnipeg |
40 |
19 |
16 |
5 |
43 |
107 |
118 |
14-6-1 |
5-10-4 |
5-4-1 |
Lost 2 |
|
11 |
Buffalo |
40 |
18 |
18 |
4 |
40 |
106 |
119 |
10-9-4 |
8-9-0 |
3-6-1 |
Lost 1 |
|
12 |
Tampa Bay |
39 |
17 |
19 |
3 |
37 |
108 |
133 |
11-5-0 |
6-14-3 |
5-4-1 |
Lost 2 |
|
13 |
Montreal |
40 |
15 |
18 |
7 |
37 |
106 |
113 |
6-7-6 |
9-11-1 |
3-7-0 |
Won 1 |
|
14 |
Carolina |
42 |
14 |
21 |
7 |
35 |
110 |
141 |
10-10-3 |
4-11-4 |
5-3-2 |
Won 1 |
|
15 |
NY Islanders |
38 |
14 |
18 |
6 |
34 |
90 |
120 |
8-9-3 |
6-9-3 |
5-5-0 |
Lost 1 |
*
Why last night rocked:
All together now: no overtime!
- NYR over PIT, 3-1
- CAR over BUF, 4-2
- ANH over NYI, 4-2
Why last night jonesed:
Never appearing completely comfortable, Alien was a somewhat less-than-stellar 24-for-27 in his return to NHL ice, on a night when his club badly needed the all-important Big Save
Why tonight is a Big Deal in SoFla:
This whole "rooting for the opposition" thing supremely sucks, but we're all about the Sabres and Sharks this evening
- VAN at BOS, 1 p.m.
- OTW at PHI, 1
- WPG at BUF, 7
- DET at TOR, 7
- TB at MTL, 7
- NJ at PIT, 7
- CAR at NSH, 8
- NYI at PHX, 8
- WSH at SJ, 10:30
Next up for the Cats:
Hosting VAN Monday; the LBC Game Thread identifies itself as Frieda's boss at 7
Did you know:
FLA is now 3-10 at NJ since 2005-06, with a frightening 24GF and 44GA
On the table:
Nothing's hotter at the moment than this chess match:
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Comments
Thanks, PF. Too much coffee in the blood when I re-read it :)
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 7, 2012 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
Im glad I decided to go to bed with 7 min left in the game..
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 7, 2012 12:38 PM EST reply actions
The Panthers are 4-5-4 in their last 13. Time for Sammy to have a big night against his (most recent) former club, (and hope that Sturm is also ready!)
Check out Florida Panthers Nation on Facebook! www.facebook.com/pages/Florida-Panthers-Nation/347621568585757
by Kevin Kraczkowski on Jan 7, 2012 12:45 PM EST reply actions
Sturm’s going to be out for a while. He hasn’t even started skating yet and he’s the one Panther that the coaches haven’t given an update on in a while.
- Go Panthers -
I have been really impressed with Kulikov play lately. He is starting to hit and shoot more in net. Gudbranson is really starting to show why he belonged in the NHL. Still waiting for the panther forward prospects to show more.
by Hawkseye on Jan 7, 2012 6:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It was a close game up until empty net madness at the end there. With the injured slowly returning, scoring needs to wake up and put some puck’s in the back of the net.
Good to see Gov get back on the scoresheet quickly.
Seeing Red since 1994.
Glass half full last night. I think the team played great. A lot of open nets with a puck missin the net… Mr. Madden! I think that the team is going to have a nice breakout next week. The team is better offensively without the kids. I think it would be a boost to the team if they named a captain after last night lost or is that after the all star break… Still think another trade is brewing for a winger but if upshall comes back sooner than expected, it won’t be necessary…
by Hawkseye on Jan 7, 2012 3:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Someone needs to step up for the captain position.
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 7, 2012 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
The Captain has been wearing #9 the last ten years and #19 for seven games at the end of the ’02 season.
Give me one reason Weiss deserves captaincy other than because hes played in Sunrise his entire career. Patrick Elias has played 1000 games for NJ and isnt the captain. There isnt a certain number of games played you cross and become the captain, we all know that.
Where is his locker room voice? Where is anyone’s locker room voice? None of us have passes into the locker room, so I guess we can only assume this roster doesnt have one since we have 4 As and no C.
Who argues with the refs? Who does Dineen look to after a timeout? When you watch the locker room cleanout videos who inspires confidence for a new season? Who barks out instructions you can hear from the pressbox?
If anyone fits this description its Ed Jovanovski, whos played 250 games with Florida. They brought in Jovo for leadership, he learned it via 16 seasons with 3 different teams and 13 rounds of playoffs. And Weiss learned leadership through 10 years on a black hole roster?
Yet Jovo doesnt wear the C. And I don’t believe in willing Weiss into a position he wasn’t born to serve. Kopecky and Campbell dont bring anything more to the table than Weiss and Jovanovski do.
Theres a reason the team has been captainless since McCabe got traded. In the 60 games since Florida has gone up and down the standings based on streaks, not systems. Dineen has done a hell of a job in his rookie year by formulating chemistry between the lines but hasn’t been able to impose his system yet. We’ve been winning close games based on individual efforts whether it be from the goalie or a multi-point night from a forward. We havent been winning the close games because the players are sticking to a system for a full 60 minutes.
What makes a system work is when all of your players stick to it an entire game, playoff teams stick to a system the entire season. Leadership is what tells Dadonov to forecheck like Skille and Kopecky to go to the tough areas like Sturm did. Leaders sit down with Flash when his pathetic backchecking causes a goal. The captain of this team will pressure Santorelli to work on the little things and other areas of his game during a scoring slump. When you dont have leaders the system withers away because the coaches simply cant point out the little things for every player.
Thats the reason FLA has tanked lately. The ‘prove yourselves to the hockey world’ mentality of the early season has worn off and now players are skating around aimlessly because no one can hold the accountable for not giving 110%. Unless leaders step up the focus is going to shift from the dying divisional lead to who gets shipped out at the deadline.
And no, as of this morning I didn’t wake up with a person in mind to be the next captain of the Florida Panthers. If anyone still wonders why we dont have a captain named, its time to wake up.
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 7, 2012 10:46 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Agree with this 100%, although Weiss has always been my choice for captain. All of the guys look up to him and he has been a voice in the locker room. There’s a reason why on every situation, win or loss, there’s pretty much a quote from him. Dineen has plenty of confidence in him as well, and knows that he’s the go-to player that he can put in all situations.
Besides that though, this team needs a voice. Whether it’s Weiss, Jovanovski, or Campbell, someone has to step up and take charge of this team, and be the voice of this team. In my mind, this team will not play differently without one player to look up to when you’re down a goal in the locker room. We all know that this team isn’t built for a long run in the playoffs, that could possibly happen next year at the earliest with Huberdeau, Howden, and Markstrom joining the club, but it would be nice to at least get there this year, and who knows, we could make a surprise run if everyone plays on all four wheels.
- Go Panthers -
by flpanther360 on Jan 7, 2012 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
Weiss has been groomed by this organization to be the captain for years now. He’s studied under Nieuwendyk, Roberts, McCabe, Gelinas, and Stillman. Players who all brought assorted leadership qualities with them, yet exhibited different styles of leadership. Not all were in your face type leaders. Hell, Lidstrom is considered one of the greatest captains to ever play the game of hockey and has never been known to be a vocal or in your face leader. Weiss has said the right things. He’s persevered through the crap years of the organization, vocally said he wants to stick it out and turn it around, and shown it most games he’s on the ice. You’re correct, none of us have access to the lockerroom when things are goin down, but by most accounts of those who do, Weiss is the guy most of the lockerroom looks to.
The captaincy has been vacant twice now since he’s been ‘ready’ to wear the C. Why?
Remember earlier in the season reports were ’we’ll name a captain in the coming week’ but here we are without one? I smell a PR move trying to pressure Dineen into naming Weiss or Jovo captain before Dineen thought they were ready. If true, theres confirmation of my fears that this team doesnt have the proper leadership.
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 8, 2012 12:34 PM EST up reply actions
I will let Kris Versteeg speak for me:
[Weiss]’s not obnoxious like myself, I’d say, with talking and stuff like that, but he’ll talk and he’ll say his piece. And when he speaks everybody listens because he’s not one of the guys who wants to speak much. But when he does, it’s from the heart. We want to win for a guy like Weisser.
[source]
Did anyone ever consider perhaps Weisser does not actually want the C? I drew that conclusion when they gave it to McCabe over him a few years back. A top quality player with tenure doesn’t automatically dictate you become a Captain.
I totally agree Jovocop is the best candidate; he is the most vocal, he is most senior and more than anything else he wants it and could carry it well.
CFS93
Yes, players and coaches respect Weiss. That doesnt make him the captain
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 8, 2012 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
We signed John Madden this week even though Samuelsson and Goc were coming back and injuries are becoming less of a problem. Why? Tallon wanted his leadership among other qualities.
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 8, 2012 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
Who is next to San Antonio? Repik?
by Hawkseye on Jan 7, 2012 6:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Saved his entire career with the organization thanks to that assist last night
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 7, 2012 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
Must have been some kinda war in Boston. And hey: points for everyone among Phi and otw!
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 7, 2012 4:06 PM EST via mobile reply actions
It's amazing
The beginning of this season we were all expecting a team to fight for an 8th spot. And then boom this squad raised everyone’s expectation. Now we expect nothing short of first place and it’s the attitude that should be a Panthers institution more and more each year. I’m wondering how the Blackhawks were doing at this stage of their Tallon Blueprint?
Fish, Heatles, Cats, Fins, Noles
No playoffs until 3rd year of tallon regime….
by Hawkseye on Jan 7, 2012 6:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
If it wasn’t for Washington imploding in the lockerroom and an over-the-hill goalie reverting to is career normal in Tampa, the Panthers would be third in the division and battling for an 8th playoff spot. In a manner of speakin, they still are with Washington so close and having games in hand. Washington goes 2-0-1 in those three games in hand, and the Panthers are out of the Playoffs currently.
In all honesty, looking at short term, Panthers have to win the Vancouver game and the Pittsburgh game, two out of three or at least OT in one of them, because that Boston game is just going to be murderous. And I’m going to that game unfortunately.
- Go Panthers -
Every game is a must win for the Panthers with Washington and Winnipeg breathing down the Panthers’ necks. Even Tampa, if they can find some quality goaltending, has an outside chance of passing the Panthers. They’re only 11 points back with 2 games in hand, and if they can pick up someone like Schneider or Bernier/Quick and go on a hot streal, that point differential can disappear quickly.
Maybe it’s because my heritage is as an American Football fan first and foremost and all other sports are secondary, and my attraction to hockey is, 1996 notwithstanding, only about two or three years old, but…
…the idea of saying ANY game, much less EVERY game, is a must-win when there are 41 left is pretty danged ridiculous to my mind. There is a LOT of season left.
Is it realistic to win the next 41 games? No. But when you’re lacking scoring and you’re essentially 20-21 at this point of the season, slumpin and losing ground to divisional rivals and fighting for a playoff spot, you walk into EVERY game looking at it as a must win. You give it that extra effort, thinking you need this one game to make the playoffs. Hence, for a team like the playoffs, you don’t write off a game like Boston, cause you assume you’re gonna get your ass kicked. You walk in there like its game seven of the Stanley Cup finals and kick their asses.
First off, we’re not the players. We don’t have to approach these games the same way they do. Even if what you say is true, just because they should treat a game as a must-win doesn’t mean we should or have to look at it that way.
Secondly, if every game is special, no game is special. If you tell yourself that the game you’re about to play is a “must-win”, and then you lose, how do you keep your morale up? If you just pick yourself up and move on, then what does “must-win” even mean? I totally believe “must-win” means exactly what it says – if we don’t win a “must-win” game, we will not, or almost certainly will not, win the division, make the playoffs, etc. Even football teams don’t have “must-win” games halfway through the season, and at that point, they only have 8 games left.
Basketball for several years, football for one. (I was also on a tennis “team” for a while, but that’s probably not what you’re talking about.) I know all about “leaving it all on the field” and “giving 110%” and “taking it one game at a time” and all sorts of horrible sports cliches. The fact is that leaving it all on the field makes you less ready for the next game, giving 110% is injuring yourself, and thinking that the game you’re about to play is the only one that matters is a great way to make sure the end of your season is way worse than the start of it.
Maybe some of these things have to be said and believed for a player to achieve everything to his best. But just because they have to talk in such nonsense doesn’t mean we have to.
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