Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2008 14:31:58 GMT -5
The Florida Panthers have never been more ready to start a season. Beaming from head to toe, Lindy Ruff was more estatic than hes ever been to be the Panthers' coach. "I'm ready, I think this is the best lineup we've been able to ice since I've gotten here."
The Panthers will begin the season with what GM Singh has called "the new blood injection" icing three rookies; Jonothan Toews, Sam Gagner and Erik Johnson. "The rebuilding is under way,and the new blood injection into the lineup will definitely lead us in the r ight direction. They are our future leaders, and they're not going anywhere." In order to solidify the top 6, Kevin Singh made a huge splash taking a chance on the 37-year old Mats Sundin.
"Mats will lead our offense, and our team for that matter. He is our new captain, and i have no doubt that he will lead us to the playoffs." Speaking of playoffs, the Panthers have missed the last four seasons of the post-season,and claim that will change. The Panthers have also improved their team defense, icing what they feel is their best well-rounded defense in years as well as their best goaltending tandem.
"We've worked hard to improve our defense by committee. And with the trade of Jose Theodore, I feel we'll be able to really cut down on our goals against," Kevin Singh added.
Although the Panthers have traded some of their upcoming draft picks, GM Singh insists that they're still on the right path to rebuilding. "We dont just have to rebuild through the draft, I felt we've also acquired a lot of our young talent through trade. And if our guy isnt there at the number 5 pick, we'll make a move in adding to our future by trade."
Lindy Ruff and Kevin Singh have announced the 2008-09 opening roster,a nd it will look like this:
Kariya - Sundin - Tucker
Gagner - Toews - Blake
Brown - Madden - Axellson
Tootoo - Wellwood - Downey
Jackman - Johnson
Bergeron - Schubert
Letang - Berard
Theodore
Mason
In speaking with GM Kevin Singh, the Panthers would like to improve their defense, as well as adding a young sniper. The Panthers do have their eye on a couple of defenseman in the upcoming draft, however claim that if the defenseman that they desire are taken, then they will have to trade the fifth pick.
When asked what the goal is for the year, GM Singh smiled and replied "The goal is always to win the cup... but as of right now,we'd be content with winning a series or two.. "
Clearly, the goals have been set high for a team that has been a basement dweller for the past four seasons. Will they live up to the expectations? We'll have to wait and see, as the Panthers host the Devils on opening night.
The Panthers will begin the season with what GM Singh has called "the new blood injection" icing three rookies; Jonothan Toews, Sam Gagner and Erik Johnson. "The rebuilding is under way,and the new blood injection into the lineup will definitely lead us in the r ight direction. They are our future leaders, and they're not going anywhere." In order to solidify the top 6, Kevin Singh made a huge splash taking a chance on the 37-year old Mats Sundin.
"Mats will lead our offense, and our team for that matter. He is our new captain, and i have no doubt that he will lead us to the playoffs." Speaking of playoffs, the Panthers have missed the last four seasons of the post-season,and claim that will change. The Panthers have also improved their team defense, icing what they feel is their best well-rounded defense in years as well as their best goaltending tandem.
"We've worked hard to improve our defense by committee. And with the trade of Jose Theodore, I feel we'll be able to really cut down on our goals against," Kevin Singh added.
Although the Panthers have traded some of their upcoming draft picks, GM Singh insists that they're still on the right path to rebuilding. "We dont just have to rebuild through the draft, I felt we've also acquired a lot of our young talent through trade. And if our guy isnt there at the number 5 pick, we'll make a move in adding to our future by trade."
Lindy Ruff and Kevin Singh have announced the 2008-09 opening roster,a nd it will look like this:
Kariya - Sundin - Tucker
Gagner - Toews - Blake
Brown - Madden - Axellson
Tootoo - Wellwood - Downey
Jackman - Johnson
Bergeron - Schubert
Letang - Berard
Theodore
Mason
In speaking with GM Kevin Singh, the Panthers would like to improve their defense, as well as adding a young sniper. The Panthers do have their eye on a couple of defenseman in the upcoming draft, however claim that if the defenseman that they desire are taken, then they will have to trade the fifth pick.
When asked what the goal is for the year, GM Singh smiled and replied "The goal is always to win the cup... but as of right now,we'd be content with winning a series or two.. "
Clearly, the goals have been set high for a team that has been a basement dweller for the past four seasons. Will they live up to the expectations? We'll have to wait and see, as the Panthers host the Devils on opening night.