On Saturday night, the Panthers played a highlight video that showcased some of the not-so-nice things said about the team.
The video features the song Bad Reputation by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts; it's also the theme to the one-year cult classic 'Freaks and Geeks.
You can watch the video here:
There are a number of unattributed quotes; until I read this story, I didn't realize ALL of them came from either myself or Sun-Sentinel beat writer Harvey Fialkov.
Other quotes -- which were attributed -- were from hockey analysts Brian Jones, Mike Milbury and Jack 'Capt. Quebec' Edwards.
I'm not upset -- by any means -- just figured everyone should know where the quotes came from and the context they were written in.
These 'harsh words' were -- at the time they were written -- completely deserved.
The Panthers tweeted today that the video was "dedicated to the 'experts' who said the Panthers would finish last in the SE.''
Only neither I nor Harvey picked the Panthers to finish last in the Southeast. I did come close though. There were plenty of people who did, just not us.
The Hockey News, for one, had the Panthers finishing 14th in the East. ESPN's Barry Melrose had them one slot lower.
I had them fourth in the division (behind Washington, Tampa and Carolina) and 11th overall. Mr. Fialkov had the Panthers making the postseason.
Here's what I wrote (PanthersVision can take it for the next video): The Panthers, as a franchise, have gone an NHL record 10 seasons without making the playoffs. But most of these guys are new and had nothing to do with it. Still, the Panthers have questions in net and just aren't there yet. Close? Yes. Better? You bet. Worse? Impossible.
Anyway, here are the quotes from Saturday's video and the context in which they were written.
-- "The Panthers need more offensive help if they want to stop their 11-year postseason drought.'' -- GR, The Miami Herald, Feb. 19.
This came after a 2-0 loss to Anaheim. A few days later, Dale Tallon trades for forwards Jerred Smithson and Wotjek Wolski. You know, 'more offensive help.'
-- "The Panthers have been badly outhit.'' -- HF, Sun-Sentinel, Nov. 26.
This line was in Harvey's follow up to back-to-back losses to the rival Lightning: The Lightning outhit the Panthers 39-15 in Friday's 2-1 overtime victory and 32-19 in Saturday's 5-1 rout.
-- "Panthers continue to shoot blanks.'' -- HF, Sun-Sentinel, March 25.
This came after the Panthers lost to the lowly Islanders in a shootout -- after losing to the Oilers in a shootout a few days prior. Florida would later lose to the Wild in overtime (before losing 4-1 to the Blue Jackets.)
-- The Bradley, Upshall quote -- HF, Sun-Sentinel, Nov. 27.
This is the case of a writer giving his opinion. Both missed a lot of time this season.
-- "Panthers remain atop a toothless Southeast Division.'' -- GR, Miami Herald, Feb. 20.
This is the second quote of mine from the loss to the Ducks. Not apologizing for this one.
-- "Panthers don't much look like a first place, playoff-bound team.'' -- GR, Miami Herald, Feb. 20.
They loved that Ducks gamer, eh?
You might as well read the lede to it.
Brian Campbell sat in his locker stall for more than 10 minutes following Sunday's game in full uniform alternately staring into space and muttering under his breath while shaking his head.
Campbell sure didn't look like a player on a team that remains in first place in its division, one that holds the third overall seeding in its conference.
It can be said the Panthers don't much look like a first place, playoff-bound team either.
For the first time this season, Florida has lost three straight games in regulation after Anaheim got a first period Teemu Selanne goal and held on for a 2-0 win at BankAtlantic Center.
The Panthers, which won back-to-back games in the New York area last weekend, are 0-3 in their four-game homestand and have scored a grand total of three goals in those losses.
The Panthers, which still remain atop a toothless Southeast Division, have been outscored 10-3 in those losses.
-- So there you go. Again, the Panthers in-house group do a great job and the video is cool.
Lots of action, good tunes and yeah, some scathing quotes from those un-named doubters.
Yet read in context, they do look a little different now, wouldn't you say?
Anyway, enjoy the playoffs.
Going to have plenty of coverage -- some of it may be negative depending on the situation -- here, at MiamiHerald.com and in your old-school editions of the Herald.
Hope you all are along for the ride.
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