Florida Panthers News

Nathan Horton expected to return Thursday to Panthers
"Panthers winger Nathan Horton is expected to play Thursday for the first time since fracturing the tibia in his left leg nine weeks ago. Coach Pete DeBoer said after Wednesday's practice that he's hopeful Horton will be in the lineup against the Coyotes, barring any setbacks at morning skate. "I feel good," Horton said. "I do still have a little bit of pain, but it doesn't make it any worse when I skate." Horton said he's not sure when the pain will go away — "maybe not for a while," he noted — but added that it won't get any worse by pushing off on that leg. He has missed the past 17 games. The Panthers are 7-9-1 in his absence. Before the injury, Horton was on pace to eclipse his career ..."
Miscues costly for Florida Panthers against Capitals
"No matter how good Tomas Vokoun has been playing, if his teammates can't clear the puck deep in their own zone or flat-out turn it over in front of the net, he's not going to be very effective. Especially when those miscues and defensive breakdowns come against the high-flying Washington Capitals. Vokoun ended up watching the end of Tuesday's game against the Capitals from the bench, and that was just as well as the Panthers gave Washington one opportunity after another. As usual, the Capitals took advantage and rolled to a 7-3 victory at BankAtlantic Center. ``We left our goalies hanging out to dry,'' coach Pete DeBoer said. ``There were too many second, third chances out there. We were ..."
Panthers stress blocked shots
"Earlier this season, Panthers forward Gregory Campbell was struck in the face by a puck after purposely getting in the way of a screaming slap shot. On the bright side, he blocked the shot. "If you're going to kill penalties, you've got to be prepared to block shots. It's not the most glamorous job," Campbell said. "But the guys on the team recognize that when you get a block from anybody, it really sends energy through the team." While this season has been mostly disappointing for the Panthers, one positive has been the team's shot blocking. They entered Tuesday's game against the Capitals with 1,148, second in the NHL only to the Islanders (1,179). In large part, that success is owed to ..."
No Ovechkin? No problem for Capitals in 7-3 win over Panthers
"What little chance the Panthers had left of making the playoffs probably dissolved with Tuesday's blowout loss to the Capitals. Of course, you could argue it wouldn't even matter if the Panthers grabbed that eighth spot. That's because they'd face the top-seeded Capitals in the first round, and as this 7-3 thumping at BankAtlantic Center again showed, they're no match for the NHL's best team. Washington swept the six-game season series by a combined margin of 33-15 and won four of those games, including Tuesday's, without Alexander Ovechkin. "We knew it was a big game. We just didn't put forth the effort we needed to win," defenseman Bryan McCabe said. "They dominated us all year and ..."
Nathan Horton nearing a return to the ice for Panthers
"With four home games this week, sidelined forward Nathan Horton's return could provide a major boost to the Panthers' scant playoff aspirations. Horton, who has missed the past 16 games since breaking his left leg on Jan. 21, skated with his teammates for the first time Monday morning at Incredible Ice. "I've got my fingers crossed that we'll get him in the lineup this homestand ,'' said Panthers coach Pete DeBoer, who ruled out Horton's return against the Capitals on Tuesday night. "Even in practice you can see his size and speed, his skill level, so we welcome him back. "We've got a lot of hockey left, and things can change in a matter of a week.'' Horton is the team's second leading ..."
Panthers' Booth a pain to Flyers in blowout win
"Maybe it was the tranquillity from weeks of pressure leading up to the trade deadline deflating. Or the heightened emotion of playing the Flyers, who transformed into a hated rival this season the moment Mike Richards rammed David Booth's head with his shoulder. The Panthers beat the Flyers 7-4 at BankAtlantic Center on Wednesday night, finally showing the determination and desperation they've mostly lacked since mid-January. Booth got his personal revenge against Richards and his teammates unleashed their frustrations from a season-long seven-game losing streak. "This team's been through a lot the last two or three weeks," coach Pete DeBoer said. "Hopefully we've moved beyond that after ..."
Panthers' Shawn Matthias impresses Pete DeBoer with his assertive style
"It's one thing for Shawn Matthias to be playing with confidence. It's a completely different deal when his coach has confidence in him. ``I think he's getting better,'' Panthers coach Pete DeBoer said about the 22-year-old center. ``He's being more assertive on the ice. That's the way he has to play for us.'' DeBoer complimented Matthias after Florida's 3-2 overtime win against the Sharks on Saturday after he scored the game-tying goal early in the third and assisted on Bryan Allen's game-winner by winning a faceoff in overtime. For Matthias, it was his second two-point game of the season and first since he scored a pair of goals in a win against the Canadiens. That game was seen as a ..."
Matthias making presence known
"Panthers center Shawn Matthias had the best view of Bryan Allen's winning goal going in Saturday as he screened Sharks goalie Thomas Greiss with his 6-foot-4, 213-pound frame. It was a prime example of Matthias asserting himself. For the first time in his young career, he has started to make himself seen on the ice. Saturday, he scored the tying goal in the third period — his sixth of the season — after battling for a loose puck in the slot and was on the ice for all three Panthers goals. He also finished with three hits. The game before in Colorado, he got his most ice time of the season (17:09). "Last year and early this year I was timid with the puck," Matthias said. "Now I'm starting ..."
This time, Sharks blow lead as Florida wins 3-2 in OT
"After setting an NHL record for consecutive come-from-behind victories, the Sharks tried something a little different Saturday afternoon. They squandered a lead. The Sharks' blew an early two-goal advantage, falling 3-2 in overtime to the Florida Panthers on a Bryan Allen goal at HP Pavilion. The change in the slow-start, quick-finish script left the Sharks on the losing end this time. "We came out with a little fire in our belly, but we let it get away from us," coach Todd McLellan said. "That's the inconsistency that's been in our game. Obviously the guys heard the message about the start. But now we've reversed the trend and didn't finish very well." The Sharks were coming off a stretch ..."
Florida Panthers tackle San Jose Sharks
"With one glaring exception, the Panthers have fared pretty well against teams seemingly out of their class this season. Be it Chicago, Pittsburgh or Buffalo, the Panthers have played the best teams in the league very tough and have pulled out some impressive victories. Add San Jose to the list of upset victims. The Panthers found themselves trailing by two goals going into the second period, but stuck around and ended up defeating the Western Conference-leading Sharks 3-2 in overtime at HP Pavilion on Saturday. So what is it about the Panthers playing so well against elite opponents? With the exception of the Capitals (winless in five games) and a 3-0 loss to the Canucks, the Panthers have ..."
Panthers rally from 2-0 deficit, top Sharks in OT
"After his team was forced to play in its own end so much of the first period, Panthers coach Pete DeBoer went into the dressing room for intermission and thought about what to do. "Punt," he recalled, laughing. Down two goals to the team with the second-most points in the NHL, the Panthers didn't retreat. They rallied. Keith Ballard scored in the second period, Shawn Matthias tied it in the third and Bryan Allen fired in the winning goal in overtime as the Panthers stunned the Sharks 3-2 Saturday afternoon at HP Pavilion. It was the Panthers' first win in San Jose since Jan. 8, 2000. Coming off a shutout loss to Colorado, they ended this three-game trip as they started it in Minnesota – ..."
Florida Panthers coach DeBoer works to rally team after tough loss
"Pete DeBoer opened practice on Friday afternoon in a great mood, taking on assistant coach Mike Kitchen in a sprint race around the HP Pavilion ice. When DeBoer crossed the line first, he banged his stick on the ice and shouted into the empty stands with a big smile on his face. His sunny disposition wouldn't last. DeBoer ran a limited practice with a limited amount of players on the ice, but wanted to make sure everyone was there to work. At one point, he called out backup goalie Scott Clemmensen, the two barking at each other before moving on. ``It's not just Clemmensen; you get on different guys for different reasons,'' DeBoer said. ``[The energy] wasn't great, but considering the ..."
Outlook not bright for Panthers
"It's hard for the Panthers not to be discouraged by the prospects that lie ahead for them. They're eight points out of eighth in the Eastern Conference with 16 games left, and they're contending with five teams for that spot. Their next two opponents — the Sharks at HP Pavilion on Saturday and the Capitals at home Tuesday — boast the most points in the NHL, and the two after that, Phoenix and Buffalo, are in the top four of their conferences. It wasn't Thursday's 3-0 loss at Colorado that put the Panthers in this position, defenseman Keith Ballard said. "You look back — losing six, seven in a row and not showing up some nights — we put ourselves in this position," he said. "But until the ..."
Ex-Florida Panthers goalie Craig Anderson enjoying Rocky Mountain high
"Craig Anderson was courted during the summer by the Panthers, who hoped he would return to compete for playing time with Tomas Vokoun. Anderson had been there, done that. Not long after the free agency period began July 1, 2009, Anderson moved on, signing a two-year deal with Colorado, knowing that he would have a chance to be the full-time starter. There had been plenty of questions about Anderson's ability to be a full-time starter, mainly, because he had never been one. Anderson has taken to his new role just fine, helping keep the youthful Avs in the playoff chase with a chance to win the Pacific Division title. Many had picked Colorado to be among the bottom two teams in the ..."
Eight Is Enough: Panthers fall to Avs 3-0; Trail Boston in Postseason 'Hunt' by Eight Points
"Five times this season the Florida Panthers have won three straight games. They've yet to extend their marginal winning streaks to four. And that's one of many reasons why the Panthers will not be part of the Stanley Cup playoffs for an NHL record-tying ninth straight season and record-breaking 10th year. Thursday, former Florida goalie Craig Anderson hammered yet another nail in the Panthers 2009-10 coffin as he stopped 27 shots to beat his old mates 3-0 in front of a sparse crowd at Pepsi Center. The shutout was Anderson's seventh of the season and 14th of his career. "This was disappointing. They were the better team,'' Panthers coach Pete DeBoer said. "The result was deserved. Both ..."
Florida Panthers playoff hopes fading fast with loss to Avalanche
"Five times this season the Florida Panthers have won three consecutive games. They've yet to extend their marginal winning streaks to four. And that's one of many reasons why the Panthers will not be part of the Stanley Cup playoffs for an NHL record-tying ninth season in a row season and record-breaking 10th year. Thursday, former Florida goalie Craig Anderson hammered yet another nail in the Panthers coffin this season as he stopped 27 shots to beat his old mates 3-0 in front of a sparse crowd at Pepsi Center. The shutout was Anderson's seventh of the season and 14th of his career. ``This was disappointing. They were the better team,'' Panthers coach Pete DeBoer said. ``The result was ..."
Anderson proving he's a No. 1 goalie
"While he pedals the exercise bike upstairs in the Avalanche's practice facility, goalie Craig Anderson can stare out of the windows and see the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. "I don't know how much better it can get," he said. Anderson needed a change of scenery. As much as he liked playing for the Panthers and living in South Florida, where he could race his go-karts and hit the beach during winter, the view behind starter Tomas Vokoun wasn't picturesque. Most nights, he watched from the bench, ballcap turned backward, waiting for his next turn to show what he can do. So this past summer, even though the Panthers expressed interest in keeping him, Anderson left as a free agent and signed ..."
Playoff chase places big burden on Panthers' defensemen
"Five of the Panthers' six defensemen have logged big minutes in the past three games since Dennis Seidenberg was traded to Boston. On Tuesday, Keith Ballard went five seconds short of 30 minutes on the ice. On Saturday, Ballard and Bryan McCabe surpassed the 25-minute mark. On March 3, McCabe went 27:27 -- his season average is 22:27. With the Panthers trading veteran defensemen Seidenberg and Jordan Leopold last week, coach Pete DeBoer has been running with five on the blue line. Rookie Keaton Ellerby -- who played in his fifth NHL game Tuesday in Minnesota -- hasn't seen much playing time because he has yet to hit the seven-minute mark in any of the previous three games. ``We're in a ..."
Panthers' Scott Clemmensen is conscious of fighting off the rust
"Backup goalie Scott Clemmensen had not played in 64 days when he started for the Panthers on March 2 in Atlanta. Clemmensen gave up two goals on the first three shots, and admitted he was a touch rusty. ``You try to get into the game right away and two goals off the bat isn't the best way to start,'' he said. ``You have to rely on your mental toughness and battle through it. You can practice all you want, but you can't simulate game action. It's quicker, there are bounces, a lot of guys traveling in front of you. You have to get used to that and it takes time. You hope it happens soon.'' With the Panthers having 17 games remaining this season -- and only three sets of back-to-back games -- ..."
Cory Stillman scores winner for Florida Panthers
"Tomas Vokoun didn't have much to do during regulation of Tuesday's game. Overtime was a different story -- and Vokoun was a difference-maker. The Panthers goalie was sharp in overtime and in the shootout, leading Florida to a 3-2 victory over the Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Vokoun faced only nine shots from the Wild in the first 60 minutes (the team was booed coming off the ice after the third), but was forced into action in the five-minute overtime as the Wild dominated play in the Florida zone. Vokoun then stopped all four shots he faced in the shootout as Cory Stillman's goal in the fourth round won it for Florida. ``He looked like he wasn't going to let us lose that game,'' coach Pete ..."
Panthers defenseman Ballard pays a visit to native state
"Panthers defenseman Keith Ballard's return to the Twin Cities was just as he hoped it would be. "Yeah, the parade was good," Ballard joked after Tuesday's morning skate. Ballard, a native of Baudette, Minn., who won two national championships (2001-02, 2002-03) at the University of Minnesota, guessed he's played 15 games at the Xcel Energy Center. Tuesday marked Ballard's first game here as a Panther -- he came in with 10 points (one goal) in 13 career games against the Wild. His family, which owns a busy fishing resort where visitors come for ice fishing in the winter and guided charter tours in the summer, drove about 350 miles to watch. "I have a lot of good memories in this building, ..."
Wild comeback nets Panthers key victory
"The Florida Panthers and Minnesota Wild came into Tuesday's game with the same slim shot at making the playoffs, but at least a shot of doing so. With both teams seven points out in their respective conferences, neither could afford a loss. Predictably, the game went to overtime -- then a shootout. The Panthers, who had lost seven of their past eight shootouts, rallied with two goals in the third and beat the Wild 3-2 at Xcel Energy Center to start a three-game trip against Western Conference teams. "We talked before the game that it's a big road trip for our club," defenseman Bryan McCabe said. "We need some wins, we've got to keep pace, keep climbing and hope other teams lose.""
Daunting Western trip ahead for Florida Panthers
"With their postseason hopes fading, the Panthers will visit a Western Conference trio of playoff contenders, beginning Tuesday night with a trip to Minnesota. If familiarity breeds contempt, perhaps Florida can benefit from facing teams they have little experience with. But recent history, especially with the Wild, would suggest otherwise. The Panthers are 1-7-1 overall against Minnesota. ``The Western Conference is tough,'' Panthers coach Pete DeBoer said. ``The three teams we're playing are all very good teams in tough buildings. It'll be a great test for us. ``I'm excited, and I think the guys are excited to get out on the road. At least early in the season, we played some real good ..."
Panthers defenseman supplies much-needed offense
"The Winter Olympics not only gave United States hockey a jolt, but gave Panthers defenseman Bryan McCabe time to recharge his batteries and help resuscitate Florida's offense. Following the two-week break, the fresh-legged 34-year-old captain has notched eight points in three games, the most by any defenseman in the NHL over that stretch. He had a season-high four points in the 7-4 victory over Philadelphia and followed that with a three-point outing in Saturday's 4-1 win over Carolina, the most prolific two-game output of his 14-year career. "We've had a tough time scoring goals the whole year,'' said McCabe, who earned the NHL's weekly third-star honor for his goal and seven assists. "I ..."
Michael Frolik shows signs of ending sophomore slump
"As a rookie last season, it took Michael Frolik 15 games to notch his first NHL goal. Once he got his first, Frolik was off to the races, finishing with 21 goals and 24 assists. With seven goals in his first 26 games this season, it looked as though Frolik had avoided a sophomore slump. Then came January. Frolik went 16 games without a goal and lost his spot on the top line as coach Pete DeBoer shuffled him around trying to find a spark. It appears that has been found. With two goals last week against Philadelphia, Frolik bounced back. In Saturday's win over Carolina, Frolik picked up his third goal in a two-game span. And he's back on the top line, moving up to play alongside Stephen ..."
Frolik on the rise in up-and-down season
"The past two games have been a revival for the Panthers, especially winger Michael Frolik. He scored two goals Wednesday and notched another Saturday against the Hurricanes. Before that, he had gone 16 games without a goal and bounced around, playing at times on the third line. Inconsistency has defined the 22-year-old's second NHL season. "Everything was new last year for you and nobody expected anything from you, so in that way it was easy," he said. "But this year for sure the pressure is higher. Everybody expects more goals than last year and that I will play better. Like the coaches say, you have to have the mind to always step forward." With 18 games left, Frolik has 16 goals (third ..."
Panthers' offense keeps rolling in 4-1 win over Carolina
"The Florida Panthers have played some of their best hockey the past few seasons in March. By that time, however, they've fallen so far out of playoff contention that there's been no pressure on them. It's the same scenario this season, and while it might be too late, the Panthers appear poised to go on another run. Following Wednesday's impressive win against the Philadelphia Flyers in which Florida scored seven goals, the Panthers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 at BankAtlantic Center on Saturday behind two goals from Kamil Kreps, another by Michael Frolik and solid goaltending by Tomas Vokoun. "With what we did at the trade deadline, it's maybe loosened the guys up a little bit because ..."
Panthers turn away Hurricanes at home
"The Panthers are a different team at home than they are on the road. At least against Carolina, anyway. The two Southeast Division rivals concluded their season series on Saturday night, and the Panthers kept up their end of the home team streak as Florida beat the Hurricanes 4-1 at BankAtlantic Center. In Florida's three home wins against the Hurricanes, the Panthers outscored Carolina 13-4. In their three road losses, the Cats were trampled 14-5. ``We were dominated by them in Carolina, and we've played pretty well here,'' coach Pete DeBoer said. The Panthers got off to another good start, taking a 2-0 first period lead for the third consecutive home game."
Matthias finding niche on big stage
"Center Shawn Matthias has shuttled back and forth between the Panthers and AHL Rochester plenty these past two seasons. His current stay — his third-call up of the season — is his longest, and he has to be encouraged about the future. After playing minimal minutes most of this season, he went into Saturday's game against the Hurricanes having logged more than 10 minutes in seven consecutive games. "I really like the way Shawn's played," coach Pete DeBoer said. "Every time he's gone down and up, which has been a lot in the last 18 months I've been here, he's gotten a little better and the message has started to sink in." Saturday marked Matthias' 16th consecutive game with the Panthers. He ..."
Panthers top Hurricanes 4-1
"The Panthers have played some of their best hockey the past few seasons in March. By that time, they've fallen far enough out of playoff contention that there's been no pressure on them. It's the same scenario this season, and while it might be too late, the Panthers appear poised to go on another run. Saturday, they beat the Hurricanes 4-1 at BankAtlantic Center, following up Wednesday's impressive win against the Flyers with a performance that included a career-high two goals from Kamil Kreps, another by Michael Frolik and solid goaltending by Tomas Vokoun. "With what we did at the trade deadline, it's maybe loosened the guys up a little bit because obviously no one expects to win a lot ..."
Newly acquired Byron Bitz brings physical style to Florida Panthers
"On Feb. 24, 2009, Byron Bitz had his best offensive game of his short NHL career. The two goals Bitz scored against the Panthers in Boston's 6-1 win at TD Garden still stands as the most goals the physical winger has scored in a single game. Coincidence that the Panthers traded for Bitz on Wednesday? Yeah, probably. ``That's not why we trade for guys, at least I hope not,'' coach Pete DeBoer said with a laugh. ``I like the way he plays the game. He's an identity-type player, and we don't have enough of those through the depth of our lineup, in the third and fourth lines. Guys who are going to make people pay a price for being on the ice against them. Make teams pay a price to beat us. We ..."
Audition time for Garrison, Ellerby
"Long after other Panthers had showered and left Friday, three lockers next to each other belonging to defensemen Dmitry Kulikov, Jason Garrison and Keaton Ellerby were empty. They were still on the ice working. Although all three are rookies, the 19-year-old Kulikov established himself long ago. As for Garrison and Ellerby, who've been given an extended stay because of the trades of Jordan Leopold and Dennis Seidenberg this week, these final 19 games will determine where they fit in. Ellerby has played just three NHL games. Garrison has played 21, including 16 consecutive while Kulikov was out with a knee injury earlier this season. Coach Pete DeBoer noted this week Garrison "probably ..."
Panthers' Jason Garrison bids for a secure role
"The last time Jason Garrison was with the Panthers, he knew his stay in the NHL would be dictated on how quickly fellow rookie Dmitry Kulikov's injured knee healed. Once Kulikov was back in the lineup, Garrison was going back to the minors regardless of how well he did. This time around, Garrison's stay depends on Garrison's play. ``I'm not playing for myself at all, I just want these guys to make the playoffs and I hope to be a part of that,'' he said. ``There are no guarantees here. But it's up to me. I have to work hard, prove myself every day.'' The Panthers traded away two of their veteran defensemen since Monday. When Jordan Leopold was sent to Pittsburgh, Garrison was brought up ..."
Panthers 'want Bitz' too
"Newly acquired right wing Byron Bitz's greatest memory of his fledgling NHL career came last year when he notched his only multiple-goal game against the Panthers in a 6-1 victory by the Bruins and the TD Banknorth Garden faithful began chanting, 'We want Bitz,' with under a minute to play. "All of a sudden the chants started,'' Bitz happily recalled Thursday after participating in his first practice with the Panthers since being acquired from the Bruins Wednesday along with minor league winger Craig Weller for veteran defenseman Dennis Seidenberg. "No one could make it out but it got louder and louder. Everyone on the bench was like, 'It's awesome.' They were loving it and the coach threw ..."
Panthers make trades, but no 'fire sale'
"Just a few seconds before the NHL's trade deadline, the BankAtlantic Center horn sounded as if to signal the end to what was an uneventful day around the league -- and especially for the Panthers. Florida general manager Randy Sexton made two trades Wednesday, neither of which could remotely be considered a blockbuster. Before noon, the Panthers sent defenseman Dennis Seidenberg to Boston in exchange for forward Byron Bitz, Craig Weller and a second-round draft pick in this summer's draft. In the second deal, announced after the 3 p.m. deadline passed, the Panthers sent promising prospect Matt Rust (University of Michigan) to Columbus for defenseman Mathieu Roy."
Panthers end losing streak against Flyers
"A few days back, Panthers center Stephen Weiss said that teams usually play a lot looser once the uncertainty of the NHL trade deadline passes. That certainly seemed to be the case for Florida on Wednesday as the Panthers' scoring drought ended. Florida scored six goals in the first 40 minutes and held on for a 7-4 victory over the Flyers at BankAtlantic Center. The win snapped Florida's seven-game losing streak and also halted the team's franchise-record 14 consecutive games with two goals or less. The Panthers avoided becoming the first NHL team to hit 15 games since the 1939-40 Montreal Canadiens. Florida's seven-goal outburst was its most since beating the Islanders 7-1 on Dec. 12. ..."
Panthers back to square one again
"And so, once again, the Panthers are giving up on a season, and I'm back to writing the same old column: What's their plan? And is it a good plan? A bad plan? A secret plan? Does the plan start with fighting (three fights in the opening three minutes Wednesday in standing up to Philadelphia)? More importantly: Who's running this plan? I've written this so often, I'm typing in my sleep. There's just one difference this time.The Panthers have new owners. That's the change. The chance. The hope. And so here, once again, is the offer to the Cliff Viner and Stu Siegel to save the Panthers. It's simple, really."
Booth, Panthers beat up on Flyers
"Maybe it was the tranquillity from weeks of pressure leading up to the trade deadline deflating. Or the heightened emotion of playing the Flyers, who transformed into a hated rival this season the moment Mike Richards rammed David Booth's head with his shoulder. The Panthers beat the Flyers 7-4 at BankAtlantic Center on Wednesday night, finally showing the determination and desperation they've mostly lacked since mid-January. Booth got his personal revenge against Richards and his teammates unleashed their frustrations from a season-long seven-game losing streak. "This team's been through a lot the last two or three weeks," coach Pete DeBoer said. "Hopefully we've moved beyond that ..."
Panthers end Flyers' winning streak
"Almost 40 games after the fact, the hit had long escaped Mike Richards' conscious thoughts. Last night was proof that Richards' hit has never left David Booth. Richards leveled Booth with a blindside hit back on Oct. 24, knocking him unconscious as his face dragged along the ice at the Wachovia Center, not far from the exact spot where Scott Stevens ended Eric Lindros' storied career as a Flyer. The hit broke Booth's nose and kept him off the ice until last month. Booth's anger rubbed off on his teammates. The Flyers and Panthers squared off in four first-period fights - two in the first 5 seconds - giving Florida an energy edge it carried to a lopsided, 7-4 win at the Bank Atlantic ..."
Bruins pick up Dennis Seidenberg as deadline passes
"The Bruins started out fast and furious yesterday, but in the end failed to get themselves any offensive help as the NHL trade deadline came and went. The Bruins were thought to be in play on such names as St. Louis' Keith Tkachuk, Carolina's Erik Cole, Florida's Cory Stillman, and Columbus' Raffi Torres, but they only had defenseman Dennis Seidenberg to show for their troubles. Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli was well aware that the team's fans were hoping for more. He said he was hoping to find some offense as well. "It's hard to believe after scoring only one goal last night, but I really think our group can score more and will score more," he said. "It wasn't for a lack of ..."
Jackets trade Mathieu Roy
"The Blue Jackets have traded defenseman Mathieu Roy, playing in minor-league Syracuse, for center Matt Rust. Rust is playing at the University of Michigan. Rust, 20, was the Panthers' fourth choice, No. 101 overall, in the 2007 draft. He is a 5-foot-10, 192-pound forward. He has 11 goals and 21 assists in 37 games this season for the Wolverines."
Panthers send Seidenberg to Bruins
"Defenseman Dennis Seidenberg was traded to the Bruins this morning for wingers Byron Bitz and Craig Weller and a second-round pick (Boston previously acquired that pick from Tampa Bay) in this year's draft. The Bruins also acquire from the Panthers the rights to defenseman Matt Bartkowski, who plays at Ohio State. With Seidenberg's departure, the Panthers have called up Keaton Ellerby from AHL Rochester for tonight's game against the Flyers. We're expected to talk to Seidenberg within the next hour. Will update with his thoughts on heading to Boston."
Panthers ship Seidenberg to Bruins
"The Florida Panthers have parted ways with Dennis Seidenberg, trading the veteran defenceman to the Boston Bruins. Boston also receives defenceman Matthew Bartkowski in exchange for right wingers Craig Weller and Byron Bitz, as well as a second round draft pick."
Time off reaps no benefits for Florida Panthers
"When the Thrashers scored their second goal just 3 minutes 43 seconds into Tuesday night's game, it looked like the Panthers not only had picked up where they left off but had also regressed. The Panthers quickly turned things around with goals from Stephen Weiss and David Booth but couldn't overcome Atlanta's two-goal outburst in the second and dropped their seventh consecutive game with a 4-2 loss at Philips Arena. Florida, with an uncertain roster going into Wednesday's 3 p.m. trading deadline, didn't curl up and die despite Atlanta's quick 2-0 lead. But the Panthers' offensive struggles continued as they tied the franchise record for scoring futility with their 14th consecutive game of ..."
Panthers fall to Thrashers, 4-2
"The Panthers talked about roaring out of the Olympic break and being the hottest team in the league the rest of this season. The fact they had lost six consecutive games, were 12th in the Eastern Conference and had traded one of their top defensemen the day before would be put behind them. It took just one game for that enthusiasm to evaporate. Already operating with a small margin for error while trying to move up into playoff position, every game like Tuesday night's 4-2 loss to the Thrashers is amplified. "I don't know what to say, really," said winger David Booth, who scored his first goal in eight games since returning from a concussion. "It's really frustrating. The guys want to win ..."
Florida Panthers trade Jordan Leopold to Penguins
"Coach Pete DeBoer said his team needs to go on a big run after the Olympic break if it hopes to get into the playoffs. His players are echoing that sentiment, knowing Florida needs to catch fire right out of the gate. But with the team going into Tuesday's game at Atlanta riding a six-game losing streak, general manager Randy Sexton needs to be a realist. The reality is this: The Panthers, six points out of eighth place with 21 games left, are not good enough to make that run to the postseason. The future of the franchise needs to be put in front of the needs of the current team. On Monday morning, Sexton focused on the long-term, trading defenseman Jordan Leopold to Pittsburgh for a ..."
Florida Panthers defenseman Jordan Leopold traded to Pittsburgh Penguins
"Panthers defenseman Jordan Leopold was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday for a second-round pick in this year's draft. As of Monday morning, the deal was pending league approval. Teams were allowed to start making deals again at midnight (Sunday into Monday) when the Olympic break roster freeze was lifted. It was expected the veteran Leopold, 29, would be moved by Wednesday's 3 p.m. trade deadline since he's set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season."
Clemmensen hoping to raise profile
"Even for a goalie as laid back as Scott Clemmensen, it hasn't been easy to stay patient. Especially since he hasn't made the impression he hoped he would in his first year with the Panthers. Having sat the past quarter of this season watching from the bench, Clemmensen finally will make his next start Tuesday in Atlanta -- the Panthers' first game after the Olympic break – coach Pete DeBoer announced last week. He gets the start because DeBoer wants to give Tomas Vokoun added rest – the same reason Clemmensen received his last start Dec. 27. Vokoun has started all 21 games since, in part because of his stellar play in goal, but also because DeBoer hasn't been confident about playing ..."
Nathan Horton misses another practice
"The Panthers held their third practice of the Olympic break but once again did so without star winger Nathan Horton. He has been out of the lineup since being struck by a hard shot by teammate Dennis Seidenberg in a game against the New York Islanders on Jan. 21. The shot fractured Horton's tibia in his right leg. He says he has tried to skate, but there is still pain. Horton, walking with a slight limp but no crutches or brace, said has been ``working out pretty hard'' with strength coach Craig Slaunwhite. He hopes to be skating by next week and back in the lineup as soon as possible. ``Every day I'm feeling better, but there's still a little pain when I press on my toe,'' Horton said. ..."