yave1964 Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 A fresh new era is dawning in Sunrise. Not that anyone is watching but these Cats are worth watching. After years, no make that Decades of ineptitude this version of the Florida Panthers is fresh, exciting and fun to watch. It starts with not one of their top draft picks maturing, it starts with the big donkey, Nick Bjugstad who is developing into, maybe not quite a star, certainly the definition of a power forward. After no goals and only one assist in 10 games ("he had to have hit 10 posts" said coach Gerard Gallant) over the past 17 games he has 12 goals and 6 assists and has been carrying the Panthers on his six foot five frame. Then throw in young Aaron Ekblad who is not old enough to drink but is old enough to carry the puck and lead the Panthers blue line with 5 goals and 13 assists and along with Forsberg in Nashville is the leading candidate for the Calder. Ekblad carries the puck like a ten year veteran and hardly ever gets turned around in his own zone. When asked in September training camp if he intended to return Ekblad to Junior coach Gallant snorted, "Why would I do that, he is my best defenseman in camp." Nobody doubts him now. Throw in Calder winning Jonathan Huberdeau who is starting to get his game together. And Vincent Trochek, an offensive player whose defensive game may be lacking but who knows his way around the opposing net. Jimmy Hayes, a former first rounder who didn't sign with Chicago and instead is showing flashes with Florida with 6 goals seems to have a breakaway every night. And more kids are offering their services. Dimitry Kulikov runs the point on the second power play. Brandon Pirri, another former Hawk prospect has found a home in Sunrise on the third line and threatening to move up. And young Dylan Olsen, yet another former Hawk prospect is a steadying influence on the back end. Erik Gubranson is mean and nasty on the back end as well. Only last years first rounder Aleksander Barkov is still struggling among the young Kittens. Character veterans abound, guys such as Jussi Jokinen, Brad Boyes and Brian Campbell seem to be assistant coaches as much as players on the team, helping the kids learn their way around the ice in the NHL. And n net, the happiest cat of all, Roberto Luongo who was dealt to Florida for a second run nine months ago and still not a week goes by that you cannot read an article where he states how happy he is to be home in Florida. He has steadies this young ship by his presence in net as the kids know if they make a mistake he will keep it out of net more often than not. And not enough can be said of the job Gallant has done with the kids. He coached Columbus (well) and worked as their color guy on TV after (poorly) after a brilliant career in Detroit as a rugged power forward, his touch in Florida, happy to have gotten another chance to prove his worth as an NHL coach he seems to have excelled as a teacher of the kids after leading the Saint John Sea Dogs to three straight CMJCL titles he has proven his mettle as an instructor. These kids are talented and deep, one of the best 5 on 5 teams in the game already and getting better every day. Watch out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 A fresh new era is dawning in Sunrise. Not that anyone is watching but these Cats are worth watching. After years, no make that Decades of ineptitude this version of the Florida Panthers is fresh, exciting and fun to watch. It starts with not one of their top draft picks maturing, it starts with the big donkey, Nick Bjugstad who is developing into, maybe not quite a star, certainly the definition of a power forward. After no goals and only one assist in 10 games ("he had to have hit 10 posts" said coach Gerard Gallant) over the past 17 games he has 12 goals and 6 assists and has been carrying the Panthers on his six foot five frame. Then throw in young Aaron Ekblad who is not old enough to drink but is old enough to carry the puck and lead the Panthers blue line with 5 goals and 13 assists and along with Forsberg in Nashville is the leading candidate for the Calder. Ekblad carries the puck like a ten year veteran and hardly ever gets turned around in his own zone. When asked in September training camp if he intended to return Ekblad to Junior coach Gallant snorted, "Why would I do that, he is my best defenseman in camp." Nobody doubts him now. Throw in Calder winning Jonathan Huberdeau who is starting to get his game together. And Vincent Trochek, an offensive player whose defensive game may be lacking but who knows his way around the opposing net. Jimmy Hayes, a former first rounder who didn't sign with Chicago and instead is showing flashes with Florida with 6 goals seems to have a breakaway every night. And more kids are offering their services. Dimitry Kulikov runs the point on the second power play. Brandon Pirri, another former Hawk prospect has found a home in Sunrise on the third line and threatening to move up. And young Dylan Olsen, yet another former Hawk prospect is a steadying influence on the back end. Erik Gubranson is mean and nasty on the back end as well. Only last years first rounder Aleksander Barkov is still struggling among the young Kittens. Character veterans abound, guys such as Jussi Jokinen, Brad Boyes and Brian Campbell seem to be assistant coaches as much as players on the team, helping the kids learn their way around the ice in the NHL. And n net, the happiest cat of all, Roberto Luongo who was dealt to Florida for a second run nine months ago and still not a week goes by that you cannot read an article where he states how happy he is to be home in Florida. He has steadies this young ship by his presence in net as the kids know if they make a mistake he will keep it out of net more often than not. And not enough can be said of the job Gallant has done with the kids. He coached Columbus (well) and worked as their color guy on TV after (poorly) after a brilliant career in Detroit as a rugged power forward, his touch in Florida, happy to have gotten another chance to prove his worth as an NHL coach he seems to have excelled as a teacher of the kids after leading the Saint John Sea Dogs to three straight CMJCL titles he has proven his mettle as an instructor. These kids are talented and deep, one of the best 5 on 5 teams in the game already and getting better every day. Watch out. Yes we can now dub Tallon's team he is building down there as Hawks South!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samifan Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 True shame that this up and coming, exciting group plays in front of 40 people a night. Move them already Gary! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 True shame that this up and coming, exciting group plays in front of 40 people a night. Move them already Gary! It's coming some city in Canada is going to get a stocked club....for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Ekblad, not even 1/3 of the way into his NHL career currently sits 12th alltime in scoring for 18 year old defencemen in the NHL. He's on pace (not that that means he'll continue) to pass, dare I say...Bobby Orr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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