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George Richards is a native Miamian who attended Florida International University and has been at The Herald since his days roaming the halls of Cooper City High. Richards has covered everything from the Rose Bowl to the Super Bowl, from the World Series to state basketball in Lakeland and everything, it seems, in between. Richards has been the Panthers beat writer since the 2004-05 season that never was, and is excited to finally see some pucks hit the ice.
Submitted by Erick from Miami, Florida
Q: George...is this trade REALLY that bad? While I didn't like it last night...I keep reading up on Ballard and he sounds really good. I've seen Boynton play, and he's an average D man...an average D man, who still makes our D core better. If Martin can sign a forward...like Rolston? maybe 2 forwards...how horrible can this deal REALLY BE? It seems like we gained defense, toughness, and leadership. However...right now, the only problem is, it seems like we'll have some more trouble scoring goals. Can I please get your thoughts on the trade, and thoughts on the type of player YOU would sign for this team...in free agency? Because to me...it's tough to evaluate this trade until the offseason is over. We still don't know if we're getting a couple of quality forwards in FA, nor do we know if Bouwmeester is staying, sooo... As of right now...while we traded our best player, I guess you could say we did improve in some areas...right? Or did I wake up on the optimistic side of the bed today?
Answered 06/23/08 19:35:42 by George Richards
A: Boynton "Beach" can play a little bit, but Ballard is the key to the deal. He's the guy the Panthers wanted.Submitted by Pete from Lebanon, PA
Q: Given our need for scoring, any chance JM goes after Hossa, who ESPN.com is reporting, is expected to shop himself this offseason? I know the price will likely be high, but will JM try to save some face after the unpopular Jokinen trade?
Answered 06/23/08 19:35:02 by George Richards
A: Read the two posts below. JM is not trying to save face. He feels he helped the organization. He is not apologizing for anything.Submitted by Zach from Parkland, fl
Q: Any chance that the Panthers sign a big name forward, Marian Hossa just to throw out a name, during the free agency period?
Answered 06/23/08 19:34:20 by George Richards
A: Hossa's looking for $8-mil plus. He will not find it here.Submitted by Andy from Davie
Q: Now that I had time to digest this trade. I have a question, If JM does not bring in a offensive guy this year through free agency then is this trade a bad one?
Answered 06/23/08 19:33:41 by George Richards
A: JM got exactly what he wanted for Olli. He got his shutdown, puck-moving defenseman. He could have gotten more, but not exactly what he wanted in return. Again, time will tell...Submitted by Jim from Phoenix
Q: Thanks for Ollie. You will enjoy watching Keith Ballard. He's very exciting to watch. Not quite sure how the Coyotes ended up with your best player for a couple of defenseman and a draft pick, but have been on the opposite end of these deals for a long time. Good luck Panthers
Answered 06/23/08 19:32:52 by George Richards
A: I think Olli's going to be great out there. A change of scenery ("I'm keeping the weather, but losing the beach,'' he said) is going to do wonders.Submitted by Philip from Miami, FL
Q: Seems like the Panthers had a very successful draft. The Panthers picked up Robak and Markstrom who were both predicted to go in the Top 25 and were picked at #46 and #31 respectively. How do you think the Panthers did?
Answered 06/23/08 19:31:58 by George Richards
A: Drafts always look good in the days after. We won't know exactly how the Panthers did until these kids mature a little bit more. I do like the first pick, really like how he's going to be playing against good competition in Sweden. Baptism by fire...Submitted by scott from plantation, florida
Q: HORRIBLE!!!! MORE DEFENSE????? Who the !@#$! is going to score on this team? Who's going to be the captain???? I don't see anyone on the current roster that I'd feel comfortable with the C on. You know, I think that we can't make anymore deals that are total losses for us, but the Panthers surprise me every year. Unreal!!!!! I'm so disappointed!
Answered 06/20/08 22:42:54 by George Richards
A: You know Scott, this is for questions, not statements....just kidding...thanks for stopping by as usual....Submitted by JTFan from Oakville, Ontario
Q: Did the Panthers trade away their best player again for a couple of useless spare parts inorder to be the worst team next season to draft John Tavares? If so then great move!!! The stellar D pairing of Bryan Allen and Keith Ballard will make everyone forget Luongo and Jokinen! In Canada we are calling the Panthers new number one line "the punch line" Haha what a "joke"nin of a trade again! I'll keep an eye on my boy JT and hope I can go see him play down their in 2009-2010! I love Lauderdale Beach and so will JT!!!!
Answered 06/20/08 22:41:48 by George Richards
A: At least the Panthers have a No. 1 pick next year...Submitted by Scott from Plantation, Florida
Q: Well, yet another stupid move by an organization that just seems to love making stupid moves. Hmmm....let's trade away our best player, leading scorer, hardest worker, show's up EVERY game hurt or not, the face of the franchise, for a draft pick that may or may not pan out, and wont play for the team for at least two years. Yeah that's good strategy. Oh, and alienate the few remaining fans as well. Oh, and that would be a great incentive for Jay B. to want to stay huh? George, how in the world can this be a good thing???
Answered 06/20/08 12:31:39 by George Richards
A: It can only be a good thing in the fact that both sides probably need a fresh start. And JM cannot trade Olli for a draft pick and a pick only. He's working on getting some talent coming back in return....Submitted by J-Yo from Jacksonville, FL
Q: Darren Dreger from TSN.com says Olli has requested a trade. Olli's stance (at least publicly) is he wants to stay and win with the Panthers. Is this request legitimate, or is this more Canadian Jokinen speculation?
Answered 06/18/08 05:53:07 by George Richards
A: It's probably legit, although I haven't been able to get it confirmed yet..check my take on it on my blog...Submitted by JJ from Coconut Creek
Q: What is up with Bill Lindsay? I don't see him on the Panthers website listed as an announcer anymore. Was he fired??
Answered 06/16/08 14:45:45 by George Richards
A: Billy was not fired nor should he have been. He had a good rookie season and is working hard to keep getting better.Submitted by Scott from Plantation, Florida
Q: Do I think we need more offense? Absolutely! The Panthers were 20th out of 30 teams scoring. The Pathetic Lightning, the Kings were higher scoring teams than the Panthers. Everybody's goal production was down from last year. Jokinen, Horton, Weiss. Booth was a nice surprise, but since he's never scored that much in his entire hockey career before, I want to see him do it again before I will say we can count on it every year.
Answered 06/16/08 14:45:04 by George Richards
A: Yes, some scoring is needed.Submitted by Dave from Sunrise
Q: Hey George, Cohen made it clear at the season seat meeting that this team isn't going anywhere or folding, so do you think those rumors could be true about them folding? Also, do you think Cohen made a bad decision in keeping J Martin as GM?
Answered 06/16/08 14:44:40 by George Richards
A: I was kidding about the team leaving. They aren't going anywhere. They lose money on the hockey side of things but are getting money back from other places so they're OK. As I've stated before, I think keeping JM as the GM was a very smart move.Submitted by Dave from Sunrise
Q: Hey George, its Dave again, how are you? I wanted your opinion on the new coach, do you think it was a smart move? Many of our fans seem to think so, but i'd like your opinion. Also, do you think Olli will remain with the cats now that we have a new coach? He seems to have the same hard-nosed attitude like Keenan did,so maybe we'll see a new,fired-up Olli
Answered 06/16/08 14:43:29 by George Richards
A: I think Olli will be here only if JM doesn't think he's getting enough in return. I don't think Olli had a problem with the fired-up part, but something was missing. We just have to wait and see.Submitted by Pete from Lebanon, PA
Q: Well George, just as we all expected, Peter DeBoer was named the new coach of the Cats. I'm not even going to pretend to know anything about him, except what I've been reading since his hiring. Is this a good move? Or just a puppet for JM? I know only time will tell, but what was your immediate reaction, George? Have you heard much about him, or are you as suprised as the rest of us? Thanks.
Answered 06/16/08 14:42:22 by George Richards
A: Oh, I've been telling everyone for weeks that this was going to be the guy. OK, kidding here. Yeah, I was surprised, thought JM was going to go the experienced route. But I don't think JM sees Pete's inexperience at the NHL level as any kind of problem. JM will help him with anything he needs, and I think the two will work well together. It was all sunshine and lollypops at the presser today.Submitted by Lee from Raleigh, NC
Q: hey george, any chance john tortorella gets a phone call from jacques? they need someone to lay down the law in that dressing room and torts is the guy.
Answered 06/09/08 17:07:12 by George Richards
A: I don't see Torts coming anywhere near Sunrise -- unless he's visiting Sawgrass Mills with the family.Submitted by Scott from Plantation,Florida
Q: Hey George, I'm back. Anyway, great finals! I'm just sad there's no more hockey for awhile now. It's the dark time in sports. But back to hockey.....first, are we REALLY looking for more defense in the draft and free agency? I mean we are one of the more offensivley challenged teams in the league and we are looking for more defense?!?!?!?! Maybe if we had tried to get into the Briere, Drury, Gomez sweepstakes a year ago that might not have been as much of a problem. With Ellerby on the way and Van Ryn coming back healthy I don't know why we are in the market for MORE defense. I would only want to go for Brian Cambell as a defenseman. Also, any guy feeling as to who the next coach will be? I would have loved to have had Tortorella, but I KNOW he would never mesh with the defense first mentality of Martin. What are your thoughts?
Answered 06/09/08 17:06:29 by George Richards
A: I don't think this team needs anymore offense, do you? I thought they scored plenty last year. I still think whomever is brought in is going to be one of Jacques' guy. Sure, I'm shifting with the wind since this weekend I thought it would be Paul Maurice. Now, I'm back to my original thought of Pearn/Cunneyworth/Savard. JM has a chance to hook up one of his buddies and not worry about being turned on. But I am completely guessing here. JM has not tipped his hand. At all. Good to have you back Scottie.Submitted by Lehmber Hussainpuri from White Rock, Canada
Q: Yo buddy... there are rumours swirling in Canada that the Florida Panthers may be folded in a year or two? Thats the reports up from the North... What have you heard
Answered 06/09/08 17:03:48 by George Richards
A: Yeah, have heard that too. Shutting down, end of an era. Real shame.Submitted by David from Sunrise
Q: Hey George, I was just wondering on your thoughts about JM staying as GM of the Panthers? Do you think it was bad because he's a old defensive-style person,who will hire a coach with the same style? Same with the Olli situation, Do you think JM has a personal issue against Olli,and he'll be looking to trade Olli this offseason.Also,do you think the team would be better off with a new GM,who would see Olli as our franchise player and Not even consider trading him? Thanks
Answered 06/02/08 16:40:25 by George Richards
A: I think JM has done a good job building up this organization and he has brought stability to the franchise. I think Olli will be shopped and could be gone by the start of the draft later this month, although I think Florida should keep him. He can play better than he did in the final few months of last season.Submitted by Pete from Lebanon, PA
Q: Hi George, I miss all of the Panther talk, but I've enjoyed reading some of your columns on other sports. I had no idea you were so versatile. Very impressive! Hey, just wondering your personal opinion, If you could pick the next coach for the Panthers & sign 1 FA this offseason, who would they be? Would you indulge me by putting on the Panther GM hat? Thanks!
Answered 06/02/08 16:36:58 by George Richards
A: Thanks for the props, have had fun covering the other teams down here during the Florida offseason. I would think the Panthers would love to get Brian Campbell in the fold, especially with the possibility of No. 4 not being around in the long-term.
