Why all the fanfare for a team isn't in the playoffs and hasn't been in a dog's a...OK, longer than dog's age? Well, I'll tell ya!
For a decade, the Panthers have had a ridiculous revolving door in management positions. They've gone through so many GMs and coaches over that span, it's no wonder this team is such a mess. From Luongo being traded for a lot less than what he's worth to the hodge podge of different GMs' ideas and plans, any GM who comes in is left with quite a challenge. However, Jacques Martin has done a good job in this position over the last 2 years.
He's cleaned up the Luongo trade by bringing in Tomas Vokoun with some of the picks he got in trades, acquired a young stud in Matthias, drafted well, has been patient with the young prospects and hasn't rushed them in, has locked up the core long term, and hasn't been pushed around by other GMs by trading good players for less than they're worth.
Martin served duel roles with the Panthers. He wasn't just the GM, he was also the head coach. Last week he was relieved of his position as head coach, but asked to stay as the GM. Thankfully, Panthers owner Alan Cohen has seen the great job that Martin has done as general manager and has recognized the plan he's put in place.
Today, Martin has decided he'll stay on as the team GM and will continue to implement his plan and will pick the head coach he feels will best work with the players he's brought in. Patience now is the key. Martin can now squarely focus on the GM position, and we'll have a coach who can squarely focus on that position as well.
Good stuff!
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