Dan Spiegel: About Time For Tavares

Hey Dan

What was up with all the empty seats?

For a playoff game?

I thought the Critics were up for a Reality Check?

What happened?.......



Panthetic......

Yeah, considering your last blog was telling everyone off for commenting on Panthers lack of fans, completely ignoring that the naysayers were right and Panthers were only at 90% attendance for a playoff game is pretty suspect.

I feel bad for true Florida Panthers fans..

You stick with your team through tough times. But the empty seats is really sad to see. I've always liked the tabbies and even had a jersey when i was a kid.

A few months ago i was listening to a Toronto sports radio show and they had a Panthers reporter on the air.. the host asks him about the improved ticket sales so far this season and the reporter was very rude.. saying something along the lines of the sales were never really that bad and winning will fill the stands.. he ranted for awhile.. kinda sugguesting the Toronto media was out to get them.. its the media in Canada's fault (somehow).. It's too bad really, but hockey just doesnt belong that far south. The team will have to be moved but probably not until Bettman is gone. So for the sake of the team i hope they have some success this playoffs. They have a good young team in place.

The Miami area will never be a hot bed for hockey but, at least put the stadium in Miami. The Panthers stadium is right on the border with the Everglades, close to an hour away from Miami. I could guarantee the Panthers would get better attendance if the were in Miami or even Ft. Lauderdale. Having the stadium so far out hasn't helped anyone.

The building is stunning though. For the age of it. I was there this march break to catch a Senators game...(where the Sens crapped the bed and the Panthers looked amazing) And the building was about 70% filled. It's a shame. Gorgeous interior, amazing food even for the price. It was like an "event center" it didn't have an arena feel at all until you actually went into the arena.

Im a die hard Isles fan, have been since the last cup. It's been a painful journey. That said, I still don't think this Isles team is "the one" to get there. The Panthers however, have just the right mix of youth and experience and grit to go all the way. So. Chin up Cats.....you'll get this done in 7.

I'd guess it's a tough call to shorten the bench too much when you know you have to go right back out and play just as tough of a game the next night. And it's not like the Panthers' bottom six was having a bad game.

Congrats to NYI. Their star dominated and their goalie was solid. I thought Florida played a great game. Sometimes Lou isn't going to bring a great game and to be fair those goals were just really good goals. Lets move on to game two.

Hey Dan

What was up with all the empty seats?

For a playoff game?

I thought the Critics were up for a Reality Check?

What happened?.......



Panthetic......
- TheGame316

Hey Dan

What was up with all the empty seats?

For a playoff game?

I thought the Critics were up for a Reality Check?

What happened?.......



Panthetic......
- TheGame316

Egg on face

Congrats to NYI. Their star dominated and their goalie was solid. I thought Florida played a great game. Sometimes Lou isn't going to bring a great game and to be fair those goals were just really good goals. Lets move on to game two.
- colgonics

I thought Florida played really well. Our defensive coverage was as bad as it's been all year. If not for Greiss it could have been 8-5 Panthers. That being said, Tavares is by far the best player in this series and will continue to dominate this series. Luongo has to be better because I've watched this islander team for a long time. Our defensive structure has been as good this year as it has in a long time. Chances will not come as easy as they did last night. Tonight is a must win for Florida. I expect a tighter 2-1, 3-2 game

Those empty seats were pretty bad. How do you have empty seats in a game one in a playoff game?! I feel bad for the players. They have a good young team but no fans to back it up.

Islanders in 5

Islanders win their first playoff series in years with Luongo's inability to win big playoff games. I like the young guys on the Panthers but the Islanders are just too deep I'm thinking.

We only go as far as Luongo takes us. Our defense blows. And can someone teach bjudstad how to stand on his skates, especially when he's at the face off circle.

We only go as far as Luongo takes us. Our defense blows. And can someone teach bjudstad how to stand on his skates, especially when he's at the face off circle.
- harveykline

This is something I noticed last night. He's absolutely huge but he got knocked on his ass a few times by guys not even close to his size. de Haan crushed him at one point. Pretty rare to see a guy that big get rag-dolled like that.

Congrats to NYI. Their star dominated and their goalie was solid. I thought Florida played a great game. Sometimes Lou isn't going to bring a great game and to be fair those goals were just really good goals. Lets move on to game two.
- colgonics

Good summary. I'd also add that they had quite a few QUALITY chances due to the breakdown of the D. I still like us in the series though.

The building is stunning though. For the age of it. I was there this march break to catch a Senators game...(where the Sens crapped the bed and the Panthers looked amazing) And the building was about 70% filled. It's a shame. Gorgeous interior, amazing food even for the price. It was like an "event center" it didn't have an arena feel at all until you actually went into the arena.

Im a die hard Isles fan, have been since the last cup. It's been a painful journey. That said, I still don't think this Isles team is "the one" to get there. The Panthers however, have just the right mix of youth and experience and grit to go all the way. So. Chin up Cats.....you'll get this done in 7.
- Octavarium

Dream Theater fan?

Good summary. I'd also add that they had quite a few QUALITY chances due to the breakdown of the D. I still like us in the series though.
- PanthersGoal

I said it before the series, I have a lot of respect for the panthers as far as their size,speed and skill. I think it's going to be a long series and I still think we matched up better against the pens.

I said it before the series, I have a lot of respect for the panthers as far as their size,speed and skill. I think it's going to be a long series and I still think we matched up better against the pens.
- Isles_since_6

I think you guys win in 5. The bracket the islanders are in is pretty weak you guys could very well get to round 3.

Isles wont get out of the 2nd round if they somehow win this series. I'm cheering for the Cats and Uncle Dale to advance, as I think they have a deeper roster overall and can make some noise in the East. Tavares is a great player and the steal and dish was a thing of beauty. I cant bring myself to root for the Isles after Garth fleeced StanBo for your #1 TOI leader Nick Leddy. Ville Pokka

Isles wont get out of the 2nd round if they somehow win this series. I'm cheering for the Cats and Uncle Dale to advance, as I think they have a deeper roster overall and can make some noise in the East. Tavares is a great player and the steal and dish was a thing of beauty. I cant bring myself to root for the Isles after Garth fleeced StanBo for your #1 TOI leader Nick Leddy. Ville Pokka
- EnzoD

I deplore looking past the round we're currently in, but do you really think that the Islanders, if they win the current series, couldn't get past the Red Wings or the Lightning, without Stamkos and Stralman?

Not an insult to those teams, or Florida, but all three of them are entirely beatable. Doesn't mean that it will happen, but making a blanket statement that the Islanders couldn't beat TBL/DET is a bit silly. They're not slated to play the Capitals if they win.

Those empty seats were pretty bad. How do you have empty seats in a game one in a playoff game?! I feel bad for the players. They have a good young team but no fans to back it up.

Islanders in 5
- Santo_44

move the damm team to Quebec !

move the damm team to Quebec !
- Xizord

I would hate the nordiques as much as a do the habs but rivalries is what makes hockey exciting. And I can appreciate a fan base who cares for there team. A team in Quebec would be a smart move for the NHL.

I would hate the nordiques as much as a do the habs but rivalries is what makes hockey exciting. And I can appreciate a fan base who cares for there team. A team in Quebec would be a smart move for the NHL.
- Santo_44

Very true & the arena would be full as well...so I don't understand why its not done already, its a win/win

move the damm team to Quebec !
- Xizord

Try the Carolina blog.