Panthers GM Randy Sexton Speaks

Florida Panther General Manager Randy Sexton spoke on the Fan 590’s HockeyCentral program this past Tuesday.  I’m not so sure I liked what I heard, but so be it.  For those that aren’t aware you can hear Hockey Central either on the Fan 590 website, or if you have Sirius Radio, tune into channel 97 every weekday from 12 noon to 2:00 pm.  Darren Millard, Mike Brophy, Nick Kypreos and former Panther coachDoug MacLean are the hosts at various times.  Good stuff and even though it’s based in Toronto, it’s not always about the Leafs.

On this particular day it was Brophy and Millard talking with Randy about the evening’s game with the Leafs and what’s going on with the Panthers.  One of the first things that was talked about was the fact that the Panther’s held on to Jay Bouwmeester last year at the deadline and not being able to add some serious assets, then trading him at the draft and how surprising it is for the Panthers to still be in the playoff race.  Randy basically said that he and  Jacques and spent the last couple years building this Panther’s team’s character, and that certain players have finally realized what needs to be done.  Hmmm, there’s that word again. (character)

The discussion of how Weiss and Horton are seemingly playing the best hockey of their careers, and Sexton was asked if the Panther’s patience was finally paying off, and if it was difficult waiting for them to blossom.  Meaning testing the organization’s patience.  Sexton agreed that these two are playing very well and that yes, they finally seem to be maturing and have been less frustrating as players this year because of their development, as they are no longer youngsters. 

It was assumed that because of where the Panthers were in the standings that they would appear to be buyers rather than sellers in the upcoming trade market.  Randy basically said that the Panthers are expecting and need more scoring from their third and fourth lines (something we already know), and that what they would (might) be looking for is a middle aged (33,34) year-old type player that has the ability to score 18-24 goals a season to help out in the scoring department.  Could have added Miroslav Satan for pretty cheap as he fits that bill, but missed that one.

Also, the discussion of David Booth came up as would be expected and I was rather surprised with his response.  David has just recently gone up to Michigan for some more intense training, and has been increasing his ice time and his workload in an effort to get back on the ice. The Panthers fully expect Booth to return this season as long as his progress continues was basically what Sexton said.  This comment coming on the heels of head coach Peter DeBoer making it seem as though there was really no idea of Booth’s status.  Not sure what to think here, and I will still be surprised if Booth does make it back in time to be effective.

That’s where the rubber hits the road my friends.  How effective is Booth going to be when he comes back?  If he comes back after the Olympic break, which will leave about 21 games left, how many goals can we expect from him?  10?  15? 5?  Hard to say, and can’t predict.  What if he has a setback and cant’ or doesn’t come back?  Then what?

If I’m the GM, and I’m not, but sure would like to be, I’d be on the phone 24 hours a day.  I’d have scouts looking for someone, somewhere, that can help this team, whether Booth comes back or not.  We need some offence and if we make a deal for a player who can help, that’s great.  If Booth comes back and is productive, then that’s even better.  What scares me is that we do nothing in anticpation of Booth coming back and he isn’t productive.

Randy, let’s not treat Booth as a trade deadline deal.  He’s a bonus if he comes back.  Deals are certainly hard to come by, and you need to have another party that’s willing.  But if Washington, who’s way ahead of us can find a trade partner, and Boston can pick up a decent goal scorer (Satan) off the scrap heap, I would like to think that someone is out there that can help us and make an impact.  We passed on Mark Recchi two years ago, and he’s still going.  We missed on Rich Peverley, and look what he’s done for Atlanta.  Yes I know he plays with Kovalchuk at times, but still, the Thrashers have made him a productive player.

Time will tell.  But if they aren’t careful, it will run out.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers