Panther Parkway Post-Game: Panthers vs. Senators

Stars of the game

1st: Roberto Luongo (37-39 saves – .949 sv%)

2nd: Sean Bergenheim (1G-0A-1P)

3rd: Brandon Pirri (0G-0A-0P)

Goals (Panthers 3, Senators 2, Shootout)

OTT: Mark Stone (2) Assists: Erik Karlsson, Kyle Turris

OTT: Clarke MacArthur (22) (Powerplay) Assists: Patrick Wiercioch, Kyle Turris

FLA: Sean Bergenheim (15) Assists: Brian Campbell, Nick Bjugstad

FLA: Vincent Trocheck (3) Assists: Scottie Upshall, Tomas Fleischmann

20th Anniversary: Florida Panthers All-Time Best, Right Wing Edition

We have finally reached the final piece of the Florida Panthers All-Time Best series. Today we take a look back at the top three right wingers to play for the Panthers. While Roberto Luongo may be Florida’s resident “rockstar” type player on the team currently (and during his first stint as well), we begin this edition with one of the biggest stars of his era.

1. PAVEL BURE
When looking back at some of the game’s greatest players that were Panthers at a point in their careers, few of them stopped off in Florida during their prime. Looking to leave the lifestyle of being under the hockey microscope in Vancouver and  the volatile relationship with then Vancouver Canucks GM, Brian Burke, “The Russian Rocket” Pavel Bure expressed interest in playing for a new team. After holding out from Vancouver for the first part of the 1998-99 season, Bure was accommodated and found himself moving to Florida in a trade featuring many pieces, but most notably saw Florida fan favorite Ed Jovanovski swap places with the speedy Russian winger in Florida’s first ever “blockbuster” trade.

The acquisition of Bure in the 1998-99 season gave Florida absolute star power for the first time in their short existence. Bure was a premiere player in the NHL and was one of the most feared goal scorers in the entire league. His explosive speed, quick hands and deadly accurate shot made him one of the most exciting players to watch, and it was just in time for Florida’s transition from Miami into their current residence in Sunrise. Bure made his debut on January 20, 1999 and scored two goals in the Panthers 5-1 victory against the New York Islanders. Bure’s first season with Florida was cut short due to a knee injury and limited him to 11 games in which he amassed 16 points (13-3-16). Despite the injury, the Panthers and Bure agreed on a five-year $47.5 million contract.

The following two seasons showed that Bure was worth every penny. Bure brought attention to Florida by earning two consecutive Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies, as the league’s leading goal scorer, two consecutive All-Star Game appearances and an All-Star Game MVP (1999-00). Bure scored 58 and 59 goals respectively during those two seasons and had instant chemistry with his linemate and fellow countryman, Viktor Kozlov. Bure was a big part of the Panthers 1999-00 playoff berth, before ultimately being swept by the New Jersey Devils. Bure enjoyed his time as a Panther, and was the focal point of the team during his tenure in South Florida. The Panthers even traded original Panther, Rob Niedermayer to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Pavel’s younger brother Valeri Bure so they could finally play on the same NHL team. Bure hit the 700-point mark on December 16, 2001 after tallying three points (1-2-3) in a win over the team that he debuted as a Panther against, the Islanders.

Of the four seasons that Bure was a Panther, he only played one full season. Plagued by injuries throughout his career, his time in Florida was no different. Knee injuries and concussions kept the Russian Rocket out of play and his large contract was beginning to strangle the Panthers financially. The Panthers traded Bure to the New York Rangers in exchange for Igor Ulanov, Filip Novak and a first round pick in the 2002 draft (Petr Taticek) and a second round pick in the 2002 draft (Rob Globke). An unpopular trade at the time, moving Bure was essential for the team in order to gain assets (albeit none of them coming to fruition) and begin the team’s first rebuild of many. Bure’s time in New York was short-lived due to injuries as well and ultimately led to his retirement the following season.

Despite only being in the sunshine state for 4 seasons, Bure is one of the team’s most celebrated players and holds countless records as a Panther. Bure ranks third all-time in Panthers goals with 152, but holds the first and second spots for most goals in a season (59,58) as well as the most points in a season as a Panther (94,92) and ranks number one in power play goals in a season (19) and game-winning goals (14). Bure known for his offensive skill, surprisingly holds the number two spot for best plus-minus in a season finishing the 1999-00 season as a plus-25. Bure’s goal scoring prowess was unparalleled during his time and it’s hard to imagine any Panthers player coming close to the superstar’s ability with the puck. Bure recorded ten hat tricks as a Panther, with two of those tricks being four goal games. Bure was absolute magic on the ice and was a once in a million type player. Although Bure never won a championship in his career, his skill and legacy translated into a Hall of Fame induction in 2012.

The man was a human highlight reel. Check it out.

2. SCOTT MELLANBY
Arguably the best Captain in the history of the Panthers, Scott Mellanby was the heart and soul of the Panthers from day one. Left unprotected by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1993 Expansion Draft, Mellaby was selected by Florida to be a part of the inaugural Panthers team. Mellanby scored the franchise’s first ever goal on October 9, 1993 in the team’s debut. The former University of Wisconsin Badger was a fan favorite and played the best years of his career as a Panther. The best year of his career just so happens to be the most famous year in Panthers history, and much of that year is due to Mellanby.

It was known as the “Year of the Rat”. The 1995-96 season saw an underdog Panthers team shock the hockey world and make a run at the Stanley Cup. Mellanby kickstarted the rat craze, originally known as “the rat trick”. Before the team’s home opener of that season, Mellanby killed a rat in the team locker room with his stick by shooting it across the room. Mellanby went on to score two goals with the very same stick that night. Once word got out, a tradition began in South Florida. Panthers fans would litter the ice with plastic rats after a goal, an act that was a thorn in the sides of not only NHL officials but opposing teams as well. Mellanby was named to play in the All-Star Game that season and scored a career high 32 goals and 72 points (32-38-70). The year of the rat became a legend in the history of the team, in many ways thanks to Mellanby.

Playing in eight seasons as a Panther, and serving as Captain during four of those seasons, Mellanby ranks fifth all-time in games played in a Panthers uniform (552). Mellanby’s long tenure as a Panther perches him up at the top of the best ever to play for Florida. Mellanby is second only behind Olli Jokinen for most goals as a Panther (157), third all-time in points (354), fourth all-time in assists (197) and is number one all-time in power play goals as a Panther (66). A 20-year veteran in the NHL, Mellanby played his 1,000th game in the league during his time as a Panther. Mellanby was a tough act to follow as captain, and to this day there has not been a Captain who could lead the way like Mellanby could for Florida. The rat tradition lives on in Florida, and we have Mellanby to thank for that. Mellanby is currently the Director of Player Personnel for his hometown Montreal Canadiens.
Here’s a look at Mellanby’s hockey career.

 

3. NATHAN HORTON
While Nathan Horton may be best known as the guy who asked to leave Florida when Dale Tallon took over, there is no denying how good Horton was when he was on his game. The Panthers possessed the first overall pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, a draft seen as the deepest draft of the last decade. Marc-Andre Fleury, Eric Staal, Thomas Vanek, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Ryan Suter, Zach Parise, Jeff Carter, Dustin Brown, Ryan Kesler, Mike Richards and Brent Seabrook are just some of the future NHL stars that would materialize from the first round. Florida traded down to the third pick. Swapping places with the Pittsburgh Penguins at the third spot and gaining Mikael Samuelsson and a second round pick (Stefan Meyer). The Penguins ultimately selected Fleury, followed by the Carolina Hurricanes selecting the face of their franchise in Staal. Florida at three selected Horton, who was seen as the complimentary power forward to play alongside Stephen Weiss and along with Jay Bouwmeester could allow Florida to have a solid three young players to build around.

During Horton’s rookie season in 2003-04 he made history. On January 9, 2004, Horton became the youngest player in NHL history to score on a penalty shot (this would be broken by Jordan Staal three seasons later). Shortly after, Horton suffered a shoulder injury and ended his first season at 55 games. His first campaign in the NHL showed glimpses that the young forward could be  true goal scorer in the show, finishing with 14. This was his last season as a Panther where he would score less than 20 goals. During the six seasons Horton was in Florida, he had four 20 goal seasons and one 30 goal season. Owning a quick release and unrelenting power in his shot, Horton was seen as the team’s goal scorer for years to come. Playing in 422 games as a Panther, Horton ranks fourth all-time in points (295) and fifth all-time in goals (142).

Becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the direction of the team and the years without playoff appearances left Horton disgruntled and was eventually dealt to the Boston Bruins, where he won a Stanley Cup and was an important part of Boston’s playoff run. After three seasons as a Bruin, Horton tested free agency during the 2013-14 offseason and signed a seven-year, $37.1 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

FUN FACT: Horton’s trade to Boston also sent Gregory Campbell along with him to Beantown. In return the Bruins gave the Panthers Dennis Wideman, a first round pick in the 2010 draft and a third round pick in the 2011 draft. The Panthers used that first round pick to select current Panther center, Nick Bjugstad and the third round pick to select Bjugstad’s University of Minnesota teammate and friend, Kyle Rau. Wideman did not last  a full season in Florida and was traded to the Washington Capitals. In return the Panthers received another third round pick in the 2011 draft, which they used to select Jonathan Racine.

 

HONORABLE MENTION: RADEK DVORAK
The man called D-Vo will always be a favorite amongst Panthers fans. The quick skating Czech winger ranks second all-time in games played as a Panther, skating in 613 games during two separate stints with the Panthers. Selected 10th overall in the 1995 draft, Dvorak played his rookie season during the year of the rat, and posted 27 points (13-14-27) in 77 games. Dvorak played five seasons for Florida, never really showing the form of the goal scorer they hoped he would be. After an injury to goaltender Trevor Kidd in the 1999-00 season and the Panthers not having a goalie to fill the spot, Dvorak was used as a trade chip to bring aging All-Star goaltender, Mike Vernon to Florida from the San Jose Sharks. This move was made drastically as the Panthers looked to secure a playoff berth. Dvorak was flipped to the Rangers right after, never playing a game for San Jose.

Dvorak returned to Florida as a veteran in the 2007-08 season and played three more seasons as a Panther, which included his 1,000th game in the NHL. Dvorak posted 268 points (113-155-268) during his time as a Panther. Although never becoming a great goal scorer, Dvorak became a solid two-way player and an excellent penalty killer. Reliable on both ends of the ice, Dvorak was used in all situations by coaches during his time in Florida. Currently the 37-year old Dvorak is playing for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Check out this D-Vo Hatty against Pittsburgh

And of course this classic from the 90’s

 

Well, that ends it ladies and gentlemen. As we approach the end of the season and look towards the 21st year of the Panthers in the 2014-15 season, it’s always good to remember the roots and humble beginnings. Not every team achieves greatness easily, and as Panthers fans have come to learn it can be a painful process. The Panthers prospects are some of the league’s best and as we transition into the next stage of the Tallon blueprint we can only hope that these “Young Guns” could one day be the all-time best to play for the Panthers.