"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...

Saturday Primer: Cullimore, Anderson, and Whatever Else I Can Find at 8am While Working

Defenseman Jassen Cullimore makes his return to the Panthers' lineup tonight (minus the hardware on his left, above) in Nashville versus the Predators. Finally clearing customs, Cully joins a defensive core - and system - he is well familiar with, having spent training camp with the club. It simply seemed inevitable we'd see him this season, given the Cats' injury history - and present - on the blueline.

Craig Anderson will be in net tonight. Kinda surprised by that one, given T-Vo's years of service in Nashville.

Finally, some good news from Sommet Center: the main concourse restroom facilities have been reopened, to the delight of Tennessee's hockey hardcores.

Matthias Returned to Americans

Well, that was fast.

Game Night! Other than That, Not Much Else...

As we are all aware by now, Alex Auld will be starting for Ottawa, while it's been confirmed that T-Vo will be in net for Florida. FSN is going HD for those of us locked into our homes during this wintry sub-70 degree night. Anyone else stoked for the premier of Senor Matthias? No pressure.

Thanks, Five for Smiting, for the awesome graphics.

Matthias Called Up

So much for my calling out AccuScore on their "inaccuracies" this morning.

Panthers' rookie center but far more importantly future savior Shawn Matthias has been activated from Rochester this afternoon, presumably to cover for the absence of centers Greg Campbell and/or Stephen Weiss.

This will be Matthias' first NHL game of the young season.

AccuScore Prediction: Panthers & Senators Even at 2.6 Goals

Four long days come to an end when the Sens attempt to enter the BAC for the second time this week. With any luck, the arena crew will have hauled out the pizza rinds and panties by gametime.

Our silicon friends from AccuScore (via SportsLine) have spoken, and projected the goal totals for both clubs will mirror each other, at 2.6.

Not sure how much credence to give this; other than for fun, relaying the results of their simulations will bring up obvious questions, such as why Shawn Matthias is listed as in the lineup, as he has been since the start of the season.

Hockey's Future: Panthers Organizational Report

Hockey's Future, the first and last word in prospecting pre-NHL talent, has it's organizational run-down of the Florida Panthers' minor league system, and the talent lurking within.

Well worth your time, since the boys we all watched in training camp are now beginning to make their names known - or not known - within the AHL ranks; but an injury away from potential full-time duty in Sunrise.

HF does it best. And from a fan's perspective, I still marvel that Shawn Matthias is in Rochester over - or is that "under" - Michael Frolik (who's performed admirably - on the Cats' top line, no less). Then again, we don't need another center. At least JM and PeDe were wise in not pulling a "Stamkos", forcing Matthias to rot on the bench, losing precious minutes on-ice in the "A".

"Seen Shawn?" indeed.

Cats Destroy Isles 6-0 to End Preseason 3-2-2; Stewart Turns Corner?

Cory Stillman only has eyes for Ricky D.

A game that featured six Panthers goals, a coming-out party for Anthony Stewart, and Rusty Olesz with an uncharacteristic boarding penalty and game misconduct, came and went in front of 8,800 at the BAC. Next stop: Raleigh.

Looks as if Stewart may have locked up that coveted final roster spot that was all but handed to Shawn Matthias, or to a lesser extent, Michael Frolik, at the start of camp. Outside of JM's office, no one gave Stewart the time of day going into the exhibition season. Including myself. Man, has he picked it up.

A pall over the evening featured Isles' defenseman Chris Lee, after the - unintentional - hit from behind by Olesz. Removed by stretcher, he was expected to have stayed the night under observation.

I can't say enough about Stewart. I love being proven wrong.

Wednesday Primer: Suddenly, There's Interest...and More DeBoer!

A sense of excitement and anticipation over the new-look Cats, as well as a sort of "What do these guys stand for?" attitude is beginning to permeate the NHL's old-guard media in their approach to Florida's team. So far.

Coach DeBoer is certainly a hot topic in the MSM these days, as a boatload of recent articles makes clear.

The Calgary Sun reveals DeBoer's efforts in changing the course of a losing culture in Sunrise.

"We're going to be a hard-working, fast-paced, up-tempo kind of team."

Definitely sounded that way on the radio last evening.

From our friends at the Globe and Mail, Eric Duhatschek compiles a terrific dossier on DeBoer, immediately following last night's contest in Calgary.

"This is the 14th year for the franchise and it is up to DeBoer to change the culture, something that usually doesn't happen overnight."

Doesn't need to be overnight. Pencil it in for November.

Like we needed more information about that Shawn Matthias character...actually, I welcome it...here's a concise profile about the Canadian Michael Frolik (on that subject, what a show it's gonna be watching them grow up!!!).

"Matthias became a favourite of his teammates for his work ethic, leading to Panthers’ captain Olli Jokinen to say that Matthias, 'should have made the team,' coming out of (last year's) training camp."

That comment always stuck with me.

"Bouwmeester Done in Florida?" Or so read the headline yesterday in - you guessed it - The Globe and Mail.

"There were lots more changes this year, too, although Bouwmeester will be the top dog on a much-improved defence."

He proved it at the Saddledome 12 hours ago.

Defensive talk dominates the day at the Sun-Sentinel.

"Martin acquired Cullimore as a free agent last October and the 35-year-old finished the season with a team- and career-best plus-21 rating. He had three goals and 10 assists in 65 games. Yet he received little interest after becoming an unrestricted free agent in July."

They are stacked on "D", and a couple of good players - or more - will get squeezed. Cully really may want to soften his stance on that one-way deal obsession of his.

Game Day! Cats at Flames

The exhibition season begins in several hours and the excitement is palpable. I still can't believe we've reached the tail end of summer. And a long one as always.

Florida (well, half of them) takes on Iron Mike's scrappy bunch at the Saddledome tonight, 9:00 pm. Check it out on radio with the Cats' local broadcaster:

http://panthers.nhl.com/features/790_Ticket.htm

Oh wait. That's right. They're not carrying it. The Marlins are battling for...nothing, so catch all the, um, baseball, at "The Ticket."

For those who want a little action and life in their sports, travel the supine byways of the internet, heading north to Calgary.

http://www.fan960.com/onair/more.jsp?content=20080212_125916_6216

Remember, 9:00 pm.

Defenseman Colby Robak was reassigned to Brandon of the WHL. He's apparently got some fans there, too.

GR reports from the Red Mile on all things Cat.

"On Tuesday night, the Panthers kick off an ambitious Canadian preseason schedule, with Florida playing six exhibition games in six nights. Florida visits Calgary, Alberta, on Tuesday, then goes north for two games in Edmonton, Alberta, on Wednesday and Thursday."

Got all that?

Steve Gorten profiles the paths of Michael Frolik and Shaun Matthias, two kids we're going to hear a Whole. Lot. About.

"'I'm going to do everything to make the team,' Frolik said."

Don't forget Michal Repik...the same Repik who completely obliterated goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu on Saturday. The future's bright...if we can hold on to our assets. Bravo JM for not giving in to knee-jerk deals at the deadline.

ECHL Officials to Work NHL Rookie Games

The NHL made a nice gesture yesterday by allowing several on-ice officials from the East Coast Hockey League to work big-time exhibition, er rookie, games.

“This speaks to the caliber of officials used in the ECHL," - Bryan Lewis, ECHL Director of Officiating

For Cat fans, this "good news" extends to us in the form of ECHL zebras working the upcoming rookie tournament in Kitchener, Ontario. Thanks to this post alone, I imagine Shawn Matthias will be watching most of the tourney from the box.

Seriously, this is a fine idea, and one which is way overdue. Everyone needs a catalyst for advancement, and what better opportunity for the guys slummin' it in double A to work some prime time contests, even if only a prospect camp?

Congrats from TLB to all the participants...this really is a special time for the guys in trenches.