Litter Box Cats, a Florida Panthers community

Shore and Bjugstad each score as the Americans wrap up play in Buffalo.

From Scott Lewis: With 38 points and a seat in last place in the Southeast Division, the Panthers are where most could have predicted they’d be in January. They’ve got an elite goaltender to go along with a mix of serviceable-to-fading veterans and a quality group of youth and mid-age players. Hockey has never been an easy sell in South Florida, but if the 2011 World Juniors have signified anything for the Panthers – it’s that they’re on the right track in terms of prospects. More above. Thanks to The Copper and Blue's Derek Zona for the link.

From Kevin Allen: The reason I joked (with) Tallon doing too good of a job is because I believe that he only needs one more high pick and another good draft to complete the Panthers' changeover. In Chicago, he drafted Toews and then Kane, plus other acquisitions, and the Blackhawks were off and running. Lots more to this one than the standard Tallon-built-the-Hawks line. Read on above.

Top honors for Panthers prospect trio.

From the Denver Post's Mike Chambers: In 19 years of the Denver Cup, (Panthers '09 2nd round selection) Drew Shore was perhaps the easiest choice as the tournament MVP. The University of Denver sophomore had a hand in six of nine goals for the Pioneers, including a goal and an assist in Saturday's 3-1 victory against Air Force in the championship game. Shore, the first Denver native to win the award, scored the game-winning goal at 15:05 of the second period. His slap shot from the point came on the power play and gave DU a 2-0 lead en route to its sixth consecutive victory and 15th Denver Cup crown. Congrats to Drew, and you'll likely find another member of the DU squad vaguely familiar.

From Ryan Kennedy: Drew, entering his sophomore season with the University of Denver Pioneers, is a second round draft pick of the Florida Panthers (44th overall in 2009) and will be joined on the Pios this year by brother Nick. And while Drew let Nick choose his own path, he’s certainly happy to have his brother joining the team. "Secretly I wanted him at Denver," Drew said. "Not just because he’s a great player, but he’s one of my best friends." Lots more on the Shore quartet above.

More goodness from Ian Bross at HF, featuring Florida's boys in the college ranks.

From Examiner.com: Shore, who was selected 44th overall in last month's NHL draft by the Florida Panthers, is the oldest of David and Sarah Shore's four sons. He's the best player in the family right now, but younger brothers Nick, 16, and Quentin, 15, are on elite-level teams and the fast track to follow in his skates. And the youngest, Baker, 9, is one of the state's top squirt-level players.