March 2, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida Panthers center Stephen Weiss (9) carries the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC center. The Hurricanes defeated the Panthers 6-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

GM Dale Tallon recently announced that Panther forward Stephen Weiss will undergo wrist surgery and will be out for the remainder of the season. This is just another blow for the Panthers who have been ravaged this season by injuries. Weiss was having a tough season with only one goal, three assists and a minus 13 on the season. It is unclear when Weiss sustained the injury but it could explain his poor play this year if the injury had been bothering Weiss all season.

In addition to losing Weiss for the season, the Panthers also lose any possible returns they could have gotten by trading Weiss this season. Weiss becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season and with the Panthers not looking like a playoff team, it was getting more and more likely that Weiss would be traded. Even with his poor play this season, a healthy Weiss would have garnered a decent return on the trade market. Now Weiss may walk as a free agent in the offseason and the Panthers could get nothing in return.

The injury means that Weiss, the longest tenured Panther, could have played his last game in a Panther uniform. Weiss was the 4th overall pick in the 2001 Entry Draft. He has played in 11 seasons with the Panthers and leads the franchise in all time games played assists. Weiss is a four time 20 goal scorer and an all time fan favorite. If his Panther career is indeed over, it will be sad to see him leave on such a down note.

It looks like Jon Rheault will be skating with the Panthers tonight against the Jets, according to this tweet by the Florida Panthers:

Lines from #FlaPanthers morning skate: 11-15-88, 14-57-82, 12-18-52, 13-25-22. @jwrheault is #52.

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 5, 2013

 

Will we ever see the Panthers this season?? 

Today was the day the Panthers were set to open their 2012-2013 road schedule. They were to face off against the Washington Capitals, a team they mightily struggled against but beat out for the division crown last season. Obviously, we know this isn’t happening thanks to the lockout but why not look at what was sure to be a good series this season?

Last season, the Capitals took the series four games to two. However, the Panthers won two of three at the former Bank Atlantic Center (now BB&T Center). (Source: Florida Panthers) Of course, as we know both teams made the playoffs last season. The Panthers battled toe-to-toe with the New Jersey Devils in Round 1, losing only on a double overtime goal in Game 7, while the Capitals beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins in that same round before losing to the New York Rangers in Round 2.

The most intriguing part of these teams battles would have to be the goaltending. The Panthers return both Jose Theodore and Scott Clemmensen, with Jacob Markstrom waiting in the wings ready whenever needed, while the Capitals return Michal Neuvirth with last season’s playoff hero, Braden Holtby, waiting for his turn. (Source: Florida Panthers & Washington Capitals) We also have plenty of offensive firepower in this matchup, with Alex Ovechkin and others against the likes of Kris Versteeg, Stephen Weiss and more.

Another thing that would be intriguing to watch this season, if we happen to have a season, would be seeing which team was more motivated. In other words, who wants it more? The Panthers won the Southeast Division title last season but had a losing record against the Caps. The Caps, on the other hand, were pretty good against the Panthers last season but lost the title because they struggled against some other SE Division teams.

Of course, this was sure to be a great matchup. Will it happen at all this season? That seems to be the question everyone’s asking these days. Regardless of whether it happens or not we can still show our team pride. In that case, Panther fans, why don’t you shout it out loud so everyone can hear?…WE. SEE. RED!!!!!

This is what we were supposed to see tonight. Will we see it at all this season?

Tonight was to be THE night, Opening Night 2012 and the chance to see the Panthers raise their 2011 Southeast Division Champions banner to the newly renamed BB&T Center rafters.

The Panthers were to open their defense of last season’s division championship against a cross-state and divisional rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was sure to be a good game, what with the firepower of the Stephen Weiss and Kris Versteeg line facing off against the line featuring Martin St. Louis and 2011 60-goal player Steven Stamkos. The goaltending matchup would have been interesting as well with Jose Theodore likely in net for the Panthers and either Mathieu Garon (coming off a season-ending groin injury last March) or the newly-acquired Anders Lindback in net for the Bolts.

Instead, what did Panther fans (or hockey fans for that matter) do tonight? I’m sure it varied from person-to-person, with some watching minor-league hockey, NCAA college football or just hanging out at home, drinking their sorrows away. However, one thing remained the same –It wasn’t what we wanted to be doing most.

Will we see hockey at all this season? Will Panther fans get the opportunity to watch their team raise last seasons division championship banner? That seems to be the question hockey fans and Panther fans have been asking daily. Honestly, I can’t answer that except to say it’s possible. Regardless, the lockout’s not stopping us from showing our team pride. In that case, I invite all Panther fans to join me in saying these three magic words….WE. SEE. RED!!!