Matt Ross: Florida Rolling, Cats vs Canes

Fack. Huge possibility of winding up as partners for round 1 of the big dance. Kinda sucks any other division this year i like our chances better. Yes for goodness sakes someone tie up vinnies stick tonight i dont want him within 5 feet of the net

Vinny was always at his best when he seemed to have a chip on his shoulder, like when he was first making a name for himself with the Panthers. Seems like that fire to prove himself has returned and Vinny is back. It’d be nice to keep him off the scoresheet tonight.

Vinny was always at his best when he seemed to have a chip on his shoulder, like when he was first making a name for himself with the Panthers. Seems like that fire to prove himself has returned and Vinny is back. It’d be nice to keep him off the scoresheet tonight.
- Ratsreign

Totally agree.

I feel like the Cats have kind of allowed him to get away with playing around the net. I would like to see them have a body/stick on him whenever he gets in close.

Are the Panthers owners all in on making a serious run in the post season? Getting a RD and a scoring forward could be rather pricey, and the recent win streak could be tempting to stand pat. I think this game with the Canes may expose the need that they have to address immediately. They certainly need the defensive depth. Gonna be a good game nevertheless.

Are the Panthers owners all in on making a serious run in the post season? Getting a RD and a scoring forward could be rather pricey, and the recent win streak could be tempting to stand pat. I think this game with the Canes may expose the need that they have to address immediately. They certainly need the defensive depth. Gonna be a good game nevertheless.
- HenryHockey

I’m not sure what their plan is. Driedger is the key piece. If you move him, you could probably get something nice, but then you risk messing up chemistry and this current Panthers train that’s rolling.

I think Zito is going to stand Pat and ride this thing out (keeping Driedger).

Looking forward to game tonight. Let's hope Trocheck is ready for an off night. I have a feeling Huby and Hornqvist are going to be big tonight.

Go Panthers.

I’m not sure what their plan is. Driedger is the key piece. If you move him, you could probably get something nice, but then you risk messing up chemistry and this current Panthers train that’s rolling.

I think Zito is going to stand Pat and ride this thing out (keeping Driedger).
- Matt Ross

If not now when? If ownership stands pat it will be the last straw about what I have been saying about this franchise for years. Sure wait till next year when we go back to a normal schedule and play every team in the league and tell me we will have the best record at this point in the season. This year is the perfect storm. Let's finally kick Mickey mouse outta sunrise and start looking like a real hockey town

If not now when? If ownership stands pat it will be the last straw about what I have been saying about this franchise for years. Sure wait till next year when we go back to a normal schedule and play every team in the league and tell me we will have the best record at this point in the season. This year is the perfect storm. Let's finally kick Mickey mouse outta sunrise and start looking like a real hockey town
- harveykline

I know what you mean, Harv. This is what I was saying in a couple blogs ago. It’s a tough call.

What do you do? Do you move Driedger if the “right” deal comes along, or do you roll with this team you have now - which is playing really well?

Of course, it doesn’t all hinge on Driedger (though he is probably the most sought-after Cat), but I wonder what other moves (if any) they could be working/looking to do?

Regardless, no matter what they do, people will find issues with it through the old “hindsight is 20-20” glasses.

Maybe im not giving him a fair shake but at this point i would be ok with losing tippett i dont think hes the full deal. He shows bursts of speed and the rare good shot he sure as hell cant pass. What do you guys think? Is he even eligible for the exp draft?

Maybe im not giving him a fair shake but at this point i would be ok with losing tippett i dont think hes the full deal. He shows bursts of speed and the rare good shot he sure as hell cant pass. What do you guys think? Is he even eligible for the exp draft?
- Shynes57

It’s a tough one for me. I like his size/speed/especially his shot, but he seems to come in flashes.

I’d like to see him over a full-season next year.

Frig sakes guys trocheck again??? And on a dumbass penalty by yandle

Holy crap guys. Best pp in the league i suggest no more penalties

Oh my god guys. Thatll be a steves dangits this week. Scoring on our own net give me a break

Looking forward to game tonight. Let's hope Trocheck is ready for an off night. I have a feeling Huby and Hornqvist are going to be big tonight.

Go Panthers.
- JimboCoppertone

To this point theyve been the opposite of big

This will sting if we dont pull off comeback. 2 leads and a stinker of a go ahead goal after too many penalties taken and no covering trocheck again!!!!!

Brutal. Only accomplishment was upping mrazeks gaa. Ugly game after the 1st had 2 breakaways gotta score on at least 1 of those. Pretty obvious the refs went to bat for carolina after that blown no goal. The vatrano interference penalty was soft i seen plenty of non calls as bad or worse, especially by hamilton

Little different results Whalen you play a good team. If anyone doesn’t think a big time defense man is needed you are nuts. Yandle is a liability defensively, Stralman is old, Stillman and the new kid are young. As far a Tippett and any others remember you gotta give to get

Zito:

Yandle is contributing nothing whatsoever anymore. His power play has become just as bad as his defense. He's taking the whole power play down with him. He struggles (and takes forever) to get it to someone who can get it into the zone. Then, when they do get it in the zone, it always gets passed back to him and 1 of 2 things happens:
1. He manages to lose it over the blue line or
2. He passes to an opponent or only to where an opponent can retrieve it.

I think it's time to crank up the talk about sitting him out again. Kiersted is playing more minutes and playing better than Yandle and this is only his third game in the NHL.

I've had all I can stand and I can't stand no more. If they can't trade him, he needs to ride the taxi squad for a while.

Yes its become very obvious the 7 dmen is happening to prolong his streak