The Florida Panthers have lost a key player in their quest for a playoff spot. Ivan Novoseltsev has been released by the team so that he may join the Amur Tigers Khabarovsk of the Russian League.
"We needed to do the right thing," said Coach Keenan. "Ivan expressed a desire to go back home and play in front of family and friends. In all fairness, how could we say no. He has meant so much to this team, a fan favorite and a favorite on and off the ice with players and the management team in Florida."
Novoseltsev, 28 years-old, a Florida Panther since the beginning was a key player in their offense. Ivan averaged 28 goals, 57 points and 4 game winners per season for 4 seasons with the Panthers.
After a slow start to the 07-08 season, Ivan had begun to start scoring again and regained his spot as a top six forward on the club.
"If anybody saw him play against Tampa Bay the other day," Keenan explained. "They would easily see how much he adds to the team."
In Tampa, on game 27 of the schedule, Ivan played his best game of the season and earned the first star in the Panthers 4-4 tie against their Southeast Division rival.
Novoseltsev was one of only three players (Mezei & Majesky the others) from 03-04 squad still on the club when this season began. Veteran pivot Marc Savard could see the benefit of having Ivan around. "Yeah, for sure ... he made us all better players. If you gave him too much time around the net he would bury any chance." Said Savard. "We miss him in the room and he makes the other team worry. He goes to the net and he can finish."
In his final three games as a Panther, the team went 2-0-1 and Ivan had 2 goals, 2 helpers, was a plus 4 and averaged 22 minutes of ice team. "No doubt our younger players will now have to pick up the slack of not having him around." Said Keenan. "Guys like Eaves, Horton, and Miettinen will be heavily counted upon to fill the void."
The last word goes to Savard: "We understand why Ivan had to leave, Russia makes it comfortable for their stars, lower taxes and lots of free perks ... but make no mistake Novo will always be a Florida Panther, we believe he would still be here if he could ... but we back him and understand why he is no longer part of the club. The team is confident we can rally around this and dedicate the season to him while finishing what we and he started."
