Like this signing. I'm not sure if anyone mentioned it yet that Higgins is a great PK player. At least he played 2:35 PK per game in Calgary most among Flames forwards. So with that in mind he must be very solid two way guy if he could pop in 15-20 and play sound defensivly that would be nice. He's not going to be hitting anyone tho with only 19 hits last season and only 5 SHOT BLOCKS with that much PK ice time? For good measure Greg Campbell had 72 SHOT BLOCKS last season
I think its very interesting that Im starting to see these people who sign here all say that Tallon being here was a big attraction to them. If nothing else its nice to think that Florida could become a place where players want to play. That could be the difference that is needed to make lasting changes here. So for that much I like what Tallon has done.
Like this signing. Its amazing to me that Panthers fans can spin it negatively. When we sign someone for too much and too long all you ever here is how its a bad deal. For once we sign someone for the right amount for a short term and it totally fits with where we are as a team in the building process and people fall back to the old "theyre just trying to pass off a 3rd liner as a 2nd liner" argument. The difference though is that no one is saying that this guy is the future 2nd line left winger for our team. In fact by giving him a one year deal theyre saying just the opposite. Seriously Panthers fans cannot be made happy no matter what you do.
I think its very interesting that Im starting to see these people who sign here all say that Tallon being here was a big attraction to them. If nothing else its nice to think that Florida could become a place where players want to play. That could be the difference that is needed to make lasting changes here. So for that much I like what Tallon has done.
Like this signing. Its amazing to me that Panthers fans can spin it negatively. When we sign someone for too much and too long all you ever here is how its a bad deal. For once we sign someone for the right amount for a short term and it totally fits with where we are as a team in the building process and people fall back to the old "theyre just trying to pass off a 3rd liner as a 2nd liner" argument. The difference though is that no one is saying that this guy is the future 2nd line left winger for our team. In fact by giving him a one year deal theyre saying just the opposite. Seriously Panthers fans cannot be made happy no matter what you do.
Actually, Tallon said it himself:
“We’ve got [David] Booth and Higgins on the left side. That’s pretty damn good. He’s going to be a top-six forward on our team. He sees that. He’s got an opportunity to get a lot of ice time and put up some goals.”
But I agree with your entire post. Now we all know lines are going to change throughout the season, perhaps even frequently. But the thing I don't agree with is when people say that Stillman should automatically be given top spots given his contract. I'm of the mind that regardless of money, the best performers should be given the minutes.
and that makes Cory Stillman what, a $3.5 million dollar third liner? Then again, he'll have the $3.1 million dollar Rostislav Olesz on his right so he'll fit right in.
Perhaps were shooting for the most expensive third line in the league? haha
and that makes Cory Stillman what, a $3.5 million dollar third liner? Then again, he'll have the $3.1 million dollar Rostislav Olesz on his right so he'll fit right in.
Perhaps were shooting for the most expensive third line in the league? haha
“We’ve got [David] Booth and Higgins on the left side. That’s pretty damn good. He’s going to be a top-six forward on our team. He sees that. He’s got an opportunity to get a lot of ice time and put up some goals.”
But I agree with your entire post. Now we all know lines are going to change throughout the season, perhaps even frequently. But the thing I don't agree with is when people say that Stillman should automatically be given top spots given his contract. I'm of the mind that regardless of money, the best performers should be given the minutes.
-ghoste
Tallon didn't say that he was our future left winger in that quote, unless you're defining future as this year. On a 3 to 5 year building plan he is not the future 2nd line left winger, at least not under this contract. If he performs like a 2nd line LW then he gets resigned and everyone is happy. If not then he is gone, and everyone is happy.
Perhaps were shooting for the most expensive third line in the league? haha
If Reino centers between rusti and stiller then it will come in right at about 10 million. I'd have to guess that is right up there as the most expensive 3rd line in the league.
Tallon just added possibly another 2nd round pick for us
That´s all this was. We have no shot at the playoffs with our roster, again, so look for Higgins to be dealt some time during the season. With all the fanfare and big talk from the owners since last season about trades, the draft and free agency to come, we have not added one impact player and traded away two. Another long season for us, as we are left to wait around, again, for the potential of guys who haven´t played an NHL game.
At what point does this team decide that we should make moves to win now. Martin coasted for how many years with the same build for the future premise that left us a mess. Really dissapointed to see Tallon seems to be going down the same road. It´s really easy to not be accountable when you´re on a three to five year plan.
That´s all this was. We have no shot at the playoffs with our roster, again, so look for Higgins to be dealt some time during the season. With all the fanfare and big talk from the owners since last season about trades, the draft and free agency to come, we have not added one impact player and traded away two. Another long season for us, as we are left to wait around, again, for the potential of guys who haven´t played an NHL game.
At what point does this team decide that we should make moves to win now. Martin coasted for how many years with the same build for the future premise that left us a mess. Really dissapointed to see Tallon seems to be going down the same road. It´s really easy to not be accountable when you´re on a three to five year plan.
I agree with you, I really do. If Tallon hadn't built the Blackhawks, I'd really be flipping my lid because he's basically done the same thing as previous GM's have. I give him the benefit of the doubt for that reason only.
I'm with you on the lack of impact players. I like this signing of Higgins but he's not going to help us that much. Our defense is a lot worse this year and that worries me. I'm interested to see what happens with our forward core. We have an abundance of wingers but only 1 solid center. I want Matthias on the 3rd line (I really believe this kid can play and he showed some real bright spots when he finally started getting more than 5 minutes of ice time a game). We need a 2nd line center badly, and without that whole fixed, we will be bad for many years, prospects or not. We can't expect to turn 15-20 goal scorers into 30, it just doesn't happen.
We just gotta be patient, but damn haven't we been patient enough over the last 10 years?!?
That´s all this was. We have no shot at the playoffs with our roster, again, so look for Higgins to be dealt some time during the season. With all the fanfare and big talk from the owners since last season about trades, the draft and free agency to come, we have not added one impact player and traded away two. Another long season for us, as we are left to wait around, again, for the potential of guys who haven´t played an NHL game.
At what point does this team decide that we should make moves to win now. Martin coasted for how many years with the same build for the future premise that left us a mess. Really dissapointed to see Tallon seems to be going down the same road. It´s really easy to not be accountable when you´re on a three to five year plan.
You can't make moves to win now when your home grown players are inadequate.
The fact that Jay Bouwmeester is the best homegrown Panthers talent says volumes. He's a nice player, but no star. Despite years of sucking, the Panthers have never drafted a star player. Ever.
You can't fix that by free agency. Name one successful franchise that has built it's core with UFA signings. You want to fix it via trade? Might work, if the Panthers hadn't traded Luongo & Bouwmeester for pennies on the dollar. Had Martin looked to the future (or been allowed to), Bouw would have been traded for future assets and the team would be a lot better off now. Had Luongo been traded for future assets instead of a broken big name player and two mediocre veterans, the team would be a lot better off now. You see the problem is that the team has never really looked to the future. There's never been a long term plan outside of "throw the first round draft picks on the ice and hope they grow into a playoff team."
What Tallon is doing is the right thing. No Panthers GM has come in here and done this. None. In retrospect, this rebuild is a few years overdue.
I'm a STHer and it sucks to have never seen a home playoff game. I hate the losing. I hate having other teams fans come into the building mocking the team and it's fans. I also see that this team is fundamentally broken/flawed and that a complete rebuild is needed. It sucks, but it is what it is. Tallon is no "hockey god", but he has a great reputation league-wide, he has a plan and he is sticking to it. That's worth more to me than a Pete DeBoer playoff guarantee.
You can't make moves to win now when your home grown players are inadequate.
The fact that Jay Bouwmeester is the best homegrown Panthers talent says volumes. He's a nice player, but no star. Despite years of sucking, the Panthers have never drafted a star player. Ever.
You can't fix that by free agency. Name one successful franchise that has built it's core with UFA signings. You want to fix it via trade? Might work, if the Panthers hadn't traded Luongo & Bouwmeester for pennies on the dollar. Had Martin looked to the future (or been allowed to), Bouw would have been traded for future assets and the team would be a lot better off now. Had Luongo been traded for future assets instead of a broken big name player and two mediocre veterans, the team would be a lot better off now. You see the problem is that the team has never really looked to the future. There's never been a long term plan outside of "throw the first round draft picks on the ice and hope they grow into a playoff team."
What Tallon is doing is the right thing. No Panthers GM has come in here and done this. None. In retrospect, this rebuild is a few years overdue.
I'm a STHer and it sucks to have never seen a home playoff game. I hate the losing. I hate having other teams fans come into the building mocking the team and it's fans. I also see that this team is fundamentally broken/flawed and that a complete rebuild is needed. It sucks, but it is what it is. Tallon is no "hockey god", but he has a great reputation league-wide, he has a plan and he is sticking to it. That's worth more to me than a Pete DeBoer playoff guarantee.
Outstanding post ATF! Couldn't agree more.
__________________ Gudbranson fanboy and defender for liiiiiife!
Dunno if this was said already, but before leaving Montreal, there was many talks about him or Komisarek being the new captain for the Montreal Canadiens.
I'd say a pretty good pickup and I hope to see him bounce back (so I don't look so retarded when I go to a bar with his jersey lol)
You can't make moves to win now when your home grown players are inadequate.
The fact that Jay Bouwmeester is the best homegrown Panthers talent says volumes. He's a nice player, but no star. Despite years of sucking, the Panthers have never drafted a star player. Ever.
You can't fix that by free agency. Name one successful franchise that has built it's core with UFA signings. You want to fix it via trade? Might work, if the Panthers hadn't traded Luongo & Bouwmeester for pennies on the dollar. Had Martin looked to the future (or been allowed to), Bouw would have been traded for future assets and the team would be a lot better off now. Had Luongo been traded for future assets instead of a broken big name player and two mediocre veterans, the team would be a lot better off now. You see the problem is that the team has never really looked to the future. There's never been a long term plan outside of "throw the first round draft picks on the ice and hope they grow into a playoff team."
What Tallon is doing is the right thing. No Panthers GM has come in here and done this. None. In retrospect, this rebuild is a few years overdue.
I'm a STHer and it sucks to have never seen a home playoff game. I hate the losing. I hate having other teams fans come into the building mocking the team and it's fans. I also see that this team is fundamentally broken/flawed and that a complete rebuild is needed. It sucks, but it is what it is. Tallon is no "hockey god", but he has a great reputation league-wide, he has a plan and he is sticking to it. That's worth more to me than a Pete DeBoer playoff guarantee.
this should be the automated response when someone asks how the hell we can still support this team..
extremely good post!
You can't make moves to win now when your home grown players are inadequate.
The fact that Jay Bouwmeester is the best homegrown Panthers talent says volumes. He's a nice player, but no star. Despite years of sucking, the Panthers have never drafted a star player. Ever.
You can't fix that by free agency. Name one successful franchise that has built it's core with UFA signings. You want to fix it via trade? Might work, if the Panthers hadn't traded Luongo & Bouwmeester for pennies on the dollar. Had Martin looked to the future (or been allowed to), Bouw would have been traded for future assets and the team would be a lot better off now. Had Luongo been traded for future assets instead of a broken big name player and two mediocre veterans, the team would be a lot better off now. You see the problem is that the team has never really looked to the future. There's never been a long term plan outside of "throw the first round draft picks on the ice and hope they grow into a playoff team."
What Tallon is doing is the right thing. No Panthers GM has come in here and done this. None. In retrospect, this rebuild is a few years overdue.
I'm a STHer and it sucks to have never seen a home playoff game. I hate the losing. I hate having other teams fans come into the building mocking the team and it's fans. I also see that this team is fundamentally broken/flawed and that a complete rebuild is needed. It sucks, but it is what it is. Tallon is no "hockey god", but he has a great reputation league-wide, he has a plan and he is sticking to it. That's worth more to me than a Pete DeBoer playoff guarantee.
You can't make moves to win now when your home grown players are inadequate.
The fact that Jay Bouwmeester is the best homegrown Panthers talent says volumes. He's a nice player, but no star. Despite years of sucking, the Panthers have never drafted a star player. Ever.
Quote:
Originally Posted by angry_treefrog
You can't fix that by free agency. Name one successful franchise that has built it's core with UFA signings. You want to fix it via trade? Might work, if the Panthers hadn't traded Luongo & Bouwmeester for pennies on the dollar. Had Martin looked to the future (or been allowed to), Bouw would have been traded for future assets and the team would be a lot better off now. Had Luongo been traded for future assets instead of a broken big name player and two mediocre veterans, the team would be a lot better off now. You see the problem is that the team has never really looked to the future. There's never been a long term plan outside of "throw the first round draft picks on the ice and hope they grow into a playoff team."
What Tallon is doing is the right thing. No Panthers GM has come in here and done this. None. In retrospect, this rebuild is a few years overdue.
I'm a STHer and it sucks to have never seen a home playoff game. I hate the losing. I hate having other teams fans come into the building mocking the team and it's fans. I also see that this team is fundamentally broken/flawed and that a complete rebuild is needed. It sucks, but it is what it is. Tallon is no "hockey god", but he has a great reputation league-wide, he has a plan and he is sticking to it. That's worth more to me than a Pete DeBoer playoff guarantee.
And he was basically the only top pick we ever had that wasn't rushed to the NHL before he was ready and basically the only one that actually had a good supporting cast when he came into the NHL as a rookie.
You mean the guy who was traded for Pavel Bure in the kind of sexy, "fix it now" move that some are advocating? That guy?
For the sake of argument, I'll accept your argument that Ed Jovanovski > Bouw. Having him as the best Panthers player ever drafted/developed doesn't change my original argument that after a decade of bad hockey, the team should really have been able to draft a talent greater than that. Even at his best, it wouldn't have been hard to name a slew of players you'd rather have on your team than Ed Jovanovski. Like Bouw, Jovo was a nice player, but not a franchise player. If he's the best player on your team, you are probably missing the playoffs and certainly not a cup contender.
I like the signing myself as its extremely affordable deal for the talent level of Higgins. I think he will bounce back as he has said he wants to and likes that he wants to be here.
On the comments by Tallon, it sounds like there is an open competition amongst the LW spots on the 2nd & 3rd lines and that whoever wins the 2nd line job, that will lead to a trade of one of the remaining players. And based on those same comments, Higgins has the inside shot at the 2nd line job and the fact that no one wants Olesz's contract, it sounds to me like Stillman is most likely on his way out before long.
haha
