Started my Friday out right by throwing on the Jovanovski interview he gave on The Panthers Podcast Network: Territory Talk.
He comes on at the 13:30 mark.
I always like getting the insight from former players - especially one of my favorite Panthers. While most of it is pretty “generic” talk in terms of not going into great detail, there are a couple things that stood out to me:
- FLA gave TBL their hardest series this post-season
- Playoff intensity means closing gaps/neutralizing speed and Cats’ defense going in the right direction
I spent a good chunk of time being pretty disappointed after the Panthers made a first-round exit, but looking at TBL’s trajectory at this point, Jovanovski is absolutely correct - the Panthers gave Tampa their toughest battle thus far.
His point about playoff intensity, defense, etc., had me a little more mixed…
The Cats rose to the occasion a number of times and matched/out-matched Tampa in intensity and pace in many of the games. But they fell short too often when it came to closing gaps and taking away space and speed for the (many) dangerous players on Tampa. Too many defensive breakdowns and not enough slowing down of TBL in all three zones.
I think Ed also nailed it when he said that Florida’s defense is heading in the right direction with guys like Ekblad, and especially Weegar, coming into their own and turning into elite blue liners. Add to that someone like Gudas, who brings a much needed physical and defense-first mentality, and there’s a solid foundation. But the reality is that Gudas could be lost to Seattle (as many are predicting), and, like Ed stated, Florida needs at least one or two more legit defensemen; something we have known forever. I personally think the Cats need to find a way to protect Forsling in the upcoming Expansion Draft. In my opinion, he’s a very important piece to this blue line and compliments guys like Ekblad, Weegar and Gudas well.
Overall, the Panthers should have taken away some really solid experience from this playoff series, something they can put towards next season in order to take the next step.
Ruutu in the Building
The Panthers recently announced the hiring of Tuomo Ruutu as Assistant Coach. Per the announcement:
“ Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito announced today the club has added Tuomo Ruutu to the club's coaching staff as an assistant coach.
"We are proud to welcome Tuomo to the Panthers and receive him as an addition to Joel's coaching staff," said Panthers General Manager Bill Zito. "With his career in hockey spanning multiple decades, we believe his experience both as a player and working in player development in the NHL and internationally will be an invaluable addition to our organization as we prepare for an exciting 2021-22 campaign."
Ruutu, 38, joins the Panthers coaching staff after having spent the previous two seasons with the New York Rangers, serving as an assistant director of player development in 2020-21. The native of Vantaa, Finland, also served as an assistant coach with Team Finland at the 2019, 2020 and 2021 IIHF U20 World Junior Championships, earning a Gold Medal (2019) and a Bronze Medal (2021) coaching Panthers forward and fellow HIFK (Liiga) alum Anton Lundell.
Originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2001 NHL Draft, Ruutu amassed 346 points (148-198-346) over 735 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks (2003-04 to 2007-08), Carolina Hurricanes (2007-08 to 2013-14), and New Jersey Devils (2013-14 to 2015-16).
Prior to his NHL career, Ruutu recorded 72 points (30-42-72) over 129 games in Finland's Liiga between HIFK (1999-00 and 2002-03) and Jokerit (2000-01 to 2001-02).
As a player on the international stage, Ruutu earned 10 medals over 12 tournaments representing Finland: Gold Medals at the 2000 IIHF U18 World Championship and the 2011 IIHF World Championship, Silver Medals at the 2001 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship and 2007 IIHF World Championship, and Bronze Medals at the 2002 and 2003 IIHF U20 World Junior Championships, 2006 and 2008 IIHF World Championships, and 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
Tuomo's brother Jarkko played 11 NHL seasons between the Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators and Anaheim Ducks and currently serves as European Development Coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets. His brother Mikko serves as Chief European Scout for the Ottawa Senators.”
This is a cool hiring. I remember him with the Hawks. He has bonafide NHL playing experience and international coaching/scouting experience.
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Hope everyone has a nice holiday weekend - Go Panthers!
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