PAUL LADUE scores first career goal.

Sunrise,FL:

The 25-year-old LA Kings defenseman scored his first career NHL goal against the Dallas Stars.

Paul developed in the USHL with Lincoln before playing University hockey at North Dakota. Surprisingly he has seen NHL action in his first two seasons as a pro. In those years, the 25 year-old played 25 games for the Kings.

The Panthers grabbed Ladue in the 2012 draft, 201st overall. You always feel fortunate when a late draft pick is able to contribute to your organization.

It shows what can happen with patience and lots of luck.

Congratulations Paul, hopefully its the first of many.

Allen and mates help Cats succeed despite struggling Horton, Malkin

Sunrise, FLA:

It's hard to believe through the first eleven games the league held Florida Panthers superstar Nathan Horton and all-world center Evgeni Malkin to just 12 points total. Yet, they have a neat 7-3-1 (15 points, 5th in the East) through this span.

The Southern Cats Superstars have feasted on this league for years, routinely being at or near the top in league scoring. This season it’s been the secondary scoring leading the way for the Panthers. Florida's Blake Wheeler (eleven points), Charlie Coyle (ten points), and little known Jamie McBain (eight points to lead the blueliners) stepping up and doing damage offensively.

Another major factor for Florida is goaltending. The terrific new duo of Allen and Irving are getting the job done every night. A view of the numbers shows the Panthers enjoying great goaltending from both starter and back-up.

Stats	Jake Allen	Leland Irving
Sv%	.912	.922
GAA	2.38	2.25
Record	5-1-1	2-2-0
Shutouts	0	1

Banking these points early in the season could mean great things for the Panthers as they know they can count on more production from Malkin and Horton as the season rolls on.

Hodsgon to Play Out Career as a Panther

Sunrise, FL: As Cody Hodgson got ready for camp he decided to make this season his final NsHL year. The former first round pick had waged many battles in his time. He played for several organizations and decided to go out on his own terms. It looked like he would finish his career with the Chicago Blackhawks.

But one GM had been watching Cody play for years.

Panthers GM Mike McComish said, "We've had a few talks over the years about bringing Cody to Florida. But the timing never worked out. I wanted to bring in another veteran to round out the forward group. Cody can do many different things and i know he'll enjoy playing out his career in Florida. He'll go out on top playing big minutes in the greatest league. Who could ask for more?"

Is Help on the Way

Sunrise, FL:

I know the first step in recovery is admitting your problems … well I’ve got a huge problem which needs to be dealt with immediately. Hopefully I can meet this challenge head on and not be tossed from the league because of it.

You see back in December …

I began to scout hockey prospects for the 2016 draft. I have no idea how much the average GM does in this regard. Is it zero, do they just randomly pick off players from the NHL draft listing?

Do they buy a magazine a month before the draft and then use it as a bible? I’m not sure, I bet the great GM’s do a ton of work in preparation of the draft. But when is it too much …

I started to put together my list in early December. Then while working away I noticed I was making notes on the 2017 draft prospects.

At some point, a few 2018 draft prospects came across my desk and I eagerly scribbled down notes into my spiral notebook.

And then it happened, on April 19, 2016, about three months before the 2016 draft. I was given some Intel about a prospect in the 2019 draft. Yes, the 2019 draft.

Like a drunk with a new bottle, I couldn’t consume the knowledge quick enough. I made a new page in my spiral notebook and titled it 2019 and started scribbling. Then it hit me, what was I doing? This kid is how old??? Why is he in my notebook? This draft is four years away. I’ve got a problem …

I’m hoping by admitting to the world my issues that I can find a way to get better. But at this moment, all I can think about is finding more and better information and filling my spiral notebook with pages and pages of hockey prospects and the merit of each one. Help me … before its too late.

Allen to Make NsHL Debut Tonight

Sunrise, FL: It's taken a few seasons, he's had to wait behind other quality goalies, but tonight he waits no more. Jake Allen will make his first NsHL start when the Florida Panthers play in Minnesota against the Wild.

Panthers coach Bob Gainey said, "It's games on back-to-back nights, Berns played last night ... not going tonight. Jake is a terrific goalie, he'll get to play with us for the rest of the season. I'm sure he's fired up."

Allen, a second-round pick draft pick by Florida in 2008, he's been sharing duties in goal for the Jacksonville Jokers, in Florida's minor league system. He had 14 wins, .933 save percentage and a 2.18 goals against average in 30 starts.

Florida trade block

Sunrise, Florida:

CARL GUNNARSSON … a goalies BFF … instant upgrade to your top four without paying Ron-Jones-two-firster-cost … Averaging 17.5 mins a night on a bad club and playing PLUS hockey defense … huh-say-what-now … yuppers … blocks shots, kills penalties, defensive aware, disciplined and has just enough foot speed, checking and grit to stabilize your back line. Cost = draft pick(s)

CHRIS BOURQUE … versatile bottom six role player … blocks shots, hits and plays a smart disciplined game … but that’s not all … you want him because he has foot speed to play and drive your forecheck in today’s NsHL … if ya gotta have pluggers and grinders … might as well have them be nifty skaters with experience … a bit offensively challenged ... but he adds in every other way. Cost = draft pick

ANTHONY STEWART … danced down the right wing in over 400 NsHL games … not your grandma’s Anthony Stewart … adds grit and character to your bottom six without adding the silly penalties that usually go with this type of player … responsible, disciplined … not flashy … job-getter-doner. Cost = draft pick

JOSH HARDING … this is tough … long-time Panther back-up … quality individual … his battle with MS has hit home with us for personal reasons … came to us via trade back when Trent was Wild and not Devil … think back my friends … good times … solid as rock … slide stopper … always ready to pick up for your starter … winning record on a bad club … numbers tell all … 17 games … 0.912 sv% … 2.66 GAA. Cost = draft pick

GOALIES: the Panthers are strong in the crease, BERNIER, ALLEN and MRAZEK all in the fold. A trade of one is possible. Move might be better served in the off-season, however you might miss the boat if you wait too long. Not an easy deal to make because it’s not a deal which NEEDS to be done. We have room for all three next season.

Bits-n-bites …

TYLER BOZAK … screaming out for a NHL re-rate. Cost = draft pick or prospect

BRANDON BOLLIG … depth or minor league upgrade. Cost = draft pick

CODY MCCORMICK … depth or minor league upgrade. Cost = draft pick

MATT HENDRICKS … Ekbladian Crusher. Cost = draft pick

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A Superstar is Borna

Sunrise, Florida: Its a stretch to call the start of Borna Rendulic 's NsHL career a huge success and nobody will believe he is Superstar caliber. But the truth is this rookie from Zagreb Croatia has played almost every game this season for the Panthers and has provided some grit and speed to the 4th line.

Rendulic is an experienced international player. He's represented his country at 6 different World Championships and he's only 23. As he was developing his hockey skills in Croatia, Borna wanted more, he wanted to test himself against the best. First he left home for Finland to play Junior hockey. After a few seasons of Senior hockey in Finland he got the desire to test himself again. This time he crossed the pond for North America.

Borna signed a three-year deal to play for the Panthers and his new challenge officially began. He now has tasted life in the big leagues, playing with world class players. He mostly provides a grinding, hitting and forechecking role for Florida. But he's also played special teams minutes and had a chance to play first line minutes in a few games. He registered his first point of his career in the Panthers 4-2 loss in Vancouver.