Trades or no trades, the games must go on, and so they shall as the Florida Panthers return home this afternoon against “backup” Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils (Live Thread @ 4:30pm).
The game is almost anti-climactic in a sense, given the buildup – and indeed so-far real action – associated with the NHL Trade Deadline which slams shut at 3 on Monday.
Even after the consecutive Cory Stillman and Bryan McCabe deals, many UFA names remain in play: Radek Dvorak, Chris Higgins (injured), Marty Reasoner, Darcy Hordichuk, and several others.
A side issue is the boatload of RFAs-to-be with the organization, including Shawn Matthias, Michal Repik, Kenndal McArdle, Mike Santorelli, Jack Skille, and about 4/5ths of the Rochester Americans – about half of which one can only conclude GM Dale Tallon will simply walk away from.
Programming reminder: as we do each year, we’ll be going all day tomorrow beginning at 11am, with a marathon Open Thread, featuring our usual cast of characters and a few new friends as well.
So who will play their final game as a Panther tonight?
