Panthers Busy Signing FA's

Sunrise, Florida: It was a busy Tuesday afternoon for Panthers GM IronMike. He and his staff put the finishing touches on the 2012-2013 Florida Panthers and Jacksonville Jokers rosters.

Signing with the Panthers are two veterans, Mike Knuble and Craig Rivet. Obviously the first round exit last season did not sit well with Panthers top brass. The players acquired today bring recent playoff experience into the room. Both players will provide depth, leadership and experience to the Panthers club. Rivet played last season for Montreal and appeared in ten playoff games, scoring two points while being a plus-three.

Mike Knuble last season played in Detroit where he was part of a deep playoff run with the Red Wings. Playing in 16 playoff games for Detroit, Knuble chipped in two goals in a checking role.

"We see a fit for Mike on our third and fourth lines," explained the GM. "We lost two forwards and bringing in Whitney for scoring and Knuble for checking addresses that concern."

As for Rivet, the GM was quite excited to bring someone with his pedigree to South Florida. "Our plan was to stay away from the free agent defenders, we thought the talent was good but we also knew the bidding would be fierce," said IronMike. "Craig was our only target, outside of bringing back Ranger, and i'm thrilled that we signed a player of his caliber. He helps in so many different ways, moving the puck and defending while being great in the room."

The farm club also got a jolt of new blood today when the Jokers announced the signing of a pair of players. Nathan Paetsch joins the team on defense after skating for Wilkes Barre-Scranton last season. "Nathan skates very well and will bring some toughness to our blue-line," said the GM.

The club also signed Eric Nystrom to a multi-year deal. The 29 year-old Nystrom is the youngest of the players signed today. He was in the Ottawa Senators system last season and gets a fresh start to his career in Florida.

Harding battling MS

Sunrise, Florida: Panthers back-up goalie Josh Harding is battling multiple sclerosis. He has vowed to fight and play through the condition.

Harding was a rookie with Florida last season posting a 6-9 record with one shutout and a 2.46 goals against.

Everyone at FLAblog and the Panthers wish Josh well.

Panthers sign Pahlsson

Sunrise, Florida: The Florida Panthers dove into the Free Agent Pool to sign hard checking center Sami Pahlsson to a three-year deal.

It's reported Pahlsson will earn $5m over the course of the contract and he brings his gritty defensive talents to the Southern Cats. "I believe Sami will solidify our third line," Panthers GM IronMike said, "we can slide Campbell over to the wing and when you add the size of Anthony Stewart .... well we feel that's a tough combination to play against."

What other moves might the Panthers make this off-season? "This will be a busy time for us," said IronMike, "we lost a few players this off-season and the FA period is one way to make up for that. We plan to be very active and aggressive."

Rookie Watch: The Panthers will have a few new faces when they start camp. Forwards Brandon Pirri, Evgenii Dadonov will be joined by big-hitting Russian defenseman, Alexei Emelin.

Emelin with his bruising body-checks could be the first to see an extended stay with the Panthers, assuming his defending has improved. But Pirri might have the most upside. He was drafted because his on-ice vision and play-making ability could be perfect for the second line.

[Y]Emelin on the Move?

Sunrise, Florida -- In an effort to generate more offense, rumors out of Pantherland suggest GM IronMike is looking to add a forward to his roster.

Prospect Alexei [Y]emelin is the hottest and most frequent name mentioned during trade talks. The hulking 6-2ft forward from Russia is currently playing in the NHL. He has shown an ability to play tough and disciplined although his offensive game has been slow to develop. It also must be said, the players and GM's in the NHL don't have the talent or good looks as those playing and GMing in the NsimHL.

We like Alexei, said GM IronMike. He has become a nice asset for our club. It looks like he can step right in next season and play for our team, at least we expect him too. Will he be dealt? We are looking for ways to improve the team right now. We feel we have a shot to contend. Emelin is an asset. Let's play this out and see what happens.

Ever the poker player, IronMike seems to be indicating he has a strong hand and is willing to bet anything with it to the river.

Rumors indicate the Panthers are shopping picks too. They own 19 picks over the next two drafts.

CATS ROOKIE WATCH:

Josh Harding: has appeared in 9 games recording three wins. He has a tidy 2.17 goals against average and 921 save percentage.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson: Has played twenty games this season and averaged 7.5 minutes of ice-time per game. He has one goal and one assist [both on the power-play] and has a plus/minus of zero.

Jakob Voracek: Has played all 31 games, some of which on the Panthers top line. He averages almost 17 minutes of ice-time and has produced 14 points this season. He is also 4th on the team in plus-minus with a plus 10.

Goalies First Pro Start: GOONTASTIC

Sunrise, Florida: Last night's game between Southeast Division rivals Florida and Tampa was supposed to be a special moment for the Southern Cats rookie goalie Josh Harding. After all it was his first pro start in the NsimHL. However, the backstop turned it into a Miami-Street-Fight.

Harding settled into the game perfectly stopping the first two Lightning shots. But at the 14.43 mark of the first stanza Josh Harding started acting more like TONYA HARDING.

With the play deep in the Florida zone, Ryan O'Reilly whistled a shot at Harding who made the save with his trapper. O'Reilly skated threw the blue ice and then continued to the corner of the rink, but he had a follower. Harding left his crease area and charged towards the Tampa Bay forward with his stick raised high in the air. Harding then took a machete-like swing with his goal stick at O'Reilly. Luckily for O'Reilly the netminder missed his target.

All the players converged on the Goon Goalie and his turtled opponent and the linesman grabbed hold and removed Harding from the playing surface. Harding received a Major Penalty and Game Misconduct for his actions.

"The guy is a freak," said O'Reilly. "I mean you saw his actions, he's not sane. I have no idea what he was thinking."

Harding was unavailable for comment after the game and many have speculated he was hidden away from media in the Cats home rink.

Cats coach Peter DeBoer was asked for his comments and seemed taken back by what happened. "We know Josh, he's a good kid. Maybe he got too excited. Maybe something was said for him to act like that. He knows he can't do that in this league."

When the playing resumed, the Panthers received 26 saves from replacement keeper Tim Thomas and a three goal performance from Evgeni Malkin to down the Bolts 3-2.

CATS ROOKIE WATCH:

Josh Harding: played 15 minutes of game action and stopped all three shots faced. He also has 15 minutes in penalties and was tossed from his only start.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson: Has played six games this season and averaged 11 minutes of ice-time per game. He has no points and is a plus one.

Jakob Voracek: Has played all 13 games, some of which on the Panthers top line. He averages 14 minutes of ice-time and has produced 7 points this season. He is also 4th on the team in plus-minus with a plus 11.