Brock
Registered User
Recently the Florida Panthers managed to pick up their 68th point of the season in a 2-2 tie against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While any point is important this late in the season and with the playoff race in full gear, this particular point was even more important. That tie helped the Panthers achieve it's Synergy Endorsement deal, which pays off $3,500,000 for a 30 point improvement from the previous season. It's also a symbol of Florida franchise which has such a bright future.
"That money is definitely important to us. It can help us sign a free agent in the offseason to come in and help take this franchise to an even higher level of competiveness. While this year has worked out very well, thick in the hunt for that 8th spot in the East, next year should be even better. Young players currently on our roster such as Raffi Torres, Ray Emery, Garnett Exelby, Brian Campbell, Brent Burns, will all be one year older and better. Then we'll have an influx of other youngsters such as Marek Svatos, Mike Richards, Trevor Daley, Brad Richardson, which should do nothing but increase the level of hockey capable of being produced," GM Brock Otten recently said in a sitdown with us.
Otten is very correct in saying that the future is bright in Florida. Attendance is very reflective that the fans feel the same. In 2003-04 (the last HFNHL season), Panthers average attendance at home games was 13,707. This year, average attendance is running at 18,342, a substantial increase. This increase not only gives Otten more money to work with, to go out and fill the holes in free agency but to resign and keep the young stars of this team happy too.
Otten alloted us some time to sit down and ask him a few questions about the past, present and future of the Florida Panthers.
ES: First and foremost, congrats on a very good season so far, us Panther fans are very gracious.
BO: Thanks Esteban. It's definitely been a successful season. Obviously if we can get that 8th spot in the East, it will be a lot more successful, but even if we don't, I won't be considering the 2005-06 season a failure. Many players have taken steps forward, attendance is up and everything is looking bright. The positive reaction from the fans is definitely the most promising.
ES: If you don't make the playoffs, what is next for you?
BO: Well ultimately the draft, where we still have our first round pick and several others. There are a couple of players we are really targetting thanks to glowing reports from our scouting staff. Then free agency where we intend to fill some gaps on this team and make it more competitive. First on the list will definitely be another scoring winger to play the first or second line. We might look at bringing in a true first line center as well.
ES: Speaking of the scouting staff, how about the job they have done so far in your short time with this club.
BO: Absolutely correct on that one Esteban. The scouting staff has been amazing for us. We've unearthed some real gems in the later rounds, as well as in the early rounds. There really havent been to many picks that I have made so far that I can look back on at the moment and say they were mistakes. The solid drafting has allowed us great resources, which we've used to make trades, such as the Shane Doan one, but also keep a young and exciting team in place with players like Raffi Torres, Marek Svatos, Mike Richards, etc.
ES: You mentioned Shane Doan, how huge has his acquisition been to this franchise so far?
BO: He's been huge, and well that's why we acquired him. He's in the prime of his career and has had himself maybe the best season he's had yet. He's the leader of this team for next year. Sure losing guys like Schremp and Rask hurt a bit, but with our strong scouting staff I think we can replace that prospect depth. When you get a chance to acquire a youngish cornerstone to your franchise, you do it. Now we have a guy we can really build our youngsters around, but who's not overly old himself.
ES: Looking at things, the defense on this club next year could become very competitive. What are your thoughts on that?
BO: Very correct again. It looks like we could have as many as 9 guys competing on the blueline for spots next year. And a lot of those guys have had really solid years, which is going to make things even more difficult. We've got Eric Brewer, Jaroslav Spacek, Darius Kasparitis, Brian Campbell, Radek Martinek, Aaron Ward, Garnett Exelby, Trevor Daley and Brent Burns. It's very likely that we'll have to make a trade in the offseason involving one of these guys because it will be unfair to have 3 of them sitting on the bench. If anything it's going to be better for this team because really the way I see it, is that only the top 4 spots are locked up by Brewer, Spacek, Kaspar and Soupy. The final two starting defensive spots will be fought out by the rest. Competition can only make this group stronger as a unit, ensuring that we get the best out of every player. If someone comes into camp out of shape, they are going to fall behind.
ES: What is the goaltending situation going to look like next year?
BO: We are going to go with Grahame and Emery again. We will platoon them and ride the hot hand. We've seen several teams have success with this route in the past. Emery has come along way this season ad we expect big things from him in the future.
ES: Which prospects do you expect to sign this offseason?
BO: I think are 5 we are looking at bringing in. Michael Richards, Marek Svatos, Trevor Daley, Brad Richardson and Matt Foy. We'd really like Richards to come in and take over the 3rd line center position from the departing Wes Walz. Svatos we hope can step on to a scoring line and provide offense. Daley will be in competition for a third pairing defensive position. Richardson and Foy will battle for a 4th line spot.
ES: Can you tell us a little bit about Brent Burns and his position shuffling?
BO: We had some depth issues this year up front, so we used Burnsie as a forward for a great deal of this year, on our 4th line. But his future is on defense. He will be back there next year, where again, we expect him to compete for a top 6 spot. He's got a lot of potential back there and we really hope he can become a solid top 4 defenseman.
ES: Whats the latest on the Alexei Morozov situation?
BO: We acquired Morozov's rights earlier this year. We've spoken to his agent and he's very interested in coming back to the HFNHL next season. He led the RSL in scoring this season, so we expect him to come back over and be ready to play. I'd say that it's more then 95% likely that he'll be a Panther next season.
ES: That's All from us here, thanks for your time Brock and go make those playoffs.
BO: Thanks Esteban, any time.
The Panthers have 10 games left, and are one point back of Montreal for that 8th spot (with a game in hand). They take battle against the lowly Rangers tonight and look to take back the 8th spot.
Esteban Santour,
Florida Post
"That money is definitely important to us. It can help us sign a free agent in the offseason to come in and help take this franchise to an even higher level of competiveness. While this year has worked out very well, thick in the hunt for that 8th spot in the East, next year should be even better. Young players currently on our roster such as Raffi Torres, Ray Emery, Garnett Exelby, Brian Campbell, Brent Burns, will all be one year older and better. Then we'll have an influx of other youngsters such as Marek Svatos, Mike Richards, Trevor Daley, Brad Richardson, which should do nothing but increase the level of hockey capable of being produced," GM Brock Otten recently said in a sitdown with us.
Otten is very correct in saying that the future is bright in Florida. Attendance is very reflective that the fans feel the same. In 2003-04 (the last HFNHL season), Panthers average attendance at home games was 13,707. This year, average attendance is running at 18,342, a substantial increase. This increase not only gives Otten more money to work with, to go out and fill the holes in free agency but to resign and keep the young stars of this team happy too.
Otten alloted us some time to sit down and ask him a few questions about the past, present and future of the Florida Panthers.
ES: First and foremost, congrats on a very good season so far, us Panther fans are very gracious.
BO: Thanks Esteban. It's definitely been a successful season. Obviously if we can get that 8th spot in the East, it will be a lot more successful, but even if we don't, I won't be considering the 2005-06 season a failure. Many players have taken steps forward, attendance is up and everything is looking bright. The positive reaction from the fans is definitely the most promising.
ES: If you don't make the playoffs, what is next for you?
BO: Well ultimately the draft, where we still have our first round pick and several others. There are a couple of players we are really targetting thanks to glowing reports from our scouting staff. Then free agency where we intend to fill some gaps on this team and make it more competitive. First on the list will definitely be another scoring winger to play the first or second line. We might look at bringing in a true first line center as well.
ES: Speaking of the scouting staff, how about the job they have done so far in your short time with this club.
BO: Absolutely correct on that one Esteban. The scouting staff has been amazing for us. We've unearthed some real gems in the later rounds, as well as in the early rounds. There really havent been to many picks that I have made so far that I can look back on at the moment and say they were mistakes. The solid drafting has allowed us great resources, which we've used to make trades, such as the Shane Doan one, but also keep a young and exciting team in place with players like Raffi Torres, Marek Svatos, Mike Richards, etc.
ES: You mentioned Shane Doan, how huge has his acquisition been to this franchise so far?
BO: He's been huge, and well that's why we acquired him. He's in the prime of his career and has had himself maybe the best season he's had yet. He's the leader of this team for next year. Sure losing guys like Schremp and Rask hurt a bit, but with our strong scouting staff I think we can replace that prospect depth. When you get a chance to acquire a youngish cornerstone to your franchise, you do it. Now we have a guy we can really build our youngsters around, but who's not overly old himself.
ES: Looking at things, the defense on this club next year could become very competitive. What are your thoughts on that?
BO: Very correct again. It looks like we could have as many as 9 guys competing on the blueline for spots next year. And a lot of those guys have had really solid years, which is going to make things even more difficult. We've got Eric Brewer, Jaroslav Spacek, Darius Kasparitis, Brian Campbell, Radek Martinek, Aaron Ward, Garnett Exelby, Trevor Daley and Brent Burns. It's very likely that we'll have to make a trade in the offseason involving one of these guys because it will be unfair to have 3 of them sitting on the bench. If anything it's going to be better for this team because really the way I see it, is that only the top 4 spots are locked up by Brewer, Spacek, Kaspar and Soupy. The final two starting defensive spots will be fought out by the rest. Competition can only make this group stronger as a unit, ensuring that we get the best out of every player. If someone comes into camp out of shape, they are going to fall behind.
ES: What is the goaltending situation going to look like next year?
BO: We are going to go with Grahame and Emery again. We will platoon them and ride the hot hand. We've seen several teams have success with this route in the past. Emery has come along way this season ad we expect big things from him in the future.
ES: Which prospects do you expect to sign this offseason?
BO: I think are 5 we are looking at bringing in. Michael Richards, Marek Svatos, Trevor Daley, Brad Richardson and Matt Foy. We'd really like Richards to come in and take over the 3rd line center position from the departing Wes Walz. Svatos we hope can step on to a scoring line and provide offense. Daley will be in competition for a third pairing defensive position. Richardson and Foy will battle for a 4th line spot.
ES: Can you tell us a little bit about Brent Burns and his position shuffling?
BO: We had some depth issues this year up front, so we used Burnsie as a forward for a great deal of this year, on our 4th line. But his future is on defense. He will be back there next year, where again, we expect him to compete for a top 6 spot. He's got a lot of potential back there and we really hope he can become a solid top 4 defenseman.
ES: Whats the latest on the Alexei Morozov situation?
BO: We acquired Morozov's rights earlier this year. We've spoken to his agent and he's very interested in coming back to the HFNHL next season. He led the RSL in scoring this season, so we expect him to come back over and be ready to play. I'd say that it's more then 95% likely that he'll be a Panther next season.
ES: That's All from us here, thanks for your time Brock and go make those playoffs.
BO: Thanks Esteban, any time.
The Panthers have 10 games left, and are one point back of Montreal for that 8th spot (with a game in hand). They take battle against the lowly Rangers tonight and look to take back the 8th spot.
Esteban Santour,
Florida Post
