Four weeks of (literal) pain, measure of doubt for banged-up Panthers
by Donny Rivette on Jan 7, 2012 6:47 PM EST
in Florida Panthers News & Analysis
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Florida's last sustained period of success - three straight victories - ran from December 3rd through the 8th, involving regulation wins over San Jose (road, 5-3), Washington (home, 5-4) and Boston (road, 2-0). The following game, December 9th from Buffalo, kicked off a rather disastrous disappointing stretch of hold-on-to-the-points-lead hockey which can arguably be traced directly to an infirmary without a single bed to spare.
Whatever the cause, the Panthers are clinging to what could be a razor-thin division lead after Saturday's games are completed. How bad has it been? Click on through...
Not only does the December 9th reference represent the first loss in a month replete with them, but Florida's next game falls on January 9th, so there's the calendar connection for what that may be worth. Yes, digressing. Onward...
- The Panthers had a 16-8-4 (36P) record before Dec. 9; it is 20-13-8 (48P) today
- The Cats are 4-5-3-1 in the 13 games since win streak a month ago
- Pessimists (or realists, depending upon one's view) could somewhat accurately state the club is 4-9 over the span
- All four wins (2 REG, 1OT, 1SO) came in Sunrise
- Of 26 available points, 12 were collected
- With 26 goals scored, FLA is averaging 2 per game
- With 45 goals allowed, FLA is averaging 3.46 per game
- FLA is 7-for-47 on the power play, while allowing 11 goals on 47 TSH
- Regarding SOG, the Cats are on the negative end of 377-363
- FLA scored more than 3 goals once: a 5-3 win over TOR
- Heck, they only scored 3 goals three times, going 2-1
- Nine games finished with 2 FLA goals or less
- 2 SHG have been allowed, 1 gained
What does all of this typing mean? Nothing beyond the sun rising Monday morning on yet another chance for redemption and legitimacy, in that case against the Canucks. Full health up and down the roster may be too much to ask at this point, but does management go forward with the team as constructed (plus callups) and simply wait it out, hoping for a lot of help in the East, while the Caps and Jets lock gunsights on Florida's back? Or is the time ripe for a bold, brash move?
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I’ll take Nash Or GetZlaf for a bold brash move…. Don’t think it will happen though….
I actually thought the Panthers played well last night and might see dividends starting against the Canucks. Sammuellson looks like he hit his strive. Madden was everywhere on the ice last night. And Kuli is staring to hit more along with Gudbranson. I think the Panthers are going to turn the corner for the better at the midseason point. I’m still waiting for a captain to appear though.
by Hawkseye on Jan 7, 2012 7:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Dale won’t mortgage the future for a early run. Already said so. Clemm is in the final year of his deal and will be packaged with something at the deadline; just none of Dale’s choice draft picks.
CFS93
by chesterbardo on Jan 7, 2012 7:43 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Problem there is that it’s completely outside of FLA’s control. Certainly hoping they lose, of course.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 7, 2012 8:33 PM EST up reply actions
I think I would stick to the blueprint and keep all those draft picks. If we win the division fine, we get in as an 8th seed, fine. I’ll take perennial Cup contention over a one year wonder by trading a lot for the short term.
Fish, Heatles, Cats, Fins, Noles
So in essence FLA becomes San Jose ;)
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 7, 2012 8:33 PM EST up reply actions
More akin to the Red Wings. I should have added not being choke artists to the sentence
Fish, Heatles, Cats, Fins, Noles
by National Mario on Jan 7, 2012 8:36 PM EST up reply actions
Well done
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 7, 2012 8:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Or look at it this way, being San Jose is still better than being Nashville, who has made it to the playoffs every year except one in the last six seasons, but only advanced past the first round once, last year. As opposed to San Jose who has been to the conference finals three times, the second round three times, and crapped out in the first round once in the same time frame.
I think I would stick to the blueprint and keep all those draft picks. If we win the division fine, we get in as an 8th seed, fine. I’ll take perennial Cup contention over a one year wonder by trading a lot for the short term.
Thank you Mario
As others have said, the last thing this team needs is to start culling their assets for big name players. When we have a roster like Philadelphia’s we can pull that crap, but right now absolutely no trades need to be made. Dineen needs to teach his team to forecheck and stop feeling sorry for themselves because of back-to-back games and the such.
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 9:51 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with the not trading the future for this years roster but I do think we have the assets to pick up a decent player. We have 3 expiring contacts(clem, Samuelson, Sturm) that don’t plan to be back with the team plus other players who are ending their current contracts. we may find some willing partners who want to trade players who need a change of scenery like what’s going on with the ducks.
Yes thats me in the white Jersey and Red hat. Follow me on Twitter @Ad1zzl3 or Children Battling cancer @CBCnonprofit
by Ad1zzl3 on Jan 7, 2012 11:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Just curious. Who doesn’t plan on Clemmensen, Samuellson, or Sturm being back? No one has mentioned that as of yet, and only been assumed by fans. There’s really no one in the system being forced up to the NHL team at present and there’s no reason to gift a roster spot to any of the kids as of yet. Even Markstrom. His numbers aren’t all that good right now.
I would actually love to see Samuelsson back. Great player with a great veteran presence. I think that Clem and Sturm ultimately get the boot. Markstrom is better in the NHL than in the AHL, and even in the AHL he was really heating up when we called him up. Sturm’s spot will essentially turn into Huberdeau, with another player possibly being replaced for Howden if he shines in camp.
- Go Panthers -
They can all be had on one-year deals, so it’s not like they will automatically be shown the door. A pretty good problem for all involved.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 8, 2012 10:03 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think the Panthers have enough ammo to make a mid-major to major move without mortgaging the future like some of you seem to think. To me the question is the team playing well enough to think it’s worth the risk, will it make a difference come playoff time. Right now the answer is no but if they get everyone back and start playing like they did in Nov / early Dec then that’s a different story. Prospects no matter how highly regarded are still just prospects until they do something in the NHL, we as Panther fans should know that better than anyone else so if you can turn a couple of them and maybe a couple of draft picks into a proven youngish superstar caliber player then I don’t have a problem with that. Only untouchable to me is Huberdeau, for the right player coming back I’d be willing to part with one or two of the other ones.
But in a league with a salary cap it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to trade highly regarded prospects who A) represent legitimate talent that can be had cheaply (at least for the first three years of their contracts), and B) provide possibly greater longevity than players who are further along in terms of age. Those two things make me say to hang on to guys like Howden, and Petrovic and especially Huberdeau and Gudbranson.
Hockey is a business, only we fans love it as a game.
Let’s trade for Bouwmester for a 5th rounder…….(j/k) is he negative infinity yet? Gosh, I remember the days when we were sad to see him go… Times have changed for the Panthers.
by Hawkseye on Jan 7, 2012 8:29 PM EST via mobile reply actions
He changed, too, immediately after not being dealt at the deadline.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 7, 2012 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
OT: Did anyone go to the Panthers events in Palm Beach and Lake Worth?
I couldn’t go unfortunately
Fish, Heatles, Cats, Fins, Noles
Missed it myself, but love to know how any of them went.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 8, 2012 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
Hey Panthers fans! Interesting read about your stretch in December and early January. I didn’t realize you had slowed so much in the W category. The Canucks just came off an uber emotional game against the Bruins and I am wondering, now that it’s over and they are in beautiful Florida and the emotion wears off if they come out lacking effort in this one. This could be a game for the Panthers to pounce on that and it’s something I expect to see. I also think Samuelsson (or Son Of Sam or FU Sweden as we call him) will have a big impact in this one.
I really like the Panthers. Always have since 1996. I look forward to the rare matchup!
When and how did Sturm get concussed?
Booth looks doubtful by the way. Unfortunate.
Contributor at Nucks Misconduct
Sturm got concussed Dec 20th vs PHX when he took a puck to the head (?)
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 6:55 PM EST up reply actions
Howdy, Sean…always a pleasure to see your name “around town” :)
Got to think Sammy has the obligatory extra-incentive following a trade; he seems (publicly) happy that he’s here but look no further than Booth’s assertion (this was The Game he was looking forward to) that a game against a former employer is always a big deal. Should make for a fascinating game.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 8, 2012 7:54 PM EST up reply actions
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