Monday Primer: Vokoun, Camp Day Two, Zeds

Autumn is a mere one hour away, or at least it was when I began banging out this post, which reminds me that I should have had today's morning submission completed many hours ago. This whole "employment" thing is really getting in the way. On to more interesting matters...

Steve Gorten profiles Richard Zednik's return to action in an upbeat article from the Sun-Sentinel.

"General Manager Jacques Martin described Zednik, 32, as "anxious" to pick up where he left off last season. The streaky scorer posted six goals and three assists in the four games before Feb. 10."

Sick numbers during an impressive run.

On the same path, the Columbus Dispatch looks at the NHL's - and specifically, the Blue Jackets' - on-ice emergency procedures in the wake of Zednik's Bad Day. A number of various scenarios are played out in an effort to increase efficiency during an unforseen event.

"'My vote is, leave the helmet on, barring any type of facial trauma,' said Dr. Joseph Ruane, team doctor and a sports-medicine physician."

Interesting stuff.

George Richards details T-Vo's increased comfort level over last season.

"''Last year was a year of transition for me,' said Vokoun, a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team in 2008."

Forgetting the obvious but lame reasons why goalies can't be captains, I REALLY wish DeBoer would break with tradition and name T-Vo as commander-in-chief. His passion and frustration with losing made him an early fan favorite around these environs. He reminds me a bit of Mike Liut and his canned rage. Now that's passion.

A change of scenery will work to Bryan McCabe's advantage, says David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail.

"He got through the whole situation without getting down," Belak said. "I don't know how anyone could have handled it as well as he did."

"...He brings a lot of leadership to this team, which is what we need. Last year's team was a little quiet. It was kind of divided in the locker room."

You don't say?

Camp Day One: Pictures! Part I

The lovely and talented CLG - my inspiration for the entire Litter Box empire - brings us some great shots of yesterday's fest. More to follow soon.

Vokoun

Anderson

Boooooooth

Stillman

Vokoun

Horton (in red)

Belak

Vokoun

Sunday Primer: Camp Day One Fallout and (what else) Contraction

Ewww.

All's well in Pantherland heading into Camp, Day Two. Not much on the radar since yesterday, so we'll get right into the locals, and a few other tidbits.

On Frozen Pond covers yesterday's action, plus the (intended) destruction of former Cat den Miami Arena, and Bouwmeester's contract status.

“I've been here five years and haven't played in a playoff game. It's not fun for anyone. Hey, I'm partly to blame for that. I know that."

(A good portion of the press conference, as well as many other wild interviews from yesterday, can be found at the official site. Kudos to their staff.)

The Sun-Sentinel's Steve Gorten has more J-Bo talk, and a great summary of yesterday's events at IncredibleICE as well.

"The scrimmage is underway and Noah Welch just laid out Radek Dvorak with a hit near the boards. Just as in games, we're hearing "Boooooooth" whenever David Booth has the puck."

It really was otherworldly to hear the "Booooth" cry in such a small area. Truly kewl. Sitting just behind Zednik was neat, yet at the same time one could feel the angst he must be going through...every time he returned to the bench his eyes met cameras directly before him. And the season hasn't even begun.

Inside the Panthers has a terrific blog from Day One.

"Fans were so excited about the scrimmage they actually applauded when the officials took the ice. How often do you see that?"

Brian Biggane wasn't kidding when he wrote that. Almost surreal, and it happened a couple of times. Everyone looked around and decided, "OK, it's time to let 'em hear it". Lots of energy in the building. And tremendous anticipation.

Just to prove we're not alone in the world, the Rocky Mountain News ran a short AP article announcing the event. Nice.

It's been several hours since league contraction has been discussed, so here's today's fill:

"So say goodbye to these seven: Anaheim, Nashville, Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Florida and Phoenix. The southern experiment hasn't worked, and won't. See ya later y'all."

Blah blah blah. As long as the Maple Leafs are safe and sound, screw everyone else. Another original thought from the capital of the hockey universe. Send your gratitude to Brad Fay at Sportsnet.ca.

From the Desk of Jacques Martin

It wasn't easy keeping up with all the high numbers. After Rusty, I get a bit queasy.

And as I stated earlier, McArdle looked phenomenal.

BTW: Belak was present. Number 33. Offense? Defense? He'll be running the show by November.

Training Camp Day One: First (poor) Pictures

I was expecting a bit more, um, performance out of my Razr cameraphone, but I digress. LOTS of good shots from a much better platform are on their way.

A wonderful day had by all. Many thanks to the Florida Panthers organization for a fantastic event. Happy faces all around.

What was later estimated to be over 1,000 - in a facility built for FAR less - crowded into standing-room-only areas at IncredibleICE (you've already got the link, kids) to see Day One of the Peter DeBoer Era begin. Upon his arrival, a thunderous applause rang out. No, really.

Got a whole bunch to do - I just arrived at The Litter Box World Headquarters in breezy North Palm Beach - so I'll simply release the lousy teaser pictures from my phone. The good stuff will be here tomorrow after the standard vetting process is undertaken by loyal TLB staffers. BTW, staffers: no overtime. Yeah, again.

Squint hard folks...no HD here.

Guys ready for the pass during practice.

Hey look! That's Nathan Horton in the red! I promise.

Stanley C. just before he shut off my phone. Forcibly. Apparently he's not a fan of speaking without Teleprompters. Hmmm.

Zeds is back! And yes, his speed is there as well.

More guys looking for work.

This guy's not looking for work. Tomas Vo-something was his name...

No support here. Off to Hamilton.

PeDe lays it down during Day One.


Much more to follow tomorrow, including commentary and (really good) pictures.

As for TLB's pick for Panther-of-the-Day-Camp-Edition (excluding veterans), hands-down today's winner is a no-brainer...ask anyone in attendance: Kenndal McArdle. Bar-none, the hardest worker - among VERY hard workers, just ask Horton while he was doubled-over on the far end - was the Panthers' 20th pick in '05. BAR. NONE. Nice freaking job, KM. Most impressive.

Again, lots more to sort out come tomorrow. While the TLB newshole rapidly condenses stories from around the globe regarding today's event, we'd like to send a special hello to Phillip(sp?) and Stephanie from South Miami. Loyal members of TeamLitterBox and a pleasure to talk - intelligent - puck with. Totally agree with their comments on Anthony Stewart.

Tune in tomorrow...Same Cat time, same Cat station.

The Best Hockey Team in Coral Springs Plays Here

Yes, that IS incredible ice, but I'm referring to something a bit further south.

Now that I've pimped their site three times in the past two days, I'll move along and let the locals know that I'll be at the practice/scrimmage tomorrow, all part of Training Camp Day One festivities, festooned in - what else? - Whaler road blues, showcasing Hartford hero Sean Burke's number 1. Fighting strap? Check. It's Burke, after all.

And for Puck Daddy afficionados, I might just do it all in jorts. Just a thought. Hope to see a healthy percentage of the Illustrious Twelve cheering on all 56 Cats!

BTW: JP...I'm really taking to "W4E". Well done.

Friday Primer: Camp Talk, and Talk, and Talk`

The days have turned to hours as camp approaches. Will YOU be there to watch when Peter DeBoer takes to the ice in his first formal practice as head coach? When Richard Zednik makes his first public appearance on the ice? When Anthony Stewart is trotted out for what must be His. Last. Chance. When the search for parking at construction-addled IncredibleIce turns viscious? When Craig Anderson looks for Ice Bunnies...and finds none?

These cosmic questions and many others will be answered tomorrow morning at 10 in Coral Springs, kiddies. Don't worry...it free.

Lots of activity from The Big Three today, so in the spirit of Carolina's franchise, let's dive right in:

At the Herald, GR recounts the activity of the summer, what it means, and the way it may all play out.

"General manager Jacques Martin said this is the best team Florida has had since he joined the franchise in 2004."

I'm as positive - more so, in fact - as anyone, but yowza that sounds eerily familiar. However, I am inclined to agree, at least on paper. Jassen Cullimore has also been spotted back on South Florida ice, apparently with an invite in hand. Bravo...he was a pleasant surprise last year, a real comeback, though his chances to make the club out of camp are slim to none (who's he gonna bump? McCabe?). If he signs a deal, it'll be two-way and off to Rochester to await an injury callup. Not that injuries have ever been a problem with this team.

Actually, that's not too bad a first defensive pairing for the Amerks: Cully and Rory, plugging in Ellerby when necessary. Kewl.

Cruising up I-95 north, the Sun-Sentinel has it's own list of questions, from the vacant captaincy (Vokoun for the "C"...Amen!), to DeBoer's minor-league experience ascending to major-league success.

"Still, a few Panthers players privately wonder whether that will translate over to the pros, with some players twice the age of the juniors DeBoer has coached."

So freaking what. Play the game.

Not to be outdone, Steve Gorton's Cullimore news is featured here as well.

Further up the interstate, the Palm Beach Post's Brian Biggane profiles DeBoer's new attack-first system he's implementing, and the obvious comparisons with Detroit and Canadian national teams.

" 'We won't be sitting back. We're going to be in your face,' said Stephen Weiss, who enters camp as the team's No. 1 center."

Really, really, looking forward to this practice and scrimmage tomorrow. It's unfortunate that there don't appear to be any videos of past training camp practices - or any practices - that could be used to contrast Martin's approach to DeBoer. An eye opener, I'd bet.

Thursday Primer: PEI Excitement, Cat Camp's A Comin, Whale4ever(!)...literally, and More

From The Guardian (Cozy subtitle: "Covers Prince Edward Island Like The Dew") it would appear the good folks in Summerside are getting stoked for the arrival of our Cats. Do they know the way?

"The trip to P.E.I. will mark the club’s second visit to Summerside as the Panthers held their 1996 training camp at Cahill Stadium."

For those who might read too much into the "1996" reference, that followed the Cup run. The whole spring-before-fall thing.

Minus Bryan Allen, everyone's in town and stepping up the pace of practices with Training Camp primed to open officially on Saturday morning. At 10:00. IncredibleIce. Wanna get your pulse up? Behold from The Palm Beach Post's Brian Biggane:

"While lines were jumbled, Stillman began the scrimmage on a line with Stephen Weiss and Nathan Horton."

THAT'S the news I've been waiting to hear. Thanks, Brian. Yes, The Box will be at Camp, Day 1, cameraphone in hand.

Guess whose website is now up and running (pretty sparse, but sure to be sweet)? Modesty forbids TLB from taking credit. Check it out here. On the subject of The WB, he'll be appearing as a call-in guest on Big 105.9 FM tomorrow (time TBD. I'll pass it along when available).

UPDATE: WB's site just locked up on me. At work. Now I have to work. Not amused.

A fascinating article on creating and maintaining good rink ice comes to us from yet another Guardian, this time a few miles kilometers to the east. And the Panthers - of course - have somehow made a name for themselves overseas:

"Down in Miami, home of the similarly awful Florida Panthers, the ice men have to contend with temperatures of 90 degrees and air that is the consistency of pea and ham soup."

Though focusing primarily on the Rangers and Madison Square Garden, it's an interesting read, especially coming from a nation with a very small, yet no less loyal, hockey footprint. Hey...kinda like THIS place:

Off-topic! Puck Daddy brings a wonderful interview to the site, regarding a new fan-made movie chronicling the rise, fall, and grass-roots effort to return NHL hockey to Hartford. But the Whalers never mattered to me.

Even further off-topic, my home PC's motherboard decided not to do it's motherboard things any longer, so I'll have to milk the machines at work as much as possible. This translates to fewer posts for at least the next day or so while I comb the local junkyards and schooldumpsters for a new-to-me CPU. PantherNation in crisis!