If they folded the Florida Panthers...

[Dave Gray]

Talking heads sometimes bring up folding the Panthers of the NHL.  I used to watch hockey as a kid (back when I played it all the time), but was ultimately unable to connect with the sport in the long term.  Sometimes, I try to watch a game if I'm flipping through channels, but it just doesn't hold my interest. 

The Panthers, especially...I talked to Brian Fein about this the other day.  It's just dump and chase...fighting for the puck up against the boards behind the goal.  No finesse.  ...very boring.

Anyway, despite my complete indifference towards hockey in general, I could see myself watching the playoffs if the Panthers were good, sorta like I do every couple of years with US Soccer in the World Cup.  As is now, however, there's nothing about it that draws me in.  That's not to say that the Panthers bother me, though.  As far as sports go, if you're not into the Panthers, they aren't an annoying team to have around.  They don't take up any talk radio time, they get the most minimum of highlights locally.  While the Marlins, for example, I used to get peeved when I wanted to listen to talk radio on my ride to school and there was a mid-season night game on.

I do know a couple of people who are really into the Panthers, though.

I don't want them to fold, because I think it's good for the city and the economy to have sports franchises.  But it wouldn't affect me personally.  If they folded, I probably wouldn't even know it.

[Sunstroke]

I've got the lone "make me very sad" vote so far...

As a "rookie" hockey fan, I'd really hate to see the Panthers franchise go away...or fold...or whatever. I really enjoy watching Vokoun in the pipes, though he needs better D-play around him so he doesn't have to face such an insane amount of shots on goal every game.

Overall, I'd say that hockey has already passed basketball for the #3 spot on my sports fan priority list, after just football and baseball. I try to watch at least a little hockey, if not an entire game, pretty much every night.

[dolphins4life]

My first memories of hockey were the year of the rat in 1996.   

They can't fold the panthers!!!!

Edit:

I accidently clicked the I would be happy option

Dave, can you delete my vote?   

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I voted don't live in Florida, cause I don't.  But I hope the Panthers fold.  

I don't believe that cities without indigenous ice should have hockey.  

[Dave Gray]

Dave, can you delete my vote?   

Unfortunately, I can't.  (Or maybe fortunately.  That way I can't "fix" polls.)

[Cathal]

Is there one for being neutral? I'm not a hockey fan so it doesn't matter to me one way or another.

[Brian Fein]

I voted don't live in Florida, cause I don't.  But I hope the Panthers fold.  

I don't believe that cities without indigenous ice should have hockey.  

Then you have to fold Tampa Bay, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta, maybe Carolina, Los Angeles...

Sorry, Hoodie, I find that to be a silly argument.  No hockey teams play outdoors (except one game per year) so indigenous ice shouldn't be a requirement.

As a Panthers' season ticket holder, I'd be very sad.  But, the fans are supporting the team less and less and the talent on the team is just sub-par.  We've got a top-5 goalie, and maybe 1 good player in David Booth.  But 10 years of non-playoffs in the NHL means your team really sucks, and sadly Florida fans don't show up unless you're winning. 

I think the Panthers need a big-name player to raise hype - a sharp-shooter who can change the offensive philosophy.  The Panthers are terrible on offense, and I hate their dump-in from the blue line strategy.  Half the time, it ends up being a turnover.  But their farm system has a lot of talent and they have been building up for the future.  I can see in 2-3 years the Panthers could be a force to contend with...

[Phishfan]

Brian, I feel your pain. I am a New York Islanders fan and I have watched a once great franchise struggle for a long time. It has been bad enough that there was talk of moving the Islanders also.

[Sunstroke]

Then you have to fold Tampa Bay, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta, maybe Carolina, Los Angeles...

Sorry, Hoodie, I find that to be a silly argument.  No hockey teams play outdoors (except one game per year) so indigenous ice shouldn't be a requirement.

Thanks, Brian...you posted pretty much exactly what I was about to in response to the indigenous ice comment. Frankly, it sounded like something you might hear from someone who's lived all or most of his life in the northern portion of the country.

I think the Panthers need a big-name player to raise hype - a sharp-shooter who can change the offensive philosophy. 

I wish the Panthers would go after Brad Richards from Dallas...but I think what they need even more than the sharpshooter is a monster defenseman, like a poor man's version of Lidstrom (or Zdeno Chara) who can clog passing lanes, put a big body on opposing skaters, clear traffic in the crease and reduce the ridiculous number of shots that Vokoun has to face every game.

[SportsChick]

I'm with Brian although I left him for the first half of the season. We went Friday night and it was frustrating but I'd rather watch a frustrating hockey game live than no hockey game at all

[Brian Fein]

I used to think the Panthers defensemen were among the most effective in the league.  But, recently I see that they seem to have regressed from last season.  They used to block 15-20 shots before they even got to the net, and Vokoun would still see 30-35 shot per game.

This year, they've done less of that, but they're even less effective at the point on offense.  Passing is sloppy, and they have no presence in the zone.  And don't even get me started about the power play unit.

There's so much wrong with the Panthers...

[SportsChick]

but hey, they're better at face offs (yes I'm trying to find a positive)

[Sunstroke]

I've spent most of the season to this point, trying to figure out who my favorite players are...and I've narrowed it down to a group of 5 players that I basically want to watch any time they are playing on TV:

D Zdeno Chara, Boston (just love the big guy...ultra versatile defensive monster)
F Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit (despite the injury, I just love watching this dude skate...it's like watching a manly prima ballerina)
F Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh (I like Geno...not sure why, but he always seems to be scoring while I'm watching)
D Tobias Enstrom, Atlanta (tough defender who's also an assist-meister on offense)
G Jonas Hiller, Anaheim (easily my favorite goalie...he's a breakdancing octopus on ice)

[Tenshot13]

I'd be happy.  Then again I'm a Lightning fan and hate the stinking Panthers.

[Brian Fein]

^^ why so hateful?  We don't hate your crap-ass team...