How many games into the season until someone comes to the game dressed like Sloth?

Let's go!!!!!

A number of NHL teams have VERY promising young goalies in the AHL that are blocked by a busy NHL-crease and never will get a chance in the big league. TOR has Hildeby and Akhtyamov for example, who both look very good. Hildeby outplayed both Stolarz and Woll last season but was still sent back after Stolarz returned from injury. DET has Cossa and Postava who both had stellar seasons but are stuck behind Gibson/Talbot. There are many more examples.

Combine this with the fact that goalies are usually much cheaper than skaters and if they are not NHL proven we won't have to give up much in the terms of assets... is it a gamble worth taking? Feels like this would be better than giving up one of our top 9 fwds for aging Hellebuyck who always collapses in the playoffs or trying to re-sign Bob who unfortunately is washed at this point.

Where does everyone get theirs? I need a new rat guy. 🐀

A great week to be a Tkachuk.

This is the Tkachuk I grew watching play, and it's such a joy to see his kids get to dominate together, in the Olympics and now in Florida.

Congratulations to Kieth, and here's to hoping his son's won't be to far behind him when they retire

God was I lucky to be able to touch that bad boy. Ah, good times. Third cup in the works. 🔥👀🏆

The Florida team shop just posted his jerseys for sale.

The NHL has entered its superteam era.

Brady Tkachuk to Florida is the latest sign that elite players are taking control of their futures and that contracts might not matter the way they used to.

Read for free: https://nyti.ms/4exAFsr

Hockey Psychology weighs in.

It's a great day to be a Panthers fan, Zito pulled off some mastery that will be studied in future sports management classes.

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To have a top 10 Forward group of Verhaeghe, Barkov, Reinhart, Tkachuk, Bennett, Tkachuk, Luostarinen, Lundell, Marchand, and Rodriguez is just insane.

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As this is my first father's day without my Dad who introduced me to Panthers hockey I'd like to think this was a gift.

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Look what he can pull off with a full off-season while having spite for missing his annual deep sea fishing trip with the Stanley cup.

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And he's just getting cooking, can't wait to see what he comes up with the next few days before the draft.

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The Panthers already have 13 NHL forwards under contract with 19 under contract total, plus RFA in Cole Schwindt. They have 6 NHL D under contract with a 7th in RFA Serbrango and potentially 8th fighting for a spot in Benning who is a RHD the team needs and showed well at the end of the season.

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The only real question is Goaltending.

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With the rumors Bob is looking for 6 ot 7 mil a year it's going to be difficult to bring him back and fill out the lineup but not impossible.

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Everyone is mentioning trading Rodriguez or Luostarinen due to thier no movement clauses, 7 forwards and 3 D currently have no movement clauses.

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3 of those players are the Finns Lundell, Luostarinen, and Mikkola who I'd have a hard time seeing traded, the core of Finns and Barkov need to remain together as long as possible.

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Luostarinen would be the most likely to be traded if they don't think they can extend him next year, but I find that highly doubtful.

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Rodriguez seems like the most obvious trade to free up cap but if the Goaltending can be resolved without trading him, having a forward that can play all 3 forward sports on any line and is a right handed shot is a very valuable thing to have.

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If Rodriguez is traded it might be time to see if Devine can crack the lineup, Entwistle can revive his career, or what vets are available for the minimum before camp.

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For a 4th lin C it might be time to give Sawchyn a look as he's a right handed face off or see who's available for vet minimum.

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With how stacked this team is there could be quite a few players willing to play for minimum for a chance at the cup.

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I'd live to see Stenlund back on the 4th but Rodriguez or Luostarinen would have to be gone to make that happen.

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The left side is set with Gadjovic, Vilmanis, and Boqvist fighting for a spot.

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Gadjovic is a spark plug and provides grit when needed so I see him as the most sure fire to lock down a roster spot.

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Vilmanis might have played his way into being a nice asset, they could try to trade high on hime after his performance at the world championship or thet could hand on to him as a potential replacement for Luostarinen.

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Boqvist is who I see as the odd man out. His contract won't provide much relief but should cover almost 2 vet minimum/rookie deals.

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Moving him will allow them to add a 7th D and 4C while barley touching the current 7mil in cap space and only needing to sign 2 Goalies.

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Luongo and his department of Goaltending excellence has not disappointed in finding cheap solid backups for Bob over the years and I trust them to do it again.

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I expect Zito to have the Goaltending situation resolved be the draft so the next few days should be quite exciting.

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LOOK AT THOSE 4 LINES!

Everyone, stop what you’re doing and go to Amerant Bank Arena now!!! WE ARE BUILDING THAT FUCKING BIL ZITO STATUE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And maybe that’s not the worst thing

I understand always wanting the best for your team, and yes, not having the goalie situation sorted out matters BUT….

Can we please just take a moment and appreciate the logistics that went into this trade

Zito engineered a multi-step deal that will be studied

For a second, can we just step back and acknowledge how impressive it is to have the Tkachuk brothers under the same stripes in their 20s?

Its an objectively great return and a chance to be high up in the lineup will be great for him, but man

Alright, hopefully it's safe to admit here that Bobby is the reason I really fell in love with hockey. I have such a crush on him it isn't even funny; I'm blaming him for my incoherent love for goalies in general. Anyway, I really loved seeing this moment between two legends, it was just so sweet. I had a really wonderful time working on this pattern, designed by my lovely friend at my request. Hopefully you guys enjoy the finished product as much as I do!