Matt Ross: Catnip: Weegar & McCoshen Signed, Malgin Still RFA

Agree with you, Matt. I can't wait to see what Q can do to improve the D. At this point, that's the biggest variable remaining.

Go Panthers!

Agree with you, Matt. I can't wait to see what Q can do to improve the D. At this point, that's the biggest variable remaining.

Go Panthers!
- JimboCoppertone

Jimbo -

Both are young, solid defenders. Weegar has gotten better and better, and I'd like to see more of McCoshen

Both are young, solid defenders. Weegar has gotten better and better, and I'd like to see more of McCoshen
- gstclairinc

Totally agree, GSTCLAIRINC

Weegar has a good edge and some snarl to his game that I really like.

McCoshen can have some nice upside, too.

Might be asking a bit too much of Q to make more out of something than he has. If he just gets Matheson out of his hole, that in itself will be a miracle. D still needs an upgrade IMO

Might be asking a bit too much of Q to make more out of something than he has. If he just gets Matheson out of his hole, that in itself will be a miracle. D still needs an upgrade IMO
- PanthersGoal

Fair point, PanthersGoal.

I do agree the defense still needs an upgrade, but I also have hope the Q factor will help improve certain guys/areas.

Might be asking a bit too much of Q to make more out of something than he has. If he just gets Matheson out of his hole, that in itself will be a miracle. D still needs an upgrade IMO
- PanthersGoal

I think Q might make a big difference just by settling things down on D. Matheson played much better under Gallant. But then Elmer FuddRowe came in and switched things up on D every other week, and the team struggled. Then he struggled with Boughner's aggressive style. How many times would Matheson get the puck and his support is flying out to center looking to "stretch it out". His targets are getting behind the d, meaning he now has to get that pass through a defender. Then when there was no passing lane, he'd just try to skate past everyone (which, by his never being benched, seems like what Boughner wanted him to do). Matheson looked terrible last year, but it was often the result of all the mistakes others also made snowballing around him. It often seemed like Boughner wanted him to play like Brett Burns does. Boughner's plan seemed to be to just try to outscore all the defensive lapses. I'm hopeful that with a less frantic game plan, we will see a much better Matheson (and everyone else, too) this year.

I think Q might make a big difference just by settling things down on D. Matheson played much better under Gallant. But then Elmer FuddRowe came in and switched things up on D every other week, and the team struggled. Then he struggled with Boughner's aggressive style. How many times would Matheson get the puck and his support is flying out to center looking to "stretch it out". His targets are getting behind the d, meaning he now has to get that pass through a defender. Then when there was no passing lane, he'd just try to skate past everyone (which, by his never being benched, seems like what Boughner wanted him to do). Matheson looked terrible last year, but it was often the result of all the mistakes others also made snowballing around him. It often seemed like Boughner wanted him to play like Brett Burns does. Boughner's plan seemed to be to just try to outscore all the defensive lapses. I'm hopeful that with a less frantic game plan, we will see a much better Matheson (and everyone else, too) this year.
- Ratsreign

I agree with you that Matheson was probably a product of his environment and sometimes unfairly became the scapegoat for FLA - despite the fact that guys like Yandle (the veteran) were struggling and having turnover issues, too.

Matheson has a lot of potential. His skating ability is off the charts. I think Q will simplify things on the backend. There's no need to play a Boughner style system, where defensemen are required to jump into every play and constantly rush the puck up. I believe that's what led to a lot of issues last year.

If nothing else, Q should improve the communication on the back end (across defense and with the goalie). Then, any defensive structure at all should improve positioning and player-position predictability across the defense.

Just having defenders in the right place waving a stick and talking to other defenders has to produce a quantum leap in defensive performance and make things easier for Bob.

Imagine if Q can get them to clear the blue paint, prevent open guys from standing in front of the net, clear the zone on the first attempt, stop the blind passes to no one (or worse, opponents), etc. Wow!

I don't think we need, or Q will focus on initially, any hockey advanced strategies. We just need a solid implementation of Hockey Defense 101. The complex stuff can come later.

Go Panthers!