Gelinas a Pred

Contrary to rumors floating around the web, Gelinas is not a Flame, Oiler, or Panthers. Gelinas is now a Predator. Yesterday he signed a 1 year 1.25 Million dollar deal with the Nashville Predators. I am sure a lot of Panther fans are glad to see him gone, but lets wish him the best. Gelinas provided veteran leadership to our young players the past two seasons, and he helped Weiss develop into a harder working player on and off the ice. Sure Gelinas never put up the big numbers here in Florida, but he worked hard every shift and set an example for everyone else.

Here is to Gelly and may he have a great season in Nashville.

Panthers Message Boards

Check out the new Panthers message board at FloridaPanthers.com!

New Reebok Jerseys

Cool video and preview of NHL 08 but...Greater speed and range of motion? Aren't they pushing it a little too far with these new "sweaters". Maybe J.R. thinks the new jerseys will make a difference in his pathetic "comeback" attempt.

Polls

The previous poll has now closed. The winner (or is it loser?) of the poll "Which Sponsor do you dislike the most?" is........All of them! No real surprise there. I think Alan Cohen is planning on a few more of those so he doesn't feel so bad about spending up to 45 million dollars this year.


this summer is nowhere near over, so instead of a new Panthers clip, today I bring you my favorite new show. If you can, watch all four episodes. They are all hilarious. Flight of the Concords on HBO.

Hurricanes and November

The month of November, is to the Panthers what Keenan will be to Calgary… Devastating! Why is this a bad month for the Panthers? Is it because at the end of the Hurricane season the players are so relieved and tired from the past six months that they lose focus? Last season in November we went 3-7-3 with 13 games in 28 days, this season we will have 14 games in 27 days. The November curse (yes I called it that) really started in 05-06 after we lost two home games to Hurricanes, not the team but the tropical storm. We then went into November and won one game out of 13. We were outscored 51 to 31 in that stretch, and never rebounded. I put together the past 5 season’s totals from November.

01-02: 3-7-0-2 = 8 pts
02-03: 3-3-5-2 = 13 pts
03-04: 5-8-0-2 = 12 pts
05-06: 1-9-3 = 5 pts
06-07: 3-7-3 = 9 pts

Now let’s look at our opponents for this upcoming season. I put the number of games we play them, and our past November records against them from the five seasons.

Sabres (1 game) – 2-2-0-0
Hurricanes (3 games) – 0-4-0-0
Lightning (2 games) – 1-1-0-0
Thrashers (2 games) – 0-5-0-1
Capitals (3 games) – 1-1-0-1
Blue Jackets (1 game) – 0-0-0-0
Rangers (1 game) – 0-1-1-2
Bruins (1 game) – 1-1-0-0

That’s a combined 5-15-1-4 (ouch)

So where does all this leave us for next season? I don’t know, but I hope its better then the past. This season we will have 10 divisional games, and these games cannot all be lost. The Panthers have an opportunity to end the curse in dramatic fashion. If we play as we have played in past Novembers, we will once again put ourselves into a hole that can’t be clawed out of. If we are to make the playoffs this year, the true test will be leaving November with a winning record.

Who said Panthers still need an enforcer?

As promised here is the first installment of new Panther videos. For those still complaining the Panthers need to pick up a tough guy, you have yet to see this video of one of our new Panthers.

Ok, well maybe he's not what you all had in mind, but this roster is just about set. No one is expecting to go past the second round this year (at least I'm not) and if we lose in the playoffs due to lack of grit or toughness I would hope JM is smart enough to go out next year and acquire a tough guy. Maybe even Avery will be free after his arbitration hearing. South Florida and South Beach would be a nice fit for his nightlife. This team will be together for the foreseeable future and management has done a great job at making sure it will be that way and leave plenty of cap space.

Panthers Schedule is OUT!!!!

http://panthers.nhl.com/team/app?page=TeamSchedule&service=page

We do have a ruff start to the season, (open against the Rangers then the Devils) but I believe this puts pressure on the team to compete from the first puck drop. The Road looks better this year, with only 1 four game road trip, and 1 five game road trip. Also note worthy we finish the season with our last 3 games on the road.

On the Divisional games side we get a lot of consecutive action this season (9 final games against the division.) In November we also play 9 divisional games, better not have that November slump again!!!

Overall I like the schedule at first glance and like how we are heavy against the division at the end of the season when the Panthers like to play their best. Here is to a good season, and tracking down some road games to attend (Sad no games in Colorado or LA this year).

2007 Panthers Schedule released

A difficult opening month for the Florida Panthers will be offset by 11 of 14 home games in the final full month of play in March. The season opener is held on Thursday October 4th in Madison Square Garden to take on the defensively challenged Rangers before coming home to play at BAC on Oct. 6th against the New Devils. I will have a fantastic birthday present in watching the Panthers rip apart the Flames on Dec. 11th The longest road stretch for this year's Cats is a five gamer to Tampa Bay, Toronto, Ottawa, Boston and Buffalo over a 9 day stretch. The longest home stand is 7 games and 9 of ten in the month of March. They also play on back-to-back nights 12 times, with only two coming after the all-star break. The Panthers also get four 3 day breaks in 2007 plus a 4 day break for Christmas but only get one extended break in 2008 with the All-Star break in February.

Marque match ups:
Home and Home against Tampa. Nov 7th and 9th.
Calgary visits Florida Dec 11th
Home and Home against Pitt. Jan 5th and 8th.
Colorado visits Florida Jan 13th


Most Important Stretches:
Nov. 3rd to Nov. 19th- 9 straight games against Division opponents playing every rival at least twice.

March 6th to the 29th- 9 out of 10 games at home to dwindle down the season.

March 16th to April 5th- another stretch of 9 straight against divisional opponents, including the home finale against the Capitals on the 29th and the season finale also against the Caps on April 5th

and even though I voted for Sziro Jewelers, I still had to post this.

Panthers Release 2007 Pre-Season Schedule

Courtesy of floridapanthers.com:

2007 PRESEASON SCHEDULE:

Date: Opponent: Location: Time:

Sun. Sept. 16 @ Calgary Flames Pengrowth Saddledome 9 p.m.

Mon. Sept. 17 @Edmonton Oilers Rexall Place 9 p.m.

Tues. Sept. 18 vs. Calgary Flames* Credit Union Centre 9 p.m.

Thu. Sept. 20 @ Chicago Blackhawks United Center 8 p.m.

Tues. Sept. 25 vs. Chicago BankAtlantic Center 12 p.m.

Wed. Sept. 26 vs. Atlanta Thrashers BankAtlantic Center 7:30 p.m.

Fri. Sept. 28 @ Atlanta Thrashers Phillips Arena 7:30 p.m.

*In Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

I am much more excited for the regular season schedule on Wednesday, but this will satisfy my impatience until then. Pre-season will really give the youngsters a chance to prove themselves. Those like Anthony Stewart, Kendall Mcardle, Kamil Kreps, Drew Larman, R0b Globke, Janis Sprukts etc. Should be interesting to see who makes the roster come opening night.

Update: Weiss, Montador, 07-08 Schedule

Quick update from Brian Biggane of the Palm Beach Post.

1. Jacques Martin has been speaking with Stephen Weiss' agent on a daily basis, apparently a long-term deal is close. Talks stalled because of the passing of Stephen's grandfather (sorry to hear).

2. Steve Montador has filed for arbitration and his hearing will be later this month. He was scheduled to make $550,000 this year. (sounds fair to me)

3. Tomorrow, the NHL will release the 2007-2008 regular season schedule and according to an inside source of Brian Biggane, the Panthers will have a difficult opening month. (damn...)

Well, I'm interested to see what the schedule will look like, but who cares? We have to win, doesn't matter how difficult the opening month is, might as well get the hard part over with. In regards to Weiss, I hope this contract gets done soon, another vital part of the team looking into the future. Hopefully a deal with Montador can be finalized before arbitration, because this is not a player we want to be wasting dollars on.

Iron Idiot

Mike Keenan's recent comments insulting Stephen Weiss, Jay Bouwmeester, and the rest of the Panthers organization is just another example of a runaway train of imbecility. It's not bad enough that he traded away the team's franchise goaltender for peanuts, but then spews this stupidity in the pages of The Hockey News.

In case no one has noticed, the Florida Panthers are on the up and up. After two injury-marred seasons that mirrored each other with late, but failed, playoff pushes, the team is now primed for a legitimate playoff run. Surely Mike Keenan has had little to do with this metamorphosis, as many of the players under his tutelage were run out of town (i.e. Luongo, Kristian Huselius and Marcus Nilson-won't that be a joyous reunion in Calgary), or treated like children by not seeing it "Iron Mike's" way. What a joke.

Keenan is currently 5th in all-time wins, and will be forever known for coaching the Rangers to the '94 Stanley Cup, but let's not stray from the truth. He lucked into that position by being an idiot in the Flyers and Blackhawks organizations, respectively, where he continued to lose power struggles to people that should have the power. He was blessed with an amazing roster in New York. Most coaches would have had tremendous success with that particular team. Even then he couldn't keep his job, weeks after winning the Cup.

His wake of manure then consumed St. Louis, Vancouver, Boston, Florida (twice), and now Calgary. It was no secret the hockey world was shocked at his recent hiring, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for Flames fans already, for nothing positive can happen from here (by the way, Iginla and Phaneuf, the Panthers are waiting for your imminent trade demands, probably by the deadline next year. What high-caliber players such as yourselves would put up with such mind-numbing stupidity from Mike?)

That's why these recent Keenan statements are so pathetically predictable. He actually said Stephen Weiss shouldn't be playing the NHL, and that Bouwmeester still had pimples (which, not that it matters, doesn't have a one) Apparently, face acne is a major deterrent to playing good hockey in Mike's world. Is this all he's got? Ripping his former players, some of which he drafted, to feel better about himself? I get the feeling he doesn't like what he sees when he looks in the mirror. Can't blame him. Calgary fans are going to detest the look of him as well very soon.

What do these players have in common? Matthew Lombardi, Craig Conroy, Tony Amonte, Stephane Yelle, Wayne Primeau, David Moss, Marcus Nilson, and Jeff Friesen. These are Calgary Flames forwards who had fewer points than Stephen Weiss last year, with him missing 8 games. I guess Iron Mike is going to have to send them all down the minors or cut them since they aren't good enough to play in the NHL. Good riddance, Mike. We wish we never knew thee.

NHL schedule

The NHl '07-'08 schedule will be released soon. This year the Panthers will be visiting the Central Divison, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, Columbus (read: 4 easy road wins!) and will be visited by the Northwest divisions Canucks, Avalanche, Oilers, Wild, and the lowly Flamers. I hope Olli enjoys roasting the flames as much as he enjoys roasting this lamb.



This is a picture of Keenan at the homeless shelter on Xmas 2007 after a 5-22 start and after he broke into Sutter's office and traded away Iginla. He must have pan-handled the money for the beer.

Authors

I would like to welcome our newest bloggers PantherSpeigs, CanadianPanthersFan, and Quizabuck. We look forward to great posts from you all.

Tanabe to be a Panther?

Blogger Eklund at hockeybuzz.com claims that defenseman David Tanabe is a possible free agent pick up for the Florida Panthers. Tanabe spent last season with the Hurricanes and was paid $900,000. He is supposed to be a blazing fast defenseman with the ability to open up the rink. I don't know how good of a pick-up this would be for the Cats. If he does sign, what does that say about JM's intentions with our current up and coming d-men? Mezei, Welch, and Murphy all have to fight for two spots of regular playing time and the addition on Tanabe would immediately take away one of those spots. This player seems to fit the JM profile of fast and not a hard hitter.

Islanders are the supposed other team with interest in Tanabe

Did someone in Edmonton get desperate?

This is courtesy www.Bergmanscores.blogspot.com

Now we all know that the Vanek offer sheet was crazy. What do you think?

We also know what the crew thinks in Buffalo. Here are some quotes from yesterday

Larry Quinn, Sabres Managing Partner: "If there's an opportunity for us to put an ofer sheet on a player; as long as we're alive, we'll be very comfortable doing it. They can expect it if it's in our best interest."

Lowe responded, "I think that was rather juvenile on their part." "It's a business. It was right for the Oilers and obviously right for the Sabres".

Interesting... looks like this could have been the first strike it what may soon rival the greatest war between the five families.

this was an actual scene from yesterday press conference.



Meanwhile, Steve Bartlett, agent to Thomas Vanek said, " It's relly a win-win situation for Thomas but Kevin and I worked diligently on this to make it a possibility."
I may be reading this wrong but is he implying that he worked with Oilers GM Kevin Lowe and this was a plan of attack they created together. If so, are there rules against this? Could this be the newest route to forcing a team into a contract favorable to your player? Are they even allowed to have contact? Someone please find an answer. Quote was in today's Montreal Gazette.

Keenan just can't admit that he's no good

In case you haven't heard yet, Mike Keenan thinks he's a hard ass. And perfect. He recently gave an interview to The Hockey News, which is on news stands now, and this is a bit of what he had to say.

"We never made the playoffs and they still haven't because, quite frankly, the team isn't good enough. Does that mean anything? No, it means you're in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I understood those risks."

"Florida had five GMs and five coaches. You talk about my methodology and my coaching, but whatever it was, those four other guys don't have the methodology then, either. The reality is the team isn't good enough."

Then he takes a real cheap shot.
"You’ve got Stephen Weiss who shouldn’t even be in the league yet and Jay Bouwmeester who still has pimples.”

JayBo is 23. Pimples? Is he serious? That's a great reason to never win a cup. I guess Sydney is out of luck for at least another 4 years.
And Weiss still playing in the AHL? I think he has earned his dues now and deserves his spot on the team

So what do you guys think? I think I might have to change the whack-a-mole game to Whack-a-Keenan.
I haven't seen the full article yet but I will add more when I get it.

Whack-a-what??

Ever get frustrated with Gary Bettman? Ever think you could do a better job? Well I can't get you in as the new commissioner but I can let you vent your frustrations. No, letter writing never solved anything. Now you can take a whack at Gary. Let him know how you feel about the current "tv deal" or his decision to take an entire year out of hockey for no apparent reason.

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Welcome

Welcome to Proud Panthers! This is the place for a fresh, light-hearted and up-to-date news on the Panthers. Our very first post is sponsored by Sziro Jewelers and we are welcomed to the blogging world by the Ice Dancers by Sziro Jewelers. Enjoy!