QbGamer Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 Last Friday morning, the day of the NHL trade Freeze, the Florida Panthers made news early in the day when they cancelled practice and sent out a letter to their season ticket holders saying the following... Dear Fans, Based on our commitment to accessibility, we would like to take this opportunity to give you some insight into our hockey club’s strategy moving forward. After consulting with General Manager Randy Sexton and Head Coach Pete DeBoer, it is clear that our team, the way it is currently structured, is not equipped to meet the goals and objectives that we have set for ourselves, our fans and our partners. Those goals are simple: qualify for the postseason on an annual basis, maintain a level of sustainable success, put a product on the ice that we can all be proud of, and compete for a Stanley Cup sometime in the near future. Our discussions with our hockey operations department about the composition and the strength and weaknesses of this Florida Panthers team have been extensive and ongoing, and based on those discussions and the inability to meet our goals, it is obvious that significant change is required. Thus, GM Randy Sexton has begun the process of reshaping this team in order to achieve our goals and objectives. This is a multi-step process, beginning now, ahead of the trading deadline, and continuing through the draft, free agency and training camp – so we ask that you assess our success only once this process has run its course. Unfortunately, these changes will not always be easy for our fans and supporters to accept or understand. These changes also may not be easy for our coaches, players and staff. But they are necessary. No small changes or quick fixes will do. But please note that these changes are part of an overall plan to make the best use of our current assets and set this franchise up to achieve the success we want as quickly as possible, and to maintain it. Clearly, we are not satisfied with some of the players on this team that do not possess the characteristics we need to be successful. We must be accountable for that. Our task moving forward is to acquire players with the attributes, skills and qualities we want in a Panthers player. We must admit the significant shortcomings we have as an organization, and we must move quickly and efficiently to overcome these shortcomings and reshape this franchise on a much more solid foundation. As passionate fans and supporters of the Florida Panthers, this is what you deserve, and nothing else will do. Thank you for the emotion, the dedication and the loyalty that you have shown to your Panthers and please know, that as Managing Partners of this franchise, we are working hard to provide you with a hockey team you can be proud to call your own. The letter was then signed by the team owners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteenIsThaFuture Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 Their State of the Franchise session with the season ticket holders wasn't much more optimistic. They did say they are trying to deal some players who are locked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leafs_rock_go_mccabe Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 Their State of the Franchise session with the season ticket holders wasn't much more optimistic. They did say they are trying to deal some players who are locked up. Would you say, hmm... That Nathan Horton would be one of those players that Florida is possibly looking to trade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiLla Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 Would you say, hmm... That Nathan Horton would be one of those players that Florida is possibly looking to trade? Yeah, maybe we can send them Dominic Moore in return, he's a pretty good player, or so I've heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteenIsThaFuture Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 Would you say, hmm... That Nathan Horton would be one of those players that Florida is possibly looking to trade? Horton I'd say is the only one whose safe ATM. Olesz, Ballard, McCabe and Vokoun I think are on the block. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs-24 Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 lol what a joke organization Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozweego Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 lol what a joke organization I actually disagree. I think this letter is great, especially for the fans. No longer are they waiting and watching without an idea of what is happening in team management. They know a change is needed, coming and what to expect. I as a Canadiens fan (not a season ticket holder, due to the fact I don't live in Montreal) would love such a letter from our organization. Every year, we all contemplate what is happening, and are either let down tremendously or seldom understand the rationale behind certain moves. If you go through the forums, and you don't have to dig deep, you can see an overwhelming response of total confusion and disgust on what this organization has done in its recent history. Perhaps with such warning, as the Panthers organizations have done, the backlash would be less from the fans. I for one hope that the Panthers can turn it around and become a contender, and I feel about that way for both Florida franchises. Allot of Canadians retire in the Sunshine State, and to have a NHL franchise near by is a priceless bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kovy-27 Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 lol what a joke organization I disagree too,I bealive that our current situation with our team is a even bigger joke...atleast the Panthers as now a good view of where the franchise wants to go.We are just cheering for a sinking team whitout any captain,we recently changed our owner,new gm,new coach,we don't even have a no #1 goalie,our best forward isn't even signed yet. Sure it isn't a fun scene for the Panthers to have a losing team but atleast there doing something to change things around.What are we doing? Shaking this team upside down and expecting a miracle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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