Panthers Beginning

[bthomp05]

Well 3rd time is a charm, I hope. I have decided to attempt one more time at the dynasty thing. Going with the Panthers with some major changes.

Will do a season outlook, trade dealine review, and a season review. Might post some important things along the way, maybe a 5 game report, but don't have ample time to do a game by game.

I will play all home games and sim away. So here goes nothing

[bthomp05]

Re: Panthers Beginning

2009 - 2010 Outlook

With a narrow miss of the playoffs last year (Habs won out on the decider), fans would believe the Panthers would enter the draft, maybe make a few UFA signings and that would be it. Well this offseason was anything but usual.

First off, Panthers traded Vokoun to the islanders (who knows why they wanted another goalie) for their 1st round pick, which intern they used to draft highly skilled center Nathan Thompson (Thompson, a native from Toronto, had sparked league interest way back in midgit hockey. Chimed as the next Gretzky, this playmaker loves to pass but doesn't shy away from putting the puck in the net either. He is quick on his skates and unloads a body check like there was no tomorrow. Could this be the player the Panthers were looking for, only time will tell).

Next, they used thier 13th pick to select heavy weight defensemen Mike Smith. (Standing 6'8", this 255lb Canadian d-man is like a freight train on skates but with the finesse of butterfly. There is nothing this guy can't do; score, set-up plays, hit, protect, you name it he can do it. The Panthers hope this d-man can get it done for them this season and many more.)

With thier 44th pick they selected Russian goalie Ivan Fedorov. (A very agile, stand up goalie, the Panthers hope he can play along side Clemmesen to help fill in the gaping hole left by Voukon.)

To improve thier future (Out with the old, in with the New) the Panthers moved a few players around to get a jump start on next years draft. Moving Ballard to Nashville, Horton to Columbus, and Weiss to Colorado, the Panthers were able to secure three 1st round picks and dump about 11.3 million in Cap. A GM's dream, most would say.

To assist thier newly drafted center, Nathan Thompson, the Panthers went trolling across the pond to hopefully find a suitable winger. Thier journey lead them to the Czech league, where they negotiated a reasonable contract with Coyotes 2001 243th draft pick, Frantisek Lukes. A small, speedy winger, with an accurate shot, had 39 pts in 51 games with Litvinov last year.

It is hoped that with Lukes on the right and Booth on the left of Thompson, this 1st line will help propel the Panthers to new heights. Today and for the future.

Key Additions: Nathan Thompson (C), Mike Smith (D), Ivan Fedorov (G), Frantisek Lukes (RW/LW), Mark Recchi (LW/RW), Ville Pelton (LW)

Key Departures: Tomas Vokoun (G), Keith Ballard (D), Nathan Horton (RW/C), Stephen Weiss (C)

Forwards: Booth (LW), Thompson (C), Lukes (RW), Stillman (LW), Reinprecht (C), Frolik (RW), Olesz (LW), Campbell (C), Recchi (RW), Pelton (LW), Tarnesky (C), Dvorak (RW)

Defencemen: Smith, Seidenberg, McCabe, Allen, Leopold, Koistinen

Goalies: Clemmenson, Fedorov

[bthomp05]

Re: Panthers Beginning

6 Game Recap:



At CHI: 3-2 W
VS CHI: 4-3 OL
AT CAR: 1-3 L
VS NJ: 2-1 OL
AT TB: 2-3 L
VS PHI: 2-3 SW (Thompson with the Shoot Out Goal)

Panthers are 2-2-2 with 6 pts, are 14th in the East
GF: 13 GA: 16 PP: 22.7% PK: 90.3%

Top 5 Scores:
Thompson 2-3-5
Recchi 0-4-4
Lukes 2-1-3
Leopold 0-3-3
Booth 0-3-3

Playing 500 hockey, the Panthers hoped they would have gotten more scoring from thier 2nd line, some better defensive play from the blue line, and some better goaltending.

In an effort to build momentum on the 2nd line, Stillman (pointless so far) will drop down to the 3rd line while Recchi (3 pts in 6 games) will move up to the 2nd. Another minor change is swapping Peltonen and Dvorak from LW and RW. Not a scoring option, but to keep the checking line fresh and attentive (This line has a combined plus 3, best out of all 4 lines).

On defense, Panthers coach has made some big changes, more or less. Seidenberg, a minus 5 (an early experiment to put ODs with DDs) will be domoted to the 3rd def pairing and Koistinen, a plus 2 (3 pts in 6 games) will move up to pair with Smith. McCabe, 2 pts but a minus 4, being the veteran on defense, has not played as well as Leopold or even rookie Smith. To get his attention and focus him, the 34yr old has been put on the block. Not necassary for a trade, but definately a "Hey You, You are Expendable".

Panthers will be watching closely the tandem between Clemmensen and Fedorov, both goalies not particularly playing well. Clemmensen (1-3, 2.69 GAA) and Fedorov (1-1, 2.42 GAA), are not exactly the Stanley Cup contending Goalie team one would want. Expect if this continues that the Panthers might move on a UFA goalie or trade some of their veterans (Stillman, Leopold or McCabe) or possible one of four 1st round picks they hold for one a veteran goalie.

The Panthers hope that a little line switching and a swiff kick in the arse will spark the team to a better record them 500 in the next 5 to 6 games.

[GoldenJet]

Re: Panthers Beginning

Not even gonna ask about the picture. But nice start.

[Bolts_26]

Re: Panthers Beginning

Not even gonna ask about the picture. But nice start.

What GJ said

Good start though, looking forward to more!

[bthomp05]

Re: Panthers Beginning

Its the Panthers Ice girls, thought it would add flavour. Will be posting another update today

[bthomp05]

Re: Panthers Beginning

6 Game Recap:
(Games 7 to 12)

VS BUF: 4-2 W
AT PIT: 5-1 W
AT PHI: 3-2 L
VS OTT: 9-2 W (Thompson had a 5 pt night)
AT DAL: 3-2 W
AT STL: 3-1 L

Panthers are 6-4-2 with 14 pts, are tied for 8th (5 other teams) in the East
GF: 37 GA: 29 PP: 18.4% PK: 87%

Top 5 Scores:
Thompson 9-10-19
Lukes 6-7-13
Booth 4-7-11
Leopold 1-7-8
Smith 1-7-8

Now closer to the 600 level, the Panthers 1st line has been explosive. Combined, Booth-Thompson-Lukes, have 43 pts so far and account for 51% of the goals scored. Thompson, a rookie no less, is 8th in the league with 19 points and is on pace for 129 pt season, hopefully he can keep that up.

"Its been great, but I must say that my linemates, Booth and Lukes, have made it easy for me. I hope we can keep this going." Thompson told reporters earlier this week.

Moving Koistinen to the 1st D pairing has been very beneficial, as the Smith-Koistinen paring have 15 pts combined and are a plus 6 now. Leopold is 4th on the team with 8pts while Seidenberg is still at zero, expect changes if Seidenberg can't perform. (Maybe a call-up).

Fedorov (3-2) has been playing better as of late then his mate, Clemmenson (3-4), but the duel has a combined GAA of 2.42. Not a real concern at this point, but management will watch to see if something needs to be changed.

The Panthers focus will remain the same, aggressive pressure in the O-zone and a mean back-checking in the D-zone.



In other news, a rumor has spured that Panthers management might want to spend some of the war chest and land a big UFA. Possible players on the radar might be Pavel Brundl, Alexander Radulov, or Aleksy Morozov due to all three being excellent marksmen (Maybe a new linemate for Thompson?). But like I said, its a rumor, so who knows. :-)

[bthomp05]

Re: Panthers Beginning

17 Game Recap:
(Games 13 to 29)

VS CAR: 3-2 W
VS WSH: 4-1 W
AT WSH: 3-2 W
AT BOS: 4-1 L
VS NYI: 3-0 W
VS LA: 5-2 W
AT BUF: 4-3 OL
AT DET: 5-1 W
AT NYR: 6-4 L
VS PIT: 3-0 W
VS NYR: 3-2 W
VS TOR: 5-2 W
AT NSH: 3-2 OL
AT ATL: 3-1 L
VS COL: 4-2 W
AT WAS: 5-2 L
VS ATL: 5-1 W

Panthers are 17-8-4 with 38 pts, are 3rd in the East
GF: 93 GA: 69 PP: 17.8% PK: 87.2%

Top 5 Scores:
Thompson 19-31-50
Booth 9-25-34
Lukes 13-14-27
Koistinen 4-19-23
Smith 7-13-20

The last 17 games have been incredible as the Panthers have gone from 8th place to 3rd in the East.

Rookie Thompson has been on fire, he's tied for 1st in the league with Heatley at 50 pts, on pace for 152 pts. Booth and Lukes are right behind with 34 and 27 pts respectively, while the Smith-Koistinen combo has 43 pts combined.

The Panthers Goalie/Dman tandum is 2nd lowest in the league with a GAA of 2.38 and the team as a whole has a +/- rating of 112.

Goalies Clemmensen and Fedorov, have being doing an incredible job posting a GAA of 2.21 and 2.37 respectively with an overall recored of 17-13.

The only downside has been the play of 2 forwards and 1 d-man. Panthers management has not been happy with the play of Reinprecht (2nd line center, 10 pts in 27g but a minus 3, 34% on the faceoff), Stillman (winger in the 3rd line, 3 pts in 27g with a minus 2) and struggling d-man Siedenberg (4 pts in 27g with a minus 2). Expect some immediate action, like a few call ups to help fill those struggling players.

Everyone hopes, me included, that the Panthers can continue thier success. Go Nate Go..


In other news, rumors are still circulating on those 3 UFA and Panthers Management. Eventhough all parties have not commented, it is still thought that the Panthers will move on one before the march deadline especially if they are a Stanley Cup Contender.

[bthomp05]

Re: Panthers Beginning

6 Game Recap:
(Games 30 to 36)

VS EDM: 5-1 W
AT CMB: 3-2 L
AT NJ: 3-2 L
AT PIT: 4-2 L
AT NYI: 6-3 L
VS ATL: 5-2 W

Panthers are 19-12-4 with 42 pts, are 3rd in the East
GF: 112 GA: 89 PP: 16.3% PK: 85.9%

Top 5 Scores:
Thompson 21-37-58
Booth 12-29-41
Lukes 17-15-32
Koistinen 6-24-30
Smith 7-16-23

Clemmensen 9-9 2.52GAA
Fedorov 10-7 2.40GAA


2 and 4 is not exactly a great record for a contending team, but the Panthers were still able to hold onto thier 3rd spot. Thier PP and PK have also been on the way down so management will definately have to find away to stop the bleeding.

Goaltending has also become an issue again with the tandum posting a 19-17 record, not impressive at all. But they still hold strong in the GA department as they are 3rd in the league. A more elite veteran goalie might be the answer so look for a possible goalie play in the next month or so.

On the upside, Thompson had 2g and 6a for 8 pts in the last 6 games, still on route to an excellent finish if he can keep it up, definately over a 100. He is still number 1 in the league. Booth and Lukes are also having great seasons, on route to 96 and 75 pt finishes if they can keep healthy.

D-Man duo Koistinen-Smith have also been ripping it up, 30 and 23 pts respectively, accounting for 12% of the goals scored this year. Both are poised to break the 50 pt mark.

So looking after the PP and PK and possible a goalie move will be on managements minds as we head into the next 47 games.


In other news, rumors continue to mount on a UFA move. It's been reported that Panthers Management has been seen talking with Pavel Brundl's (a speedy sniper) agent but no official comments from either party have been heard. On another rumor front, during the New Islanders game it was reported the Panthers Management was seen chatting with Garth Snow, and that lengthly conversations since then have ensued. Could Vokoun be coming back or another veteran goalie, I guess only time will tell.

[bthomp05]

Re: Panthers Beginning

So what do you guys think so far? I know atleast one of the 103 viewers must have something to say.

[bthomp05]

Re: Panthers Beginning

5 Game Recap:
(Games 36 to 40)

VS CAR: 6-2 W
AT CAR: 3-2 L
AT PHI: 5-2 W
AT NYR: 5-4 OL
VS BOS: 3-1 W

Panthers are 22-13-5 with 49 pts, slip to 6th in the East
GF: 132 (9th) GA: 102 (1st) PP: 17.7% (6th) PK: 84.4% (20th)

Top 5 Scores:
Thompson 27-41-68
Booth 14-31-45
Lukes 19-18-37
Koistinen 7-28-35
Smith 7-22-29

Clemmensen 10-10 2.61GAA
Fedorov 12-8 2.35GAA


3-1-1 in the last 5 games is not bad considering the 2-4-0 in the 6 previous games before. Even the Panther's powerplay crept up a little to 17.7 from 16.3%, 6th in the league.

Panther's Defense is ranked 1st in the league with 102 goals against, and is 9th in the league for goals scored at 132. The top line of Booth-Thompson-Lukes owns 45% of those goals. Clemmensen and Fedorov are 2.55 GAA, 1st in the league. While rookie Thompson still owns the league with 68 points, Gaborik of NYR is 2nd with 61.

But even with a 3-1-1 record the Panthers slipped from 3rd to 6th. You can bet they will be on the prawl the next 5 to 6 games to get it back.


Rumors are rumors, nothing more to add to that.

[matt314hew]

Re: Panthers Beginning

It is going well so far. Good recaps on each of the updates.

[bthomp05]

Re: Panthers Beginning

Thanks Matt

[bthomp05]

Re: Panthers Beginning

And I thought no one was interested. Will do an update tomorrow.

[Bolts_26]

Re: Panthers Beginning

Looks good, man-- keep at it!