|
Post by PantherB on Feb 21, 2017 16:35:39 GMT
Can't decide whether to go tonight or not. Only thing making me want to go is the fact I have a season ticket. Wonder if hotham will be made to answer for that slash? Doubtful. Corey doesn't believe in physical contact hence why Steve Lee has gone downhill! And there'll be nothing from McGrattan either. Bordeleau (sp) wont fight him because it wasn't down to him, in fact the last time the tangled it was more like heavy petting! As an enforcer BG is rather ineffectual, he hasn't stopped injuries or dirty play so isn't a deterrent. Doesn't play hard, the only checks you see from him are probably his pay ones. And if by reports he is here next year then we'll be in the same boat of no protection and needing the little guys to stick up for the big ones. He's doing more good by using what skill set he has than he would do chasing people all game. He's not a one dimensional goon. He doesn't hit because his hits are poor, look at them on YouTube, they're almost always late, dirty and pre-meditated, he'll get tossed from games frequently if he throws his kind of hits here. He essentially ended Andrew Alberts career in the NHL a few years ago, late hit, to the head, stick up which also collided with Alberts head.. Concussed him severely and finished his career. I love a good hit but McGrattan's hits are dangerous. Very dangerous. He goes in Knee first, like Ling used to do. He's playing alongside a roster of grown men, who can actually look after themselves against the average player. Fair enough they might not fair well against Klotz, Bordeleau, Neilson, Rosehill etc.. but if McGrattan is on the ice when those kind of guys are, and they make a dirty play, he will hover near them post whistle, offer a fight or say 'don't let me catch you doing that again'. If Farmer pushes a guy like Peitrus, and gets punched.. Why would McGrattan go steaming in?? McGrattan goes steaming in.. 2+10 Instigating or Game Misconduct for 3rd Man In.. he helps a lot being on the ice and doing what he does, he's been one of our better players since December and having him sit out for 17 minutes or the most part of a game will only damage us. Enforcers, the older ones, go by their code, they will react when required to but won't pound on someone who doesn't want to fight. The hits Bordeleau throws, usually clean hits but he's built like a Tank. Miika always screams at whoever is behind the net to play it and move because Bordeleau is coming. If they don't move, it's their own fault and simply just a case of Bordeleau doing what he does best. Our entire Defence is built off of European pansies, only Lee will ever retaliate but even then he doesn't often. Spang and Sertich get thrown around like soft toys, Dimmen too. Waugh doesn't hit enough and drags himself too far out of position.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 21, 2017 16:13:21 GMT
Are we guaranteed a top 8 finish? Not yet. We're 5th on 46 points. Caps (10th) could get to 53. Blaze (9th) could get to 51. Stars (8th) could get to 54. Storm (7th) could get to 58. Flyers (6th) could get to 61. So we need a further 8 points from 12 games to guarantee a spot. Something that should be straightforward though it leaves me a slight bit worried..
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 21, 2017 16:11:59 GMT
AEG can burn in hell for what they did to the Hamburg Freezers.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 21, 2017 10:12:14 GMT
Pretty much all penalties rescinded, which is poor and basically says Hogarth screwed up badly.
At least now we know we can have a mini post game brawl and no action will be taken.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 20, 2017 19:18:03 GMT
We all know that the appeal of coaching the Panthers whilst the silver fox is in his position is practically 'pass me the barge pole, I need to get clear of this'
I feel as though Corey loving Nottingham since he arrived as a Player and wanting to stay here, has meant he is happy to be wrapped around GM's finger, restrained from pushing the boat out because GM is a money man and if we're making money, which we are, then GM being GM, probably won't let Corey loose on dogging guys and bringing in better. And because Corey knows that speaking out against GM will probably see him shafted, he might be a bit reluctant to say anything.
The recruitment for this season, looked okay (forwards looked weak, defence looked strong) and Corey knows full well he screwed up royally with who he signed. But yet it took us months to sign someone and in the end it was a Latvian Prospect, not a top prospect like Panthers/GM claim, but a kid looking for a challenge. Corey does like his development players in fairness, but I'm stuggling to conclude that Corey was just blind to the other guys that were out there and that have been signed by others in the league, perhaps it's just me not wanting to believe it or something. Whilst GM is involved with the club, it will continue to stink of fish.
I hope the one way tickets for the vast majority are booked and ready, including Lee.. I'm sure you can get a plane to Hull haha.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 19, 2017 12:46:11 GMT
I can't see him jumping ship within the EIHL, gets plenty of minutes hear and is held in super high regard. Why wouldn't Cardiff be a better proposition than Panthers? He's amongst the best Brits available, out of contract & they are super ambitious. As Pies said above, new born kid and family in Nottingham will likely sway his decision from moving. He'd get snapped up by any of the top clubs here but he might not be guaranteed as much ice time. He knows Nottingham, Corey etc.. so he knows what he's in for and what his role is, if he uproots then that'll all be thrown into question. We'll throw the cheque book and a pen his way come the end of the season anyway, he's invaluable to us
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 19, 2017 10:55:52 GMT
I can't see him jumping ship within the EIHL, gets plenty of minutes hear and is held in super high regard.
Overseas will be the only obstacle in the way, could give the ECHL a go again despite him not doing too well last time, which means he'll miss a month or two of our season.. or he could give France a go. Couldn't see many European League's taking a Brit as one of their 'foreign' players but France isn't the strongest league out there and Farmer is probably the best British Forward in the game right now.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 19, 2017 10:52:30 GMT
Yes quite possibly. He said he was looking to get out and start a job but I can't remember what it was now. If Williams wants a job rather than playing....head coach at Nottingham Panthers sounds good ! 😉 Lets make sure we have a full time assistant coach too!
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 19, 2017 10:27:05 GMT
Devils should be down a fair few imports after their post game bench clearance vs. Belfast. Bowns, Bordeleau & Lord will likely be suspended. I can't see bans coming from this, it wasn't a bench clearance as the buzzer had gone for the end of the game and players were coming onto the ice to celebrate the win and for the handshakes.Lots of pushing and shoving yes but no fights. If anything I think Belfast will come off worse if bans are branded about. There were suspensions in the Blaze-Panthers post game handshakes in 2014, think Grimaldi got 4 games, Adam Henrich got 2 and Matt Selby 1. Someone will be suspended, it'll be ridiculous if not.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 18, 2017 23:06:23 GMT
I'm glad he's spoken out about it in such a way but it's months too late like you say. I bet Corey will be just as glad to see the back of this season, and this team, as much as we are.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 18, 2017 23:04:27 GMT
Devils should be down a fair few imports after their post game bench clearance vs. Belfast.
Bowns, Bordeleau & Lord will likely be suspended.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 18, 2017 22:57:56 GMT
Neilson has made it pretty clear in the Post's latest article that he is not happy!
Quoted as basically saying 'they didn't give a poo poo in the first'.. The expletive was used in the article too.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 18, 2017 22:39:59 GMT
Think Sarkanis deserves a little more time to prove what his abilities are, didn't appear that he knew our 'tactics' for the opening faceoff, speaking to Moran for a good 20 seconds with him instructing him.
It was a pretty boring game overall, flashes here and there for the most part.
Lee seemed a bit better, despite fanning on a pass early on which could have cost us badly, and getting destroyed by someone. It's a shame he didn't drop Pietrus when they came together, he'd been a bit of a rat all night, cheap shots here and there. Marquardt poked his nose in a few times, soon quietened down when he saw Big Ern skating nearby.
Miika kept us in it, as always. Was backed up greatly though by the two beside him.. the posts.
Farmer was the only other notable performer, suppose Moran deserves a shout too as he seemed a bit more perky tonight.
Got the points, which is good, pushing Blaze out of Playoffs contention.. that's quite fun too.
Hopefully we take the boost into tomorrow and hopefully Peitrus gets a bit of a 'shut up' from good ol' Jeff Brown.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 18, 2017 13:16:15 GMT
Blaze will be without;
Kevin Noble Liam Stewart
Brian Stewart has only completed an entire game once, in his last 5 starts. Stewart has also conceded 26 in his last 5 starts. Renny Marr will likely back up.
Who's Hot?;
TJ Syner - 7pts in last 5 games Robin Bergman - 7pts in last 5 games Barry Almeida - 5pts in last 5 games
Who's Not;
Jim Jorgensen - 2pts in last 5 games Ross Venus - 1pt in last 5 games Ben Davies - 0pts in last 5 games
Panthers will be without;
Jason Williams Jeff Dimmen Logan MacMillan Jeff Brown
Miika Wiikman has completed 3 of his last 5 starts, conceding 16 along the way. Pacl will likely back up.
Who's Hot?;
Stephen Schultz - 9pts in last 5 games Robert Farmer - 7pts in last 5 games Brian McGrattan - 7pts in last 5 games Brad Moran - 7pts in last 5 games
Who's Not;
Andy 'PP QB' Sertich - 0pts in last 5 games Matt Carter - 1pt in last 5 games
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 17, 2017 15:23:36 GMT
Keep;
Wiikman - With a capable D, top 3 in the league Brown - Truely passionate and hard working, a guy every team needs Lindhagen - Very versatile, great skating Williams - Game changer when healthy, vast experience + contacts McGrattan - More than just an enforcer, can be dangerous if plonked in front of net Clarke - Always manages to find the twine somehow Lachowicz - Still an inkling of hope, good defensively Farmer - Our best Brit Pacl - Young, eager.. knows us now and will get his chances Waugh - Big defencemen seem to be an in demand asset these days. He's decent, good leader.
Dishonourably Discharge;
Lawrence - Off Ice issues + infuriating inconsistency and visual lack of motivation Schultz - Physically made of glass, hasn't seemed interested since Corey bollocked him
Not fussed Spang - Just not a fan Sertich - Bang average, never lived to expectation MacMillan - Deserves praise for switching to D but we need players in their natural position and role, Brown fills that. Nikiforuk - I like him, awesome guy, but there are better and younger out there Carter - Never lived to expectation Dimmen - I don't mind him, just wouldn't be elated to see jimmy return for a 3rd year. Rumour has it he's finished with hockey after this season anyway. Thanked, but let go; Moran Potential British Recruitee's;
Jack Prince, or Sam Duggan Two more British D
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 16, 2017 21:26:14 GMT
So barely 400 seats left in the arena to watch a dire Nottingham Panthers team? It just shows two things; 1.) We do have the best and most loyal fans in the league, there is no arguing or denying this fact, despite all 10 clubs in the league saying they do. 2.) GM will never change anything because based on numbers, it's improving season by season for some reason. After 20 home games, we'll be sitting on around a 5900 crowd average. Can you imagine the attendances at this point if we actually had a league winning team? Or at least a team who could entertain the crowds for 90% of home games. As for the game, should be a relatively easy 2 points. No pressure on the players to perform, which means, they'll probably perform! There'll be a fair few 'out on the town'ers' there too. They're learning that Blaze games are often better than the Steelers games. The sport is growing, the more than find the sport captivating and interesting, the more will go to games regardless of whether the team if performing at its current level or at the very top. Personally, I try to forget about where the money is going when I buy tickets as I just love watching the sport, sure it sucks if we're playing crap and have no hope in anything but I still enjoy watching, even if it's seeing us being dismantled by other teams.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 16, 2017 12:45:03 GMT
According to Simmsy, we wouldn't want to see Lee in an opposing teams colours against us.. I would. Would break through the defence like fire through paper. All the Facebook 'true fans' out on patrol saying how good he is too... too busy checking Facebook than watching games obviously! If Simms reckons he's so good (because he has won trophies in the past), then I'd swap him for O'Connor...?! They all turn to sheep once someone speaks. Lee is garbage, simple as. So what if it's not nice to see, we pay for a product, we get a sub standard team and a quickly deteriorating player who costs us way more than he benefits us. 100% agree though haha, he's essentially been carried by teammates since we won the league. Steelers would be stupid to swap him for Davy Philips, nevermind the Daddies Boy
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 16, 2017 12:41:50 GMT
According to Simmsy, we wouldn't want to see Lee in an opposing teams colours against us.. I would. Would break through the defence like fire through paper. Knowing our luck he'd go somewhere else and be a world beater. I think the biggest issue we have is players get too comfortable in the beer and bunnies lifestyle in nottingham tbh. Same with Lachowicz in fairness. It's a difficult one, because Panthers are the most centralised to their home city, team in the League. 2 minute walk away from the Square. Whereas most other teams play outside of the city they're named after, on an industrial estate or shopping area. We've got 3 pubs/bars immediately around the arena and regardless of which way anyone leaves the arena, they will walk past one. Then there's hockley and all the new bars popping up each week, fancy new restaurants, clubs etc.. Players obviously have their free time, but with most living in the Centre, they roll out of bed and they will land at the door of a bar. Llike Corey is a victim of his own success, our players seem to be a victim of the good location
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 15, 2017 23:34:13 GMT
According to Simmsy, we wouldn't want to see Lee in an opposing teams colours against us.. I would. Would break through the defence like fire through paper.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 15, 2017 23:10:49 GMT
As long as somebody pastes the living wee wee out of Noble it will be a decent night. Think he's still injured?
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 15, 2017 18:15:25 GMT
Another one of Kalus' buds. He's been suffering with back problems this season, hence his lack of game time and Salzburg have got better options so he's been released. Would be nice as a temporary, till the end of the season signing but I would be surprised.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 15, 2017 17:12:29 GMT
I thought the London KHL team that got agreed was nothing to do with Black? Well he does own the Holding Company for the Emperors. Companies HouseIts Stevie Lyle (yes the ex Devil / Current Wildcat) who is posting all the Sponsor invites all over linkedin That's all going to fail before it begins then, need more than Stevie Lyle to get a KHL team up and running!
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 15, 2017 13:10:51 GMT
Laurence and Carter would have been gassed months ago any where else Lawrence was twice last season by teams in this league Should've let him continue his tour of the Elite League, would've gassed him in December.
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 15, 2017 12:20:21 GMT
We often compare the French Ligue Magnus to here, though slightly better here, and he didn't exactly turn any heads. He would've been 20/21 admittedly which is the promising part.
Riga Jnr's were a real energetic and tough team when we played them so I feel he could also be another one of the gritty grinding types, with some sweet Latvian moves in his hands.
He's fallen both on his feet, but jolted his back when it comes to signing for us. He's joining a sinking ship, which is basically condemnable, but because we're so poor.. the door is wide open for him to impress and try and earn a spot for next season.
Personally I don't think he will be good enough to earn that permanent spot next season from reading up on him but I'll be happy to be proved wrong. If he does impress then at the very least i'd hope we'D consider having him as an additional import for the CHL. He's young, raring to go, could be good for both club and player.
As a team, we're finished. But there's still plenty of time to watch guys as an individual, see if they possess anything we might not have clearly noticed over the season with the ever changing lines and incapable teammates.
Sarkanis is certainly a cheap option but his age brings optimism about him being a gem, who knows. We don't get many Latvian skaters in the league so hopefully he shows a great account of himself
|
|
|
Post by PantherB on Feb 14, 2017 22:57:03 GMT
Black just needs to kick down the door to the Panthers Office.. Well, wait for them to buzz him in, and fire them all on the spot. We complain about the League not changing due to the 'old boys club', it's the same behind the scenes at Panthers, they're all someone to someone within the club and get their job because of that, you can see it in their faces at Panthers events and when you go to the Office that they see it as a regular 5 day a week 9-5 slog, they have no spirit or passion, they don't seem to care that much and if you want a successful organisation, you've got to start at the backbone and strengthen that.
You talk to employee's of clubs in America & Canada, even at ECHL level, they quite clearly have a passion for the sport and the team and like to give the best service they can. You email or speak to our staff and they're pretty useless and have about as much spirit as a rock.
We've had a lot of signings fall through in the past, some will have been a blessing that it fell through, but some will also be things Corey probably still kicks himself about. Corey agrees the terms, the player agrees and the paperwork gets passed to the office staff and possibly GM, out of Corey's hands and occasionally, the signings abruptly fall through as if we've told a player to do one.
We need to rebuild the organisation, it's stale and starting to get a strong scent of pure garbage. There's plenty of guys out there, former players for example, who still follow how we're doing and would probably like to come back in some form. Brock Wilson the obvious example. Dump GM, let Brock take the reigns and have him take on some Strength and Conditioning too, it'd be a challenge but he loves a challenge.
Bring in some enthusiastic staff, fans, who have experience in sports related management and have them do the office work.
Have a dedicated media team, who are fans, see if Owen Bradley would do more work with the club when he get chance away from his busy BBC Derby schedule, give The Cats Whiskers guys (and girl) a role within the club, whether it be part-time employed or voluntary, but completely endorsed by the club with full access to all within the club. I haven't seen eye to eye with the TCW lot on a few occasions but it's blatantly obvious that they have more passion for the sport and the club in their little fingers than what is currently being done by Panthers.
There's a lot that can be changed to improve the club for the better and it's got to start off ice to see improvements on it. We suffer from the same crap every year and one thing that doesn't change year in year out is who is working behind the scenes for Panthers. I know people will say Corey's name but find me someone who has something bad to say about him as a person and as a coach because I've never seen one and if he can coach well over 200 different players in his time here, and few to non have a bad word to say, he deserves that chance to prove himself with a new team behind him as well as in front of him.
The only non-player I'd willingly keep is Corey, I still feel he can achieve a lot with the right people behind him.
This was only supposed to be a couple sentences but it's difficult to not get carried away when things are so poor.
|
|