We’ve been here before right? We just didn’t think that we’d be back this year after last year’s dogfight to the end, and missing the playoffs by one measly point. So instead, as the players have packed up their gear and are off to golf and vacation the summer away, we here at The Rat Trick are left with the duty of mopping up the mess that’s been left behind.
As originally predicted by me way back in September, I never felt that the team that was to take this ice for the 2009-2010 season had any hope of making the playoffs. If my memory is correct, I believe that I predicted a 12th place finish in the East. Not too bad as they finished 14th. Now, I made that prediction based on a healthy roster, and a roster that was in my estimation lacked scoring. Look, I’m no expert, but I like to think that I can smell a rat, pardon the pun, but anyone who thought that this bunch was playoff bound was hallucinating.
There were a ton of problems and issues with this team and you can blame injuries all you want, but the fact of the matter is, it was a roster of average performers, some of which the year before played way over their heads. Did we really think that Kamil Kreps, and Gregory Campbell were going to get 15 goals a piece again?
The injury to forward David Booth was significant indeed, but there was a very telling sign right then and there about the future of the season and it came in two portions. One on the ice and the other off the ice. When Booth was leveled by Mike Richards of the Flyers, and forget about whether it was legal or not, there was zero response from the Panthers on the ice. Yes a bit of pushing and shoving, but mostly bunch of face washing. My response to the players lack of response; no heart, and very little charachter. Right then and there, anyone with an ounce of hockey knowledge knew that this team wasn’t built for a playoff run.
The second phase of that was the lack of response by the front office. Again, what made anyone in the Panther’s organEYEzation think that there was enough talent already on the team to replace the potential 30 goals that Booth might score? Then on top of it, did they really think that he’d be 100% when he came back, whenever that was? I remember the hit and watched it over and over and over. The hit itself wasn’t nearly as bad as when Booth hit the ice. That’s what doomed his season. But the point that I was getting at is that Booth and his goal potential were not replaced. Either via trade or free agency, or finding someone at the shopping mall, management just waited and waited. He came back after missing 45 games, which is more than half the season, only to once again get knocked out with another concussion, and lost for the balance of the year.
As I look back, the David Booth injury was pretty significant in many ways, and the Panthers just never recovered.
A stretch of 14 games in a row where they scored two goals or less. Another stretch of seven games with the same result. That’s 25% of the season where you scored two goals or less. You’re not going to win many hockey games that way.
Rostislav Olesz going 32 games without a goal. Steven Reinprecht disappearing after a hot start, only to come back to reality. I had him penciled in for 45 points max. He ended up with 38. Not the production you want from a second line center, who really belongs on the third line. Cory Stillman missing 21 games with a knee injury and coming back looking slower than a Yugo trying to go backwards with the breaks on.
We gave alot of ice time to players that didn’t deserve it, and should have invested more ice time in the younger players to determine if they are worth keeping. The goaltending was solid for the most part. Tomas Vokoun, who I feel has played his last game here was brilliant for awhile. However when he came back from the Olympics and we traded both Seidenberg and Leopold, Vokoun looked very average.
Speaking of goaltending, Scott Clemmensen was awarded with a three year contract for his play last year with a New Jersey Devil defence in front of him. Reality set in as he struggled at the beginning of the year with the patchwork Panther defence, as Vokoun started 27 games in a row. Once it appeared as though the Panthers were not headed to the post season and Vokoun struggled, Clemmensen played ok. No pressure, so why not? Which player do we have? I’m afraid that we’ll find out next season.
We lost Jay Bouwmeester for Leopold and a third round draft pick, then traded Leopold for a second round draft pick, which left us with 2 future unknowns for what was thought to be a premier defenceman. He’s truly overrated. The deals that we passed up previously would have been significantly better, and wouldn’t have set this franchise back as far as this deal did. Signing Nashville defenceman Ville Koistenenenenenen was a bomb. Getting Dominic Moore was ok, but he was pumped as some savior, which he wasn’t. He’s gotta work pretty damn hard for what he gets, but were able to fleece the Habs for a second round pick for him. Shit, it’s in 2011 for fucksake.
Players ultimately weren’t held accountable as promised, a change of ownership was made mid season prompting some form of hope, and that was followed up by a letter to all season seat holders that this type of mediocrity wouldn’t be tolerated and that heads would roll. Well, we’re still waiting. That letter made the franchise look pretty foolish, but what else is new? The intentions of the owners may have been good, but the lack of follow up was a typical representaion of the year. No backbone. Just like the Booth hit that carried no response. You put out that kind of letter, you better act on it. Instead we get rid of two defencemen and a third line center, who weren’t necessarily part of the problem.
Nine years in a row of not making the playoffs and having the NHL laugh at us is getting pretty discouraging. Finishing the season with 16 points less than the year before should be prompting some serious changes, but I’m afraid that what I’ve been hearing, there won’t be that many, or they won’t be as significant as we’d like to see.
The last straw was at the final home game the confetti coming down on the ice and in the stands after losing to Tampa 3-1 to end the season. The explanation was that it was for the fans to show appreciation for their support. I was at the game. I was embarrassed and confused. We just lost the last game of the year. We just completed another season of not going to the playoffs. What was the celeberation?
Oh yea, Steven Stamkos scored his 51st goal. In an open net.
We have a pretty solid fan base, but with the economy and the way this team has performed, I wouldn’t count on it lasting if things don’t change. Tampa and Atlanta have already made changes to their front office and coaching staff. Tampa wants to be a world class organization. Good for them.
As for us, I’ve stated many times, we need a house cleaning. Complete. From the top on down. I have no faith in Randy Sexton. I have less faith in the scouting staff. If a job in these areas open, I am officially applying for that job.
At least I would be better than hiring Homer Simpson. Which is kind of like what we have now.
Here’s your season ending stats from TSN.
More breakdowns coming, and of course you all know we have the third pick in the draft so we’ll have lots to discuss. In the meantime, enjoy the playoffs.
Thanks for reading.
Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated.
Cheers