I will sorely miss Weiss. I know he wasn't the greatest player or anything, but he did actually mean a lot to this team and its fans. He had something few players had here: loyalty. He wanted to win here and he finally saw the playoffs with us, even winning the division title.
Weiss has always been hungry to win and do what's right, he will push himself to the point that it goes too far and he plays injured to his and his team's detriment.
People can say what they want about him and his ups and downs, but there's no doubting he was one of the few stable things here. I know I'll miss him and his dedication to this team. He had something guys like Horton and Bouwmeester never had: he cared about this team.
Good luck to you in Detroit, Stephen.
Well said man, well said.
Weiss was supposed to be a lifetime Panther. For over a decade I dreamt of this guy being our foolproof 2nd line center when we finally built a contender. I wished so badly to watch him lift a cup in a Panther sweater.
His loyalty cannot be ignored. He stuck it through some absolutely horrible seasons with this franchise. He stayed when EVERYONE else wanted to go. He stayed through lockouts, injuries, terrible losing streaks, draft busts, everything. For every dark day this franchise has had over the last decade+, he was there.
To see him leave like this is bittersweet. In one way, he gets to move onto a contender after suffering here for so long. Don't be bitter guys, he deserves it. He sat through a lot worse **** than most players have had to over the first half of their career.
I also wish management just gave him what he wanted and rewarded him for his loyalty.
In reality, the move is good for both sides. IF Bjugs and co. develop, there wasn't really a spot for Weiss. Losing him sucks and is a tough pill to swallow, but he deserves to play for a good team.
It's also going to be rough when the Red Wings run over us during the season.
But fans that will be at the game, I ask one thing. Please, don't boo Stephen. Give him a nice ovation, because he deserves it. He was the closest thing we can to to having a franchise player. He obviously didn't mean those expectations, but he was the face of this team for a while.
Let him know he is still loved in South Florida.