Beinfest4Prez Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 We apologize for the delay in the article. We needed a little vacation with the whirlwind that was Free Agency. ;-) Welcome to the fourth edition of the "The Week that Was," the blog's weekly recap of Panthers action. Each and every we will give a summary and analysis of the previous weeks events. Summary of Moves The Panthers were poised to make several signings on National Hockey Signing Day (Thank you George Richards for that one!). Jacques Martin and co. did not disappoint. On a day where Daniel Briere got an 8-year, $52 million contract with a no-movement clause, the Panthers made three affordable signings. The first two pieces to fall for the Cats were Richard Zednik and Brett Mclean. Richard Zednik had just finished playing out the season with the Islanders, and the worst one for him both on and off the ice. Brett Mclean was a name that most Eastern Conference fans will not recognize because his young career has been played all out in the Western Conference. A few hours later, the Panthers put an exclamation point on the day with the signing of fan favorite and 1995 Panthers first round draft pick Radek Dvorak. With three players in hand, the Panthers would hibernate the rest of the week. Analysis of Moves Panthers sign Richard Zednik: The Panthers signed Richard Zednik to a two-year deal that involves a cap hit of $1.625 million. Zednik had a horrendous season last year. He scored 7 goals and added 14 assists while splitting the season between Washington and the Islanders. He brings an element of speed and grit to the team that the Cats were lacking last season. He will look great playing on the wing with Horton and Weiss. Even if he doesn't regain his scoring touch, he will do the dirty work along the boards to free up the room for Horton and Weiss to work. I would not be surprised at all if he reached the 20 goal plateau again, playing with those two. Also expect 20-30 assists if he stays healthy and on that line. Good depth signing and it comes cheaply. Panthers sign Brett Mclean: The Panthers signed Brett Mclean to a three-year deal worth $1.7 million per year. Brett will replace Chris Gratton in the third line center role. He can play second line center as well as he showed last season playing with wunderkind Paul Stasny and Milan Hejduk. He made it to the big show the hard way, playing in every minor league and town imaginable. But his hard work and offensive upside got him to the NHL. He scored 15 goals last year with no real power play time. Thats an incredible stat for someone who was thought to be a nobody. He is in his prime and is a perfect complement to the Panthers. He is very good on faceoffs (50.1% won last year), has good speed, and is a very, very hard worker. He will replace Chris Gratton and won't take the stupid penalties we grew accustomed to with Grats. Look for him to center the third line with Rostislav Olesz and Radek Dvorak. Panthers sign Radek Dvorak: The Panthers signed old fan favorite Radek Dvorak to a two-year deal worth a cap hit of $1.55 million. Dvorak we all know very well here in South Florida. He is very good penalty killer and a very good two way player. And he has the potential to score twenty plus goals. Maybe the return home will spark that talented scoring touch of his again. Either way, his speed is what was key in this signing. The team continued to add speed, which was an issue the past few years. Solid signing and again, if it doesn't work out, its two years. In a market that saw a nice player in Daniel Briere get a $52 million contract, it was awesome to see the Panthers stay fiscally smart and focus on re-signing the core players. I fully expect Stephen Weiss to re-sign by the end of the week. Jacques Martin continues to show that there is a real plan in place and that we can have true faith in our Cats again! www.flpanthers.blogspot.com Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy42Jack0 Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 nice write up...and like i say everytime...is it hockey season yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonDigital Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Seriously when is the puck dropping. I'm so anxious to get back out to the BAC! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beinfest4Prez Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 Panthers play the Devils in the second game, first home game of the year on October 6th. First game is October 4th versus the New York Yank...err Rangers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarlinFan10 Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I hope FSN/Sunsports airs Panthers opening day in Gainesville, but I doubt it. I guess I'm doomed to only watching games vs. the Lightning when I'm in Gainesville, so while I'm excited for the season, I can't really watch it until Thanksgiving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beinfest4Prez Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 I hope FSN/Sunsports airs Panthers opening day in Gainesville, but I doubt it. I guess I'm doomed to only watching games vs. the Lightning when I'm in Gainesville, so while I'm excited for the season, I can't really watch it until Thanksgiving. Get a slingbox! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishfan79 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Good write up and it should be fun to see this year. I am still worried about our first line, we got nothing to help out Olli yet again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTMarlinsfan Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Panthers play the Devils in the second game, first home game of the year on October 6th. First game is October 4th versus the New York Yank...err Rangers. where are you getting the schedule? I need to plan my MSG trips for this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrAndMrsFish Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 NHL Schedule gets released today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTMarlinsfan Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 NHL Schedule gets released today when when...I'm desperate!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTMarlinsfan Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 just read 2pm Hoping we don't open against New York, I kinda want to get tickets and the Rangers don't have tickets to spare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beinfest4Prez Posted July 11, 2007 Author Share Posted July 11, 2007 just read 2pm Hoping we don't open against New York, I kinda want to get tickets and the Rangers don't have tickets to spare. We are. Thats for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTMarlinsfan Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 just read 2pm Hoping we don't open against New York, I kinda want to get tickets and the Rangers don't have tickets to spare. We are. Thats for sure. well, I'm screwed...pretty much the only way to get tickets to MSG opening night is to get a mini-plan...is it worth buying 11 games when there are only 4 I want to see? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTMarlinsfan Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I'm sure someone will make a thread about the schedule...but that is really a crappy schedule...Devils for the first 2 home games of the year? We play the AVS even though we're playing the Central Division this year? Was the guy drunk when he made the schedule!?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanUgglaDay Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 I am super excited for this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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