C'mon, at one point the team's entire first line was injured (Weiss, Versteeg, Fleischmann), Gudbranson hasn't played, neither has Bergenheim, Goc has been out, Weaver is out. I mean, how well would San Jose be doing if all of Marleau-Thornton-Couture missed time? Probably not as well.
I still predict Florida will miss the playoffs this year, partly because I believe last year was an aberration with a bunch of players playing over their head and avoiding injuries, and because they picked up a lot of shoot-out wins, and that usually balances out over time. For instance, a couple years back Edmonton had this amazing shoot-out record and the following season, couldn't win a shoot-out to save their life.
But, far and away the worst team in the NHL is extremely premature, we're only about two weeks from Florida hammering Carolina.
Solid season to tank it. Hopefully Panthers fans aren't TOO disappointed by all this, top 5 pick can net them a potentially elite #1 center.
No kidding. If there is any season to tank it is this one- shorter agony and man the Panthers will be stacked with another top 5 pick. It's almost like Tallon knew what he was doing...
Isn't half the team out with injuries...can't really call the team terrible with those circumstances. (at least not compared to the more healthy terrible teams)
I'm not surprised at all. They played in the weakest division last season, and did well because of veterans who had career years. It wasn't their young players who got them into the playoffs.
So much for Tallon being brilliant. It was a one-shot deal.
C'mon, at one point the team's entire first line was injured (Weiss, Versteeg, Fleischmann), Gudbranson hasn't played, neither has Bergenheim, Goc has been out, Weaver is out. I mean, how well would San Jose be doing if all of Marleau-Thornton-Couture missed time? Probably not as well.
I still predict Florida will miss the playoffs this year, partly because I believe last year was an aberration with a bunch of players playing over their head and avoiding injuries, and because they picked up a lot of shoot-out wins, and that usually balances out over time. For instance, a couple years back Edmonton had this amazing shoot-out record and the following season, couldn't win a shoot-out to save their life.
But, far and away the worst team in the NHL is extremely premature, we're only about two weeks from Florida hammering Carolina.
The Panthers did not pick up a lot of shootout wins last year. They were one of the worst teams in hockey at the shootout. It's one of the reasons they ended up with so many "loser points."
I like the Panthers, but at the same time I don't think the topic is wrong. They are in a rebuild cycle, but overperformed last year. That's a good thing, the team gelled and played well together, but talent-wise, Florida is pretty mediocre. Add to that the injuries, and they're going to have a hard time making up ground this season.
That's not a knock, and I think the franchise has a lot of promise in the future. Hell, if you're going to have a bad season, this is probably the season to do it in.
I'm not surprised at all. They played in the weakest division last season, and did well because of veterans who had career years. It wasn't their young players who got them into the playoffs.
So much for Tallon being brilliant. It was a one-shot deal.
What young players are you talkin about? The veterans weren't astronomically better than years prior, and we've been stumped by injuries. Gudbranson was greatly better late in the season and into the playoffs, and he and Kuli are really the only young players who were on the team.
You always think you know, but you don't. Tallon has stocked the prospect pool, is being patient with them, and we're decimated by injuries. Kopecky was on our top line center last night, kinda hard to get it going with a line like that.
What young players are you talkin about? The veterans weren't astronomically better than years prior, and we've been stumped by injuries. Gudbranson was just behin Campbell late in the season and into the playoffs, and he and Kuli are really the only young players who were on the team.
You always think you know, but you don't. Tallon has stocked the prospect pool, is being patient with them, and we're decimated by injuries. Kopecky was on our top line center last night, kinda hard to get it going with a line like that.
No I think I do know. My prediction has been spot-on.
Still way to early in the season to be saying who is the worst, especially 'by far'.
Quote:
Originally Posted by le_sean
But Kovalev is amazing and on a resurgence. Wasn't he supposed to get 3 points a game?
I suspect he'll be like he's been his whole career. Multi-point game followed by muliple games with zero points or effort.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Markstrom Rules
I think Theo could fetch a 2nd. That's if he waives his ntc though. IIRC there was a not that great veteran goalie that fetched a 2nd at the deadline a few years ago. Can't remember who it was.
If Theodore fetched a 2nd I might eat my gotch. 4th at the most IMCO and even that might be an over-payment.
