Panther’s Roster: Radek Dvorak

So the Trade Deadline is February 28th at 3PM EST. What we’re going everyday until then is do an honest roster break down of the current roster for the month of February.  Today, we look at Radek Dvorak

Dvorak was drafted in the first round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, tenth overall, by the Florida Panthers. Dvořák played in the NHL the very next season, and spent four and a half seasons playing for Florida, before being traded. Dvořák ended up on the New York Rangers, and the following season (2000–01), he scored a career-high 30 goals and 67 points…On July 1, 2009, Dvorak resigned with the Panthers for two-years and $3.4 million…and then on December 7, 2009, Dvořák played his 1000th NHL Game against the Edmonton Oilers at the BankAtlantic Center. This makes Radek the player to play the most games ever in a Panthers uniform.

Of the current players with playoff experience, Dvorak is the only one to experience the postseason with the Panthers.

“Making the playoffs here was unbelievable. We really did own this place,” Dvorak said “The fans, the attention. We were playing good hockey and it was great. We made it the next year and the same thing. It was special. It’s something I’ll never forget. This town can go crazy for hockey. This was the best place in hockey during the playoffs. I loved those rats. They gave us so much energy.” (Miami Herald)

Dvorak is extremely fast on skates and has terrific penalty-killing skills, He can set up his linemates or take the play to the outside with his wicked shot…not to mention he is an offensive threat when short-handed.

I would love to see Dvorak stay with this Panther team until he retires…however I have a feeling that he will be a bargaining chip come the trade deadline for a team looking to fit that one last piece of the puzzle into a Stanley Cup win, and honestly Radek deserves a Cup and I wouldn’t begrudge him leaving to get one. Hopefully Dale Tallon can make a decision that will benefit the team and Dvorak because I sure love watching that guy play!

What do you guys think of Dvorak?

Thanks for reading.  Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated.

Please visit our NHL main page:  Too Many Men On The Site.

You can follow me on Twitter @joshluecht and the rest of the Rat Pack…Frank Rekas @TheRatTrick and  David Lasseter  @davidlasseter. Also, please join our Facebook Fan Page and hit the like button.

Want The Rat Trick or another FanSided network blog on your Iphone, Android or Blackberry? Download the application now on 0n your smartphone and get the best in Florida Panthers coverage