Florida Panthers Off-Season!

Well ladies and gents, there has been something looming during the past 24 hours. Panther success is hard to use in one sentence, and yes I just used it in one sentence. Doug MacLean the coach as we all know during the YEAR OF THE RAT has been whispered to be interested in taking the coaching job for next season. I bring up success because I personally do not think MacLean is the right choice for this team, if they want to win and win soon they better go with Randy Cunneyworth.

Randy was one of the reasons why Horton progressed so quickly, he obviously works well with younger players and that makes him a perfect fit in the Panthers organization. Olesz, Booth, Kreps, and hopefully Frolik, Matthias, and McArdle can look up to Cunneyworth and progress as quick as possible.

There is no option next season, it's playoffs or BUST! This off season IS the most important off season in the short history of this franchise. They have got to fill the needs to the best of their ability and bring a winner back to South Florida. I have said it time and time again that you have got to build around the young core of this team with TOP TIER talent. Zednik/McLean/Dvorak were not the answer to the Panthers problems. It was an obvious move by Cohen to bring in the cheapest players possible to fill the needs of the team offensively. They did not get the job done!

Jokinen is in need of a top line winger, will they get one? We shall see. The front office of this team is on edge with their fans for the simple fact that they have missed the playoffs in over 7 years. There have been rumors about JM wanting to acquire a puck moving defensemen. I personally do not think the Panthers are in much need of a puck moving defensemen. Mike Van Ryan will be healthy, Cory Murphy is healthy, Noah Welch will finally get in his groove, and of course the best defensemen during the second half of the season Cullimore will be consistent. Don't forget superstar Bouwmeester! Oh, that brings up another point! SIGN BOUWMEESTER!

Take your pick, there are several FA's to pick from for that first line job. Jokinen will be much happier having someone feed him the puck, rather than him doing his patent spin around shot because he can't find anyone who is open.


There have been a lot of names rumored to be the next Florida Panthers coach, what is your reaction? As a Panther fan, who do you want to be the next Panthers coach? Potvin? Hartley?

Winger or Dman?

This is my first Blog! GO PANTHERS!

Nostalgia in Panthers Colors

The Florida Panthers are now accepting applications for their new head coach. I'm thinking about sending one in just as soon as I try out for the opening on the third scoring line.

Okay, in all seriousness, the first rumor of possible replacement coaches to get me excited has finally come out. And that has come in the form of hearing that former Panthers coach Doug MacLean is "interested" in the job.

Forget his, well, forgettable performance in Columbus. Some teams just don't have what it takes to win, and so far, the very definition of that has been the Blue Jackets. Only so much of the blame can go to the coach when a team doesn't have the horses.

MacLean would bring back the essence of all that was good in this franchise's history. He took the young Panthers all the way to the Stanley Cup back in 1996, a season that seems so far gone. MacLean coming back would bring back reminders of winning, sell out crowds, and of course rats. Everything that made the Panthers one of the most successful start up teams in NHL history could be back just like that.

The Panthers finally made a right decision in firing Jacques Martin from his coaching perch. Now they have an opportunity to make it two for two.

Bring back Dougie MacLean!