Monthly Archives: July 2013
Panthers Trade George Parros To Montreal
With Free Agency already underway, the Panthers have been quite active re-signing RFA Shawn Matthias, UFA Joey Crab, and Jesse Winchester. In addition to these three signings, the Florida Panthers announced Friday afternoon that they have traded RW George Parros to Montreal in exchange for LW Philippe Lefebvre and a 7th round pick.
Parros, the Panthers full-time fighter is coming off one of his most disappointing seasons in both the points and PIMs category. Parros tallied a disappointing 2 points in 39 games and a meager 53 PIMs. For a guy whom the Panthers signed to add major toughness and protection for rookies such as Drew Shore and Jonathan Huberdeau, Parros was a major disappointment. He will be joining the Canadians franchise where he will be spending a lot of time fighting next to new teammate and tough guy Brandon Prust.
Panthers Sign Jesse Winchester
With Free Agency already underway, the Panthers have been quite active re-signing RFA Shawn Matthias, and UFA Joey Crab. In addition to these two signings, the Florida Panthers announced Friday afternoon that they will be signing Ottawa Senators C Jesse Winchester for 1 year.
Panthers Sign RW Joey Crabb
The Florida Panthers have already been quietly busy this morning signing RFA Shawn Matthias to a 2 year 1.75$ AVV deal. In addition to this signing, the Panthers announced Friday afternoon that they signed RW Joey Crabb to a 2 year deal.
Panthers Re-sign Shawn Matthias
With NHL Free Agency underway in less than an hour, the Florida Panthers announced on Friday morning that they had come to terms on a 2 year NHL contract with RFA Shawn Matthias.
Coming off his best NHL season yet, tallying 21 points in 48 games, the big-bodied center will be looking to prove that his infamous “Pavel Bure-esque” month last season wasn’t just luck. Matthias will be entering his 6th full season as a Florida Panther, but with a lot to prove.
The Detroit Red Wings who are famous for drafting quality prospects, drafted Shawn Matthias 47th overall in 2006. The following season, the Red Wings sent Matthias along with conditional draft picks to Florida in exchange for Todd Bertuzzi. A lot was expected of the speedy centerman when he scored two goals in just his 2nd NHL game, which was against Brent Johnson of the Washington Capitals. But unfortunately, Matthias didn’t live up to his hype and spent the next couple of seasons between the Rochester Americans of the AHL and the Florida Panthers, until 2010-2011 when he earned a full-time roster spot between the 3rd/4th lines.
Hopefully for both Matthias and the Florida Panthers, we will see the highly sought after Red Wings prospect that the Panthers were longing for when they acquired him all those years ago. With his mammoth 6’4 220 lbs frame, good hands, and excellent speed, the Panthers were clearly not ready to cut ties with Shawn Matthias. Matthias’ new contact is two years, 1.75$ AAV.
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Panther Parkway Headlines: Alfie’s Future, Ovie the All-Star, Elias Extension, and More!
What better way to spend your lunch break than catching up on all of last night’s amazing NHL action that you may have missed! Here are the top stories and videos from the all of yesterday’s action around the NHL.
- Watch this trailer for an upcoming documentary on Ducks’ forward Teemu Selanne.
- The Senators have signed Head Coach Paul MacLean to a 3-year extension. [TSN]
- Daniel Alfredsson wouldn’t really leave Ottawa, would he? [Puck Daddy]
The Perfect Mentor For Aleksander Barkov?
Reading a lot over the past few days about how “mature” Florida Panthers’ first round pick (2nd overall) Sasha Barkov is for a 17 year old player. Yet, there is going to be a mountain of expectations from him, and the pressure of making an immediate impact on a team that needs everything he brings is enormous. Barkov has been receiving a number of positive accolades since the Panthers drafted the big centerman, and most of them seem to all match up. Many Panther fans are still trying to decide if picking Barkov over defenceman Seth Jones was the right move, but those fans are likely complaining about things that they know absolutely nothing about.
From an ability standpoint, Barkov has all the tools. He plays hard, goes to the net, can score and is big. We need all of those ingredients for our number one center, should he fit into that role this season. Barkov also plays mean. Not that he fights, but he’ll get “charged up” once in awhile and toss his still growing large body around. All this said, a player that’s so youthful in a completely new environment will need to adjust, and quickly with the role he’s expected to play. Granted playing in the Finnish Elite league with adults has been a godsend for the youngster as he’s been competing with older players, but coming to the NHL is going to be a culture shock. He may have the persona to adapt, but still, do the Florida Panthers need to have someone take him under his wing? And if they do, who would that be?
More after the break Read the rest of this entry
A Look At Potential Free Agents For The Florida Panthers
A hockey fans favourite time of the off season is upon us as “Free Agent Frenzy” begins on Friday with teams around the league throwing money at players as if there’s no more left after this season, and contract lengths that are likely to last longer than most normal people hold a job. But that’s why it’s so much fun isn’t? We’ve already seen some eyebrow raising activity with contracts that have been given out to players like Kris Letang (sorry Paige), Bryan Bickell, Mike Smith and finally Vinny Lecavalier. All four of these deals are suspect to say the least, yet the Bickell deal is the one that makes the most sense if only because of his playoff performance, and the Smith contract is the deal that makes one think it really is that hot in Phoenix.
As we look into the crystal ball of general manager Dale Tallon of the Florida Panthers, the fan base wonders just what’s up his sleeve this time. It’s not likely that Dale and the Cats will make the splash they did in the summer of 2011 when the Panthers signed 47, um check that, 11 players, but we are all hopeful that there isn’t the thud of 2009 when JM the GM attempted to wet our whistles with the signing of Ville Koistenen. Or maybe that was Randy Sexton’s fault. I can’t remember, and I’m too tired to look it up. With the news of Florida buying out defenceman Filip Kuba, the Panthers freed up even more space, however it doesn’t mean that they’ll spend it all. This is not going to be a shopping spree even though the team has over $19 million to spend. The team however does has some needs to fill, and hopefully they’ll be addressed without tempting too many 35 year olds on the downside of their career.
I had a list that I created a few months ago, and while I still feel that David Clarkson would be a perfect signing, it looks as though he’ll price himself out of our range. That’s too bad as Florida can use his toughness, his nose for the net, and his solid two way play. Knowing that he likely won’t sign here after typing that disappoints me. Many have expressed an interest in Michael Ryder who I like most of the time, except the times when he’s not interested in playing. He’s got a hell of a shot and can score, but his attitude reminds me of an older version of a former Panther who wants to test the market. Good luck, good times, good riddance.
Anyway ……let’s move on to some other names that the Panthers should consider. Not in any particular order, but heeeeere they are!
Names after the jump Read the rest of this entry
List of Panthers’ D-Camp Invitees and Full Schedule of Events
The Florida Panthers announced today that the club’s annual development camp will be held from Monday July 8th, until Friday July 12th at the JetBlue Practice Facility at the Saveology.com Iceplex in Coral Springs. The team’s annual d-camp is a great opportunity for fans to get their first look at the newest Panther additions, as well as seeing the younger stars of the team that they already know and love. Players who are expected to be in attendence range from last season’s Calder Trophy winner Jonathan Huberdeau, to the team’s first overall pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft, Alexsander Barkov.
In a release from the team, Panthers’ General Manager Dale Tallon gave a rundown of what to player’s can expect from this year’s camp.
“We have assembled a great group of our prospects, including several of our first round draft choices, who will participate in a week long camp that gives them the opportunity to learn about the commitment that is required to play at the National Hockey League level,” said Dale Tallon. “Our staff, led by Director of Player Development Brian Skrudland, has put together a comprehensive week that includes four days of on-ice training, as well as off-ice sessions, that stress the importance of strength and conditioning, nutrition, team work and all things associated with being a professional athlete.”
Panthers Buyout D Filip Kuba
In a move that Panthers’ fans had long been hoping for, the Florida Panthers announced on Wednesday that they would be buying out defenseman Filip Kuba after just one season with the club. In 44 games for the Panthers last season, Kuba was only able to earn a meager 10 points (1G 9A) and never lived up to the expectations that came with his seasonal $4,000,000 price tag.
The removal of Kuba from the roster will make room for some of the Panthers’ younger defenseman like Colby Robak and Alex Petrovic, as well as freeing up money to potentially spend on a forward in free agency. Kuba will still receive roughly $2,600,00 from the Panthers next season as compensation. As a result of his buyout, Kuba will not have to go through waivers and will immediately become an unrestricted free agent.
Filip Kuba is getting a compliance buyout from FLA. Has a NMC, doesn't need to go on waivers. Consider him bought out.—
Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 03, 2013
Peter Mueller Does Not Receive Qualifying Offer From Panthers
On Tuesday, the immediate future of several Florida Panthers was revealed as Executive VP/GM Dale Tallon announced that the club has extended qualifying offers to the following restricted free agents: D Michael Caruso, F Shawn Matthias, G Jacob Markstrom, F Jon Rheault, D Colby Robak and F Scott Timmins.
While seeing some of these names may be a relief to many Panthers’ fans, there is one important person missing from this list, forward, Peter Mueller. After having concussion related issues for the majority of his young career, the Panthers signed the 25-year-old Mueller to a $1,725,000 low-risk contract - a move that would pay off in spades. Finally free of health concerns, Mueller made the most of his opportunity in South Florida - scoring 17 points (8G 9A) in 43 games, while also proving to be a valuable weapon in shootouts.
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