Vinnie Viola Prepared To Spend Big Bucks With Panthers

[Cobiemonster]

Panthers owner: ?We intend on being in the free agent market in a significant way? | ProHockeyTalk

I think it's great to see that finally the Panthers seem to have an owner that cares about the game and wants the on-ice product to be successful - I understand where he's coming from as well in that he wants to win now but they have to be patient at the same time

I like the young core they have with Huby, Bjugstad, Erik Gudbranson and possibly Jacob Markstrom if he ever gets his act together - they just need to continue to build the rest of the team - if they win, the fans will come - it's worked well in Tampa

 

[Comeds]

With a name like that I expect him to be in prison soon.

 

[dash]

That's sweet music to my ears...

 

[Cobiemonster]

That's sweet music to my ears...

It'd be cool to see the Panthers become consistently good - to have a team in a warm weather market, it might entice more players to come there

 

[pixburgher66]

The issue remains:

They have to overpay mediocre talent to come to FLA. This has resulted in them having a decent amount of money invested in guys that basically cashed in on one good playoff run or something like that. They've spent a lot in the past, but not on really great players. They need to draft well and develop from within, then pay the guys when the time comes. (Gosh, this sounds familiar to a particular baseball team I support)

 

[dash]

We're seeing more and more players coming from places like Texas and California. Maybe some Florida kids will start taking up hockey instead of football.

 

[Cobiemonster]

The issue remains:

They have to overpay mediocre talent to come to FLA. This has resulted in them having a decent amount of money invested in guys that basically cashed in on one good playoff run or something like that. They've spent a lot in the past, but not on really great players. They need to draft well and develop from within, then pay the guys when the time comes. (Gosh, this sounds familiar to a particular baseball team I support)

No doubt, there has to be a fine line when it comes to signing/developing players, but when was the last time they signed a marquee name in free agency? At the very least it might attract more fans and in a situation where maybe they're not going to be completely in contention, it might be the first step to getting the team to where they want it to

For example, let's say hypothetically they sign Dion Phaneuf for a boatload of money in free agency - it won't make them instant contenders next season because of the holes they'd still have to fill elsewhere, but it'd be a solid first step in making the team better and the destination a place that other players would potentially want to go to

I remember as a Phillies fan, when they signed Jim Thome, that was the first big move they made in changing the organizations fortunes, he wanted to come to Philadelphia and that made it more attractive for other free agents in the future - Phillies didn't make the playoffs right away(it wasn't until 2007 that they got into the playoffs) but it was a solid first stepping stone for the future

 

[Cobiemonster]

We're seeing more and more players coming from places like Texas and California. Maybe some Florida kids will start taking up hockey instead of football.

With all the worries about concussions in football(Hockey isn't the safest sport but I think it would be better), more kids might want to make the switch in Florida - I would love to see it

 

[pixburgher66]

No doubt, there has to be a fine line when it comes to signing/developing players, but when was the last time they signed a marquee name in free agency? At the very least it might attract more fans and in a situation where maybe they're not going to be completely in contention, it might be the first step to getting the team to where they want it to

For example, let's say hypothetically they sign Dion Phaneuf for a boatload of money in free agency - it won't make them instant contenders next season because of the holes they'd still have to fill elsewhere, but it'd be a solid first step in making the team better and the destination a place that other players would potentially want to go to

I remember as a Phillies fan, when they signed Jim Thome, that was the first big move they made in changing the organizations fortunes, he wanted to come to Philadelphia and that made it more attractive for other free agents in the future - Phillies didn't make the playoffs right away(it wasn't until 2007 that they got into the playoffs) but it was a solid first stepping stone for the future

It's certainly positive, no doubt. I just tend to think about guys like Brian Campbell (whose been good for them, but got BIG bucks after SC in '10), Fleischmann, Upshall. Gave those guys a lot of money. It's a new regime, and they have some great young talent down there. Huberdeau is just awesome.

 

[esls79]

I don't see why more athletes don't want to play in Florida - no state income tax is a decent benefit when you're making seven figures. Morris Wanchuk knew what was up all those years ago.

 

[Cobiemonster]

It's certainly positive, no doubt. I just tend to think about guys like Brian Campbell (whose been good for them, but got BIG bucks after SC in '10), Fleischmann, Upshall. Gave those guys a lot of money. It's a new regime, and they have some great young talent down there. Huberdeau is just awesome.

Brian Campbell's been pretty good, I don't think I can complain about that move - Flash can be really good but he's inconsistent - Scottie Upshall wasn't really a good contract in the first place but I still love his energy

Curious what route they'll go in the draft depending on where they draft - seems like a forward heavy top 10 or so, so it'll probably be a forward

 

[pixburgher66]

Brian Campbell's been pretty good, I don't think I can complain about that move - Flash can be really good but he's inconsistent - Scottie Upshall wasn't really a good contract in the first place but I still love his energy

Curious what route they'll go in the draft depending on where they draft - seems like a forward heavy top 10 or so, so it'll probably be a forward

They should definitely go best available. They're just a team that could really benefit from a big name talent. I think Huberdeau can be that guy if they put the right cast around him. I'm not really sure what their biggest issue is though...it'd be helpful if they could find a permanent solution in net. I'm of the belief that you build around centers though.

 

[Cobiemonster]

They should definitely go best available. They're just a team that could really benefit from a big name talent. I think Huberdeau can be that guy if they put the right cast around him. I'm not really sure what their biggest issue is though...it'd be helpful if they could find a permanent solution in net. I'm of the belief that you build around centers though.

Yeah, the teams that are great are deep at center - if they can land a center that would fit them well

I would love to see Markstrom just take the reigns and run with it in net

 

[BlueWolfZero]

Sounds like the same things Terry Pegula said in Buffalo....which I hear is going swimmingly

 

[IndyAndy]

Sounds like the same things Terry Pegula said in Buffalo....which I hear is going swimmingly

You're right: Saying that you want it to happen & actually making it happen are two different things. - But if they really haven't even gotten started yet, let's give them a bit first to see what they can - or can't - do before dismissing it.

 

[juliansteed]

I think the Versteeg deal is starting to look pretty good. At first I thought they got a couple AHL prospects back but both guys have been playing regularly with the big club and contributing.

Lots of talk of Huberdeau but what about Barkov? Like MacKinnon, he's a very young 18 year old (less than a month from not being eligble until the 2014 draft) and has really impressed thus far. He and Huberdeau could turn out to be quite a duo for years to come, whether it be together on the same line or on separate lines.

I think in 2 years Florida could be in a position to contend if they make some smart moves. Huberdeau will be on his 2nd contract by then but they'll be getting great value from Barkov who will still be in his ELC.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

LUONGO!!!

 

[mattola]

LUONGO!!!

er LACK?

 

[Cobiemonster]

Sounds like the same things Terry Pegula said in Buffalo....which I hear is going swimmingly

At least Florida hasn't given Ville Leino one of the shittiest contracts in the history of sports

 

[element1286]

The issue remains:

They have to overpay mediocre talent to come to FLA. This has resulted in them having a decent amount of money invested in guys that basically cashed in on one good playoff run or something like that. They've spent a lot in the past, but not on really great players. They need to draft well and develop from within, then pay the guys when the time comes. (Gosh, this sounds familiar to a particular baseball team I support)

On this note, has any team in the NHL been 'built' through free agency recently? Most teams are just supplemented in free agency.

The Panthers need to draft, develop, and make trades, then pay those guys.