George Richards, FHN Publisher
Welcome to the July Edition — a Florida Hockey Now 5th Anniversary Edition — of the Panthers Mailbag!
Thanks for coming by.
This Mailbag, certainly, has earned the right to be called a ‘Special Edition’ for all that you all have packed into it.
We have questions about future retired numbers, queries about what the Panthers could wear at Marlins Park for the Winter Classic, what the new championship rings could look like and more.
Much more.
Like, what will Sergei Bobrovsky’s new contract look like? Why no love for Bill Zito — and why no love from Eddie Olczyk when it comes to the Panthers.
We have over 30 questions packed into this thing with 3200+ words of copy (should have made it into two parts) thanks to all of you.
So, put on a pot of coffee and settle in.
This is a long one, folks.
On the current roster, who do you think are locks to have their jersey’s hung from the rafters when their careers are over? — Dr. Greene
I think the automatic number to be retired is Sasha Barkov’s No. 16. Two-time Stanley Cup champion, three-time Selke Trophy winner, yada yada. And there will be more, a lot more.
Sergei Bobrovsky for one, Aaron Ekblad as well. Then we start getting into the Sams, Gus Forsling, perhaps Anton Lundell since he’s only 24 and has a long career still ahead of him. If Brad Marchand keeps this up, he may get his 63 hanging in two arenas.
Wondering if the Panthers are considering establishing their own Hall of Fame? This franchise has gained enough accomplishments and have had enough great people who’ve been a part of it to have one. — Kareem Moreland
Good idea. Since they dismantled the Den of Honor, a Ring of Honor might be in order.
You can honor top players in your organizations — guys who don’t quite hit the number retirement qualifications — every couple of years.
They certainly have the history for it. Would the Panthers retire Jonathan Huberdeau’s number? How about John Vanbiesbrouck, Olli Jokinen, Pavel Bure, Stephen Weiss? That ship has likely sailed, but they would certainly be Ring of Honor candidates.
Since Zito pulled several rabbits out of his hat, this team is going to look very similar from last season. However the arena will be going through a face lift. I know several sections are being turned into something, but I have no idea what they are. Can you give us an update on all the new features and changes we can expect at Amerant Bank Arena? — Jarrett Rutsky
Well, there will be a new scoreboard and apparently a new bar. The team has decided to postpone closing those three-four sections in the 300 level end zone since they couldn’t get a lot of the work done before the season started.
So the arena should look a lot like it did before. Save for the new scoreboard, new bar(s), and such.
What do you offer Bob both dollars and years? — @1panthers
Seeing what they did for Ekblad and Marchand, I would expect Bobrovsky to get a lengthy deal of the six-seven year variety as a thank you for his service and to satisfy whatever kind of money he would be seeking (again, like Marchand and Ekblad).
Bobrovsky will be 38 when the 2026-27 season starts, so perhaps a six-year deal at $7 million per hoping for four strong years of play.
Assuming Tkachuk heads to LTIR, who will need to be traded to allow him to play once ready or will the salary accumulation allow us to move him back w/o cutting anyone? — @ScubaDocJMP
They might be OK depending on how long he is out, but there will likely have to be some sort of move. Again, that will be in the middle of the season and no one knows what the team’s situation will be regarding injuries and such.
How long & how much does Eetu have left on his contract? — John Reidinger
Two years & $6 million.
Hey… jonesing for Panthers hockey for sure. Gunna miss Smitty next season but boy what an incredible job keeping the band together. Thinking Petry is gunna find new life being a cat just as Schmitt did. Whadda u think? PS … did Scripps tv up their broadcast game to 1080 in palm beach area? Looking better from June ( parade) on — Joseph Fischetti
Hey…don’t know what goes on with palm beach TV stations. But if you thought it looked good, maybe they did. And i agree with u that Petry should fit right in.
George, I know I can’t be the only one to notice Eddie Olczyk’s blatant bias against the Panthers. Everything from his 5-to-1 positive color game commentary for the Leafs, Canes, and Oilers over the Panthers to his lack-luster enthusiasm for Panthers goals and wins (“oh the Panthers have scored again.”). Surely you’ve heard some candid comments on this. What is the insider opinion/view? — Ed Purchase
The insider opinion is Ed Olczyk is one of the top commentators in the game. I don’t think he has anything against the Panthers. Watched Game 5 of the Carolina series the other night and he seemed pretty animated when the Panthers took the lead in the third.
Is there ANY sanario where we don’t lose Rodriguez once Tkachuk returns from his expected placement on LTIR, or is it a foregone conclusion that Evan will be the odd man out? — SurveyJay
I don’t know that is the plan at all. Yes I know the money works out, but they really like what Evan Rodrigues brings to the team and the room.
And for $3 million, he has a great contract. Let’s just let things play out a bit. We have no idea what this team’s injury situation will look like when Matthew Tkachuk comes back — again, assuming he has surgery later this summer and misses the start of the season.
What more does bill zito need to do to win gm of the year? Do the other NHL execs have something against Zito? — Bryan Geary
I don’t think it’s bothering Bill all that much but perhaps he’s not the most popular fellow among his peers behind closed doors.
He is making the rest of them look pretty bad, right?
But here is the thing: When Zito took over the Panthers in 2020, he built a front office by compiling people who he knew were very smart, competent, and would not just agree with him. And he gives his front office all the credit for this team’s success. What I’m saying is, he was secure enough in himself that he hired people who may be better at certain things than he was.
Look at some other teams around the league; it’s a GM who makes all of the decisions and an assistant GM who runs the minor league team. That’s not the way things go here. And it works. They are a team on and off the ice.
When 2026-27 comes, we look to be about 24 mil UNDER the cap, with really only Bob and Mikkola needing new contracts and some fill ins. It’s pretty much the same song until 2029-30 in a cap rising world. With our core locked and this much space, is there anyone you can foresee challenging us in the next few years? Future looks bright, as does the success of your venture. This may have been the most comments I’ve seen on any one of your articles. — Cats and Oilers
Yeah, I think that is a pretty scary proposition for the rest of the NHL: The Panthers will have plenty of money to spend if they choose to spend it. They will make some moves as they always do. Again, you never know what will happen as this coming season goes along.
Is there a stat that shows how many times an nhl goal tender has given up a goal on the first shot of the game on their goal, in their career? — johnmbates
I Googled it. Seems to be pretty common.
So is there a chance Toronto makes it to the second round next year.so we can start the Austin Mathew’s chase from the Leafs. Sorry just a little trolling. But do you think it can be 5 from the Atlantic again as it looks like maybe it can get even better than this year? — Pianoscott
See, I always get yelled at for looking too far ahead — yet try to be the voice of reason. But, yeah, why not? Toronto is weakened by the loss of Mitch Marner but this was a better Maple Leafs team than we had seen over the past few years.
They will be right in the mix again this year. As far as five Atlantic teams in the playoffs, I don’t see why not. This division is strong top-to-bottom.
Thanks George for all of the information you provide year after year. I really enjoy all of the articles. I have a few questions…
You are welcome. Thanks for reading.
Here we go…
Hi! Have the Florida Panthers released their 2024-2025 team roster photograph? Will we ever see it? — Maverick
I don’t know that they have ever released the official team photo. They frame them and put them up around the office. Just get a photo from after Game 6. That’s the team photo they are using for this year anyway.
Does the team have the leverage/stones/intent to tell Tkachuk to sit out the meaningless Olympics? They are incredibly fortunate his 4 nations injury and re-injury did not completely derail last season, cannot expect that good fortune again. — Matthew John Kwarchak
It’s not meaningless to him, nor is it meaningless to anyone who will be playing for their country. It’s the Olympics not some made-up thing in the middle of a season. This is a pretty big deal.
We have no idea what will happen when it comes to his recovery time, etc., so it’s a moot point to talk about it right now. I know it means a lot to him to play for Team USA and try and win gold. We’ll see.
Uniform Questions:
Thanks George for the work all season. — Mark
I do not think anyone in the organization could ignore how popular those reverse retro jerseys continue to be, right?
Every game you see people wearing them down low. I would think they make a comeback eventually. Or this coming season. They are keeping things pretty hush hush.
Cap space question- with a fact pattern: With 22 players signed currently and the Cats are approximately at a -2.95. Erod has a 3m hit. Also, if Chucky goes onto LTIR and returns in Feb. Assume they sign Mackie to a 1.5 m contract. If Chucky comes back in Feb. My assumption is that they will need to clear 4.5 m at that pt. I can see ERod being traded and maybe one other player. Do you agree with that assessment? Or am I missing something? — ajreinfeld
There are some nuances to the salary cap but that’s pretty close. We have no idea who may be hurt, how long Tkachuk will be out or anything. No reason worrying about it — Bill Zito & Co. certainly are not — until we hear exactly what it happening.
I’m wondering how the goaltending is likely to shake out next year. With Knight as heir-apparent, you would clearly want to give him as many games as possible without letting Bob lose his rhythm. Since they probably don’t view Tarasov the same way, and with Bob a year older, what’s going to be Bob’s optimal workload? And meant to add, what’s plan B if Tarasov struggles? — James Franklin
Tarasov is going to get the opportunity to run with it. If he doesn’t work out, they did sign Brandon Bussi who the Bruins were high on.
When can we expect an update with Mackie? I know he can’t be offer sheeted, but the tension of him not re-signing is still present, haha — @BrettRocker
He will sign eventually. I am sure they are just trying to work out the money with the salary cap in mind this coming season. They love Mackie. Nothing nefarious is going on here.
Concerning Samoskevich’s status, is it correct that he’s been offered a qualifying offer from the Panthers which means he can’t receive an offer sheet from another team? Does that mean that there’s no rush to sign him, but that they will sign him? Are they waiting for some more roster moves (trade, LTIR)? What’s your analysis and prediction? — Luis Castro
Yes, he will sign eventually. No rush. Gives me something to write about on a slow day in the summer…
George, You are the best at what you do by the way. Thank you for all the insight inside the Panthers! Bob is the man right now. As he should be. But should we resign him to a big deal or should we be looking for the next goalie of the future so we don’t overpay at that position? I mean Bob is probably going to command big money on a resign deal no? I recall when we signed Bob, for a lot of the early years, it was thought that we overpaid and were strapped by it. Bob… for a lot of the early years, it was thought that we overpaid and were strapped by it. Bob certainly looks like he can play at a top level now and it’s anyone’s guess for how long. I kinda wish we still had Stolarz as a backup in the wings for the day Bob retires because I think Stolarz is special too. – What about trying to bring Lyon back from Detroit? I was pretty impressed with him as a solid back-up. — Kevin Hawkey
Thanks Kevin. Stolarz could always return next summer, he is a free agent after this season. The goalie position is something that the Panthers front office is on top of.
They have a list of a bunch of goalies they are keeping an eye on, and if they have a chance to get one and improve things, they will try and make that deal.
Like Paul Maurice said: Bobrovsky is the future of the Panthers in goal whether it’s the next two years or five. He is in a great mental and physical place so I don’t think they are worried about it — but it’s in the back of their mind.
Any news on if Scripp Sports and the Panthers have had the Panthers+ app put onto Samsung tvs — Alan
They said it was coming but I guess not yet.
Also…. Is YouTube TV getting the WSFL channel and or the NHL package? — Cats and Oilers
Probably not. As we talked about last year, YouTube TV does not want to open that door.
For the most part, they do not carry independent stations — even if that independent carries the local hockey team. Will be interesting to see what they do with Channel 10 when they move away from ABC this summer. They may already have a contract in place, don’t know.
Personally i believe “My Lord Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers” will win the next 5 years in a row, at least, what say you my little grasshopper? — Ricardo S Marrero
At least five! Maybe even six.
Honestly, who knows. The Panthers look like the best team in the Eastern Conference, perhaps the NHL right now. They’re a machine. Do not know what they will look like come April or May.
Who do you think has the best chance this upcoming season to exceed their performance? — @GibelliBean
I probably say this all the time, but Lundell could have a big year if Marchand is there all year. Luostarinen as well.
In all honesty , will Brad Marchand actually finish his new six year deal? — @MrEd315
I mean, he will get paid for it.
What is your favorite food in another nhl stadium? (Not press box – something a regular fan could get). — Bryan Geary
The hot dogs in Montreal are awesome.
First off, ketchup on hotdogs? Just say no. Second, assuming the career paths stay on track, how many players end up in the HOF wearing a Florida sweater. How many numbers end up in the rafters? — Matt
Sometimes ketchup on a hot dog is needed — especially the cheaper (hot dog) varieties. But only if it’s good ketchup. Anyway…
As far as the Hall of Fame goes, you certainly have Barkov and Bobrovsky. Sam Reinhart, if he keeps scoring like this, would have a chance; Marchand is heading in that direction.
As far as numbers go, there could be quite a few (5, 16, 72 for sure) when this thing is all said and done. Zito and Maurice should join Wayne Huizenga and Bill Torrey in the rafters as well.
Which Florida school will be the first to win a division 1 national title and in what year? Need the big crystal balls to answer this one. — Bernie K
UCF, 2034.
Eh, who am I kidding: Miami, 2025.
Where do you rank Death To Smoochy among Robin Williams’ funniest movies? — @DavidDwork
Haven’t seen it. Is it good?