Matt Ross: The Hockey Guy’s 2022-23 Season Preview

Re: Knight.

Not gonna say they jumped the gun or didn't, but look what happened with Markstrom. He was supposed to be the next big thing for the Panthers in net and they let him go and look at him now. Would you rather have Bob at 10 or Marky at 6 with Knight developing still?

Re: Knight.

Not gonna say they jumped the gun or didn't, but look what happened with Markstrom. He was supposed to be the next big thing for the Panthers in net and they let him go and look at him now. Would you rather have Bob at 10 or Marky at 6 with Knight developing still?
- wreckage

Markstrom was rushed, on top of being expected to be the next Lu. Markstrom wasn’t really ready for NHL starting role until he replaced Lu the second time.

Panthers style last year often left their goalies hanging. Knight did struggle at times, but he also showed flashes of the Game 5 Spencer. There is no need to rush the youngster Knight. That is the best way to “ruin” him, imo. Bob isn’t going anywhere before next summer, at least. They can let Knight percolate for one more season.

Yep. I agree with Rats. The best thing to do would be to not rush his development.

I’ve said it before but in the beginning there were some similarities between the Panthers’ handling of Knight and how the Hawks handled Teuvo Teräväinen. What I mean by this is that when Chicago was bringing TT into the fold, their marketing machine was fully charged, going as far as comparing/calling TT the next Kane. This created expectations that TT couldn’t possibly live up to. Comparing a young guy to a prodigy like Kane seemed crazy and unfair to TT. When he sputtered in his development, the fans turned on him because he wasn’t living up to the hype.

Florida was definitely going down this path after drafting Knight. It got to the point where it really bothered me. They talked more about Knight and him being the future than they did about the guys living in the present: Bob and Driedger. And fans bought in hard. Nothing wrong with being excited, but many demanded Knight be in over the established guys.

I always felt the Knight hype became a distraction of sorts - as evident in the goofy goalie debacle during the 2020-21 playoffs. It was like Knight became bigger than the team for a period of time.

That all being said, I’m glad to see Florida seems to have eased up on the Knight hype since that then. Just let this guy develop.

Markstrom was rushed, on top of being expected to be the next Lu. Markstrom wasn’t really ready for NHL starting role until he replaced Lu the second time.

Panthers style last year often left their goalies hanging. Knight did struggle at times, but he also showed flashes of the Game 5 Spencer. There is no need to rush the youngster Knight. That is the best way to “ruin” him, imo. Bob isn’t going anywhere before next summer, at least. They can let Knight percolate for one more season.
- Ratsreign

That's what I am saying. They rushed and overhyped Markstrom to the point that whatever he did was going to blow up in their faces, and the same thing has been done to Knight thus far. Need to gear it back. Maybe send him to the AHL for a year if need be to make sure he makes his way thru the ranks instead of over exposing him. He could be the next best thing if done right. Or he can just be what he is if rushed. No need to rush it and waste that top pick.

I really hope the Panthers have a good season but if Maurice coaches them like he did the Jets, especially in the playoffs, then expect them to be badly outcoached. Maurice rarely adapts to situations and stubbornly plays only his top two lines, refuses to play young players but will charm the media with humor to deflect any hard questions. He was the main reason for the Jets much documented problems. Sorry Panther fans.

I really hope the Panthers have a good season but if Maurice coaches them like he did the Jets, especially in the playoffs, then expect them to be badly outcoached. Maurice rarely adapts to situations and stubbornly plays only his top two lines, refuses to play young players but will charm the media with humor to deflect any hard questions. He was the main reason for the Jets much documented problems. Sorry Panther fans.
- islansjet

Bummer to hear about Maurice. Hopefully he learned from his time in Winnipeg and has some new tricks up his sleeve for this Panthers team. We’ll have to see what happens.

Bummer to hear about Maurice. Hopefully he learned from his time in Winnipeg and has some new tricks up his sleeve for this Panthers team. We’ll have to see what happens.
- Matt Ross

For the Panthers and their fans I hope so as well.

THG is an absolute legend. Shannon’s indepth and constant hockey content is what makes the summer bearable.

THG is an absolute legend. Shannon’s indepth and constant hockey content is what makes the summer bearable.
- Jaynay3131

Totally. He puts a lot of time/care into his work to get us through the slow summer.

I’m disappointed in the league’s lack of content. In particular, I don’t get why they wouldn’t have been hyping/teasing the RR jerseys for the upcoming year. Seems like they’re waiting for the last minute at this point - especially after the Fanatics leak last week.

I think Zito will have Maurice on a short leash. If the team isn't responding to him he will make adjustments. Knight needs to work on his lateral movements, his peripheral vision is terrible.

Totally. He puts a lot of time/care into his work to get us through the slow summer.

I’m disappointed in the league’s lack of content. In particular, I don’t get why they wouldn’t have been hyping/teasing the RR jerseys for the upcoming year. Seems like they’re waiting for the last minute at this point - especially after the Fanatics leak last week.
- Matt Ross

From the vids I’ve watched, he knows more about the Panthers than most of the reporters/pundits.

Holy crap can we start this season already. We need this season over with so we can once again have a little bit of spending money. As ive mentioned 100 times though we do still need to be good so teams do not get a solid player with our 1sts and 2nds

We were spoiled last year with all those wins. That might have ruined this year as it will likely be a bit of a fall of my expectations of winning almost every night. Sad face

From the vids I’ve watched, he knows more about the Panthers than most of the reporters/pundits.
- Ratsreign

Did you see his jersey collection?? Incredible.

Holy crap can we start this season already. We need this season over with so we can once again have a little bit of spending money. As ive mentioned 100 times though we do still need to be good so teams do not get a solid player with our 1sts and 2nds
- Shynes57

I think we’re going to be good, man. Not going to be the team they were last year, but still very much a threat.

I can’t wait to see all these new guys and what they bring.

I think we’re going to be good, man. Not going to be the team they were last year, but still very much a threat.

I can’t wait to see all these new guys and what they bring.
- Matt Ross

Maurice, he makea me nervous, idk what to expect. From the view from a thousand miles away, it always seemed like the Jets should’ve done better than they did under his coaching. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised when he was hired by Zito. Then again, what the hell do I really know about Maurice? I’ll have to trust Zito’s choice and see how things go.
He is saying the right things about FL learning to play “playoff hockey” when the rush game isn’t there. But, Something about one of the first interviews he gave it seemed like he was just as stoked about he and his wife now living in FL, while his son just started college down here. Idk, kinda gave me flashback vibes of older players talking about winning while coming here to ride out their career with nice weather and off-days spent golfing or fishing....maybe it’s just me.