IceManCat
#StanleyCupChampions2024🏆
I've said it before and I will say it again, I think the Panthers are f***ed.
I think they probably miss the playoffs this year but will make it once or twice in the next 4 years and do little.
You're paying your backup goalie 10 million dollars, have no 1st round picks until 2026, have a poor defense, and a one dimensional offence.
Everyone was on Florida's dick when they did the low rent tryout thing with a whole bunch of offensively skilled players who had stumbled and it was a clever way to do a quick reboot. But they also ended up with the Anthony Duclairs of the world who need to be insulated by a grinding, puck retrieval team, not thrown into a pile with a bunch of clones. Their game not thriving in the playoffs should have been predictable in retrospect (though I admit I thought they were 50/50 to beat Tampa going into that series, I felt like Carolina would smash them).
I respect Zito making the move to get Tkachuk and get away from two upcoming contracts he didn't like in Huberdeau (whom I have always liked) and Weegar, but to have no plan to replace Weegar when you've given up all of your future first round picks? What was he hoping for?
Barkov is an absolute stud superstar and he carries this team to being a lot better than they have any right to be.
If they can add another two top 4 D then they will be dangerous again, but I'm not sure how they can. Canucks are in a similar predicament (though we're obviously worse) and it's proven incredibly difficult to address.
A lot better than they have any right to be? We have Verhaghe, Duclair, Barkov, Thachuk, Bennett and Reinhart. That's six players in your top six that are capable of scoring 30 goals plus per year. Remind me again how many teams have that capability ??? lmao. The Panthers are loaded with talent. Lundell is looking to be the second line center in the near future with an excellent two way game. We also have Samoskevich recent first round pick tearing up Michigan he'll be here next year.
The defense is only weak on the middle pairing. Ekblad and Forsling are fantastic (when healthy). Montour has been an absolute beast this year and Gudas was the NHL hits leader last year... The only weak spot is on the middle pairing. The idea that the Panthers have no defense is pretty odd?
Goaltending hasn't really been the issue this year although both have had their fair share of ups and downs.
Also Duclair having to be insulated by a grinding team is hilarious. He would never survive on a grinding team the dude only like to skate and score. You put him on a grinding team and hell have 0 goals as evidenced by his past performance on grinding teams ....
This is about the biggest "hot take" I've seen in a while. The Panthers suck because Paul Maurice sucks not the players. Also, we have been hit pretty hard by the injury bug and baby mama drama.