[Cujorulesdtown90]

Jeff Marek of HNIC is reporting on twitter that the Panthers have cancelled practice today and:

Quote

Florida GM Randy Sexton is poised to shake this team
up asap. Expect more than just Dominic Moore to get shipped as early as today.

This point has been edited by Cujorulesdtown90: 12 February 2010 - 10:44 AM

[Cujorulesdtown90]

I think this team is getting nuked.

A letter from your ownership

[CoyoteQ]

Cujorulesdtown90, on Feb 12 2010, 09:03 AM, said:

I think this team is getting nuked.

Ummmm...yep! :hmmm:

[Imber]

It's about time ownership stepped up and let us know this crap can't continue. I just wish it didn't have to come after already missing the playoffs for a decade.

[Steelwool]

I watched the game last night. (I don't see many Panther games considering you're about as far away as you can get on this continent LOL)
But defensively, you look pretty sound.
Unfortunately, it seems you can't put the puck in the ocean standing on the edge of the wharf.
I know you hit about 8 posts last night, but this team really seems to struggle offensively. But, with some draft picks and a trade or 2, that might be changed.
Hang in there.

[State 0f Chaos]

Cujorulesdtown90, on Feb 12 2010, 11:03 AM, said:

I think this team is getting nuked.

A letter from your ownership

Wow. Yep, sounds like that's the case to me.

[jacketsfan77]

They could have shortened the letter to this:

Dear Fans,

We f*cked up bad. These guys were not what we thought they were. Oops.

We'll try to do better.

Thanks,
The Management.

[Twiggy]

So who's safe then?

[Cujorulesdtown90]

Apparently everyone for now, no moves except the ott/car trade.

[Imber]

Pretty big letdown. I would imagine we'll see a barrage before the real deadline.

[exwhaler]

jacketsfan77, on Feb 12 2010, 02:43 PM, said:

They could have shortened the letter to this:

Dear Fans,

We f*cked up bad. These guys were not what we thought they were. Oops.

We'll try to do better.

Thanks,
The Management.

Actually, this is new management. Although Viner and Siegel were minority owners before they took over the team in mid-November, minority owners usually don't get much of a say in hockey operations. Back then, they had an open letter to fans, which is still posted. In that, they wrote this:

Quote

As local owners who live and work in the South Florida area, we are committed to developing a winning culture within this organization, something we haven’t had over the past few years. In addition, we will bring a stronger measure of accountability and accessibility to this franchise immediately.

Our goal is to build a hockey team that can sustain its success year in and year out, by building through the draft and minor leagues, and by making the right decisions in trades and free agency.

We believe in letting people do their jobs – from the general manager and the head coach down to the players themselves. By the same token, if the right decisions are not being made and we are not achieving our goals as a franchise, then it will be our job to hold people accountable for their actions.

Talk about follow-through. Sounds like they're going to be doing a complete teardown, ala Capitals 2004.

[sharkdivmstr]

Twiggy, on Feb 12 2010, 02:58 PM, said:

So who's safe then?

I'd say no one. Maybe Booth, Weiss, Kulikov...that's about it.

[sharkdivmstr]

Okie dokie. After the Bruins game and our decade long, league embarrassment, pathetic seasons, is anyone else getting completely excited about deconstructing this team? Of course, this assumes Sexton isn't full of it but I bet he's not. After that letter from the ownership, I can't wait to see what is going to happen! Lets rip it all apart and really start over. Can't get any worse right? Would have been nice to have Mason Raymond and a 1st rounder to work with but whatever...

I want to keep Booth, Kulikov (well, most of the defense really since that's not as big of a problem), and I'd like to resign Vokoun if he's game for staying. Other than that, everyone can go as far as I'm concerned. Since Vokoun and the D are working well together, that could be a nice building block to keep. Maybe get rid of some of our slower D but other than that, I'd like to keep the D intact as much as possible.

[CatWoman34]

I'm really just curious more than anything. I really just hope Sexton is able to follow through on his word, and I want this to be a solid solution, not a band-aid/quick fix solution.

If this team is getting ripped apart, it better be the last time we burn the place down. I want consistency after this.

[therattrick.com]

It would look pretty silly if nothing happened after the f-bomb that Randy went on after the loss to the Hurricanes, as well as the letter that went to the fans.

As far as what needs to be done, let's face it, we are staring another non-playoff year in the face. There are about 22 games left and we'd actually have to go 17-5 at the minimum to even have a chance at making it. A very tall order, and with this roster, it's not happening.

That being said, a changeover or housecleaning is in order. I am not so sure however if Sexton is the guy to do it.
If he can resign Seidenberg at a reasonable price I would try to do that, as well as Leopold. No six year deals. I would give Seidenberg 3 years and Leo, 2 but no more.

Other than Booth and Kulikov everyone else is available in my book. People keep talking about Weiss and Horton as the core. You cannot build your team around such fragile and inconsistent players. Every time the pressure is on, these guys get hurt, or become invisible. Booth, Weiss and Horton are a decent second line, no more. We are in desperate need for a real number one center, a pure goal scorer and a mean and nasty defenceman. Let's stop trying to make 8th place and build a team that will challenge for the Cup.

Stillman, Rhino can be dealt now. Stillman is a decent veteran player that I'm sure some playoff bound team can use, and Rhino has been exactly what I thought he would be, a third line center forced to play second line minutes, good for 40-43 points.

Campbell and Kreps are a major dissappointment and can be dealt for a six pack of Molson Canadian. Keep Dvorak as he has some use as a hard working third liner who you could move to the second if and when needed. Also, wouldn't be embarrassed to find him on the second PK unit if you had to and utilize his quickness. It's just that sometimes his speed is too fast for his hands.

The fourth line should be Oreskovich, Duco and McArdle. They provide exactly what a fourth line should. Energy. But Deboer has to commit to playing them 7-10 minutes a night, otherwise everyone else is overworked.

Trading Vokoun while is a risky proposition based on what comes back, is unfortunately one of our biggest assets. If we hang on to him beyond the start of next year, we have just lost value. You could package him with Weiss and get something good in return. But my guess is that would have to be in the offseason unless there is some monster deal that Sexton is approached with. That is what scares me. When you look at what Burke gave up to get Phanuef, we could have offered similar players. My point being Randy can't be afraid of pulling the trigger on a deal.

A shakeup is not only needed, it's required.