Howie58

Pilldoc: I used to have partial seasons pass to the Panthers and they keep trying to sell me again but I find myself disinterested at the games other than those with the O and B. Tallon is probably a shrewd judge of talent. But in the past this team has traded or lost its good players after their "youth" due to low budget and/or frequent management change. The new owner, Viola, may bring a new vision. He is deep-pocketed and hard-nosed. I do not know if they can rearrange a turnaround overnight here. Many of the sportswriters view this franchise as irrelevant given its poor attendance and performance. The facility in Sunrise is beautiful. It is sad the product hasn't been better. Time will tell regarding Thomas, Boyes, and the other late arrivals. What's clear is that Dineen and his staff are in the final year of their contracts. Peace and best wishes, Howie

Bear: Hang in there. It sucks but there is something to be said for watching the team, even if it is inept. But I agree loyalty to this franchise is a tough sell. Howie

I think the comments on Coots' limited development were interesting. The tune out factor cannot be denied. Last night looked like a sleep walk. It would be ironic if two of Homer's bargain signings, MASEM, turned out a lot better than our senior hires of Vinny and Streit. This may set the franchise back a year or two. It is no fun. Howie

Oy Veh! You'd think they'd learn after Stevens. How and why is this guy going to bring a new set of eyes? Maybe he will be more militant--tougher. OK But it is more of the inside bias that plagues this organeyeshayion if I can invoke Canadianese. Howie

Pill: It's not just the length and cost of these contracts...I am wondering who wants these parts? It may be that Carter-Richards was end of the big deal line. About the only sign of hope so far is that MASEM, particularly the former, don't look too bad. I thought Mason carried the team last night. Peace, Howie

Greetings: It's on Yahoo too. This is part butt covering, part signaling. It is CYA for Homer, et. all. But it is a signal to the team that their lazy, uncommitted play is unacceptable. Their posteriors are next. Berube is a "safe" bet; they know him. But this is a repeat of history...bring in the Assistant. Where have we seen that before? And to what end? I wonder if Berube is made interim? Tomorrow night against my hapless, backyard Panthers should be interesting. A battle of the lightweights. Best, Howie

Greetings: My only positive observation after three games is that our goaltending seems to be OK. I thought Mason kept it close tonight. But the rest of the troops look disorganized and disinterested with the exceptions of Read, Vinnny, and Rinaldo. Their PP is inept and they can't get the puck out of the zone. I concur with others in this thread that offing Lavi is scapegoating. Holmgren is as much the problem. Yes...we may be back to 2006-7. Peace, Howie

Excellent Assessment! Howie

OK, OK....Hey, I don't see Lasse Kukkonen! Peace, Howie

Lavy or other, I think we will be asking if the team is less than the sum of its parts or if the parts aren't that good? Ironically, goal may not be the issue. The defense is marginally competent. But our vaunted forwards with the exception of Read and Vinny look pretty sad and don't help the D. I am getting my haircut tomorrow at five; don't mind missing a period of this crap. Best, Howie

Greetings: Let's give MASEM 6-10 games before the crucifixion. I thought Mason looked pretty good last night. He made most of the first stops he had to...his D left people alone for too long and nobody would have stopped Kessel's rocket. Our management may not be so hot. But the coach will go before the GM. Peace, Howie

Sekkes: My attendance at Panthers games is limited in part, because I have no emotional attachment, but in part due to the bad behavior. And I am sick of having people show late for the game, disrupt the first 10 minutes of each period due to long food breaks, etc. My NHL Center Ice is a bargain all around. But I am sorry to hear about your issues just the same. It is a sign of the times. Peace, Howie

Howdy: I agree with all that was said. I felt badly for Mason...the guy was darn good and we broke down around him. The PP sucked. But worse still, are we in for a bad five-on-five. This schedule will reveal a lot early on. Peace, Howie

I hope we are not back to our limited five on five offense. The team started out well. Now they are on their heels. Mason looks fine. But our offense needs to wake up. Howie

AJ: Thanks for the very good explanation. I hope the organization employs your reasoning. Peace, Howard

Jack: If the mismatch is there..we are really screwed. I find myself perplexed with the signings of some of the vets who are on the way down. The signals sent to the young players can't be very positive...if I were Lauridsen, what does Hal Gill's signing mean?

Greetings: Thanks for the post. This is a tough one to assess. 700K is not much. But what does it say about perceived value of the youngins? It's one thing to say they need more seasoning. But this may have a different signal. Sometimes I think Homer and colleagues like big, hulking defenders. It's almost as if "The New NHL" is something they give lip service to while longing for another Barry Ashbee. Peace, Howie

Yes, this is a great post and excellent assessment. What's striking is that it comes what, three years into Lavi's tenure (or is it longer)? That tells me Homer and company have as much to do with the problem. But the sum is less than its parts applies in a big way. The D is problematic...but I also wonder if the forwards are as good as we say or think? Best, Howie

King: I share many of your thoughts/beliefs. As others say here, you are not the only one. Part of the problem with this team, especially for older fans, may be the post-first strike inconsistency. I've said it before. If you think about this team since '04-'05 you have two of the worst seasons in franchise history coupled with an SCF and some serious runs. Old timers are used to this team being consistently good. I think the salary cap has done something and it may be that management is not as good as we thought. Younger fans may not appreciate it. Older fans may wonder what's up. So I understand where you are coming from. Best, Howie

Yes, I concur. Per comments this morning on my "Questions" thread, I don't think it will take full season for the brass to pull the rug out from Lavi. I agree with others that a slow start after 10 to 20 games could do him in. Best, Howie

Howdy: I agree the wait has been even longer for others. And we are not in the Cubs' league. Best, Howie

Greetings; The question mark nature of this team is a universal. Snider has to be thinking "legacy." Right now he can look on a long track record of excellence, but recent disappointment. And I suspect that our Stanley Cup drought is not only one of the longest in the league (Leafs + expansion team) but probably one of the longest in all professional sports. The inconsistency of this franchise since the first lockout is pretty astounding. Best, Howie

Howdy: Before bearing down on AM work, it's good to see the gang on point. I forgot about Yann Danis in goal (too many gray hairs...or too much merlot. I read what people say and the consensus and reality are in sync that the offense may not be the question the D is. I stress 'may,' because we really don't know if the sophomore slump is just that. Lavy and Homer are on the hot seat. I saw Homer on the CSN site last night and he looked terribly aged and hassled. I do not think this is a happy guy. This really is something of a pivot point for the franchise. We see if the nucleus of forwards is as good as hoped. We assume at least 50% of MASEM pans out. The D is a patchwork that could flounder or function. My fear with a quick coaching change is that it removes one more element for benchmarking these guys--a new system would bring new challenges. I did not read Seravalli's piece but you can't fault the guy for his ranking. This squad is a big question mark. Best, Howie

Greetings: I am looking forward to facing the Leafs on the 2nd. Win or lose (preferably the former) it seems like a long summer will come to an end. Here are some questions for the team. My overall forecast is for 3rd in the Metro, though I may be optimistic. Overall performance aside, here are my Qs for our performance. 1) Will we be in the top 10 in PP? We normally do well on PK. 2) Will we avoid the stretches of limited to no puck movement out of our zone? This has been a nightmare at times over the last few seasons. 3) Will we play .500 against the West? We see a lot more more of them this year and their uptempo style could be a real challenge. 4) Who will be the 3rd goalie if MASEM under-performs or has an injury? Stolarz-Heeter may have potential but could either be a backup in the majors? 5) Will we have a top 10 scorer? Let's hope the sophomore slump thing is just that rather than an indicator of real potential. Overall I will be an Eisenhower-style guarded optimist, but this preseason makes me wonder about the real potential. On paper we have talent. In practice...this could be a collection of 2-3rd tier talent that doesn't gel. I could see Lavy getting scapegoated early on if we are below .500 after a dozen or so games. Peace to all, Howie

Howdy: Mason's save percentage and GAA have not been so hot this pre-season. Is it him or the light line-up? I don't get a warm and fuzzy from this if Emery was playing the same team with better results. Best, Howie