Dan Spiegel: Meet One Of The Best Teams In The NHL...The Florida Panthers

Dan I didn't read the article yet but I just wanna say...here come the trolls.

no need to blast on Montreal fans for your attendance...

good for you

Good read Dano...Merry Christmas.


It takes some five plus years to see the fruits of drafting well, and as you said, you're starting to see some of that now. The Panthers have had a lot of good draft picks in the past, but they've never been able to insulate those picks with a support group around them. Tallon's changing that!

In my opinion Tallon has a better understanding of the type of players needed to be successful, build through the middle with some semblance of size and get that top pairing dman when the opportunity presents. Not to mention hitting after round one on some picks, so far so good.

This team looks really good right now and while I agree with you that the way these kids are playing right now is like one of the best in the league I hope they remain consistent. Has this team of young kids and vets finally turned the corner and believe in themselves and the system? It sure looks like it and it's been fun to watch.


I have to say I've been very impressed by Barkov this year. I wasn't too impressed with what I saw last year from a second overall pick but I realized he was hurt and still very young(and still is). This year, it's a different story. This kid is gonna be a star in this league. He makes it look very easy. Ekblad is a beast as well and we did see that last year and he has only been better this year. Bjugstad is almost back hopefully, barring any setback to his migraines and that will only help this team offensively but he has to make sure he is completely healthy. I can still see Dale adding some scoring as well(maybe JVR) and this team becomes very dangerous. Lou is playing great as well.

Dan I didn't read the article yet but I just wanna say...here come the trolls.
- BravePackCats27

Trollfest 40 A.D

Good to see. i dont wanna sound like a wiener but it's been hard to defend why florida should be able to keep the team. It's good to see the players rewarded with stronger crowds and a winning record.

good for them.

South Florida, if you win..or look like you TRY to win, fans come out. 21 seasons a handful of playoff appearances, MANY markets would experience the very same problem. And, we've all seen them too.

South Florida, if you win..or look like you TRY to win, fans come out. 21 seasons a handful of playoff appearances, MANY markets would experience the very same problem. And, we've all seen them too.
- PanthersGoal

It's true, any non-Canadian market would struggle given the awful product that Miami has dealt with for most of 20+ seasons.

It's good to see Florida finally starting to rack up some wins and gain some respect from fans around the league.

I'm a Pens and Blues fan, but I really like what Florida has done as an organization. About a month ago or so on this message board I mentioned that they are a dangerous team and look to be setting up well to be perennial playoff contenders for the next several years. An unnamed buddy of mine who is a current NHL player said Florida is one of those teams that they never take lightly.

As long as they get consistent scoring, I think they're definitely going to make the playoffs this season. Bobby Lu and their defense give them a chance to win every night. They've got, in my opinion, one of the most under-rated core of young players in the league, and will be very dangerous when they get into their prime. The biggest problem facing them in the future is that Luongo is going to be pushing 40 when Ekblad, Barkov & co. are in their most productive years.

those 500 fans must really enjoy the panthers winning

Nice to see Florida doing well, but feels like a bit of a stretch to call a team that would only be getting the last of the wild card spots if they were in the Central one of the best teams in the NHL.

those 500 fans must really enjoy the panthers winning
- Bigern4MVP

Merry Christmas.

oops

Nice to see Florida doing well, but feels like a bit of a stretch to call a team that would only be getting the last of the wild card spots if they were in the Central one of the best teams in the NHL.
- Antilles

Well right now their at #11 in the league standings so yeah, I think that qualifies them as one of the best teams in the league.

Well right now their at #11 in the league standings so yeah, I think that qualifies them as one of the best teams in the league.
- Redemption17

11th in a field of 30 isn't one of the best. Above average or good, sure. But 11 of 30 is still closer to being average than being the top. From a points perspective, Florida is closer to being 30th in the league than they are to being #1.

Florida is good, but they only qualify as "one of the best" if that's basically what you call anyone on pace to make the playoffs.

11th in a field of 30 isn't one of the best. Above average or good, sure. But 11 of 30 is still closer to being average than being the top. From a points perspective, Florida is closer to being 30th in the league than they are to being #1.

Florida is good, but they only qualify as "one of the best" if that's basically what you call anyone on pace to make the playoffs.
- Antilles

Calgary, Edmonton, Colorado, Chicago, Dallas, Washington and Florida have all won 7 or more of their last 10 games, so let's say that these teams are trending towards being the best in the league.

4th from the bottom.... One of the best?

http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance

Really stretching the definition of 'one of the best'

I will tell you this, having Barkov up front and Ekblad on the back end as kids there isno doubt the Panthers are on the rise and will be good for a long time. It was great for Jagr to show 11 and 16 the way. Willy and Lou provide solid leadership and Lou also is playing lights out. Love the Panthers and looking forward to the game in Vancouver on the 11th, I will be there hoping for a 6-6 tie and an ot win for one of my teams, lol/

Didn't think I would ever like the Panthers but since Loagn shaw(who is from my hometown) got called up, I have been watching them play. Definitely an exciting team!! Good luck

I think from reading what Dan wrote the premise was that the way the team is playing lately they have been one of the best in the league. They've gone into the best team's arenas and won. Places they haven't won in years. They are dominating play during this stretch they're on. If they keep this up they will shoot right up the standings and, yes, have one of the best records in the league all without one of their best offensive players. It's not easy to win 5 games in a row in the NHL and they've done it twice already in this short year. This team is finally believing in themselves and the system and you could see it every game.

those 500 fans must really enjoy the panthers winning
- Bigern4MVP

Ok this is just getting old. Come on. Is this really all you got? Thanks for coming out!