George Richards, FHN Publisher
On the day he officially traded Patric Hornqvist to the Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford spoke of what the veteran forward meant to his team.
“He changed the culture,” Rutherford said Thursday.
The Panthers are hoping, again, a newcomer with the passion and pedigree of Hornqvist can help change their culture, their attitude.
For years, the Panthers have spoke more about “culture” than even the Miami Heat.
The big difference is, the Panthers’ talk has been about fixing it.
Dating back to the days of Pete DeBoer, Florida coaches — it’s a long list — have spoken about trying to transform the Panthers into a team that other teams do not want to play, about making a trip to South Florida more than just a trip to Fort Lauderdale beach.
New general manager Bill Zito took a step in that direction in just his third week on the job Thursday when he finally finalized the trade which brought Hornqvist — a two-time Stanley Cup champ with the Penguins — to the Panthers in exchange for Mike Matheson and Colton Sceviour.
“When I talked to (Zito),’’ Hornqvist said, “I really got a good feeling. He’s a good GM and a good person.
“He said they brought me here because of what I bring every single day. He said I could play a big role for us on and of the ice. That’s what I want. It made my choice much easier.”
Hornqvist plays hard, hits hard and makes like miserable on opponents.
He is a player fans of other teams hate but is beloved by his own.
Take a look at the Penguins’ fan boards for a quick example.
Hornqvist says he is ready to make a mark — figuratively and literally — with the Panthers.
“I know I bring energy and leadership, play hard every shift and that’s not going to change no matter the jersey I am wearing,” Hornqvist said on a video chat from his home in Pittsburgh on Friday afternoon.
Hornqvist said he took some time after being asked by Rutherford on Wednesday to waive his no-trade clause in his contract.
He said he was “blindsided” by the request, but in the end, he decided to let the deal go through and said he is excited for a new beginning (at age 33) with the Panthers.
“Once I found out Pittsburgh didn’t want me and Florida really wants me, it was an easy choice for me and my family,” Hornqvist said.
“I am super excited to go down there and try and win some games. … They have a great group of players, a great coach. All the opportunity s in front of us. the new GM, he’s going to make his mark and get us some new players.”
On a follow-up question, Hornqvist went a little more in depth on leaving Pittsburgh.
“It was obviously a tough decision for me and my family when you get blindsided a little bit,’’ he said.
“When. you have a no-trade, you don’t think this kind of question is going to come up. When it did, I really took my time to really go through every scenario. At the end of the day, it boiled down to one team really wants you and the other does not want you. That made my decision so much easier.
“I can’t wait to get down to South Florida, start playing games and helping this team win.”
As far as joining the Panthers go, Hornqvist is already well acquainted with countryman Anton Stralman and says he likes the team the Panthers already have — and the vision Zito has in trying to get it to the next level.
Hornqvist also cited having Joel Quenneville behind the bench (“he really knows how to win”) made the decision a little easier.
“I think they have a really good … core of players who are on their way up,’’ said Hornqvist, who will wear No. 70 with the Panthers.
“I can bring leadership, experience and (have played) playoff hockey obviously. I think the fit is perfect for me and my family.”