To clarify guys, I'll be the first one to put my hand up and admit that I was wrong, if DT manages to sign more than one top4 d-man and/or multiple top6 forwards. I just don't see it happening and we should be glad if even one (from both) of those comes this way.
But we had nothing back then. Our core of young players didn't exist/weren't ready to take the next step. We're much closer to turning the corner now and we also had to spend to reach the cap floor. The idea now is that we'll be able to go after bigger fish because we have an owner with deeper pockets which we didn't have before and wont stop once we reach the floor.
There's just so many better options available to them, that Florida is pretty low on their list. It's not a knock on the current situation of the team, the players, management, new owner, location, etc., it's just the way how UFAs prioritise things.
Players don't want to come here because there isn't a winning culture or/and a history of winning, nor is the area known for spewing out players that want to return home. Money isn't as big of a thing as people like to make it out to be, and most of the UFAs have already earned a substantial amount of it with their previous team(s) that they don't care if they earn a mill or two less with a team that guarantees him a sure trip to contend for the cup.
Marek was on Sportsnet up here this afternoon talking about him (one of the only good people they have.) He essentially said that he's pissed off because they've sucked the past 2 years but that the rumour he wants out is overblown.
IMO if the team doesn't get better this year, it will be his last season as a Panther.
I agree with this.