Monthly Archives: September 2012
Top Ten Florida Panthers Of 2011-2012
Photo Credit: Hockey Photography By Yuri Peralta
As you may all know by now, I am doing a list of the top ten Panther players from last season; of course, the list is based off of what I believe. Before we continue on with the list, let’s take a quick look back and see who number ten and number nine were.
Number Ten: Shawn Matthias; 2011-2012 Statistics: Games Played- 79, Goals- 10, Assist- 14, Total Points- 24
Number Nine: Erik Gudbranson;2011-2012 Statistics: Games Played- 72, Goals- 2, Assist- 6, Points- 8, Penalty Minutes- 78
Coming in at number eight on my list is, Tomas Kopecky.
2011-2012 Statistics:
Games Played: 80
Goals: 10
Assist: 22
Points: 32
Game Winning Goals: 2
Prior to the 2011-2012 NHL season, Tomas Kopecky found himself in a rough situation with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks were in a place where they normally are every year, the playoffs. Entering the playoffs with the very last seed in the Western Conference, the Blackhawks needed just about every bit of power and will from their players that they can get. Unfortunately, after only the first game of the opening series against the Vancouver Canucks(seems like they’re brought up too much), Tomas Kopecky was forced to sit out for the remainder of the series with an upper body injury. Read the rest of this entry
Baby Steps Taken As NHLPA And League Talk About Secondary Issues
After not meeting for two weeks the NHL and the NHLPA finally sat down Friday morning and actually made progress on things. Unfortunately not the things that you or I wanted them to agree on. Progress? Well, at least they talked. Secondary issues were the topics of conversation, and it was reported that the core economic issue that has both sides at an impasse wasn’t even discussed.
Former defenceman Mathieu Schneider who is now a special NHLPA assistant summed up the talks by referring to Friday’s discussion as making baby steps. Here’s the entire quote:
“You would absolutely hope that things progress and kind of catch fire, but right now we’re just going to take it one step at a time and try to come to an agreement on as many issues as possible,” said former player Mathieu Schneider, now an NHLPA special assistant to the executive director. “We’re taking baby steps right now.”
While the discussions were focused on drug testing, player safety and other topics that had nothing to do with the major issues, it was nice to see both sides in the room for longer than 90 minutes. Still, with no visible outcome resembling a settlement, the economic struggle still exists. I find it hard to believe that the season will start on time at the pace both sides are going. Friday was the first meeting since September 16th, and with opening night around the corner, things would need to happen rather quickly in order for the games to begin on time. The longer this goes, the more it looks as though games will soon be getting cancelled.
Top Ten Florida Panthers Of 2011-2012
Photo Credit: Hockey Photography by Yuri Peralta
Number 9: Erik Gudbranson
Good morning all hope your week has been a good one so far. Last week I began a series in which I will be writing about who I believed the top ten Florida Panther players were last season. The list began with Shawn Matthias at the number ten spot. This week we will continue with the younger players of this Florida Panthers squad. Last year this player helped bring toughness to this team which was much needed, along with great quality defense. Although his offensive number weren’t quite there, the rest of his play was good enough to equal out his not so good offensive numbers and at the same time get a lot of people excited for the future. The number nine best Panther player from last year, Erik Gudbranson.
2011-2012 Statistics:
Games Played: 72
Goals: 2
Assist: 6
Points: 8
Penalty Minutes: 78
When the Florida Panthers drafted defender Erik Gudbranson third overall back in 2010, the Panthers were getting an eighteen year old with a very bright future ahead of him. A year after being drafted, Gudbranson made the Florida Panthers roster for the 2011-2012 season. After playing alongside veteran defender Ed Jovanovski for the better part of the season, hockey writers and experts immediately made a connection between the two players. Night in and night out, these two players worked extremely well together. Their similar build and never say never attitude, spark a great pair on the blue line. With the two’s chemistry building every night, many saw Jovanovski as the perfect mentor for Gudbranson.
The Florida Panthers Announce “Red Heart Ride” Campaign
Quick post here as the Florida Panthers and the parent company Sunrise Sports and Entertainment announced today their Red Heart Ride campaign benefitting The American Heart Association. Florida Panthers president and COO Michael Yormark has made the committment to ride 40 miles each weekday and raise $30,000 for the association’s Red Heart Ball campaign.
Full details of the campaign can be found here in the official announcement.
For those of you wanting to make donations directly, please click this link here.
Thanks for reading. We welcome your comments and opinions.
Follow the Rat Pack on Twitter: me @TheRatTrick , David Lasseter @davidlasseter , Josh Luecht@joshluecht, Patrick McLaughlin @PatrickRattrick, Scott Mullin @GreatScottsman, David Rodriguez @davidbub_2, Paige Lewis @RatTrickLewiz Gabby Kiger @gabbykiger, Adam Reid@AdamReid Chrissy Parente @chrissaay44, Justen Rosenberg @justenrosenberg, Kris Eberwein @RatTrickKris, and Lori Carpenter @lmcangel13. Also, please join our FaceBook Fan Page and hit the like button, send us photos, and tell us what’s on your mind.
Former Florida Panther CEO Stu Siegel Acquires International Scouting Services
It was announced earlier today that International Scouting Services (ISS) has been acquired by Siegel Enterprises. Seigel Enterprises was founded by Stu Siegel who was a former managing partner, CEO and NHL Governor of the Florida Panthers.
“ISS Hockey has an incredible reputation in the hockey industry”, says Siegel. “Every young hockey player with the desire to advance in the sport aspires to be scouted and ranked by ISS Hockey. We hope to expand our coverage and the information that we compile on these prospects to continually enhance our industry leading products on behalf of our customers.”
ISS draft guides are the “bible” for all scouts at the amateur and pro level, and are used to evaluate talent throughout the NHL, Hockey Canada, Major Junior Leagues and teams, as well as NCAA teams. It will be Stu’s job to direct the growth of the scouting service as it’s new COO. The full announcement appears here.
Fun fact: The scouting service has been owned in the past by Stuart Hyman who is the father of Panther prospect Zach Hyman . Zach was drafted in the 5th round in the 2010 NHL entry draft. Zach had played for the Hamilton Red Wings, a team that his father had owned. Here’s a story that appeared in the Star.com in September of 2010 about their hockey family.
Stu has been the owner and operator of many other successful business, and there’s no reason to see why he won’t rise to the challenge here. We wish Stu all the best in his new endeavor.
Thanks for reading. We welcome your comments and opinions.
Follow the Rat Pack on Twitter: me @TheRatTrick , David Lasseter @davidlasseter , Josh Luecht@joshluecht, Patrick McLaughlin @PatrickRattrick, Scott Mullin @GreatScottsman, David Rodriguez @davidbub_2, Paige Lewis @RatTrickLewiz Gabby Kiger @gabbykiger, Adam Reid@AdamReid Chrissy Parente @chrissaay44, Justen Rosenberg @justenrosenberg, Kris Eberwein @RatTrickKris, and Lori Carpenter @lmcangel13. Also, please join our FaceBook Fan Page and hit the like button, send us photos, and tell us what’s on your mind.
What’s A Reasonable Price To Pay For Dmitry Kulikov?
Drafted 14th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Dmitry Kuilkov is still a restricted free agent, having not signed with the Florida Panthers. He has however signed a contract to play in the KHL for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl for the duration of the lockout. The Florida Panthers had tendered Kulikov an offer this past June, however no deal was made. Dale Tallon remains confident that the young defenceman will still sign with the Panthers for what is hoped to be a reasonable price.
Kulikov arrived with very high praise after a highly successful year in juniors with Drummondville where he accumulated 62 points in 57 games prior to becoming the Panthers first pick in 2009. What was even more pleasing was the immediate jump he made to the NHL in his first year as a Panther. Kulikov appeared in 68 games in his first NHL season scoring 3 goals and adding 13 assists for a total of 16 points. Not bad for an 18 year old blue liner on what was a very mediocre Panther team.
Get Your Official I Love Panthers Hockey Kit
I Love Panthers Hockey Campaign. Source: Florida Panthers Hockey Club
As part of their “I Love Panthers Hockey” Campaign, the Florida Panthers have a nifty little kit that you can purchase for $20.00. The kit contains a collectible hat, t-shirt, bracelet, window cling and a decal, and all are available for $20 by logging on to FloridaPanthers.com or by Clicking Here.
While you may or may not be in a loving frame of mind, just know this: A portion of the proceeds will go to the Florida Panthers Foundation to support their fight against pediatric cancer.
Thanks for reading. We welcome your comments and opinions.
Follow the Rat Pack on Twitter: me @TheRatTrick , David Lasseter @davidlasseter , Josh Luecht@joshluecht, Patrick McLaughlin @PatrickRattrick, Scott Mullin @GreatScottsman, David Rodriguez @davidbub_2, Paige Lewis @RatTrickLewiz Gabby Kiger @gabbykiger, Adam Reid@AdamReid Chrissy Parente @chrissaay44, Justen Rosenberg @justenrosenberg, Kris Eberwein @RatTrickKris, and Lori Carpenter @lmcangel13. Also, please join our FaceBook Fan Page and hit the like button, send us photos, and tell us what’s on your mind.
Are The Edmonton Oilers Leaving Town?
Rexall Place is a storied arena, but will the Oilers leave it and Edmonton in search of greener pastures? Image Source: Wikipedia Commons
There probably isn’t a thing as significant to the city of Edmonton than their hockey team, the Oilers. With the greats that have played in blue and orange, from Wayne Gretzky to Paul Coffey to Mark Messier, the Oilers are a team marked by history and tradition. Even though the city of Edmonton is not huge by any means, and the weather is not always hospitable, the Oilers still have had plenty of love from their home fans, from the good times to the bad.
But that semi-sacred bond between the Oilers and the city that they play for might have been tarnished recently. The hubbub started Sunday, when the Oilers’ official Twitter account posted a bizarre link. It was an article by John MacKinnon of the Edmonton Journal, speculating that if the city of Edmonton does not shell out cash for a new arena, the team might pack up and leave. That in itself was no big deal, but having the Oilers’ actual Twitter account post the article officially made it a threat: give us money for an arena or we’ll leave.
Panther Parkway Gives A Chance For Our Readers To Be Heard
In an effort to get community involvement from the readers of our site, Panther Parkway will be introducing a new feature beginning Friday October 7th. This weekly post will be known as:
The Friday Feature. And your name will prominently be placed in the headline as well.
You’ll be interviewed on various hockey topics regarding the NHL team that you follow, so this isn’t limited to just Florida Panther Fans. We’ll ask you questions such as who’s your favorite player, what league rules you like or don’t like. We may even go off topic and get your opinion of NFL officials. And of course your line of questions wouldn’t be complete without asking your view on the lockout. If you have a website of your own, this may give you a chance to give yourself a ”shameless” plug at the same time.
If you are interested, please send me an email to [email protected]. Put in your subject line Friday Feature, and tell me briefly why you should be interviewed. I’ll begin selecting from the responses as they start rolling in.
Thanks for reading. We welcome your comments and opinions.
Follow the Rat Pack on Twitter: me @TheRatTrick , David Lasseter @davidlasseter , Josh Luecht@joshluecht, Patrick McLaughlin @PatrickRattrick, Scott Mullin @GreatScottsman, David Rodriguez @davidbub_2, Paige Lewis @RatTrickLewiz Gabby Kiger @gabbykiger, Adam Reid@AdamReid Chrissy Parente @chrissaay44, Justen Rosenberg @justenrosenberg, Kris Eberwein @RatTrickKris, and Lori Carpenter @lmcangel13. Also, please join our FaceBook Fan Page and hit the like button, send us photos, and tell us what’s on your mind.
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Hockey Fans: You’ll Be Back. You Know You Will
As we enter day nine of the NHL lockout, things are very quiet with no talks taking place, and most of us wondering if there’s any even scheduled. Our greatest fear is that the longer this goes, the worse it becomes, and the threat of a lost season comes at a time when the game is at the height of popularity. Both sides want the other side to feel some sort of pain, however in order for this settlement to happen, each side is going to have to walk away hurting, and give something up. That’s how battles like this eventually resolve themselves. Neither side is going to walk away after this is settled and say “yea baby, we got exactly what we want”.
Trying to take sides in this matter isn’t helping either. I truly believe that until you realize that both sides are wrong, greedy, and foolish in their own way, you’ll continue to drive yourself crazy trying to figure out who’s more out of line. It’s not worth it. You probably have a better chance of scoring through the legs of one slick haired goaltender from the western conference before you can reason with one side or the other. And maybe that’s why I’ve become a bit “numb” to some of this. Sure, I’m upset that this past weekend fans across North America who should have been attending the opening of training camps, were likely glued to televisions watching another weekend of college football, and professional football that was being supervised by replacement officials. Or maybe you were watching your favorite baseball team cling to their playoff chances (like me). Point is, that you’ve temporarily found something else to occupy yourself, and while you do that, you’re forgetting for those moments about the lockout.
Frank Rekas
David Lasseter
Scott Mullin
Justen Rosenberg
Josh Luecht
Amanda Land
David Rodriguez
gabbykiger
Paige Lewis
