What are your expectations for next season?

[behemolari]

Change Ek to #61 and LTIR. It’s a proven formula.

Aaahhh! You're correct, there is already formula for reigning championships to keep team together, Lightning and Vegas used it, proven, works.

 

[RogerRoger]

I expect playoffs.

Once we're in, then I always expect nothing because playoffs don't really make sense. (which is sometimes quite wonderful)

 

[I am not exposed]

I expect playoffs and a deep run. Repeating might be a step too far though. 3 finals in 3 years! That is why it was so important we won this year!

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

They should make it back to the playoffs. Think they're good enough to win in the first round again, too. Beyond that, no expectations, just hopes.

 

[Gizmo Tkachuk]

Honestly just make the playoffs and go from there. I literally have no expectations and I’m so satisfied internally right now lol.

Yeah like I don’t even care about next year lol. I’ll still watch but not going to care about a random 4 game losing streak on November

 

[KW]

I want the Cup.

I don’t expect it, but I didn’t “expect” a game 7 win either.

My want is more important to me than my expectation. I’m usually a giving, sharing, easy-going guy, but less so when it comes to the Stanley Cup…

 

[FinlandPanther]

Yeah like I don’t even care about next year lol. I’ll still watch but not going to care about a random 4 game losing streak on November

I might even put the draft thread up early for next year. Hard to give 2 shots about the regular season. I’ll watch just Becuase I want to see how Samo does.

 

[I am not exposed]

I might even put the draft thread up early for next year. Hard to give 2 shots about the regular season. I’ll watch just Becuase I want to see how Samo does.

I think I might enjoy it more. Will be more relaxed. And enjoy watching those players whom won a Stanley Cup.

 

[Felidae]

I'll wait for Zito to make his moves but for me the big question going into next season is Bobrovsky. Yeah he was very good this year, but he's also 36.. and I'm not sure our defense will be as tight going forward especially if we lose Montour, forcing lesser players to get more minutes.

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

I'll wait for Zito to make his moves but for me the big question going into next season is Bobrovsky. Yeah he was very good this year, but he's also 36.. and I'm not sure our defense will be as tight going forward especially if we lose Montour, forcing lesser players to get more minutes.

Don't worry. All the ppl who want Reino prioritized over Monty know how this team is going adjust when they no longer have the dman who averaged most TOI per 60. Maybe they have Reino playing RD next season?

 

[Chaos2k7]

Don't worry. All the ppl who want Reino prioritized over Monty know how this team is going adjust when they no longer have the dman who averaged most TOI per 60. Maybe they have Reino playing RD next season?

Put Gus on PP1 and never think twice, Montour was our worst defender this playoff run, hopefully he can get back to where he was health permitting. Zito clearly was in this line of thinking when extending Gus IMO.

 

[CanePanther]

I don’t see how you can respond accurately without knowing if Rhino comes back.

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

Put Gus on PP1 and never think twice, Montour was our worst defender this playoff run, hopefully he can get back to where he was health permitting. Zito clearly was in this line of thinking when extending Gus IMO.

They could go with Gus on the PP but I still don't see how this team will improve by letting a 22min TOI accruing RD walk into FA. Ekbad is still a mess and with his injury history and reluctance to improve his skating he's a certified liability. ppl want to spin doctor his lack of scoring by saying that now he's a shutdown dman, well, why don't Zito just get a bonafide shutdown dman for a fraction of the cost compared to that of Ekblad?

 

[Chaos2k7]

They could go with Gus on the PP but I still don't see how this team will improve by letting a 22min TOI accruing RD walk into FA. Ekbad is still a mess and with his injury history and reluctance to improve his skating he's a certified liability. ppl want to spin doctor his lack of scoring by saying that now he's a shutdown dman, well, why don't Zito just get a bonafide shutdown dman for a fraction of the cost compared to that of Ekblad?

Monty will get more than Ek on the open market, and the ensuing decision on Ekblad's future comes this next season IMO.

Monty was not good this season, and had his career year a year too early. I said this multiple times this season. He is neither a top end offense defenceman or top end defender. The team that pays him will regret it.

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

Monty will get more than Ek on the open market, and the ensuing decision on Ekblad's future comes this next season IMO.

Monty was not good this season, had his career year a year too early. I said this multiple times this season.

Monty wasn't good if that 73pts season became the standard for him to be evaluated against. Ekblad scores 18pts in this season and that's okay because he's no longer an offensive dman but a top tier shutdown dman. You see how different players have different standards they to live up to? 3.5mil dman bad because he didn't repeat his 73pts season, 7.5mil dman very good because point production doesn't matter.

 

[Chaos2k7]

Monty wasn't good if that 73pts season became the standard for him to be evaluated against. Ekblad scores 18pts in this season and that's okay because he's no longer an offensive dman but a top tier shutdown dman. You see how different players have different standards they to live up to? 3.5mil dman bad because he didn't repeat his 73pts season, 7.5mil dman very good because point production doesn't matter.

If Monty wants to come back at 3.5 - 5 million you keep him, if Ekblad wants at least 7.5 in the future and won't take a major discount, you let him walk. Simple stuff.

You have been talking about a Montour extension north of 8 million all year, that's a huge mistake.

This is Montour's chance at the best contract of his career, I doubt we resign him.

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

The team that pays him will regret it.

The Panthers have regretted that 7.5mil per deal from the very beginning and ppl extend the Ekblad experiment byre-signing to a $5milx5. The madness will never end with some players...

 

[Chaos2k7]

The Panthers have regretted that 7.5mil per deal from the very beginning and ppl extend the Ekblad experiment byre-signing to a $5milx5. The madness will never end with some players...

Ekblad was a former #1 overall, with a much longer track record and was signed long term through his prime, and his 7.5 while overpaid is still less than what you think we should pay Montour, and he was not a 30+ year old looking for his retirement contract.

I am sorry, but I just don't think it happens for Montour here. Zito already chose Gustav.

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

You have been talking about a Montour extension north of 8 million all year, that's a huge mistake.

Well 8mil isn't going to be happen has to be somewhere close Fors' deal in AAV.

Nevertheless, Zito will be signing guys based on whether they want to win a (another) Cup or just to be with this team or live in Florida.

 

[Chaos2k7]

Well 8mil isn't going to be happen has to be somewhere close Fors' deal in AAV.

Nevertheless, Zito will be signing guys based on whether they want to win a (another) Cup or just to be with this team or live in Florida.

It'll happen, but not with us. Check back with me by July 4th. The writing has been on the wall since the Forsling deal.

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

Ekblad was a former #1 overall, with a much longer track record and was signed long term through his prime, and his 7.5 while overpaid is still less than what you think we should pay Montour, and he was not a 30+ year old looking for his retirement contract.

I am sorry, but I just don't think it happens for Montour here. Zito already chose Gustav.

Gus isn't going to absorb Monty's minutes so he still needs to sign a top4 dman.

Doesn't matter what pick was used to get Ekky on board. There's no leeway with Zito when comes down to players living up to their contracts and I trust that Zito will make the right call(s) when the FA begins.

 

[Chaos2k7]

Gus isn't going to absorb Monty's minutes so he still needs to sign a top4 dman.

Doesn't matter what pick was used to get Ekky on board. There's no leeway with Zito when comes down to players living up to their contracts and I trust that Zito will make the right call(s) when the FA begins.

His 5v5 minutes? Sure.

But he is not unreplaceable on our PP, and doesn't PK, we will be fine.

He was hot garbage all year on the place he was supposed to be one of our top guys.

 

[Dread Clawz]

Monty is going to want his retirement contract. Zito ain't gonna give it to him. I think Zito brings back OEL to qb the pp on a 2-3 year deal for around 3M. Honestly he was better at it than Montour in the Final.

Fors-Ek
Mikkola- OEL
Balinskis/Bjornfot/Mahura-Kuli

If Reino wants more than 10, target Guentzel or Marchessault. Our payroll structure has been established, Barky and Chucky for F, Forsling for D. And it's gonna keep us competitive for the next few years as Zito works on bringing another championship to town.

 

[KW]

If they all shave I won’t recognize our lineup opening day

 

[CanePanther]

Montour is gone and Ecky is is going to have to settle for a minimum contract. If Rhino settles on 10 mil. We are in business, Zito figures it out from there. In fact we are predicted to get back to the Stanley Cup final I’m sure based on Rhino returning.