Matt Ross: Quick Bite: Abols Signed, Boughner An Assistant in San Jose

I'm quite sure Boughner would have had greater success if they didn't get rid of Marchessault and Riley for absolutely no reason at the expansion draft right after they signed the guy as coach, and maybe had a goalie that could stop a puck. Reimer and his born-again Christian bullpoop need to go, the guy has completely lost his intensity and his ability to give a poop on whether he lets in a bad goal that sinks his team. Poor Luongo shouldn't be a starter at this age, and the teams success was literally on his shoulders, which was obviously too much to carry. Trocheck being hurt all season certainly didn't help at all this year, either.

Any news in Sunrise regarding Rutherford/Tallon with MAJOR players involved? Trocheck, Hoffman, defenseman and Florida's 1st pick going to Pittsburgh?

I'm quite sure Boughner would have had greater success if they didn't get rid of Marchessault and Riley for absolutely no reason at the expansion draft right after they signed the guy as coach, and maybe had a goalie that could stop a puck. Reimer and his born-again Christian bullpoop need to go, the guy has completely lost his intensity and his ability to give a poop on whether he lets in a bad goal that sinks his team. Poor Luongo shouldn't be a starter at this age, and the teams success was literally on his shoulders, which was obviously too much to carry. Trocheck being hurt all season certainly didn't help at all this year, either.
- Lato649

Hey Lato649 -

I'm with you on Reimer. He was very streaky this year. Lu should be in a backup/mentor role. He had some solid outings when he was healthy.

Losing Marchessault and Riley was a bummer (especially in hindsight when you look at their play in Vegas), but there was still a lot of talent to work with up front.

Really hoping the backend and blue paint get some nice upgrades this offseason

Any news in Sunrise regarding Rutherford/Tallon with MAJOR players involved? Trocheck, Hoffman, defenseman and Florida's 1st pick going to Pittsburgh?
- sufi-judge

Hi sufi-judge -

I haven't read or seen anything along those lines.

Tallon has been pretty adamant that they'll be making some serious moves, so I'm def curious to see if they put their money where their mouth is.

Hey Lato649 -

I'm with you on Reimer. He was very streaky this year. Lu should be in a backup/mentor role. He had some solid outings when he was healthy.

Losing Marchessault and Riley was a bummer (especially in hindsight when you look at their play in Vegas), but there was still a lot of talent to work with up front.

Really hoping the backend and blue paint get some nice upgrades this offseason
- Matt Ross

I talked with Boughner at Christmas. He's a really close friend's brother in law. The stories he'd tell about Reimer are outright terrifying. He told me how they'd be down a goal, and momentum was going their way, and Reimer would let in a weak one and kill their spirits, and in the room he'd just be like "GUYS! There are staving children in the world, and homeless people! We just play hockey, who cares what happens?"

He said that's when he knew the team was in trouble...

I talked with Boughner at Christmas. He's a really close friend's brother in law. The stories he'd tell about Reimer are outright terrifying. He told me how they'd be down a goal, and momentum was going their way, and Reimer would let in a weak one and kill their spirits, and in the room he'd just be like "GUYS! There are staving children in the world, and homeless people! We just play hockey, who cares what happens?"

He said that's when he knew the team was in trouble...
- Lato649

That's pretty wild, man.

I know that Florida is a possible destination for Bobrovsky but I hope that the Panthers don't go crazy and offer him too much cash and term. He's 30 years old and will have a few good seasons under his belt but he could become an albatross around the Panthers neck the last 3/4 seasons of a big ticket 7 year contract. The Panthers still have to strengthen their defense and that won't be easy as getting a top pairing d-man won't come easy or be cheap. The good thing is you have Talon calling the shots so the Panthers are in good hands. The next 3 weeks will be fun for the fans.

I'm quite sure Boughner would have had greater success if they didn't get rid of Marchessault and Riley for absolutely no reason at the expansion draft right after they signed the guy as coach, and maybe had a goalie that could stop a puck. Reimer and his born-again Christian bullpoop need to go, the guy has completely lost his intensity and his ability to give a poop on whether he lets in a bad goal that sinks his team. Poor Luongo shouldn't be a starter at this age, and the teams success was literally on his shoulders, which was obviously too much to carry. Trocheck being hurt all season certainly didn't help at all this year, either.
- Lato649

There was a reason Smith was moved, nothing's ever been addressed publicly but there were reasons. Smith was great his first year in FL, and contract was extended by new GM Rowe. But, in year two Huberdeau was out half the season, and Bjugstad was out extended period because wrist was broken, and Barkov also missed many games, Smith didn't step up. Smith struggled (as the whole team did) and dumbass Rowe (now also the coach) publicly throws him under the bus on more than one occasion. There was more going on there than was ever reported, imo. After the way Rowe treated him I wouldn't be shocked if Smith wanted out. Dadonov wouldn't be a Panther today, nor would Hoffman, if it was done differently.
Regardless, FL set a franchise record for goals scored this season. Now if Smith and Marchy would've helped them to not simultaneously set the franchise record for goals allowed this season, maybe you could still point your finger to the expansion draft. Their defensive zone coverages were weak as they always looked to stretch it out, often getting hemmed in their zone for entire shifts. While the goalies did struggle and let in too many "softies" this year, they were often hung out to dry, and then blamed for it. Boughner seemed to want the defense (especially matheson) to emulate Brett Burns' style. It was beautiful when it worked, other times it was just a maddening comedy of repeated stupid errors.

I talked with Boughner at Christmas. He's a really close friend's brother in law. The stories he'd tell about Reimer are outright terrifying. He told me how they'd be down a goal, and momentum was going their way, and Reimer would let in a weak one and kill their spirits, and in the room he'd just be like "GUYS! There are staving children in the world, and homeless people! We just play hockey, who cares what happens?"

He said that's when he knew the team was in trouble...
- Lato649

Yes, Reimer just doesn't seem to care too much about winning. Seems like a helluva nice guy, but I don't want a goalie with his nonchalant attitude.

Yes, Reimer just doesn't seem to care too much about winning. Seems like a helluva nice guy, but I don't want a goalie with his nonchalant attitude.
- Ratsreign

Good to hear from you, Rats.

Couldn't agree more on the second sentence of your statement, too

I know that Florida is a possible destination for Bobrovsky but I hope that the Panthers don't go crazy and offer him too much cash and term. He's 30 years old and will have a few good seasons under his belt but he could become an albatross around the Panthers neck the last 3/4 seasons of a big ticket 7 year contract. The Panthers still have to strengthen their defense and that won't be easy as getting a top pairing d-man won't come easy or be cheap. The good thing is you have Talon calling the shots so the Panthers are in good hands. The next 3 weeks will be fun for the fans.
- islansjet

I'm with you, man. All about trying to bring in some high-end talent to the crease, but I also don't want to get burned with a brutal contract.

I'm with you, man. All about trying to bring in some high-end talent to the crease, but I also don't want to get burned with a brutal contract.
- Matt Ross

By the way Riemer is from Winkler, Manitoba which is the center of the provinces bible belt so he was always a Christian he is just more vocal about it now.

I'll take a brutal contract for Bobrovsky if it means the Panthers win a Stanley Cup or two. The goal has to be to transition to winning now and no longer be a team full of potential. Q is a great step in that direction. Bob would be another.

The other Bob (Boughner) was apparently a nice guy, but was in over his head as Panthers' head coach. In retrospect, I agree that he coached as if he were still an assistant coach rather than the head coach. He never put "the buck stops here" sign on his desk.

Maybe his experience as head coach will make him a better assistant back at San Jose, but I'm not sure he really learned anything as head coach.

There was a reason Smith was moved, nothing's ever been addressed publicly but there were reasons. Smith was great his first year in FL, and contract was extended by new GM Rowe. But, in year two Huberdeau was out half the season, and Bjugstad was out extended period because wrist was broken, and Barkov also missed many games, Smith didn't step up. Smith struggled (as the whole team did) and dumbass Rowe (now also the coach) publicly throws him under the bus on more than one occasion. There was more going on there than was ever reported, imo. After the way Rowe treated him I wouldn't be shocked if Smith wanted out. Dadonov wouldn't be a Panther today, nor would Hoffman, if it was done differently.
Regardless, FL set a franchise record for goals scored this season. Now if Smith and Marchy would've helped them to not simultaneously set the franchise record for goals allowed this season, maybe you could still point your finger to the expansion draft. Their defensive zone coverages were weak as they always looked to stretch it out, often getting hemmed in their zone for entire shifts. While the goalies did struggle and let in too many "softies" this year, they were often hung out to dry, and then blamed for it. Boughner seemed to want the defense (especially matheson) to emulate Brett Burns' style. It was beautiful when it worked, other times it was just a maddening comedy of repeated stupid errors.
- Ratsreign

Smith was a cancer in the room, everyone knew that. They had to get rid of him..we know the rest of the story.

Any news in Sunrise regarding Rutherford/Tallon with MAJOR players involved? Trocheck, Hoffman, defenseman and Florida's 1st pick going to Pittsburgh?
- sufi-judge

WHAT!??

WHAT?

Rumors are simply that... rumors. Usually someone just makes them up out of thin air or overhears a few hockey fans having a discussion and repeat it like it's gold. Most of the time it's total BS. I've heard similar things from friends in Pittsburgh who say Malkin and Kessel may both be out. I've heard this from people that have no connection to each other and that's why I asked if ANYTHING is said about it in Florida.

Simply, it's interesting from both team's prospective. Malkin unhappy about experimental wingers and Kessel in his relationship with his head coach. I've heard combos of Hoffman/Trocheck along with names like Tippett and draft picks. Pretty wild hearing names like that tossed around.

But, my disclaimer... I have no inside connections or little birdies telling me anything. I just felt it strange hearing the same thing from totally different sources.

I'll take a brutal contract for Bobrovsky if it means the Panthers win a Stanley Cup or two. The goal has to be to transition to winning now and no longer be a team full of potential. Q is a great step in that direction. Bob would be another.

The other Bob (Boughner) was apparently a nice guy, but was in over his head as Panthers' head coach. In retrospect, I agree that he coached as if he were still an assistant coach rather than the head coach. He never put "the buck stops here" sign on his desk.

Maybe his experience as head coach will make him a better assistant back at San Jose, but I'm not sure he really learned anything as head coach.
- JimboCoppertone

Jimbo - good to hear from you, my man.

Rumors are simply that... rumors. Usually someone just makes them up out of thin air or overhears a few hockey fans having a discussion and repeat it like it's gold. Most of the time it's total BS. I've heard similar things from friends in Pittsburgh who say Malkin and Kessel may both be out. I've heard this from people that have no connection to each other and that's why I asked if ANYTHING is said about it in Florida.

Simply, it's interesting from both team's prospective. Malkin unhappy about experimental wingers and Kessel in his relationship with his head coach. I've heard combos of Hoffman/Trocheck along with names like Tippett and draft picks. Pretty wild hearing names like that tossed around.

But, my disclaimer... I have no inside connections or little birdies telling me anything. I just felt it strange hearing the same thing from totally different sources.
- sufi-judge

There’s def always a bunch of crazy stuff floating around this time of year, but those would be some huge pieces for the Cats to lose.

Malkin is an unreal player, but he’s getting up there in age, oft-injured and his money is very high.

I still think a high-end winger is more of a luxury at this point. Hoping they really address the defense and goaltending situation.