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.
Florida Panthers
Panthers and NHL beat writer George Richards answers your questionsMost Recently Answered Questions
Questions 36 - 55 of 656 (Page 3 of 34)Submitted by Scott from Plantation, Fl
Q: Hi George, I know with all the time between their last preseason game and the last one of the pre-season, they will be practicing a lot. PLEASE tell that they are working on the PP. They didn't score at all on the power-play chances they've had so far have they?
Answered 10/07/08 12:41:36 by George Richards
A: yeah, they've worked on the PP...big difference last night with most of the pieces in place, no?Submitted by Mase from Miami, Fl.
Q: George, any idea what the lines will look like for opening night(barring any significant injuries from now til then)? Are the powers that be really gonna throw Matthias to the wolves as the 2nd line center? Or is it gonna be a "patchwork" job(from lines 2 to 4) until some continuity is shown by the players?
Answered 10/07/08 12:41:09 by George Richards
A: I don't think matthias is a No. 2 center right now, that goes to weiss anyway (with horton up on the top line with stillman and olesz)...then you have kreps as the 3 pivot, likely mclean on the fourth...doesn't leave much room for matthias...I think, barring injury or trade, he goes down and gets some serious PT in RochSubmitted by TO from Edmonton, Alberta
Q: Hello down in Florida. Got to watch the Panthers a few times here last week. We're hearing that Horton might be your first line center. True? If so, how long do you think that experiment will last. If not, who moves into the #1 spot next? Also, we are really looking forward to the opportunity to watch Jokinen in Phoenix (not rubbing anything in... have always thought he's underrated)
Answered 10/07/08 12:39:24 by George Richards
A: yeah, I like olli...and I like seeing nate at center...that puts stephen weiss as center of the second line...Submitted by Scott from Plantation, Fl
Q: Good morning George. I was at the game last night and it was nice to see the powerplay connect finally. And without David Booth or Stephen Weiss on the ice at that. It was a little deflating with Lee getting injured. I really hope that NO ONE thinks of it as a dirty hit by Rusty. As we all know, Rusty is in NO WAY a dirty player. I'm SURE he feels bad about the hit. I hope he doesnt receive any disciplinary action from the NHL. What are your thoughts?
Answered 10/07/08 12:37:47 by George Richards
A: Rusty is not a dirty player in any way shape or form, although he still may have to sit out a game. we'll know later. also, yeah, I thought the PP really looked much better with mccabe in there with bo...Submitted by Mike from Deerfield Beach, FL
Q: I was ondering if you heard about when the Panthers will be making cuts? With six games in six days, I was thinking not until they get back to Florida.
Answered 09/26/08 20:25:45 by George Richards
A: Cuts are expected after Sunday's game in Montreal. Expect 20-plus guys to head over to Rochester come Monday morning...Submitted by John from Pembroke Pines, FL
Q: With Bouwmeester set to be a free agent after this coming season, assuming there is no contract solotion. Say we trade him at the trade deadline, any chance we can get a top notch scorer for him? Maybe Gaborik from Minnesota, assuming he does not resign also..
Answered 09/26/08 20:25:05 by George Richards
A: Gaborik is going to want sick money...and I don't know that Minny trades him...they want to make the playoffs and would probably gamble and not trade him....Submitted by Jeff Heck from Miami, FL
Q: The Cats used to skate out of the "Panther Head" before their home games but have not done so the last couple seasons. Any hope that cool tradition will be brought back this season? (Why should it continue to collect dust in the rafters?) Can you put some pressure on management to get it done?
Answered 09/25/08 13:25:58 by George Richards
A: BRING BACK THE PANTHER HEAD! we need to make this happen. right on.Submitted by Scott from Plantation, Florida
Q: Hello George. Thanks for the updates of last night's preseason game. I must admit, I'm impressed that they came back in a game they were down. That's unlike many Panther teams in the past. Of course it's only a preseason game, but it's still nice to see. Like yourself, I'm concerned that with all the powerplays and offensive chances we seem to have, we don't finish more. I know you've mentioned that in the recaps of scrimmages. Has Coach Deboer commented on that any?
Answered 09/25/08 13:25:39 by George Richards
A: Not really...they are just getting people out there right now, not really running a full system or anything...Submitted by J-Yo from Jacksonville, FL
Q: Have you spoken with Noah Welch about donating his brain to science? I find this a very admirable thing, something I would like to hear more about.
Answered 09/25/08 13:24:27 by George Richards
A: I am going to talk to him about it...pretty neat deal...Submitted by Scott from Plantation, Fl
Q: Well, watched most of the Edmonton game. PP is hard to watch right now. I hope it's only because they havent worked on it and they are playing split squads. But it was nice to see them win. I was concerned that I saw one problem that we had last year crop up again. Late period/OT penalties. That just can't happen if you expect to win games. It seems like that happened again last night. Hopefully we become more disciplined as the season wears on. p.s., thank God Sam Gagne wasnt playing last night right?
Answered 09/25/08 13:24:08 by George Richards
A: Sam should play tonightSubmitted by Scott from Plantation, Florida
Q: Well George, what do you think of our aquisition of the latest Maple Leaf castoff? Do you have any confidence in the upcoming season that we will actually be better than before? And if so, tell us why. Convince me with valid reasons if you think we are actually a better team today than last season. Thanks, hope you're enjoying the summer.
Answered 09/15/08 22:54:30 by George Richards
A: I don't know if this team is going to be better. I just don't. looking forward to seeing them live and in person as a group and not just a bunch of names on a sheet of paper. should be an interesting training camp....Submitted by Jeff Heck from Miami, FL
Q: What do you know about third jerseys for the upcoming NHL season? Do the Cats have one in the works?
Answered 09/15/08 22:53:40 by George Richards
A: the panthers do not plan on having a third jersey this season...Submitted by Matt from woodland hills
Q: Sorry to ask you this but your the only one I think would know the answer. How did we do in the rookie tournament today against ottawa??
Answered 09/15/08 22:53:20 by George Richards
A: sorry this is late, but...panthers are 1-2 in their first three games @ kitch...panthers lost on saturday, won sunday and lost monday...Submitted by Lee from Jacksonville,FL
Q: George, Thank you for all the updates as they become available. I found it very surprising that McCabe wants to come to Florida and with the rumors they have floated around, do you think this might be a prelude to Sundin making his way to Florida as well?
Answered 09/02/08 13:35:07 by George Richards
A: I do not see Mats making it down here. At all. Even if he said yes, Florida would have to make some major moves to be able to afford him under the cap. Hard to believe, but the Florida Panthers are right close to the salary cap ceiling.Submitted by Mase from Miami, Fl.
Q: George, any update on the condition of Richard Zednik? If The Cats have made up their minds that the former 2nd line will now be the 1st line(which it seems they have), then it seems to me that they are putting A LOT of stock in a young guy like Matthias to center that 2nd line....too much, if you ask me.
Answered 09/02/08 13:33:37 by George Richards
A: Word is Richard Zednik is doing "awesome" and should be in Coral Springs with the rest of his teammates this week -- if not, by the weekend. And was watching practice today and Matthias looks good.Submitted by David from Doral
Q: George: I am very disappointed in the off season moves or lack of moves, when you have a difficult time putting the puck in the net and you trade your only proven goal scorer for more defence because you led the league in shots on your own goal, why would you sign Greg Campbell to a long term deal? Why would you keep Dvorak who has very little offence left in his arsenal, why would Mr. Martin not sign any free agents that were available that could help this team add some scoring? I am not renewing my season tickets at this time because I am tired of the losing and I do not want to see 1-0 or 2-1 games this season. I believe Mr. Martin should be on the hot seat and if the team does not make the playoffs this season, Mr. Martin needs to move on. I believe Mr. Cohen needs to be proactive this season with the GM, if the ship sinks early, he needs to clean house in the management area and bring a new GM in as early as possible.
Answered 09/02/08 13:32:43 by George Richards
A: They didn't sign Soup to a long-term deal, just two years. I think he's a pretty valuable guy to have around here. And the money made sense.Submitted by David from Doral
Q: George: The rumors say McCabe is coming to the Panthers on 9-1-08. Would this be a trade? If so, who is going to Toronto? If not, is Toronto buying McCabe out? McCabe is a power play point man, what happens to Boumeister on the power play? Thanks.
Answered 09/02/08 13:31:27 by George Richards
A: This is a trade, although by 1:32 pm MT (Miami Time), it had not been made public. Florida could have a pretty good PP, don't you think?Submitted by Dave from Sunrise
Q: Hey George, just reading some posts about the MCcabe and VanRyn trade, and I see both Weiss and Booth come up as possible players also involved in the trade, do you have any insight on whether those rumors are true?
Answered 08/18/08 13:14:26 by George Richards
A: Weiss and Booth aren't going anywhere. Bo (for now) or Horton either.Submitted by BB from Miami, FL
Q: Does McCabe have anything left in the tank? Is there any hope with Bow?
Answered 08/18/08 13:13:54 by George Richards
A: Yes, I think McCabe has been a very good player although last year was a nightmare for him. A change of scenery could do him well. Bo, we have to wait. Vegas doesn't like the Panthers chances of keeping him.Submitted by Dan from Weston, FL
Q: Hi George, after all the moves JM has made. I don't see where the goals are going to come from . Horton..Wish they had drafted Staal...Weiss good for maybe ten...Can't blame Jay if he decides to move onto a winning team ..something South Florida fans have been without for too long !!!! Lets pray they get off to a great start!!! Take Care....Dan
Answered 08/18/08 13:13:00 by George Richards
A: We shall see what happens
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