Florida Panthers Recent Surge

[Brock]

The recent moves look to be paying off for the Florida Panthers, as with a 7-3 record in their last 10 they have taken a firm grip over a playoff spot in the East. The Panthers currently sit in 8th, seven points up on the Habs and Bolts. They are also only two points out of 6th spot, held by Ottawa (with a game in hand). This recent surge can be credited to several moves made by General Manager Brock Otten in the recent weeks. New acquisitions Shane Doan, Wes Walz, Daniel Cleary, Mike Ribeiro and Aaron Ward have all played a crucial part. They are a combined +17 since arriving in Florida and have accumulated 10 goals and 13 assists. GM Otten is very pleased with this success.

"These moves have worked out very well for us. Other teams in the league have made trades and it has had a negative effect on their standing, so maybe we are just lucky. Doan has taken over the first line and given us a commanding presence. He's put up 4 goals and 3 assists in 5 games so far for us, which is exactly what we hoped he could do. Even Aaron Ward, whom we claimed off waivers, has 2 goals and 3 assists and is +3 in the 10 games since arriving. Everything is coming together very well for us," said Otten.

The Florida Panthers have even been successful outside the HFNHL in recent weeks. Center prospect Evan Mcgrath reached the 100 point plateau in the OHL, earning the Panthers 1 million in endorsement money thanks to it's Mountain Dew committment. Defenseman Keith Yandle also reached his milestone of 65 points in the QMJHL, earning the Panthers another million under the same deal. Several other players are closing in on that mark. Defenseman Jonathan Sigalet, forward Cal O Reilly and goaltender Julien Ellis are also closing in on their milestones. If one out of the three can earn another million, the Panthers are likely to be very happy. The Panthers also have set in their sights, reaching their other endorsement milestone of an improvement of 30 points from the previous year. This deal under Synergy pays out $3,500,000. So if all goes well for the Panthers, they can earn a total of $6,500,000 to help secure the longterm standing of the franchise.

Florida looks to continue it's recent success in a match up tonight against the Nashville Predators. Everything is looking sunny for the Panthers.

Esteban Santour,
Florida Post

Click to read more...

 

[Fan.At]

Preds play spoiler

"Bad weather has to follow good weather" must be the thoughts of Panthers GM Otten these days. After going very optimistic (maybe too optimistic) into the game with Nashville, some rain clouds have found their way into the cats' locker room.

Goals from Raffi Torres, Shane Doan and Tom Kostopolous proved to be not enough for Florida when Jan Hrdina with two goals and Eric Belanger and Ramzi Abid saved the better end of this contest for Nashville.

"We have shown we can win games this year. We could not do it on a consistant base but we are looking to improve that for next season" GM Kapfenberger said "I think wannabe-playoff teams are warned now. Don't underestimate Nashville".

 

[Donga]

"We have shown we can win games this year. We could not do it on a consistant base but we are looking to improve that for next season" GM Kapfenberger said "I think wannabe-playoff teams are warned now. Don't underestimate Nashville".

"We can attest to that," said Canes Coach Bryan Murray on the Kapfenberger's comments after their win against the wings. "We are 0-2 against them for the season. People just under-rated the Preds especially their blue line since Kappers (GM Tony Kapfenberger) has been in charge. They have solid players upfront. If you are not going to bring it, they will pounce on you, no pun intended, as shown in the game against the Panthers."

 

[Ohio Jones]

"If you are not going to bring it, they will pounce on you, no pun intended, as shown in the game against the Panthers."

Oooh, catfight...

 

[Brock]

"Bad weather has to follow good weather" must be the thoughts of Panthers GM Otten these days. After going very optimistic (maybe too optimistic) into the game with Nashville, some rain clouds have found their way into the cats' locker room.

Goals from Raffi Torres, Shane Doan and Tom Kostopolous proved to be not enough for Florida when Jan Hrdina with two goals and Eric Belanger and Ramzi Abid saved the better end of this contest for Nashville.

"We have shown we can win games this year. We could not do it on a consistant base but we are looking to improve that for next season" GM Kapfenberger said "I think wannabe-playoff teams are warned now. Don't underestimate Nashville".

GM Otten had this to say about Kapfenberger's recent comments.

"It's true, our team probably did underestimate the Predators a little bit, and they battled hard to beat us. But in the end it's only one game out of 82. We had already beaten the Predators twice earlier this season. So if he wants to talk bragging rights, we still own them at 2 to 1."

 

[Fan.At]

GM Otten had this to say about Kapfenberger's recent comments.

"It's true, our team probably did underestimate the Predators a little bit, and they battled hard to beat us. But in the end it's only one game out of 82. We had already beaten the Predators twice earlier this season. So if he wants to talk bragging rights, we still own them at 2 to 1."

"The Nashville Predators look forward to having a healthy competition with the Panthers next season. We will continue to battle hard and maybe the series is 2-1 for us at this point next season."