Post-Game Talk: Panthers kick off November with their 10 straight win vs Detroit. 22-3 in last 25 in the Motor City

[BabyBennettov]

Really great ending by chucky and Lindell. That’s an earned empty netter. Team d is really good right now. With no montour gudas and staal the team gives up very little. The added forwards are also better on the wall.

Yeaaah… We should absolutely f***ing trade Maurice and buyout Kompon !

 

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

In before we give San Jose their first win on Nov 14th

They may set some records this year, they are unbelievably bad.

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

They may set some records this year, they are unbelievably bad.

I'm flipping between the late games and yeah. They're going to beat somebody at some point, I just hope it's not the Panthers.

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

It just keeps getting worse for San Jose. They're on a power play and it looks like it's actually Vancouver that has the advantage. I don't know that this team can win 10 games.

 

[Dread Clawz]

10 straight wins vs DET
Nice quiet but effective shutout win for Bob.
Lundell gets something on the stat sheet
Bottom 6 goal from Lorentz
Mikkola 3 game point streak.

A chance to go 6-3-1 to start the year vs CHI on Saturday. Do we start Stolarz to keep Bob ready for CBJ?

Yes, definitely start Stolarz vs weak Chicago.

 

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

After the 1st 2? or 3 games of the year Mikkola has been phenomenal. Doing Gudas things at 1/3 the price.

 

[Chaos2k7]

After the 1st 2? or 3 games of the year Mikkola has been phenomenal. Doing Gudas things at 1/3 the price.

He isn't as physical but skates so much better, and has some extra offensive skills.

My surprise is that he is quite good in front of the net on blocking shots and boxing attackers out.

 

[austropanther]

Could not be happier for Lorentz, much deserved.
Although not showing up on the score sheet, Barky was an absolute monster tonight! Delight to watch!
Forsling and Mikkola with stellar performances on the backend and especially on the PK.
Liked Lundell and his combo with Luosto and Cousins. They got some skill and created plenty of turnovers.
The real Bob showed up last night, rock solid game.
I really like OEL's calm composed play, great stick checks at key moments.

We lack a trigger man on the PP. Waiting for Monty and Ek to be back. The shots of the current players are too weak and they are too hesitant.

 

[ShootIt]

Definitely can't wait to see how Montour does with Mikkola instead of Caveman Staal.

 

[RJMA]

Not as excited as some about the idea of buying out Bob, even if that is what is needed to keep all of Montour, Forsling and Reinhart, and just life post-Bob in general. I think Knight is good, bit he's still just magic beans at this point. I hope Zito focuses more on dealing Ekblad with retention.

 

[BabyBennettov]

He isn't as physical but skates so much better, and has some extra offensive skills.

My surprise is that he is quite good in front of the net on blocking shots and boxing attackers out.

Your surprise ? That’s the guy’s bread and butter, the real reason Zito signed him.

The untapped potential and him showing it early is just gravy on top of everything !

Loved Mikkola signing, and will love it for three years IMO.

 

[pantherbot]

Yeah I was really excited about the Mikkola signing, it was sneaky good. Was more wary about how well OEL would do, but he's exceeded my expectations by a mile, he's still a legit top-4 and borderline top pair guy. So...how much should we pay him?

 

[Ghoste]

Sasha was great it’s too bad he didn’t try to score on that one play.

 

[BabyBennettov]

Gotta say I love what Lorentz brings… Seems like high-energy, high-character, great-attitude, funny guy, all about the team… Can play C in a pinch, big body, some offensive tools, great on the boards, great effort…

I was « meh » about that trade first. Seeing it as Lorentz + Rodrigues made it great… Now that I’ve seen more of Lorentz, it could even be awesome !

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Not as excited as some about the idea of buying out Bob, even if that is what is needed to keep all of Montour, Forsling and Reinhart, and just life post-Bob in general. I think Knight is good, bit he's still just magic beans at this point. I hope Zito focuses more on dealing Ekblad with retention.

It's mainly up to Bob anyhow, he has a 16 team no trade list and $1.5 mil signing bonus due July 1st, 2024. After that he's owed $5 mil in salary for 24-25.
He has a $1 mil bonus in July 2025 and owed $5 mil in salary for final year.

I think we'd have to retain about 40-45% of Bob's deal after that July 1st 2024 bonus and less than $11 million owed for 2 seasons isn't crazy with a $5.5 to 6 mil caphit. Only sticking point is he will be 36 in September 2024.

And of those 16 teams he'd be willing to waive, it may only be 3-4 teams that may take him. I get the hesitation to move him now coming off the Cup run but I think you need to wonder how long his body holds up. If Bob does stay or go, Knight better be ready to play 40ish games next year and closer to 50 in 2025-26.

Ekblad has a 12 team no trade list and a $3 mil signing bonus due July 1st, 2024, only owed $4 mil in salary after that date, that's insane value even with a $7.5 mil cap hit.
One would think we take some salary back on expiring deal or player we could re-sign at cheaper AAV. Don't think we'd have to retain on Ekblad unless he absolutely shits the bed for the next 50ish games and playoffs.

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Anyone else kind of thinking Stenlund can sit and let Lockwood stay in for a bit, he's been more noticeable in his few games. Call up Wise/Sourdif/Samo for a game?

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

After the 1st 2? or 3 games of the year Mikkola has been phenomenal. Doing Gudas things at 1/3 the price.

He certainly doesn't have the same nasty physical element (despite being physical), but frankly, I think he's just straight up better as a hockey player.

Small sample size, but the Panthers have played some teams with serious offensive firepower in the first month.

Anyone else kind of thinking Stenlund can sit and let Lockwood stay in for a bit, he's been more noticeable in his few games. Call up Wise/Sourdif/Samo for a game?

With the second line in a scoring drought, I don't see how you can send down Stenlund, who has been a big factor in the bottom six scoring.

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

He certainly doesn't have the same nasty physical element (despite being physical), but frankly, I think he's just straight up better as a hockey player.

Small sample size, but the Panthers have played some teams with serious offensive firepower in the first month.



With the second line in a scoring drought, I don't see how you can send down Stenlund, who has been a big factor in the bottom six scoring.

Not sure I agree, not going just off fancy charts but he's had maybe or two decent games IMO. The rest have been kinda bad?



Verhaeghe-Barkov-Rodrigues
Tkachuk-Luostarinen-prospect
Lomberg-Lundell- Reino
Lockwood-Lorentz-Cousins

Maybe give Lundell a scoring threat with Reinhart again, prospect could benefit from Tkachuk and Luostarinen insulating them?

We got CHI and CBJ next two games.

 

[I am not exposed]

After you posted this, no!

Predicting a high scoring game.

And this is why I'm not a gambling man! haha

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

And this is why I'm not a gambling man! haha

I was gonna chirp but you are self aware anyhow. Bob played well and overall team defense limited to what felt like maybe 4-5 high danger chances against?

 

[Gizmo Tkachuk]

I highly doubt Ekblad is traded. I don't know why some are entertaining that thought.

Will he be re-signed though? That's a different story.

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

Sasha was great it’s too bad he didn’t try to score on that one play.

Barkov has looked aggressive and dangerous in the last 2 games. Also, I think the weight loss has helped, he looks FAST. I genuinely hope this is the start of a trend.

I know that nobody thinks a 29 year old player is going to suddenly see an evolutionary change in his game, but I think the potential is there, and we just saw it.

 

[Idiot Stick]

He certainly doesn't have the same nasty physical element (despite being physical), but frankly, I think he's just straight up better as a hockey player.

Small sample size, but the Panthers have played some teams with serious offensive firepower in the first month.



With the second line in a scoring drought, I don't see how you can send down Stenlund, who has been a big factor in the bottom six scoring.

I think theyre both physical but in different ways, gudas delivered the pain train, but Mikkola just straight up uses his size/presence to win battles.

Small sample size but i think hes better defensively, but gudas had a nice shot from out far

 

[I am not exposed]

I was gonna chirp but you are self aware anyhow. Bob played well and overall team defense limited to what felt like maybe 4-5 high danger chances against?

Yeah I'm pretty honest when I get things wrong!

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

I highly doubt Ekblad is traded. I don't know why some are entertaining that thought.

Will he be re-signed though? That's a different story.

So he plays out his deal and walks in UFA then? Not against this but hoping 2 of the 3 main UFA guys this year are kept.