[News] Panthers fire head coach Horachek

[Cali Panthers Fan]

This only made sense. You need to see progression from young players under a coach and it didn't really happen with Horachek, or any other recent coach in Florida. With Trotz available you need to make a serious push for him. At the very least he will make the team competitive so they aren't a joke of a franchise. Tallon is a decent GM, the ownership just changed to the Violas, and while the sons are probably not ideal choices to be part of the executive group, it stands that he is willing to put money into the team to make it competitive and believes he can build the organization to become a winning one.

The cupboards are full in Florida, and it's also one of the deepest teams at center for prospects. Still needs an elite defensive prospect, but I have a feeling they will make a push to sign one or trade for one soon. They had the most cap space of any team this season and the only UFAs that are leaving are Winchester, Scott Gomez (blech), Krys Barch, and Tom Gilbert, so nothing that isn't replaceable. They have a young core of forwards in Barkov, Huberdeau, Bjugstad, and now Pirri that are already playing pretty well in the NHL. They have Campbell and Jovanovski as the old guard defenders, but Gudbranson and Kulikov are young quality players that have already played a lot of games in the NHL, and then add in the emergence of Dylan Olsen and Alex Petrovic, they could have a good core of defenders going forward. Luongo came back and instantly stabilizes the goaltending situation for now and a good amount of years going forward.

They get a good coach that can take all the pieces and make a cohesive unit, they could be very dangerous. Remember, they won their division not 2 years ago. They could turn it around the way Tampa Bay did this year.

[RyZ]

Yeah, because coaching is the problem in Florida. Go get em Panthers.

[codynw]

Panthers might actually be able to ice a competitive team in the near future. Good, young core. Adding another good player this draft (likely Ekblad), owners that are willing to spend money to be competitive, a new coach... Definitely not a cup contender, but in the awful Eastern conference I could see them finishing close to a wildcard spot.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Yeah, because coaching is the problem in Florida. Go get em Panthers.

they have a very up & coming roster/prospect group particularly at forward/center, now have a solid NHL starting goaltender, are likely drafting what many are calling a generational Dman this draft in ekblad, an opening at the coaching position with some great options already available on the market, and an ownership group that have stated they want to start winning now (which i take it as willing to invest). They have everything going for them, and just have to ensure they don't "garth snow" this thing up.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Yeah, because coaching is the problem in Florida. Go get em Panthers.

Until recently, ownership was the problem. They had a pretty low self-imposed cap and weren't committed to either winning or building a fan base. The Violas have previous experience with the Nets and are committed to spending to be competitive and getting out in the community. It's a big shift for the franchise.

Tallon had no choice but to do the best he could with what he was given, almost like Maloney in Phoenix. Their drafting has been pretty solid, but have lacked someone to get the prospects to the next level in the NHL. You really think coaching doesn't matter? Look at the guys they had coaching the last few years.

Kevin Dineen (crap coach that got lucky in his first year)
Peter DeBoer (I know he's in Jersey now, but I don't think he's that good)
Jacques Martin (not the worst coach, but he's better suited to upper management)
Rick Dudley/John Torchetti (crap)
Mike Keenan (ugh)
Duane Sutter (one of the lesser Sutters)
Terry Murray (Not bad, but definitely not top tier. Also, last coach to get them in the playoffs besides Dineen last year)

That's a decade's worth of average to awful coaching. How can anyone be expected to succeed in that environment?

Trust me, you get Trotz in Florida and in a weaker east they will be a playoff team.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The bad thing about firing Mcphee is that the Caps don't have a GM to get into the Trotz sweepstakes. I think for a guy like Trotz that hasn't had a lot of talent to work with over his tenure with the Predators that the Caps job would be more enticing than the Panthers that have historically been a pretty bad team.

He did more with less, but there were definitely a few seasons where Nashville was considered a legitimate contending team, they even made some deadline acquisitions, and disappointed early.

[Coach]

I imagine Trotz will pretty much have his choice of markets. If I was him I would be looking somewhere else where money is not an issue. It would be interesting to see what he could do with higher talent and a bigger budget.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I imagine Trotz will pretty much have his choice of markets. If I was him I would be looking somewhere else where money is not an issue. It would be interesting to see what he could do with higher talent and a bigger budget.

Money isn't an issue with the new ownership. Talent is on the way. What's not to like for Trotz? The fans will come when the team starts winning consistently. Remember the playoffs and the rats? People here like the team but they have to produce or the fans just won't bother.

[Saqe]

Dale Tallon has repeatedly said they are not a cap floor team anymore and that he has about 30 million of cap space to spend this summer and the next. Look for them to make a splash.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this the first time ever they have been able to spend up to the cap?

[McG]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Except that he is the seller.

Yes, I should have put for his services, although it was implied.

[Iceman90]

They should hire Tim Hunter.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Iceman90

They should hire Tim Hunter.

I dont think anyone can hire Tim Hunter.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Johnny Rotten

Barry Trotz? He's use to the south and non-hockey markets. Sure fits the "experienced" part of "new and experienced".

I agree. I think he will revive Luongo's career though. Florida still have some young talents that needs guidance. I think Trotz will fit the bill.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont think anyone can hire Tim Hunter.

Why?


Wasn't there a rumour recently that Hunter is going to be the next head coach of the Hitmen?

[sureLoss]

Harvey Fialkov @hfialkov
Panthers team source tells me that Marc Crawford is on Panthers coaching candidate list #flapanthers

[ForeverFlameFan]

Interesting candidate...

[devo22]

oh man. Just when you think they actually might improve (great C depth, a 1st overall and a legitimate starter in net), they come up with something like that. Can't really imagine Tallon being that stupid though ...

[Erick Estrada]

Interesting how Crawford's name always seems to be in consideration for coaching hires. I just don't get it as he seems like one of those coaches that's time has past. I figured his stint in Dallas was much like Keenan's with the Flames as it confirmed that he's no longer relevant as a top coach.

[Huntingwhale]

I hope Trotz gets the job, as that would eliminate them from the McDavid sweepstakes next season.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I hope Trotz gets the job, as that would eliminate them from the McDavid sweepstakes next season.

By the looks of it, that may not exactly be the plan...

Originally Posted by devo22

oh man. Just when you think they actually might improve (great C depth, a 1st overall and a legitimate starter in net), they come up with something like that. Can't really imagine Tallon being that stupid though ...