Urinals with no logos for me to peeeeee........ I was so relieved to not have to relieve myself on a Panthers Logo. A whole room of urinals with no logos. Finally !!! I have always had a guilty feeling as I pissed on the Panthers Logo. It just never felt right. I hope they aren't just preparing to put on new ones... Although, at the end of the Carolina game I could have easily soaked a TVO urinal logo.

This new video does nothing for me prior to the game. http://www.vimeo.com/15915379 I need to be inspired and excited like the last 2 years videos. I was waiting to see Barny show up sometime during this video. This video is all about inspiring kids. I love kids but really is that the fan base that really counts now? When last years opening video finished I was ready to get my gear on and do it myself. I was pumped!! This video makes me want to sleep after I've seen it once. Do I have to watch the preseason ICE Painting video all year too? Am I all by myself on this one? Maybe I'll just get to the games late. Yeah that's the answer.

http://www.litterboxcats.com/2010/10/18/1759190/panthers-2010-11-home-opener-intro-video

Now playing for the Western Conference Stanley Cup Champions Chicago Blackhawks. The same guy that wasn't good enough to play for Pistol Pete's Panthers. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm?  What was the real story with that anyway?  Hope he gets his name on the Cup.  That would It will be good revenge for the ego maniac Pete DeBoer.  A Junior Hockey League coach who thinks he is still coaching kids.  Let's see how it goes this year.  Maybe Pete will get his name on the Cup some day.  LOL.  Can't wait to see him skate by Pete next time.  Hope I am there.

Ed. Note:  Here's more on Boynton's homecoming with the Cup.

This time it's the Dominic Moore pin! An open wound till 2011. What next? Dominic was one of my favoite Panther players. I was happy to see him get that goal in what some sports news organizationas are calling the biggest upset in sports history. Another ex-Panther added to a long list of former panther star performers throughout the league. Now, unfortunately, I must root for the Pens....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k78XraeWw2w

I went to the game in Tampa Saturday and sat 4 rows behind our team.  One thought that I couldn't shake was that being my first trip to the St. Pete Times Forum, I was sure when approaching from outside, that I was at an arena where hockey is the primary object being promoted.  Of course, during the game the Bon Jovi promotion came on as they play there the night before BAC.  That's good I said to myself, "they have concerts at The TB Lightning arena."  Then I thought, what is the BankAtlantic Center?

Is it a facility built to house an NHL Hockey team and its secondary function is for other events or is it a concert facility that has hockey games played there secondarily?  I'm really not sure. 

The Tampa Bay Lighning facility is an NHL facility that has concerts.  Just look around "Bolts everywhere" inside and outside. 

The BAC:  A Concert Facility that has the "occasional hockey game" unless you are a Season Seat Holder and know better.

A stranger would never know that the primary purpose of the BAC is to house the NHL Panthers Hockey Team.

There is no confusion of that type at the St. Pete Times Forum in my opinion. 

“The good news is our young guys were our best players,'' said coach Pete DeBoer.

Read more: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapanthers/#ixzz0kQFeMsvt

I can't agree more with Pete.   (Young guys) This is where 99% of your previous successful hockey experience is.  Now let's see something like you did in the OHL!!!  Adapt..............................I can't take much more.

“I found out that if you are going to win games, you had better be ready to adapt.”
Scotty Bowman, Hockey Coach

If Bruce Boudreau was coach of the Panthers and Pete DeBoer was coach of the Capitals would the outcome be the same?  Do skilled NHL team players need to be told how to play by the time the reach the NHL level? Or is it the coach's job to just prepare them to exploit the other teams weaknesses.  It seems as though our weaknesses are mostly exploited in the 3rd period and we do nothing to counter their game change.  Maybe most of our players have low levels of skill.  What is most important to a successful team? Players skills or Coaching?

All other issues aside, let us reflect upon the logic or expectations behind rebuilding a “competitive team” in a reasonable time frame with a veritable rookie sophomore coach with no prior AHL or other NHL coaching experience.  How often has any other NHL team embarked on a successful mission of this magnitude without the leadership of, if not the best coach in the league, at least, one with tons of NHL experience to lead and be the basis of that rebuilding?  I am not a gambling man but you must admit this is not a by any stretch of the imagination a safe and solid bet.  In my opinion and much to my trepidation I believe that this team cannot suffer many more years of lackluster performance without putting the franchise in jeopardy.  

How long do we keep making risky bets to achieve our goal?

A dedicated fan I am, but it is getting difficult to stay enthused when the leadership places primary performance goals in the hands of inexperienced people.