"Pick-Your-For-Real-Worthy-Panther All Star" Update - 11/28/08

He just voted for our boys. Have YOU?

Gather 'round the fire, kids: it's time to check the NHL All Star Game vote totals on our trio of Deserving Panthers.

David Booth (11G-2A-13P): 295, up from 261 (or 359,234 behind Kovalev's 5G-11A-16P).

Keith Ballard (2G-8A-10P): 455, from 432 (or 401,026 behind Markov's 2G-14A-16P).

Andy (3-1-2, 2.01, .942): 156, from 148 (or 391,099 behind Price's 10-4-3, 2.33, .923).

For the record, the Cats' "legitimate" candidates (no forwards, BTW) are:

Jay Bouwmeester (1G-9A-10P): 32,958 (none of these votes actually originated in Florida).

Tomas Vokoun (5-10, 3.01, .911): 6,459.

And just for fun:

Nathan Horton (6G-7A-13P...and back w/Booth & Weiss on that horribly-named line): 166.

Shawn Matthias (1GP, 0G-0A-0P): 6. He's played one game, peeps.

Michael Frolik (18GP, 1G-1A-2P): 24. That gives him 4 times the popularity of Matthias!

Keep pumping those votes...

Happy Thanksgiving! Panthers lose, but steal a point

The Cats didn't give fans much to cheer for throughout yesterday's pre-Thanksgiving matchup against the Devils, but made up for it in the closing minutes of the third period, breathing life into a dead offense, with David Booth banging home a goal with seven seconds remaining to tie the score at 2. Hadn't seen that kind of excitement in the team, or the building, in a long while. The loss was only delayed, finally sealed in OT, but the final ten minutes of the last period were definitely something to build upon. That one point the team scrambled for was as impressive as they come. Nice job against a hot New Jersey squad. Showed some real heart.

Stephen Weiss: 2G,

David Booth: 1G, 1A

Jay Bouwmeester: 1G, 1A

Bryan McCabe: 7(!)SH

Thanks, Illegal Curve.

ESPN's Hradek: Panthers Being Watched (Really) Closely

A quick note: E.J. Hradek claims in his blog this afternoon that upwards of 25 scouts attended the recent Panthers-Devils game in New Jersey. I don't need to insult anyone by typing the words "Jay" and "Bouwmeester". Something's brewin'...

New Jersey 3, Frolik 1

That's not entirely fair. The Cats played well for forty minutes. Really well. Compared to the beginning of the season, they looked much more composed in what I have to deem as a strenuously fast-paced final two periods. Pleaqse don't misunderstand: the Devils played some great hockey, and deserved to win. Frolik? First goal. The kid's been robbed time and again...gonna see some good stuff now that the monkey's off his back. Horton? Present, if unremarkable. As usual. Vokoun? Only reason it was close. If that man doesn't tear up the visitor's room...left out to dry far too much in the first period. Didn't deserve to lose this one. Honorable mention: Dvorak had his speed, Zeds brought the plays, and McCabe had the shots. Bouwmeester? No one was hotter on this dude than me in the first five games of the year. Now? Takes a back seat to Ballard, Boynton, Skrastins. I'd include Cully but he was Tonight's Dead, going down with what looked to be a severe leg injury (caused inadvertently by a teammate, of course...did not return).

If nothing else, second- and third-string goalies across the NHL have the Panthers to thank for upping their value come UFA season.

Two requests for the Panthers: One, for the coaching staff: Can we develop someone who has a desire to WIN a faceoff? Two, for the "management": HAD ENOUGH, JM? What further suffering must be endured? I don't ask that we throw away the future, and you know far better than we dime-store fans about the proposals sent your way, but it's one of two things...either the deals faxed to you are lousy, or the deals you have proposed are lousy. Either way, your team on the ice has a record which can only be described as...lousy. And insulting. Don't come back with frightful tales of fat injury lists, and please refrain from slipping to the media that no one is offering fair market value for Bouwmeester. At this stage, there is NO market value for Bouwmeester. Yes, he's gonna be awesome. Yes, he'll be a winner somewhere. No, it won't be here. GET US SOME SUPPORT. Wanna deal Horton? Weiss? Olesz? No arguments from this nut in North Palm. It's the cat on the front, not the name on the back (cliche? Yeeees!) I grow fatigued preaching the hockey - nay, Panthers - gospel from the local rooftops and winding up embarrassed. Again. And again. Make your mark or prove us - those few thousand who have stuck by - wrong...quickly. There are a lot of things - like holidays - to rob the "momentum" from your club. DO. IT. NOW.

Pappa Bouwmeester: "I know what's going to happen...but I can't be open about it"

Like that? Or how about this bit of lovin':

It's evident that he's been frustrated not only by the way the Panthers have handled his son but by the very existence of a hockey team in a region that doesn't appreciate it.

"It shouldn't even be in the NHL," he says. "It's not a hockey town. Why is it even down there?"

I'll be the first to admit, I've never before heard of the Broward-Palm Beach New Times. Its' sports section is now in my favorites. Writer Thomas Francis hits one over the wall with his story on the number one target of the trade deadline late next winter. Get yourself a strong cocktail, take the phone off its hook and get into this. Now.

Kinda defines what the next few months hold, eh? Gonna scrape the lint off your J-Bo sweater with a bit more alacrity now?

My take is this: Jay's agent had dear old Dad fire the shots heard 'round Sunrise, if only to get the faithful, and JM the GM, acclimated and allow the ball to roll. Whatever. He's a goner.

And thanks for your support of the South Florida hockey market, Dad. Way to go cementing your son's reputation.

Igor Larionov: First Panther in HOF? Yes. Yes He Is.

Wonderful find by Richards' On Frozen Pond, and picked up by Mirtle's From The Rink.

It would appear newly-minted Hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov is the first person inducted into the Toronto shrine to have played with the Panthers.

For 26 games. Evidently that's not enough for the Cats to tip their hats.

Read on above for GR's slightly sardonic - but historically justified - sense of reality on the situation. Good points, all. And bravo for the "Den of Honor" skewering. I should have said it long ago.

This revelation really came as a shock to me. Guess I simply never thought this over. Think about it: your team never makes the playoffs, who would give the HOF a single thought?

It's terribly obvious now, looking back through the rosters of lousy seasons gone by. Lots and lots of "character" and "role" players, veeeery few stars, much less superstars. Pavel Bure will get his day, but who else may join him? How about just the recent guys? Luongo? Perhaps, but he'd better start racking up playoff wins. Jokinen? See Luongo, and he'll need MVPs to boot. Many. Bouwmeester? There are frightening rumblings he's not now - nor going to be - the player scouts envisioned; and though he remains on the younger end of 24, there's always this type of talk, from SI's Allen Muir:

Sorry, Cats fans. If you were thinking that a Bouwmeester trade would provide both instant and long-term relief for your suffering, you're going to be disappointed.

"There are 29 teams that would love to have Bouwmeester, but his name is more valuable than his game right now" one pro scout told SI.com. "He's a world-class skater and his physical play is improving and he's obviously a workhorse. But I think we've all seen the flaws, too. His passing is nowhere near where it was expected to be. He doesn't always make the best read and he gets nothing on his shot. He's been great in his own zone, but the offensive game isn't there. He's not the player we all thought he'd be. I don't think anyone's going to give away the farm for him."

Guess we'll put off the Hall of Fame talk for now. Congrats to Igor from TLB.

All-Star Voting is Upon Us. The Obligatory Panther Nominees Return.

Here we go again. In the spirit of the American election - which I've now been glued to for hours - the Panthers have announced their two candidates for All-Star game inclusion. One will without question make it, because, you know, this is the NHL and they reward teams simply for existing, no matter their record.

Tomas Vokoun (3-5-0-1, 2.86 GAA) and Jay Bouwmeester (0G-3A-3P, minus-3) are on the ballot. Sterling numbers, both. Vote early, vote often beginning November 12.

Gaborik to Flor...

I tease, I tease. But Mike Chen of Fox Sports presents his view on two possible trade destinations for the oft-injured (REALLY oft-injured) but supremely talented Wild forward, Marian Gaborik.

"First off, would I trade for Gaborik? I'd consider it if I was either the Florida Panthers or Atlanta Thrashers. Why?"

Hit the link above for his answer. Of course, the projected return to Minnesota is not laid out (but if I had to guess, a dude with the initials J.B. seems likely what Chen had in mind).

This is not a new proposal, of course. We've bandied it about right here several times in the recent past. But no matter what happens with a potential Gabby for Jay Bo deal, a so-called "sign-and-trade" transaction is almost unavoidable, given the contract status of each.

I like Gaborik; his stats are sterling - when he's in the lineup. Bear this in mind when considering shipping out Bouwmeester, he of the 82 games-played each of the past four years...and only getting better statistically.

Quickies: End of Two - Cats up 2-0

Cory Stillman scores his first Panther home-ice goal, on the PP.

Notes: Cats keeping the momentum going with stronger posession play in each zone. Much more fluid and strategic. Isles continue to be frustrated, still taking penalties, hence the Stillman tally. Ballard remains in the running for "Best Bouwmeester Lookalike". Radek Dvorak has had more odd-man rushes than at any point in the last five years of his time in the league. Looks phenomenal, except for the not-scoring part. Still waits too long to shoot. Dubbing him "Dvolesz".
Play has been mostly confined to NY end. Superstar-to-be Kyle Okposo for the Isles has been strong and making his presence known with little support. DP settling down. Vokoun not tested this period. NY opens the third on the PP. Can't imagine where we might be without Bouwmeester. This cannot be over-emphasized.

On Marian Gaborik and Jay Bouwmeester

From what we've seen out of Jay Bouwmeester the past two games, I'd be extraordinarily hesitant to do anything other than offer him the bank in January and be done with it. But knowing the realities of the unrestricted free agent battlezone, especially for the cream of the league, here's a prospect I'm sure we've all considered recently, made even more fascinating by who's squaring off this evening in Sunrise:

"The most intriguing possibility (as a destination for Gaborik) might be the Panthers, a team with plenty of cap room next season, pressure to break a long playoff slump this season, and the need for a positive PR move given the likely loss of impending free agent defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Hmmm...wonder if one team would be willing to swap its problem for the other's?" - Allan Muir, SI.com

First off, both players are likely to receive similar money, IMO. Figure in the $8-9M range by the time the dust has settled.

Gaborik is a tremendous offense player. Witness his numbers: 487GP (all with Minnesota), 207G, 208A, 415P, +51, 57PPP. That's serious stuff, especially on a team playing a system which crushes offensive creativity. He's a franchise cornerstone, big-name forward, with Olli numbers, but generally considered the superior talent that's been shackled by a defense-first organizational mentality. A change will only improve his numbers.

Contrast Gabby's stats with those of Jay Bouwmeester: 391GP (all with Florida), 38G, 124A, 162P, -24. Decent numbers, yes, but no one in hockey will bet against those numbers arcing sharply upward, and soon, if not now. In the past, he had been shackled himself: in a lousy defensive system with very little support. He will thrive in Florida, and could be just as superb, though less offensively, in Minnesota. From a personal view, the guy has simply dominated the past two games. Forget that he averaged 32 minutes TOI in those matches; he was EVERYWHERE. A fourth forward. Like a lightswitch, he appears to have made the leap Just. Like. That.

No matter your opinion on a potential deal such as this, it will always - ALWAYS - be a far more difficult task replacing a great defenseman than a great forward. J-Bo is that great defenseman. We'll never see his like again.

Agents of Destruction

Through the first two games of the season, consider the following:

David Booth: 3G, 1A, 4P, +4, 1GW, 10SH (30%), 18.95 Avg TOI

Jay Bouwmeester: 1A, 1P, +1, 2PIM, 6SH, 32.6 Avg TOI (Over 34 last night alone...serious stuff)

The Dude is getting mondo opportunities, impressing the bejesus out of anyone who cares to pay attention. He's got a knack for positioning which is becoming his trademark. His speed and vision are phenomenal right now.

J-Bo's got a single point, but he's more than likely to lead the league - again - in ice time. The intangibles he brings each night are more and more pronounced. The points will undoubtedly come as the team gels. He's a fourth forward, as I stated last night. It's the only honest assessment so far.

End of Days: Booooth! First Two-Goal Game (and a winner in OT!)

Winger David Booth, in just-released third-jersey attire, leads his rag-tag, fugitive band of Panthers to the dressing room following a career-performance against the Atlanta Thrashers. Get some, Minnesota...

The pressure continued on both ends through the third period, a mirror-image of the first two. Upon reaching OT, David Booth seemed to never leave the ice. He had The Look, and his mates recognized it. Great stuff: first dual-goal for The Dude, first NHL victory for coach Pete DeBoer, fisrt win of the season for the Cats, and after 60-plus minutes on the ice within 24 hours, Jay Bouwmeester gets a few moments off.

As for Bryan McCabe, possible two weeks on the shelf. Great news...could have been far worse. Get well soon, Bryan!

Gonna absorb the happenings and get back with more info.

Go Cats!

End of Two: Dos - Dos

Right off the bat, Stephen Weiss gave the Cats their first lead, and Zeds grabbed his second assist. Atlanta tied it up late, keeping this one tight, and the crowd mostly at bay.

Observation: The speed - of both clubs - has been intense. The Panthers are literally falling over themselves keeping up with the pace, but hanging in, and making a good game of it. Another couple of weeks and they'll be acclimated...or dead. It's that fast. Forget the last few years...this is a different team. Fantastic to see the carryover, speed- and pass-wise, from last night in Raleigh. Vokoun much sharper, evidently seeing the puck better than yesterday. Weiss is no longer invisible. Duh. Bouwmeester: unquestionably the best defenseman in the division, probably the conference. Fearless, fast, and inventive. Only gets better with each shift. For those - like me - that have waited for his leap to the next level...he's there. PERIOD.

No Belak tonight; assuming he got the hook thanks to the dual penaltiesd he took last night. Zednik is looking ten years younger, as is Dvorak. Need more from Olesz. Atlanta's working hard...this game is closer than lineups would suggest. Not much from Stewart yet (on fourth line), Frolik showing his skills but a bit confused (on third line), Welch has been steady and reliable so far.

End of One: Tied at 2

After an orgy of early penalties, the Cats recover to even the game at one-all, on a David Booth goal.

Observation: the Panthers are a much faster group this year, as I mentioned last night. The whole "one-pass-and-out-of-the-zone approach is working, and really fun to watch. There's no appreciable meandering or loafing.

Bouwmeester is EVERYWHERE. The past twenty-four hours could be the best of his pro career so far, movement-wise.

GAME DAY! Cats at Hurricanes

Another season of Panthers hockey - Pete DeBoer style - is born. Tough economy? Election-fatigue? BS. The world is a perfect place.

Seems like a year ago that I spent an entire day - July 1st, in fact - monitoring the web for what promised to be an exciting, action-packed start to unrestricted free agency. I was, needless to say, not amused by the lack of movement early on, but the Cory Stillman signing boosted my spirits toward nightfall. Once announced late in the day, Marian Hossa to Detroit, for one year, was the crescendo. That's stuff you just can't make up.

GM/coach Jacques Martin is "simply" the GM now, a move that brought a chorus of opinions from the fanbase. Love him or hate him, the Cats haven't been this solid in a decade, due to his diligence and steadfast decision to stay the course, partnered with an ownership group willing to commit.

We've been through the draft, said goodbye to longtime captain Olli Jokinen, hello to Keith Ballard and The Beach, and met Jacob Markstrom.

Peter DeBoer has installed a new offensive system, but more importantly, a confidence sorely lacking.

The Rochester Americans are now wholly ours, allowing new bench boss Ben Groulx the luxury of mirroring the strategies of the big club. Translation: kids called up can step right in, without wasting precious time getting acclimated to a foreign strategy.

The league's worst kept secret - Bryan McCabe for Mike Van Ryn - came to fruition and both sides appear content or better. I know I'm happy.

What is certain to be the NHL's Feel Good Story of the Year - Richard Zednik - is ready to go, perhaps on the first line.

The surprise of training camp - Anthony Stewart - has earned a spot on the big club...at least to start the year. The kid has come a long way. I gave him up for dead at the start of camp. Awesome.

Let's do this thing.

The locals, yes the Palm Beach Post too (if the Cats make the playoffs, the bandwagon starts at the doorstep of the cheapskate Post) all come armed with articles ringing in the new season.

From the Miami Herald, GR gets down with coach DeBoer. Also, Richards breaks word that Shawn Matthias has been sent to Rochester, but Michael Frolik has not. Lastly, the changes in personnel, and in attitude, are highlighted.

At The Sun-Sentinel, a commentary by Dave Hyde profiles the potential impact of Jay Bouwmeester heading into a season which may or may not be his last with the organization. Steve Gorten details the pressure on Nathan Horton.

The Palm Beach Post's Greg Stoda offers up a preview of the team's goal scoring potential now that Jokinen is in the desert.

And from behind enemy lines, the (Raleigh) News-Observer sets the tone for a new season in Carolina, and once again, evidence that the Canes haven't forgotten the last time they hosted the Panthers.

The season must be here...we've got odds! And I have no idea what they mean, but here they are, courtesy of SBR Forum. A Q & A session with Nathan Horton is also provided, pushing the outer edge of the envelope with Mike Wallace-style hardball questions, such "Who's your favorite cartoon character?"





More to come, kids...

Bringing up Bouwmeester

Thanks, NHLOL. A GREAT site.

How Big is YOUR Cone of Death? Oh, and Some Guy Named McCabe

Should be a slow week, weather-wise, for South Florida. And indeed, those are THREE individual storms. Good stuff.

J-BO COMMENTS ON GLUT OF D-MEN In other "news", The long-anticipated McCabe and fourth-rounder for Van Ryn has thankfully, officially, been completed. Bravo JM for a job I personally view as well done, and all the best to MVR in Toronto.

I find the most interesting aspect of this entire affair to be the response of Jay Bouwmeester to the deal which may have sealed his fate in Florida:

"It's been a revolving door with players, coaches and general managers. Hopefully they can get something to stick."

You'll notice his employment of the word "they" when referring to his current hockey club. Make of that what you will. The guy has been through more regime changes than the Louisiana house of representatives, so one can understand his ambivalence, but just sayin'. A fascinating read on the link above.

JBo Speaks...Just Not to Us

Florida's Jay Bouwmeester and Buffalo's Brian Campbell discuss the potential advantages of refusing to sign long-term and taking the big coin elsewhere.

Nothing really groundbreaking, but a rather lengthy article on local boy Bouwmeester was posted recently on the Edmonton Sun's website. A highlight:

"It's different playing there as opposed to being in Canada or Edmonton. But you get used to it, and it's not a bad place to spend your winters."

A truly ringing endorsement of our situation down here from the big guy, eh? That's actually pretty outspoken for him. Whatever.

And the Fastest Skater in EA NHL '09 is...

...right here. Doesn't really make sense, but OK. We all knew he's good, but I never expected this.

Simply more ammunition for the Panther-haters out there waiting for the sky to fall as it always has.

Anyway, a wonderful collection of NHL '09 player rankings from the incomparable Dr. Mirtle.


Thanks, Mirtle.