Martin Fired as Coach

Jacques Martin will no longer serve as the Florida Panthers' head coach.

The report says he might be retained as the GM and that the decision was made solely out of a need to have a change at head coach. I'll say this much: I don't know whether or not is is Martin's fault the Panthers have continued to miss the playoffs. I really couldn't tell you much about his coaching style or how he connected with players or whatnot. Supposedly things weren't working out in the locker room, but I think that's irrelevant.

The more important issue is that Martin didn't have much to work with. Perhaps there is a better candidate available, one better suited for the job and one who doesn't have to deal with the dual GM-Coach role. That's fine. But firing Martin based on coaching ability might not hold all that much water considering the player personnel the Panthers have right now. That's like firing Fredi Gonzalez after this season if he doesn't take the Marlins to the playoffs.

The fact remains that the Panthers as an organization haven't done enough to win and it has been reflected in the past decade or so. They can't draft worth a damn and haven't signed many marquee free agents. If they aren't willing to put out a top product, then they can't reasonably expect the team to succeed regardless of who the coach is.

Panthers Look Finished

It's almost safe to say that the Panthers have teased us yet again with a March run towards the playoffs that falls just short of success. After reeling off 7 straight wins, the Panthers have dipped back into mediocrity and it looks like their season is over after a disappointing loss to the league-worst Tampa Bay Lightning.

It's not difficult to pinpoint just why the Panthers stink so much. The team simply suffers from a lack of talent. Yes, they were riddled by injuries this season, but was this really a playoff caliber roster anyway? I don't believe so.

I don't know much about hockey, but I do know the Panthers don't really splurge on big name free agents, nor do their draft picks turn into Crosby's or Ovechkin's. The reason they have been mired in mediocrity for so long is because they field mediocre teams.

Technically, they aren't out of the hunt just yet. They remain 5 points behind Boston for the final playoff spot, but only have 5 games left with the Bruins having 6. To have any realistic shot at the playoffs, we need to win the remaining 5 games and have Boston go 2-4. Both are unlikely at this stage, so Panthers fans will have to wait another year to see if their average team can stink up the ice in the playoffs for once.

Surprise Guest at an October Panthers Game

Useless post of the day but still a fun video. I had no idea this happened. Good to see the U representing.

Panthers Win 7th Straight

Don't look now, but here come the Panthers. After being left for dead a few weeks ago, the Florida Panthers tied a franchise record with their 7th consecutive victory by beating the Wild 3-2.

The victory puts them in a tie for 10th with Washington and only 2 points behind slumping Philadelphia for the final playoff spot. The Panthers have 8 games remaining and the Flyers have 9. There is still an outside chance that Florida can catch up to Carolina, but the Hurricanes are equally hot and enjoy a 5 point lead with 8 games remaining as well.

In basketball, I wouldn't be a proponent of making a late playoff surge. Unless you can get a top seed in basketball, it usually is a futile attempt at making an impact. Most teams that sneak in the playoffs get bounced quickly. It makes more sense to tank and get a lottery pick. In football, it goes both ways in that if you have a shot, you should take it. The Giants and Steelers recently won 4 road playoff games en route to Super Bowl titles. They're proven that 6th seed in the NFL can still matter.

There's a give and take in tanking in the NFL too. If you don't think you can quite make it, then it might be better to lose some games and get a better pick. Then again, with the rookie salary structure the way it is, it might not be that great idea.

With the Panthers, I really hope they make the playoffs. We've been missing from the postseason for way too long and I think the fanbase needs a boost. Even if it means a first round exit, so be it. A Stanley Cup Playoff series is a long event and with the right momentum, even a mediocre team like Florida can go deep into the playoffs. Let's hope they can pull it off because Miami needs something to root for.

Zednik Leaves Hospital

Good news out of Buffalo: injured Panther Richard Zednik is out of the hospital after a gruesome injury that resulted in his neck being sliced by a teammate's skate. Best of luck to Richard in his recovery.

Panthers Lose to Sabres; Zednik in Stable Condition

The least important news regarding yesterday's game vs the Buffalo Sabres was that the Panthers lost 5-3. Midway through the 3rd period, Olli Jokinen was forced to the ice. On the way down, his skate cut a gash into Richard Zednik's neck.

The Panthers forward was rushed off the ice and taken to a local hospital where he underwent surgery to repair the damage. Thankfully, he is in stable condition for now.

The gruesome scene nearly caused the game to be postponed, with the Sabres leading 4-3. Olli Jokinen for one didn't think it should have continued.

"We shouldn't have finished the game," Jokinen said. "I saw the replay, that it was my skate that hit him in the throat. I think we were all in shock. I've never seen anything like that. There are bigger things than [finishing the game]. It was terrifying."

The defeat leaves Florida 2 points out of the division lead and 4 out of the 8th seed. However, I would imagine our players' minds will be on their teammate until he is back on the ice.

Panthers Spoil Luongo's Return

I don't usually post on the Panthers, but last night's game was a notable one. It marked Robert Luongo's return to the Bank Atlantic Center and it gave Tomas Vokoun a chance to prove his worth against his predecessor.

The game featured a fight between Panthers captain Olli Jokinen and Ryan Kesler, pictured left. However, the most exciting moment came in the final minute of overtime, where Vokoun stopped a penalty shot that would have otherwise left the Panthers with a 13th loss in 16 games at home.

From there, the game went to shootout where the Panthers prevailed 1-0 thanks to Tomas Vokoun's excellent goaltending.

Personally, I had a problem with the trade of Luongo. I'm not a big hockey fan, but I know the Panthers traded their best player for what amounted to a bag of chips and a used jock strap. We've experienced similar heartbreaks from the Marlins, so it was a shame to see it happen to another home franchise.

Tomas Vokoun Makes All-Star Game

Yes, it's a Panthers story. I haven't written about them in over a month because frankly, I don't really watch the games (I'm not even sure where to find them half the time) and I don't feel like writing recaps based solely on box scores.

Anyway, the guy we brought in to replace Roberto Luongo has made the All-Star game as a reserve. Vokoun has faced the most shots in the NHL and has held his own with a .918 save percentage. No other Panthers made the team.

As far as the standings are concerned, the Panthers are lucky they are in such a weak division. They hover around the 10th and 11th seeds, but are only a 3-4 game win streak from jumping to the 3rd seed. With any consistency or influx of talent (unlikely, I know), this team could make the playoffs.

However, I don't think they are anywhere near being able to make an impact in the postseason. From what I hear about management and ownership, they really won't be doing much to help the situation either. Oh well. At least we'll always have the 96 season?

Panthers lose; Jokinen Lashes Out

After a demoralizing 5-2 defeat to the best team in the NHL, the Detroit Red Wings, the Panthers afterwards were not entirely sure the entire team put forth its best effort during the game. Olli Jokinen suggested after the score got to 4-2, some players stopped trying, leading to a whopping 46 shots on goal by the Red Wings.

If this is true, I don't really see how it's that huge a deal. You never want your team quitting, especially in sports like soccer or hockey when you are only a few plays away from tying the game, unlike in football where you need several solid drives on offense and defense to mount a comeback. However, it's the Red Wings and the Panthers probably weren't going to win anyhow. Heck, our two goals came thanks to the Red Wings scoring for us. It's early and the Panthers remain just a few wins out of the playoffs, but there is such a logjam between the 6th seed and the 14th seed that they would need to have consistent performances to squeeze in.

The Future of Miami Sports

We all know it. Miami sports are TERRIBLE right now. Unless you are a masochist, you can't possibly like what you see from any of our professional (and semi-professional counting UM) sports teams. Every one of them has found a new way to lose and a new low for the franchise it seems. Honestly, I don't see much of an immediate future for any of them.

The Dolphins by far are the most hapless of the bunch. I honestly wouldn't keep more than 8-10 from this roster if I could help it. They are that bad, that old, and that disgruntled. This team needs several spot-on drafts to be able to compete for anything anytime soon.

The Marlins have young prospects and young talent at many positions, but nothing is proven. We just traded away our best two players and are coming off a dismal season in pitching. They have no long term future cause any players that demand a salary of over $35,000 get traded.

Panthers have some players but nothing special and it seems like they are stuck in mediocrity.

Canes have the hope of a new recruiting class and probably have the best shot of all these teams to do anything consistently, assuming of course that the new freshmen pan out and Robert Marve can play the position.

Finally, the Heat. I'd say they are the best team with a chance to win anything this year (slim to none better is than flat out none) and if their young core continues to improve and show promise, things might be looking up for them after an abysmal season and 1/4.

Panthers Mediocrity

Admittedly I'm not much of a hockey fan. I did grow up with that fun core of Panthers that made the Stanley Cup Finals back in 96, but in general I only loosely follow how they're doing. That being said, isn't it about time they at least make the playoffs? I mean they consistently get top 5 picks and I believe they had the #1 overall twice in a row (just barely missed out on Ovechkin that one year).

This past summer they locked up several players but judging from the results this year, either they miss the playoffs yet again or manage to squeeze in and get bounced early on. Trading Luongo for a used jockstrap didn't help any either.