Florida Panthers Olympic break report

 

By Matt Canamucio, NHL Editor

 

(Sports Network) - The Florida Panthers are on the fringe of the Eastern Conference playoff race, sitting eight points behind the eighth-place Montreal Canadiens.

 

However, it would be a real stretch for the Cats to make a postseason run, as they have been extremely mediocre for much of the season. The only positives have been the play of captain Olli Jokinen and forward Nathan Horton, and the stability provided by goaltender Roberto Luongo. Unfortunately, the defense in front of Luongo remains suspect and doesn't appear to be getting any better.

 

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

 

Jokinen is absolutely the Panthers' top gun, checking in with 25 goals and 34 assists in 57 games. The Finnish star is tied for fifth in the NHL with six game-winning tallies -- three less than leader Marek Svatos of Colorado. What remains to be seen is how long Jokinen will be in Florida, as his name has popped up often in the trade rumor mill.

 

MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER

 

Anthony Stewart and Stephen Weiss are part of the stable of young players the Panthers have stockpiled. By no fault of their own, both players have been bitten by the injury bug and missed significant time this season. It's kind of hard to develop your program when key pieces are missing.

 

MUST IMPROVE ON

 

The Panthers are an atrocious 7-20-4 on the road this season.

 

DOWN THE STRETCH, KEEP AN EYE ON

 

If the Panthers are going to make a move, it will have to begin with a five- game homestand that starts March 9. The set includes visits by Ottawa, Carolina (twice), Philadelphia and the NY Islanders.

 

Ironically, March 9 is also the NHL trade deadline. If the likes of Jokinen or Luongo are dealt before then, the white flag will have already been raised.

 

02/24 14:19:37 ET

 

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c.../ADN4006446.htm

The Panthers probably aren't going to be factor at the end of the season for the playoffs, but there's way they should trade Jokinen. He's still the leader of the team and needs to kept long term so the Panthers can win the division next year.

The Panthers probably aren't going to be factor at the end of the season for the playoffs, but there's way they should trade Jokinen. He's still the leader of the team and needs to kept long term so the Panthers can win the division next year.

 

Don't count this team out just yet. Minus November, we have been an above 500 team. And we have been pretty damn good on home ice since December. And we have 4 more games at home. Plus many of our fallen will be back and well rested.

 

 

Don't count out the return of Stephen Weiss either. If we are alive, he is going to return and we will sorely need his abilities. Hopefully, Stewart can return and start scoring again like he was beginning to when he was called up.