Post by bryanmccabe24 on Aug 18, 2010 21:55:54 GMT -8
This is where I'm just going to blog/give updates, more likely blog stuff.
This first blog is fairly lengthy, but I'd just like to catch up in recent events.
Florida Panthers Off-Season
The Florida Panthers have gone through a lot of ups and downs over the last season. But a lot of changes have come upon the Florida organization this off season.
A move that in all likelihood, saved this franchise, was firing Randy Sexton, and hiring the man who built the Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks. Dale Tallon has not only literally turned this franchise around on a dime, he's made them a playoff contender for the upcoming 2010-2011 season. Some people may argue this, as their Top 6 isn't very deep, but they have been considered a team to surprise.
This move was a very smart move for the organization, and more importantly the fans. Everyone knows, if you put a winning team on the ice, the fans will come back and support you, and if Dale Tallon hasn't gained more support, I don't know what else he can do to gain it.
At the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles this last June, Dale Tallon made his mark on the Panthers, not only draft-wise, but trade-wise, and at the time upset plenty of Vancouver fans, and made a splash with his newly assigned team.
Dale was looking like a wizard, making trade after trade to garner up more draft picks, and now, the Panthers prospect pool is even deeper, because of his intelligence.
Before the Entry Draft, Dale made a trade that both parties were happy about. Florida sent Nathan Horton, and Gregory Campbell to Boston for Dennis Wideman, 2010 1st round pick (15th overall), and the 2011 3rd round pick.
Nathan Horton was not living up to his full potential in Florida, and this trade really helped the Panthers more then keeping Horton. Wideman is a offensive Defencemen, and can garner up points in Florida, while playing a bigger role with more ice time, and more Power play time.
Tallon selected Kingston Frontenacs Defencemen, Erik Gudbranson 3rd overall in Los Angeles for the 2010 Entry Draft. Erik is a more of a 'stay at home Defencemen', but he can still put up 20+ points and upwards. He averaged around 68 PIM's in his two year tenure with the Frontenacs. He has showed he can work hard in the corners, and battle in front of the net. He also has the size for the NHL, which he measures 6'4.
It's unlikely Erik cracks the Panthers roster this season, but another year of Junior hockey in the OHL will be the best for both parties, Florida and Erik. Erik can gain more experience, and he can prepare for the NHL with another year in the OHL.
The Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks made a trade come to the Canucks 25th overall Draft pick. Florida sent Keith Ballard and Victor Oreskovich to Vancouver for Michael Grabner, Steve Bernier, and the 25th overall Draft pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. Vancouver fans were appalled at this trade, and the highly touted prospect Michael Grabner was traded, and hardly had a chance to crack to Canucks roster, and make a splash. Both Sides won this trade, for a couple of reasons.
- Florida needed a Top 6 player, with the loss of Nathan Horton
- Vancouver needed a Top Defencemen after Willie Mitchell as he has been having Concussion symptoms
The Panthers next pick was Nick Bjudstad, a 6'4 Center out of Team North West/Blaine, where he split the season. He had a very successful season with Team North West and Blaine. He tallied up 81 points in a span of 48 games, which gave him a Points Per Game (PPG) of 1.68, which is a very good total, for a 19th overall draft pick. The Panthers are nothing but excited with Bjudstad, and things are going North with him. Nick has grit, intensity, and the scoring touch. He will however be a long-term project with the team, but he is going to be a good player nonetheless.
Florida next selected Moose Jaw Warrior, Quinton Howden with the 25th overall draft selection acquried form Vancouver. Reading and hearing from scouts, Howden has been nicknamed to the energizer bunny. A few reasons to that, is because he fore-checks, back-checks, has the ability to produce points, and he can pursue the puck. Howden is going to be a very good 2 way forward for the Panthers for years to come, and everything is looking up for him.
In the Second round of the 2010 Entry Draft, Tallon announced the selection of Sudbury Wolves, Left Winger John McFarland. McFarland was surprisingly passed upon and was left until the Second round. McFarland was drafted by the Panthers because of his intensity, and his grit. Tallon even had a few words to say about McFarland: "He's got a little nastiness to him." said Tallon. Although McFarland is likely a year away still, nothing but high hopes from this 6'0 winger.
To wrap up my very lengthy, first blog entry, the Panthers drafted Red Deer Rebels Defencemen, Alexander Petrovic. Petrovic is a solid all-around Defenceman, Petrovic will most likely spend a couple of more seasons with Red Deer and then possibly battle for a position on the Panthers active roster. He can play well at both ends of the rink and will be a solid top-four Defenceman in his prime. Hopes are also very high up on Petrovic, but there is no rush, seeing the Defence at what it is now.
Things are on a up rise with this Franchise, and all thanks to Dale Tallon, who has re-modeled the shape of where it's heading.
Thanks for reading, I thought I would just give a jab at blogging for the first time. I know this is a very long read, but I felt the need to just get caught up on the up rise of the Florida Panthers. I might be doing more blogs, as I enjoy doing this, and talking hockey. Any comments on my entry here are welcome.
This first blog is fairly lengthy, but I'd just like to catch up in recent events.
Florida Panthers Off-Season
The Florida Panthers have gone through a lot of ups and downs over the last season. But a lot of changes have come upon the Florida organization this off season.
A move that in all likelihood, saved this franchise, was firing Randy Sexton, and hiring the man who built the Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks. Dale Tallon has not only literally turned this franchise around on a dime, he's made them a playoff contender for the upcoming 2010-2011 season. Some people may argue this, as their Top 6 isn't very deep, but they have been considered a team to surprise.
This move was a very smart move for the organization, and more importantly the fans. Everyone knows, if you put a winning team on the ice, the fans will come back and support you, and if Dale Tallon hasn't gained more support, I don't know what else he can do to gain it.
At the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles this last June, Dale Tallon made his mark on the Panthers, not only draft-wise, but trade-wise, and at the time upset plenty of Vancouver fans, and made a splash with his newly assigned team.
Dale was looking like a wizard, making trade after trade to garner up more draft picks, and now, the Panthers prospect pool is even deeper, because of his intelligence.
Before the Entry Draft, Dale made a trade that both parties were happy about. Florida sent Nathan Horton, and Gregory Campbell to Boston for Dennis Wideman, 2010 1st round pick (15th overall), and the 2011 3rd round pick.
Nathan Horton was not living up to his full potential in Florida, and this trade really helped the Panthers more then keeping Horton. Wideman is a offensive Defencemen, and can garner up points in Florida, while playing a bigger role with more ice time, and more Power play time.
Tallon selected Kingston Frontenacs Defencemen, Erik Gudbranson 3rd overall in Los Angeles for the 2010 Entry Draft. Erik is a more of a 'stay at home Defencemen', but he can still put up 20+ points and upwards. He averaged around 68 PIM's in his two year tenure with the Frontenacs. He has showed he can work hard in the corners, and battle in front of the net. He also has the size for the NHL, which he measures 6'4.
It's unlikely Erik cracks the Panthers roster this season, but another year of Junior hockey in the OHL will be the best for both parties, Florida and Erik. Erik can gain more experience, and he can prepare for the NHL with another year in the OHL.
The Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks made a trade come to the Canucks 25th overall Draft pick. Florida sent Keith Ballard and Victor Oreskovich to Vancouver for Michael Grabner, Steve Bernier, and the 25th overall Draft pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. Vancouver fans were appalled at this trade, and the highly touted prospect Michael Grabner was traded, and hardly had a chance to crack to Canucks roster, and make a splash. Both Sides won this trade, for a couple of reasons.
- Florida needed a Top 6 player, with the loss of Nathan Horton
- Vancouver needed a Top Defencemen after Willie Mitchell as he has been having Concussion symptoms
The Panthers next pick was Nick Bjudstad, a 6'4 Center out of Team North West/Blaine, where he split the season. He had a very successful season with Team North West and Blaine. He tallied up 81 points in a span of 48 games, which gave him a Points Per Game (PPG) of 1.68, which is a very good total, for a 19th overall draft pick. The Panthers are nothing but excited with Bjudstad, and things are going North with him. Nick has grit, intensity, and the scoring touch. He will however be a long-term project with the team, but he is going to be a good player nonetheless.
Florida next selected Moose Jaw Warrior, Quinton Howden with the 25th overall draft selection acquried form Vancouver. Reading and hearing from scouts, Howden has been nicknamed to the energizer bunny. A few reasons to that, is because he fore-checks, back-checks, has the ability to produce points, and he can pursue the puck. Howden is going to be a very good 2 way forward for the Panthers for years to come, and everything is looking up for him.
In the Second round of the 2010 Entry Draft, Tallon announced the selection of Sudbury Wolves, Left Winger John McFarland. McFarland was surprisingly passed upon and was left until the Second round. McFarland was drafted by the Panthers because of his intensity, and his grit. Tallon even had a few words to say about McFarland: "He's got a little nastiness to him." said Tallon. Although McFarland is likely a year away still, nothing but high hopes from this 6'0 winger.
To wrap up my very lengthy, first blog entry, the Panthers drafted Red Deer Rebels Defencemen, Alexander Petrovic. Petrovic is a solid all-around Defenceman, Petrovic will most likely spend a couple of more seasons with Red Deer and then possibly battle for a position on the Panthers active roster. He can play well at both ends of the rink and will be a solid top-four Defenceman in his prime. Hopes are also very high up on Petrovic, but there is no rush, seeing the Defence at what it is now.
Things are on a up rise with this Franchise, and all thanks to Dale Tallon, who has re-modeled the shape of where it's heading.
Thanks for reading, I thought I would just give a jab at blogging for the first time. I know this is a very long read, but I felt the need to just get caught up on the up rise of the Florida Panthers. I might be doing more blogs, as I enjoy doing this, and talking hockey. Any comments on my entry here are welcome.
